Love Letters - 2015 - US Tour Articles Page 18

A powerful, emotionally-riveting, dynamically-staged original stage musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN is a truly incredible, phenomenal show that I happily admit-in just a few years of its existence-has quickly become one of my favorite Broadway musicals of all time. Not only does it feature gorgeous, memorable songs from Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, it also has a simple but notably layered and impactful book by Steven Levenson that encourages deeper, meaningful discourse long after the end of the show. Even more remarkable is that the show presents a troubled but empathetic title character that demands so much from the extraordinary Ben Levi Ross-the actor tasked to bring him to life-that you are left in awe at his performance's sheer tenacity and brilliance. Thankfully, it has finally arrived at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts, where the Tony Award-winning musical's first national tour continues its much-too-brief two-week engagement through January 13, 2019 in Costa Mesa.

Just in time for Valentine's Day - the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre is delighted to announce an exciting 90th Season special event!

The Academy of American Poets is pleased to announce that Joy Harjo and Natasha Trethewey have been named its newest Chancellors, an honorary position that has been held by some of the most distinguished poets in the United States, including W. H. Auden, John Ashbery, Elizabeth Bishop, Lucille Clifton, Yusef Komunyakaa, Adrienne Rich, and Mark Strand. Poets elected to the Board of Chancellors become an important part of the history of Academy of American Poets and as of 2019, only 115 poets have been elected to this board since it was formed in 1946.

On Her Shoulders is pleased to present staged readings with music of two plays by the earliest known female dramatists, directed by Lynn Marie Macy on Thursday, January 17, 2019. Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start with The Play in Context by Melody Brooks, who situates the scripts in their historical time and place, followed by the readings and a post-performance Q&A with refreshments.  Teresa Lotz is Music Consultant. Admission is by Donation ($10 suggested). The performance is at New Perspectives Studio, 458 W. 37 St. @10th Avenue. R.S.V.P. to OnHerShouldersReservations@gmail.com.

American Stage is excited to continue their support of the next generation of American playwrights with their 2019 21ST CENTURY VOICES: NEW PLAY FESTIVAL. This festival is a core component of our 21stCENTURY VOICES: EMERGING PLAYS, dedicated to discovering, developing, and introducing audiences to new works for the stage. A diverse committee of 40 community members works alongside our Producing Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte each year to read and evaluate over 500 new play submissions from up-and-coming playwrights across the globe.

American Stage is excited to continue their support of the next generation of American playwrights with their 2019 21ST CENTURY VOICES: NEW PLAY FESTIVAL. This festival is a core component of our 21stCENTURY VOICES: EMERGING PLAYS, dedicated to discovering, developing, and introducing audiences to new works for the stage. A diverse committee of 40 community members works alongside our Producing Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte each year to read and evaluate over 500 new play submissions from up-and-coming playwrights across the globe.

Following the success of The New York Times critic's pick The Tricky Part by Martin Moran, The Barrow Group, under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Seth Barrish and Lee Brock and Executive Director Robert Serrell, continues its 2018-2019 season with the world premiere of AWAKE, written and directed by K. Lorrel Manning.

The Wallis Studio Ensemble presents S.O.S.,  an original multi-media physical theatre work about love and resilience in times of crisis, directed by Madeleine Dahm, from Thursday, January 31 through Sunday, February 10, 2019 at the Circle X Theatre (Please note: S.O.S.is not  being performed at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, but at the Circle X Theatre in Atwater Village). The production uses little known love letters by great writers and activists such as Vita Sackville West, Frederick Douglas, Maya Angelou, Tchaikovsky, Frida Kahlo, Virginia Woolf, Rainer Maria Rilke and others, along with original text, movement, film and photography.

This winter and spring Bucks County Playhouse offers a full slate of entertainment representing a wide variety of musical, comedy and special event performances as part of the Visiting Artists Series at the Playhouse.

Ensemble for the Romantic Century is proud to announce that the 2018 - '19 season, ERC's 18th, will continue January 3rd with Maestroby Eve Wolf. Opening Night is set for January 14th.  This limited Off-Broadway engagement runs through February 9th only. Performances will be at The Duke on 42nd Street (229 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues).

Grammy Award nominated, multi-platinum R&B/Pop recording artist and actress Deborah Cox and award-winning singer, songwriter, and activist Lauren Jauregui are set to perform at The Trevor Project's TrevorLIVE Los Angeles on Dec. 2 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.The event's star-studded red carpet and full awards show will be streamed live on The Trevor Project's Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, powered by the first queer global streaming network Revry and hosted by Shira Lazar and Ryan Mitchell from 'Let's Go There' on Channel Q Radio. The gala will launch the two-year partnership, which names Revry as the exclusive live streaming partner and the Official Streaming Network of TrevorLIVE LA and NY. It was previously announced that Ryan Murphy, the cast of “POSE,” Amandla Stenberg, and AT&T will be honored. Eugene Lee Yang will serve as host. Attendees includeJussie Smollett, with special guest appearances from “Superstore” actors Nico Santos and Lauren Ash.

The Phantom of the Opera at the Finnish National Opera is a great, must see performance of the well-known musical. It's a show with a big budget, something you can't see anywhere else in Finland.

ZACH Theatre recently held a weekend of celebratory events to fete the 80th birthday of industry staple Terrence McNally. The weekend included a dinner party, a screening of 'Every Act of Life' featuring a talkback, and an 80th Birthday Gala Performance featuring Christy Altomare, Chita Rivera, and more. Check out the photos below!

The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will open with the World Premiere of The Aspern Papers with international star cast.

Artists Repertory Theatre presents Everybody, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama. The production is co-directed by Jessica Wallenfels and Damaso Rodriguez, and is an inventive twist on a medieval morality play. Everybody runs from November 25 through December 30 on the Alder Stage.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Paradise Square: An American Musical. The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moises Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster. Paradise Square is produced by special arrangement with Garth H. Drabinsky in association with Peter LeDonne and Teatro Proscenium Limited Partnership.

Teatro ZinZanni announces its twentieth year as a pioneer of its own brand of theatrical, circus arts entertainment. Teatro ZinZanni is a whirlwind of international cirque, comedy, and cabaret served up with a scrumptious multi-course feast and elegant libations inside a gorgeous antique, mirrored spiegeltent. In an era of exceptional city growth and expansion that has been the catalyst for much change in the local artistic community, Teatro ZinZanni and its leadership look back on two decades of cultivating an original arts brand that eliminates the 'fourth wall,' showcases international artistic talents in a way not previously seen in the United States, and despite a series of bumps in the road, perseveres and continually brings together audiences from near and far to indulge in the shared experience of love, chaos, and dinner.

The play will be shown from March 21, 2019 until March 24, 2019. 

Griffin Theatre Company Artistic Director William Massolia today announced the addition of nine new ensemble members: Isa Arciniegas, Larry Baldacci, Peter Byrne, Jermaine Hill, Nicole Laurenzi, Ryan McBride, Rochelle Therrien, Jason VonRohn and Scott Weinstein. Additionally, Griffin is pleased to add six new artistic associates: Will Kiley, Dorothy Milne, Mechelle Moe, Alexander Ridgers, Rachel Sypniewski and Brandon Wardell.

Participants in the topical, interactive series for academic year 2018?19 include artists Rina Banerjee and Isaac Julien, curator and author Helen Molesworth, and Alice Pratt Brown Director of the Whitney Museum of American Art Adam Weinberg

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company brings its acclaimed production Boda Mexicana (Mexican Wedding) to audiences at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture. This will be the Company's first season presented in the Bronx coinciding with its 15th anniversary. Boda Mexicana tells the story of the union of two people through Mexican songs, dances, customs, rituals and ceremonies. Two lovers travel through time to Mexican towns where we experience the customs of courtship, engagement, the ceremony, and the feast that follows. But will a curse set long before their time alter their destiny? Under Artistic Director, Alberto Lopez Herrera and Music Director, George Saenz, the company of 20 dancers, guest performers, and core of musicians take audiences on a voyage through regional and ethnic traditions guided by Calpulli's unique artistic interpretation.

The Broad Stage presents Billy Childs and his Jazz Chamber Ensemble on Sunday, November 11 at 7:30pm. One of the foremost American composers of his era, pianist Billy Childs embodies a unique blend of jazz and classical music. The multi-GRAMMY Award winner's groundbreaking project merges improvisation and jazz rhythms with the orchestration and instrumentation of a traditional chamber ensemble.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Ravinia's Steans Music Institute (RSMI) last summer, Ravinia launched a competition for composers who could fuse the worlds of jazz and classical music. Due to its success, Ravinia, with the support of DownBeat magazine, is now calling for submissions to the second annual "Bridges" international jazz and classical fusion composition competition, overseen by legendary pianist Billy Childs and double-bassist Rufus Reid, who co-direct the RSMI Jazz Program. Up to three winners will receive the David Baker Prize, named in recognition of the first RSMI Jazz director. The prize includes $2,500 in cash plus the world-premiere performance of the winning piece during Ravinia's 2019 season.

Spike Dolomite Ward, Executive Director of Theatre West, announced the addition of Kiki Ebsen's theatrical tribute to her father, entertainer Buddy Ebsen, is set for three nights this fall, October 12-14, 2018. S.E. Feinberg will direct the touching tribute "TO DAD WITH LOVE: A TRIBUTE TO BUDDY EBSEN,"and is co-produced by Kiki Ebsen, her brother, Dustin Ebsen, and associate producer Linda L. Rand. Ward noted that Today's performance is a fund-raiser for nonprofit Theatre West, the internationally acclaimed oldest continually operating theatre company in Los Angeles. Tickets on sale through www.theatrewest.org

James Taylor & His All-Star Band with special guest Bonnie Raitt and her band have announced nine additional markets will be added to their 2019 tour.  The new dates include Cincinnati, OH, Austin, TX, Lincoln, NE, Sioux Falls SD, Moline, IL, Toledo, OH, Lexington, KY, Allentown, PA and Providence RI in addition to the previously announced dates. Taylor and Raitt's highly acclaimed tour celebrates a decades-long friendship. Earning rave reviews on the road together last year, The Minneapolis Star Tribune called the show 'an unforgettable evening.' Tickets for the just announced dates will go on-sale to the public October 19th at 10am local time.