Me, Myself and I - 1982 - London Fringe Articles Page 9

A musical with Italian opera-inspired songs about a philandering middle-aged film director with writer's block, and the dozens of women that influence his life and work, does not seem like an obvious choice for a college theatre program to undertake. However, under the direction of Earl D. Weaver (who also choreographed), Theatre UCF sinks its collective teeth into the neurotic, misogynistic, and childish mind of Guido Contini in NINE, running through March 29th. This seven-time Tony-winning musical is based on the semi-autobiographical film '8½' by Italian director Federico Fellini. The cast of 21 women, one man, and four boys creates an evocative world that seems to hover in the realm between fantasy and reality; much like many of Fellini's films. With striking talent, breath-taking design, and artistic vision, Theatre UCF succeeds where many professional companies would (and have) faltered; despite its unsettling premise, NINE is a joyful reminder of the power of young talent in the arts.

Performances begin tonight, Friday, March 20 and run through Sunday, April 12. Press night is scheduled for Opening Night Friday, March 27. Appropriate for ages 17 +. As a concert production, there will be no live nudity, though documentary photographs of the original production will be projected.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Eric Rosen announced today the casting for HAIR: Retrospection, under his direction.

Today we are talking to an instantly recognizable stage stalwart who has lit up Broadway and beyond for more than three decades since her debut in William Finn's IN TROUSERS - the one and only Mary Testa. Discussing all aspects of her exemplary new album created in collaboration with acclaimed orchestrator Michael Starobin, HAVE FAITH, Testa imparts the impetus behind the concept album and outlines what motivated the wildly eclectic song choices included on the release - ranging from the Beach Boys, Prince and Aerosmith to Michael John LaChiusa, William Finn, Jill Sobule and many more. Furthermore, Testa eloquently describes the fascinating and compelling theme upon which the album is based - the journey of a soul through life; ostensibly a search for faith - and relates the sonic experience to her own spiritual pursuits. Additionally, Testa clues us in on what we can expect from her upcoming promotional concert appearances alongside Starobin in support of the album, as well, kicking off with a concert at Barnes & Noble next week along with a series of shows at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Reflecting on the various ways in which she has seen the theatre transform over the course of her career thus far, Testa also sheds some light on many of her most celebrated roles to date, including IN TROUSERS, THE RINK, XANADU, 42nd STREET, MARIE CHRISTINE, SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, QUEEN OF THE MIST, GUYS & DOLLS, A NEW BRAIN, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, LUCKY STIFF, CHICAGO, WICKED and more. All of that, playing Barbara Bush in FIRST DAUGHTER SUITE and much, much more with one of Broadway's most reliably entertaining and endlessly inventive regulars.

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

Every year, despite a litany of warnings they come to the Big Apple with big dreams. Warnings like: “You have to pay your dues.” “It's a tough business, kid.” “How are you going to survive?” There's no such thing as an overnight success, yet still they come to be at “the top of the heap,” as Kander and Ebb so eloquently put it. The four young performers featured here haven't yet vaulted to the top of the cabaret heap, but they've certainly made their marks with excellent shows during 2014, while exhibiting the potential to get there. The spotlight is already shining on Chrysten Peddie, Angela Dirksen, Rembert Block, and Kristoffer Lowe.

Sting's THE LAST SHIP marks The Police lead singer's Broadway debut tonight, but he's far from the first music industry transplant on the Great White Way. Scroll down to learn more about some of the greatest music stars turned Broadway composers, and be sure to tell us your favorite (or any we left out) in the comments below!

Tis good to be the queen. Few people know that more than Tryphena Wade, a 1999 Pickerington High School graduate who plays Sarabi in a touring production of Disney's THE LION KING. The production opens in Columbus on Oct. 14 and will stay in the city until Nov. 9 at Ohio Theatre.

Director of The Real Thing, Sam Gold, discusses the play with Ted Sod. Ted Sod: Why did you choose to direct Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing? What would you say the play is about?

The original Captain Kirk may be making a special appearance in an upcoming STAR TREK film. According to ComingSoon.net, STAR TREK's William Shatner has said that producer J.J. Abrams (helming the new generation of STAR TREK fims) approached Shatner about returning to the Sci-Fi series.

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

In a side-splitting, historic finale, Dame Edna Everage (Barry Humphries) is capping a spectacular career spanning 50 years of bravura showmanship in this farewell celebratory show at the Moore Theatre, January 15-18, 2015. Dame Edna's Glorious Goodbye - The Farewell Tour will give audiences the chance to bid farewell to the incomparable Dame Edna, arguably Australia's greatest entertainment export. Tickets are on sale now!

This year the Philadelphia FringeArts Festival will get INTIMATE. Alan Ayckbourn's INTIMATE EXCHANGES, that is. 1812 Productions returns to the Festival with a daring new production of Ayckbourn's 1982 experiment in tree drama.

Based on the best-selling 1982 novel by Michael Morpurgo and set in both rural Devon, England and war-torn France during World War I, War Horse is truly a perfect marriage of art, music, choreography and storytelling.

Stage Door Records has announced the Original London Cast Recording of Alan Price and Trevor Peacock's 1982 musical 'Andy Capp' is released on CD today, March 31st. The landmark CD release continues Stage Door's London cast album reissue series and commitment to preserve and celebrate British theatre scores from the past 50 years.

On the evening of March 20th 2014, as part of the Diamond Anniversary celebration of the Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Koch Theater, the troupe offered a triple bill that included a recent world premiere and an enduring favorite from 1982. The first two offerings, choreographed in 2012 and 2013 respectively, earned only tepid applause from everyone in the audience including me. The closing piece, on the other hand, rightfully received a nearly thunderous ovation and I was clapping as enthusiastically as the rest of the dancegoers. I only hope that this disparity between the work that was choreographed over three decades ago and those more newly created is not an indication that Taylor, at 83, is no longer turning out the top quality dances that secured him a place in the pantheon of great American modern dance pioneers.

Huntington Theatre Company, the 2013 recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award and Boston magazine's Best Theatre of 2013, announces six productions of its 2014-2015 Season plus one additional title. Continuing its 32-year tradition, the Huntington will present world-class productions of new works and classics made current created by the finest local and national talent. The varied lineup includes a Tony Award-winning Broadway comedy, a thrilling new play set in Boston, a new play by a celebrated local writer that riffs on a beloved classic, a revival of a provocative comedy, a classic American drama, and a topical new play directed by Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois, plus the return of visionary director David Cromer (Our Town).

Stage Door Records are pleased to announce the Original London Cast Recording of Alan Price and Trevor Peacock's musical 'Andy Capp' will be released on CD March 31st, 2014.

The Green Room Awards are Melbourne's performing arts awards and recognise the world-class Cabaret, Dance, Musical Theatre, Opera, Theatre and Alternative and Hybrid Performance productions that grace Melbourne's stages each year. From artistic excellence to technical innovation, a Green Room Award is the most revered accolade an artist can receive in Australia's cultural capital.

The evening will be co-hosted by two of the company's alumni actors: two-time Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce (at PH in Richard Greenberg's The Maderati in 1987) and two-time Tony Award nominee, two-time Obie Award winner and 2012 Special Drama Desk Award winner Mary Testa (at PH in William Finn's In Trousers in 1979, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Lucky Stiff in 1988, Tom Donaghy's From Above in 1998/Obie Award and Kathleen Tolan's The Wax in 2000).

Wendy has been on Portland stages since the mid-1970s, and was the first supporting actress recognized by the Drammy Award Committee (known then as the Willie Awards) in 1979! She is best known for her 1982 musical, Soph! The Last of the Red Hot Mamas, a show she performed here and toured throughout the west coast with a two year stint in Los Angeles. In 1992 Wendy returned to the Portland stage with her one-woman show, Recovering from Myself(ves).

Artists Rep is honored to produce the world premiere of The Monster-Builder, a diabolical comedic treatise on modern architecture, by Amy Freed. As Freed is one of the nation's most lauded and respected new playwrights, Artists Rep is fortunate to host the inaugural production of this play. The Monster-Builder is directed by the esteemed and award-winning Art Manke and features a noteworthy West Coast cast.

New Brooklyn Theater has announced casting today for its site-specific production of Edward Albee's The Death of Bessie Smith at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. This rare revival will run for eight performances between today, January 9 and 19, 2014.

Artists Rep is honored to produce the world premiere of The Monster-Builder, a diabolical comedic treatise on modern architecture, by Amy Freed. As Freed is one of the nation's most lauded and respected new playwrights, Artists Rep is fortunate to host the inaugural production of this play. The Monster-Builder is directed by the esteemed and award-winning Art Manke and features a noteworthy West Coast cast.