My Daughter-in-law - 1900 - Broadway Articles Page 11

'I don't need you to love me, I don't need you to love. I've got...my sister, I can feel her now. She may not be here, but she's still mine.' So begins the profound anthem 'I'm Here', sung by Celie in the second act of The Color Purple, now playing at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, SD. That one lyric sums up a lifetime of despair and pain while at the hands of the hard-hearted and merciless men she was forced to endure over the course of her life. In the end, Celie triumphs, but not without a long, emotional journey as she struggles to find her 'beautiful' self.

The Muny announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2020 season, which opens June 15 with Kander and Ebb's internationally-acclaimed Chicago. Among the talented list are a mix of Muny favorites and newcomers. In addition to casting, a comprehensive list of design teams for each production will be released later this spring. Telsey + Company is the official casting partner for Muny.

Broadway World awarded musical, Be A Lion, written by Rory D. Sheriff, who recently won a?oeBest Directora?? at the Atlanta Black Theater Festival, returns with improvements and upgrades to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center's Duke Energy Theater, at Spirit Square.

There was no one like Robin Williams. Let's just state that right now. And when you think of Robin Williams, many gravitate towards his 1993 comedy smash a?oeMrs. Doubtfirea?? where he created an enduring, iconic character as a divorced father who posed as a female nanny in order to remain in the lives of his kids. No one can deny the brilliance of that performance and I will fight anyone who wants to try. Well, now we have a new musical version of a?oeMrs. Doubtfirea?? heading to Broadway and currently playing at the 5th Avenue Theatre. And while I recognize the impetus of putting Euphegenia Doubtfire up on stage, I also had serious anxiety over it. Would it just be a rehash of the same jokes? Would the music be any good? And would anyone be able to match the brilliance of Williams in the role? Well, after last night I can answer those questions with yes, but well handled, yes, to an extent, and YES, give that man a Tony. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's break it down into the three components of the show; the music, the heart, and the comedy.

The Highland Park Players Theater for Young Audiences are tickled pink to bring Pinkalicious the Musical to Highland Park!  Performances are February 22, 23, 29, and March 1 at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm on all dates. Performances are at Sherwood Elementary School, 1900 Stratford Rd in Highland Park, IL. This special one-hour presentation is performed by adults and teens especially for kids (and parents) of all ages.  All performances are followed by an autograph session/meet and greet with the cast. 

Sonia Friedman Productions today (20 November 2019) announces final casting for the world premiere of Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt to be directed by Patrick Marber.

Sonia Friedman Productions today (25 October 2019) announces initial casting for the world premiere of Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt to be directed by Patrick Marber, as well as a four-week extension to the run which goes on sale today at 10am. Now booking to 13 June 2020, Leopoldstadt begins previews at Wyndham's Theatre on 25 January 2020 with opening night on 12 February 2020.

On October 19, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another talented cast at the Connecticut Cabaret Theatre in Berlin, CT, in a show called RESPECT.  The directing of Kris McMurray and choreography of James J. Moran help bring out the singing and dancing talents in the four woman cast of Maria Soaft, Emily Gray, Erin Liddell, and Erica Whitfield, who are accompanied by the live band of TJ Thompson on keyboard, Jamie Sherwood on guitar, and Tim Urso on percussion.  The voices and harmonies are strong and reflect excellent effort from this cast.  The stage chemistry is tight and it is clear that the actresses are enjoying their roles.   

Most people are familiar with Jane Austen's a?oePride and Prejudicea??. Whether it's from the book, the mini-series, the movies (even the zombie one), or just from general pop culture, most people know the story. So, turning this into a musical is a bit risky especially with so many Austen-philes out there. But writers Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs, have pulled it off (to an extent) with their new musical a?oeAusten's Pridea??, currently at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and have even tripled the daunting task by making the melodies soar while fitting in the period, combining it with a story of Austen herself, and still retaining the charm and heart of a?oePride and Prejudicea?? along the way.

In Part 2 of our interview with Adam Pascal, Adam talks about two traumatic Broadway experiences: going on with 'Rent' right after the sudden death of Jonathan Larson and having to do 'Aida' two days after the 9/11 tragedies.

Arizona Theatre Company (Sean Daniels, Artistic Director; Billy Russo, Managing Director) announces that Silent Sky, written by the nation's most-produced playwright two of the last three years, Lauren Gunderson,is coming to stages in Tucson and Phoenix.

The Australian Ballet today announced a 2020 season that showcases ballet's enduring power to enchant and transform. In his 20th and final year as artistic director, David McAllister has programmed Australian and world premieres alongside the works that have left an indelible mark on modern ballet. It's a year of milestones and new beginnings that celebrates the dynamism of the company and the art form, with productions that will delight, enthral and inspire.

Cohesion Theatre Company proudly announces the staged readings for their 2019 Playwrights Fellowship. The two plays showcased, By Sea by Laura Fuentes and Where Our Dead Are Buried By David J. Hills, will be presented as staged readings across two weekends next month. A constructive conversation with audience members with surveys and refreshments will immediately follow each performance.

Acclaimed Verve recording artist Brenna Whitaker will be appearing at The Purple Room in Palm Springs on Friday, September 20, at 8pm, and at Martinis Above Fourth in San Diego on Saturday, September 21, at 8pm, it was announced today by The Purple Room, Martinis Above Fourth, and Chris Isaacson Presents.

Director of Design Stephen Brimson-Lewis has over twenty years of experience designing for the RSC. Stephen takes us through the collaborative process of designing Measure for Measure.

The story of The Wizard of Oz has been told numerous times in many different ways. Originally a book written in 1900 by L. Frank Baum with the first Broadway musical adaption coming in 1902. Of course the most popular version is the 1939 musical film adaption starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. For the 60th anniversary of the film release the Gooseberry Park Players decided to bring the story to their stage. Most people know the story, but this version may offer some new scenes not seen by many before, including the 'Jitterbug' song/scene that was actually cut from the original movie due to time constraints.

Theatre Frisco is excited to present A Little Night Music July 26 - August 11, 2019. The fast-paced Stephen Sondheim musical is the winner of four Tony Awards. Set in Sweden in 1900, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs of an actress and the men who love her as chaos and hilarity ensue. Karen Raehpour stars as Desiree Armfelt. Neale Whitmore directs.

Sonia Friedman Productions today (26 June 2019) announce the world premiere of Leopoldstadt, a new play by Tom Stoppard, directed by Patrick Marber.

Elm Street Cultural Arts Village goes over the rainbow and down the yellow brick road with The Wizard of Oz, a faithful stage adaption of the classic 1939 film. Dorothy Gale, a young farm girl, dreams of more when suddenly she and her dog Toto are swept away to the magical land of Oz. Now on a journey to get home, she comes across new friends such as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, all hoping to meet the Wizard of Oz.

On New York's Upper West Side, General Manager Joe Stevens brings his vast hospitality experience and strong work ethic to Chef Daniel Boulud's casual French bistro, Bar Boulud. Broadwayworld had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Stevens about his career and the restaurant.

For nearly 100 years, the University of Michigan William L. Clements Library has housed one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of early American History in the world.

Play Me Again Pianos, a nonprofit aspiring to make metro Atlanta more musical through 88 public piano installations, will cut the ribbon on its newest donated piano Sunday, June 30, at 3 p.m. at the Donaldson-Bannister Farm. The event is free and open to the public, and anyone is encouraged to play the piano, named "Millie," after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

You're not in Kansas anymore Toto, you're at The Starlight Theatre in Kansas City for the opening night of THE WIZARD OF OZ. Based on the 1939 film classic, THE WIZARD OF OZ opened on Monday, June 10 and runs through Sunday, June 16. Philip Wm. McKinley directs his 13th production with Starlight Theatre, an accomplishment which was celebrated before the program began.'

I used to hate Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim's "West Side Story". My only exposure was the movie and I found the story flat and unconvincing. I mean, an entire song just repeating her name? Geeze, learn how to write a lyric. But then a touring production came through town and they got it. They understood what they were singing about and knew how to convey it. And then I got it too. He only needs the one word because it's all he wants to hear. And I fell in love with the show but only when it's done well. Since then I've seen many productions of varying levels of quality. Now comes the current production from the 5th Avenue Theatre and Spectrum Dance Theatre and while it has some moments and some good dance sequences thanks to choreographer Bob Richards who did his darnedest to reproduce the original Jerome Robbins choreography, it lacks the ability to convey the story and the love thanks to some lackluster lead performances and staging and intent from director Bill Berry that just didn't get it.