My Special Friend - 2002 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 19

This week at Joe's Pub, Sept. 23-29, features ALBUM OF THE MONTH CLUB: RAY CHARLES BIRTHDAY BASH, SANDRA ST. VICTOR, GRANDMOTHERS OF INVENTION, THEO BLECKMANN: SONGS IN KEY OF D, JOSH ROUSE, REBELLUM CD RELEASE, JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND, KENYON PHILLIPS & THE LADIES IN WAITING, and STORIES I WANT TO TELL YOU IN PERSON.

Back in 1974, Pierre Bensusan was cutting his teeth as a performer on the folk scene in Paris and other cities in France when one of his idols, banjo great Bill Keith, offered him his first official paying gig ever touring Western Europe with his bluegrass band.

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre - the coalface of British Theatre - presents Vibrant 2013 - A Festival of Finborough Playwrights, its annual explosion of new writing, running between 6-25 October 2013

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the 35 films that will comprise the main slate of official selections for the 51st New York Film Festival

Today we are talking a phenomenally talented performer known for his decades treading the boards in a number of featured and lead roles, most recently wowing crowds with his turn as one of the title characters in THE GERSHWINS' PORGY & BESS - the engaging and golden-voiced Norm Lewis. Discussing many of his most celebrated roles as well as some more obscure, Lewis paints a vivid picture of his career trajectory thus far and shares compelling and candid stories of working on productions as varied and diverse as the original Broadway versions of THE WHO'S TOMMY, SIDE SHOW, THE WILD PARTY, AMOUR, THE LITTLE MERMAID and SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM as well as his sensational work regionally in projects such as his recent essaying of Javert in LES MISERABLES at The Muny (to say nothing of the 25th Anniversary live at the 02) as well as turns in SWEENEY TODD and THE WIZARD & I: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ among many others. Additionally, Lewis sheds some light on his recent onscreen work, clueing us in on how he became involved with hit nighttime soap SCANDAL and how he enjoyeds working with co-stars Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn on it - and if we will possibly see him in Season Three, perhaps. Plus, Lewis opens up about his upcoming solo gigs and performing plans - including first news on his starring part in the upcoming Public Theater musical version of THE TEMPEST - as well as touches upon a host of topics ranging from his appearances at spectacular special events - DREAMGIRLS: IN CONCERT, HAIR: IN CONCERT, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA in the Park - to his appearance in SEX & THE CITY 2 (opposite Liza Minnelli) to recording studio work, dream projects, future goals, favorite workshop/reading experiences and much, much more!

Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein have announced the upcoming lineup at the all-newFeinstein's at the Nikko for the months of October, November and December. Artists include Emmy Award winning actress Megan Mullally ('Will and Grace) and actress Stephanie Hunt ('Friday Night Lights,' 'Californication') and their band Nancy & Beth; actress, producer and singer Rita Wilson; Broadway star and recording artist Linda Eder; soul and jazz vocalist Oleta Adams; and more! Additional artists will be announced at a later date.

Today we are talking to an electrifying live performer who has made a major mark in the theatrical realm with his work as the title character in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL - PHANTOM 25 for short - as well as the originator of the role in its musical sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES - to say nothing of his long-standing and upcoming association with LES MIERABLES, at the O2, in Toronto this Fall and beyond - the one and only Ramin Karimloo. Espousing on the many major musical theatre roles he has essayed thus far as well as what he would like to take on in the future, Karimloo grants unprecedented access into his background and illustrates his experiences participating in some already classic once-in-a-lifetime events, such as PHANTOM 25 and LES MIZ at the 02. Most importantly, Karimloo clues us in on what we can expect from his series of shows this week at SubCulture as well as explains the history and future plans for his Broadway and Bluegrass - aka Broadgrass - tour. Additionally, Karimloo discusses the finer points of his forthcoming headlining role as Jean Valjean in the Toronto kick-off of the brand new LES MISERABLES revival and shares his memories of appearing on the Academy Awards this year with the film's cast. Also, Karimloo offers first news on his upcoming series of EPs, reflects on his past solo albums and how they developed, as well as comments on his recent UK TV recurring role on THE SPA ROOM and desire to pursue more TV/film work in the future, as well as shares his enthusiasm for GLEE - and much, much more!

Bay Street Theatre's Comedy Club, sponsored by Madison & Main Restaurant and Bar, continues tonight, June 29 with Colin Quinn Unconstitutional.

Bay Street Theatre $B!G(Bs Comedy Club, sponsored by Madison & Main Restaurant and Bar, continues June 29 with Colin Quinn Unconstitutional. Tickets are $62 for members or $69 for non-member. All Comedy Club dates are available online at www.baystreet.org or by stopping by or calling the Box Office at 631-725-9500.

Marni Nixon, who dubbed the singing role for Natalie Wood, along with Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Eddie Verso (Juano) and Harvey Evans (Mouth Piece), will participate in a roundtable discussion about WEST SIDE STORY at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall tonight, June 14 from 7 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Jonathan Palevsky, program director of WBJC 91.5 FM radio and host of 'Cinema Sundays' at The Charles Theater, will moderate. Please see below for complete program details.

New Hampshire and summerstock are pretty much interchangeable. Across the Granite State, theatergoers will find incredible options for live entertainment. One night they could be in an old barn, where the floors creek and an occasional bat will make its presence known. Then the next night, you're in a brand new, modern facility with air conditioning, comfy seats and a bar.

Marni Nixon, who dubbed the singing role for Natalie Wood, along with Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Eddie Verso (Juano) and Harvey Evans (Mouth Piece), will participate in a roundtable discussion about WEST SIDE STORY at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on June 14 from 7 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Jonathan Palevsky, program director of WBJC 91.5 FM radio and host of "Cinema Sundays" at The Charles Theater, will moderate.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long have announced that the world premiere of Basilica, written by Mando Alvaradoand directed by Jerry Ruiz, will extend for one week though Saturday, June 22, at the Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce Street.

The OBIE Award-winning Pig Iron Theatre Company will collaborate on a new concert-spectacle with Dr. Dog - the Philadelphia-based indie-rock band whose last album (Be the Void) debuted on Billboard's top 50 - thanks to new funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The as-yet-untitled collaboration, scheduled for spring/summer 2014, will filter Dr. Dog's songs (including some from a new album due out in October) through Pig Iron's unique visual style and concept-driven staging.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long have announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Basilica, written by Mando Alvarado and directed by Jerry Ruiz. Basilica will begin performances on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at the Cherry Lane Theatre at 38 Commerce Street. The official opening night is set for Thursday, May 23rd at 7pm. The production is scheduled to run through June 16th.

Brooke Shields has been announced as the director of the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of CHICAGO, which holds the record as the third longest running show in Broadway history. Rob Fisher has also been announced as the conductor of the production. Shields starred in CHICAGO both on Broadway and in London's West End and this marks her directing debut. Fisher's association with the show began with the 1996 Broadway revival and he continues to be supervising music director of CHICAGO productions around the globe.

Yoshi's San Francisco has announced its updated calendar for the club and restaurant through May 5, 2013. Details below!

Yoshi's San Francisco has announced its events through Apr 30, 2013. Yoshi's San Francisco Live Music & Restaurant is located at 1330 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, Calif.

Once a Bonnie, always a Bonnie. That's a commonplace phrase creeping into conversations around springtime on the Olean, N.Y. college campus, but it rings true for Alexandra Herryman, a 2004 Bonaventure graduate returning to her former home to bring her puppetry skills to SBU Theater's production of Robert and Willie Reale's musical A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD.

One World Theatre, Austin's premiere music venue known presenting diverse music and cultural arts in an up close and personal setting has announced its 2013 Summer Season. Highlights include top singer-songwriters like Dar Williams and Jimmy Webb, contemporary jazz greats like Euge Groove and Earl Klugh, Latin music icons like Sergio Mendes and Arturo Sandoval and local favorites like Walking Woody's Road featuring Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves and Sam Baker. One World Theatre will also present GRAMMY Award winning trumpeter, Chris Botti at Riverbend Centre.

Premiering nationwide Monday, May 20, 2013 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on PBS (check local listings), American Masters Mel Brooks: Make a Noise features new interviews with Brooks, his friends and colleagues, including Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Cloris Leachman and Joan Rivers. Get a sneak peek below!

Today we are shifting our focus from the stages of Broadway and beyond to the stages of the previous 84 Academy Awards telecasts that have transpired to date, in anticipation of Sunday night's big, big, big show. After all, this year's Academy Awards is of particular interest and excitement to theatre fans around the globe, especially because super-producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are behind it - the men responsible for the hit stage-to-screen adaptations of CHICAGO and HAIRSPRAY, as well as the small-screen successes GYPSY, LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME & MY SHADOWS, ANNIE, and, most recently, NBC's musical series SMASH, to name a few of their many marvelous musical-friendly credits. They told me themselves earlier this week that this year's telecast would be the most music-packed Academy Awards show to date, and, just judging from the announced tributes, performers and presenters thus far it is clear to see that they were not kidding - reunions of the casts of the film versions of CHICAGO and LES MISERABLES live onstage, singing their film's most famous songs to Jennifer Hudson leading a DREAMGIRLS tribute all the way to a James Bond 50th anniversary celebration featuring Adele and Shirley Bassey on some famous Bond themes, as well as Barbra Streisand herself singing 'The Way We Were' in memory of friend and collaborator, three-time Oscar-winner Marvin Hamlisch.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today a rare chance to take in the full measure of a master filmmaker with A CLOSE-UP OF ABBAS KIAROSTAMI from tonight, February 8-17.

Over the years, many in the Way Off Broadway family have gone on to appear in countless productions around the country on national tours and on Broadway. Now, for the first time, a WOB alumnus will be starring in a national webseries as Jordan C. Allen plays the role of Wyatt in Cinevore Studios' Nerd vs. Geek.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today a rare chance to take in the full measure of a master filmmaker with A CLOSE-UP OF ABBAS KIAROSTAMI from February 8-17.