Ragtime - 2003 - West End Articles Page 19

PITTSBURGH – Performing in Pittsburgh for the first time since 1977, Randy Newman, whose music speaks to multiple generations, closes the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's Summer with the Symphony: Thursday Night Icons series on July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Heinz Hall.

Can you believe that it's already time to celebrate Independence Day - aka The Fourth of July - with the biggest-in-the-country fireworks display right here in Music City USA? We know how to celebrate America's Independence right here in Nashville and we expect even more tourists (playwright/actor/director/producer/bon vivant Del Shores is in town, for example, to get a taste of a down-home good time) than normal to fill our city's streets over the four-day holiday weekend.

The Utah Symphony visits Thanksgiving Point tonight, July 1st at 8:30 p.m. to jumpstart your 4th of July with performances of patriotic pop favorites under the direction of Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen and vocalists Elizabeth Southard and Gary Mauer, previously seen on Broadway and in the National Tour of 'The Phantom of the Opera.'

Maestra Marin Alsop conducts BSO accompanied by the Baltimore Choral Arts Society

Marti Webb, Debbie Kurup, Cedric Neal and John Barr are to star in Rhythm of Life, a brand new song cycle celebrating many of the greatest hits by master of the catchy show tune, Tony Award-winning Cy Coleman. 

Looking for a way to beat the heat this weekend? What's better than sinking into a seat in a darkened auditorium and letting the talented actors onstage whisk you way to a whole different world from the world iin which you toil Monday through Friday? Theater companies throughout the midstate are ready to dazzle you with their latest productions and here are some of this weekend's best bets...

The Utah Symphony visits Thanksgiving Point on July 1st at 8:30 p.m. to jumpstart your 4th of July with performances of patriotic pop favorites under the direction of Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen and vocalists Elizabeth Southard and Gary Mauer, previously seen on Broadway and in the National Tour of 'The Phantom of the Opera.'

Looking for an early summer diversion? We're happy to suggest some theatrical offerings to occupy your time, to keep you out of the heat and humidity - which seems to have really descended upon us this past week - and place you smack in the middle of a darkened auditorium that's certain to cool you down while entertaining you in high style…

'What is my purpose in life?' is a question asked by many people as they ponder the reasons for their existence. Finding one's raison d'etre could be the ever-elusive challenge, and should you never discover it, you are in good company. It is an existential question that lingers eternally for people who really want to have a life that matters. Now on stage at The Fisher Theatre is the musical PIPPIN, the tale of existential woe.

We pride ourselves on our bounteous Southern hospitality here in Nashville, so who's gonna explain this: On Thursday, as thousands of country music fans gathered downtown for CMA Fest and thousands more fans of every musical genre you can think of were headed southward for the Bonnaroo Music Festival - just another summer in Tennessee, mind you - a truck spilled its load all over Interstate 65-S, adding to the hot, humid atmosphere with a whole mess of fish parts. Yep, you heard it right: smelly, disgusting fish parts baking on the hot asphalt under the blazing sun.

Mary Poppins is set to fly over the rooftops of London and into the Cumberland County Playhouse today, June 12 to August 16!

Rehearsals began June 2nd for the all-new production of RUTHLESS! The Musical. Broadway lovers (and haters) rejoice, because the funniest and bloodiest musical about what it takes to make a child a star is returning to Off-Broadway! RUTHLESS! is set to begin performances June 25th at St. Luke's Theatre in the heart of the Theater District, with the official Opening Night on Monday, July 13th. Book and lyrics are by Joel Paley and music byMarvin Laird. Joel Paley also directed the original production of RUTHLESS! as well as productions in L.A., South Beach and the record-breaking concert event starring Bernadette Peters. He will once again serve as director of the new production, with Marvin Laird on board as musical supervisor as well.

Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show. Thus, we are happy to present a new feature: The Nashville Theater Calendar, a comprehensive - maybe even exhaustive (lord knows we're exhausted from putting it together, gathering all the info from all over the interwebs!) - listing of theatrical openings for the 2015/16 season. We'll update the calendar every Monday, clearing out the shows that have closed and adding additional information on the shows still to come.

The 69th Annual Tony Awards are this Sunday June 7th at 8/9c hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming. It's the biggest award show of the Broadway season and it closes out a long award season for Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays. We can't help but wonder what chances this year's Best Musical and Best Play nominees have of taking home the ultimate prize. 

Rehearsals are set to begin today for the all-new production of RUTHLESS! The Musical. Broadway lovers (and haters) rejoice, because the funniest and bloodiest musical about what it takes to make a child a star is returning to Off-Broadway in just a few short weeks! Tina Denmark is a pretty, charming and diabolical eight-year-old girl who 'was born to entertain.' With the encouragement of slick and overbearing potential agent Sylvia St. Croix, Tina will do anything to play the lead in her school play, and we mean anything. The question is, where does such remarkable talent and unstoppable ambition come from? The answer may shock you when you see this award-winning Stage Mother of all musicals.

Sometimes it seems there is so much theater happening that it's difficult to keep track of it all. From personal experience, despite all the datebooks, smart phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops...it's hard to keep everything straight in this wacky business of the show.

Mary Poppins is set to fly over the rooftops of London and into the Cumberland County Playhouse June 12 to August 16! This high-flying family musical features delightful songs from the classic Disney film including the Academy Award-winning 'Chim Chim Cher-ee,' 'A Spoonful of Sugar,' 'Step in Time' and 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' Winner of 44 major theatre awards from around the globe, Mary Poppins has captivated audiences for generations with its enchanting story, unforgettable songs and dazzling dance numbers. Mary Poppins is the story of a mysterious nanny who magically appears at the Banks household in Edwardian London to care for Jane and Michael Banks. Adventure abounds as she whisks them away to meet dancing chimney sweeps, shopkeepers and an array of colorful characters. Ms. Hackmann will return to the Playhouse stage as Mary Poppins and Mr. Delaney will play Bert.

Avon Players closes its season with a love letter to community theatre, the sweet and stirring musical A Man of No Importance, based on the Albert Finney movie of the same name. A Man of No Importance runs tonight, May 22-June 6. 

Tina Denmark is back! The diabolical tot who will do anything to be a star, the gal who sets things spinning in RUTHLESS! The Musical, originally staged in New York 22 years ago, winning both the Drama Desk (Best Lyrics) and Outer Critics Circle Award (Best Musical). But make no mistake - this is not your mother's RUTHLESS! This is no mere revival, but a newly imagined meditation on narcissism, talented tykes and stage mothers in this post 'Toddlers and Tiaras' and Honey Boo Boo world!

The Colony Theatre has announced that the final production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the critically-acclaimed, smash-hit, Los Angeles Premiere of WORDS BY IRA GERSHWIN A Musical Play by Joseph Vass, directed by David Ellenstein, Musical Director Kevin Toney, Musical Arranger Joseph Vass will be EXTENDING through SUNDAY, MAY 24 at the Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street in Burbank.

From tonight, May 8 to June 6, 2015, SpeakEasy Stage Company will present the New England Premiere of MOTHERS & SONS, a timely and touching new play about love, loss, and family, written by Terrence McNally.  

Avon Players closes its season with a love letter to community theatre, the sweet and stirring musical A Man of No Importance, based on the Albert Finney movie of the same name. A Man of No Importance runs May 22-June 6. 

Tony Award nominee Will Chase (MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD) and Betsy Wolfe (BULLETS OVER BROADWAY) are leading a production of THE MUSIC MAN in concert at the Cincinnati Arts Association's Music Hall, which closes today, May 3.

From May 8 to June 6, 2015, SpeakEasy Stage Company will present the New England Premiere of MOTHERS & SONS, a timely and touching new play about love, loss, and family, written by Terrence McNally.  

Audra McDonald performs tonight, April 29, 2015 in Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. She will be joined by music director and pianist Andy Einhorn, bassist Mark Vanderpoel, and drummer Gene Lewin.