Somewhere Fun - 2013 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 16

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Jungle Book' opens, Audra and Sondheim visit, Stephen Wallem's St. Louis 'Shrek,' Make Music Chicago, 'The Land Of Smiles,' the Auditorium's cabaret series, Idina in Aurora and more!

The start and use of punctuation occurred around 1500 AD. Prior to this, no commas, periods, quotation marks, etc., were used in writing. What one doesn't have, one learns to do without. Books then were rare and there were no printing presses. Somewhere in those early years, someone decided that interpretative marks were needed to enhance writing. Yet, puns were employed much earlier. They are inferential; they twist together meanings and entwine connections to enhance incongruity. No ifs, ands, or butts.

The Six Marys written and performed by Athlone native Jean Farrell is a comical yet poignant look at life, from childhood in the 1950s, to the present day. With proceeds in aid of Gaelscoil de hIde Roscommon, this play will be performed at Roscommon Arts Centre for two nights only tonight, the 6th and Friday 7th June 8pm. Tickets are just €10 and can be purchased through Roscommon Arts Centre's box office on 090 6625824 or online at www.roscommonartscentre.ie.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Jeff Awards, the Tony Awards (and our BWW Chicago Tony Award Viewing Party!), the return of two special events, 'West Side Story,' upcoming seasons of musicals, and my June 13th cabaret concert, plus more!

One of the most exciting aspects of theatre in Texas is sitting in the audience while Jaston Williams, of GREATER TUNA fame, takes the stage. His charisma and charming personality completely mesmerize and enchant audiences. Recently, I had an opportunity to catch back up with Jaston Williams, and he toldme about his recent performance as Truman Capote in TRU at Austin's ZACH Theatre and his upcoming production of his solo show BLAME IT ON VALENTINE, TEXAS at Galveston's The Grand 1894 Opera House.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema in association with Japan Society announce the full schedule today for the 2013 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) which will screen June 28 - July 15. The popular film festival will showcase over 60 feature films with filmmakers and celebrity guests travelling from Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan to attend the festival. Also announced were special focuses for this year's edition of NYAFF including a celebration of the career of Korean star Ryoo Seung-Beom and new works from the Philippines (joining the previously announced focuses on Hong Kong cinema, Taiwan pulp and a salute to Well Go USA).

The Six Marys written and performed by Athlone native Jean Farrell is a comical yet poignant look at life, from childhood in the 1950s, to the present day. With proceeds in aid of Gaelscoil de hIde Roscommon, this play will be performed at Roscommon Arts Centre for two nights only on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June 8pm. Stalemate by Seamus O'Rourke, A Backstage Theatre Canal Studio Production, will play the Roscommon Arts Centre Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th June.

Simply The Best - this is what Theatre In The Park is calling the 2013-2014 Season as three of their most popular and requested shows, a world premiere, and a new "Second Series" makes its way on the stage all leading up to the 40th Anniversary of A Christmas Carol in December, 2014.

Performance artist Taylor Mac is constantly in creative development, but Children's Theatre Company (CTC) charged him with a first - to create an engaging theatrical piece for a multigenerational audience. His work has been seen and praised at theatres, art institutes, and festivals around the world. He was named best cabaret performer of 2012 by Time Out NY. His new theatrical experience The Fre was one of 41 projects nationwide to be honored with a grant from the MAP Fund, receiving $35,000. The Fre is also one of seven projects selected for the Sundance Institute 2013 Theatre Lab. CTC Artistic Director Peter Brosius claims, 'Taylor is fearless and one of the most creative forces in American theatre today; to have this energy, his heart, and his radical vision on our stage is absolutely thrilling.'

Theater League has announced the 2013-2014 Thousand Oaks Broadway Series Live! at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. It is a season of spectacular National Tours featuring new shows fresh from Broadway and classic Broadway favorites. This noteworthy season full of sensational music kicks off with MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, a sparkling new production based on a legendary recording session; THEADDAMS FAMILY, a brand-new Broadway hit inspired by the classic television series; MAMMA MIA!, showcasing the magic of ABBA, with timeless songs and enchanting love; and WEST SIDE STORY, the revival of a classic musical filled with iconic dance numbers and unforgettable songs.

CG Talent Management has announced In Honor Of Carol Galvin, a benefit supporting cancer research, tonight, May 8th at EVR. All proceeds will be donated to Bright Pink, the only national non-profit organization focusing on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young woman.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) -- currently celebrating its 30th anniversary season -- will present one-night-only 'reunion' readings this summer with the entire original casts of two of the most acclaimed productions in the company's history: on Monday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m., Linda Emond, Cotter Smith, Tim Hopper and Robert Emmet Lunney will perform Craig Lucas' play THE DYING GAUL; and on Monday, July 1 at 8:00 p.m., Mary Louise Parker, David Morse and company will reunite for Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize winning play HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE.

Black Lab Theatre is hard at work preparing the Regional Premiere of David Henry Hwang's CHINGLISH for Houston audiences. Recently, I visited a rehearsal at Asia Society Texas to talk to director Troy Scheid and her cast, featuring Mike Yager, Vivian Chiu, John Dunn, Xin Jian, Janice Pai Martindale, William Wu, and Andrea Huang about the show.

Warner Archive Collection announces the release of the Film Noir classics Jungle Boys, City Slicks, and Mr. Evictus.

The Broadway production of Lyle Kessler's Orphans starring Alec Baldwin, Ben Foster and Tom Sturridge and directed by Daniel Sullivan, opens tonight, April 18, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Today we are talking to a charming and affable presence onstage and onscreen who has scored in a wide range of roles in the West End and throughout the UK from his work as Bobby in COMPANY to MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, MARGUERITE and many more to, now, starring in the Theatre du Chatelet production of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in the title role, Julian Ovenden. In addition to revealing details about the Paris Sondheim production, Ovenden also offers thoughts on his Sondheim work in general. Additionally, Ovenden illustrates his impressions of two spectacular small screen ventures - essaying the role of JFK in the musical-within-the-series on SMASH as well as preparing to play a pivotal role in the new season of DOWNTON ABBEY. Most importantly, Ovenden shares his deep affection for the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and discusses his participation in the stupendous RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN AT THE MOVIES and his continuing collaboration with master conductor John Wilson. Plus, Ovenden muses on potential future parts he would consider playing, shares details of his time in Maury Yeston's DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY Off-Broadway, working with Sarah Brightman on the new feature film 1ST NIGHT - and much, much more!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'American Idiot' pays a visit, Circle's 'Death Takes A Holiday,' Porchlight's 'Pal Joey,' TMTC's 'Pajama Game,' plus a piano show, two children's shows, Seth Rudetsky and more, including an unbelievable roundup of current shows!

Vayama (www.vayama.com), a leading online travel agency uniquely focused on international travel, announced today the launch of the Vayama Go Somewhere Tour, a 12-market U.S. campaign designed to inspire people to think about where in the world they'd like to travel and help them get one step closer to making that dream a reality. The centerpiece of the Go Somewhere Tour is an 18-foot custom-designed truck that serves as a hub for global discovery and travel inspiration at each event along the way. The tour kicks off on April 12 in Los Angeles.

Broadway's powerful new production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, starring Tony and Olivier Award winner and two-time Emmy Award nominee Alan Cumming (Cabaret, 'The Good Wife'), begins on Broadway tonight, April 7, 2013. Veteran stage actors Jenny Sterlin and Brendan Titley complete the cast.

Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) will produce the world-premiere of the musical THE LANDING this fall, with music by the Tony Award-winning composer John Kander and book and lyrics by Greg Pierce, kicking off the company's 2013-14 season, it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, The Vineyard's Artistic Director, and Sarah Stern, Co-Artistic Director.

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is excited to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Theater of the Week! Each week, BWW will introduce its readers to a regional theater located in one of our (over 130!) coverage cities. By exploring these different venues, their history and showcasing the production seasons, BWW continues its commitment to expand our presence in communities and cities across the United States. This Week's Featured Regional Theater: John Lane's Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine

CG Talent Management has announced In Honor Of Carol Galvin, a benefit supporting cancer research, on Wednesday, May 8th at EVR. All proceeds will be donated to Bright Pink, the only national non-profit organization focusing on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young woman. New York City Fireman Rick Galvin founded In Honor of Carol Galvin as a dedication to his mother who passed away from cancer on January 8, 1988. Rick Galvin has presented these semi-annual benefits to raise awareness, money and to make a difference in peoples lives. Rick also hopes that his fundraising efforts will help save a child from the pain of losing a parent to cancer. The benefit will feature music by international Pop/Rock Band Frealane, fashions by designer Jenn Burgos, designer Shakeema Thomas (Kemonae) and international club sensation DJ Angela Pandelis.

CG Talent Management has announced In Honor Of Carol Galvin, a benefit supporting cancer research, on Wednesday, May 8th at EVR. All proceeds will be donated to Bright Pink, the only national non-profit organization focusing on prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young woman.

It's April 1st. Do you know when your Spring is coming? During another longggggg New York winter, the good news is that there were a ton of warming cabaret shows. The bad news is that there were so many, even during this seemingly endless winter our intrepid reviewer Stephen Hanks didn't have enough time to review them all right after the performances. So in what is becoming a seasonal ritual, here he offers yet another compilation of 13 'catch-up' cabaret show reviews.

The shorthand response for why the original production of It's a Bird… It's a Plane… It's Superman only managed to eke out a three and a half month run on Broadway has traditionally been that the show opened during a newspaper strike.