Somewhere Fun - 2013 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 17

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, will present stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. 54 Below also launches its new series of late night events this March. Joining Tuesday nights' popular "Backstage" with Susie Mosher will be the "54 Piano Bar," a new vocal competition - 'The Callback," and more.

Bristol Riverside Theatre announces its mainstage 2013-2014 season including two comedies, two adaptations and a one-man show. The new season features the Philadelphia area premiere of Steve Solomon in My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm STILL in Therapy, Pride and Prejudice by Jon Jory, Tuesdays with Morrie by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, Laughter on the 23rd Floor by Neil Simon, and Little Shop of Horrors by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman.

Geva Theatre Center's Artistic Director Mark Cuddy and Executive Director Tom Parrish are proud to announce the much anticipated 2013-2014 season, the organization's 41st season of producing professional theatre of a national standard for audiences in the Greater Rochester region. The 2013-2014 Wilson Mainstage Season features a high octane, all-American musical; a hilarious homage to a Hitchcock classic film; a new play by the author of Almost, Maine; an Olivier, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play about race and real estate; the world premiere of a play ripped from the headlines; and the finale - a beloved and timeless comedy from an American Master. Geva's magical production of A Christmas Carol has become Rochester's holiday tradition and will return for 2013.

The Grand Rapids premiere of 'Jersey Boys' will open the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids 2013-14 season.

The 2013 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to U.S. playwright Annie Baker for her play The Flick. On March 17, Houston's Alley Theatre hosted a special presentation and ceremony honoring the Winner and Finalists of the Prize and celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the international prize, which is based in Houston.

Since its founding in 1998, Soho Rep's Writer/Director Lab has fostered the development of emerging playwrights and directors, providing mentorship and resources for their new theatrical works. From April 1 through May 13, the organization will present public readings of the fruits of this year's Lab, the 15th in Soho Rep's history.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize honors 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, now celebrating its thirty-fifth year.

Productions Coracole presents the world premiere of a new musical, Daisy and the Wonder Weeds, just in time for Earth Day. Written by Jean Elliot Manning, the production is directed by Coralie Heiler and Sylvain Millette and will run for three shows only, April 19 and 20, 2013.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Concerts by Audra McDonald, Sarah Brightman and Chester Gregory, Yeston's 'Death Takes A Holiday' and more from Circle Theatre, all our top current runs, plus the premieres 'Straight Camp,' 'Things Fall Apart' and 'Next Stop!'

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, now celebrating its thirty-fifth year.

Music Director Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announce the Orchestra's 2013-2014 season, its seventh under the direction of Maestra Alsop.

Go Comedy! has announced the first 'best of' sketch show, an improvised re-imagining of the Kurt Vonnegut classic Slaughterhouse-Five, and an original production from Go U! The Improv Academy graduates. Tickets ($5-$15) are on sale now online at www.gocomedy.net or in person at the Go Comedy! box office beginning at 6:00pm Wednesday through Sunday evening. A complete performance schedule follows this release.

May 22 through October 20, the Ogunquit Playhouse 'invites fans to sing, dance, laugh and most of all dream with some of Broadway's most beloved and spectacular shows.'

Houston had better watch out! Bayou City Theatrics is ensuring that audiences will feel the sturm und drang in the air with their production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, which opens tonight at the Frenetic Theatre at 5102 Navigation Boulevard. Last night, I was invited to attend their final dress rehearsal to get an early sneak peak at their magnificent production, which I found to be wholly entertaining and utterly spellbinding. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is possibly my absolute favorite musical of all time. I have really high expectations and standards for every production of this show, and from what I saw last night Bayou City Theatrics is delivering everything our sickly, greasy hearts could desire!

Largely responsible for the movie musical revolution of the 21st century, setting the stage first with their mega-successful work on TV in the 1990s like GYPSY, CINDERELLA and ANNIE, then, with their feature film entries since - beginning with CHICAGO and continuing with HAIRSPRAY and many more - executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have bridged the gap between Broadway and Hollywood like no other producers - and, all the while, on their own terms. Opening up about a vast array of projects, ranging from the aforementioned modern classic TV musicals all the way through to the films and stage shows - successful revivals of PROMISES, PROMISES and HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING included - and their affiliation with NBC's musical drama series SMASH, Zadan and Meron paint a vivid portrait displaying their fierce dedication to the performing arts and desire for excellence in all of their many, many endeavors. Plus, most importantly, Zadan and Meron clue us in on what we can anticipate from this Sunday's Academy Awards telecast, which they are producing - such as their experiences collaborating with controversial triple-threat host Seth MacFarlane, amassing the starriest assortment of musical performers in Oscar history (Barbra Streisand, Adele, Shirley Bassey, Norah Jones, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jennifer Hudson among the performers announced so far), creating spectacular tributes to both James Bond in his fiftieth year on film and the modern movie musical revolution (showcasing no less than the reunions of cast members from CHICAGO, DREAMGIRLS and this year's multi-nominated hit LES MISERABLES) as well as what will make this show truly unique. Additionally, Zadan and Meron shed some light on their current and future plans and productions, among them: a BONNIE & CLYDE miniseries for the History Channel starring Emile Hirsch; the currently-running second season of NBC's musical drama series SMASH; two original movie musicals in development and original stage projects, too. All of that, memories of the remarkable LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND: ME & MY SHADOWS, Lifetime's record-breaking broadcast of a new STEEL MAGNOLIAS, comments on DROP DEAD DIVA's recent cancellation, news on the upcoming e-book edition of Zadan's peerless SONDHEIM & CO. biography, the NBC TV version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC starring Carrie Underwood and much, much more!

Join Goodspeed Musicals as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Don't miss your chance to get the best seats at the greatest values for each of the three fantastic musicals specially selected to commemorate our Golden Anniversary season at the Goodspeed Opera House. Due to this extraordinary milestone, demand is expected to be high when tickets go on sale for the 2013 season so audience members are encouraged to call right away. The Box Office will open at 10 a.m. this Today offering great deals on three terrific musicals that are sure to delight theatre-goers: sweet and spirited Good News!; the beloved Hello, Dolly!; and The Most Happy Fella, a charming and romantic musical from the creator of Guys and Dolls. Be among the first to purchase tickets for all three shows at Goodspeed Musicals, the first regional theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards.

Join Goodspeed Musicals as it celebrates its 50th Anniversary! Don't miss your chance to get the best seats at the greatest values for each of the three fantastic musicals specially selected to commemorate our Golden Anniversary season at the Goodspeed Opera House. Due to this extraordinary milestone, demand is expected to be high when tickets go on sale for the 2013 season so audience members are encouraged to call right away. The Box Office will open at 10 a.m. this Sunday offering great deals on three terrific musicals that are sure to delight theatre-goers: sweet and spirited Good News!; the beloved Hello, Dolly!; and The Most Happy Fella, a charming and romantic musical from the creator of Guys and Dolls. Be among the first to purchase tickets for all three shows at Goodspeed Musicals, the first regional theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards.

Soulpepper Theatre vet Gregory Prest sat down with BWW before a rehearsal to talk about his character in 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead', his time at Soulpepper so far, and being an actor.

Gary Naylor sees a unique, funny and dazzling show from Japan

Buzzed-about electronic/rock duo BLACK BOOTS has premiered the official music video for their second single “Flash Of Light”. Check out the video below!

Broadway Across America-Houston is about to fly CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, the thrilling tale of Frank Abagnale, Jr., into the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Merritt David Janes is starring as Carl Hanratty, the FBI agent that tirelessly pursued Frank Abagnale, Jr .He was wanted for posing as a Pan American World Airways pilot, a Georgia doctor, a Louisiana parish prosecutor, and check fraud, which was his primary crime. Merritt David Janes took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me about his career, playing Carl Hanratty, touring, and the show CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

The Vineyard Theatre proudly announces that its 30th Anniversary season will continue with the New York premiere production of THE NORTH POOL, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Vineyard's Paula Vogel Award-winning playwright Rajiv Joseph (BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO), directed by Giovanna Sardelli (ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER). THE NORTH POOL, starring Stephen Barker Turner and Babak Tafti, will begin performances on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St., between Irving Place and Union Square East). Opening Night is Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling The Vineyard Box Office at 212-353-0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.

Tickets for PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES on Broadway are now on sale via Telecharge.

As temperatures dropped on January 2, 2013, I sat down with Jordan Jaffe, Ross Bautsch, Matt Benton, Candice D'Meza, and Darcy Cadman to discuss Black Lab Theatre's upcoming production of Jeff Talbot's controversial and comedic drama, THE SUBMISSION.

Today we are talking to a talented writer and journalist who has penned the definitive book on the hottest UK crossover TV series of the new millennium, the early 20th century-set family period drama DOWNTON ABBEY, with her estimable new tome now available, THE CHRONICLES OF DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA - Jessica Fellowes. Discussing many of the most alluring aspects of the hit Brit series, especially insofar as an international audience is concerned, as well as adding even more historical, political and social insight into the proceedings on the show over the course of its run so far, Fellowes and I assess many of the most arresting aspects of the three seasons of the series as well as the comprehensive behind-the-scenes look that she provides (along with Matthew Sturgis) in THE CHRONICLES OF DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA. All of that, discussion of the third season of the series which premieres in the US on PBS January 6, first news on Jessica's uncle Julian's new historical series for NBC, THE GUILDED AGE and much, much more!