Take Me Along - 2006 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 13

The much lauded, deservedly awarded MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE returns to thunderous ovations at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles a third time (second time in 2006) since its auspicious L.A. debut in 1997. What was considered ground-breaking and quite shocking to ballet traditionalists when Matthew Bourne originally switched out the delicate female corps of swans for a forceful, menacing flock of male swans has now remained as avant-garde and striking in its unique interpretation. Sharing the titular role of The Swan/The Stranger is Max Westwell in his debut role with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures' international touring company. I had the marvelous opportunity to pose a few queries to this imposing dancer.

Green Space has announced a diverse roster of artists for its signature programs this September. Take Root will present an evening of work by Drastic Action and Nicole Y. McClam on January 24th and 25th, and Fertile Ground showcases works-in-progress by multiple dance artists on January 26th.

Chart-topping a cappella group Straight No Chaser has added a new stop - Sunday, April 5, at 1 p.m. at downtown Aurora's beautiful Paramount Theatre - on their spring 2020 'The Open Bar Tour.'

Taking the film and its music to the next level, The Wallis and For The Record are presenting a holiday season encore of last year's LOVE, ACTUALLY LIVE world premiere in the Bram Stoker Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills through December 29. The multimedia presentation, adapted and directed by Anderson Davis with musical supervision by Jesse Vargas, turns the theater into a giant, immersive, cinema in a three-dimensional world where the film and live action seamlessly intertwine throughout the London setting. Each scene is a festival of excellent characterizations, extraordinary lighting effects and costumes, brilliant and fast-paced direction and choreography, and the joy of great music that perfectly expresses the mood and themes of the movie and jukebox musical LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE. No doubt this suburb holiday musical will be making its return to The Wallis each December!

We all know how unintentionally funny nuns can be as they go about their daily lessons, ruler in hand, trying to get children to behave or do their lessons. Or perhaps not. But just imagine if you could be a fly on the wall in the early morning hours, listening in as they get together over coffee or while baking bread in their small kitchen and blissfully make fun of not only their students but each other, as well as their local Bishop who holds all the money needed to keep their beloved St. Cyril's convent and school from closing down. They smoke and swear while complaining about being old, jaded and stupid, but realize that just like their building and the entire neighborhood around them, we're just a?oeall dirt poor.a?? And incredibly funny!

The Seth Rudetsky Broadway Concert Series presented by Mark Cortale returns to Parker Playhouse in January. The series, co-presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, delivers three intimate evenings of incredible music and hilarious conversations hosted and music directed by Sirius XM Radio star Seth Rudetsky, whom the New York Times dubbed 'The Mayor of Broadway.'

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) throughout the month. All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8:00 p.m., unless noted.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-733-WINE (9463) or by visiting www.citywinery.com/chicago.

Free Reign Theatre Company's following is surprisingly strong for a young company, but their daring and robust production of LEAR demonstrates why: they're the real deal.

Legendary, multi-award winning actress/singer Betty Buckley returns to Café Carlyle, March 10 a?" 21. Her career spans theater, film, television and concert halls around the world. She's received a sea of accolades including a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS. She's a 2012 Theatre Hall of Fame inductee, and the 2017 recipient of the Julie Harris Award from The Actor's Fund for Artistic Achievement. Betty Buckley just completed a national tour of the new Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! produced by Scott Rudin.

A celebration of the life and legacy of Broadway legend Harold Prince will take place on Monday, December 16, at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). Beginning at 1:30 PM, the tribute is open to friends, family and the theater community, and will feature tributes and performances from colleagues and loved ones. Doors will open at 1PM. The Majestic is the 31-year home of Mr. Prince's record-breaking production of The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history.

The world premiere adaptation of KEY LARGO, already in previews, will open tonight, November 14, 2019 at the Geffen Playhouse. Packed with award winners all around, Oscar nominated actor Andy Garcia stars as Johnny Rocco in his co-adaptation with Jeffrey Hatcher (based on the play by Maxwell Anderson and the screenplay by Richard Brooks and John Huston). I had the wonderful opportunity to grill Johnny Rocco's moll Gaye Dawn, or rather, to ask a few questions of the wonderful actress who plays her - Joely Fisher.

Disney+'s 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' arrives tomorrow, November 12, with the launch of the new streaming platform.

Goodspeed Musicals has announced this year's cast of A Connecticut Christmas Carol - the musical treat infused with Connecticut flavor by LJ Fecho and Michael O'Flaherty. Perfect for the holidays, A Connecticut Christmas Carol, the family-friendly take on the Dickens classic, will return to The Terris Theatre December 4 - 28, 2019. This production is supported in part by the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Masonicare at Chester Village and GKN Aerospace Services Structures Corporation.

Fiddler on the Roof Cast members and University of Miami alums, Kelly Gabrielle Murphy and Bennett J. Leeds return to the Arsht Center stage The North American tour of the Tony Award ®-nominated Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof is coming to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County from October 29 to November 3, 2019.

StateraArts has named Sophie Dowllar Ogutu as the 2019 recipient of the Martha Richards Visionary Woman in Leadership Award. Sophie hails from Nairobi, Kenya. She is a mother, an unapologetic women's rights defender, a community mobilizer and organizer, and above all - a feminist artist. She is a key coordinator of The 5 C's Theatre Collective, co-founder of the Mamma Africa Community Centre, a board member of the Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET), a mentor with the Girl's Brigade, and the principal organizer for SWAN Day Kenya. Sophie is also an International Committee Member for the World March of Women, which has led to collaborations with the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa.

Lively McCabe Entertainment announces a partnership with Brian Kelley -- of the multi-platinum, award-winning duo Florida Georgia Line -- via his CuzBro Productions banner, on the recently announced new musical MAY WE ALL. Kelley and partners Stephen Snedden and Justin Halliwell join previously announced producers, Lively McCabe Entertainment President Michael Barra, and Elyse Cogan, Director, Theatrical for BMG. CuzBro will be actively involved in the creative development of the project, and a developmental production will be staged in Memphis, Tennessee at Playhouse on the Square in the fall of 2020 (dates TBA). The producers are simultaneously pursuing a feature film adaptation of the musical.

From the bustle of neon-lit Shinjuku and its ultramodern skyscrapers to the traditional scenery of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and Shinto shrines, Tokyo has served as a source of creative inspiration for generations of international filmmakers. Anticipating the 2020 Summer Games, when the eyes of the world will once again fall upon Japan's dynamic capital, Tokyo Stories: Japan in the Global Imagination considers the ways Japan—and the elusive concept of “Japaneseness” —is rendered and interpreted outside its borders with a revealing selection of Tokyo-set films by foreign directors, including Japanese co-productions, Hollywood blockbusters, and European arthouse favorites.

Theatre Under The Stars' Spring Awakening does more than entertain its audiences. It enlivens the fifty first season of the massive theatre known for their proclivity for golden age musicals and traditional fare and re-introduces to Houston audiences a production that highlights still-relevant subjects such as child abuse, teen suicide, sex education, gender politics, abortion and more.

The Cleveland Orchestra has announced a new five-year extension of Franz Welser-Möst's contract as Music Director, continuing a partnership that began in 2002 to 2027. The announcement was made at Severance Hall in Cleveland at the Gala Concert opening the Orchestra's 2019-20 season.

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce its next season will go on sale to the public Sunday, Oct. 6.  The season includes:  the Pre-Broadway World Premiere of the new musical THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL, WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, MY FAIR LADY, SIX and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

Today, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts announced an additional performance in the 2019-2020 Kauffman Center Presents series. David Foster and Katharine McPhee will perform in Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Craft Recordings is pleased to announce the release of the vinyl box set edition of The Legendary Prestige Quintet Sessions from The Miles Davis Quintet on November 8th. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of Prestige Records, the deluxe six-LP set presents the quintet's marathon sessions for the iconic jazz label, recorded between 1955–56, which resulted in classic albums such as Cookin', Relaxin', Workin', and Steamin'. Plus, the box set offers a bonus LP with audio from radio and TV appearances by the group. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI, the discs are housed in a collectible 20-page hardcover linen-wrapped portfolio-style book, featuring stunning photographs of Davis and the band, plus in-depth liner notes from esteemed jazz historian Bob Blumenthal.

As The Fugard Theatre's Artistic Director since November 2018, Greg Karvellas has an impressive number of productions behind his name. His latest offering - STATEMENTS AFTER AN ARREST UNDER THE IMMORALITY ACT by Athol Fugard - comes to The Fugard Studio Theatre this month, following an esteemed run at the KKNK Festival. Karvellas chats to BroadwayWorld about directing this powerful 'fever dream of a play'.

Today Björk commercially releases the virtual reality album Vulnicura, on Steam, Vive Port.

Nosotros, the first Latinx arts advocacy organization in Hollywood, announced the recipients of the 2019 Golden Eagle Awards.  The honorees include a wide array of Hollywood talent in front and behind the camera. The awards will take place on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the historic Montalban Theatre 1615 Vine Street in Hollywood.  www.nosotrosorg.com