The Complete Performer - 2009 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 8

Iconic punk-rocker Michale Graves, who once fronted one of the world's most legendary punk bands of all time, The Misfits, is excited to announce his return to Europe in 2019. Continuing his Course of Empire tour, which produced multiple sold-out shows throughout North America this year, Graves and his band will embark on a run of 55 shows in only 58 days, marching their way through 16 European countries. Kicking off on January 4 in Gdansk, Poland, Graves will bring his powerful and intense live experience to his European fans with tour support from The Crimson Ghosts (Jan.4-16), Noise Pollution (Jan. 17-Feb. 1), Witches of Doom (Feb.18-27), & Acid Muffin (Feb. 28-Mar. 3).

Internationally renowned quintet Canadian Brass brings their Grammy-winning music in two performances of "Christmas Time is Here" to the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage, Saturday, Dec. 1, at 4 and 8 p.m. A free MAC Chat will take place one hour prior to curtain time for each performance.

A fun, new musical adaptation of an audience favorite comes to First Stage this holiday season. Created by the talented husband/wife team of Jahnna Beecham (Playwright/Lyricist) and Malcolm Hillgartner (Composer/Lyricist) and based on the play by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL is filled with catchy,'60s-inspired original music and a delightful story that both young and old will enjoy. The horrible Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. The entire town panics when these rowdy six siblings are cast in the church's annual Christmas pageant. It's up to good-hearted Mrs. Bradley to help the Herdmans - and the rest of the town - discover the true meaning of Christmas before it's too late. Silent night? Not a chance, but sometimes a little joyful noise is just right for Christmas. Sponsored by Associated Bank and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.

Albertine Books, the French Embassy's Acclaimed Bookshop and Cultural Hub, to Host a Series of Discussions Broadening the Lenses Through Which We Understand and Envision Democracy

On January 13, 17 and 19 Franz Welser-Most and The Cleveland Orchestra continue an ongoing commitment to present opera at Severance Hall with a made-for-Cleveland production of Richard Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos which is being performed for the first time in the Orchestra's history. In his years as music director, Welser-Most has led The Cleveland Orchestra in performances of many orchestral works by Richard Strauss, as well as presentations of four other Strauss operas: Elektra (2004), Der Rosenkavalier (2007), Salome (2012), and Daphne (2015).

First Stage, one of the nation's leading theaters for young people and families, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for Roald Dahl's MATILDA The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly. This will be the first full-length musical First Stage has produced, performing at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater January 11 - February 24, 2019. First Stage productions are typically cast with two Young Performer casts; this production will feature two Young Performer casts, with three Young Performers who alternate playing the title role of Matilda. Artistic Director Jeff Frank will direct this production of MATILDA The Musical, Director of Artistic Operations Jeff Schaetzke serves as Music Director and Milwaukee Ballet's Michael and Jayne Pink will choreograph. Presented by the Molitor Foundation.

The McCallum Theatre presents Celtic Thunder on Friday, November 16, at 8:00pm. The Celtic Thunder X tour is the show's 12th tour of the U.S. and Canada since Celtic Thunder's debut in 2008. The airing of their first Public Television special came that same year and Celtic Thunder has consistently remained one of the most popular musical shows for PBS stations throughout the United States.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

The Barbican today launches Life Rewired, an arts and learning season running throughout 2019 exploring what it means to be human in the face of technological and scientific forces that are dizzying in their speed, scale and complexity.

This fall, cello soloist Maya Beiser and composer/conductor Evan Ziporyn embark on a U.S. tour with Ziporyn's Ambient Orchestra, bringing Bowie Symphonic: Blackstar to the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA (Friday, October 12); the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, VT (Saturday, October 13), Bass Concert Hall presented by Texas Performing Arts in Austin, TX (Thursday, November 1), and Bing Concert Hall presented by Stanford Live in Stanford, CA (Wednesday, November 7). Bowie Symphonic: Blackstar is a startling and soaring new version of David Bowie's entire last album Blackstar for solo cello and orchestra. Arranged for Beiser by Ziporyn, who will also conduct Ambient Orchestra, Bowie Symphonic: Blackstar has been performed to capacity audiences in Boston, Barcelona, and New York City's Central Park SummerStage. For the fall tour, Ambient Orchestra is joined by musicians from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. 

Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) today announced a new initiative, a three-week, multi-disciplinary Bach Festival featuring 15 concerts across three venues in Manhattan, June 6-22, 2019. The programmatic centerpieces include performances by Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Goldberg Variations, which receives two interpretations - including the U.S. premiere of Bernard Labadie's orchestral setting - and provides the Festival theme: 'Transformation.'

The Cultural Services of the French Embassy and Albertine Books,the dynamic bookshop and cultural center operated by the French Embassy in New York, today announce prominent American and Russian journalist, professor, and author Masha Gessen as the curator of the fifth annual Festival Albertine, which is themed 'Reimagining Democracy' and takes place October 30 - November 3, 2018. Informed by experience as a witness to affronts to democracy today, Gessen has often urged people to open their eyes to such challenges, and to use their imagination to picture what is further at stake. Many thinkers from France, America, and across the Francophone world are similarly united by a pressing concern over surging demagoguery and democracy's fragility.

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.

USA Network announced today that its new music showcase series REAL COUNTRY has added country stars Trace Adkins, Wynonna Judd and Big & Rich as celebrity guests. The network also announced a special appearance by the beloved country icon Willie Nelson, and set Graham Bunn - most recently from Southern California's #1 country station, Go Country 105 - as host.

USA Network announced today that its new music showcase series REAL COUNTRY has added country stars Trace Adkins, Wynonna Judd and Big & Rich as celebrity guests. The network also announced a special appearance by the beloved country icon Willie Nelson, and set Graham Bunn - most recently from Southern California's #1 country station, Go Country 105 - as host.

Unexpected Productions weekly improv show, the Duo Comedy Showcase, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a reunion show on August 22, 2018. This special performance features past performers and the winners of the 2018 Duo tournament. 

Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.

The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center of Palo Alto presents a sensational line-up for its 2018-2019 Arts & Dialogues series, featuring appearances by internationally acclaimed actors and musicians, in addition to world-class theatre and literature events. Beginning in September and continuing through next spring, the OFJCC will host captivating live performances by household names such as Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin and renowned entertainer Alan Cumming.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the selection of four Honorees who will receive the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements, and a special Honors distinction for a work of art and its co-creators. Recipients to be honored at the 41st annual national celebration of the arts are: singer and actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass, Country music entertainer Reba McEntire, and jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. This year, the co-creators of Hamilton-writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, and music director Alex Lacamoire-will receive a unique Kennedy Center Honors as trailblazing creators of a transformative work that defies category.

Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.

Casting is now complete for the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Annie. The new cast members are Roger Bart as Daniel 'Rooster' Hannigan, Kaylin Hedges as Annie, Ali Stroker as 'Star-to-Be,' Amir Talai as Bert Healy, Marlow Barkley as Kate, Amadi Chapata as Pepper, Noe Lynds as July, Rae Martinez as Tessie, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja as Molly, and Olivia Zenetzis as Duffy.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) will present Middle Eastern MixFest, a series of free readings co-curated by playwrights Mona Mansour and Heather Raffothat will run Wednesday, August 8th through Thursday, August 16th at Atlantic Stage 2 (330 West 16th Street).

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces actress-singer Lera Lynn, Nikka Costa ('(Out Here) On My Own' from the movie Fame), and more. The following shows go on sale to the public on Thursday, June 21 at noon. All tickets will be available at citywinery.com/chicago.

Throughout the upcoming 2018-2019 season, the Carnegie Hall Citywide concert series will bring more than thirty free performances by top classical, jazz, world, and popular music artists to seventeen different venues across New York City. Presented in partnership with local community organizations, Carnegie Hall Citywide showcases outstanding mainstage artists and rising stars across a wide variety of genres, tapping into the pulse of the city and bringing people together to share in the joy of music. Formerly known as Carnegie Hall's Neighborhood Concerts, the newly-named series builds on Carnegie Hall's tradition of bringing free performances to New York City neighborhoods for more than forty years.

The hilarious and joy-filled musical comedy smash Sister Act is just weeks away from its big Jupiter debut!