The Contrast - 2006 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 9

Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) 2013–14 season includes the launch of the company's first Ring cycle, in a visionary and captivating production by the Catalan company La Fura dels Baus; the hotly anticipated American premiere of Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Holocaust opera The Passenger; the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon's A Coffin in Egypt, based on the play of the same name by renowned Texas writer Horton Foote and starring iconic mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade; a new HGO production of Carmen from Broadway sensation Rob Ashford; revivals of Aida, Rigoletto, and Die Fledermaus; and, in tribute to the nation's homegrown musical theater tradition, Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music designed by fashion star Isaac Mizrahi. Through its HGOco S o n g o f H o u s t o n project—winner of the National MultiCultural Institute's Leading Lights Diversity Award—the company continues to celebrate Houston's cultural diversity with the world premieres of two new commissions exploring the city's Vietnamese and Indian communities as part of the East + West series.

Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) 2013-14 season includes the launch of the company's first Ring cycle, in a visionary and captivating production by the Catalan company La Fura dels Baus; the hotly anticipated American premiere of Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Holocaust opera The Passenger; the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon's A Coffin in Egypt, based on the play of the same name by renowned Texas writer Horton Foote and starring iconic mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade; a new HGO production of Carmenfrom Broadway sensation Rob Ashford; revivals of Aida, Rigoletto, and Die Fledermaus; and, in tribute to the nation's homegrown musical theater tradition, Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music designed by fashion star Isaac Mizrahi. Through its HGOco Song of Houston project-winner of the National MultiCultural Institute's Leading Lights Diversity Award-the company continues to celebrate Houston's cultural diversity with the world premieres of two new commissions exploring the city's Vietnamese and Indian communities as part of the East + West series.

In its finest form, the concept of fusion in music represents an ideal blend of a wide variety of sources and influences, to create a unique vision that defines exactly who the artist is. And when that artist is as capable and gifted as the outstanding vocalist and songwriter Ron Boustead, the result is Mosaic, his newest CD and his first recording since his acclaimed 2006 release, Blend. The album weaves a wide variety of musical motifs, colors and influences, performed by a remarkable assemblage of musicians, to create an aural pastiche and a finely-honed musical statement.

The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation has announced the winner of this year's The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award, the highest honor at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The winner of The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award was announced at the closing ceremonies of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on Friday, August 23 at 10:45 AM BST (5:45 AM EST).

MTV today unveiled the contents included in the official 2013 'MTV Video Music Awards' Talent gift bag for attending musical talent, nominees, presenters and performers.

Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino has announced the 2014 season, in which, through the prism of a dozen plays, the Stratford Festival will explore the theme of Madness: Minds Pushed to the Edge.

In its finest form, the concept of fusion in music represents an ideal blend of a wide variety of sources and influences, to create a unique vision that defines exactly who the artist is. And when that artist is as capable and gifted as the outstanding vocalist and songwriter Ron Boustead, the result is Mosaic, his newest CD and his first recording since his acclaimed 2006 release, Blend. The album weaves a wide variety of musical motifs, colors and influences, performed by a remarkable assemblage of musicians, to create an aural pastiche and a finely-honed musical statement.

Delightful and down-right hilarious, SISTER ACT - THE MUSICAL---the nun-tastic stage adaptation of the hit 1992 motion picture of the same name---is, frankly, to my pleasant surprise, an unexpected gem of a show. Heavily retooled from its 2006 Out-of-Town premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse and its eventual 2009 London debut, the Tony-nominated Broadway comedy's North American first national tour continues a three-week engagement at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre through July 28 (the tour is also scheduled for stops in nearby San Diego, July 30 - August 4 and Orange County, August 6-18).

Jacob's Pillow presents Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in the historic Ted Shawn Theatre, tonight, July 3-7. These fiercely-talented performers present Tuplet by Nederlands Dans Theater's Alexander Ekman; Grace Engine by 2011 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award winner and Artistic Director of Kidd Pivot, Crystal Pite; and Norwegian choreographer Jo Stromgren's wild Necessity, Again. Roslyn Sulcas of The New York Times calls Cedar Lake 'the country's most innovative contemporary ballet troupe with an A-list repertoire, and an accent on creation that few companies worldwide can match.'

The New York Philharmonic will present A Dancer's Dream: Two Works by Stravinsky, a multidisciplinary, theatrical reimagining of the ballets The Fairy's Kiss and Petrushka, created by Giants Are Small. Sara Mearns, New York City Ballet principal dancer, will star in the production, which will be conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, directed and designed by Doug Fitch, choreographed by Karole Armitage, and produced by Edouard Getaz - tonight, June 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m.

Jacob's Pillow presents Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in the historic Ted Shawn Theatre, July 3-7. These fiercely-talented performers present Tuplet by Nederlands Dans Theater's Alexander Ekman; Grace Engine by 2011 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award winner and Artistic Director of Kidd Pivot, Crystal Pite; and Norwegian choreographer Jo Stromgren's wild Necessity, Again. Roslyn Sulcas of The New York Times calls Cedar Lake 'the country's most innovative contemporary ballet troupe with an A-list repertoire, and an accent on creation that few companies worldwide can match.'

MAD MAX, the sci-fi franchise that introduced Mel Gibson to the world, will come together for The First Time as a Blu-ray collection when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) debuts the Mad Max Trilogy today, June 4th.

Expanding on its success, ABC News' “Good Morning America” won the May 2013 Sweep in both Total Viewers (5.704 million) and Adults 25-54 (2.102 million), according to Nielsen Media Research.

BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tonys Meet & Greet on May 1, 2013, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Nathan Lane, a nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for The Nance. Check out what he had to say below!

Music Director Jacques Lacombe and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra present Tchaikovsky's mighty Fifth Symphony on a concert program that features the East Coast premiere of Steven Mackey's Stumble to Grace Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with pianist Orli Shaham. The Orchestra performs the Princeton University professor's concerto as part of the New Jersey Roots Project, which celebrates the music of composers whose artistic identity has been influenced by their time in the Garden State.

Mike Tyson bared his soul in his one man performance 'Undisputed Truth,' Thursday night, April 25th, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

Music Director Jacques Lacombe and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra present Tchaikovsky's mighty Fifth Symphony on a concert program that features the East Coast premiere of Steven Mackey's Stumble to Grace Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with pianist Orli Shaham. The Orchestra performs the Princeton University professor's concerto as part of the New Jersey Roots Project, which celebrates the music of composers whose artistic identity has been influenced by their time in the Garden State.

The New York Philharmonic will present A Dancer's Dream: Two Works by Stravinsky, a multidisciplinary, theatrical reimagining of the ballets The Fairy's Kiss and Petrushka, created by Giants Are Small. Sara Mearns, New York City Ballet principal dancer, will star in the production, which will be conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, directed and designed by Doug Fitch, choreographed by Karole Armitage, and produced by Edouard Getaz - Thursday, June 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 28 at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, June 29 at 8:00 p.m.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts today announced the recipients of the 2012 Sally Ordway Irvine Awards. Now in its 21st year, the Sally Awards honor extraordinary achievement in the visual, performing and literary arts.

Elizabeth Perkins and Brad Garrett star on the new ABC comedy HOW TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS, premiering tonight Wednesday, April 3rd at 9:30/8:30c. Speaking exclusively to BWW, the two veteran comics sounded a lot more like a seasoned married couple than two actors embarking on a new sitcom comedy.

The Akron Civic Theatre will present Verb Ballets', Honoring Poll, tonight, March 8, 2013, at 8pm with intimate cabaret seating on stage at the historic theatre. The program will highlight the late choreographer Heinz Poll and his legacy through works created for the Ohio Ballet and features a new work by former Ohio Ballet dancer and ballet master, Richard Dickinson (Ohio Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Boston Ballet).

MAD MAX, the sci-fi franchise that introduced Mel Gibson to the world, will come together for the first time as a Blu-ray collection when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) debuts the Mad Max Trilogy on June 4th.

From tonight, February 21-March 3, 2013, Houston Ballet presents Stanton Welch's La Bayadere ('The Temple Dancer'), a historic classic staged by Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch and set in royal India of the past.

The Akron Civic Theatre will present Verb Ballets', Honoring Poll, on Friday, March 8, 2013, at 8pm with intimate cabaret seating on stage at the historic theatre. The program will highlight the late choreographer Heinz Poll and his legacy through works created for the Ohio Ballet and features a new work by former Ohio Ballet dancer and ballet master, Richard Dickinson (Ohio Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Boston Ballet).

The next chapter in TV One's highly successful R&B Divas reality franchise unfolds with new series R&B DIVAS: LA. The series, following the lives and careers of Kelly Price, Chante Moore, Lil' Mo, Claudette Ortiz, Michel'le and Dawn Robinson, will begin production this month in Los Angeles with an anticipated premiere on TV One in Q3 2013.