The Country Wife - 1982 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 13

At first glance, the musicals THE COLOR PURPLE, CALVIN BERGER, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES may not seem to have much in common. The settings couldn't be more different - the rural South in the early 20th century, a modern day high school, and a drag club in 1970s France. But since I happened to see them all on the same weekend, I couldn't help but draw parallels between them. All three musicals all speak to themes of beauty, identity, self-worth, and having the courage to be who you really are, despite what the world is telling you. In THE COLOR PURPLE, a young, poor, black woman is told that she's ugly and worthless, but after a lifelong journey she arrives at a place of strength and self-love. CALVIN BERGER sets the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac in a modern high school, where a young man feels that his large nose prevents him from getting what he wants in life and chooses to hide behind the handsome popular guy, both of whom eventually learn it's better to be loved for who you are. Finally, in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, a middle aged man who feels more comfortable dressed as a woman is asked by his own son to hide who he is, but confidently declares 'I am who I am!' Another thing these three musicals have in common is that they can all currently be seen on Twin Cities stages featuring talented local casts. Read on for more details on each, pick one that suits your fancy, and go see a local musical that just may inspire you to love you you really are!

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to bring back its acclaimed new play development initiative, the DNA New Work Series, a two-week run of workshops and readings of new works, taking place February 16 - March 1, 2015.

Dayton's premier professional regional theatre continues its legacy of developing new works and its long-standing relationship with New York writer Michael Slade as it prepares for the first ever production of Slade's latest play, Family Shots, at downtown's The Loft Theatre. Charming family patriarch Sam Baker lies in a hospital bed, recovering from an apparent heart attack, but his wife, Marsha, won't stop making the crisis all about her -- much to the dismay of their son, Aaron. The young photographer wonders why his parents even stay together while he and his husband, Malcolm, deal with their own issues as newlyweds. Intimate, yet universal, Family Shots is a wildly funny and touching comedy about marriage -- its joys, challenges and responsibilities -- and what's worth fighting for. The production runs tonight, January 22 - February 8, 2015.

On Her Shoulders will present a FREE staged reading of three shorts from the Suffragists, directed by Melissa Attebery on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. Doors open at 6:30pm;The Play in Context, which situates the script in its historical time and place, kicks off the evening at 6:45pm with an Introduction by dramaturg Barbara Cohen-Stratyner. Kristin Heckler is Assistant Director. Running time, including a post-performance Q&A is 2 hours. The performance is at New Perspectives Studio, 458 West 37th Street, at 10th Avenue. R.S.V.P to OnHerShouldersReservations@gmail.com.

Canadian comic Don Harron, best known for his character Charlie Farquharson has died at age 90.

This exciting new staging will star the radiant Laura Griffith as Julie and 5th Avenue favorite Brandon O'Neill as Billy in his first Seattle production following his Broadway debut in Disney's Aladdin. The cast also includes local luminaries Anne Allgood, Eric Ankrim, Allen Fitzpatrick, Sean G. Griffin, Cynthia Jones, and Billie Wildrick, and marks The 5th Avenue debut of rising talent Joshua Downs.

The Jewish Museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center are presenting the 24th annual New York Jewish Film Festival at the Film Society's Walter Reade Theater and Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, January 14-29, 2015.

The Drama League has announced the roster of special guest performers for the 31ST Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring the legendary Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award (EGOT) winner James Earl Jones to be held on Monday evening, February 2, 2015 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street).

Dayton's premier professional regional theatre continues its legacy of developing new works and its long-standing relationship with New York writer Michael Slade as it prepares for the first ever production of Slade's latest play, Family Shots, at downtown's The Loft Theatre. Charming family patriarch Sam Baker lies in a hospital bed, recovering from an apparent heart attack, but his wife, Marsha, won't stop making the crisis all about her -- much to the dismay of their son, Aaron. The young photographer wonders why his parents even stay together while he and his husband, Malcolm, deal with their own issues as newlyweds. Intimate, yet universal, Family Shots is a wildly funny and touching comedy about marriage -- its joys, challenges and responsibilities -- and what's worth fighting for. The production runs January 22 - February 8, 2015.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the lineup for the 15th edition of Film Comment magazine's essential, eclectic festival, taking place February 20 - March 5, 2015.

Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with Chicago's various off-Loop theaters and Northwestern University, unveils partial programming in its spring 2015 citywide "August Wilson Celebration" -- an extensive retrospective of the late playwright's life, artistry and influence on American culture. The seven-week Celebration takes place in March and April 2015 on dual landmark occasions: the 70th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's birth and the 10th anniversary of his death.

We want you to get to know the new cast members before their opening night. Get acquainted with the incoming company below!

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from December 9th-14th the new national touring production of Annie features Gilgamesh Taggett in the iconic role of Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks.

Museum of the Moving Image will present sixteen contemporary animated films in a new edition of its popular See It Big! series, co-programmed with the online film magazine Reverse Shot. The series, which opens November 28 and continues through December 28, 2014, includes works by renowned animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata of Studio Ghibli, Bill Plympton, Henry Selick, John Lasseter, and Satoshi Kon, as well as unique works by directors Wes Anderson and Richard Linklater and others.

Philadelphia Theatre Company's continues its 40th Anniversary season with the Tony Award-nominated play Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley November 28-December 28. Directed by Mary B. Robinson, the cast features Beth Dixon, David Howey, Anthony Lawton, and Kathleen McNenny.

Museum of the Moving Image will present sixteen contemporary animated films in a new edition of its popular See It Big! series, co-programmed with the online film magazine Reverse Shot. The series, which opens November 28 and continues through December 28, 2014, includes works by renowned animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata of Studio Ghibli, Bill Plympton, Henry Selick, John Lasseter, and Satoshi Kon, as well as unique works by directors Wes Anderson and Richard Linklater and others.

Sting's THE LAST SHIP marks The Police lead singer's Broadway debut tonight, but he's far from the first music industry transplant on the Great White Way. Scroll down to learn more about some of the greatest music stars turned Broadway composers, and be sure to tell us your favorite (or any we left out) in the comments below!

Philadelphia Theatre Company's continues its 40th Anniversary season with the Tony Award-nominated play Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley November 28-December 28. Directed by Mary B. Robinson, the cast features Beth Dixon, David Howey, Anthony Lawton, and Kathleen McNenny.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announces its theater, music, dance, lectures and Theater for Young Audiences programming for the 2014-2015 Season, which begins today, October 7-19 with the Edinburgh-based Puppet State Theatre Company production of The Man Who Planted Trees in the Lovelace Studio Theater; and in the Bram Goldsmith Theater a new lecture series in partnership with Writers Bloc, presenting a conversation with Leon Panetta on October 15 and Marsalis Well Tempered: An Evening with Branford Marsalis featuring the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia on October 16.

Following the internationally acclaimed production with sold-out engagements on Broadway and in London's West End, television legend, Oscar recipient and five-time Tony Award-winner Angela Lansbury returns to the stage in Noel Coward's smash-hit comedic play 'Blithe Spirit' in an exciting North American tour to be launched at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts announces its theater, music, dance, lectures and Theater for Young Audiences programming for the 2014-2015 Season, which begins October 7-19 with the Edinburgh-based Puppet State Theatre Company production of The Man Who Planted Trees in the Lovelace Studio Theater; and in the Bram Goldsmith Theater a new lecture series in partnership with Writers Bloc, presenting a conversation with Leon Panetta on October 15 and Marsalis Well Tempered: An Evening with Branford Marsalis featuring the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia on October 16.

Today we are kickin' up our heels for the just announced 2015 Broadway return of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.

Principal photography has begun on Screen Gems' thriller 'The Perfect Guy,' starring Sanaa Lathan ('The Best Man Holiday'), Michael Ealy ('Think Like A Man,' 'Think Like A Man 2,' 'About Last Night,' 'Seven Pounds') and Morris Chestnut ('Think Like A Man,' 'Identity Thief,' 'The Best Man Holiday'). The film also stars Charles S. Dutton ('Longmire,' 'Against the Ropes,' 'Cry the Beloved Country,' 'Alien 3'), Rutina Wesley ('True Blood') and Kathryn Morris ('Cold Case'). Directed by David M. Rosenthal ('A Single Shot,' 'Janie Jones'), the film is produced by Tommy Oliver ('1982,' 'Kinyarwanda'), Darryl Taja ('New IN Town'), Nicole Rocklin ('The Magnificent Cooly-T,' 'Middle of Nowhere') and Wendy Rhoads ('The Haunting in Connecticut,' 'Because I Said So') and will shoot on locations throughout Los Angeles.

A.R. Gurney's enduring romance about first loves and second chances, LOVE LETTERS, will have its first Broadway revival, beginning performances Saturday, September 13, 2014, at 8pm, at the Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41 Street).