The Good Parts - 1982 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 6

The box office of the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway, between 50th and 51st Streets), home of the anticipated Broadway transfer of the Royal Shakespeare Company's critically acclaimed theatrical event Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2 is now open for business.

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!

A slew of plays and musicals will open on Broadway in Spring 2015, but where there is good news, there is also sad. To make room for highly-anticipated new productions such as Finding Neverland, On the Twentieth Century and Doctor Zhivago, some of our most beloved shows must close for good. Below, BroadwayWorld salutes the shows that will soon be taking their final Broadway bows. Get your tickets now to catch them while you still can!

Ira Levin murder mystery is packed with mayhem and macabre.

Full disclosure, I was completely ready to despise everything about the remake of ANNIE starring Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhane Wallis. In fact, I had already written the lede in my head, and let me tell you, it was scathing. But, then I saw the movie, and was pleasantly surprised by how not completely horrible it was. Yes, it will probably still rank as one of the worst big screen musical adaptations of the past decade; just above the disastrous NINE; but there was plenty to appreciate for musical theatre lovers young and old.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 2014 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award nominations are announced, Lyric presents 'Porgy' and 'Carousel,' 'Camelot' opens, 'Ring Of Fire' and 'Annie' return, 'Annie' and 'Ani' hit screens, parodies of 'Guffman,' the Merman/Mormon thing, Rudolph and Tupperware, and a suburban 'Garden!'

Huntington Theatre Company continues its 2014-2015 Season with Ether Dome, 'an essential story' (Hartford Courant) by Elizabeth Egloff about the advent of ether as an anesthetic and the resulting revolutionary impact on the medical profession.

The star-studded Broadway production of the backstage comedy IT'S ONLY A PLAY, by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, opens tonight, October 9, 2014, at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Huntington Theatre Company continues its 2014-2015 Season with Ether Dome, "an essential story" (Hartford Courant) by Elizabeth Egloff about the advent of ether as an anesthetic and the resulting revolutionary impact on the medical profession. T

September is almost here! That means Florida Studio Theatre is gearing up for all new sessions of Youth, Teen, and Adult performing arts workshops, created exclusively to nurture the individual creativity of the artist. FST School offers 33 sessions and workshops, varying in length and discipline, for creative development, advanced education and performing opportunities.

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

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).

This summer the Texas Repertory Theatre Company serves up a slice of apple pie and southern charm with PUMP BOYS AND THE DINETTES. Prior to the show, I wasn't really sure what to expect. It certainly sounded like something that had country charm splattered all over it. Turns out, I wasn't too far off. Being born and bred in Texas along with an affinity for diners this was a great treat.

Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will feature Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for recent Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Appearing in titles roles are Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.

This Fundraising Event in support of the Nathan Award-winning editor/writer/artist Randy Gener will be held at Purple Yam restaurant on 1314 Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn. It will feature a talk by journalist and Columbia University Prof. Sheila Coronel and a comedy skit by SPIT or the Silly People's Improv Theater, Manila's premiere improv group.

The Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center ('the PAC') today announces the establishment of a core team of artistic leaders: David Lan (Artistic Director of London's Young Vic) as Consulting Artistic Director; Lucy Sexton (artist, producer, and Director of the New York Dance & Performance Awards (aka The Bessies)) as Associate Artistic Director; and Andy Hayles, Managing Partner of Charcoalblue (London's National Theatre, Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, and the future home of Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse), as theater design consultant. Stephen Daldry (director of the films The Hours, Billy Elliot, The Reader and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and of Billy Elliot the Musical, and former Artistic Director of London's Gate Theatre and Royal Court Theatre) has joined the PAC's Board of Directors. The artistic team is collaborating with the PAC's staff, board and numerous consultants to create a place that is unique on the cultural landscapes of New York, the United States and the world.

Charles Busch and Julie Halston are a bit like Lucy and Ethel as played by Noel and Gertie.

The New York Times reports that Joan Fontaine, perhaps best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rebecca' and who received an Academy Award for her performance in Hitchcock's 'Suspicion,' died at her home yesterday.

Cooking Channel jumps into January with two new series, a season premiere and new episodes of fan-favorite shows all month long.

Fred Hammond has assembled the biggest names in their musical genres with The United Tenors for the Everybody Get Up Tour in support of the recent release of soulful 70's inspired album, United Tenors: Hammond, Hollister, Roberson, Wilson. The United Tenors join forces with special guest Pastor Alyn E. Waller of ENON Tabernacle Baptist Church for one exclusive Philadelphia performance blending R&B and Gospel sounds in the KimMel Center's Verizon Hall tonight, September 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Fred Hammond has assembled the biggest names in their musical genres with The United Tenors for the Everybody Get Up Tour in support of the recent release of soulful 70's inspired album, United Tenors: Hammond, Hollister, Roberson, Wilson. The United Tenors join forces with special guest Pastor Alyn E. Waller of ENON Tabernacle Baptist Church for one exclusive Philadelphia performance blending R&B and Gospel sounds in the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall on Sunday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Director Greg Trax brings the horrific Audrey II to sing its way into infamy on the Gettysburg Community Theatre stage

The 25th annual NewFest, New York's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Film Festival will run from Friday, September 6th through Wednesday, September 11th, with a lineup of 15 narrative features, 4 documentaries, 31 shorts and other special events.

Today we are highlighting four particularly compelling recent releases perfect for Summer enjoyment, all from Acorn/Athena Media- the documentaries SHAKESPEARE: THE KING'S MAN and BROADWAY MUSICALS: A JEWISH LEGACY, as well as the complete collection of Judi Dench's British TV series A FINE ROMANCE and also the lavish 1982 TV film THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL starring Ian McKellen, Anthony Andrews and Jane Seymour.