The Light in the Piazza - 2019 - Chicago Articles Page 7

Stars on stage in New York are shining bright as we continually celebrate the experience of live theater. As new shows prepare to head to the great bright way, let’s see which famous Broadway stars, celebrities from film and TV, and more you can see in upcoming shows!

The Axelrod PAC in New Jersey has set two-time Tony nominee Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!, Finian’s Rainbow) and film and TV star Aaron Lazar (Fox’s Filthy Rich and the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music) as the leads for their production of The Bridges of Madison County, directed by one of its original stars Hunter Foster.

Just yesterday, Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara stepped in as soloist with The New York Pops, replacing the previously announced Laura Benanti, who withdrew from the event due to an exposure to COVID-19 in her family. The festive program, led by New York Pops Music Director Steven Reineke included traditional carols and contemporary classics. 

Chris Isaacson Presents and Ronn Goswick have announced the addition of the Season 10 winner of NBC's The Voice Alisan Porter along with Chad Doreck, Kate Harmon, Bethany Joy Lenz, Nicole Santiago, Matt Zarley, and newcomer Ava Delaney to the lineup of performers for the 12th Annual A Broadway Christmas. 

Carnegie Hall today announced that Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara has agreed to step in as soloist with The New York Pops on Friday, December 17 at 8:00 p.m. She replaces the previously announced Laura Benanti who has withdrawn from the event due to an exposure to COVID-19 in her family.

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis’ production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway and television star Aaron Lazar (Fox’s Filthy Rich, Broadway’s The Last Ship, A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, and The Light in the Piazza) joins the exciting lineup of talented performers alongside singer/songwriter, musician, producer and engineer, Brian McKnight Jr., who comes from a legendary musically gifted family including famed father Brian McKnight. American Idol 4th place finalist on season 4, Anthony Fedorov, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist actor Michael Thomas Grant, and RCA recording artist Nina Nelson, member of girl group Citizen Queen (with over 30 million music video views), also join the cast for the first time. Rounding out the group of newcomers is Cheyenne Wells who starred in the recent production of Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse with MJ Rodriguez. 

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis' production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway and television star Aaron Lazar (Fox's Filthy Rich, Broadway's The Last Ship, A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, and The Light in the Piazza) joins the exciting lineup of talented performers alongside singer/songwriter, musician, producer and engineer, Brian McKnight Jr., who comes from a legendary musically gifted family including famed father Brian McKnight. American Idol 4th place finalist on season 4, Anthony Fedorov, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist actor Michael Thomas Grant, and RCA recording artist Nina Nelson, member of girl group Citizen Queen (with over 30 million music video views), also join the cast for the first time. Rounding out the group of newcomers is Cheyenne Wells who starred in the recent production of Little Shop of Horrors at Pasadena Playhouse with MJ Rodriguez.

Chris Isaacson Presents and Ronn Goswick have announced the 12th Annual A Broadway Christmas. Hosted by Broadway stars Eden Espinosa and David Burnham with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, there will be one performance only on Sunday, December 19, at 7:30pm, at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.

Inspired by the life and art of Michael Jackson, learn more about the cast bringing this new musical to the stage!

This January, New York City Opera (under the direction of Michael Capasso, General Director) will produce its latest world premiere of a new American opera, Ricky Ian Gordon's THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI-CONTINIS, a co-production with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director, Dominick Balletta, Executive Director).

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis' production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Casting has been announced for For The Record and The Wallis’ production of LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE, the multimedia concert celebration of the beloved holiday film from Universal Pictures/Working Title, with performances from Saturday, November 27 to Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Experience the opening number for Paradise Square, A New Musical. Featuring Tony Award nominee Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play), Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Nathaniel Stampley (The Color Purple), Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys), Kevin Dennis (Assassins) and the ensemble, the show’s exuberant and emotional opening number can be viewed below!

Thirty-five years to the day since its very first performance, the company is looking to the future with a starry addition to its leadership team. Soprano Renée Fleming, one of the greatest opera artists of our time, is taking on a new role with the company, joining LA Opera as Advisor for Special Projects through the end of the 2023/24 season. 

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

The 2020 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or seven) - amongst them, they've gathered a total of 42 awards!

Single tickets are now on sale for the new Broadway musical, Paradise Square. The first new musical announced for Broadway since the industry-wide shut down, Paradise Square begins previews February 22, 2022 at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street), where it opens March 20, 2022.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is opening up their Back Yard Stage in Florham Park, NJ again for an outdoor concert series titled, “Autumn Night Music.” Three of STNJ’s most luminous alums will bring music to the night air in three very different concerts. 

In our new series, 'Where Are They Now?' we're taking a look back at some of our favorite original Broadway casts, and catching up with their careers! Next up, the original cast of Hairspray!

Vancouver Opera is proud to welcome two new participants to the 2021-2022 Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program. Hillary Tufford and Amanda Testini will join returning artists Ian Cleary, Luka Kawabata, Amy Seulky Lee, and Jonelle Sills.

Next month, FEINSTEIN’S/54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

One of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time, soprano Renée Fleming is renowned for her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry, and compelling stage presence. Awarded America's highest honor for an individual artist, the National Medal of Arts, as well as four Grammy awards, she brings her highly acclaimed voice to Columbus for a one-night-only, not-to-be-missed performance, kicking off the Columbus Symphony's 2021-22 Masterworks season in grand style.

In a specially curated, self-guided walk containing art exhibits, displays and pop-up performances, visitors will be invited to step into the worlds of opera and ballet, discover our iconic building, enjoy some of the remarkable front-of-house spaces, and see stunning works of art from David Hockney and Tacita Dean. 

Wondering how you know the cast? Study up on their roles on stage and screen and live the musical fantasy of your dreams with Apple TV+'s new series, Schmigadoon!- a parody of iconic Golden Age musicals.

Weston Playhouse Theatre Company has announced a return to live performance with the first production of its 2021 season: AN ILIAD, running July 14 – August 6 under the Tent at Walker Farm.