The Moment When - 1999 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 19

Crafting a musical theater hit is a lot like alchemy - the ancient study focused primarily on creating gold from baser elements - and oftentimes no matter the ingredients, directors never quite achieve the outcome for which they strive. But in the case of director/choreographer Everett Tarlton's production of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate (now onstage at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre through March 7), he has crafted something so special that it essentially defines the theatrical gold standard.

Walnut Street Theatre's 2018-19 Independence Studio on 3 season continues with an intimate portrait of Katharine Hepburn in KATE THE UNEXAMINED LIFE. Written by Rick Foster and directed by Peter Sander, the production begins previews on March 5, opens March 7, and continues through April 7.

Based on the songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is set on a Greek Island where a young woman named Sophie Sheridan is about to get married, and she wants her birth father to give her away. Yet, she has no idea who it is, so she invites three men who were romantically involved with her mother 20 years ago to the wedding. When they arrive to the island, Sophie's mother, Donna Sheridan, is brought back memories of love and heartbreak.

The McCallum Theatre and Jim "FITZ" Fitzgerald co-present Keiko Matsui on Saturday, February 23, at 8:00pm as part of the Fitz's Jazz Cafe at the McCallum series. A producer, contemporary jazz pianist and composer, Keiko Matsui's career spans three decades, over twenty CDs, and numerous continents receiving international acclaim. Her music transcends geographic, generational, and musical boundaries and her unique melting pot of musical influences have garnered her a devout international following. 'Music has no borders and it creates a oneness among people,' confides Matsui. 'There have been many occasions when I have felt like music saved me. There is a connection between my fans and I, and together in my music we are sharing harmony.'

With rehearsals underway for As You Like It, this is a formative time for Lucy in what is her first encounter with not only the play, but also the character. Talking ensemble and expectations, Lucy also shares her initial impressions of Rosalind, namely (and in her own words): 'How has she not been in my life before now?!'

Dance maker Paul Taylor first presented his choreography with five other dancers in Manhattan on May 30, 1954. That modest performance marked the beginning of 64 years of unrivaled creativity, and in the decades that followed, Mr. Taylor became a cultural icon and one of American history's most celebrated artists, hailed as part of the pantheon that created American modern dance. The Paul Taylor Dance Company will make its ninth appearance at the Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson, Texas on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at $39 and are available at www.eisemanncenter.com.

Kicking off the 2019 theatre calendar in Hong Kong is the feel-good classic that is Mamma Mia! Seen by over 60 million people around the world, the musical premiered in London's West End back in 1999, and is now celebrating its 20th anniversary! With no sign of it slowing down, 2018 saw the launch of its International Tour, and after months on the road, it has finally arrived in Hong Kong, opening on January 16th!

Although it comes across as 'The Breakfast Club' meets 'Natural Born Killers,' it's powerful as hell.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes back Grammy® Award-winning vocalistSteve Tyrell for three performances February 7-9, 2019 at 7:30pm. Tyrell returns with a show that celebrates the Great American Songbook, sung with his signature contemporary flair, and honors some of the songwriting greats, including Burt Bacharach & Hal David, Sammy Cahn, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, among others.

In this dark comedy, Reza de Wet weaves together a collection of Chekhov's iconic characters into a single musing on the end of a world. On February 1, EgoPo Classic Theater presents this great South African playwright's take on Anton Chekhov's classic, twenty years later, during the fall the privileged society. Three Sisters Two previews January 30-31 and opens Friday, February 1. The show runs three weeks, closing Feb. 17.

On July 16, 1999, the world stood still when John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette were killed in a plane crash. Now almost 20 years after that tragic day, ABC News presents a two-hour prime-time special about John, featuring his closest friends and rare, candid video footage of John and Carolyn. 'The Last Days of JFK Jr.' airs Thursday, Jan. 3 (9:00 - 11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC.

Two-time Grammy-nominated and millions-selling progressive music titans Dream Theater recently announced the forthcoming worldwide release of their 14th studio album, Distance Over Time on February 22, 2019. Distance Over Time showcases a newfound creativity for Dream Theater while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe. The album also marks the first for the band's new label InsideOutMusic / Sony Music. The artwork was created by long-time cover collaborator Hugh Syme (Rush, Iron Maiden, Stone Sour). Distance Over Time was produced by John Petrucci, mixed by Ben Grosse and mastered by Tom Baker.

I caught up with rising star bass-baritone Christian Van Horn the other day, to find out what the devil was going on with his starring role in the Met's first performance of Arrigo Boito's MEFISTOFELE in almost 20 years. Were you nervous as hell (pun intended) on the first night, I asked Van Horn, winner of this year's prestigious Richard Tucker Award, in your role as the Devil?

DANCE NOW is pleased to present an encore performance of Megan Williams's ONE WOMAN SHOW, a post-postmodern dance-theater follies for the small stage, on Sunday, January 6, 2019, at 5pm, at Joe's Pub.

The Met is offering Robert Carsen's 1999 production of Arrigo Boito's MEFISTOFELE to show us what bass-baritone Christian Van Horn--winner of this year's Richard Tucker Award--could do in his first starring role at the house and the answer was: plenty.

Bristol Old Vic today went on sale with its Winter/Spring 2019 programme, launching a new season of inspiring, cutting-edge and award-winning theatre, set to take Bristol by storm following its ground-breaking Year of Change.

Celebrate the season of love with Lalah Hathaway, five-time Grammy Award winner and daughter of the legendary Donny Hathaway, as she performs an all-new show, Sophisticated Soul, at the Connor Palace on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019 at 8 p.m. The special Valentine's Day performance will showcase Hathaway's irrepressible and boundary-defying voice, complemented by special guest Raheem Devaughn, as she performs selections from her eighth studio album "honestly" and many more.

Choreographer Parker Esse is responsible for not only ensuring that happens, but also for making sure that the moves of the characters onboard the S.S. American are not only de-lovely, but the tops!

Danny Zelisko presents the legendary Kris Kristofferson & The Strangers at The Smith Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seat tickets go on sale on Friday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. at TheSmithCenter.com.

The Gish Prize Trust today announced that the inspired Music and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, has been selected to receive the 25th annual Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize in recognition of his ongoing achievements as a conductor and an advocate for music education. Established in 1994 through the will of legendary stage and screen actress Lillian Gish, known as the First Lady of Cinema, the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize is one of the most prestigious honors given to artists in the United States and bears one of the largest cash awards, currently valued at approximately $250,000.

IAMA Theatre Company opens its 2018-19 season with a darkly comic celebration of the power of teamwork and unity to overcome adversity. James Eckhousedirects the Los Angeles premiere ofAmerican Hero, opening Sept. 21 in aPasadena Playhouse guest production at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Performances will continue through Oct. 21, with low-priced previews beginning Sept. 15.

There's just something about Kristin Chenoweth. It's almost undefinable, perhaps even undescribable, yet as with any writer's efforts to put into words how remarkable the woman behind the image is, I'll give it my best shot, attempting to encapsulate the wonder that is Kristin Chenoweth in 2,000 words or less (but if I go over, don't judge too harshly - I'm simply stating the facts that prove the folly of my initial hypothesis).

There's just something about Kristin Chenoweth. It's almost undefinable, perhaps even undescribable, yet as with any writer's efforts to put into words how remarkable the woman behind the image is, I'll give it my best shot, attempting to encapsulate the wonder that is Kristin Chenoweth in 2,000 words or less (but if I go over, don't judge too harshly - I'm simply stating the facts that prove the folly of my initial hypothesis).

Joe's Pub at The Public presents the North American premiere of Murray Hill: About To Break, a new comedy and theatrical event, running September 20-22 and 27-29. About To Break is written and performed by Hill and directed and developed with Tony Award-winning lyricist, writer, and director Scott Wittman. Renowned as a comic host around the world, this new show is a departure, putting Hill center stage in the first major dedicated solo show of his long, storied career. Musical direction is by Paul Leschen with original music by Hill with Wittman, Marc Shaiman, Kyle Forrester, Eric Kornfeld, Jesse Elder, and Leschen.

Joe's Pub at The Public presents the North American premiere of Murray Hill: About To Break, a new comedy and theatrical event, running September 20-22 and 27-29. About To Break is written and performed by Hill and directed and developed with Tony Award-winning lyricist, writer, and director Scott Wittman. Renowned as a comic host around the world, this new show is a departure, putting Hill center stage in the first major dedicated solo show of his long, storied career. Musical direction is by Paul Leschen with original music by Hill with Wittman, Marc Shaiman, Kyle Forrester, Eric Kornfeld, Jesse Elder, and Leschen.