The Most Deserving - - Off-Broadway Articles Page 15

Led by classically trained and forward-thinking vibraphonist Stefon Harris, Blackout is a collaborative outfit of brilliant musicians from a variety of backgrounds, all of whom contribute to both the performance and composition of original works.

The Showcase Showup, an ensemble of New York-based theater artists, announces the launch of a year-long initiative designed to support work of merit and invention on city stages. Each week in 2013, members of the Showcase Showup will attend at least one Actors' Equity approved Showcase, and post recommendations of productions that feature high quality elements of one sort or another (strong performances, clever design, bold direction, etc.). In contrast to traditional review sites, the Showcase Showup is not intended to provide comprehensive critical response; to maintain the integrity of their endorsements, members will not write-up every show attended. Instead, the site will attempt to create an atmosphere of support and reliable recommendation, directing attention to (and encouraging attendance of) the most deserving productions.

Tonight, for the fifth year in a row, NIVEA will help millions of people ring in the New Year and prepare for that special kiss at midnight as the official sponsor of the Times Square Alliance's New Year's Eve Celebration.

Wow, talk about a thumbs up! BroadwayWorld.com Cabaret Reviewer/Columnist Stephen Hanks received such a positive reaction to his '2012 Best of New York Cabaret' piece posted yesterday that we thought it would be fun for him to add to his original 13 "honorable mentions" list. So, here for your holiday week reading pleasure is Part 2 of his "Best" and "Most" Honorable Mentions in Cabaret for 2012 with 21 new listings (because an even 20 would be trite). Enjoy!

For the second straight year, Velocity is making viewers' holiday wishes come true by rolling out another installment of 12 DAYS OF VELOCITY starting today, December 21 at 9 AM ET/PT, and ending on New Year's Day, Tuesday, January 1.

At a press conference today at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist and 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Flea announced the list of performer inductees and Ahmet Ertegun Award recipients for induction.

For the second straight year, Velocity is making viewers' holiday wishes come true by rolling out another installment of 12 DAYS OF VELOCITY starting Friday, December 21 at 9 AM ET/PT, and ending on New Year's Day, Tuesday, January 1.

JetBlue Airways, New York's Hometown Airline, will host an exclusive live performance by critically acclaimed Italian operatic teen trio Il Volo (Italian for 'flight') today, December 4, 2012 at 5 p.m. ET at its world-class Terminal 5 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

A&E presents the new original real life series BE THE BOSS, a competition-based series that pits two employees of a franchise-based company in the battle of a lifetime - with the chance to become the owner of their very own franchise - to, in success, become their own boss. "Be the Boss" premieres tonight, December 2 at 10PM ET/PT.

JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), New York's Hometown Airline, today announces an exclusive live performance by critically acclaimed Italian operatic teen trio Il Volo (Italian for 'flight') on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 5 p.m. ET at its world-class Terminal 5 at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Spending time together as a family is precious and limited. This holiday season ABC's Emmy Award-winning talk show THE VIEW is offering a chance for four lucky viewers to win a Disney Parks Vacation in the "Family Time Together" contest announced live today, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET).

Studio Theatre's production of Annie Baker's 'The Aliens' is, despite the fine acting and production values, unsatisfying.

I have to admit, it's hard for me to get exited about stage adaptations of the Cinderella story. Growing up, I had Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Julie Andrews crammed down my throat. The 1997 version starring Brandy promised to be a fresh and relevant take on the material, but I was not impressed. Now, the New York Theatre Scene is about to welcome Rogers and Hammerstein's version on Broadway. But, maybe they need to reexamine things because at Houston's Ensemble Theatre the African-American Shakespeare Company and Carlton Leake version of CINDERELLA is captivating, powerful, and beautiful! This well-liked and exhilarating piece of theatre is back by popular demand and being presented for its third time at Ensemble Theatre.

Guitar Center has announced the induction of renowned rock legends Rush, into the retailer's historic RockWalk. The exclusive, invite only induction ceremony is set to take place today, Nov. 20, at Noon at Guitar Center's Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard.

The Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC) has made its final selections for the 8th Annual Colorado New Play Summit. With a stunning representation of today's playwrights, presenting shows covering topics as diverse as the effects of immigration status on assimilation, a modern take on Homer's Odyssey, and a bawdy comedy about a man dragged into a drag act, these plays by some of America's top new writers demonstrate the DCTC's commitment to new works and solidify its position as one of the nation's top tier new play festivals. The Most Deserving by Edgerton New Play Award-winner Catherine Trieschmann, The Legend of Georgia McBride by rising star Matthew Lopez, The Vast In-Between by Chicago Jeff Award-winner Laura Eason, internationally-produced Karen Zacarias' Just Like Us (based on the best-seller by Helen Thorpe), and Black Odyssey by multiple award winning poet/playwright Marcus Gardley, are confirmed for the 2013 Colorado New Play Summit, which will take place in downtown Denver February 8 - 10, 2013.

The Special Award will be presented by celebrated actor and life-long friend, Sir David Jason at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday 25 November at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Brian and David have worked together on several animated films and children's programmes including The Wind In The Willows, The BFG, Count Duckula and DangerMouse.

For the first time since 2010, 'Oprah's Favorite Things' returns to television in a two-hour special event.

Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children's publishing, education and media company, The UPS Store and Marine Toys for Tots Foundation are launching a READ EVERY DAY holiday campaign to promote the love of reading and encourage all families to help give books to kids who need them most, including those who lost books due to Hurricane Sandy.

In celebration of National Young Readers Week November 12-16, Pizza Hut® and its famed BOOK IT!® Program have selected the winning Pizza Hut restaurants in the third annual BOOK IT! Big Book Giveaway.

As if you haven't had enough of election year politics, now comes the 2012 National Plays for Presidents Festival. However, this lighthearted two-hour tour of presidential history is a good way to wean yourself off the non-stop 24/7 flood of political advertisements and opponent-bashing.

Guitar Center is proud to announce the upcoming induction of renowned rock legends Rush, into the retailer's historic RockWalk. The exclusive, invite only induction ceremony is set to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Noon at Guitar Center's Hollywood location on Sunset Boulevard.

James M. Nederlander (Chairman) and James L. Nederlander (President) kick off the 100th anniversary of The Nederlander Organization by becoming the New York Landmark Conservancy's first father/son duo to be named "Living Landmarks," an honor that will be bestowed tonight at their annual gala at the Plaza Hotel.

ETonline.com has revealed a partial list of some of Oprah Winfrey's 2012 'Favorite Things.' For the first time since 2010, 'Oprah's Favorite Things' will return to television in a two-hour special event.

FundaGeek has launched a new project of special interest to contemporary art enthusiasts and struggling artists as well. Focused on young adults, this team of Brits want to show art in a fun and convenient way, providing an alternative to mass culture and consumption. They've built a website designed to be displayed on mobile devices to give people the coolest art whenever they want, wherever they are.

A&E presents the new original real life series BE THE BOSS, a competition-based series that pits two employees of a franchise-based company in the battle of a lifetime - with the chance to become the owner of their very own franchise - to, in success, become their own boss. "Be the Boss" premieres Sunday, December 2 at 10PM ET/PT.