The Most Deserving - - Off-Broadway Articles Page 8

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $30 million in grants as part of the NEA's first major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $20,000 to Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) to support its citywide festival, STOMPING GROUNDS; its grand finale performance, Chicago Rhythm Fest; the Rhythm World summer festival; and a home season for CHRP's resident ensemble. The Art Works category focuses on the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts and strengthening of communities through the arts.

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. (Linda Shelton, Executive Director) is pleased to present the second annual American Dance Platform, a showcase of eight companies over one week, made possible by a grant from The Harkness Foundation for Dance and dedicated to the memory of Theodore S. Bartwink, from January 3-8.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Procter & Gamble announced today that season six of the Daytime Emmy award-winning DIY series HOME MADE SIMPLE will premiere Saturday, January 14, 2017 on OWN

Multi-talented entertainer Jennifer Nettles returns to host CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS as some of the most powerful and emotionally moving voices in music come together to celebrate the holidays.

The New York premiere of THE PORTAL began an Off-Broadway open-ended run on October 27, 2016 at the Minetta Lane Theatre. THE PORTAL is a rock odyssey conceived and directed by Luke Comer, with original music composed by Tierro Lee and Luke Comer, starring Billy Lewis Jr. (Mason McCarthy on the Fox series "Glee"), and choreographed by Jessica Chen. Opening night is set for Saturday, December 3.

As we move into the holiday season, undoubtedly there is much for everyone to be thankful for, and if you head out to the movie theatre over the long Thanksgiving weekend, chances are good that you will be counting your blessings that the gods have brought Disney's latest animated musical MOANA into your life. With a screenplay by Jared Bush and music by Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Opetaia Foa'I, MOANA is a gorgeous, charming film deserving of a spot amongst the Disney classics.

The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), which fosters social reconciliation through American tap and contemporary percussive arts in world-class, innovative performance, education and outreach programs, hosted its 26th Jubalee Gala November 4 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Attended by nearly 250 people, the event raised more than $140,000 from a combination of ticket sales, sponsorships, a paddle raise, a raffle and contributions.

In this comprehensive, two-part (!!!) BWW feature, our eclectic panel of child actors - including Lilla Crawford, Joshua Colley, Luca Padovan and Isabella Russo (with additional commentary from Savvy Crawford) - sound off on their most memorable career experiences, fan encounters, maintaining balance between work and school commitments and the ever-important subject of putting children in the spotlight.

Multi-talented entertainer Jennifer Nettles returns to host CMA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS as some of the most powerful and emotionally moving voices in music come together to celebrate the holidays.

Anyone can be a star - for a price! The annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION is a unique opportunity for amateur theatre lovers to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production - no experience or training required! The Casting Auction, in association with Porchlight Music Theatre, will be auctioning off over 30 roles for this season's musical production, All Shook Up, on Friday, November 4, 2016 at Michelle's Ballroom, 2800 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION will also feature live entertainment, delectable hors d'oeuvres, an open bar with signature cocktails, a lively dance floor and a professional photo booth to ham it up!

Inis Nua Theatre Company opens their 2016-2017 season at the Louis Bluver Theater at The Drake (302 South Hicks Street) with Radiant Vermin by Philip Ridley, with previews starting October 19 and opening set for October 21. From England, this Philadelphia premiere mixes "be careful what you wish for" with a strong dose of unnervingly wicked humor.

Jon Robertson, dean of Lynn University's Conservatory of Music and Philharmonia guest conductor, today invited the public to attend 13 musical performances during November and December 2016.

In Animal Planet's new two-part special, PET NATION RENOVATION, two deserving shelters receive much needed top-to-bottom makeovers providing animals with a more comfortable stay while awaiting their new family.

Critically acclaimed singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Rhiannon Giddens is the recipient of the seventh annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass.

In Animal Planet's new two-part special, PET NATION RENOVATION, two deserving shelters receive much needed top-to-bottom makeovers providing animals with a more comfortable stay while awaiting their new family.

New Repertory Theatre in association with the Arsenal Center for the Arts is proud to announce that all productions in the Charles Mosesian Theater will now be hearing loop enabled. This innovative wireless technology will allow patrons with Telecoil enabled hearing aids and cochlear implants to hear speech and music from on stage clearly and directly. Headsets will also be available for those patrons without Telecoil enabled devices.

The multiple Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Toni Braxton will be honored with the BMI President's Award in recognition of her distinguished career and substantial influence on popular music over last 25 years.

The Pasadena POPS continues their one of a kind, popular outdoor summer concert series with Michael Cavanaugh and the Music of Billy Joel tonight, July 9 at the LA County Arboretum.

Catch the waves of refreshing melodies, driving grooves, and spirited vocals ideal for summertime as INFINITY HALL LIVE , the award-winning national music series produced by Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), kicks off its fifth anniversary season in July

The Pasadena POPS continues their one of a kind, popular outdoor summer concert series with Michael Cavanaugh and the Music of Billy Joel on Saturday, July 9 at the LA County Arboretum.

It's that time of year, and I can't help but wonder if your CD collection and iPod are Tonys ready. It's just a handful of hours until the 70th annual Tony Awards, and New York City and theatre fans across the world are excitedly buzzing about this year's ceremonies which will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 8/7c on CBS. This Broadway season has some exciting contenders in the musical categories, and to get you ready for the big night, I'm recapping the albums you should be listening to (or at least pre-ordering).

ESPN today announced that Sager will be honored with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award on July 13 at The 2016 ESPYS presented by Capital One on ABC.

Craig Sager is one of the most respected sideline reporters in sports, and he is well known for both his colorful attire and personality. Given a life-changing diagnosis of leukemia in 2014, TNT's hard-working veteran returned to the sidelines in 2015 and continues to publicly battle the disease while remaining committed to the work he loves. ESPN today announced that Sager will be honored with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at “The 2016 ESPYS presented by Capital One.” The ESPYS will be broadcast live on WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC.

The historic Cape Playhouse's 90th season kicks off with one of Neil Simon's most irresistible comedies, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, starring Jennifer Cody and Daniel Pearce. Directed by Tim Threlfall, this classic comedy plays June 7 through 18. 

The regional awards competition recognizes outstanding achievement in high school musical theatre outside of the Los Angeles area; nominees to perform at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, May 23.