Time to Go - 1960 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 16

Monique Hafen Adams is one of those theater performers who work so frequently throughout the Bay Area that they seem to be part of some kind of unofficial, regional rep company. Over the past several years, she has worked with most of the higher-profile theater companies in the area and has played characters as disparate as Johanna in a?oeSweeney Todda?? and the title roles in both a?oeThe Diary of Anne Franka?? and a?oeSweet Charity,a?? to name just a few. She is now starring as that infamous chorus girl, Roxie Hart, in San Jose Stage Company's production of Kander & Ebb's a?oeChicago.a?? BroadwayWorld recently caught up with Ms. Hafen Adams while she was still in the thick of the rehearsal process.

The inimitable Emily Skinner will be headlining 42nd Street Moon's gala fundraiser a?oeCome to the Moona?? on Tuesday, February 4th at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. After bursting onto the scene with her Tony-nominated performance in a?oeSide Show,a?? Ms. Skinner has gone on to star in several more Broadway shows, most recently a?oeThe Cher Showa?? in 2018-19, and performed at top regional theater companies and done innumerable concerts throughout the country. Ms. Skinner's trademarks are a spectacular voice that can move seamlessly from a luscious lower register to a thrilling high belt, an irreverent sense of humor and a deep passion for the classic American musical. She is the type of performer who can dazzle you with her vocal prowess one moment, then make you laugh out loud with a perfectly-timed bon mot, then break your heart with a tender ballad. BroadwayWorld spoke recently by phone with Ms. Skinner from her home base in Manhattan. In conversation, Ms. Skinner is delightfully chatty, smart and warm, sort of a mashup of a gimlet-eyed leading lady from a bygone era, a brainiac specializing in Broadway arcania, and your best friend from high school.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra's four-city tour to East Asia (Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai, and Hong Kong) with Andris Nelsons, February 6-16, has been canceled due to increasing concerns over widely documented official news and government agency reports assessing the spread of the new coronavirus. These concerns, along with discussions with the Shanghai Oriental Art Center-whose leadership informed the BSO about the official cancellations of their upcoming performances-followed by consultations with the tour's presenters in Seoul, Taipei, and Hong Kong, combined to play an influential role in the cancellation of the BSO's East Asia tour.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra's four-city tour to East Asia (Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai, and Hong Kong) with Andris Nelsons, February 6a?"16, has been canceled due to increasing concerns over widely documented official news and government agency reports assessing the spread of the new coronavirus. These concerns, along with discussions with the Shanghai Oriental Art Centera?"whose leadership informed the BSO about the official cancellations of their upcoming performancesa?"followed by consultations with the tour's presenters in Seoul, Taipei, and Hong Kong, combined to play an influential role in the cancellation of the BSO's East Asia tour.

Now in its fourteenth year, FRIGID is an open and uncensored theatre festival that gives artists an opportunity to let their ingenuity thrive in a venue that values freedom of expression and artistic determination. In true support of our Indie Theater Community, 100% of box office proceeds will go directly to the artists whose work is being presented. FRIGID is here to chill out the New York independent theatre scene's ideas of what a theatre festival can be!

Rehearsals are now underway for Transport Group's The Unsinkable Molly Brown, which begins performances on Saturday, February 8 at 22 at Abrons Arts Center. The show stars Tony Award nominee Beth Malone (Fun Home) as Molly Brown, David Aron Damane (The Book of Mormon, Big River, The Life) as JJ, Whitney Bashor (The Bridges of Madison County) as Julia, Omar Lopez-Cepero (On Your Feet!) as Vincenzo, Alex Gibson (SpongeBob SquarePants; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812) as Erich, and Paolo Montalban (Pacific Overtures, The King and I) as Arthur. Rounding out the cast are Kaitlyn Davidson; Tyrone Davis, Jr.; Gregg Goodbrod; Michael Halling; Karl Josef Ko; Nikka Graff Lanzarone; Kate Marilley; Shina Ann Morris; Keven Quillon; and Coco Smith.

With a book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman and presented by Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, and in association with Eric Krebs), Romeo & Bernadette makes its Off-Broadway debut under the direction of Justin Ross Cohen. Turning traditional Italian melodies into songs that are the perfect mix of heartfelt ballad and slick Brooklyn confidence, Romeo & Bernadette is one of those rare shows that posits this brave, new idea to the world and then simply doesn't just follow through a?' it storms ahead with the foul-mouthed grace of a Brooklyn girl who knows no boundaries when it comes to getting what she wants.

Ah the good old days! Back when the sky was clear, the water was clean and the red, white and blue of the 48 star spangled banner still waved true. Only not so much for people of color and immigrants who came to the 'land of opportunity'. Prejudice and racism is as American as apple pie as Southwest Theatre Productions's world premiere of TRADE WITH KLAN by Donald E. Baker so clearly illustrates.

Go inside the creation and 63-year evolution of the musical theatre masterpiece, West Side Story.

The Riant Theatre (Van Dirk Fisher, Artistic Director) -- the AUDELCO Award-Winning nonprofit, which provides a nurturing environment for playwrights and theatre creatives of diverse cultural backgrounds to develop new plays, presents some of the Best Plays From The Strawberry One-Act Festival at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th St, NYC. Tickets are $40 General Admission; $35 for Seniors and Students with I.D. Box Office: 212-864-5400 or online at www.SymphonySpace.org (Youtube Promo https://youtu.be/PTCS2ugfRL0)

Between 1968 and 1979, boxing superstar Muhammad Ali appeared on the Emmy® winning “Dick Cavett Show” no less than fourteen times. With natural charisma, quick wit and playful pugnacity, Ali was a perfect foil for the sophisticated broadcast host, and together they struck television gold. Whether discussing his prowess in the ring, the status of race relations in America or his controversial decision to refuse induction into the army during the Vietnam War, Ali was an entertaining and provocative guest. 

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) in association with Eric Krebs will present the Off-Broadway premiere of Romeo & Bernadette: A Musical Tale of Verona and Brooklyn, with book and lyrics by Mark Saltzman, music adapted from classic Italian melodies, and directed and choreographed by Justin Ross Cohen. Previews begin at the Mezzanine Theatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres 502 West 53rd Street (10th Avenue & 53rd Street) tomorrow night, Tuesday, January 14th at 7pm with an official opening on Thursday, January 23rd at 8pm. Performances will continue through February 16, 2020.

For the past 126 years, Gibson has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound. The new Gibson era celebrates the iconic models of the Gibson Golden Era while leaning into the future with instruments that nurture new players across generations, genders, and genres of music. In 2019, Gibson emerged as the legitimate leader again by offering new, relevant and award-winning guitars.

Stop and think about one of favorite movies - the story, characters, the settings. It won't be long before you start humming a few bars from the musical score.

Mona Golabek, the sole performer of a?oeThe Pianist of Willesden Lanea?? at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, has truly followed a singular path, both in her career and in her life. She first came to prominence as a virtuoso concert pianist appearing with major orchestras around the world. In 1998, she began hosting her own successful syndicated radio show, a?oeThe Romantic Hour,a?? which combined romantic poetry and classical music. Her life took another unexpected turn in 2002 when she co-wrote the best-seller a?oeThe Children of Willesden Lanea?? which tells the story of her mother, Lisa Jura, whose life was saved as a young girl by the Kindertransport which took her away from her family in Nazi-occupied Austria to safety in London. In 2012, Ms. Golabek collaborated with Hershey Felder to create the stage adaptation a?oeThe Pianist of Willesden Lane.a?? She has since taken the show across the country and toured internationally, and now makes it her mission to use her mother's story as a catalyst to bring reconciliation in our divisive world. BroadwayWorld recently spoke with Ms. Golabek from her home in Los Angeles. In conversation, she exhibits the natural warmth and ease of an accomplished radio host and has just the barest hint of a sort of pan-European accent, perhaps another sign of the enduring influence of her mother.

a?oeDietrich,a?? a compelling and acclaimed one-woman play that brings to life the iconic German actress Marlene Dietrich, is scheduled for a one night only performance Jan. 18th in Association with Hudson Theatre Works.

25 Shows & Performances in the Tampa Bay Area That Rocked Our World from 2010 to 2019!

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is launching into Leap Year with 23 dazzling shows, concerts and special events for every entertainment preference, from classical music to Broadway razzle dazzle, including the return of Michael Feinstein and the Kravis Center Pops Orchestra, the 13th annual Palm Beach Wine Auction Dinner & Live Auction, and the local premiere of HAMILTON, the biggest blockbuster of the past decade.

From December 11th-22nd, Theatre in the Park will be presenting their 45th anniversary production of A Christmas Carol. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing the show's playwright, Ira David Wood III, who is not only back directing this year, but he'll also be alternating the role of Ebenezer Scrooge with his oldest son, Ira David Wood IV.

As the decade comes to a close on Broadway, we're doling out some good, old-fashioned superlatives to acknowledge some of the best and brightest theatre people, show elements, and productions that have made this decade one of the best in Broadway history.

In the early years of 1960, five working class lads from Tottenham-North London came together, forming The Dave Clark Five (The DC5) - a group that would not only change but unapologetically shape the course of popular music forever and sell over one hundred million records along the way. Founded by one of the UK's most prolific and celebrated musicians, songwriters and producers Dave Clark, the band spearheaded the British invasion of the US, becoming the first UK band to tour there and scoring an unprecedented fifteen consecutive Top Twenty hits, more than any other act bar The Beatles. 

Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon is one of those rare musical theater creators who, like Lin-Manuel Miranda, can write the whole show a?" book, music and lyrics. Gordon's latest work is the musical a?oePride and Prejudicea?? soon to start its world premiere run at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. He has formed a close relationship with the company over the years, including hit productions of his shows a?oeJane Eyre,a?? a?oeEmma,a?? a?oeBeing Earnest,a?? and a?oeDaddy Long Legs.a?? Interestingly, Gordon initially found success as a composer of pop music writing for, and collaborating with, numerous recording artists, including Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, Alanis Morissette, Smokey Robinson and Dionne Warwick. An abiding love for musical theater led to a fortuitous meeting with esteemed director John Caird that opened up a whole new career for Gordon. BroadwayWorld caught up with him while he was still in the thick of the rehearsal process for his new show, which can be a very stressful time. In conversation, Gordon appeared surprisingly calm as he chatted about the development of a?oePride and Prejudicea?? and his plans to build new audiences for musical theater.

The latest installment in the acclaimed Men's Adventure Library series from editors Robert Deis and Wyatt Doyle, 'Eva: Men's Adventure Supermodel' (ISBN 978-1943444397) has been released. The book chronicles model, pin-up, and actress Eva Lynd's remarkable career.

Dogfight, currently playing at The Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, NJ is a contemporary musical with book by Peter Duncan, and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Dogfight is based on Nancy Savoca's 1991 film starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor.

It's worth the trip to experience this stunner!