Watch Your Step - 2001 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 4

The National Theater Institute includes a vibrant community of over 3,500 alumni. The many talents of these actors, writers, directors, and designers can be seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in films, television, London's West End, and at every major regional theater in the U.S. Today, in an excerpt from The O'Neill: Transformation of Modern American Theater, we hear from actor-writer-director John Krasinski (Promised Land, Away We Go, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, Big Miracle, The Office) about why he calls his semester away at NTI "one the most influential moments of [his] life".

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sarah Benson and Executive Director Cynthia Flowers, Soho Rep. has continually produced work by bold artists who harness the intimate power of a 73-seat black box theater to create transformative experiences. Soho Rep.'s 2014-15 season, announced today, comprises three new works that each speak to the civic power of theater through their own distinctive form.

From September 4-14, 2014, Houston Ballet launches its 45th season with the company premiere of John Neumeier's three-act ballet A Midsummer Night's Dream. The ballet is based on Shakespeare's lighthearted play of the same name and follows the hijinks and hilarity that ensues when a well-intentioned plan with a love potion goes awry. Created in 1977, A Midsummer Night's Dream has served as Mr. Neumeier's calling card, being seen as one of his most joyous and popular creations. Houston Ballet is the first American ballet company to perform the famous work and it is the first piece by Mr. Neumeier to enter the Houston Ballet repertoire.

Hip hop, Indie-rock, punk and folk artists committed to social change will come together to honor musician and activist Pete Seeger. The program's hosts are Gina Belafonte, Harry Belafonte's daughter and Kitama Jackson, Pete Seeger's grandson. Mr. Seeger and Mr. Belafonte became international household names as singers who stood for change. For Belafonte that meant being involved in both the Civil Rights Movement in US and the Anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa. For Seeger that meant getting people singing, and then using song to lead marches and rallies around the world. From the labor movement to the Civil Rights movement to the environmental movement, Pete Seeger was always on the front lines. Today's artists aren't that different from Seeger and Belafonte, they also use music as a means to give voice to the voiceless and inspire people to change the world for themselves, their communities and future generations.

It's been about almost two years since we last caught up with Oskar Brown and we thought it might be time to see what he has been up to!

Today we are talking to the founder and Vice President of Yamaha Entertainment Group who single-handedly spearheaded the incentive to create a one-of-a-kind work of pianistic art for iconic Tony Award-winning rock legend Elton John to utilize in a spectacular new concert experience called THE MILLION DOLLAR PIANO - the passionate and dedicated Chris Gero. Discussing all aspects of the impetus, development, design and actual building and subsequent employment of the technology created to craft the Million Dollar Piano itself, Gero sheds a light on the half-decade-spanning process of bringing the technological and artistic achievement to the stage and outlines Elton John's own participation in the project. Furthermore, Gero opens up about the new software developed for the project and how that has established a whole new avenue of live entertainment via the Yamaha Disklavier. On that note, Gero shares stories detailing his participation with various Disklavier showcase events and the possibilities afforded by the revolutionary new piano tech that will be spotlighted in his new documentary 88 - featuring performances by Elton John, Michael McDonald, Sara Bareilles, Jamie Collum and more. Additionally, Gero offers the 411 on Yamaha's participation in a wide range of specialty events, ranging from the silver piano Alicia Keys played on the Super Bowl to provided keys for Paul McCartney and more, as well as various Elton John charity benefits he has helmed over the years. All of that and much, much more in this behind the scenes look at the modern technical marvel that is Elton John's Million Dollar Piano and the man behind it!

This holiday season, BroadwayWorld brings you a look at some of our favorite shows playing across the country. Take a break from the hustle and bustle and treat your family to some of our theatrical favorites, now playing nationwide.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

For their 2013-2014 season American Classics brings three 'firsts' to their programming. For the first time American Classics will present a guest performer in their own concert, acclaimed entertainer John O'Neil in his popular salute to Danny Kaye, 'So Kaye, a one man 'tongue-twisting tour-de force' showcasing songs, stories and monologues culled from Kaye's illustrious career. 'So Kaye was nominated for the prestigious IRNE award in 2001; since that time O'Neil has performed the show up and down the East Coast from Maine to Florida. 'Adding John O'Neil and 'So Kaye to our season is exciting for us. John has appeared with us in the past, but we are delighted to be able to showcase him in one of his most popular shows,' says Producing Director Benjamin Sears, who notes, 'this is Kaye's centenary year, so it's a perfect time to feature John in an American Classics season.'

This morning, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, St. Ann's Warehouse Founder and Artistic Director Susan Feldman, St. Ann's Warehouse Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson, St. Ann's Warehouse Board Chair Joseph S. Steinberg, Brooklyn Bridge Park President Regina Myer, NYC Council Member Stephen Levin, State Senator Daniel Squadron and others broke ground at the Tobacco Warehouse in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The event signals the beginning of St. Ann's $27 million development of the historic building, originally constructed in 1861, into a 25,000 SF performing arts center and community hub on the Brooklyn waterfront. The Tobacco Warehouse will serve as a permanent home for St. Ann's, which has activated found spaces for cultural use in downtown Brooklyn since in 1980. The non-profit organization plans to present its opening season in the Brooklyn Bridge Park warehouse in Fall 2015.

For their 2013-2014 season American Classics brings three "firsts" to their programming. For the first time American Classics will present a guest performer in their own concert, acclaimed entertainer John O'Neil in his popular salute to Danny Kaye, 'So Kaye, a one man "tongue-twisting tour-de force" showcasing songs, stories and monologues culled from Kaye's illustrious career. 'So Kaye was nominated for the prestigious IRNE award in 2001; since that time O'Neil has performed the show up and down the East Coast from Maine to Florida. "Adding John O'Neil and 'So Kaye to our season is exciting for us. John has appeared with us in the past, but we are delighted to be able to showcase him in one of his most popular shows," says Producing Director Benjamin Sears, who notes, "this is Kaye's centenary year, so it's a perfect time to feature John in an American Classics season."

There are many challenges that face a theatre who chooses to mount such a difficult production. First and foremost are how to bring these iconic characters to life as realistically as possible, while still showcasing the actors underneath. Second is how to present the various locations presented in the piece (SHREK'S swamp, the castle in Duloc, Fiona's tower, etc) in a way that not only is appropriate, but can easily be changed to the next. The show has now made the jump to regional theatres around the country, and the Arundel Barn Playhouse is the first theatre in all of New England to present it. It's a lot to undertake, but the Playhouse rose to the occasion, and I think you will be quite surprised and delighted at the results.

Ars Nova announces the lineup for its 6th Annual ANT Fest. This year's festival of All New Talent runs from today, June 3 - 29, featuring fresh new work from some of New York's most exciting emerging artists. From trapeze thrillers to hip-hop basketball musicals, 2013's ANT Fest heats up Ars Nova this summer with four weeks of comedy, music, theater and a fusion of all three you won't see anywhere else.

'Motown' is Jesse's 2nd Bway show this season after a five-year hiatus he spent focused on his Broadway Boys concert group.

Tim McCarver, who for three decades has been baseball's premier television analyst, announced today that he is stepping down from his lead MLB on FOX position upon conclusion of this season's World Series.

The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by American Express, today announced the return of their signature free community events: the Tribeca Drive-In (April 18-20), Family Festival Street Fair (April 27), Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day (April 27), and Family Screenings (April 21 and 27).

A group of up and coming theatre professionals have been hard at work writing, composing, directing and choreographing the newest theatrical adventure by the award-winning ensemble A BROKEN UMBRELLA THEATRE. THE LIBRARY PROJECT, a commission by the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation, features the work of over 70 artists, including composer/lyricist Rob Shapiro, composer Chrissy Gardner, playwright Jason Patrick Wells, choreographer Robin Levin and directors Ian and Rachel Alderman.

A group of up and coming theatre professionals have been hard at work writing, composing, directing and choreographing the newest theatrical adventure by the award-winning ensemble A BROKEN UMBRELLA THEATRE. THE LIBRARY PROJECT, a commission by the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation, features the work of over 70 artists, including composer/lyricist Rob Shapiro, composer Chrissy Gardner, playwright Jason Patrick Wells, choreographer Robin Levin and directors Ian and Rachel Alderman.

Raul Esparza and Anna Chlumsky will guest star on NBC's LAW & ORDER: SVU on a special episode titled "Twenty-Five Acts", based on the best-selling novel '50 Shades of Grey.' The show will air October 10th at 9 pm ET. Both talented actors recently spoke with reporters about the upcoming episode.

We talk with veteran actress Kim Staunton on her amazing and diverse career and working with August Wilson and Phylicia Rashad.

A longtime member of the 'Mamma Mia' cast on tour and Bway, Erica's now performing in her 2nd straight Rob Ashford-choreographed show.

Noted performer and music historian, Benjamin Sears has an unprecedented familiarity with both Irving Berlin's work and the writings about him, much of which he has brought together in the new, The Irving Berlin Reader, part of the Readers on American Music Series from Oxford University Press, available in stores on April 6, 2012.

FST Improv is decking the halls, pouring the egg nog, and lighting the Menorah for a brand new Holiday comedy show!

FST Improv is decking the halls, pouring the egg nog, and lighting the Menorah for a brand new Holiday comedy show!