Whirl-I-Gig - 1899 - Broadway Articles Page 20

The Museum of Modern Art presents Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America, 1960-1980, an exhibition on view from September 5, 2015, through January 3, 2016, that focuses on the parallels and connections among international artists working in-and in reference to-Latin America and Eastern Europe during the 1960s and 1970s.

Disney musical is full of energy and entertainment.The first time I saw a snippet of this Disney produced musical based on the 1992 film (which I had always enjoyed) was on the Macy's 'Thanksgiving Day Parade'. I knew then that I had to see this show and it was exactly what I expected. It features a remarkable ensemble, amazing athletic dancing thanks to the Tony-winning choreography of Christopher Gattelli who has commented that the show has no chorus, they are all characters with individuals names. (See Nelson Pressley's great article in the June 5 Washington Post) . There are incredible defying gravity leaps, high-flying splits, standing back flips, cartwheels, somersaults, pirouettes, tumbling, and even tap dancing. I just loved watching them dance on newspapers. How clever!

Based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name, which in turn was inspired by the real-life newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City, Newsies tells the captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes when they stand up to the most powerful men in New York.

The weekend is upon us and that means that tonight is opening night for a couple of new shows (with performances continuing through the weekend) and closing performances of several others, including Newsies (at TPAC), Circle Players' The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the farewell production of GroundWorks Theatre's Starlite Waltz. Meanwhile, John Chaffin's Cliffhanger continues at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and Cumberland County Playhouse continues its 50th anniversary season with a whole slate of terrific shows.

One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

Christopher Gattelli's superb choreography - spirited and athletic, amazingly theatrical and awe-inspiring - may be reason enough to see Disney's Newsies, the show now ensconced at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall through Sunday, where it's entertaining audiences and eliciting some of the loudest responses we've ever heard in that cavernous space.

Disney's Newsies will claim Nashville as their own hometown with a weeklong run at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center beginning Tuesday, Osborne and Eppler's Southern Fried Nuptials takes the stage in Woodbury, and local favorite Geoff Davin unveils his latest theatrical creation - Adamenses Huckster…and there's plenty of theater continuing this week to keep you occupied all week long!

It's the official kick-off to summer, what with the Memorial Day Weekend upon us already - seriously, where did the time go? - and while we're certain your calendar is filled with cookouts, fireworks (we don't save all the sparklers for July 4th do we?) and swimming (if it warms up enough here in frosty Tennessee, where it's in the 50s as I type). But being the theatrical fanatic that we (using either the editorial "we" or the royal "we"…just take your pick) are, we would like to humbly suggest you make your way to the theater in the next few days to get some artistic inspiration.

Though no one in Aaron Lazar's family had professionally pursued show business before he came along, he sees his entire career as being heavily influenced by his musically talented grandparents and great-grandparents. So in order to give back to the special seniors in his personal and professional life, Lazar has become involved with JASA (Jewish Association Serving the Aging), a non-profit organization. Lazar opened up to me about the impact the seniors in his life have had on him, his favorite memories from working with legends like Angela Lansbury and Elaine Stritch, why he wanted to join JASA, and more. Check out the interview below!

NASHVILLE, TN - Singer, songwriter and entertainer Toby Keith has two deep and abiding interests aside from music: giving back to those who fight for our freedom and premium Mexican liquor. Therefore, in yet another meaningful display of support for America's veterans, Keith has announced that he will join with the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) in several initiatives to include donating a portion of sales of his critically-acclaimed Wild Shot Mezcal to the organization.

Orange County, Calif.-May 11, 2015-One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

For 2015 Theater at Monmouth has planned a season of Magic, Murder, and Mayhem! Season 46 peeks into nature of reality and illusion, pokes fun at the foibles and fables of romances young and old, and will prick-up the hairs on the back of your neck. From Shakespeare to Stoppard and Coward to James, the 2015 Season is sure to be a perception-altering ride.

Hoagy Carmichael wrote Stardust, Georgia on My Mind, The Nearness of You and Heart and Soul, four of the most-recorded American songs of all time.

With much excitement, ZACH Theatre announces that Broadway's Original Dreamgirl, Grammy and Tony award-winning JENNIFER HOLLIDAY will star in this summer's Duke Ellington musical revue Sophisticated Ladies. For its premiere production in Austin, the show will play on the Topfer Stage from July 15 - August 23, 2015 under the direction of ABE REYBOLD.

As a preteen in 1992, thanks to a 'free week' of The Disney Channel, I became an expert on the working conditions of the 1899 newsboys of New York, and their famous conflict with newspaper giants William Randolph Hurst and Joseph Pulitzer. I also discovered a love for musical theatre, as I watched the dozens of acrobatic young men singing, dancing and exploding onto the streets of New York City as NEWSIES. When the tape I'd recorded the film on was eventually 'eaten' by my VHS player (and with Disney discontinuing distribution) my mother and I convinced Blockbuster to sell us their copy, once they acknowledged that we'd been the only rental for several months. When a DVD was eventually released the following decade, my mother immediately gifted me a copy, which I memorized word-for-word. NEWSIES finally made it's way to the stage in 2011, and I excitedly traveled to New Jersey for its premier, followed by two additional trips to see the production on Broadway. To say I'm a 'Fansie' may be an understatement, so I couldn't have been more excited to seize the day with the touring company earlier this week.

Pride Films & Plays is excited to announce a new production of Design for Living, a sexy and seductive revival of this Noel Coward classic which will be directed by PFP Artistic Associate Derek Bertelsen, and running at Rivendell Theater from October 22 to November 22. The press opening is Saturday, October 24 at 7:30.

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA), headed by renowned dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington, the Duke's granddaughter, will celebrate Ellington's 116th birthday this year today, April 25, with a musical tribute to five other legendary jazz performers from 1 to 3 PM in front of the towering Duke Ellington Statue in the Plaza at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 110th Street.

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA), headed by renowned dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington, the Duke's granddaughter, will celebrate Ellington's 116th birthday this year on Saturday, April 25, with a musical tribute to five other legendary jazz performers from 1 to 3 PM in front of the towering Duke Ellington Statue in the Plaza at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 110th Street.

In 1899 droves of newsboys from every borough of New York City banned together and went on strike against Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst and other wealthy newspaper owners, in a crusade to save children from menial wages and physical abuse. This was a first, where uneducated street kids stood up to the big suits and won. In 1992 Disney created the movie Newsies that went on to become a humongous hit. In 2012 Harvey Fierstein, Alan Menken and Jack Feldman came to Broadway with a musical show they created based on the film. Under the Disney banner, the first national tour of Newsies is currently onstage at the Pantages. All I can say is run, don't walk, to purchase tickets. The Newsies ensemble pulsates from the moment the lights hit the stage. It will jolt you, fulfill you and make you jump for joy.

The world premiere of Downs' new play, directed by Emmy-winner Patrick Flick, can use some work on the comic timing, but the cast shines

The Divine Miss Bette cabaret starring Sydney stage sensation, Catherine Alcorn returns to Sydney for one night only at 8.15pm, Thursday 19th March, 2015 at Slide Lounge Sydney. The Divine Miss Bette forms part of the 4 week SLIDE LOUNGE MARDI GRAS program featuring cabaret, comedy, circus, visual arts and community panels. Tickets are on sale now.

As part of its Southern Exposure Series, which features new and classic literature by Southern writers with Southern inspiration, Tennessee Shakespeare Company this spring returns to its popular Tuesday Literary Salons with the works of two form-breaking southern writers read in fun, intimate settings.