Wonderful Time - 1996 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 15

A fun, new musical adaptation of an audience favorite comes to First Stage this holiday season. Created by the talented husband/wife team of Jahnna Beecham (Playwright/Lyricist) and Malcolm Hillgartner (Composer/Lyricist) and based on the play by Barbara Robinson, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL is filled with catchy,'60s-inspired original music and a delightful story that both young and old will enjoy. The horrible Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. The entire town panics when these rowdy six siblings are cast in the church's annual Christmas pageant. It's up to good-hearted Mrs. Bradley to help the Herdmans - and the rest of the town - discover the true meaning of Christmas before it's too late. Silent night? Not a chance, but sometimes a little joyful noise is just right for Christmas. Sponsored by Associated Bank and Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.

Today's subject, Nancy Anderson, has been living her theater life on Broadway and in regional theaters for many years now. You can currently see her as the tight-fisted, but caring dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson in Billy Elliot at Signature Theatre. The production plays through January 6, 2019 in the MAX space. Directed and choreographed by Signature Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner, it very well may be the largest production the company has presented to date.

Theater at Monmouth presents the cult holiday hit, The Santaland Diaries, adapted by Joe Mantello from David Sedaris' best-selling book Holidays on Ice. This modern holiday classic, made famous when it aired on National Public Radio, recounts the tale of Sedaris' stint as a Macy's Department Store elf named 'Crumpet.' Sedaris' off-kilter, witty, and often sentimental holiday memoir (not suitable for children) will have you laughing into the New Year!

Let the bells peal!  Ring in the holidays with a classic tale.  Long Island's newest theatrical venue The Argyle Theatrepresents the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and songs from the Disney film originally developed by Disney Theatrical Productions, with music by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by Peter Parnell.

Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) is delighted to announce its 2018-2019 ReDiscovery Reading Series will open on Monday, October 22 at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street NW) at 7:30 p.m. with Peerless, written by Jiehae Park.

Theater at Monmouth presents the cult holiday hit, The Santaland Diaries, adapted by Joe Mantello from David Sedaris' best-selling book Holidays on Ice. This modern holiday classic, made famous when it aired on National Public Radio, recounts the tale of Sedaris' stint as a Macy's Department Store elf named "Crumpet." Sedaris' off-kilter, witty, and often sentimental holiday memoir (not suitable for children) will have you laughing into the New Year!

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

The Broad Stage presents the return of acclaimed singer, songwriter, and guitarist Madeleine Peyroux, touring in support of her latest album, Anthem, today, September 21 at 7:30pm.  Peyroux's band includes Gregg Fine, electric guitar; Andy Ezrin, keyboards; Paul Frazier, electric bass; and Graham Hawthorne, drums.

Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues has found a new pal for Blue in TV newcomer and Broadway actor Joshua Dela Cruz, and a brand-new title: Blue's Clues & You. Dela Cruz will have a new generation of preschoolers searching for clues with the beloved energetic girl puppy Blue. Production on Blue's Clues & You will commence this month in Toronto.

Arthur Kopit/ Maury Yeston's 'PHANTOM' made its New York Premiere here at WBT in 1992. During our record breaking nine- month run, over 120,000 people attended. Night after night, audiences rose to their feet for the stunning musical thriller. The original production was directed by William Pullinsi and starred Robert Cuccioli as the Phantom and Glory Crampton as Christine Daee. 'PHANTOM' returned to our stage in 1996 and 2007 directed and choreographed by Tom Polum, who had been in the original production. William Stutler, Robert Funking, and the entire staff of WBT are very excited that this extraordinary piece, once again directed and choreographed by Tom Polum, will grace our stage.

Woodminister Summer Musicals is closing its season with a dynamic production of In the Heights, which won four Tonys (Best Musical, Score, Choreography and Orchestrations) in 2008. The show was conceived in the heart and soul of composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was homesick for his Washington Heights, Manhattan neighborhood, and poured all of that longing into song and the first glimmers of a story, which was later fleshed out by playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes. What emerged was a rap-infused, slice-of-life tale about a modern immigrant community on the cusp of change. Who will stay? Who will go? Whose dreams will thrive and how will the neighborhood survive the gentrification that is slowly beginning to take place?

Arthur Kopit/ Maury Yeston's 'PHANTOM' made its New York Premiere here at WBT in 1992. During our record breaking nine- month run, over 120,000 people attended. Night after night, audiences rose to their feet for the stunning musical thriller. The original production was directed by William Pullinsi and starred Robert Cuccioli as the Phantom and Glory Crampton as Christine Daee. 'PHANTOM' returned to our stage in 1996 and 2007 directed and choreographed by Tom Polum, who had been in the original production. William Stutler, Robert Funking, and the entire staff of WBT are very excited that this extraordinary piece, once again directed and choreographed by Tom Polum, will grace our stage.  

Grammy winning singer / songwriter, John Berry, celebrated his new single, “Beautifully Broken,” the title track for the exhilarating new feature film of the same name at the red carpet VIP Premiere Monday evening. The single has been #1 on the Christian Music Weekly Chart for 5 weeks and in the top ten since charting 23 weeks ago. “Beautifully Broken” is currently at #34 on the MusicRow Country Charts and continues to rise, breaking a 22 year stretch for charting a single on radio. The song was also added to Spotify's New Traditions: Country Heroes Playlist.

The Broad Stage presents the return of acclaimed singer, songwriter, and guitarist Madeleine Peyroux, touring in support of her latest album, Anthem, on Friday, September 21 at 7:30pm.  Peyroux's band includes Gregg Fine, electric guitar; Andy Ezrin, keyboards; Paul Frazier, electric bass; and Graham Hawthorne, drums.

'Pride & Prejudice,' by Kate Hamill at Dorset Theatre Festival plays August 9-25 at Dorset Playhouse, 104 Cheney Road, Dorset, VT 05251 $48-$58. For tickets or information, call 802-867-2223, or go online to dorsettheatrefestival.org.

This year, a living legend of musical theatre turns 90: Lyricist-bookwriter Tom Jones (who also, under a stage name) appeared in the original company of his most famous and wildly successful record-breaking musical, The Fantasticks. His collaborator, composer Harvey Schmidt, just recently passed away. The production's record-breaking run closed, on January 13, 2002, after 17,162 performances. Their shows also include 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do!, Philemon, Celebration and many more. And celebration is what it's about when Broadway veterans Carole Demas, who originated the role of Sandy in Grease, and Sarah Rice, who originated the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd, return to celebrate Jones & Schmidt. Demas and Rice have based the show on their 50 years of work and personal relationships with Tom and Harvey. With very special guest Broadway's Hal Robinson who is also a Fantasticks alumni.

What did the critics have to say about Mark Morris Dance Group's THE TROUT?

P. L. Travers Mary Poppins magical nanny character was first published in 1934 and resulted in a series of eight children's books that ended in 1988. MARY POPPINS is a stage musical that uses the most iconic songs of the Sherman Brothers, with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and a script by Julian Fellowes. The musical is a hybrid of Travers children's books and the 1964 Disney film, which fuses various elements from the two. I have some serious issues with the script, which I intend to discuss, but director Ron Watson and his talented cadre of technical artists produce pure 60's Disney magic.

Critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning film and TV director Stephen Frears (A Very English Scandal, Philomena) is set to direct the ten-part short form comedy series 'State of the Union' written by the Academy Award®-nominated and BAFTA-winning writer Nick Hornby (Brooklyn, An Education) and starring Academy Award® and BAFTA-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Hostiles) and BAFTA-nominated Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids, 'Get Shorty'), it was announced by See-Saw Films' COO of Television, Hakan Kousetta, Head of Television, Jamie Laurenson and Jan Diedrichsen, General Manager, SundanceTV and Sundance Now. Shooting will commence in summer 2018 in London. See-Saw Films is producing the series for SundanceTV.

Word for Word celebrates this 25th season with a rare production "Anniversary! Stories by Tobias Wolff and George Saunders" featuring Wolff's "Deep Kiss" and Saunders' "Victory Lap," works by two of the companies favorite authors, directed by Joel Mullennix and Delia MacDougall. "Anniversary! Stories by Tobias Wolff and George Saunders" opens with a press night Saturday August 11, 8pm (Preview Aug 8, 9 & 10) running through September 2 at Z Space Main Stage in San Francisco's Mission/SOMA district. Tobias Wolff and George Saunders are brilliant performers in the short story form, and the company feels lucky to be staging their stories for its 25th Anniversary. Over the past quarter century, Word for Word has had the pleasure and the honor to work with some of the best writers of all time.

Musical theatre is about happy endings: if you like them, see MAMMA MIA!, at Toby's through September 9th. Heather Marie Beck and Maggie Dransfield as mother and daughter Donna and Sophie Sheridan are delightful and heartwarming. Disco, universally accepted as delicious, is the keystone of this show, whether or not you love or have heard of ABBA. In today's tumult, an escape to a tropical paradise where conflict stems from wedding angst and family drama seems a wonderful notion.

As summer goes into full swing, The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of NJ in Netcong has their exciting Summer Arts Day Camp for children from Kindergarten through the 8th Grade starting on July 9. Lori B. Lawrence is the Director of Educational Programming for The Growing Stage that includes the theatre's Summer Arts Day Camp, Fall & Winter Classes, and their Broadway Workshop Series.

The Cape Playhouse very proudly presents, Sylvia, the acclaimed comedy by two-time Pulitzer Prize-nominee A.R. Gurney. Starring Playhouse favorite Jennifer Cody, Michele Pawk, John Dossett, and Stephen Derosa, and directed by Matt Lenz, Sylvia runs June 26-July 7, 2018.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of her GRAMMY®-award winning, critically acclaimed album Ingénue, k.d. lang has announced the fall leg of her North American Ingénue Redux Tour, which will bring a live performance of the platinum-selling record to venues across the United States. Fans in cities such as Dallas, Nashville and Orlando can experience the album live, performed in its entirety.