Wonderful Town - 2000 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 19

It's not simply the inspiration of living under our beautiful flat-topped mountain with its snowy table cloth that makes Cape Town the undisputed opera capital of South Africa. There are other important factors. Like the support and presence of a vibrant university with a music department that year after year trains young men and women from all backgrounds to become polished performers in multi-languages.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the first production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the World Premiere of FAMILY PLANNING by Michelle Kholos Brooks. The production stars Christina Pickles and Bruce Weitz, who between them have a combined total of 14 Emmy nominations, and is directed by Cameron Watson, who has been heralded as "one of our finest contemporary directors" by The Los Angeles Times, while The Wall Street Journal declared his work "the best in the country."

New Adventures have announced the revival of one of Matthew Bourne's most requested productions - the internationally acclaimed dance thriller "THE CAR MAN" - for a limited 16 week UK tour. The tour opens at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley, on 14 April 2015, with a four week summer season at Sadler's Wells from 14 July to 9 August 2015. The current schedule is below, with further dates to be announced shortly.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, will return to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with four different programs for a 15-performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater June 11 - 22, 2014.

The professional chorus Cantus Columbus and the talented Vega String Quartet will present the fourth in their series of collaborative concerts of show tunes from the American Song Book: Can't Help Singing: The Music of Jerome Kern, at 7:30 PM today, May 31 in the wonderful acoustics of Legacy Hall. Earlier concerts in the series presented works by Cole Porter (2007), Rodgers & Hart (2008), and George & Ira Gershwin (2010). The concert will be preceded by an optional dinner.

Estcourt, South Africa

The professional chorus Cantus Columbus and the talented Vega String Quartet will present the fourth in their series of collaborative concerts of show tunes from the American Song Book: Can't Help Singing: The Music of Jerome Kern, at 7:30 PM on Saturday, May 31 in the wonderful acoustics of Legacy Hall. Earlier concerts in the series presented works by Cole Porter (2007), Rodgers & Hart (2008), and George & Ira Gershwin (2010). The concert will be preceded by an optional dinner.

The Hippodrome's live entertainment programme continues with a varied offering of music, burlesque, cabaret and more including a four night run from popular US songwriter Scott Alan, a concert celebrating the best of The Great British Musicals hosted by Nicholas Parsons, an exclusive preview of award-winning singer Sarah Jane Morris' new album, and the return of Mitch Winehouse's monthly residency in aid of The Amy Winehouse Foundation which will feature an array of very special guests.

Stark Naked Theatre Company concludes its third season with a compelling production of one of William Shakespeare's most fascinating plays, The Winter's Tale. Directed by acclaimed Houston actor/director Philip Lehl, The Winter's Tale opens tonight, May 2nd and runs through May 16th at STUDIO 101.

This just in! Leslie Odom Jr. ("Smash") will join Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo in the New York City Center Encores! Off-Center production of Jonathan Larson¹stick, tick… BOOM!, running for five performances, June 25 ­ 28. The opening show of City Center's acclaimed Encores! Off-Center series of landmark Off-Broadway musicals will be directed byOliver Butler with choreography by Camille A. Brown and music direction by Chris Fenwick. Jeanine Tesori is Encores! Off-Center Artistic Director.

Children's Theatre Company recently opened its production of SHREK THE MUSICAL and Shrek himself, Reed Sigmund, shared his insights on all things green, smelly and loving his life as an actor in Minneapolis.

The Muny announced principal casting for the first show of its spectacular 96th season, Billy Elliot the Musical, directed by Steven Minning, choreographed by Alison Levenberg, with music direction by Colin Welford. Billy Elliot the Musical is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.

Pacific Northwest Ballet continues its 2013-2014 season with George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream. A complete delight for all ages, this full-length ballet is based on William Shakespeare's comedy about the romantic adventures, quarrels and reunions of two pairs of mortal lovers and the king and queen of the fairies. Balanchine's Midsummer, which New York City Ballet premiered in 1962, was the first original evening-length ballet he choreographed in America. Staged by PNB Founding Artistic Director Francia Russell, PNB's production is an enchanted landscape where misunderstandings and mayhem weave tangled paths through the opulent layers of Martin Pakledinaz's designs and Balanchine's marvelously crafted partnerings. All ends well in Act II's wedding festivities with the recognition of ideal love, tenderly portrayed in an exquisite pas de deux. A Midsummer Night's Dream plays for eight performances only, tonight, April 11-19 at McCaw Hall at Seattle Center Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased by calling the PNB Box Office at 206. 441.2424, online at PNB.org, or in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer Street.

Stark Naked Theatre Company concludes its third season with a compelling production of one of William Shakespeare's most fascinating plays, The Winter's Tale. Directed by acclaimed Houston actor/director Philip Lehl, The Winter's Tale opens on May 2nd and runs through May 16th at STUDIO 101.

Pacific Northwest Ballet continues its 2013-2014 season with George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream. A complete delight for all ages, this full-length ballet is based on William Shakespeare's comedy about the romantic adventures, quarrels and reunions of two pairs of mortal lovers and the king and queen of the fairies. Balanchine's Midsummer, which New York City Ballet premiered in 1962, was the first original evening-length ballet he choreographed in America. Staged by PNB Founding Artistic Director Francia Russell, PNB's production is an enchanted landscape where misunderstandings and mayhem weave tangled paths through the opulent layers of Martin Pakledinaz's designs and Balanchine's marvelously crafted partnerings. All ends well in Act II's wedding festivities with the recognition of ideal love, tenderly portrayed in an exquisite pas de deux. A Midsummer Night's Dream plays for eight performances only, April 11-19 at McCaw Hall at Seattle Center Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased by calling the PNB Box Office at 206. 441.2424, online at PNB.org, or in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer Street.

The British are coming to Monmouth for Theater at Monmouth's 45th season. The British Invasion, running from June 28 through September 28, 2014, features a line-up of plays from England's greatest playwrights.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Passion,' 'Road Show' and 'Into The Woods' celebrate Sondheim's birthday, 'Dessa Rose' and 'Rent' rake in the reviews, Black Ensemble and Bailiwick announce spring shows, new musicals from Writers Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare, plus Ravinia and Court plan summers 2014 and 2015 and more....

The Public Theater will begin previews for the world premiere of THE LIBRARY on Tuesday, March 25, written by award-winning writer Scott Z. Burns. Directed by Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh, THE LIBRARY will run through Sunday, April 27, in The Public's Newman Theater, with an official press opening on Tuesday, April 15.

The world premiere production of the brand new musical comedy Bullets Over Broadway, written by Woody Allen and based on the screenplay by Allen and Douglas McGrath for the 1994 film, will begin preview performances tomorrow, March 11 and officially open Thursday, April 10, 2014 at The St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). The new musical will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. Scroll down to learn more about the Bullets Over Broadway company, and watch interviews with the cast!

This just in! New York City Center's acclaimed Encores! Off-Center series, under the artistic direction of Jeanine Tesori, will return this summer for a second season of landmark Off-Broadway musicals. The season opens with Jonathan Larson's tick, tick… BOOM!, June 25 - 28, starring Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo, directed by Oliver Butler, and continues with a one-night only performance of Randy Newman'sFaust: The Concert, with Randy Newman as the Devil, directed by Thomas Kail, on July 1. Pump Boys and Dinettes, withbook, music and lyrics by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann , directed by Lear deBessonet and choreographed by Danny Mefford, wraps up the season, running July 16 - 19. Chris Fenwick is the Encores! Off-Center music director.

Like the young Anthony Hope in Stephen Sondheim's scintillating SWEENEY TODD, “I've sailed the world, beheld its wonders…,” with SWEENEY TODDs ranging from the original cast in New York, to an all-Japanese version in Tokyo, and have never failed to be thrilled by it. But there was something about hearing it with the New York Philharmonic, led by its music director, Alan Gilbert, that showed it in all its greatness.

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for THE LIBRARY, a new play written by award-winning writer Scott Z. Burns and directed by Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh. THE LIBRARY will begin previews on Tuesday, March 25 in The Public's Newman Theater and run through Sunday, April 27, with an official press opening on Tuesday, April 15.

The award-winning 'The Trip to Bountiful' starring Carol Mayo Jenkins will play on the Clarence Brown Mainstage February 20 - March 9, 2014. The heartwarming play tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman who yearns to return to her home in Bountiful, Texas one last time, against the wishes of her overprotective son and domineering daughter-in-law. Written by one of America's greatest writers, Horton Foote, 'The Trip to Bountiful' is an unforgettable portrait of a woman with incredible strength and dignity,

It seems that since the dawn of the new millennium, there has been an incredible surge in the appearance of new 'jukebox musicals.' This genre is comprised of shows made up of previously recorded and released songs, usually by a single band or artist, or connected to a specific theme. While there were a few of these in the late 1900's, the genre took off once the clock turned to 2000. Now, theaters are filled with them, showcasing the music of anyone from Billy Joel to Queen to Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan. After seeing the touring production of the jukebox musical Rock of Ages at Providence Performing Arts Center, it's hard to imagine that anything in the genre is as exciting, fun and perfectly pieced together as this spectacular musical combination of the glam-band hits of the late 1980s.

This just in! Producers Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group just announced that THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA will welcome a starry leading combination beginning Monday, May 12.