You Got Older - 2018 - Chicago Articles Page 10

Playwright Grace McLeod's first professionally produced play HERLAND will have its last third of its three-part Rolling World Premiere at the Greenway Court (beginning yesterday May 30, 2019). We had the chance to ask Grace about the incredible year-long ride she's taken with HERLAND to arrive at the Los Angeles culmination.

The Wallis Studio Ensemble's latest production THE HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY will open at The Wallis June 6, 2019. Established in 2016 by theatre director and choreographer Madeleine Dahm, WSE (in partnership with GRoW @ The Wallis) strives to share the arts with audiences of all ages. One of WSE's four original company members Alexander Sheldon will be performing multiple roles onstage and off in HITCH-HIKER. Alexander made some time available to answer my queries between his never-ending multi-tasking for WSE.

Art enthusiasts gathered last night (May 22) at Montalvo Arts Center for an exclusive members-only unveiling of its 2019-2020 Carriage House Theatre Concert Series line-up. The historic Silicon Valley venue announced a thrilling roster of performers from Meow Meow to The Second City, from Pablo Cruise to Loudon Wainwright III, tributes to The Beatles, Cream, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and an appearance by NPR's hit radio show and podcast "Selected Shorts." The season launches in October, offering a stellar line-up of theatre, comedy, magic, Grammy Award nominees/winners performing jazz, bluegrass, pop, rock, classical, new age, folk, Hawaiian music, and more. Tickets are now available to Montalvo members, and go on-sale to the general public beginning May 30. For more information or to purchase tickets, the public can visit montalvoarts.org or call 408-961-5858.

'It's a show about love and finding love at every age of your life, so that is a message that permeates to everyone.'

Sergio Trujillo has been dazzling Broadway audiences with his fancy footwork for hit musicals like Memphis, Jersey Boys, On Your Feet! The Emilio and Gloria Estefan Musical and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. The Columbia-born choreographer's latest, Ain't Too Proud-The Life and Times of The Temptations is another crowd-and-critics pleaser and has been nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including a nod for Trujillo in the Best Choreography category.

Today Underbelly announces the final 91 shows joining its Fringe programme this August. With a huge range of star names, challenging and intriguing topics and a host of great music this is set to be one of the most entertaining year's yet beneath George Square's udders and across Bristo Square, the Cowgate, Circus Hub and Central Hall.

FAMOUS re-opened in April after a successful run in 2018. I decided to speak with the show's Creator/Director Michael Leoni (ML) and producers Michelle Kaufer (MK) and Cassidy Pepper (CP), about how the new production uses stylized movements by the characters, enhanced lighting and sound designs, to bring the play flow so much more fluid than last year's version. The result grabs the audience's attention to the point of being able to hear a pin drop, making the entire experience even more stunning and breathtaking than before. And, of course, its relevance to the #MeToo movement is immediately recognizable as power players move in and out of Jason's life during the party.

Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Piff The Magic Dragon on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 as part of his all-new tour, The Lucky Dragon. Joined by his trusty sidekick Mr Piffles, The World's Only Magic Performing Chihuahua, Piff will showcase his signature mixture of wizardry, wit and sarcasm that ignites a one-of-a-kind comedy magic show fans will have to see to believe!

Award-winning artists' collective Rogue Artists Ensemble is thrilled to announce the Inaugural Rogue Lab Readings Series, a four-day event that includes readings of seven new works written, directed, and designed by emerging LA artists, as well as post-show discussions and receptions. The reading series will feature new plays by 2018-2019 Rogue Lab playwrights Lisa Sanaye Dring, Eric Fagundes, John Guerra, Mildred Inez Lewis, Chelsea Sutton, and Jennie Webb, and a special new play presentation by writing team Taylor Coffman and Z. Lupetin.

National and international recording artists abound this month at Blue Note Hawaii, bringing some of entertainment's most recognizable names to Hawaii's premier live music venue. The month kicks off with an exclusive pairing of two of the most innovative artists in the local music scene, Taimane and Tavana, in a Lei Day celebration, that is not to be missed. The incomparable Dionne Warwick is back by popular demand sharing hit after hit from her legendary career. Vocalist Ginai returns to Blue Note Hawaii presenting a showcase of young local talent, Erisan Awaya and Rachel Javier, in a tribute to Whitney Houston. Henry Kapono shares the next installment of his Artist 2 Artist Series with The Songs of C&K, featuring Kalani Pe'a, Josh Tatofi, Alx Kawakami, Blayne Asing, Paula Fuga, Starr Kalahiki, Tavana, Mike Love and Kimié Miner. Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz returns alongside guitarist Adam Hawley and bassist Chris Walker. Bringing everything that New Orleans and Louisiana music stands for, Davell Crawford and Charmaine Neville of the iconic Neville family grace the stage for one night only. A Bowie Celebration features alumni band members Mike Garson, Gerry Leonard, Mark Plati and Carmine Rojas along with vocalist Corey Glover and drummer Lee John, performing a mix of Bowie's hits and deep-cuts. Jazz fusion icons Spyro Gyra are back and local power couple Imua and Tiffa Garza share their unique blend of island music. J-Pop superstar turned jazz pianist Senri Oe performs with his trio featuring Henry Cole and Matt Clohesy live for one night only. Next up is 2018 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominees for Most Promising Artists Beat-Lele, followed by Canadian singer-songwriter Gino Vannelli. Hawaiian Music 105 KINE presents Willie K and crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop, Pink Martini triumphantly returns to the Blue Note stage. Be transformed by the amazing vocals of Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton for two shows only and the month rounds out with the very popular local band The Mana'o Company.

Two River Theater announces the lineup of productions for its 2019/20 Season.

Clubbed Thumb announces initial casting for SUMMERWORKS, its annual series of new plays.

This week I got the opportunity to speak with Eddie Noel on the phone as he wraps up the final 2 weeks of the National Tour of ON YOUR FEET! The Musical, closing in Fort Worth April 10-14th. As the interview began, I was so pleased to find such an easygoing, humble, and joyful person on the other end of the line. Gratitude for the experience of being part of this show just flowed from him- I lost track of the number of times Noel called this opportunity a blessing.

Wilbury Theatre Group Artistic Director Josh Short has announced the Group's 2019/20 Season of programming. Recipient of the 2018 National Theatre Company Award from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards) and one of just 4 theaters in Rhode Island operating under agreement with Actors' Equity Association, the company has put together a thrilling and diverse mix of World, Regional, and Rhode Island premieres to engage our community in the most pressing issues of today.

 In 1962, fifty-seven years ago, the magnificent TONY BENNETT recorded "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."  The song was honored with two Grammy Awards, including "Record of the Year" and gave Tony a signature tune that, as he delights in saying, has made him "A Citizen of the World."  Last March, the classic was entered into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress as "an aural treasure worthy of preservation." Now in 2019, and about to turn an ageless 93, the legendary performer -  himself a world treasure - continues to leave his heart in each song that he sings and in every aspect of his life.

Buried amongst the over twenty names receiving the smallest-sized billing for their contributions to Roundabout Theatre Company's hot new revival of Cole Porter and Sam & Bella Spewack's masterpiece of kick-back musical comedy entertainment, Kiss Me, Kate, is the credit 'Additional Material' with the name of the accomplished Broadway lyricist Amanda Green written below.

The 18th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, today announced its 2019 lineup of 63 diverse and engaging short films in competition, including 31 world premieres. This year's shorts program includes a cross-section of international and U.S. filmmakers, curated from a record 5131 submissions with female filmmakers directing 45% of the selections. The short films will be presented in 11 distinct competition programs, consisting of six narrative, four documentary, and one animation program. There will also be special screening programs for the annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival and the debut of shorts from The Queen Collective, a program aimed at accelerating gender and racial equality behind the camera. The 2019 shorts lineup is programmed by Sharon Badal and Ben Thompson. The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 24 - May 5.

The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival, the annual festival that honors legendary novelist Philip K. Dick through the dynamic power of science fiction film, is returning for its seventh outing with a full schedule of events. The festival screens on Thursday, March 7th in Astoria, Queens and on Saturday, March 9th in Midtown Manhattan.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is offering more, more, more for entertainment fans next month: more shows, more stars, more music, more laughs, more fun for everybody.

Hear about what CCM alumna Stephanie Jae Park's job in 'Hamilton' entails, being "late to the Hamilton train," what her education and previous credits taught her and more in the Q&A below! 

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts

Robbie Rozelle will return to Feinstein's/54 Below to record the album on February 23 and March 1, along with special guests Maya Days (AIDA) and Bonnie Milligan (HEAD OVER HEELS). Ahead of the performances, we spoke with Rozelle by phone about SONGS FROM INSIDE MY LOCKER, how intense heading up a Kickstarter can be, and his recent BWW Cabaret Awards success.

The Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Film Festival, the annual festival that honors legendary novelist Philip K. Dick through the dynamic power of science fiction film, is returning for its seventh outing with a full schedule of events. For the first time since its inception, the festival will hold a bi-coastal gathering presenting a lineup of films, premieres and panels for audiences in New York City, Los Angeles and Santa Ana, CA. The ambitious endeavor will provide a platform for independent filmmakers who tackle a variety of themes that empower the narratives of Philip K. Dick, whose work continues to serve as a profound mark on the literary and entertainment worlds.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Act(s) of God, by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy, directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Act(s) of God runs February 13 April 7, 2019 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The press performances are February 22 and February 23 at 7:30 p.m.