Harry Houdini - - Broadway Articles Page 17

A new book documenting the extraordinary true story of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's belief in spirits is released by publisher Life Is Amazing this month to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the creator of Sherlock Holmes going public about his interest in the paranormal. 'Conan Doyle and the Mysterious World of Light, 1887-1920' written by Matt Wingett traces the author's story from his earliest psychic experiments while working as a young doctor in Southsea, Portsmouth, to his dedication of the final decade of his life to Spiritualist missionary work, during which he became world leader of the Spiritualist movement. 'The new tv series, Houdini & Doyle, is great fiction,' says author Matt Wingett, 'but the truth in the book is far stranger - and more moving.' The book, the first of three on the subject projected by Life Is Amazing, reveals how Conan Doyle was fascinated by psychic phenomena throughout his life. He declared himself a Spiritualist as early as 1887, but didn't fully commit to the religion at this time. In the following years, he founded the Hampshire Psychical Society, investigated poltergeist activity, attended séances and was approached to join the mystical cult The Golden Dawn, of which 'the wickedest man in the world' Aleister Crowley was a member. Though Conan Doyle eventually declined this offer, he continued his psychic investigations. In 1916, after a series of inexplicable psychic events, Conan Doyle finally became convinced of the 'undeniable truth' of Spiritualism and began his missionary phase. 'Sir Arthur Conan Doyle travelled the country tirelessly, addressing hundreds of thousands of people,' says author Matt Wingett. 'He believed that Spiritualism was a new revelation, sent by God to console the bereaved who were experiencing the terrible grief that swept Europe during World War One. He published books on the subject and because of his great fame, caused deep controversy in the Church, in the Press and among scientists.' His dedication to the cause reached new heights after the death of his son Kingsley in 1918, whose spirit Conan Doyle was convinced spoke to him at a séance in Southsea in 1919. 'That was the moment he lost his objectivity,' says Matt Wingett. 'It left him open to hoaxers and frauds.' Though Harry Houdini later became good friends with Doyle, in the period the book covers, Conan Doyle would have been aware of the controversy around the great escapologist. 'Houdini started out as a fake medium,' says Matt Wingett. 'His fake séances were so convincing that many were adamant he must have real psychic powers. Think of the mystique of Derren Brown today. Their friendship was a double-edged sword to Conan Doyle, who sought to prove to Houdini that though he had faked some spiritual phenomena, not all such phenomena were fake.' 'Conan Doyle and the Mysterious World of Light, 1887-1920,' is published by Life Is Amazing on 11th March, 100 years from the date of publication of Conan Doyle's letter that commenced his Spiritualist missionary phase. It is available direct from the publisher at www.lifeisamazing.co.uk, Waterstone's and through Amazon. The hardback is £25, paperback £12.99 Further Press contacts: Matt Wingett, matt@lifeisamazing.co.uk

?The House Theatre of Chicago's Board of Directors announce the 4th annual incarnation of The Secret Soiree, which celebrates the company's continuing commitment to amazing feats of storytelling with a one-night-only stage magic performance from Company Member Dennis Watkins (The Magic Parlour, Death & Harry Houdini). This year, the gala is hosted by Peter Sagal of NPR's Wait Wait… Don't Tell Me!. The Secret Soiree will be held Saturday, March 5 at 7:30pm at the historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel's Red Lacquer Room, 17 E. Monroe St.  The Secret Soiree Event Sponsorships, Event Supporter packages, group tickets and individual tickets may be purchased through The House Theatre of Chicago at 773-769-3832 or online at theHouseTheatre.com.

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL, tonight, February 20, at 8 pm, and tomorrow, February 21 at 3 pm.

Fresh from its hugely successful run in the West End, Impossible is a brand new stage spectacle featuring six of the best magicians and illusionists that this country has to offer. From death-defying stunts to close-up magic, the show manages to strike the perfect balance in scale and has the audiences enchanted and on the edge of their seats for the whole two and a half hour show.

RAGTIME at San Diego Musical Theatre brings a revival of a poignant time in US History to life at the Spreckels Theatre through February 21st.

Filled with eye-popping visuals, optical trickery, risky stunts, hilarious audience participation, and lots of hammy showmanship (complete with Solid Gold-style background dancers-slash-magicians' assistants), THE ILLUSIONISTS - LIVE FROM BROADWAY is a supremely entertaining if occasionally cheesy stage show that's like several caffeinated Vegas magic shows on steroids all mashed together. The first stop of this new leg of the post-Broadway national tour is Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, where it will attempt to wow local audiences for a strictly one-week engagement until February 7.

The House Theatre of Chicago presents the world premiere of THE LAST DEFENDER at the Chopin Theatre Downstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Today, Jan. 21 - Sunday, March 13, 2016 written and directed by Artistic Director Nathan Allen, with puzzle design by Sandor Weisz and art direction by DC Comic Artist and Company Member Chris Burnham.

The House Theatre of Chicago presents the world premiere of THE LAST DEFENDER at the Chopin Theatre Downstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., tonight, Jan. 21, through Sunday, March 13, 2016 written and directed by Artistic Director Nathan Allen, with puzzle design by Sandor Weisz and art direction by DC Comic Artist and Company Member Chris Burnham.

?San Diego Musical Theatre announces the first production of their 2016 season, RAGTIME, February 5-21, 2016 (press opening on Saturday, February 6th) at the Spreckels Theatre.

The House Theatre of Chicago presents the world premiere of The Last Defender at the Chopin Theatre Downstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Thursday, Jan. 21 - Sunday, March 13 written and directed by Artistic Director Nathan Allen, with puzzle design by Sandor Weisz and art direction by DC Comic Artist and Company Member Chris Burnham.

The House Theatre of Chicago presents the world premiere of THE LAST DEFENDER at the Chopin Theatre Downstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Thursday, Jan. 21 - Sunday, March 13, 2016 written and directed by Artistic Director Nathan Allen, with puzzle design by Sandor Weisz and art direction by DC Comic Artist and Company Member Chris Burnham.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Tony nominee Elizabeth Swados, composer of Broadway's RUNAWAYS, theatre educator, off-Broadway director and more, has passed away. She was 64.

The Grand 1894 Opera House presents RAGTIME: THE MUSICAL, Saturday, February 20, at 8 pm, and Sunday, February 21 at 3 pm.

One of the hottest shows on Broadway is making its way to TV as The Illusionists bring their unique brand of magic with a one-hour special scheduled for tonight, Dec. 9 at 10 p.m. on NBC.

YEE-HAW! Theatre of NOTE, in association with Opiate of the Masses, are thrilled to announce that their critically-acclaimed, world premiere production of RIO HONDO, written by Bill Robens (Entropy, Kill Me, Deadly, A Mulholland Christmas Carol) and directed by Jaime Robledo (Stoneface, Watson) is EXTENDING through SUNDAY, JANUARY 10at Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd. (just North of Sunset) in Hollywood.

Theatre of NOTE, in association with Opiate of the Masses, brings a bonus production to its 2015 season: the world premiere of RIO HONDO by Bill Robens, the author of Entropy, Kill Me, Deadly and A Mulholland Christmas Carol and directed by Jaime Robledo, of Stoneface and Watson fame. 

Author Jim Togerson grips readers with a thrilling and heart-pounding read with the publication of his book, 'Bishop: Phantom of Espionage' (published by AuthorHouse). It allows readers to enter the world of espionage.

Theatre of NOTE, in association with Opiate of the Masses, brings a bonus production to its 2015 season: the world premiere of RIO HONDO by Bill Robens, the author of Entropy, Kill Me, Deadly and A Mulholland Christmas Carol and directed by Jaime Robledo, of Stoneface and Watson fame. 

Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) will host its first ever Broadway musical production when the national tour of "Ragtime" cakewalks into town for two shows onSunday, Dec. 13 and Monday, Dec. 14 in the new, student-funded Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater (VPAC), 7777 S. May Ave.

Theatre of NOTE, in association with Opiate of the Masses, brings a bonus production to its 2015 season: the world premiere of RIO HONDO by Bill Robens, the author of Entropy, Kill Me, Deadly and A Mulholland Christmas Carol and directed by Jaime Robledo, of Stoneface and Watson fame. 

The magic begins again when one of L.A.'s most beloved and longest running shows, SMOKE AND MIRRORS returns to the Odyssey Theatre tonight, Oct. 24 through Dec. 20.

The magic begins again when one of L.A.'s most beloved and longest running shows, SMOKE AND MIRRORS returns to the Odyssey Theatre on Oct. 24 through Dec. 20.

Superb cast at Toby's is not to be missed.

The America depicted here is a place of quests: Father's for the unknown horizon, Tateh's for a land where he and his daughter can prosper, Coalhouse's for reuniting with Sarah and raising his son in a world where blacks are regarded and treated as equals. To these quests might be added two more: Younger Brother's for some ideal he can build a life around and Mother's, a quieter one, to nurture a family, whatever contours her decency and generosity cause it to assume. And all of these quests are played out among the novelties and sensations of an exuberant American decade: among the things which will figure in the plot are Henry Ford's Model T, J.P. Morgan's library of priceless incunabula, the notorious charms of uber-courtesan Evelyn Nesbit, and the antics of escape artist Harry Houdini.

RAGTIME zahlt mit seinen bittersu?ßen Geschichten aus dem New Yorker Leben, den vielen historischen Figuren - von Henry Ford bis Harry Houdini - und seinem unwiderstehlichen musikalischen Charme zu den ganz großen Broadway-Musicals. Der Erfolg 1998 in New York war immens und bescherte Komponist Stephen Flaherty und Buchautor Terrence McNally jeweils eine der begehrten Tony-Awards. Nach weiteren Erfolgen in London, Washington und abermals am Broadway erreicht RAGTIME nun am Staatstheater Braunschweig endlich auch das europaische Festland. Am vergangenen Freitag war Premiere, und das Publikum zeigte sich begeistert von diesem historischen, sozialkritischen Musical, und belohnte die Auffuhrung mit einer Standing Ovation.