These are the Times Photos - Broadway

Let’s face it, the world of theatre, at times, can be misogynistic. Even though we joke about the multitude of gay men that are involved in theatre, that does not mean it is exempt from the repercussions of “the patriarchy”. As a gay man myself, I understand this problem all too well, but here in Dayton, we have luckily had some incredibly impactful pieces that were not only led by women, but speak upon the experiences of womanhood.

REVIEW: Guest Reviewer Kym Vaitiekus Shares His Thoughts On THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

What did our critic think of HOME, I'M DARLING at Jarrott Productions? Now onstage at Trinity Street Playhouse is Jarrott Productions latest offering to our theatre scene: HOME, I’M DARLING. Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Comedy in 2019, playwright Laura Wade’s HOME I’M DARLING raises questions about the authenticity of nostalgia, the pressures of conforming to traditional gender roles, and the ways in which individuals construct their own identities.

DREAMING OF LEAR is a brilliant, memorable piece of leading-edge experimental theater. Its director, Lucy Cashion, has, I think, the most refreshing brain in the St. Louis theater world.  It’s been a decade since she appeared on my horizon, and in that time she’s led a number of exciting productions.  She joined the SLU faculty and has recently become Director of the school’s Theatre & Dance Program—a position which is virtually (and was perhaps literally) “made for her”. 

With the topic of illegal immigration so prevalent in today's news, now is the perfect time to take a very personal look at the trials and tribulations of those who immigrated, both legally and illegally, to our country in THE NEW COLOSSUS, a new play co-written by The Actors' Gang ensemble and its Artistic Director Tim Robbins, who also directs the production. In it, twelve of the acting troupe's members tell their ancestors' stories, reflecting their great diversity, struggles and journeys from oppression to freedom, a real personal testament celebrating the courage and great character of the refugees who came to this country throughout the last 200 years.

Kip Williams (Director) reinterprets Patrick White's A CHEERY SOUL with new technology to enable an intriguing look at underlying emotions as the town's outcast seeks to help everyone she encounters, whether they want it or not.

Red Bull Theater (Jesse Berger, Founder and Artistic Director | Jim Bredeson, Managing Director) presents the New York Premiere of David Ives's The Metromaniacs, adapted from Alexis Piron's La Metromanie and directed by Michael Kahn opening Sundayevening (7pm). Previews now!

The Sarasota Ballet's second production of the Season, Metropolitan, will open on December 1 at the Sarasota Opera House, with a triple bill by Sir Frederick Ashton, Marcelo Gomes and George Balanchine. For these performances The Sarasota Ballet will be accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra under the baton of American Ballet Theatre Music Director Ormsby Wilkins.

Reviewing the comedy's 2015 Off-Broadway production by Primary Stages, THE NEW YORK TIMES called it a clever canap of a comedy...Mr. Payne is a deft and witty writer.' THE NEW YORKER said of it As hiding gets harder, pitch-perfect comedy ensues: slamming doors, strange disguises, preposterous excuses Eventually, the four must decide whether face-saving domestic lies are worth it, or whether ostracism beats living in fear. In our own era of surveillance and paranoia, their mid-century problems don't feel so far away.

This has been an unusual weekend for me. I had the privilege of attending two compelling plays written by African Americans about African Americans and performed by African Americans. Both shows are moving presentations that made me laugh. They made me cry. And they made me view the lives of families very different from my own with a new sense of understanding.

Those with sensitivity issues, autism and other disabilities who have never experienced the magic of live theatre will be able to see You're a Good Man Charlie Brown with special accommodations on April 23 at TECO Theatre, Straz Center.

Attending this show is closer to sitting through a college philosophy lecture, taught by the campus' resident bat-shit insane tenured professor, than it is a night out at the theatre.

 Birdland is 63, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is 80, and  Frank Sinatra is 100.  Gianni Valenti, Birdland owner announced the orchestra and the swinging engine of the Basie Band blasted off with "Come Fly With Me" at the "Jazz Corner of the World" last night. Regardless of how good the fidelity is on your Beats Headphones and McIntosh Amplifier, it doesn't come close to the sound being heard on 44th Street. The original charts might have some wear and tear from page turning by Basie musicians over the years, but the music was clear, precise, and  exciting as when the band made their home at Birdland in the 1950's. Scotty Barnhart is now the Director of The Count Basie Orchestra which has won 18 Grammy Awards and 20 Downbeat and Jazz Times polls. He follows in a long line of Jazz greats that have led the orchestra since Basie's passing in 1984. Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Brover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel have been prior directors.  Scotty pointed out that the band might have been formed in 1935, but they are very current and are on Facebook, and have a great website. Carmen Bradford, a Basie choice supplied the vocals. 

The concept: A high school prom in the first act filled with songs from the 1950's. A 10-year reunion in the 2nd act filled with songs from the 1960's. One set. Four girls. Sounds pretty simple, yes. NOT! As the choreographer for the original production of WONDERETTES, Janet Miller, told me this is a simple concept but '...it is a deceptively difficult show'.

Patricia Ward Kelly's compelling presentation combines rare and familiar film clips, previously unreleased audio recordings, personal memorabilia, and insights culled from her hours of interviews and conversations with her husband whom she met in 1985 in Washington, D.C., where she was the writer for a television special about The Smithsonian for which he was the host and narrator. She was 26; he was 73. Soon after, he invited her to California to write his memoir. They fell in love, married, and were together until his death in 1996.

Sinatra is on the radio, soldiers returning home from the Korean War, and a beautiful seaside estate sets the scene for Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Connecticut Repertory Theatre presents the comedy directed by Paul Mullins, onstage February 28- March 9 in the Nafe Katter Theater, Storrs. Sarah Wintermeyer stars as Beatrice and matches wits in this hilarious battle of the sexes with James Jelkin's Benedick. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

If you see only one Comedy Improv show during The Hollywood Fringe Festival, go to the source, The Spolin Players, touted by the LA Times as presenting 'Improv as pure and unpredictable as you will find it.'

Theater Breaking Through Barriers, the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway company known for its productions that integrate able-bodied actors with artists with disabilities, presents the world premiere of Kate Moira Ryan's BASS FOR PICASSO -- a new play about five New Yorkers, including a physically disabled food writer for The New York Times, whose secrets are exposed during a memorable dinner party -- with previews to begin April 17 prior to its official press opening May 2 at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre (410 West 42nd Street). Ike Schambelan directs.

When Frank Loesser wrote the music and lyrics for Guys and Dolls - a Musical Fable of Broadway he may not have envisioned an outdoor production at an iconic venue nestled in the Hollywood Hills, but the all-star cast of Guys and Dolls in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl will sing and dance beneath those 'stars in the sky' in an original, fully-staged production especially adapted for the Hollywood Bowl stage. BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you 'behind the scenes' with these photos from the recent Los Angeles auditions.