reasons to be pretty - 2008 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 5

Z2 Entertainment will present Jason Boland & The Stragglers at the Fox Theatre on Thursday, August 14th, 2014. Tickets are on sale Friday, June 27th for $15.00 in advance or $17.00 day of show.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced two productions for its upcoming 36th season: the first New York production in 23 years of Terrence McNally's acclaimed play, LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART, directed by Peter DuBois, and the world premiere of Neil LaBute's dark comedy, THE WAY WE GET BY.

Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company has a successful history of presenting Houston audiences with bold and innovative theatre, offering patrons an altogether edgy theatre-going experience. In addition to their 2014-2015 mainstage season, Mildred's Umbrella has just kicked-off their four play series entitled The Women's Project with CASSANDRA by Katharine Sherman. The Women's Project will feature plays that are written by a female playwright, or contain thematic elements that explore the feminine perspective. Furthermore, a portion of proceeds from each of the productions in The Women's Project series will be donated to local charities dedicated to women's issues. Taking time out of her schedule, Artistic Director and Co-Founder Jennifer Decker, met with us to fill us in on what Houston Audiences can expect from Mildred's Umbrella Theater Company's 2014-2015 Season.

The Daily Mail reports that Billie Piper and Oliver Chris are among the actors working on a top-secret new play for Richard Bean at the National Theatre.

Master of Absurd Comedy Christopher Durang blends the characters and themes from Anton Chekhov's dramas in the hilarious Tony Award-winner Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike running today, March 21 - April 20 at Philadelphia Theatre Company's Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets). Directed by James J. Christy, the ensemble features Grace Gonglewski, Deirdre Madigan, Kianne Muschett , Clare O'Malley, Alex Shaw, and Kraig Swartz.

On Saturday, April 26, TUTS is inviting Houstonians to enter a Prohibition-era speakeasy for their annual fundraising gala. This year's theme is "Broadway Empire.' Headlining the evening's entertainment is Broadway phenomenon and Tony Award winning musical theatre actress Laura Benanti. Recently, I chatted with Laura Benanti about her impressive career and the much-anticipated gala.

Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck, Fool. In Rebeck's new comedy, two kings get together and place a wager on their fools - a jester competition, and the funniest one gets to keep his head. Two evil minions have a lot to say about this, but not as much as the kitchen wench. And what's the queen been up to all night? A dramatical comical farcical tragical play about power, love and laughter, set in a medieval kitchen. Adult Language, Adult Situations, Beheadings.

The Bridges of Madison County, the new musical based on the best selling novel by Robert James Waller, opens tonight, February 20, 2014, at 8:00 PM at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere of a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck, Fool. In Rebeck's new comedy, two kings get together and place a wager on their fools - a jester competition, and the funniest one gets to keep his head. Two evil minions have a lot to say about this, but not as much as the kitchen wench. And what's the queen been up to all night? A dramatical comical farcical tragical play about power, love and laughter, set in a medieval kitchen. Adult Language, Adult Situations, Beheadings.

Master of Absurd Comedy Christopher Durang blends the characters and themes from Anton Chekhov's dramas in the hilarious Tony Award-winner Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike running March 21 - April 20 at Philadelphia Theatre Company's Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets). Directed by James J. Christy, the ensemble features Grace Gonglewski, Deirdre Madigan, Kianne Muschett , Clare O'Malley, Alex Shaw, and Kraig Swartz.

Today we are talking to a terrifically talented twosome who have found success sharing the stage both in entertainment endeavors and in life itself - real-life triple-threat couple Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo. Discussing many details of their two upcoming major musical productions - first, a special live concert presentation of the new musical SAMSON & DELILAH at cool NYC cabaret venue 54 Below, followed by the release of the concept album; as well as the upcoming new national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic family-friendly Biblically-themed musical JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, kicking off in a few short weeks - Young and DeGarmo share their passion for the arts and their unwavering commitment to their craft. Furthermore, the attractive and fit duo share how they are preparing for their upcoming Biblical roles and how they first became involved with the respective projects themselves. Additionally, both shed some light on their notable AMERICAN IDOL heydays, sharing backstage stories from the intriguing list of credits on their impressive resumes thus far. Plus, DeGarmo shares thoughts on the many in-development musicals she has had a hand in developing, from Sheryl Crow's forthcoming DINER to the similarly screen-to-stage adaptation of JAWBREAKER, not to mention her memorable work in the recent revisal version of CARRIE and more. As if all of that were not enough, Young and DeGarmo also recount memories of starring on Broadway together in HAIR as well as reflect on their turns in GREASE and HAIRSPRAY, while also casting a glance back at some favorite early roles, as well. Everything mentioned plus first news on the couple's new self-penned EP titled YOUNG & FREE as well as much more awaits in this career-spanning conversation with two of musical theatre's most popular and affable modern stars!

Tonight, Jan. 5, 92Y hosts an evening with the stars and director behind the new Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County at 7:30 pm. Four-time Tony Award-nominee Kelli O'Hara (Francesca) and Steven Pasquale (Robert Kincaid) will join Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher and composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown for a conversation moderated by Tony Award winning composer/lyricist Adam Guettel. The evening will also include a few performances of songs from the show.

92Y presents an evening with the stars and director behind the new Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County, on Sunday, January 5 at 7:30 pm. Four-time Tony Award-nominee Kelli O'Hara (Francesca) and Steven Pasquale (Robert Kincaid) join Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher for a conversation moderated by Tony Award winning composer/lyricist Adam Guettel. The evening will also include a few performances of songs from the show.

92Y presents an evening with the stars and director behind the new Broadway musical The Bridges of Madison County, on Sunday, January 5 at 7:30 pm. Four-time Tony Award-nominee Kelli O'Hara (Francesca) and Steven Pasquale (Robert Kincaid) join Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher for a conversation moderated by Tony Award winning composer/lyricist Adam Guettel. The evening will also include a few performances of songs from the show.

As promised, we finish getting to know each and every cast member of 'The Most Happy Fella' before we close up shop on December 1st.

Profiles Theatre continues its 25th Anniversary Season with the Midwest premiere of Wrecks by Resident Artist Neil LaBute, directed by Guest Artist Jason Gerace and featuring acclaimed Chicago actor John Judd. The production runs October 3 - November 17, 2013 at The Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway.

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL will kick off the 2013-14 Broadway Series at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester, Nov 1-3, for five performances. Tickets are on sale now.

Derek Keeling is best known for his run on NBC's 'Grease: You're the One That I Want,' in which he placed third in Broadway's largest national casting call. Keeling made his Broadway debut in the summer of 2008 as Danny Zuko in Grease. He also played Johnny Cash in the first National Tour of 'Million Dollar Quartet.' He is continuing to pay tribute to Johnny Cash with a special performance in his home state of West Virginia. I recently caught up with Derek and he shared his reasons for wanting to do the tribute.

Deadline reports that NBC has locked a deal with playwright and screenwriter Neil LaBute for his new romantic comedy series HARMONY HOUSE.

The Dallas Opera is happy to present three weekends of family-friendly programming guaranteed to introduce you and your loved ones to the big, beautiful world of opera. The Dallas Opera Educational/Family Series, part of The Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs, is presented by Texas Instruments and made possible with additional support from Lockheed Martin.

Hampstead Downstairs / The Peter Wolff Trust are delighted to announce three new plays by three exciting voices in theatre today, Alexandra Wood, Deborah Bruceand Ali Taylor.

Juilliard's Drama Division announces the 2013-2014 season of fully-staged productions featuring Juilliard's 43rd group of acting students in their fourth and final year in the drama program at Juilliard. This season's plays include Jeffrey Hatcher's Smash, directed by Victor Pappas; Amy Herzog's The Great God Pan, directed by Maria Mileaf; and Sam Shepard's Buried Child, directed by Daniel Fish. All performances take place in the Stephanie P. McClelland Drama Theater at Juilliard.

Below is a transcript of Sunday's broadcast courtesy of NBC News' “Meet the Press.”

MCC THEATER today announced that James Badge Dale (World War Z, HBO's The Pacific), James Ransone (HBO's 'The Wire') will replace Jon Bernthal and Christopher Fitzgerald in the New York Premiere of John Pollono's celebrated Small Engine Repair. Keegan Allen ('Pretty Little Liars') has also joined the cast. Small Engine Repair is the comic thriller that premiered to rave reviews and sold-out audiences at L.A.'s Rogue Machine Theatre, where it won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Playwriting, among many other honors. The New York production of Small Engine Repair will be directed by longtime MCC collaborator Jo Bonney (MCC's The Break of Noon, Some Girl(s), Fat Pig) and begins at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on October 30, 2013. An official opening night is set for November 18, 2013.

Back on April 1, when he posted his third compilation of delayed cabaret reviews from shows staged during the winter, BroadwayWorld.com's lead New York cabaret reviewer promised Number 4 would come with arrival of summer. Okay, so he missed his self-imposed deadline by a couple of weeks. but here's yet another catch-up column with critiques of a half dozen spring shows performed by Bryan Batt, Dawn Derow, Lynly Forrest, Dennis McNeil, Anastasia Barzee, and Nina Hennessey.