THE FIREBRAND OF FLORENCE Begins 3/12
by BWW News Desk - Mar 12, 2009
On March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., The Collegiate Chorale appears with The New York City Opera Orchestra at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in a performance of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's 1945 Broadway operetta The Firebrand of Florence. The performance, led by guest conductor Ted Sperling, stars baritone Nathan Gunn, soprano Anna Christy, baritone Terrence Mann, and soprano Victoria Clark. Krysty Swann, David Pittu and Patrick Goss complete the cast, and narration will be provided by Stage Director Roger Rees.
Boasting a score by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by playwright and screenwriter Edwin Justus Mayer, The Firebrand of Florence had a short run on Broadway in 1945. The work was subsequently not heard for over a half-century until three presentations - Ohio Light Opera (1999), the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London (2000) and the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Vienna (2000) - shed new light on the relatively obscure work. The performances were not only accepted, but widely acclaimed, thus giving hope for a new life in a new century. Variety's theater critic Steven Suskin says 'I have long believed that Firebrand in concert should be a dazzling delight.'
Benvenuto Cellini, the great Florentine artist, is sentenced to hang, but he is pardoned when the duke realizes that he has not completed a previously commissioned sculpture. Freed, he is able to turn his attention to his favorite model (and object of his affections), Angela. The Duke also is interested in Angela. In a typical operetta plot, Cellini swashbuckles around the stage, keeping the Duke away from Angela, keeping himself away from the Duchess, and escaping yet another death sentence by fleeing to Paris, as the end of the show recapitulates the beginning.
Spanger & Carpinello Join Maroulis for ROCK OF AGES, Full Casting Announced, Previews Start at Atkinson 3/17
by Eddie Varley - Feb 18, 2009
The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx'.
THE FIREBRAND OF FLORENCE Begins 3/12
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 26, 2009
On March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., The Collegiate Chorale appears with The New York City Opera Orchestra at the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall in a performance of Kurt Weill and Ira Gershwin's 1945 Broadway operetta The Firebrand of Florence. The performance, led by guest conductor Ted Sperling, stars baritone Nathan Gunn, soprano Anna Christy, baritone Terrence Mann, and soprano Victoria Clark. Krysty Swann, David Pittu and Patrick Goss complete the cast, and narration will be provided by Stage Director Roger Rees.
Boasting a score by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and a book by playwright and screenwriter Edwin Justus Mayer, The Firebrand of Florence had a short run on Broadway in 1945. The work was subsequently not heard for over a half-century until three presentations - Ohio Light Opera (1999), the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London (2000) and the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Vienna (2000) - shed new light on the relatively obscure work. The performances were not only accepted, but widely acclaimed, thus giving hope for a new life in a new century. Variety's theater critic Steven Suskin says 'I have long believed that Firebrand in concert should be a dazzling delight.'
Benvenuto Cellini, the great Florentine artist, is sentenced to hang, but he is pardoned when the duke realizes that he has not completed a previously commissioned sculpture. Freed, he is able to turn his attention to his favorite model (and object of his affections), Angela. The Duke also is interested in Angela. In a typical operetta plot, Cellini swashbuckles around the stage, keeping the Duke away from Angela, keeping himself away from the Duchess, and escaping yet another death sentence by fleeing to Paris, as the end of the show recapitulates the beginning.
Ordway Theater Announces 2009 Season
by Robert Diamond - Jan 14, 2009
In 1980, Saint Paul resident Sally Ordway Irvine challenged her community to help her create a performing arts venue in which her dream of offering 'everything from opera to the Russian circus' could be realized. She set an example by making the first donation to a fund that eventually built Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
The $46 million center opened to the public on January 1, 1985, Sally had contributed $7.5 million-and her family had matched that amount. Certainly, Sally's vision is alive today in Ordway Center's dizzying schedule of theater, dance, music, family events, and educational programs. Ordway Center is also the proud sponsor of the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists which opened its doors in September 2005.
Ordway Center contains the 1,900 seat Main Hall, the intimate 306 seat McKnight Theatre; two large rehearsal halls, and magnificent lobbies on each floor, including the second floor Marzitelli Foyer, a spacious, two story lobby encircled by a glass facade.
Mary Zimmerman Returns to Berkley Rep With 'Arabian Nights'
by BWW News Desk - Nov 13, 2008
Next month, Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns to Berkeley Repertory Theatre with an alluring adaptation of The Arabian Nights. This is Zimmerman's sixth trip to Berkeley Rep, and for the first time she works her magic on the intimate Thrust Stage. The Arabian Nights runs from November 13 through January 4 with the official press night on November 19.
Mary Zimmerman Returns to Berkley Rep With 'Arabian Nights'
by Faetra Petillo - Oct 7, 2008
Next month, Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns to Berkeley Repertory Theatre with an alluring adaptation of The Arabian Nights. This is Zimmerman's sixth trip to Berkeley Rep, and for the first time she works her magic on the intimate Thrust Stage. The Arabian Nights runs from November 13 through January 4 with the official press night on November 19.
Sterling's Fall Lineup to Include Rose, Simmons, Late, and More
by Faetra Petillo - Sep 27, 2008
Moving on from a third summer of sold-out performances highlighted by such LA-based artists as Popera singing star Jamie Angelise; Nightclub, recording and television stars Craig Heath and Jeanne Page; the irresistible Broadway star and film star Marion Ramsey (from the hilarious Police Academy series 1 - 6); Disney's Danyelle Bossardet (Beauty and the Beast); and the revered musical comedy duo of BaulPointPen (Paul Peglar and Ben McLain); Sterling's Upstairs at Vitello's in Studio City, CA ushers in October and November with seven sensational leading men.
Full Casting Announced for 'Lone Star Love'
by BWW News Desk - Aug 3, 2007
LONE STAR LOVE, a new musical comedy starring Academy Award nominee Randy Quaid in his Broadway debut as Colonel John Falstaff, has announced full casting as it begins rehearsals this week for its Seattle engagement at The 5th Avenue Theatre, September 8 - 30. LONE STAR LOVE will open on Broadway on Monday, December 3 at New York's Belasco Theatre; previews will begin Thursday, November 1.
Camelot and Tony Plays on DVD
by James Sims - May 2, 2007
Prolific thespian Richard Harris has reprised his role of King Arthur once again, as he takes to the small screen in Acorn Media's DVD release of Lerner & Loewe's 'Camelot.' Also out is 'The Best of the Tony Awards - The Plays' for the first time individually.
An Interview with Brent Barrett
by Maya Cantu - Jun 28, 2006
Brent Barrett, known for his romantic presence and ravishing tenor has played many roles--but never before has he brought down the world's most famous chandelier
Brent Barrett Interview
by Pati Buehler - May 13, 2005
Brent has played wonderful roles on stage including his current role of Billy Flynn in Chicago, King Arthur in Camelot, Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me Kate and Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun just to name a few.
Barrett Foa - from Dalton to Avenue Q
by Craig Brockman - Feb 22, 2004
Barrett Foa, who understudies Rod/Princeton in Avenue Q already has some quite an intriguing list of roles to his credit. In the following interview, Barrett shares his thoughts on workshops, concerts, and his experience joing the Avenue Q family!