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.
Greenberg, Gunderson & Cho Among Lineup for 12th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival
by Eddie Varley - Mar 6, 2009
South Coast Repertory's 12th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF) will shine the spotlight on seven new plays written by America's finest writers. Since its creation in 1998, PPF has grown into one of the most important festivals of new scripts in the United States. This year's Festival will take place during the May 1 through May 3 weekend and will feature five staged readings and two fully-produced World Premieres on South Coast Repertory's Segerstrom and Julianne Argryos Stages. Tickets to PPF may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.
Blake, Coleman, Ellis & More Cast In JOE TURNER Opens 4/16
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 5, 2009
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Marsha Stephanie Blake, Chad L. Coleman, Michael Cummings, Aunjanue Ellis, Danai Gurira, Andre Holland, Arliss Howard, Ernie Hudson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Amari Rose Leigh and Roger Robinson will be featured in the cast of its upcoming production of August Wilson's JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, to be directed by Bartlett Sher. The production, which will be presented on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street) while LCT's award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific continues its run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, begins performances Thursday, March 19 at 8pm and opens on Thursday, April 16 at 6:45pm.
Julie Marie Myatt's THE HAPPY ONES concludes NewSCRipts Season at South Coast Rep
by Robert Diamond - Feb 19, 2009
South Coast Repertory?s final NewSCRipts reading of the 2008-09 season will be The Happy Ones by Julie Marie Myatt. Directed by Oanh Nguyen and commissioned by SCR, The Happy Ones is the 108th play to receive a staged reading as part of SCR?s venerable play reading program. Myatt?s My Wandering Boy received its World Premiere production at SCR in 2007 as part of the Pacific Playwrights Festival. The NewSCRipts reading of The Happy Ones will take place on March 2 at 7:30 p.m. on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.
Hudson, Coleman, Blake and More Complete Lincoln Center 'JOE TURNER'S' Casting
by Eddie Varley - Feb 11, 2009
Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Marsha Stephanie Blake, Chad L. Coleman, Michael Cummings, Aunjanue Ellis, Danai Gurira, Andre Holland, Arliss Howard, Ernie Hudson, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Amari Rose Leigh and Roger Robinson will be featured in the cast of its upcoming production of August Wilson's JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, to be directed by Bartlett Sher. The production, which will be presented on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street) while LCT's award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific continues its run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, begins performances Thursday, March 19 at 8pm and opens on Thursday, April 16 at 6:45pm.
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.
Testa, Burgess, Fleshler, LeFevre, Ortlieb, Rosen & More Join GUYS & DOLLS Cast
by Robert Diamond - Dec 15, 2008
Producer Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group and co-producers Tulchin/Bartner/Jenkins, Bill Kenwright, Northwater Entertainment, Darren Bagert, and Tom Gregory announced the complete cast and design team for the new Broadway production of the greatest musical comedy GUYS AND DOLLS. The first joint Broadway project by two-time Tony Award winning director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo since their collaboration on the Tony Award winning musical Jersey Boys, GUYS AND DOLLS will begin previews on February 3, 2009 at Broadway's newly refurbished Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street). Opening Night is March 1, 2009.
South Coast Repertory Presents THOMAS REPAIR Reading 10/27
by BWW News Desk - Oct 27, 2008
South Coast Repertory's first NewSCRipts reading of the 2008-09 season will be Mat Smart's Thomas Repair. Thomas Repair is the 106th play to receive a staged reading as part of SCR's venerable play reading program. Smart also had the honor of kicking off the 2006-07 NewSCRipts season with his play The 13th of Paris. The NewSCRipts reading of Thomas Repair will take place on October 27 at 7:30pm on the Julianne Argyros Stage.
NAMT Adds Performers to A TOAST FOR 20! Benefit and Festival
by BWW News Desk - Oct 19, 2008
Several great performers have joined the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 20th Annual Festival of New Musicals on October 20 & 21 at New World Stages and more have been added to the benefit concert A Toast for 20! on October 19th at COMIX.
NAMT Adds Performers to A TOAST FOR 20! Benefit and Festival
by Reynard Loki - Oct 15, 2008
Several great performers have joined the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 20th Annual Festival of New Musicals on October 20 & 21 at New World Stages and more have been added to the benefit concert A Toast for 20! on October 19th at COMIX.
South Coast Repertory Presents THOMAS REPAIR Reading 10/27
by Reynard Loki - Oct 9, 2008
South Coast Repertory's first NewSCRipts reading of the 2008-09 season will be Mat Smart's Thomas Repair. Thomas Repair is the 106th play to receive a staged reading as part of SCR's venerable play reading program. Smart also had the honor of kicking off the 2006-07 NewSCRipts season with his play The 13th of Paris. The NewSCRipts reading of Thomas Repair will take place on October 27 at 7:30pm on the Julianne Argyros Stage.
Flamingo Court to Close Off-Broadway Sunday, 9/28
by Faetra Petillo - Sep 23, 2008
Flamingo Court, the off-Broadway comedy by Luigi Creatore starring Jamie Farr (television's 'M*A*S*H,' Guys & Dolls) and Tony Award nominee Anita Gillette (Chapter Two, They're Playing Our Song), will play its final performance on Sunday, September 28th at 3:00PM after 68 performances (including 17 previews).
Chris Noth and Dan Bittner Join Cast of Atlantic's 'Farragut North'
by Faetra Petillo - Sep 15, 2008
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Managing Director) is proud to present the world premiere production of Beau Willimon's play FARRAGUT NORTH, directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt), and featuring Dan Bittner (The Vertical Hour) Kate Blumberg (Atlantic's Celebration and The Room), Tony Award winner John Gallagher, Jr. (Spring Awakening), Golden Globe Award nominee Chris Noth ('Sex and the City'), Otto Sanchez (HBO's 'Oz'), Olivia Thirlby (Juno) and Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (HBO's 'The Wire').
Creel, DeGarmo, Henry, Leung and More Join GODSPELL Cast; Previews Begin September 29
by BWW News Desk - Jul 22, 2008
Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and 'American Idol' finalist Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray) will star in the new Broadway production of GODSPELL. The first Broadway revival of the landmark rock musical will officially open on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) on Thursday, October 23, 2008. Previews will begin on Monday, September 29, 2008.
TheatreWorks Presents Schwartz's 'Snapshots' Starting 6/18
by BWW News Desk - May 18, 2008
TheatreWorks, the nationally-acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, opens its 39th season with the dazzling West Coast Premiere of Snapshots, the latest musical from legendary Broadway (Wicked) and Hollywood (Enchanted) composer Stephen Schwartz.
Victoria Clark & More Star in Roundabout's The Marriage of Bette & Boo; Opens July 10
by BWW News Desk - Apr 10, 2008
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announces the cast for Christopher Durang's award winning comedy The Marriage of Bette and Boo directed by Walter Bobbie, featuring Terry Beaver (Father Donnally), Heather Burns (Emily Brennan), Victoria Clark (Margaret Brennan), John Glover (Karl Hudlocke), Julie Hagerty (Soot Hudlocke), Kate Jennings Grant (Bette Brennan), Adam Lefevre (Paul Brennan), Charles Socarides (Matt), Christopher Evan Welch (Boo Hudlocke).
Media City Ballet Announces Season
by BWW News Desk - Mar 31, 2008
Media City Ballet (MCB), Natasha Middleton, Artistic Director, will open the company's Seventh Annual Season with a program entitled 'Ballet Russe Remembered,' to be presented at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA on Sunday, April 27, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. The All-Russian program will feature Principal Dancers from Media City Ballet. The Maple Youth Ballet, Charles Maple, Director, as will appear as a Guest Ballet Company.
Two New Operas Premiere at NYFOS March 11 & 13
by BWW News Desk - Jan 17, 2008
New York Festival of Song (NYFOS) continues its 20th Anniversary season by presenting Bastianello and Lucrezia, two newly commissioned comic operas by composers John Musto and William Bolcom with libretti by Mark Campbell. The concerts will take place on Tuesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 13 at 8PM, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, West 57th Street and 7th Avenue.
Kolvenbach's 'Goldfish' Receives NewSCRipts Reading 10/22
by BWW News Desk - Sep 24, 2007
South Coast Repertory's first NewSCRipts reading of the 2007-08 season will be John Kolvenbach's Goldfish. Commissioned by SCR, Goldfish is the 102nd play to receive a staged reading as part of its venerable play reading program. The NewSCRipts reading of Goldfish will take place on October 22 at 7:30PM on the Julianne Argyros Stage.
Interview with Colm Wilkinson
by Robert Diamond - Dec 16, 2004
His is a career with many firsts, from being the first actor to don a Phantom's mask, to the original Jean Valjean, to the first albums of Evita and Jekyll & Hyde. Now, he's focusing on concerts, and his newest CD - Some of My Best Friends Are Songs.