NEXT TO NORMAL is Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey`s Pulitzer Prize winning musical about Diana, a mother and wife, and how she, with her family, copes with her mental illness. The Lower Ossington Theatre is putting on a productuion of the emotional, tearjerker of a show. NEXT TO NORMAL is a show that has become iconic in the world of musical theater, and fans can now look forward to the LOT taking it on as it`s next project
Sally-Jane Heit will return for her 4th Annual Benefit Performance at the Guthrie Center on August 17 at 7:00pm. This year she'll bring something entirely new to the stage, or entirely old depending how you look at it; Vaudeville - A Valentine to an Old Theatre Art Form. Sally-Jane fell in love with vaudeville when, as a young child her mother would bring her to vaudeville performances performed between the movies at theatres in New York. By the time she embarked on her long career in theatre, television, and movies, vaudeville was dead. She says, 'Before it was eaten alive by television, Vaudeville was the place anyone with a dream could test their wings.'
After being diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia Major, author Jude Kamal has learned to live life with passion and to become grateful for all her blessings. During the same year of Jude's diagnosis, her sister Sarah was also diagnosed with the same genetic blood disorder, leaving both their parents heartbroken. However, Jude did not let it affect her perspective in life. Thus, she realized that life might not always be fair, but regardless of whatever challenges she might face, she is still lucky to be alive. THALASSEMIA is an inspirational and poignant tale of a unique sisterhood's journey towards acceptance, hope, survival and family. It is a heartfelt and touching journey that unravels the unbroken sisterly bond, inner strength and the constant struggle that never seems to end.
LiveWire Chicago Theatre 'gets technical' at VisionFest 5: Johnny 5 Is Alive, ten short plays inspired by technology's influence on society (or what happens when things short circuit). The fifth annual festival will be presented now through August 2, 2013 at INTUIT - The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Each play will be staged in a different area of the multi-room gallery, with drinking and mingling encouraged as audiences move from play to play. The press opening is tonight, July 19 at 7:30 pm and 9 pm (marathon performance). Scroll down for a first look at the shows!
Offering hope in the midst of life's storms proves to be a central theme for Natalie Grant (http://nataliegrant.com/), a Grammy-nominated, five-time Dove Award winning Female Artist of the Year, who is set to release the highly anticipated album, Hurricane on October 15, 2013 from Curb Records. Within hours of its release in May, the lead single, 'Hurricane' hit number one on iTunes (http://bit.ly/Hurricane1), and exploded onto the Billboard and MediaBase charts, making it the fastest rising single of her career. The record-breaking success of the single proves quite an accomplishment for one of the most successful crossover artists in gospel music who has maintained a strong foothold as a top selling icon in the industry.
I recently caught up with Joe Bishara, who while currently performing as a featured actor in the sell-out production of CATCO's "Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits: Vol. 1" down at the Riffe Center, is also the Associate Producing Director of CATCO. Bishara manages the day-to-day operations of the Columbus Performing Arts Center (CPAC) at 548 Franklin Ave as well, which is home to amongst many other projects, the ever-expanding CATCO Is Kids program.
There is still some miscommunication out there as to what Catco Is Kids is about and what you offer. Can you clear that up for anyone who may still be confused, please?
"In early 2010, CATCO merged with Steven C. Anderson's children's theatre group, The Phoenix Theatre for Children, creating our current evolution entitled CATCO is Kids. This new moniker allows us to bundle ourselves into a single brand. It's still the same imaginative and captivating programming."
As of this Fall, the CATCO IS Kids school-year, weekend children's theater education class offerings are changing this year as well, correct?
"Yes. I am really excited about that! We had begun the Saturday morning Musical Theater School 4 years ago, and what we noticed, after this 4th year, was that it was time for a change. We are still going to be teaching the same core principles in acting, singing, and dancing, but it's going to culminate in a weekend of performances, 3 times a year, of an actual junior version of a musical. Starting this fall, we'll have 9 weeks of camp (from 9am-12pm on Saturdays), with the conclusion being a weekend of performances that 9th week (2:30 matinees on Saturdays and Sundays), open to the general public, for the ticket charge of $5 per ticket." (For additional information of Saturday Morning school-year classes, go to: http://www.catco.org/www/dcms/files/pdf/catcokids1314class.pdf )
Less than a trip to a movie!
"Very reasonably priced. In the Fall, we're going to start with "Aladdin, Jr.". In the Winter, the session will work the same way, but it will be the musical, "Snoopy", and then, in the Spring, it will be the junior version of "Suessical". For 9 weeks of instruction each session, the fee is $200 (27 hours of instruction)."
This is not the extent of the Catco Is Kids season, however. You also have a full season of shows for children.
"We do. We are actually starting our first show of the Catco Is Kids 2013-14 season as a camp- an all kids camp- that culminates in a weekend of performances of a show called "The Rude Mechanicals", which is adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", written specifically for kids by Ed Graczyk. Our next show will be "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", a 3 person adaptation including the perspective of Mark Twain as a character. After that, we will be launching the Ohio premiere of a new adaptation of "The Cat In the Hat". We are really excited about that! There will be 2 children's roles available in that show, and we will also be offering a week-long audition prep class for any local children who would like to get ready for that audition. The next show on the books is a World Premiere of Steven C. Anderson's (who has written over 50 shows) new play called "The Wolf Tales", which involves all of the fairytales that contain a wolf told from the wolf's perspective."
Educators will love that one, as it's much like the children's book favorite entitled, "The True Story of The Three Little Pigs"…
"Yes, and then last, but not least, our 2013-14 season for kids concludes with an all-kids production that is an adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz", called "Dorothy and The Wizard of Oz", but it's an audience participation version. So, when Dorothy first meets the scarecrow, for instance, the kids are going to be able to come up and help Scarecrow put his stuffing back in on stage."
Catco is Kids is known for its large degree of audience participation, which the entire audience, especially the younger folks, adore.
"It's loads of fun. Our Education director, Heather Burley, will be directing that production. She has taught in many of our school-year classes and our at-risk school based program as well, but this will be her directorial debut."
There are all sorts of "firsts" going on at Catco Is Kids this year!
"We're really offering 8 productions a season now, if you include the Saturday morning productions, which will be great shows, in addition to the traditional season. Our actual season can still be viewed as individual show tickets, or purchased as a 5-show package. For that 5 show package, 1 adult and 1 child can come see every one of those 5 shows for under $100 total. We try to keep our pricing reasonable, so that it can be accessible to families."
There are half-price preview shows of "Tom Sawyer", "The Cat In the Hat", and "The Wolf Tales' available, and you also offer school matinee performances as well. (Interested parties should visit: http://www.catco.org/education/school-matinee-performances for additionl information on dates/times/pricing). I love that there is an opportunity for a budding performer of any experience level to learn and grow here at Catco Is Kids.
"That's truly what we want to have here. It's really, really important for us to be offering those types of opportunities for all children. Whether or not a child chooses to pursue theater as their profession moving forward, what we are trying to do is instill confidence in them that can transcend the stage. One of our old taglines from our Phoenix days was, "Light the spark of imagination.", and it still rings true today in everything that we do. That's what we aim to do, whether it's in a child seeing the show, a parent, or a future theater performer. We're very proud of the program."
The CATCO Is Kids ticket price may be one of the best deals in the city for quality, family-friendly live theater these days, so be sure to check out the Catco Is Kids 2013-14 season, as well as the offerings available for children of all ages in its theater education program by going to : http://catco.org/catco-is-kids/
LiveWire Chicago Theatre 'gets technical' at VisionFest 5: Johnny 5 Is Alive, ten short plays inspired by technology's influence on society (or what happens when things short circuit). The fifth annual festival will be presented today, July 17 - August 2, 2013 at INTUIT - The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Each play will be staged in a different area of the multi-room gallery, with drinking and mingling encouraged as audiences move from play to play.
LiveWire Chicago Theatre "gets technical" at VisionFest 5: Johnny 5 Is Alive, ten short plays inspired by technology's influence on society (or what happens when things short circuit). The fifth annual festival will be presented July 17 - August 2, 2013 at INTUIT - The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Each play will be staged in a different area of the multi-room gallery, with drinking and mingling encouraged as audiences move from play to play.
Los Angeles, actor/author, Paul Carafotes, continues his 'Bubble Of Love' tour by visiting several Los Angeles and Orange County Children's Hospitals and distributing copies of his book 'The Adventures Of Charlie Bubbles!' that were donated by actor James Gandolfini shortly before his untimely death. 'As we all now know,' said Carafotes, 'James Gandolfini was a very generous and thoughtful person. He loved the book and said it was 'soon to be a classic.' He was a great supporter and donated copies of the book to spread the positive message before his tragic loss. I am excited to keep his memory alive by visiting hospitals and distributing the books that he so generously donated.'
For Antonio 'A&R' Richardson, Rondo Days has always been a big deal. Growing up in Saint Paul, it was the best day of summer because everyone one came together and had a great time. Richardson is incredibly honored and excited to take part in this year's event as a performer on July 20th.
The Rondo Day Festival, taking place July 12-21, celebrates the best and brightest of Minnesota's African-American stories, achievements and culture. It reunites a dispersed people, welcomes new neighbors and encourages everyone to be mindful of the extent to which neighborhoods nourish the soul. Richardson wasn't alive when the Rondo neighborhood was divided, but has always felt the effects of the division within his community. 'The presence of the bridge and how one side of the bridge treated the other was divisive, but on that one day of the summer there was never problems, it was all love,' says Richardson about the importance of Rondo days. He hopes to help restore that sense of harmony for the 30th anniversary of the festival.
Richardson first performed at Rondo Days almost 10 years ago, and is thankful for that early opportunity and support from the community he was raised in. Today, he has experienced a lot of success as a hip-hop artist, actor and producer; and is looking forward to bringing a very special performance to the community he loves.
Since his first Rondo Days performance, Richardson has had the chance to travel the world, working with some very well respected directors, screenwriters, musical directors and talent. His work has introduced him to different cultures and lifestyles, the influence of which can be heard in his music. As an artist, he is constantly pushing himself to improve, and is unwilling to compromise his talent and vision, demanding the best from himself. Richardson has dedicated his hip-hop career to making music that is fresh and different from the status quo, and is eager to share it with his St. Paul family.
Richardson will be opening for the Grammy nominated, Twin Cities natives and fellow Central High School graduates, Mint Condition, on July 20, 2013 at the at the Rondo Education Center's Field.
LiveWire Chicago Theatre "gets technical" at VisionFest 5: Johnny 5 Is Alive, ten short plays inspired by technology's influence on society (or what happens when things short circuit). The fifth annual festival will be presented July 17 - August 2, 2013 at INTUIT - The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Each play will be staged in a different area of the multi-room gallery, with drinking and mingling encouraged as audiences move from play to play.
1976 was a big year for the National Traditional Country Music Association,' says Bob Everhart, current president of the organization. 'That was the year of its founding, and it has been running continuously ever since. It conducts the upper Midwest's most successful festival of early American country, bluegrass, folk, mountain, hillbilly, and western music. There's lots of labels and genres to describe 'country' music, but we are pretty much in the time-frame before it became what it is today. Thirty-eight years is a long time to keep any kind of event going, and to see Mickey Gilley one of the best known country music piano players ever, to become one with America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame, is indeed a recognition of the importance of the roots of country music. Mickey Gilley's most prestigious year was that same year the NTCMA was founded, 1976, when the Academy of Country Music awarded him with Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Top Male Vocalist of the Year, and Music City News proclaimed him the Most Promising Male Artist of the Year. 1976, bicentennial year celebration of the birth of America. Amazing isn't it, that in 2013, 38 years later, this same man, Mickey Gilley, will be inducted into this kind of Hall of Fame, that emanates from rural America.'
Tony award-winning singer, actress and American icon, Bernadette Peters performs with the Pasadena POPS for one night only on Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 pm at the Los Angeles Arboretum. The star of stage, film and television will sing from her extensive songbook including 'Let Me Entertain You' (Gypsy), 'No One Is Alone' (Into the Woods), 'Some Enchanted Evening' (South Pacific), 'Send in the Clowns' (A Little Night Music), 'Being Alive' (Company) plus signature songs from her illustrious career.
The Marie Clark Musical Theatre Company have chosen a show that is not often performed in Adelaide. The last time that I saw this show was in 1982, where I watched it every night from my place in the orchestra pit, and I have fond memories of that production. Happily, this group kept that memory alive and well, with a very fine performance.
RPM/Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to release -- for the first time ever -- the complete Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck performance from the White House Seminar American Jazz Concert, held on August 28, 1962.
The era of the British Music Invasion comes alive in 'ModRock,' a new musical, which is having its world premiere engagement beginning Wednesday, June 19 (press opening Sunday June 23 at 5pm) at the El Portal Theatre. 'ModRock' is set in the vibrant, swinging London of the mid 1960's - a time when styles and cultures clashed, the British bands ruled the pop charts and all fashion trends emerged out of Carnaby Street.
Widely proclaimed to be the greatest movie musical of all time, 'Singin' in the Rain,' with its Academy Award-nominated score, lovable characters, priceless dialogue and memorable songs, is the perfect choice for Pacific Symphony Pops' upcoming presentation of 'A Symphonic Night at the Movies.' A beautifully restored version of the 1952 American classic plays above the stage as the orchestra performs Nacio Herb Brown and lyricist Arthur Freed's music live and in synch with the film.
Christine Baranski, Kelli Barrett, Walter Bobbie, Jeremy Cohen, Dalton Harrod, Randy Skinner, Shonn Wiley, Karen Ziemba,New York City Ballet Principaldancer Joaquin De Luz and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Irina Dvorovenkowill star in Rodgers and Hart's On Your Toes, the final Encores! presentation of the 2012-13 New York City Center season. Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, On Your Toes will have guest music direction by Encores! founding music director Rob Fisher and will play seven performances, from May 8 - 12 at New York City Center, W. 55th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues). The "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" ballet, originally choreographed by George Balanchine, will be staged by Susan Pilarre, who served as a Ballet Mistress of the show's 1983 Broadway Revival.
New York City Center goes Off-Broadway this summer with the launch of Encores! Off-Center, a new series featuring seminal Off-Broadway musicals filtered through the lens of today's most innovative artists. In keeping with City Center's founding mission to make the arts accessible to all, the majority of tickets will be $25.
Discovery Networks International (DNI) and Electus International today announced the sale of GET OUT ALIVE WITH BEAR GRYLLS, a new, larger-than-life and extreme adventure reality-competition series headlined by world-renowned adventurer Bear Grylls.
RPM/Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to release -- for the first time ever -- the complete Tony Bennett and Dave Brubeck performance from the White House Seminar American Jazz Concert, held on August 28, 1962.
Following the success and acclaim of last year's X5 box set and the “5 X 5 Tour,” Virgin/UMe will release Celebrate - The Greatest Hits + collection, a comprehensive overview of 35 years of one of Britain's most successful bands
If Jacques Brel were alive and well and living in Montreal today, he would enjoy watching In Your Face entertainment's production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, which runs at the Mainline Theatre through March 24.
The career of American bluesman, roots radical, and pioneer of world music Taj Mahal is set to be celebrated next year with the release of THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION.
New York City Center will present Pacific Northwest Ballet in its first full-company performance in NYC since 1996, February 13-16, 2013. PNB, celebrating its 40th Anniversary season, will present two programs featuring a mixed repertoire of Balanchine ballets and Jean-Christophe Maillot's full-length Roméo et Juliette. The troupe will be accompanied by the PNB Orchestra, led by Music Director and Principal Conductor Emil de Cou.
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