To Be or Not to Be – What Kind of a Question Is That? 1970 - Articles Page 3

Chicago Filmmakers and Showtime Networks have announced that Broadway legend Anthony Rapp, from the original casts of Rent and If/Then, will attend the 34th edition of Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival.

The powerhouse Courteney McClutchy and the lovely Katie Davis lead the cast in this enjoyable version of the classic Disney musical.

In THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN MUSICAL, Jack Viertel takes about musicals, puts them back together, sings their praises, marvels at their unflagging inventiveness, and occasionally despairs over their more embarrassing shortcomings. In the process, he invites us to fall in love with the art form all over again by showing us how musicals happen, what makes them work, how they captivate audiences, and how one landmark show leads to the next-by design or by accident, by emulation or by rebellion from OKLAHOMA! to HAMILTON and onward.

Tim Robbins truly relishes the value and reach of theatre; and he persistently works to disseminate it throughout the world. We got a chance to talk with Tim, co-founder of The Actors' Gang and its current Artistic Director, the day after his latest directorial project ORWELL'S 1984 opened. See any of the productions Tim has directed and be challenged only not to be entertained, but thinking about what the play is saying.

Music Director Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony today unveil the 2016-17 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical and Sunday Casual Connections series and special events. This season celebrates the orchestra's 38th season and its 10th year in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Inaugurated by the Symphony in September 2006, this magnificent venue—with its exceptional acoustics and beautiful architecture—changed the world of symphonic music forever in Orange County. Both the orchestra and its audiences suddenly felt the ceiling to their musical opportunities open up to limitless possibilities. The trajectory of the orchestra sped up, allowing for broader choices in repertoire, greater ensemble excellence and immersive audience experiences—culminating, 10 years later, in this momentous season. 

Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY will soon be presented by Watch This at Fortyfivedownstairs. BWW had the opportunity to ask Director Kat Henry and cast Nick Simpson-Deeks (Robert) and Sally Bourne (Joanne) a few questions ahead of opening night.

This summer, 25 alums have returned to the O'Neill. We speak with five of them about their experience both as a NTI student and as a member of the O'Neill's professional summer season!

Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, the country's premier socially-conscious, eco-friendly arts festival, is proud to announce its seventh season of plays, musicals & staged readings, with all shows taking place at The Paradise Factory, 64 East 4th St, between 2nd Avenue & Bowery.

'What's left of my music if I have it played by classical musicians and omit the most important element, the beats?' This question was the starting point for Instruments, the new album from Henrik Schwarz, the internationally celebrated producer, composer and performer of electronic dance music (EDM). Available today, April 14 via Sony Classical, the album features six acoustic chamber music arrangements of his electronic dance hits, plus an original composition.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the lineup for the 15th edition of Film Comment magazine's essential, eclectic festival, taking place February 20 - March 5, 2015.

As I was reading The O'Neill: The Transformation of Modern American Theater by Jeffrey Sweet and walking through Launchpad of the American Theater: The O'Neill Since 1964, a 50th anniversary exhibit at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, it became clear to me that the ideas, principles, and people that have shaped the O'Neill and the National Theater Institute are still so very evident and become a part of every student who studies with NTI.

Sheldon Harnick has been regaled with so many awards for some of the Great White Way's most beloved hits that his collection of statuettes likely weighs more than he does.

Gloucester Stage Company Founding Artistic Director Israel Horovitz hosts the only New England special pre-release screening of his new film, MY OLD LADY starring Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas to benefit Gloucester Stage Company on Monday, September 15at the Cape Ann Community Cinema & Stage, 21 Main Street in Gloucester, MA.

In a one night engagement, the Center for Law and Justice (CLSJ) will be presenting 'Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou,' at Carnegie Hall on October 9th.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the details for Fassbinder: Romantic Anarchist (Part 1), May 16 - June 1. Divided into two parts, the retrospective will be the most extensive presentation of Fassbinder's films in New York since 1997, with Part 1 including almost all of his work leading up to 1974 and Part 2 (screening in November) to pick up from 1974 through 1982. The ambitious two-part series will include all of his theatrical features, much of his television work, films he starred in, films that influenced him, and films that were influenced by his work.

Stage and Television stars Gavin MacLeod, Joyce Bulifant and G.W. Bailey lead a cast of twenty professional actors and singers in Dezart Performs fundraising gala, 'ON THE AIR! An Evening of Live Radio Show Classics,' tonight, March 13, 2014 at The Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. I had the chance to chat with MacLeod about his life and career and participating in the ON THE AIR benefit. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation.

Stage and Television stars Gavin MacLeod, Joyce Bulifant and G.W. Bailey lead a cast of twenty professional actors and singers in Dezart Performs fundraising gala, 'ON THE AIR! An Evening of Live Radio Show Classics,' on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at The Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. The live show with post-performance VIP reception will take the audience back in time to radio's golden age of the 1940s and 1950s with all of the stage gimmicks in tact including sound effects created right on stage, applause signs-and even commercials with original jingles for the modern-day companies sponsoring the special event. The radio shows to be vividly recreated are 'The Bickersons,' 'Sherlock Holmes,' and 'My Favorite Husband.' I had the chance to chat with MacLeod about his life and career and participating in the ON THE AIR benefit. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation.

We are now well into the second wave of Vaclav Havel productions, where his work is being re-examined from a variety of perspectives-experiments which, in and of themselves, are a testament to his staying power. Ambassador Theater's current production of 'Protest' at the Mead Theater Lab marks the culmination of a year-long celebration here in Washington, D.C. of the playwright-President's legacy. Under the direction of Gail Humphries-Mardirosian audiences can now witness a fascinating re-interpretation of what is perhaps Havel's deepest, most confessional work on life under an oppressive regime.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the full schedule and complete lineup for the upcoming film series, Jean-Luc Godard - The Spirit of the Forms.

Barbra Streisand kicks off her European tour today, June 1st, in London, and in celebration of the launch, Streisand's official website posted a 'Barbra Tour Q&A'. Check it out below!

The fifth generation circus performer talks about PIPPIN, family tradition, and what makes a proper circus

A well deserved standing ovation opens the Maine State Music Theatre 54th summer season with the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award winning Michael Bennett triple threat, A Chorus Line.

Getting to pick the minds of the director, dramaturge, and two leads in one of the most exciting plays of the season? Never let such an opportunity go to waste. BWW chats with Jerry Mouawad, Laurence Kominz, Anne Sorce, and Matthew DiBiasio concerning their recent success, THE BLACK LIZARD

Today we are talking to one of the world's foremost cabaret artists and jazz vocalists - also known for her famous rapport with sibling and fellow Broadway baby Liz Callaway - who has written and recorded hundreds of songs over her thirty-year career - including 'I've Dreamed Of You' for Barbra Streisand's A LOVE LIKE OURS, among many others - but, perhaps she is most famous for the unforgettable theme from the highly syndicated hit 90s sitcom THE NANNY starring Fran Drescher - the one and only Ann Hampton Callaway! Discussing all aspects of her brand new album and duets show with sister Liz - titled after the music of their youth; so, being baby boomers growing up with the music of the 1960s and 1970, the oh-so-apropos title is BOOM! Covering Cole Porter to Rosemary Clooney to Ella Fitzgerald, Carly Simon, Stephen Sondheim and Laura Nyro, Callaway and I dissect many facets of songwriting, singing, performing and the nature of live versus studio recording, memories of starring in the musical revue SWING! on Broadway, and, she also reveals her own fondest recollections of working with her sister and many of her most fascinating collaborators over the years. Plus, we have first news of her new Streisand-based symphony show coming up in 2012, as well as the new Christmas show she is starring in with Liz later this year, YULETIDE, as well as her thoughts on filming THE GOOD SHEPARD and soundtrack scoring, as well as her opinions on GLEE, AMERICAN IDOL and much, much more!

Today we are continuing the male-centric portion of our ongoing series of interviews with the stars of Lifetime's DROP DEAD DIVA with the boss of the legal practice on the show and the main love interest for Kate Levering's character, Kim: the affable and charming stage and screen star Josh Stamberg. In addition to dishing all about Season 3 of DROP DEAD DIVA and the future for Parker, Kim and company at the legal firm, Stamberg and I also discuss many of the various guest stars on the show this season and seasons past - Liza Minnelli, Sharon Lawrence and Faith Prince included - as well as how he sees Parker himself, his own insights into the complex character and what he feels the future holds for his relationships on the show - Kim, Jane and beyond. In addition to all things DIVA-related, Stamberg and I also discuss his many past stage and screen appearances, including: his unforgettable work as Sarge on SIX FEET UNDER and what it was like working with creator Alan Ball, as well as his role on the Aaron Sorkin-scripted series STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, plus: working at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and Atlantic Theatre Company, doing the workshop of A STEADY RAIN (and eventually getting replaced by Hugh Jackman), doing FRACTURED with Ryan Gosling and Anthony Hopkins, acting alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Naomi Watts in Clint Eastwood's forthcoming film J. EDGAR, his favorite work experiences so far, roles he is yearning to essay in the future both near and far and much, much more! Over the course of the last several weeks, we have been taking an extensive look at the sights and sounds both onscreen and onset of the hit TV dramedy series DROP DEAD DIVA - new episodes airing Sunday nights at 9 PM on Lifetime - featuring exclusive interviews with the leading lady divas and stalwart supporting men on the LA-based supernatural legal series. Featuring a memorable collection of musical performances and Broadway guest stars over the years - Paula Abdul, Rosie O'Donnell, Delta Burke and many more included - DROP DEAD DIVA is the quintessential TV series for Broadway babies looking for some laughs and levity - the latter available in many more ways than one, given the show's heavenly aspirations. DROP DEAD DIVA centers on a legal eagle named Jane whose body acts as the means for the indomitable spirit of a model, Deb, who loses her life, to make a second chance and how the girl inside must learn to adjust to looking like the woman on the outside that she is now. In other words, a model finds out what it means to look like everybody else in a delightfully quirky twist of fate - and learns to be a lawyer along the way, as well. Season Three picked up with the cliffhanger car crash that closed last season in a dark and shocking way. Questions and posed and answered so far: What will Grayson remember of the conversation he had with Jane pre-crash? What will Jane do to save him? What about his engagement (to somebody else)? What will happen back at the office with Teri, Kim and Parker? What about Stacy and Fred? Indeed, all of these questions and many more will most assuredly be answered come the next two Sunday nights! Plus, as always, there's always a musical number or two not too far off if you stay tuned - such as last month's BroadwayWorld exclusive world premiere of "Lean On Me"! Will there be a musical grand finale after all? We shall soon see! Also, don't forget to check out the past interviews in this BRIDGING TV & THEATRE series - Margaret Cho, Kate Levering, April Bowlby, Sharon Lawrence, Faith Prince and Jackson Hurst included! There are only a few episodes of Season Three left - airing Sundays at 9 PM on Lifetime, as always, throughout September until the finale on September 25 - so be sure to check back here in coming weeks for chats with Ben Feldman and the titular diva herself, plus maybe even a surprise or two, too!