David Clarke - Page 16

With its World Premiere about a year away, tickets are already on sale for the Broadway bound musical N THE QUEEN OF PARIS. And 2015 is shaping up to be the year of Emile Zola. Recently, I sat down with Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Ferguson, the co-creators of N THE QUEEN OF PARIS, and Pascal Nadon to discuss the upcoming musical.

No two performances are ever the same. This couldn't be truer for the upcoming interactive Off-Broadway improvised musical BLANK! THE MUSICAL. Co-created by Michael Girts, Mike Descoteaux, and T.J. Shanoff, this innovative improv showcase promises to have audiences busting a gut with the only musical show that requires them to help create it.

Natalie Arneson and her husband, without securing jobs before landing in the city that never sleeps, packed their bags in the middle of the Great Recession and embarked on the Texas to Empire State journey. The duo came with the soul purpose of allowing Natalie Arneson to chase her dreams and audition for Broadway musicals. Now, in her charming one-woman, solo cabaret, MAMA DRAMA, Natalie Arneson shares her story, her struggles, and her talent.

Don't feel blue if you didn't win the Saturday Night Live taping and/or rehearsal lottery. The award-winning Israeli slapstick theatre ensemble Tziporela is making their American debut with a five-week run at The Players Theatre with their show ODD BIRDZ. Until recently I had never heard of this group, but their zany and hysterical showcase of quality sketch comedy left me guffawing until I was hoarse. It's truly too good to miss.

I was invited to attend Mary Lambert's intimate and beautiful concert at SubCulture. With just a piano and her remarkable voice, she previewed songs off HEART ON MY SLEEVE and played other songs that both she and the audience love. I left that concert floating on an elevated plane of human existence, and I am happy to report that HEART ON MY SLEEVE takes me back to that transcendental field of bliss.

As the temperatures fall and leaves change color, most people start preparing for the fall family holidays that are just around the corner. Knowing you'll soon be surrounded by your own family, kooky or not, the World Premiere production of Catherine Butterfield's IT HAS TO BE YOU is offering New York audiences the opportunity to trade in their families and spend some time with the one she has created.

The main goal of Straight From New York Workshop and Concert Series is to offer "educational opportunities for performing arts students to work with top Broadway artists in cities around the country. In addition, the concert series features Broadway artists in performance for the public!" This October, Tony Award Nominee Jennifer Damiano and Broadway/TV Star Wesley Taylor are touring Texas to teach a series of Musical Theatre Audition Masterclasses.

It's those quiet hours-the last few before dawn. Every one has left the theatre, and a single, bare bulb on a stand burns on stage to keep the ghosts company. That is more-or-less the inspiration and significance of the incomparable Betty Buckley's new and haunting album GHOSTLIGHT, produced by the legendary T Bone Burnett.

Recognized as one of the best American novels of the 20th century, it is no surprise that From Here to Eternity has continued to stay present in cultural consciousness. The only true surprise is that it took over 60 years for a musical adaptation to become reality. Recently, Omniverse Vision Productions' released FROM HERE TO ETERNITY: THE MUSICAL (Live Cast Recording), showing that this show still has some fight left in it.

Miral Kotb, director, choreographer, and playwright, describes iLuminate's ARTIST OF LIGHT as a “comic book brought to life.” If you have yet to see the show, it is the perfect way to describe it. Last week, I got to see how the magic of iLuminate is brought to life and sit down with Miral Kotb. Looking at the set under normal lighting conditions, she and I discussed the inception of iLuminate and their current show ARTIST OF LIGHT.

If you're a fan of Cazwell, you've been anticipating HARD 2 B FRESH since Nov. 8, 2011 when his single 'Unzip Me' was released. If you're not familiar with Cazwell, this album is a great introduction to him. Ranging in styles from house and electronica to rap and dance, Cazwell's HARD 2 B FRESH is 100% a contemporary hip-hop album that sounds like it was recorded in the early 1990s. #ThrowbackTuesday, anyone?

Stephen Edwards' TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES, a musical adaption of Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel, is a musical that never found its proper footing. Prior to opening on the West End, the UK tour was met with positive reviews, but poor critical reception at London's Savoy Theatre saw the musical shutter faster than anyone anticipated. Yet, TESS still has life thanks to TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES (Original Cast Recording).

It's almost October, which means it's almost time for The New Yorker's annual Festival. For it's 15th season, this year's festival is 'a three-day celebration that will once again bring together an esteemed and exciting group of writers, thinkers, artists, and other luminaries from a wide range of fields including film, music, television, politics, food, sports, literature, and technology.'

It's almost October, and just about everywhere you look people are embracing the fall season and getting into the mood of Halloween. For it's 11th year, NIGHTMARE: NEW YORK is ready to scare the pants off of you as they take up their annual residency at the Lower East Side's Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center.

In a world ruled by smartphones, social dating apps are at the forefront of the single's experience. Naturally, various forms of media are reflecting these trends and holding that mirror up to audiences. On October 1, 2014 audiences everywhere can experience the musical short film GRIND, but Yellow Sound Label has already released the film's infectiously pulsating, pop-laden soundtrack.

In support of his upcoming album, LA CASA AZUL, Migguel Anggelo took the stage at Joe's Pub last night to share his BETWEEN DREAMS/ENTRE SUEÑOS concert with audiences. The Venezuelan-born singer brings boundless energy and larger-than-life, charismatic performances to the stage. In concert, he thrills audiences with his bold voice, winning smile, swiveling hips, and radiant charm.

The critically lauded and Drama Desk Award nominated TAMAR OF THE RIVER was originally commissioned as part of Signature Theatre's American Musical Voices Project: The Next Generation. With a rich tapestry of complicated choral and musical stylings, Marisa Michealson's inventive and experimental score has been recorded and recently Yellow Sound Label released TAMAR OF THE RIVER (A World Premiere Recording).

The 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winning play DISGRACED is about to begin previews at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre. In anticipation of this drama's return to New York City stages, I recently had an opportunity to talk with Karen Pittman, who is returning to the role of Jory. Together, we discussed the play's Broadway debut, its exploration of relevant sociopolitical issues, and why audiences must see this show.

Fall is upon us. As the air grows crisper, stories of gory murderous rampage grab our attention. Whether you love it, hate it, or haven't seen it, Jerome Sable's STAGE FRIGHT has Halloween 2014 written all over it. Recently, the physical album of the film's original motion picture soundtrack was released, scratching the itches of musical horror fanatics' lust for theatrical bloodshed.

Like most people, I first discovered Mary Lambert because of the chorus hook that she wrote and sang for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis single "Same Love." Since then, Mary Lambert has gone on to release two digital EPs and a handful of singles, growing her stardom and garnering success. Now the 25-year-old poet and singer-songwriter is promoting her upcoming full length album, HEART ON MY SLEEVE. Seeing her perform live, I have no doubt that her career will be long and full of milestone accomplishments and successes.