Joseph Harrison - Page 21

Imaginations will soar, hearts will dance and applause will thunder when more than 1,500 students, teachers, and Broadway professionals raise their voices in celebration of on-stage and backstage excellence in musical theater at the 2010 Junior Theater Festival, it was announced today by Timothy A. McDonald, Founding Chairman of iTheatrics and Nick Manos, President of Atlanta's Theater of the Stars. The Junior Theater Festival is the world's largest musical theater festival dedicated to groups working with elementary and middle school students and is presented by Music Theatre International and is hosted and produced by iTheatrics and Atlanta's Theater of the Stars. The 2010 Festival will be held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA on January 15-17, 2010.

As the holidays approach and frigid temperatures begin to appear in Atlanta, one might not expect to be planning for summer entertainment, but Theater of the Stars has, and they hope Atlanta patrons will begin to do the same. Working hard to put together a varied lineup of shows for next year at the Fox Theatre has been top priority for the folks at Theater of the Stars, and BroadwayWorld was able to get the scoop on what they have in store for Atlanta audiences next year.

Launching a new 'tradition' Harvey Fierstein replaces Topol in the North American tour of the TONY award winning musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Chaim Topol, regrettably informed the show's producers he would have to leave the production due to a shoulder injury requiring emergency long term treatment.

Actor's Express and Horizon Theatre Company will host the the 2009 National Showcase of New Plays this weekend and you're invited!

'America's most beloved family musical, ANNIE, is back in an exciting 30th anniversary tour,' states Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars. 'We are delighted that a whole new generation can experience this classic musical about never giving up hope! And as is our custom, we are adding 25 local girls to the production to make it even more fun. Join us for the timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie when it returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta for 8 performances from January 13-17, 2010. Tickets are on sale NOW at area Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 800-982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com.'

Many a young performer dreams of making their mark on the stage, and sometimes one is inspired to reach for their dreams in truly magical ways. That is exactly what happened to a young Joanna Richardson and Margaret Shepherd in 2001 when the Radio City Christmas Spectacular made its debut at Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre. Both young women, who did not know each other then, but who had each been studying dance for a number of years in their own corner of Metro Atlanta, sat in the darkened theatre amazed at the spectacle before them. Beautiful women were dancing on stage in amazing costumes with vibrant sets and festive music and both young girls decided, then and there, that they each wanted to be up on that stage with that historic and much beloved troupe. Today, these two young women have achieved their dreams and will be performing for their friends, family, and Atlanta audiences in the very theatre where they were inspired to take that leap (or rather kick) 8 years ago when The Radio City Christmas Spectacular returns to the Fox November 19 - December 6th. I had the chance to speak with Joanna and Margaret about their unique (yet similar) journeys to this most famous of kick lines.

The world of Washington Heights, New York may be as much of a foreign place to many Atlantans as another country, but when In The Heights, the critically acclaimed Broadway musical written by Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda comes to Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre November 3 - 8, this lively and exciting neighborhood may seem more and more like your own backyard.

When asked to come up with the most vile, sinister and deliciously evil villains in popular literature and culture, one name would likely appear on many lists: Cruella de Vil. Notorious for kidnapping innocent Dalmation puppies to use their distinctive spots for her own evil purposes, Cruella conjures memories of divine extravagance coupled with pure greed. And nothing beats seeing a villain of her stature live and in the flesh (or rather, the flesh of her animal du jour). Audiences in Atlanta will soon get their chance to revel in the antics of Cruella and her canine cohorts when The 101 Dalmatians Musical, based on the 1956 classic story written by Dodie Smith, rolls into the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, October 28th.

When the opening chords of a familiar Beatles tune drifts out of the doors of the Fabulous Fox Theatre on October 6th, passers by might just think they stepped back in time 40+ years to Liverpool, England. And if they come see RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles presented by Theater of the Stars October 6 - 11 they might just succeed in that time travel. RAIN - A Tribute to the Beatles, a show that has been called 'the next best thing to seeing The Beatles,' boasts a repertoire of nearly 200 Beatles favorites, ranging from such beloved songs as 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'Hey Jude' to classic hits including 'Revolution' and 'Come Together.' Leading many of those familiar songs, in the iconic shoes of John Lennon is Steve Landes, and actor/singer/musician that has been performing Beatles-songs for most of his adult life and will be a part of the show when it arrives in Atlanta. I caught up with Steve to learn a little more about his journey.

Many exciting shows are coming up for the rest of 2009 at the Legacy Theatre including Children's Letters to God, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, A Tuna Christmas and Madeline's Christmas.

As a 2009-2010 season special for Atlanta Broadway Series, Billy Crystal will bring 700 SUNDAYS, his Tony Award-winning Broadway blockbuster, to Atlanta's Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre December 16-20, 2009. 700 SUNDAYS, a play performed and written by Mr. Crystal with additional content by Alan Zweibel is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff.

The Legacy Theatre is now offering Theatre Dance Classes! These classes are for the student who wants to be a true triple threat!

The Suzi Bass (www.suziawards.org) awards are the Atlanta area's version of the Tony Awards, celebrating excellence and achievement in professional theatre. This fall The Legacy Theatre, the only full-time professional teatre south of Atlanta, will celebrate its third anniversary and embark on its fourth season.

The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. announced nominations for the 2008-2009 Atlanta professional theatrical season this week to an enthusiastic crowd of patrons, Suzi Judges and theatre industry artists. The Suzi Nomination Party, which rotates venues, was hosted this year by Actor's Express in their performance space at King Plow Arts Center. Suzi Awards Executive Director Deadra Moore read the list of Nominees while guests enjoyed drinks, hors d'ouevres and the chance to congratulate and mingle with their colleagues in the industry.

Photo Coverage of Newnan Community Theatre Company's production of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'

When The Color Purple rolls into Atlanta for a stop at the Fabulous Fox Theatre this week, a familiar face will be stepping on the Fox stage once again. Felicia P. Fields, who plays the role of Sofia sat down with me to share a little bit about her unique history with The Color Purple, her take on her character and her love of performing in Atlanta.

The producers of The Color Purple are proud to announce that American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino will reprise her starring role of Celie for the Atlanta engagement. Theater of the Stars will host the first North American Touring production of The Color Purple for two weeks, September 15-27. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com and 800-982-2787.

With the highly-anticipated 2009-2010 seasons fast approaching, Broadway Across America - Atlanta and Atlanta Broadway Series are pleased to present even more options to Atlanta theatre fans with a trio of mini-season packages. Selections include Family Fun and Broadway Fans an offer something for everyone?from seasoned Broadway enthusiasts to first-time show attendees. Packages will be available beginning Saturday, September 12.

Grey Gardens comes to Atlanta's Actor's Express. Photos by Chris Ozment Photography.

As part of a two-part strategy to address individual artist compensation, PushPush will create a small artistic ensemble for collaboration, creation, and international touring for 2010. Beyond career development, the immediate priority for the project is financial support for up to six individual artists.