Laura Meltzer - Page 5

On Tuesday August 7th, 2012 Global Rhythm Group and Urban Lifestyle Media in conjunction with Music Choice will bring a fusion of Hip Hop and Jazz to Rooftop760 (Copacabana's rooftop)! Igmar Thomas is an expert at linking these two genres together. He is not only a composer but an arranger, bandleader and of course a remarkable trumpet player! Thomas will be sharing his talent on stage along with The Cypher featuring the Curtis Brothers. Additional good beats will be provided by BET'S very own 'Master of the Mix' DJ Mell Starr.

The Egg Play is coming to Philadelphia before it hits the New York Fringe Festival. A new comic drama by Candice Benge, is a traditional story told in an unconventional way. Benge employs overlapping dialogue, rhythm, counter point, and commedia to tell a story that focuses on the struggles of today's modern age like infidelity, abortion, and fertility; while also questioning how we perceive and therefore remember the world around us.

Theatre of Yugen, U.S./Japan Cultural Trade Network (CTN) and San Francisco International Arts Festival (SFIAF) present the world premiere of Mystical Abyss at ODC Theater, September 27-30, 2012 as part of SFIAF's 10th anniversary season. Mystical Abyss is the culminating production of a career in which Japanese-born director Yuriko Doi has brought to the West a distinctive fusion of traditional Japanese dramatic arts and cutting-edge world theater. In this production, Doi returns to origins, plumbing both Japanese and American prehistory and myths.

Troika Entertainment, LLC is pleased to announce initial casting for the CATCH ME IF YOU CAN national tour, which officially kicks off at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI on October 7.

First Night Records has just announced the release of revival West End cast albums 'Singin' In The Rain' and 'Top Hat' for later this summer.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) convened 1,000 theatre practitioners from around the world at its 22nd National Conference June 21-23 in Boston. This year's conference was the culmination of TCG's 50th anniversary and the beginning of TCG's year-round conference and online community, Conference 2.0. The conference theme of Model the Movement invited attendees to transform their field into a movement for the digital age by better sharing, measuring and adapting models of making theatre. Executive Director Teresa Eyring also publically shared for the first time TCG's new vision statement.

Black Lab Theatre's 2012-2013 season will feature the Broadway hit "CHINGLISH," by Tony Award® winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly). The famous comedy about the challenges of Americans doing business in China will be presented by Black Lab Theatre in collaboration with Asia Society Texas Center. CHINGLISH will open May 9, 2013 and run through May 26, 2013 in the Asia Society Texas Center's beautiful Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater. A public presentation by Mr. Hwang is also planned.

A new musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' much-loved festive classic, A Christmas Carol, will be performed in the spectacular setting of Middle Temple Hall in central London from Saturday 22 - Sunday 30 December 2012, rounding off a year of celebrations marking Dickens' bicentenary.

The Media Theatre's Roger Ricker will present his annual fundraising concert on Wednesday August 15 at 7:30. This year's theme is 'Super Songs of the '70's', with a focus on classic pop and Broadway tunes from the bell-bottom era. All funds raised support The Media Theatre youth and educational programs.

Critically acclaimed theater troupe PigPen Theatre Co. celebrates its move to New York City with the October 4 opening of its brand new production, The Old Man and The Old Moon, co-produced by Britt Lafield/BKL Productions and SoHo Playhouse, Inc. at The Gym at Judson (located in the iconic Judson Memorial Church). The only company to win top honors at the New York International Fringe Festival two years in a row (in 2010 for The Nightmare Story and in 2011 for The Mountain Song), PigPen's seven members met as students at Carnegie Mellon University and officially formed the company in 2008. See below for full production details.

Hollywood…ROCKIN' WITH THE AGES & THE PINK LADY present the World Premiere production of THE BEAT GOES ON! A Musical Celebration of the Young at Heart, featuring musical direction by David O, and written, choreographed and directed by Ovation Award-winner Cate Caplin. THE BEAT GOES ON! Will begin previews on Thursday, October 4 and will have two Opening nights on Friday, October 12th and Saturday, October 13th and will continue through Sunday, November 11th at the Theatre of Arts Arena Stage, 1625 N. Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood.

SCARLETT FEVER, a pop culture-infused comedy by former New York Magazine blogger Josh Duboff, will receive its world premiere in the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival. Performances begin August 14, 2012 at the Soho Playhouse.

The world premiere of Homestead Crossing, which tells the story of two couples who find familiarity in an unfamiliar way, opens at Berkshire Theatre Group's Unicorn Theatre on August 11 at 8pm. Previews begin August 7 at 8pm and closing is on September 1. Homestead Crossing is sponsored by Lauren Publishing.

Bernadette Matthews began singing as a soloist in her church's Children's Choir. Because her singing talent was sought for a variety of events, she was once dubbed the "wedding and funeral singer." Bernadette was lead singer for "Fixed Head Architecture Band," performing at IBM recognition events and other venues. She is the Executive Director of the not-for-profit Center for Community Arts and a regular performer at Open Mic Night at the Pilot House.

The Broadway Ballyhoo careens into its 9th smash month at Feinstein's at Loew's Regency. Most recently, The Wall Street Journal cited the 'celestial talent' of this hit show that changes with every performance! And this week's, August 2nd cast certainly fits that description with the announcement that NATALIE TORO, hailed by Broadwayworld.com as 'One of the greatest contemporary artists of our time' on the bill, along with Drama Desk Nominee CHRISTINE PEDI, currently starring in Newsical the Musical (she is also a popular radio personality on Sirius Radio), JANINE DIVITA (Anything Goes and soon to star in Edwin Drood on Broadway in the Fall), and Broadway Rising Star, FELIPE TOVALARO.

Following last year's popular show, Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall presents Another Evening of Pop and Doo Wop inside the 750-seat Sam's Town Live! venue on Saturday, September 8. The evening of music features Sonny Turner, former lead singer of The Platters; The Contours; and Fifth Avenue.

Socially Awkward Mexican American teenager Coco has no trouble talking to his blog following "minions". Talking to his mother is a bit more difficult, especially as she makes him sit in his special chair.

August is just around the corner, so we figured we'd let you know what we had in the works. We start with a CD release party with the Las Cruces-based Hard Road Trio. Their new CD was recorded in and named for Monticello New Mexico, which turns out to be home to some of the finest artisan balsamic vinegar in the country. Who knew? We'll have a special tasting and champagne toast to celebrate their new CD.

EMP Theatricals will present SHOOTING STARS IN JORDAN, written & performed by SARAH BROWN & developed by Brown & David Kaye, as part of the 16th Annual New York International Fringe Festival/FringeNYC. The production will be directed by KAREN LYNN CARPENTER.

On Monday August 13th, Sterling's Upstairs at The Federal is proud to present Cortes Alexander in "The Swell Show". The show features songs from his debut cd aptly called "SWELL" as well as a mixture of standards & originals. Musical direction is by Ross Kalling & co stars Melissa Bailey & Jennifer Rappo as his "Swell Girls."