Mark Valdez - Page 6

After raising L.A.'s cultural pulse with new productions attracting critical acclaim, The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center had unveiled its vision for the future and announced its 5th Anniversary Season beginning on September 1, 2012 with the Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza. Highlights of the expanded season include world premieres from today's most relevant companies and artists in dance, theater, and music from around the world; artistic partnerships with London's Menier Chocolate Factory, the Los Angeles Opera, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre; the 4th Annual Westside Jazz Experience featuring stars such as Pat Metheny, Rickie Lee Jones, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds; a return of family programs including a hit from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and artists direct from Brazil, Cuba, Europe, and across the U.S.

April 22, 2012 marks the centenary of one of the finest and most beloved singers of the 20th century - the English contralto, Kathleen Ferrier. Her international career lasted just eight years, from 1946 until her untimely death in 1953 from cancer at the age of 41, but her unparalleled artistry still has an impact today. Decca Classics, the label that recorded so much of her output during her short career, celebrates her centenary with a collection of releases and a new documentary.

Polarity Ensemble Theatre in association with Azusa Productions presents ADRIFT, a new play by David Alex, directed by Maggie Speer, playing July 26 - August 26, 2012 at the Greenhouse Theater Center Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. ADRIFT features James Eldrenkamp, Colin Fewell, Gary Murphy and Eric Swanson. Tickets for ADRIFT are available by calling the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office at (773) 404-7336 or online at www.greenhousetheater.org.

The Dallas Opera, in partnership with Cowboys Stadium, has entered world record territory: more than 30,500 tickets to the Dallas Opera's one-night-only April 28th Dallas Opera Cowboys Stadium Simulcast, presented by The Dallas Foundation, have been requested by opera lovers from throughout Texas and 26 additional states. Ticket requests have also come in from the District of Columbia and Canada since the joint announcement was made on January 26th at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Tacoma Musical Playhouse has announced the 19th season of musical theater in Tacoma. The 2012-2013 season will include six Broadway-style musicals on the TMP Mainstage and three family-friendly productions from the Tacoma Children's Musical Theater.

Canadian Stage today announced a programming change for the upcoming 2012-13 25th anniversary season. The company's second internationally-focused spotlight festival, SPOTLIGHT JAPAN, featuring work from some of Japan's leading contemporary artists, will span one week rather than two.

Planet Connections and Ego Actus present SAFE by Penny Jackson, directed by Joan Kane in the 2012 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Nina Foster's mom is in rehab for alcoholism, her father goes on endless business trips, she hates high school and Liz, her anorexic best friend, wants to kidnap her baby niece. What else can she do but go to meet a dangerous man? SAFE is about trying to find your way in a scary world. In keeping with the social conscious values of Planet Connections this production is in support of the National Eating Disorders Association.

LP is currently hard at work recording her debut album for Warner Bros. Records and doing shows in-between sessions. As previously announced, her debut 5-song CD + DVD package, titled Into The Wild: Live At EastWest Studios, will be released on April 24th, and fans can see her national TV debut the following night, April 25th, on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. LP has also created a cover of Beyoncé's 'Halo.'

Over the next four weeks, Paper Mill Playhouse will launch five, short video interviews with ONCE ON THIS ISLAND composer, Stephen Flaherty.

Columnist Liz Smith, composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch, choreographer George Faison, and jazz artist Annie Ross are among the presenters appearing at the 27th Annual Bistro Awards on Monday April 23 at 6:30pm at Gotham Comedy Club in New York, 208 West 23rd Street.

The IU Department of Theatre and Drama announces its second annual Indiana Festival Theatre season. Hosted in the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center on the IU Bloomington campus, the new season offers a slate of classic comedies and musicals for theater lovers of all ages

The Lyric Theatre Foundation concludes its 2012 season with a newly revised version of Aftershocks, written by Doug Haverty, and directed by JC Gafford. There will be two preview performances on Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10, and opening night is set for Friday, May 11 at 8:00. The limited engagement will continue through June 16.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, announced it will honor LGBT equality advocate and actor Josh Hutcherson at the 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo. Hutcherson will receive the Vanguard Award at the Los Angeles ceremony on April 21, 2012 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, presented locally by Delta Air Lines. As previously announced, advocate, author and speaker Chaz Bono will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.

In addition to the announcement of The Flaming Lips headlining at Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday June 16 (presented by AOL Canada), North by Northeast (NXNE) has announced the next wave of programming for the 18th edition of the festival, taking over Toronto June 11-17, 2012. Tickets are now available online at www.nxne.com/tickets.

On Monday, April 23rd, the Anujunabeats Worldwide compilation series will continue its tradition of showcasing the brightest new world-class talent with Anjunabeats Worldwide 04, mixed by Israel's Maor Levi and Poland's Nitrous Oxide.

The Sounds of the Spirit Concert Series presents The Atlanta Chamber Players, a mixed ensemble of stings, winds and piano, in the Sanctuary of Roswell United Methodist Church. Tickets are not needed for this concert. For information call 770.594.0512 or visit www.rumc.com/page.aspx?id=670165

THE FEAR OF BREATHING, the world premiere of a new play based entirely on verbatim reports from inside Syria itself, opens at the Finborough Theatre for a limited four-week season from Tuesday, 17 July 2012.

The search to find the best student bands, artists and musicians from all colleges and universities nationwide kicks off in New York City on April 22, 2012 at Dominion NY when College Battle begins their fourth year with YouTube sensation Flula as host. Flula has caused a viral sensation among college students across the nation since the inception of College Battle four years ago. To view Flula go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/djflula

Ray Jessel is set to make an appearance at The Arthur Newman Theatre in Palm Desert on Sunday, May 13th at 2 PM as part of the Life Is A Cabaret Sundays In Summer Series presented by Les Michaels.

Eric Rosen has announced his selections for Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 2012-13 season, his fifth year as the theatre's artistic director.