STRIKING 12 To Join Arena Restaged Part Two For Their Upcoming Winter Holiday SeasonSeptember 3, 2009Arena Stage announces the pop-concert musical comedy Striking 12 to join Arena Restaged Part Two for this winter holiday season. Co-written with Tony Award-winning author Rachel Sheinkin (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and performed by pop-rock band GrooveLily, Striking 12 is a witty journey through the ups and downs of the holiday season. Musicians turned actors Valerie Vigoda (electric violinist and D.C.-area native), Brendan Milburn (pianist) and Gene Lewin (drummer) serve as both accompaniment and performers for this amusing score that is ?alive with wit and humor? (The New York Times). This unique blend of musical theater and live rock concert is a distinctive addition to Arena?s 2009/10 season. Striking 12 runs December 2?December 13 at Arena Stage in Crystal City.
DOTTY DOT Debuts At The Rising Sun Performance Company On 9/19September 3, 2009Rising Sun Performance Company returns to outdoor children?s theatre with the New York City premiere of Ashley Laverty and Travis Kendrick?s short musical play, featuring the talents of Rising Sun?s 2009 ensemble members and guest artists. Dotty Dot was originally developed by Laverty and Kendrick, in collaboration with the Experimental Theatre Project, at the Studio Theater at Point Park University in February 2008, followed by a tour in the Pittsburgh School district. Dotty Dot makes its New York City debut September 19th with free outdoor performances.
Magician BJ Hickman Featured At Magicians' Convention Honoring ShimadaSeptember 2, 2009New Hampshire magician BJ Hickman remembers watching Japanese magician Shimada on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. He was on Carson?s show four times. Shimada has earned the prestige of being the most awarded and celebrated magician in the history of magic. ?He has always been one of my favorites,? according to Hickman. ?Shimada has performed on hundreds of TV shows, in Las Vegas, and all over the world.? The International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) honored Shimada at their annual convention this year. Hickman was on the same bill.
Cygnet's Storytelling On The Green Takes On MIDSUMMER'S Pyramis And Thisbe Begins In AprilSeptember 2, 2009As part of Cygnet's relocation to the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, performances have begun for Storytelling on the Green, out-door, abridged Shakespeare performed by two actors in mid-19th century attire. Beginning in April, 2009, Cygnet's Shakespearean players have creatively performed the lamentable tale of Macbeth, weekly - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, on the public green of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Rehearsals are now underway to tell another Shakespearean classic - the lively story of Midsummer's Pyramis and Thisbe!
Jon Secada Debuts At Feinstein's With EXPRESSIONS 9/15-19September 2, 2009Feinstein's at Loews Regency, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue its star-studded Fall 2009 season with the debut of Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter, Jon Secada. For his show at Feinstein?s Secada will celebrate the release of his new CD ? Expressions: The Jazz Album ? a stunning collection of new songs, classic standards and Secada hits. Songs will include the evergreen favorites ?Chances Are? and ?What A Wonderful World,? the Secada hits ?Angel? and ?Just Another Day? with a twist and Jon?s own jazz-flavored arrangements and, some new tunes including ?Find Me In Your Dreams,? a touching tribute to his children. All shows take place at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).
WILLY NILLY Extended As Part Of FringeNYC Encore SeriesSeptember 2, 2009Piper McKenzie presents the world premiere of Trav S.D.'s Willy Nilly: A Musical Exploitation of the Most Far-Out Cult Murders of the Psychedelic Era in the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival August, 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of the Tate-Labianca Murders, committed by the psychedelic hippie cult commonly known as the Manson Family as well as Piper McKenzie's World Premiere of Trav S.D.'s rock musical Willy Nilly: A Musical Exploitation of the Most Far Out Cult Murders of the Psychedelic Era at the New York International Fringe Festival. After a wave of publicity (Manson Family member Squeaky Fromme was paroled on the day the show opened), praise (Michael Musto in the Village Voice called the show 'a tastily eccentric 'psychedelic-atessen'), and sold-out performances, the FringeNYC Encore Series has chosen the show as one of this year's extensions.
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN Hits The Fox Theatre 5/11-23/09September 2, 2009The classic Mel Brooks movie Young Frankenstein is alive...and it's headed to the Fox Theatre! You'll have a monstrously good time at this spectacular new production, winner of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award and the Broadway.com Audience Award for Best Musical! Performances begin May 11-23.
RENT Hits The Pollard Theatre 10/9-31September 2, 2009Rehearsals have started and excitment is building for The Pollard Theatre's production of Rent. The show is set to run from October 9 - October 31, 2009. Tickets are on sale now!!
Peak Performances @ Montclair To Host American Premiere Of Jerome Savary's LOOKING FOR JOSEPHINESeptember 1, 2009Nicknamed the Black Venus, Josephine Baker, one of the United States?s most glamorous and legendary expats, is the dramatic subject of ?Looking for Josephine,? a wildly splashy musical revue, which after opening at Paris?s L?Opéra Comique in 2006 and playing to over 200 sold-out houses was seen in theaters throughout Europe before returning to Paris twice more, where it was once again greeted with standing-room-only crowds. Directed by Jérôme Savary and starring American musical artist Nicolle Rochelle, plus a cast of 22 Cuban, Chilean, French and American dancers, actors, tappers, singers and musicians, ?Looking for Josephine? makes its American debut at Peak Performances@Montclair, September 17-27.