David Clarke - Page 22

In anticipation of LES MISERABLES coming back home to Broadway, I've been listening to LES MISERABLES LIVE! DREAM THE DREAM (The 2010 Cast Album). The beautiful, exciting, and comprehensive recording was captured at the Wales Millennium Centre in 2009. For those curious about what they can expect from the new Broadway production, this recording serves as the perfect introduction to Chris Jahnke's new orchestrations.

On Saturday, April 26, TUTS is inviting Houstonians to enter a Prohibition-era speakeasy for their annual fundraising gala. This year's theme is "Broadway Empire.' Headlining the evening's entertainment is Broadway phenomenon and Tony Award winning musical theatre actress Laura Benanti. Recently, I chatted with Laura Benanti about her impressive career and the much-anticipated gala.

When it comes to tense and taut one-act dramas that play out in real time, one often thinks of playwright David Mamet. With an extensive resume of work I'm not familiar with, Johnna Adams' work in GIDION'S KNOT is just as intense and intriguing as any of the David Mamet plays I've experienced. Furthermore, GIDION'S KNOT is a timely drama filled to overflowing with relevant social commentary that makes the 75 minutes production all the more gripping.

On March 4, 2014, Chris Douridas and Larry Klein released a 12-track soundtrack for Showtime's hit series House of Lies with Strange Cargo/Manhattan Records. The soundtrack is a compilation of the best songs from the first three seasons and features Kim Cesarion's “Brains Out,” Thomas Dybdhal's “This Love is Here to Stay,” Kiko King and creativemaze's “Illusions of Time,” and Michael Kiwanuka's “It Always Comes Back Around.”

Early in February, I got my hands on the FROM BROADWAY WITH LOVE: A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR SANDY HOOK album. I was moved and impressed with how heartfelt the concert was. The outpouring of love from the Broadway community to the town of Sandy Hook, Connecticut was and still is monumental. In addition to releasing the CD and digital albums of the concert, Broadway Records released a DVD and Blu-Ray of the performance. Like the CD and digital albums, 100% of its profits from the DVD and Blu-Ray are going to support the Newtown-Sandy Hook community via the Newton-Sandy Hook Community Foundation.

Houston Grand Opera is presenting the World Premiere of A COFFIN IN EGYPT, a one-act chamber opera based on Horton Foote's play by the same title. Known for crafting touching sentimentality and riveting drama, Horton Foote's legacy is sure to be celebrated for centuries to come. However, this operatic adaptation of A COFFIN IN EGYPT browbeats audiences with nostalgic sentimentality and rarely moves us to feel anything.

If you have ever wondered what theatre by Chuck Palahniuk may be like, then ROME is definitely for you. If you're looking for interesting theatre that will give you plenty to mull over, then ROME is also for you. If you are looking for theatre that will discomfort you to the core of your being while making you laugh at things that you generally wouldn't laugh at, then ROME is for you too. All in all, the experimental ROME was a risk well worth taking.

Green Day took Broadway by storm with their hit musical AMERICAN IDIOT, which is more-or-less a stage adaption of their record-breaking album by the same title. The musical tells the story of three disillusioned young American men who look for meaning in modern American life. With only a week until the show hits Houston stages, I chatted with Cason Higgins, who plays the adventurous drug dealer St. Jimmy, about the rock musical.

In early January, Constantine Maroulis rocked Houston audiences as part of Tyce Green's Straight From New York Concert Series. His energetic and mesmerizing performance inspired me to seek out his debut solo album CONSTANTINE. Like the cabaret concert, the 2007 album expertly showcases Constantine Maroulis' rock zeal and indefatigable charisma.

Theater LaB Houston, known as Houston's premiere Off-Broadway Theater, is continuing its residency at Obsidian Art Space with with an exciting 2014 season. From March 26 - 30, the company is presenting the Regional Premiere of Dan LeFranc's SIXTY MILES TO SILVER LAKE. In anticipation of this new season, I recently spoke with director Linda Phenix about SIXTY MILES TO SILVER LAKE.

This new musical by Aaron Alon is still in the process of being made. Thunderclap Productions is working on filming the musical and there are still plans to bring the show to stage as well. With relevant and timely themes, an intriguing score, and remarkable talent behind every aspect of this musical, the HIGHLIGHTS FROM BULLY (Concept Cast Recording) is a great way for more people to be exposed to this musical and to support this important project.

Ever since it premiered on Broadway in 1973, Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, with a book by Hugh Wheeler, has been a favorite of musical theatre fans. The Michigan Opera Theatre was the first American opera company to present the piece in 1983, and other companies followed suit. It last graced Houston Grand Opera's (HGO) stages in 1999. Now, the musical, with an extraordinary set and gorgeous costumes by Isaac Mizrahi, is thrilling Houston audiences again with HGO's latest production of this American masterpiece.

In celebration of Stanton Welch's tenth anniversary as Artistic Director at Houston Ballet, the company is presenting a mixed repertory program that showcases his work as a choreographer. Across the three acts, audiences are treated to stunningly beautiful stage pictures, fascinating movement, and breathtaking feats of agility and poise. With their THE YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE TO THE ORCHESTRA program, Houston Ballet splendidly illustrates why Houston is truly to lucky to have Stanton Welch in our city.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's beloved classic film THE WIZARD OF OZ has been re-adapted for the stage by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams. The splashy show features Harold Arlen's original music and E.Y. Harburg's original lyrics, with additional lyrics by Tim Rice and additional music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Flying audiences over the rainbow, this musical is sentimental, family-friendly schmaltz that entertains with ease.

Houston Grand Opera's highly anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC opens this week in the Cullen Theater at the Wortham Theater Center. In addition to Stephen Sondheim's celebrated and lush score, this production proudly features sets, costumes, and original direction by popular American fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi. I recently spoke with HGO alumna Chad Shelton, who is playing Fredrik Egerman, about the production and his career.

Lynn Nottage's RUINED was well received in New York City in 2009, and now it is making its Houston premiere in a production produced by Obsidian Art Space. A tautly constructed drama about the use of rape as a weapon in the Congolese Civil War, this fascinating and thought-provoking show is one that will leave Houston audiences with plenty to think about.

No matter what Jordan Jaffe programs for his Black Lab Theatre to produce, the end results always seem to be at the very least excellent. Currently producing Amy Herzog's 4000 MILES, which is ultimately an intimate portrait of a woman and her grandson, the company is bringing tender and touching life to a celebrated Off-Broadway play for Houston audiences to enjoy.

Following last year's well-received and highly praised production of HENRY V, Main Street Theater and Prague Shakespeare Company have teamed up again to produce William Shakespeare's MACBETH. For this version of MACBETH, the play is condensed to an 80-minute one act and the plot moves with breakneck speeds through the familiar tale of witches, ambition, murder, and destruction.

Theresa Rebeck is having her work produced at the Alley Theatre for the fifth time. She made her Broadway debut with MAURITIUS, and recently had her plays SEMINAR and DEAD ACCOUNTS produced on Broadway. However, I wouldn't expect to see FOOL playing the Great White Way in the near future. The script has it's own brand of light-hearted charm, and it makes for a decent comedy; yet, when the play is over, it just doesn't stick with you.

Houston native, Cesar Fernando Barajas has been working hard as a professional performer for years. He recently relocated to New York City, where he is currently making a living doing what he loves. Next week, he'll be returning home for a highly anticipated Q&A on March 6th and to teach a workshop on March 7th at The Wilson School of Acting & Musical Theatre. Recently, I got to speak with Cesar Fernando Barajas about his career and his passion for motivating and inspiring others.