Interview: Meet the Team from ODE TO THE WASP WOMAN
Ode to the Wasp Woman opens November 9, 2023, and runs until January 31, 2024, at the Actors Temple Theater in New York City. We caught up with playwright and director Rider McDowell, stage manager Matthew Palmer, and actors David Wenzel, Jonathan Hartman, Douglas Davis, and Payton Georgiana to discuss what we can expect, the inspiration, and what's next for the two.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK Will Close Next Weekend
This is the final week to see NEW YORK, NEW YORK, the Tony Award-winning musical (Best Scenic Design of a Musical-Beowulf Boritt) that features music and lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb, a book written by David Thompson, co-written by Sharon Washington, with additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman. NEW YORK, NEW YORK will play its final performance Sunday, July 30 at 3pm, having played 33 preview and 110 regular performances.
Review: CHRISTMAS with Michael W. Smith and Michael Tait at Capital One Hall
After almost 40 years the first man to popularize Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is still going strong. Michael W. Smith’s musicianship, skills as a composer, and entrancing vocal style has helped audiences of all denominations appreciate the word of God in a way that isn’t preachy. He gets the message across through his compositions and vocals.
Metropolis Presents Lionel Richie Tribute, ALL NIGHT LONG
Recreating all the hit songs of a living music legend, Lionel Richie, is Gregory James and the “All Night Long Show Band.” Together they capture the look and sound of a true Lionel Richie concert. With painstaking attention to detail, this band has recreated the perfect soundtrack for an unforgettable Lionel Richie experience.
CLUE: ON STAGE Comes to Meadow Brook Theatre
Six strangers, all with aliases – Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet – gather for a mysterious dinner party at a remote mansion. When their host winds up dead, they race to find the killer.
Franklin Theatre Begins Gradual Reopening Plan
After going dark to public performances last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, parent organization of The Franklin Theatre, is excited to announce the theater’s phased reopening plan for 2021.
Cleveland Play House Will Reimagine Greek Tragedy ANTIGONE
Cleveland Play House (CPH) will reimagine the epic Greek tragedy Antigone with a contemporary interpretation, freely adapted by Emily Mann from the ancient play written by Sophocles. Performances begin March 28th, 2020 and continue through April 19th, 2020 in the intimate Outcalt Theatre at Playhouse Square. Led by Director Lauren Keating, the cast features Amara James Aja, Alex Brightwell, Mariah Burks, Conor Canning, Kasey Connolly, Comfort Dolo, Steve Gladstone, Gregory James, Jessica Ko, Vanessa Morosco, Fabio Polanco, Abdul Seidu, Laura Starnik and Elisabeth Yancey. Cleveland Play House is proud to recognize DLR Group/Westlake Reed Leskosky as Presenting Sponsor of Antigone.
The Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program To Present THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
The Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House (CWRU/CPH) MFA Acting Program kicks off its 2019-2020 season with Shakespeare's classic The Merchant of Venice. Directed by Broadway theatre critic and Artistic Director of Shakespeare Academy @ Stratford Sara Holdren, this timeless story runs November 6th - 16th in the Helen Theatre at Playhouse Square. The cast includes Alex Brightwell, Conor Canning, Kasey Connolly, Comfort Dolo, Gregory James, Abdul Seidu, Courtney Stennett, and Elisabeth A. Yancey. General admission tickets can be purchased at 216.241.6000 or clevelandplayhouse.com.
Photo Flash: Laura Osnes Teaches at One Day Master Class With Broadway Artists Alliance
On Sunday, October 13th, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes spent the day with a group of students at Broadway Artists Alliance, workshopping audition material and sharing stories about her experience on Broadway. Osnes was most recently seen on Broadway in the critically acclaimed production Bandstand, in which she originated the role of Julia Trojan and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Osnes is also well known for her starring turns in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Ella, Tony Award Nomination), Bonnie and Clyde (Bonnie, Tony Award Nomination), Anything Goes (Hope Harcourt), South Pacific (Nellie Forbush) and Grease (Sandy). Osnes took time out of her busy schedule to connect with the students and share her advice for navigating the theater industry.
Photo Flash: Tony Award-Winner Beth Leavel Mentors Broadway Artist Alliance Students
On Thursday, July 25th, Tony® Award winner Beth Leavel stopped by Broadway Artists Alliance to share some words of wisdom before the students' highly anticipated industry showcase. Leavel has been starring as Dee Dee McAllen in the Broadway hit The Prom for the last year, a role for which she received a Tony® Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. She is also well known for her Tony® Award win for The Drowsy Chaperone, and her other Broadway credits include Bandstand (June Adams), Elf (Emily), Baby It's You! (Florence Greenberg, Tony® Award nomination), Mamma Mia (Donna), 42nd Street (Annie, Dorothy Brock), Showboat (Ellie), and The Civil War (Mabel, Mrs. Bixby). Leavel took time out of her busy show schedule to connect with the students and share her advice for navigating the theater industry.
Photo Flash: Santino Fontana Makes A Surprise Appearance At Broadway Artists Alliance
On Thursday, July 18th, Tony® Award winner Santino Fontana surprised the students of Broadway Artists Alliance during their exciting week of master classes and rehearsals in the heart of New York City. It's been a little over a month since Fontana took home the 2019 Tony® award for playing Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels in Tootsie, but he is also well known for his roles in Cinderella, Hello, Dolly!, Billy Elliot, The Importance of Being Earnest, and for his various roles on screen in shows and movies like Frozen, Crazy-Ex Girlfriend and Fosse/Verdon. Fontana took time out of his busy show schedule to share some encouraging words with the young performers.