BWW Interview: Arnetia Walker on THE WIZ, DREAMGIRLS, & YES, VIRGINIA
From November 18th-21st, Judson Theatre Company will be presenting a new holiday comedy by Stan Zimmerman & Christian McLaughlin titled YES, VIRGINIA at Owens Auditorium inside the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Actress Arnetia Walker stars in the production opposite Mindy Sterling. She has appeared on Broadway in THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, RAISIN, THE WIZ, and DREAMGIRLS. Her TV credits include: QUANTUM LEAP, NURSES, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, MAD ABOUT YOU, NYPD BLUE, MALCOLM & EDDIE, JUST SHOOT ME!, THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW, TOUCHED BY AN ANGLE, CITY OF ANGELS, JUDGING AMY, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, and DYNASTY. Her film credits include: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, THE WIZARD OF SPEED AND TIME, SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS, LOVE CRIMES, FOR LOVE OF THE GAME, and COLLEGE ROAD TRIP. I had the great pleasure of interviewing her about all of this and more.
BWW Interview: BD Wong Taking THE GREAT LEAP To New Perspectives
In his Broadway debut in 1988, BD Wong won his Tony Award (Best Featured Actor in a Play) for his ground-breaking role of Song Liling in David Henry Hwang's M. BUTTERFLY. Over the last year, in between shooting his two television series (as Whiterose on Mr. Robot, and as Awkwafina's father in Comedy Central's Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens), BD has managed to star in two theatrical productions of Lauren Yee's THE GREAT LEAP (in New York and in San Francisco), and now will be directing THE GREAT LEAP at the Pasadena Playhouse, which begins previews today November 6, 2019.
Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition Awards $100,000 to Finalists
An evening of drama, comedy, song and dance featuring 25 talented high school seniors giving their all in the sixth annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition and ended with Joshua Riding of Johnson High School in San Antonio taking home the top prize of a $15,000 scholarship. Riding was recognized in the 'Acting Solo' category, while his fellow competitors claimed an additional $85,000 in scholarship funds and two trips to the prestigious Jimmy Awards in the unique scholarship program that provides financial assistance to college-bound high school seniors based on their interests and abilities in the performing arts. This year's $100,000 in scholarship funds was the highest total amount of scholarships awarded by Las Casas Foundation since the program's inception and marked the centennial of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, the home of the scholarship competition.
6th Annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition Set for This Weekend
See twenty-five (25) talented high school seniors break a leg as they vie for $100,000 in scholarship money and two National High School Musical Theater Awards trips to New York City during the sixth annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition at the Charline McCombs Empire Theater, 226 N. St. Mary's Street, on Sunday, May 18 at 6:00 p.m. Hosted by Las Casas Foundation, the competition will showcase the talents of hopeful high school students while celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre.
Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition Announces 2014 Finalists
Las Casas Foundation is proud to announce 25 finalists have earned a place in this year's Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition. This year's finalists will compete for $100,000 in scholarship money, in honor of 100 years of entertainment at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, and with this year's addition of the Jimmy Award, the opportunity to attend the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (NHSMTA) in New York City.
Luckinbill Presented NATIONAL ARTS STAR AWARD to James Nederlander At Star Studded Gala In Rancho Mirage
The American Foundation For Arts Education presented its annual National Arts Star Awards on November 20 in a Star-Studded Gala at The Helene Galen Performing Arts Center in Rancho Mirage. Among the honorees, James Nederlander was presented with The Legacy Award for creating The National High School Musical Theatre Awards and his ongoing commitment to arts education. The awards were presented by actor/writer Laurence Luckinbill. The National Arts Star Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on Arts Education in America's public schools. The AFAE, originally founded by Carol Channing and her late husband Harry Kullijian, works to restore the arts to our nation's public schools and insure an arts education for every child in America through advocacy and partnering with schools and communities to create specialized arts instructional opportunities for children.
Public Theatre of Southern California Holds Reading of Dustin Lance Black's '8' Tonight, 9/21
Civic leaders and a star-studded cast will perform a one-night- only reading of "8, The Play," with Public Theatre of Southern California, with license from the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact. "8, The Play," chronicles the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8, written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and AFER Founding Board Member Dustin Lance Black. The performance will take place at 8 p.m. tonight, September 21st at The Ernest Borgnine Theater, located at 855 Elm Avenue in downtown Long Beach.
WICKED's Shoshana Bean Joins JoAnne Worley, Rex Smith and More for A MAGICAL NIGHT ON BROADWAY Tonight, 9/8
Shoshana Bean joins the cast of 'A Magical Night On Broadway' at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage tonight, September 8 at 8:00 pm. 'A Magical Night On Broadway" is a fully-staged and costumed tribute to the American musical theatre starring stage, film and television personality JoAnne Worley and featuring music from some of Broadway's most celebrated musicals including "Chicago," "Wicked," "Hairspray," "A Chorus Line," "The Lion King" and more. Joining Worley are Bean and Broadway and television star Rex Smith, Tony-nominated actress Jonelle Allen, Terron Brooks and Carol Channing's American Glee Club - a young song and dance group representing America's public schools, along with a few surprise guests. The show is directed by David Green with musical direction by Stephen Smith.
WICKED's Shoshana Bean Joins JoAnne Worley, Rex Smith and More for A MAGICAL NIGHT ON BROADWAY, 9/8
Shoshana Bean joins the cast of 'A Magical Night On Broadway' at The Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage on Saturday, September 8 at 8:00 pm. 'A Magical Night On Broadway" is a fully-staged and costumed tribute to the American musical theatre starring stage, film and television personality JoAnne Worley and featuring music from some of Broadway's most celebrated musicals including "Chicago," "Wicked," "Hairspray," "A Chorus Line," "The Lion King" and more. Joining Worley are Bean and Broadway and television star Rex Smith, Tony-nominated actress Jonelle Allen, Terron Brooks and Carol Channing's American Glee Club - a young song and dance group representing America's public schools, along with a few surprise guests. The show is directed by David Green with musical direction by Stephen Smith.
Public Theatre of Southern California Announces Reading of Dustin Lance Black's '8', 9/21
Civic leaders and a star-studded cast will perform a one-night- only reading of "8, The Play," with Public Theatre of Southern California, with license from the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact. "8, The Play," chronicles the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8, written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and AFER Founding Board Member Dustin Lance Black. The performance will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 21st at The Ernest Borgnine Theater, located at 855 Elm Avenue in downtown Long Beach.
Mariette Hartley & Karl Glusman to Star in Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's GRACE NOTES & ANVILS, 7/19-22
GRACE NOTES & ANVILS is a gentle, funny and deeply touching guided-tour of a "place" most Americans go to, but few feel free to talk about. Based on their book "About Grief: Insights, Setbacks, Grace Notes, Taboos," writers Ron Marasco and Brian Shuff use the intimacy of theatre to explore the heartbreak, everyday heroism and surprising hilarity connected with loss. Directed by Marasco, the production features Marasco along with a series of alternating notable guest actors. Current guest stars are Jonelle Allen & Brandon Barash, July 11 - July 15 and to be featured are Mariette Hartley & Karl Glusman, July 19 - July 22, and Brenda Strong & Brandon Barash, July 27 - July 29.
NVA Brings THE COMPLETE WORKS (ABRIDGED) to the Schulman Auditorium
New Village Arts announces an exclusive engagement of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged) at the Schulman Auditorium in Carlsbad April 5-7. This highly comedic romp through all of Shakespeare's plays will be directed by Ensemble Member Justin Lang and feature Ensemble Member Kyle Lucy with Durwood Murray and Trevor Sanderson. New Village Arts previously produced COMPLETE WORKS in 2008. Tickets are only $15 can be purchased at www.NewVillageArts.org or by calling 760-433-3245.
NVA Brings THE COMPLETE WORKS (ABRIDGED) to the Schulman Auditorium, 4/5-7
New Village Arts announces an exclusive engagement of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (abridged) at the Schulman Auditorium in Carlsbad April 5-7. This highly comedic romp through all of Shakespeare's plays will be directed by Ensemble Member Justin Lang and feature Ensemble Member Kyle Lucy with Durwood Murray and Trevor Sanderson. New Village Arts previously produced COMPLETE WORKS in 2008. Tickets are only $15 can be purchased at www.NewVillageArts.org or by calling 760-433-3245.
A CAROL CHANNING CHRISTMAS to Feature Channing, Eric Kunze & More
It's beginning to look A LOT like Christmas - even in the Southern California desert - as Tony Award Winning Stage and Screen legend Carol Channing brings a holiday extravaganza worthy of Radio City Music Hall to The Agua Caliente Resort and Casino in Rancho Mirage, California.
Carol Channing Talks A CAROL CHANNING CHRISTMAS & More
At close to 91 years old, Broadway legend Carol Channing has been performing for nearly three quarters of a century - and has no intentions of slowing down. The actress and singer will host A CAROL CHANNING CHRISTMAS on Wednesday at the Agua Caliente Resort & Casino in Rancho Mirage, California.
A CAROL CHANNING CHRISTMAS to Feature Channing, Eric Kunze & More
It's beginning to look A LOT like Christmas - even in the Southern California desert - as Tony Award Winning Stage and Screen legend Carol Channing brings a holiday extravaganza worthy of Radio City Music Hall to The Agua Caliente Resort and Casino in Rancho Mirage, California.
Photo Flash: Carol Channing & More At Palm Springs EMMY Night Party
Veterans of the Great White Way, such as Kaye Ballard, as well as new comers to the boards of Broadway like Alison Arngrim, joined legend Carol Channing for a Palm Springs EMMY night party with a New York theatrical twist, featuring performances by Tony nominated Jonelle Allen (Two Gentlemen of Verona) singing 'Stormy Weather' and Kamilah Marshall's (Hairspray & Rent) moving rendition of 'Orange Colored Sky,' while Rex Smith (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Grand Hotel & Pirates of Penzance) offered 'This Is The Moment' and Davis Gaines (The Phantom of the Opera & Camelot) revived his role of Cornelius Hackle opposite Ms. Channing by singing 'It Only Takes A Moment,' as well as the still powerful voice of former Vegas and Playboy Club headliner, Barbara Van Orden, whose return to the stage gave patrons a bold and bawdy rendition of Chicago's 'When You're Good To Mama.'
Carol Channing, Rex Smith, et al. Set for Channing/Kullijian Foundation Benefit Party, 9/18
Channing and celebrated friends will host a red carpet event featuring a live and silent auction, very special performances by Broadway personalities such as Jonelle Allen (Tony nominee for Two Gentlemen of Verona), Rex Smith (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Grand Hotel & Pirates of Penzance), Davis Gaines (The Phantom of the Opera & Camelot), Kamilah Marshall (Hairspray & Rent), and introducing Barbara Van Orden, as well as a special performance by young people representing the Valley's public schools' arts programs.