BWW Review: MSMT Launches 61st Season with Duke Ellington Extravaganza
So what does a theatre company do to keep its momentum and even up the ante after a 60th anniversary season that broke all records? Why not hire three choreographers, fourteen virtuoso singer-dancers, and an eleven-piece big band orchestra, to mount the largest dance show in its history that celebrates the music of one of America's immortal musical geniuses, Duke Ellington? That is precisely what Maine State Music Theatre has done in its 2019 season opener with its sensational all-singing, all-dancing, visually opulent extravaganza, SOPHISTICATED LADIES, that is currently blowing the roof off the Pickard with its high-octane visceral energy, heady joy, and pure lyrical magic.
Fulton Theatre Presents SOPHISTICATED LADIES And THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA
The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre, in association with Maine State Music Theatre is proud to present the dance and music-filled Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, May 2 through May 25, with Previews April 30 and May 1. Three acclaimed choreographers, Broadway's Mark Stuart, Broadway's Kenny Ingram and Lancaster's own Marc Robin, have joined to make this one memorable celebration!
Kimmel Center to Host 4th Annual FREE Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Day, 6/7
The marathon of FREE Organ music returns as the Kimmel Center celebrates the Fourth Annual Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ Day on Saturday, June 7 in Verizon Hall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Fred" is as personable as pipe organs get, boasting 6,938 pipes that make it the largest mechanical action pipe organ in a concert venue in the United States.
Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - In Rehearsal with Goodman Theatre's PULLMAN PORTER BLUES
Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith presents the Chicago premiere production of Cheryl L. West's Pullman Porter Blues-a 2013 Helen Hayes/Charles MacArthur Award nominee for Outstanding New Play/Musical. This blues-infused 'glorious ride' (DCist) follows three generations of African American Pullman porters in the 1930s-an era that no longer enslaves them, but still exploits them-in an updated production especially for the city of Pullman's origin. Below, BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast and creative team in rehearsal!
Larry Marshall, Cleavant Derricks & More to Lead Goodman Theatre's PULLMAN PORTER BLUES; Full Cast Announced
Tickets go on sale Friday, August 9 for Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith's Chicago premiere production of Cheryl L. West's Pullman Porter Blues-a 2013 Helen Hayes/Charles MacArthur Award nominee for Outstanding New Play/Musical. This blues-infused "glorious ride" (DCist) follows three generations of African American Pullman porters in the 1930s-an era that no longer enslaves them, but still exploits them-in an updated production especially for the city of Pullman's origin.
Arena Stage to Present PULLMAN PORTER BLUES, Starring E. Faye Butler, This November
Following its celebrated opening at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pullman Porter Blues travels across the country to sweep D.C. audiences along for a ride in its world-premiere co-production at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by her grandfather's work on the postal trains, playwright Cheryl L. West, whose work at Arena Stage includes Jar the Floor and Play On!, returns with the tale of three Pullman train porters whose journey is underscored by Midwest blues songs, including "Sweet Home Chicago" and "This Train." Directed by Lisa Peterson (Arena's The Rainmaker and The Quality of Life), Pullman Porter Blues runs November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.
PULLMAN PORTER BLUES Kicks Off Seattle Repertory Theatre's 2012-2013 Season
Seattle Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Jerry Manning announced today that Seattle writer Cheryl L. West's new play with music, Pullman Porter Blues, will be the season opener for the theatre's 50th Anniversary season, beginning fall 2012. The remainder of the 50th Anniversary season will be announced this spring.
Music of Samuel Barber Featured on Sheldon Classic Series 4/28
The Sheldon presents Sheldon Classics: Samuel Barber, featuring cellist Bjorn Ranheim, baritone James Ivey, and pianist Peter Henderson, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 8 p.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. The American composer Samuel Barber was born 100 years ago and is probably best known for his Adagio for Strings. A quartet of symphony musicians will perform the String Quartet, Op. 11 that contains the famous Adagio, and cellist Bjorn Ranheim will perform Barber's Cello Sonata. Baritone James Ivey will sing his Dover Beach for voice and string quartet, and Peter Henderson will play Barber's Excursions for piano.
Music of Samuel Barber Featured on Sheldon Classic Series 4/28
The Sheldon presents Sheldon Classics: Samuel Barber, featuring cellist Bjorn Ranheim, baritone James Ivey, and pianist Peter Henderson, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 8 p.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. The American composer Samuel Barber was born 100 years ago and is probably best known for his Adagio for Strings. A quartet of symphony musicians will perform the String Quartet, Op. 11 that contains the famous Adagio, and cellist Bjorn Ranheim will perform Barber's Cello Sonata. Baritone James Ivey will sing his Dover Beach for voice and string quartet, and Peter Henderson will play Barber's Excursions for piano.
ALT Commissioned THE GOLDEN TICKET, Opera Based on Dahl's 'Chocolate Factory', Holds Special NYC Reading 4/4
Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of ALT, has announced that the company has commissioned The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In his announcement, Edelson explained that all of Dahl's beloved characters find a unique voice in this exciting new opera. 'If thoughts of Augustus Gloop being swept away in the Chocolate River, Violet Beauregarde inflating like a giant blueberry, Mike Teavee being demagnified into the tele-dimension, and Veruca Salt being thrown down the rubbish shoot by a gang of nut-inspecting squirrels sound like your idea of a fun night at the opera - or better yet, unlike any night at the opera or theater you've ever experienced - The Golden Ticket is....just the ticket!'
Luna Negra Dance Theater Begins Search For New Artistic Director
Luna Negra Dance Theater, a Chicago-based dance company that serves as a springboard for Latino contemporary choreographers, will launch an international search for a new Artistic Director to succeed Founding Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, who today accepted the position of Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico in New York City, effective August 1, 2009.
Kyrian Friedenberg Cast In ALT's Golden Ticket 3/25, 4/4
Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of American Lyric Theater, has announced that Kyrian Friedenberg, the ten-year old singer, violinist and actor most recently seen in Gypsy with Patty LuPone on Broadway, has been cast as Charlie Bucket in ALT's upcoming workshop and reading of The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Speaking of the young performer, Edelson said that 'Kyrian has a wonderful voice, is incredibly musical, and has charisma that is truly contagious. After hearing him sing Charlie's first act Aria from The Golden Ticket, I had no doubt that he was the right boy to bring Roald Dahl's classic character to life in our upcoming workshop.'
Kyrian Friedenberg Cast In ALT's Golden Ticket 3/25, 4/4
Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of American Lyric Theater, has announced that Kyrian Friedenberg, the ten-year old singer, violinist and actor most recently seen in Gypsy with Patty LuPone on Broadway, has been cast as Charlie Bucket in ALT's upcoming workshop and reading of The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Speaking of the young performer, Edelson said that 'Kyrian has a wonderful voice, is incredibly musical, and has charisma that is truly contagious. After hearing him sing Charlie's first act Aria from The Golden Ticket, I had no doubt that he was the right boy to bring Roald Dahl's classic character to life in our upcoming workshop.'
ALT Commissioned THE GOLDEN TICKET, Opera Based on Dahl's 'Chocolate Factory', Holds Special NYC Reading 4/4
Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Director of ALT, has announced that the company has commissioned The Golden Ticket, a new opera based on Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In his announcement, Edelson explained that all of Dahl's beloved characters find a unique voice in this exciting new opera. 'If thoughts of Augustus Gloop being swept away in the Chocolate River, Violet Beauregarde inflating like a giant blueberry, Mike Teavee being demagnified into the tele-dimension, and Veruca Salt being thrown down the rubbish shoot by a gang of nut-inspecting squirrels sound like your idea of a fun night at the opera - or better yet, unlike any night at the opera or theater you've ever experienced - The Golden Ticket is....just the ticket!'