Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at Round House Theatre
The painful slow journey for understanding as to what normalcy or perceived sanity is --when a family member is suffering from bipolar illness--- is explored with heartbreaking poignancy, almost brutal honesty and with deadpan caustic humor in the musical Next to Normal. Now playing at Bethesda’s Round House Theatre, this almost totally sung-through musical caught me up in its oddly satisfying emotional pulse. I fell into its compelling pull as the trauma of a family experiencing the highs and lows of bipolar illness unfolded.
BWW Review: Florida Theatrical Association's BLOOD BROTHERS at The Abbey
“So, did you hear the story of the Johnstone twins? As like each other as two new pins. Of one womb born, on the self-same day, how one was kept and one given away?” These are the words spoken by the Narrator at the beginning of BLOOD BROTHERS, the long-running West End musical by Willy Russell which provides the perfect setup for the play that follows. BLOOD BROTHERS is not a show that gets produced that often, but that is likely exactly why the Florida Theatrical Association has opted to mount a production of the musical – to introduce it to new audiences and provide theatregoers the unique experience of seeing the show. I attended opening night and it was, in fact, the first time I have had the chance to see a live production even though I have been familiar with the piece due to its popularity in England and its not-as-successful run on Broadway in the early 1990’s. And though the piece itself has some challenges (more on that later) the FTA’s production is solid with outstanding and emotional performances by the cast and a creative vision true to the material
Chicago Sinfonietta Announces 2020-21 Project Inclusion Fellows
Chicago Sinfonietta today announced the young musicians who have been selected to participate in its nationally acclaimed Project Inclusion program, now in its 33rd season. With 15 fellowships awarded in the areas of Ensemble, Conducting, and Composition, the 2020-21 season program is the largest Project Inclusion class since its launch.
Kyle Abraham To Be Honored By The PAC
THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, PURCHASE COLLEGE (The PAC), along with Gala Committee Co-Chairs Umran Beba (SVP, Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer for PepsiCo) and Michelle Ifill (Retired, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Verizon Corporate Services Group, Inc), are celebrating 42 years of world-class music, dance, theatre, film, comedy and family programming, with a very special evening starring audience-favorite Black Violin.
Review Roundup: Critics Sound Off On First Stage's MATILDA The Musical
First Stage MATILDA The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly is now on stage. This is the first full-length musical First Stage has produced, performing at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater January 11 - February 24, 2019. Get a first look at the production below!
Photo Flash: Get A First Look At First Stage's MATILDA The Musical
First Stage MATILDA The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly is now on stage. This is the first full-length musical First Stage has produced, performing at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater January 11 - February 24, 2019. Get a first look at the production below!
NYCO & NYTF To Produce World Premiere Of DEAR ERICH
New York City Opera has announced that it will produce the world premiere of the award-winning jazz composer/pianist Ted Rosenthal's DEAR ERICH. This new jazz opera, to be co-produced with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, will open Wednesday, January 9 and will play four performances only through Sunday, January 13 at the Edmond J. Safra Hall at 36 Battery Place, in lower Manhattan.
First Stage Announces Complete Casting For Roald Dahl's MATILDA The Musical
First Stage, one of the nation's leading theaters for young people and families, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for Roald Dahl's MATILDA The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly. This will be the first full-length musical First Stage has produced, performing at the Marcus Center's Todd Wehr Theater January 11 - February 24, 2019. First Stage productions are typically cast with two Young Performer casts; this production will feature two Young Performer casts, with three Young Performers who alternate playing the title role of Matilda. Artistic Director Jeff Frank will direct this production of MATILDA The Musical, Director of Artistic Operations Jeff Schaetzke serves as Music Director and Milwaukee Ballet's Michael and Jayne Pink will choreograph. Presented by the Molitor Foundation.
BWW Previews: AN INTIMATE NIGHT OF CABARET WITH PHANTOM'S JEREMY STOLLE at Straz Center
Some people come into your life and unexpectedly change the course of it. Jeremy Stolle was a 16-year-old football player whose mom asked him to take a music class in the morning. Jeremy opted for piano class. His piano teacher Dennis Clark also led the school choir and suggested he might do well moving on to vocal music. Almost like an old episode of Glee, Jeremy entered the choir room and his life was changed forever.
The Warner's 7th Annual International Playwrights Festival Will Be Held This Month
The Warner Theatre will present its 7th Annual International Playwrights Festival held in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre on October 12 and 13, 2018. The mission of the International Playwrights Festival is to recognize the work of emerging and established playwrights and to build a link between the playwrights, the theatre community and our audiences.
Photo Flash: The Shakespeare Theatre Presents Sam Shepard's BURIED CHILD
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its 56th season with its fourth Main Stage production, Buried Child. This will mark the first time the Theatre has presented a play by Sam Shepard, who passed away last year. Paul Mullins returns to direct. Veteran company member Sherman Howard leads a cast that features returning company members Anthony Marble and Carol Halstead, as well as Roger Clark, Paul Cooper, Michael Dale, and Andrea Morales, all of whom are making their STNJ debut. Performances begin September 19. Patrons can purchase tickets at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre located at 36 Madison Avenue in Madison by calling the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or by going online at www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
Vanguard Theater Company Announces An All-Star Line-Up For THE LION KING, JR.
Vanguard Theater Company announced today an all-star team of instructors for The Lion King Experience, including workshops in African Drumming, Dance and Mask-Making. Beginning rehearsal on September 30 at the Montclair Cooperative School, Vanguard's workshop seeks to bring its mission of D.R.E.A.M., Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Awareness and Mentorship, to young students grades 2 - 6, culminating in two performances in January 2019.
An Unhealthy Man Lectures You On Medical Issues at United Solo
Vincent Clark, a veteran Washington, DC area actor, has based his play on personal struggles with matters of health. Clark is a founding member and 30-year veteran of the Washington Stage Guild, one of the DC area's most respected theatre companies. He is also a member of Actors Equity Association. This production is presented as a part of the 2018 United Solo Festival and is an Equity Approved Showcase.