Don Darnutzer News

The New Orleans Opera Association will close its 81st season with a hair-raising story of marriage, madness, and murder in LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR on March 22nd at 7:30 PM and 24th at 2:30 PM at the Mahalia Jackson Theater.

Thurgood written by George Stevens, Jr. and directed by Lou Bellamy is playing at Penumbra.

In their continued and laudable feat of presenting diverse voices in theater, Orange County's South Coast Repertory is currently staging another stirring new drama, this time from playwright Donja R. Love entitled FIREFLIES, which continues performances through January 26, 2020 in Costa Mesa under the admirable direction of Lou Bellamy. At times heartbreaking and devastating, but ultimately empowering and (slightly) hopeful for future generations, FIREFLIES is a must-watch drama with searing emotions and real-world importance, highlighted by powerful performances from its two talented leads.

Today, South Coast Repertory Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Paula Tomei announced the 13 creative dream teams for the 2019-20 season, the first programmed by Ivers. The roughly 100 individuals are among the theatre industry's finest, most creative and versatile talents.

Virtuoso performances are the order of the day in Arizona Theatre Company's revival of August Wilson's TWO TRAINS RUNNING, directed by Lou Bellamy and featuring standout performances by James Craven, Alan Bomar Jones, Erika LaVonn, Ahanti Young, Lester Purry, Cedric Mays, and Dennis Spears.

August Wilson's Two Trains Running, the seventh in his 10-part, decade-by-decade saga of ordinary African Americans in the turbulent 20th century that The New York Times described as his "most adventurous and honest attempt to reveal the intimate heart of history," will be on stage at Tucson's Temple of Music & Art Jan. 19-Feb. 9 and at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix, Feb. 14-March 3.

August Wilson's Two Trains Running, the seventh in his 10-part, decade-by-decade saga of ordinary African Americans in the turbulent 20th century that The New York Times described as his "most adventurous and honest attempt to reveal the intimate heart of history," will be on stage at Tucson's Temple of Music & Art Jan. 19-Feb. 9 and at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix, Feb. 14-March 3.

This winter, The Atlanta Opera presents the company premiere of Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally's Dead Man Walking in an original production "of the very highest level" (Opera News) from General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun. Georgia native Jamie Barton - winner of the Beverly Sills Artist Award, Richard Tucker Award, and BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition - makes her eagerly anticipated role debut as Sister Helen Prejean, and Michael Mayes reprises the iconic portrayal of condemned murderer Joseph De Rocher that the composer himself has called "definitive," anchoring an all-star cast that also features Maria Zifchak, Wayne Tigges, Kevin Burdette, and Jay Hunter Morris. Marking the second presentation in Atlanta's mainstage season, the opera will be mounted in four performances led by Kentucky Opera principal conductor Joseph Mechavich at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (Feb 2-10).

A Christmas Carol in and of itself, is a Christmas tradition, if not for all, certainly for many families across the world. In fact, when the book first went to print on December 19, 1843, it sold out by Christmas Eve. I suppose the story has been a tradition for some stemming back generations; back to the beginning. AT DCPA, the telling of A Christmas Carol is what many look forward to each holiday season, and this year's production does not disappoint. 

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) announces full casting for the Theatre Company's production of A Christmas Carol and Off-Center's production of The SantaLand Diaries. The 2018 production of The SantaLand Diaries will mark the final year of the annual collaboration between Off-Center and Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC).  

Geva Theatre Center presents Thurgood, by George Stevens, Jr. and directed by Lou Bellamy, in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from October 16 through November 18.

Children's Theatre Company, in collaboration with Penumbra Theatre, presents THE WIZ. At the time of its opening on Broadway in 1974, THE WIZ was a modern retelling of The Wizard of Oz, featuring Soul-inspired songs and an entirely African-American cast. It was later adapted into a popular 1978 film starring Diana Ross and a young Michael Jackson. The Children's Theatre Company's production of THE WIZ opened on January 23rd and will run through March 18th.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in partnership with Penumbra Theatre will present The Wiz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in partnership with Penumbra Theatre will present The Wiz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz; directed by Lou Bellamy, Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Penumbra Theatre Company, assistant directed and choreographed by Patdro Harris (Broadway credits as Choreographer for A Raisin in the Sun), with music direction by Sanford Moore (Musical Director at Penumbra Theatre).

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in partnership with Penumbra Theatre will present The Wiz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC; David Ivers, Artistic Director; Billy Russo, Managing Director) is pleased to welcome back four-time Academy Award-nominee Marsha Mason, who will direct Neil Simon's autobiographical romantic comedy Chapter Two to open ATC's 51st season, Oct. 5-22 at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe in Phoenix.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC; David Ivers, Artistic Director; Billy Russo, Managing Director) is pleased to welcome back four-time Academy Award-nominee Marsha Mason, who will direct Neil Simon's autobiographical romantic comedy Chapter Two to open ATC's 51st season, Sept. 9-30 at the Temple of Music & Art, 333 S. Scott Ave. in Tucson, Oct. 5-22 at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe in Phoenix.

Even after his supposed "death" at Reichenbach Falls, the great detective kept his hold on the world through the frauds, fakes and charlatans claiming to be him, forcing the loyal Dr. Watson to find the truth in Arizona Theatre Company's world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher's Holmes and Watson.

There are fewer well-known tales of murderous ambition outside of William Shakespeare's "MACBETH." The first of Giuseppe Verdi's three Shakespearean operas, "MACBETH" is in many respects an ideal fusion that combines the genius of Shakespeare with the extravagance and artistic might of the opera.

Milwaukee Repertory Theatre's 2015/16 season comes to a close with August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play FENCES. The production, which is a co-production with Arizona Theatre Company and Indiana Repertory Theatre, is helmed by legendary American theater director Lou Bellamy and features an all-star cast. FENCES plays in the Quadracci Powerhouse from tonight, April 26, through May 22, with Opening Night today, April 29. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!