Santa Maria 00/00/0000 - Articles Page 2

LA-based outsider artist Joe Santa Maria explores the combination of woodwinds and electronics on his latest album 'ECHO DEEP.' Joe Santa Maria, a fiery alto saxophonist with a strong command of post-bop vernacular, took a detour from earlier acoustic jazz releases The Illustrated Man (2012) and Introspection (2014) when he made Creature (2016).

Brookfield Theatre concludes its 3x3 One-Man Show Festival with the award-winning Misterman by Enda Walsh. See photos from the production.

Citadel Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team For Holiday Musical Production of SHE LOVES ME, a romantic comedy set during the holiday rush season of a perfumery.

There's a Latin American twist to a traditional tale at the Theatre Chipping Norton this Christmas. The cast has been announced for Theatre Chipping Norton's family pantomime, Cinderella. 

Fairfield Center Stage brings the Tony award-winning musical 'Fun Home' to Trevi Lounge from September 8-17, 2023. Don't miss this immersive production adapted from Alison Bechdel's groundbreaking graphic novel. Get your tickets now!

On Sunday, July 30th, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another first-rate production put on by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT, INTO THE WOODS!  This is the first time I have ever seen this show performed live, and it has given me a whole new appreciation for this James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim masterpiece!   The brilliant direction of Ian Galligan combines with the musical direction of Nick Ciasullo and choreography of Todd Santa Maria to bring out the best in this stellar cast, and in this musical itself!  It is as if the musical was written to be performed by this cast! 

From time-to-time life puts us in a position where we need a reason to drink, and the multi-genre and multi-platinum hitmaker, Uncle Kracker, has a few you can lean on. The forthcoming “Reason To Drink,” penned by Matthew Shafer (Uncle Kracker), Blair Daly and Troy Verges, is a thirst quencher out just in time for the heat of summer. 

The Castle Craig Players will conclude their 30th Anniversary Season with the beloved fairy tale musical Into the Woods. Winner of five Tony Awards, this modern classic by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine runs July 28 through August 13 at the group's intimate Meriden venue!

“Gin & Roses” was recorded at Modern Electric Sound Recorders in Dallas, Texas, capturing the band's explosive energy and translating it into a sonically immersive experience. The song was produced by Jeff Saenz, recognized for his work with acclaimed artists such as Leon Bridges, Reverend Horton Heat, and Nikki Lane.

This July, following two weeks of intensive training in New York, NYO2—one of Carnegie Hall's three national youth ensembles made up of extraordinary teen instrumentalists from across the United States—will travel to the Dominican Republic for the ensemble's first ever international concerts and residency.

Fairfield Center Stage is holding open SEASON GENERAL AUDITIONS* for their upcoming 2023/2024 season on Sunday June 25th from 4-7pm and Wednesday June 28th from 5:30-9pm at First Church Congregational of Fairfield.

Fairfield Center Stage, a community theater group, will produce the Tenth annual 'Playathon', a presentation of new 10-minute plays to be written, cast, rehearsed and performed in the course of a 26-hour timespan.

In the ten-episode competition series BBQ Brawl, superstar chefs Bobby Flay, Anne Burrell and series newcomer Sunny Anderson coach twelve of the best pitmasters from across the country in high-stakes challenges to determine who will be named “Master of ‘Cue.”

Photoville, the Brooklyn-based nonprofit that brings breathtaking photography within reach of New Yorkers in all boroughs—free of charge—will present Photoville NYC 2023 (June 3 - 18).

Waiting In The Wings: The Musical was an multi-award winning film that played in festivals throughout the world, including in Africa, Canada, Australia, and Germany.  The film included many film icons, including Shirley Jones, Lee Meriwether, Sally Struthers, and Christopher Atkins.  

What did our critic think of BEATRICE RANA, PIANO at Schubert Club?

Closing out the 140th season of the International Artist Series will be the astounding young Italian pianist Beatrice Rana. Originally announced as part of the 2020-2021 season, Ms. Rana's recital was one of many performances we were thankfully able to present online when concert halls remained shuttered due to the pandemic. Audiences who tuned in from around the world were treated to a lovely and intimate program by Ms. Rana and her sister, cellist Ludovica Rana, at the Abbazia di Santa Maria a Cerrate in Italy.

Alternative rockers The Dirty Shirts have returned with the release of their explosive new single “HEART ATTACK.” The track was produced by Jeff Saenz (Leon Bridges, Reverend Horton Heat, Nikki Lane), engineered by Joel Raif, and recorded at Modern Electric Sound Recorders in Dallas, Texas.

On Saturday, March 4, 2023, I had the pleasure of seeing DOUBT, yet another first-rate performance by the Castle Craig Players at the Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse in Meriden, CT.  I had previously seen the movie in 2009, but I must say that this play, which originally pre-dates the movie, is far better, especially with this cast!  The play is written by John Patrick Shanley and brilliantly directed by Oliver Kochol who brings out the best in this stellar cast whose stage chemistry with each other is so strong that every interaction feels real!

The Castle Craig Players continue their 30th Anniversary Season with a riveting psychological drama that explores the fine line between truth and ambiguity: DOUBT: A PARABLE by John Patrick Shanley. One of the most acclaimed plays in American theater history, the production runs March 3-19 at the group's intimate Meriden venue.

Dercy Goncalves passed away without a play honoring her ever having been performed on Brazilian stages. Yet! The monologue Nasci pra ser Dercy, with Grace Gianoukas, seeks to unite the popular appeal and the actress's charisma with a deep research that shows the importance of the actress for the Brazilian theater and for the female freedom.

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards, honoring the best in regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

On Saturday, December 10, at 8:00 PM, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my absolute favorite annual shows, A CHRISTMAS CAROL EXPERIENCE, as put on by Fairfield Center Stage. This annual production is easily the show that I talk up the most frequently during the year, every year. I am also excited that it has returned to the Burr Mansion, where it originally was performed, and where I feel it fits the best! Fairfield Center Stage has successfully repeated the groundbreaking excellence that I experienced for the first time back on December 22 of 2018.  This is a show I have subsequently enjoyed every year since then!