Led Astray 00/00/0000 - Articles Page 3

THE EXPLORERS CLUB: The place to discover eternal lettuce, the East pole and belly laughs.

Gary Naylor looks back on over 100 reviews to pick plenty of Christmas crackers and a few Christmas turkeys after another wonderful year in London Theatre.

NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ She is funny, stupendously so, as we have come to learn through each of her books in which humor is never left behind, even if it involves a romantic epic filled with poetic eroticism, evident in her critically acclaimed novel LOVE. Her humor doesn't come unnoticed during the intriguing dialogue of three scientists in Surviving Pan, solving the mysteries of history and mythologies, either. With a keen eye for the smallest details, Kasper shared her canny observations about men's features and what they reveal about men's personalities in her insightful and thigh-slapping humorous dating guide for women, Sensing Mr. Right Guy. In her latest endeavor, The Freedom to Think, we get to know the real Leagan Kasper, previously hiding behind the fictional characters of her books.

Tony Manero--of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group's (ATEG) 2015 Asian touring production of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (SNF), which is based on John Badham's '70s landmark film of the same name--would have succumbed to the evil oblivion of his own fever had it not been for one simple--yet pivotal--plot deviation. The inevitable loss that awaited him is not alien but one all too familiar to all those coming of age--and it is through recognizing this evil that he realizes, it is better not to struggle against it but to just flow with it.

Gary Naylor sees a supercharged political black comedy, 50 years old, but as fresh as if it were written on 6 May 2015 delivered by a cast well up to its considerable demands.

Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, the country's premier socially-conscious, eco-friendly arts festival, is proud to announce its seventh season of plays, musicals & staged readings, with all shows taking place at The Paradise Factory, 64 East 4th St, between 2nd Avenue & Bowery.

This summer twelve actors and musicians will transform The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, Britain's finest ornamental garden into a world of warring ethereal kings, queens and star-crossed lovers, for an immersive theatre version of Shakespeare's much loved comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, running from 24 June - 19 July 2015.

To open its 60th anniversary season, Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Mozart's Don Giovanni, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis in a brand-new production by renowned director Robert Falls, artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre. It opens on Saturday, September 27 with 10 performances through Wednesday, October 29. Performance dates are Sept. 27, 30, Oct. 11, 14, 17, and 29 at 7:30pm; Oct. 2, 5, 8, and 24 at 2pm.

With only three more performances of this operatic masterwork, it is essential to waste no time in booking tickets. This is not to be missed.

The production is visually stunning, blending live actors, puppets and keenly choreographed movement that breathe life into everyday inanimate objects. The puppetry involves a huge range of ground-breaking techniques and variety of creations - from the smallest mechanical creatures to the huge god-like masks and limbs that represent Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the Fairies.

Below, get a sneak peek at the next episode of ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME titled 'The Jolly Roger' - It's a pirate life for Hook, but so many women and so little time could spell the end for this swashbuckler!

On the next episode of ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME titled "Quiet Minds", never make a powerful woman mad, because payback can be a real witch.

On the next episode of ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME titled "The Tower", enter a tangled web of mystery as Rumpelstiltskin returns. And Rapunzel, Rapunzel, lets down her hair.

On the next episode of ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME titled "Witch Hunt", something wicked has come to Storybrooke. And next Sunday, she's taking the town by storm!

ABC invites new and devoted “Once Upon a Time” viewers to take another look at this popular fantasy series in the new special, “Once Upon a Time: Wicked is Coming,”

ABC invites new and devoted “Once Upon a Time” viewers to take another look at this popular fantasy series in the new special, “Once Upon a Time: Wicked is Coming,”

ABC invites new and devoted “Once Upon a Time” viewers to take another look at this popular fantasy series in the new special, “Once Upon a Time: Wicked is Coming,” which will explore the show in a way that will bring new viewers up to date -- but which current viewers will also find illuminating – in anticipation of the exciting midseason return.

Gary Naylor sees a salute to lost innocence, one hundred years on.

Grace is Born is a spiritual gift book written by Lisa R. Cohen that seeks to inspire readers belonging to different faiths, age groups and demographics. Beautifully rendered with visually appealing illustrations, the book is currently part of a crowdfunding campaign to reach a wider audience. The Kickstarter link for Grace is Born can be viewed here: crowdfunding campaign.

Earlier today, President Barack Obama presented the National Medal of Arts in conjunction with the National Humanities Medals. The medals were presented by the President during an East Room ceremony at the White House. The National Medal of Arts is a White House initiative managed by the National Endowment for the Arts. Each year, the NEA organizes and oversees the National Medal of Arts nomination process and notifies the artists of their selection to receive a medal, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.

The Oslo-based six-piece indie pop collective Kid Astray have released their irresistible debut single entitled 'The Mess'.

The Oslo-based six-piece indie pop collective Kid Astray have released their irresistible debut single entitled 'The Mess'.

When children grow up without the support of a loving family, the lack of proper parental guidance during their youth can put them in danger of being led astray later in life. In "Keisha Who Do You Trust: Our Life Stories," author Lydia Williams tells a riveting story of six adopted children struggling against exploitation, and how one girl takes on the challenge of being a teenage mother.

Presentations of Page 73 Productions' developmental workshop of A THICK DESCRIPTION OF HARRY SMITH (Volume I) by Chicago-based playwright Carlos Murillo (DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS) and directed by Kip Fagan (Page 73's JACK'S PRECIOUS MOMENT) will begin Thursday, June 28 at 2pm and continue Friday, June 29 at 2pm; Sunday, July 1 at 7pm and Monday, July 2 at 3pm (please note the altered performance time for the July 2nd performance) at Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at page73.org/harrysmith.

AMERICAN IDIOT is an absolute blast, a musical filled with energy and exuberance, both evidenced in the music and in the performances. There will surely come a time when it's considered a period piece, since it does take place in the recent past, focusing on the last Bush presidency and the wars on terror at home and abroad that consumed it. But it's still timely at this point, because people are still fighting overseas, and a lot of the same social and political issues remain unresolved. It's essentially Green Day lead singer/guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong's vision filtered through director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), who cut a lot of the book they wrote together to make this more of sung-through musical experience. This focuses our attention on Armstrong's lyrics, and they're strong and pointed enough to make this approach work like a charm. And, like Spring Awakening, the band is on stage and the lighting is positively eye-popping.