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SCHOOL OF ROCK CD REVIEW - - THEATRES FEED OTHERS - - HELL'S BELLES - - 2016 GRAMMY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES - - WOLVERINE AND C-3PO COSTUMES - - 2015 PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS - - IRVING AZOFF, TIM LEIWEKE FORM OAK VIEW GROUP - - FRANK SINATRA CELEBRATION BIRTHDAY - - DONATE . . . Scroll Down





Copyright: November 22, 2015
By: Laura Deni
CLICK HERE FOR COMMENT SECTION

CD PROVES THAT SIR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER AND BARON JULIAN FELLOWS HAVE A BROADWAY HIT IN THEIR SITES



Part of the rockin' cast of School of Rock.
School of Rock The Musical original Broadcast cast recording, being released December 4, 2015 by Warner Brothers Records, is a perfect Christmas stocking stuffer.

The first track, When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock, is slammed into the stratosphere by the over-the-top Alex Brightman who, as Dewey, plays a wicked guitar and sings the paint off the walls. It took less than ten seconds of listening to make me anxious to see the production on Broadway. The new musical based upon the film opens December 6 at the Winter Garden Theater.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber co-produced the original Broadway cast album with Rob Cavallo. This is the first time that a Lloyd Webber musical has received its world premiere on Broadway rather than the West End.

The stage musical is also produced by Lloyd Webber, who purchased the stage rights to Richard Linklater's film. The composer who first rocked Broadway with Jesus Christ Superstar has composed 14 new songs to create a score, which also features the original music from the movie by Grammy winner Glenn Slater. School of Rock, with its sensational live kids’ rock band, is a loving testimony to the transforming power of music.

Book by Baron Julian Fellows.

It's far easier to transfer a Broadway musical to the big screen than vice-versa. If anybody can make this a hit it's the men behind this production.

Based on the film of the same name starring Jack Black, School of Rock - The Musical tells the story of failed, wannabe rock star and guitarist Dewey Finn, who is kicked out of his band No Vacancy and subsequently poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school in order to earn a few bucks. After witnessing the musical talent in his students, Dewey decides to create his own curriculum, turning his class into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band of fifth-graders to attempt to win the upcoming Battle of the Bands.

You don't need to have seen the movie to enjoy this CD. Nor do you have to be a rock fanatic. It's upbeat popular rock like Queen. Intense, but the sound is perfectly balanced and you can easily understand every word sung or spoken.

Listening to this CD will motivate you to see the new Broadway musical.

Horace Green Alma Mater is a march tempo ditty which introduces the school.

You're in the Band and Stick it to the Man are show stoppers! It's difficult to believe that each and every performance won't have the audience jumping to their collective feet, wildly applauding.

Stick it to the Man has significant middle finger pointing because Lloyd Webber requested that the kids write down incidents which had bothered them and then he incorporated their real life frustrations into the lyrics.

Based upon the CD, Sierra Boggess as the uptight Principal Rosalie Mullins has also given notice that she is in for her share of standing ovations and award nominations. Her glorious soprano is recognized on Here at Horace Green. Her big second act number is Where Did The Rock Go!

Every selection is not non-stop blood surging. If Only You Would Listen sung by the children is emotionally tugging.

Give Up Your Dreams alternates between soft and gentle to pay-attention, demanding while Queen of the Night has serious operatic qualities.

Woodwind/brasswind instruments can occasionally be heard and a few numbers sound like full blown orchestra arrangements.

Alex Brightman who as Dewey plays a wicked guitar and sings the paint off the walls in School of Rock.
The pre-released CD copy doesn't indicate who is singing which song, nor who is responsible for the excellent recording and mastering. Credit Mick Poeeter with the important stage sound design. Music Supervision by Ethan Popp. No credit given for arrangements or orchestrations.

In addition to Brightman and Boggess, the musical also features theatrical veterans Spencer Moses as Ned as soprano Mamie Parris as Patty and 12-year-old guitar wiz Brandon Niederauer as Zack. If their performances on stage are as good as what is heard on the recording, they'll also find themselves being honored.

Also featured are the talented Evie Dolan as Katie - Carly Gendell as Marcy - Ethan Khusidman as Mason - Bobbi MacKenzie as Tomika - Dante Melucci as Freddy - Luca Padovan as Billy - Jared Parker as Lawrence - Isabella Russo as Summer.

The adult ensemble includes Natalie Charle Ellis, Emily Cramer, Alan H. Green, Michael Hartney, John Hemphill, Merritt David Janes, Lulu Lloyd, Jaygee Macapugay, Cassie Okenka, Patrick O'Neill, Tally Sessions, Jesse Swimm, Jonathan Wagner, and Jeremy Woodard.

The children's ensemble includes Taylor Caldwell, Ava Della Pietra, Jeffrey Samuel Kishinevskiy, Sofia Roma Rubino, Jersey Sullivan, Hayden Wall, Corinne Wilson, and Shahadi Wright-Joseph.

Every single voice on this recording is superb.

These talented kids - rock!

I'd like to fall all over myself complimenting the unbelievably awesome musicians in the band. Having not yet seen the show, it's difficult to determine, just by listening to the CD, how or if the CD is augmented with addition musicians. If so, low bows to them.

Andrew Lloyd Webber received a knighthood in 1992, followed by a peerage from Queen Elizabeth II for services to Music. He's also a Baron, holding a seat in the House of Lords. He was made a Conservative life peer in 1997. He owns a Tony, Emmy and Oscar. All he needs is a Grammy to join the coveted - and short - list of EGOT members. This CD will be the one to beat in their division for the Grammy.

Baron Julian Fellowes is a fellow who has proven he can do everything. He's not only the creator and writer of Downton Abbey, he's also a Conservative member of the House of Lords. His Arms of Julian Fellowes Crest features the motto Post Proelia Praemia (After battle comes reward). He's going to be picking up a lot of those for School of Rock.

This isn't his first stage effort. As a writer, he penned the script to the West End musical Mary Poppins, produced by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, which opened on Broadway in December 2006.

The CD also features 3 bonus tracks: I'm Too Hot For, If Only You Would Listen and In The End of Time rock version.

Bravo! Rock it!

The School of Rock Cast will be heading to the White House this Thanksgiving for a special performance on TLC.

By the way Lloyd Webber has gifted the City of New York’s Fund for Public Schools with $150,000 toward new musical instruments. He has also made scripts and scores available to school productions, so young people everywhere can perform School of Rock.

Buy the CD - go see the Broadway show.










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ART AND ABOUT



WOLVERINE AND C-3PO COSTUMES are part of the American Stories exhibition at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

The Wolverine costume and claws which actor Hugh Jackman wore in the X-Men film series and Anthony Daniels’ C-3PO costume from Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi will be on special display.

American Stories features an engaging mix of artifacts from the museum’s vast collections to tell the stories about the country’s history. Wolverine and C-3PO costumes are on display November 23, 2015 – February 2016.

SWEET CHARITY



FRANK SINATRA CELEBRATION BIRTHDAY the Variety charity says: "Start spreading the news and join us for a night of glamour, magnificent food and splendid entertainment! Come and celebrate Frank Sinatra' 100th birthday."

The Definitive Rat Pack Show, complete with 9 piece band and dancers, directly from London’s West End, will be performing for you. Delve into the party season with style in Sinatra’s spiritual home in London.

The swellegant black tie event takes place Monday, November 30, 2015 in London.

Proceeds benefit Variety, the Children's Charity.

AN AFTERNOON WITH JANET RUSSELL,PSYCHIC/MEDIUM/SPIRITUAL ADVISOR TO THE STARS is a joint benefit for D.E. A. F. and Mirage Theatre Company, taking place Sunday, December 6 at Actors Company Theater, New York City. Proceeds will benefit both organizations.

Mirage Theatre Company produces and tours an international repertoire of premieres and revivals to celebrate cultural differences, affect social change, and uplift the spirit.

Deaf Extraordinary Artists Foundation provides community engagement opportunities to support open captioned movie theater accessibility and art venue development.

Janet Russell is considered one of the world’s top ten spiritual mediums. She has been featured on TV and radio shows and was Spiritual Consultant on a new movie, A Cry From Within featuring Eric Roberts.





HOLIDAY OFFERINGS INSPIRE THEATERS TO THINK OF OTHERS

No matter whether they are large or small, most theatres are thankful they have survived another year - grateful for financial donors and paying patrons. Typically staying in business by a shoestring, never-the-less those who provide the boards actors trod upon are always on the front lines to help others.

A small sampling:

For the seventh year Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC had partnered with a local non-profit during its run of A Christmas Carol. Over the course of the past six seasons of A Christmas Carol, the acting company has collected more than $461,500 for charities including Covenant House Washington, Martha’s Table, Miriam’s Kitchen, So Others Might Eat (SOME), Bread for the City and Thrive DC. Funds directly help these organizations sustain the thousands within the D.C. area who struggle with homelessness and hunger.

This year the company of the 2015 production of A Christmas Carol is supporting N Street Village, the largest provider of supportive services and housing for homeless and low-income women in D.C., by creating a donation drive inspired by the themes of charity in Dickens’s holiday classic.

During the curtain calls for performances of A Christmas Carol, the company will collect monetary donations on behalf of N Street Village. “My confidence in humanity is restored each holiday season as our patrons and the company of A Christmas Carol truly carry out Dickens’s message of generosity and make the choice to support our vulnerable neighbors,” said Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. “Every donation ensures that N Street Village can further carry out its mission of meaningful work in our community. This year’s donation drive is especially meaningful in that we hope to bring our seven-year total past the $500,000 mark.”

A Christmas Carol plays at Ford’s Theatre through December 31, 2015.

Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha Symphony, Omaha Community Playhouse, Opera Omaha and Joslyn Art Museum are "proud to partner with ConAgra Foods again this holiday season for ConAgra Foods’ Shine the Light on Hunger program."

This collaborative event features a food drive at four venues: The Orpheum Theater, Holland Performing Arts Center, Omaha Community Playhouse and Joslyn Art Museum. Patrons are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable items to each venue when attending any performance through December 31, 2015. All donations collected will support the Food Bank for the Heartland. Last year, the performing arts organizations collected approximately 5,500 pounds of food, which resulted in 4,600 meals.

“Hunger is an issue that affects millions of Americans across the country, and that includes right here in Douglas County where more than 27,620 or 20.3% of children are at risk of hunger,” said Kori Reed, Vice President Foundation and Cause at ConAgra Foods. “As part of our Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, during Omaha’s Holiday Lights Festival, we are proud to collaborate with our community arts organizations to raise more food and funds for the Food Bank for the Heartland, ultimately making a difference in the fight against hunger.”

In addition to the collection of canned food and other non-perishable items, informational exhibits promoting awareness about child hunger and nutrition are on exhibit at the Omaha Community Playhouse and at both of Omaha Performing Arts’ venues, the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center.

Omaha Community Playhouse A Christmas Carol is staged on the Hawks Mainstage Theatre through December 23, while Yesterday and Today has performances through December 31, 2015 in the Howard Drew Theatre at the Omaha Community.

Being stage the next couple of weeks: Joslyn Art Museum offers Holiday Under Glass Wednesdays and Fridays, December 2-18, 2015 at Joslyn Art Museum’s ConAgra Foods Atrium. Omaha Performing Arts Presents Cyrus Chestnut Trio – A Jazzy Christmas and Celtic Tenors Christmas both on December 2, 2015 at the Holland Center. At the same venue Michael McDonald - This Christmas, An Evening of Holidays & Hits takes place December 4, 2015.

The East Lynne Theatre Company, an Equity company located in Cape May, New Jersey has a long track record of supporting the Food Closet, in a variety of ways, from collecting non perishable items with current or future expiration dates to donating a portion of certain performance ticket sales.

The Center for Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana where Michael Feinstein serves as Artistic Director, is accepting donations to benefit the Carmel United Methodist Church Food Pantry Holiday Food Drive at all performances until December 4, 2015.

They request patrons "help support the community by bringing dry or canned goods to any performance or drop off your donations at the Box Office."

The CUMC Food Pantry provides food to residents of Hamilton County, serving an average of 300 families each month.

SPREADING THE WORD



CELEBRATE! SERIES at the Kennedy Museum and Library in Boston highlights America's rich cultural diversity through the performing arts.

Join the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers as they share stories of both their history and modern culture in a performance that culminates with a full audience powwow in honor of Native American Heritage Month. Friday morning, November 27, 2015 at the Kennedy Library, Boston.

MIKE McLEISH star of Keating the Musical and seasoned cabaret performer has been named the new Artistic Director of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival.

Outgoing AD David Read, who founded the festival with Neville Sice six years ago, has overseen a quadrupling of the festival’s size. He will stay on as a director of the not-for-profit Melbourne Cabaret Limited.

McLeish will helm the 2016 and 2017 festivals.

KELSEY GRAMMER the Emmy-winning and Tony- nominated star, will return to Finding Neverland reprising the roles of Charles Frohman and Captain Hook. Seven weeks only beginning January 19, 2016.

Finding Neverland plays at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York City.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY



IRVING AZOFF, TIM LEIWEKE AND MAPLE LEAF SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT have teamed up to form Oak View Group (OVG), a global advisory, development and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industry, aimed increase concert venue revenue through an invitation only platform aimed towards major-market arenas and stadiums that are not affiliated with a venue management company.

Leiweke, OVG's Founder, will serve as the company's CEO and Irving Azoff will bring his extensive network of relationships and experience to the business as a board member.

Azoff is a music industry entrepreneur who manages the careers of Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera and the Eagles and is a former executive chairman of Live Nation. Leiweke is the former boss of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).

Oak View Group, an investment and corporate holding company, based in Los Angeles, is not to be confused with Oakview Group an early-stage investment and advisory firm managed by Henry Parry-Okeden, based in Boulder Colorado.

Oak View Group is already working with the Newark, NJ, Prudential Center, Philips Arena in Atlanta, Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York, the Forum in Los Angeles, and Tampa Bay’s Amalie Arena. Also represented in the venture are David Beckham’s Major League Soccer (MLS) bid in Miami, and TownSquare Media.

In addition to the Arena/Stadium Alliance, OVG is also developing three additional areas of the company, a sponsorship/partnership division, a consulting division and a venture fund division.

OVG has named Dan Griffis as its Executive Vice President to not only work across the entire business but also to serve as the President of the sponsorship and partnership company which will operate under the name, Narrative.

The consulting division will offer a suite of services focused on advising sports teams, venue owners and entertainment and media properties on new stadium builds and renovations, naming rights and sales and revenue generation. The venture fund division will help seed existing and emerging assets in the sports, music and live entertainment. The initial focus will be on pairing OVG's equity investments in facilities, content and its revenue streams and ticketing as a secondary ad social media application.

In addition to Griffis, OVG has also hired three other strong industry executives. Francesca Bodie comes to OVG with an impressive record of work with a range of professional sports teams and global live event companies. Most recently, Bodie led a private wealth group looking to acquire an NFL team and stadium; Jason Gonella, a seasoned sales executive who comes to OVG directly from Van Wagner, has over 20 years of sales experience in premium seats and suites with the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Braves, NY Jets, AEG and Prudential Center. Jason has been directly responsible for close to $1B in suite and premium seats sales over his career; and Andrew Feinberg, who comes to OVG from Premier Partnerships where he was instrumental in selling sponsorships and naming rights deals across all 5 major sports leagues.



2015 WINNERS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM
the USA’s highest civilian honor, presented to people "who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," will be presented on November 24 by President Barack Obama at the White House.

Those who will receive the prestigious honor are:

Yogi Berra (posthumous) spent over 40 years as a professional baseball catcher, manager, and coach.

Bonnie Carroll is a life-long public servant who has devoted her life to caring for our military and veterans.

Shirley Chisholm (posthumous) made history in 1968 by becoming the first African-American woman elected to Congress, beginning the first of seven terms in the House of Representatives.

Emilio Estefan is a passionate and visionary music producer, entrepreneur, author, and songwriter who has won nineteen Grammy Awards and influenced a generation of artists.

Gloria Estefan is a singer, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur who introduced Latin music to a global audience.

Billy Frank, Jr. (posthumous) was a tireless advocate for Indian treaty rights and environmental stewardship, whose activism paved the way for the “Boldt decision,” which reaffirmed tribal co-management of salmon resources in the state of Washington.

Lee Hamilton has been one of the most influential voices on international relations and American national security over the course of his more than 40 year career.

Katherine G. Johnson is a pioneer in American space history. A NASA mathematician, Johnson's computations have influenced every major space program from Mercury through the Shuttle program.

Willie Mays was a professional baseball player, spending most of his 22 seasons as a center fielder for the New York and San Francisco Giants. Mays ended his career with 660 home runs, making him the fifth all-time record-holder.

Barbara Mikulski is a lifelong public servant, who has held elected office since 1971. She became the longest serving female Senator in 2011, the longest serving woman in Congress in 2012, and the first female Senator to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2012.

Itzhak Perlman is a treasured conductor and sought-after teacher. Among his many achievements are four Emmy Awards, 16 Grammy Awards, and the 2008 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was awarded a National Medal of Arts in 2000 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2003.

William D. Ruckelshaus is a dedicated public servant who has worked tirelessly to protect public health and combat global challenges like climate change.

Stephen Sondheim is one of the country’s most influential theater composers and lyricists. His work has helped define American theater

Steven Spielberg is an American film director, producer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.

Barbra Streisand is one of our Nation’s most gifted talents. Her body of work includes extraordinary singing, acting, directing, producing, songwriting, and she is one of the few performers to receive an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony.

James Taylor as a recording and touring artist, James Taylor has touched people with his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar-playing for more than 40 years, while setting a precedent to which countless young musicians have aspired.

Minoru Yasui (posthumous) was a civil and human rights leader known for his continuous defense of the ideals of democracy embodied in our Constitution.

Obama released a statement saying, "I look forward to presenting these 17 distinguished Americans with our nation’s highest civilian honor. From public servants who helped us meet defining challenges of our time to artists who expanded our imaginations, from leaders who have made our union more perfect to athletes who have inspired millions of fans, these men and women have enriched our lives and helped define our shared experience as Americans."

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established in 1963 and replaced the earlier Medal of Freedom that was established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service during World War II.

THE RECORDING ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 2016 GRAMMY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Newly minted members of the Grammy Hall of Fame are 26 recordings.

This latest round of inducted recordings continues to highlight diversity and recording excellence, and acknowledges both singles and album recordings of all genres at least 25 years old that exhibit qualitative or historical significance.

Recordings are reviewed annually by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees.

With 26 new titles, the list, now in its 43rd year, currently totals 1,013 recordings.

Representing a great variety of tracks and albums, the 2016 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees range from the Andrews Sisters' Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree (With Anyone Else But Me) to the Grateful Dead's American Beauty album. Also added to the highly regarded list are Blondie's Heart Of Glass, Joe Cocker's You Are So Beautiful, John Coltrane's 1961 album Lush Life, Roberta Flack's 1969 album First Take, Fleetwood Mac's self-titled 1975 album, and the O'Jays' For The Love Of Money.

Other inductees include recordings by Jimmy Buffett, Fats Domino, Bob Dylan And The Band, John Lee Hooker, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, the Pretenders, Kool & The Gang, Little Eva, Ella Fitzgerald And Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis Quintet, Randy Newman, Sir Douglas Quintet, Lead Belly, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, James Brown And The Famous Flames, and the Zombies.

Eligible recipients receive an official certificate from The Recording Academy.

THE SIXTH ANNUAL CLIVE BARNES AWARDS NOMINEES have been announced.

They are:

The 2015 Clive Barnes Award Nominees: Dance
Catherine Hurlin of American Ballet Theatre
Joseph Gordon of New York City Ballet
Jacqueline Green of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Gabe Stone Shayer of American Ballet Theatre.

Theatre
Jack DiFalco for his performance in Mercury Fur
Sandra Mae Frank and Katie Boeck for their performance in Spring Awakening
Austin McKenzie for his performance in Spring Awakening
Dave Thomas Brown for his performance in The Legend of Georgia McBride.

One recipient from each category will be chosen and the winners announced on Monday, January 11, 2015at The Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Center. All finalists will receive a cash prize, with the winners in each category receiving an award of $5,000.

This year's Theatre Award will be presented by 2015 Tony-Award-winner Annaleigh Ashford. Blakeley White-McGuire, Principal Dancer with Martha Graham Dance Company will present the Dance Award. The New York Post's Michael Riedel, will oversee the Awards as Master of Ceremonies. In addition, 2014 Clive Barnes Award winners, New York City Ballet soloist Russell Janzen and Tony-Award winner Alex Sharp will be speaking at the event.

The Clive Barnes Foundation was formed in 2009 to create Annual Awards giving recognition, encouragement, and financial support to two talented young professionals and, thus, honoring the memory of the many years of critical work and the warm personal generosity of Clive Barnes.

The Foundation gives an Annual Award to two talented young professionals in the artistic fields of dance and theatre. The finalists are nominated by the Selection Committee, which is comprised of a panel of critics and performers in each field.

The Selection Committee for the Clive Barnes Award includes William H. Ausman, Siobhan Burns, Diana Byer, Frank DiLella, George Dorris, Barbara Hoffman, Arthur Mitchell, Patrick Pacheco, James Sutton, Valerie Taylor-Barnes, and Craig Wright.

The Clive Barnes Foundation Board of Directors includes Valerie Taylor-Barnes (Preisdent), William H. Ausman (Vice President), Brenda Anderson, Charles Askegard, Anthony Ferro, Paloma Herrera, Michelle Mathesius, Arthur Mitchell, Michael Riedel, Spring Sirkin, and Craig Wright.



HELL'S BELLES
book and lyrics by Bryan D. Leys, music by Steve Liebman.

Direction by John Znidarsic. Music direction by Mary Feinsinger. Musical staging by Eugenio Contenti.

3 Women. 20 Roles. One Smooth-Talking Devil. A Helluva Good Time. See the world’s most infamous women carry a tune. Or an axe. Or a grudge. Featuring four talented performers playing over twenty roles, Hell's Belles is billed as "a fast-paced, razor-sharp new musical set in the underworld's longest-running club."

The production has been extended through December 14, 2015.

The cast includes Michael Kirk Lane, Liz Shivener, Laura Daniel, Rachel Erin O'Malley, Ali Gordon, and Charles Osborne.

Creative team includes: Josh Iacovelli (Set and Lighting Design), Dustin Cross (Costume Design), Heather Arnson (Production Stage Manager), Michael Cassara (Casting Director), Dean A. Carpenter and Erica Whelan (General Management).

Performances at the Elektra Theatre at The Times Square Arts Center, New York City.

ANNE & GILBERT: THE MUSICAL based on L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island. Music by Bob Johnston and Nancy White. Lyrics by Nancy White, Bob Johnston, and Jeff Hochhauser. Book by Jeff Hochhauser.

Directed by Martha Irving. Choreography by Brittany Banks.

Starring Ellen Denny as Anne Shirley and Alex Furber as Gilbert Blythe.

A grown-up Anne of Green Gables is in love. On idyllic Prince Edward Island, Anne Shirley is now an ambitious young woman about to begin her first teaching job. Romantic complications abound when childhood sweetheart Gilbert Blythe proposes marriage - but he's not her only suitor. Can Anne find true happiness? East Coast Music Award-winning songs and classic, well-loved characters make this sophisticated made-in-Canada musical perfect for our national stage this holiday season.

Opens December 1, 2015 at the NAC English Theatre in Ottawa, Canada.

NIGHT IS A ROOM written by Residency One playwright Naomi Wallace.

Directed by Bill Rauch.

The cast includes Dagmara Dominczyk, Ann Dowd, and Bill Heck.

Liana (Dagmara Dominczyk) and Marcus (Bill Heck) have a marriage others envy. Doré (Ann Dowd) has grown accustomed to an isolated existence in her modest flat. After a surprise reunion on Marcus’s 40th birthday, their worlds are shattered by an unexpected turn of events. Night is a Room is "a searing exploration of love’s power to both ruin and remake our lives."

The design team includes Rachel Hauck (Scenic Design), Clint Ramos (Costume Design), Jen Schriever (Lighting Design), Leah Gelpe (Sound Design) and Charlotte Fleck (Dialect Coach). Cole P. Bonenberger is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Telsey + Company, Karyn Casl, CSA.

Presented by Signature Theatre, the production officially opens tonight, November 22, at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City.

ROSE: THE KENNEDY STORY inspired by audio recordings Rose Kennedy made; written by best-selling author Laurence Leamer.

Directed by Caroline Reddick Lawson.

This intimate, one-character drama stars Tony Award nominee Kathleen Chalfant as Rose Kennedy.

Set in 1969, the week after Teddy's fateful accident at Chappaquiddick, Rose struggles with all the tragedies the Kennedys have overcome and finds new understanding of the choices she made as well as those made by her husband and children.

Performances through December 13, 2015 at Nora's Playhouse: Clurman Theatre @ Theatre Row, New York City.

Nora's Playhouse provides an environment for women's stories to be told through the collaboration of women theatre artists.

KINKY BOOTS welcomes Emmy Award-winning actor Wayne Brady as the glamorous drag performer Lola in the Tony-winning Broadway musical playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in New York City.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL that traditional favorite by Charles Dickens; adapted by Michael Wilson.

Directed by Michael Baron.

Starring Edward Gero as Scrooge.

Featuring in alphabetical order: Belle - Carolyn Agan; Bob Cratchit - Michael Bunce; Doll Vendor/Ghost of Christmas Past/Ghost of Christmas Future - Felicia Curry; Solicitor #1 - William Diggle; Mrs. Fred - Erin Driscoll; Mrs. Fred’s Sister/Beggar Woman - Lauren Du Pree; Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig/Mother at Doll Stand - Maria Egler; Martha Cratchit - Ella Gatlin; Mr. Fezziwig - Rick Hammerly; Jacob Marley/Old Joe - James Konicek; Fred/Young Scrooge - Gregory Maheu; Solicitor #2/Undertaker - Kevin McAllister; Mrs. Cratchit - Amy McWilliams; Topper/Young Marley - Hudson Odom; Clock Vendor - Stephen F. Schmidt; and Fruit Vendor/Ghost Of Christmas Present - Anne Stone.

The young cast includes: Jovani Morales-Shackelford, Harrison Wright, Katelynn Diuguid, Noelle Robinson, Nicholas McCatty, Cole Sitilides, Eli Schulman, Franco Cabanas, Charlize Lefler, Lottie Doughty, Catalina Laje, and Camden Lippert.

Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens’s Yuletide classic.

Associate Directors - Craig A. Horness and Patrick Pearson; Scenic Design - Lee Savage; Costume Design - Alejo Vietti; Lighting Design - Rui Rita; Original Music and Sound Design - Josh Schmidt; Choreography - Shea Sullivan; Wig Design - Charles G. LaPointe; Choral Direction - Jay Crowder; Dialects/Vocal Director - Leigh Wilson Smiley; Production Stage Managers - Craig A. Horness and Martita Lee Slayden; Assistant Stage Manager - Taryn Friend.

November 19-December 31, 2015 at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC.

C. S. LEWIS' THE GREAT DIVORCE based on the novel by C.S. Lewis and adapted for the stage by FPA Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean and Brian Watkins.

Directed by Lortel Award Nominee Bill Castellino.

Based on Lewis’ classic theological fantasy about Heaven and Hell, C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce takes audiences to the outskirts of Heaven where the decision to stay or return to the familiar “Grey Town” below proves to be harder than imagined.

The cast will feature Christa Scott Reed, Joel Rainwater, and Michael Frederic.

Scenic design by Kelly James Tighe, lighting design by Michael Gilliam, costume design by Nicole Wee, original music and sound design by John Gromada, and projection design by Jeffrey Cady.

Making its New York debut, C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce officially opens on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the The Pearl Theatre in New York City for a run through Sunday, January 3, 2016.

WHO'S WHERE





NSO POPS: HOME ALONE: 25th ANNIVERSARY FILM WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this feel-good holiday film on the big screen with John Williams's score played live. November 27-28 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

THE TEN TENORS perform their Home for the Holidays Show on Sunday, November 28, at Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.

JOSH GROBAN performs Saturday, November 28, at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, UK. Next Sunday, November 29, he stars at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, UK.

MADONNA opens a two nighters on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at the Palau Sanr Jordi in Barcelona, Spain. On Saturday she takes control of the stage at Antwerps Sportspaleis in Merksem, Belgium. Next Sunday, November 29, 2015 she stars at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany.

JENNIFER NETTLES performs Saturday, November 28 at thr Seeca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, NY.

THE TENORS entertain Tuesday, November 24, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, CA. On Friday they begin a two night stand at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

FINAL OVATION



KEITH MICHELL Australian-born British actor and director who created the lead role in Irma La Douce in London and on Broadway, and become artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre in 1974 died November 20, 2015. He was 89.

Michell was also known for his portrayal of King Henry VIII in various plays and films.

In addition to Irma La Douce on Broadway he replaced Richard Kiley as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, and replaced Gene Barry as Georges in the original production of La Cage aux Folles.

Considered an accomplished painter, before immigrating from Australia to London he had taught art. While teaching art, he made his first stage appearance, in Bill Daily’s comedy Lover’s Leap at the Playbox theatre in Adelaide in 1947. After doing work for the ABC radio network in that city, in 1949 he left for Britain and the Old Vic Theatre School. From 1950-51 he was a member of the Young Vic Theatre Company.

In 1956 he married the actress Jeanette Sterke. She survives him, along with their daughter, Helena, son, Paul, and grandchildren, Millie, Matilde and Joe Luca.
















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