6/17/09 [updated 4:22PM EST]
By Andy Propst on Jun 17, 2009 | In Days Top News
LATE AFTERNOON ADDITIONS
BackStage
Teri Schwartz Named Dean of UCLA School
The University of California Board of Regents has approved the appointment of Teri Schwartz as dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, effective July 1.
Hartford Courant
* Lamos to Direct "Championship Season" at Westport
TheaterMania
* Michael Feinstein, Jersey Boys, Barry Manilow, Jimmy Smits, et al. Set for PBS' A Capitol Fourth
* Reed Birney, Daniel Gerroll, Mercedes Ruehl, J. Smith-Cameron, et al. to Star in Bay Street Theatre's Dinner
* Diana Krall to Play Carnegie Hall
* Next to Normal Ranked #1 on Billboard's Cast Album Chart
* Jim Brochu, Judy Gold, Josh Kornbluth, et al. Set for Theater J's 2009-2010 Season
* Justin Bond to Hold Pink Slip CD Release Party at Highline Ballroom
Playbill
* The Flea Theater Welcomes Dembrow as GM and Baran in Development
* Long Wharf Receives Edgerton Award; No Child... Set for 2009-2010 Season
* Litzsinger, Hanlon, Berman, Rutberg Set for Revised How Now, Dow Jones at FringeNYC
DC Theatre Scene
The women of Philadelphia’s Grey Gardens: Lisa Peterson, Joy Franz and Hollis Resnik
I’m off for a theatre weekend in the “City of Brotherly Love” with DCTS’ editor Lorraine Treanor to see three classic musicals: Grey Gardens, Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits and The Producers at Walnut Street Theatre, and a new one - Avenue X, an a capella musical at the 11th Hour Theatre Company. To begin our [...]
Boston Globe
Final curtain falls on North Shore
North Shore Music Theatre, which during its heyday was the largest nonprofit theater in the region, announced yesterday that it failed to raise enough money to reopen this summer and will close for good.
All in Vane
The Beau Jest Moving Theater is celebrating 25 years by doing what it does best - performing. For three nights, current and former cast members will rotate roles for staged readings of Sutton Vane’s “Outward Bound.’’ Seven passengers meet in the lounge of an ocean liner and are served by a mysterious steward. They try to figure out where they’re ...
Palm Beach ArtsPaper
Theater feature: Lake Worth's Tomé brings 'Babylon' home, then Off-Broadway
Actor-writer Gregg Tomé is nothing if not persistent. For over a decade he has been writing, revising and performing his one-man show, Back to Babylon, his memory play of growing up in the Long Island town that draws tongue-in-cheek parallels to the Biblical city of the same name.
Essential Theatre
Ice Glen and Poetry Reading, July 25th 7pm.
The Essential Theatre is pleased to announce that the Georgia Poetry Society will be holding a poetry reading July 25th at 7 pm prior to the 8pm performance of Ice Glen by Joan Ackermann. Your ticket for Ice Glen will serve as admission to both events.
Los Angeles Times Culture Monster Blog
Nike enlarges its footprint on Ricardo Montalbán Theatre
Ricardo Montalbán was never one to turn up his nose at product endorsements. The Mexico-born Hollywood actor memorably lent his name and face to commercials for Chrysler and Maxwell House. His was the sonorous voice that proclaimed that his favorite brand of coffee was always "good to the last drop."
The Stranger
Artsy Schmartsy
A press release from The Skylight
I was just forwarded this press release regarding Skylight doings. All is clear now, right? (Ironically stated, of course):
Some more from someone kind of excited about change at Skylight
I hope we all come to feel the same way Heidi Mains does. This was a message I got from Heidi via Facebook:
Interchanging Idioms
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Performs The Magical Music of Disney
Big screen images accompany musical selections from Disney classics
The Playgoer
In the Company of Neil LaBute
David Ng at LA Times claims there's more than meets the eye behind MCC's recent cancellation of a new Neil LaBute play next season. Just when many here have been wondering if MCC had any other raison d'etre other than to give Monsieur La B a carte blanche platform for anything he scribbled... it looks like a falling out has ensued over the aftermath of the unsuccessful (and just shuttered) B'way transfer of Reasons to be Pretty.
The Producer's Perspective
Favorite Quotes Vol. XXI: the first of many from Mister Abbott
I just finished reading George Abbot's autobiography, so expect a few Favorite Quotes from him in the coming weeks. Frankly, I could put half of the book up here, the writer/producer/director had so many great things to say. He is the original Mr. Broadway, working on more than 100 Broadway shows. And it's no coincidence that this prolific director tutored another prolific director, Mr. Hal Prince.
The Rob Kozlowski Chicago Theater and Vintage Film Medicine Show
Adventure Stage Chicago's 2009-2010 Season
The children's theatre specialists at Adventure Stage Chicago have announced the company's 2009-2010 season. I confess I don't follow this sort of thing nearly as much as I should. The season consists of two plays, the first an adaptation of Lois Lowry's book Gossamer and the second a musical version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic called The Ghosts of Treasure Island.
The Guardian
Broadway's black Cat could change the West End's prejudices Mark Shenton
We're used to colour-blind casting, but Theatreland's playwrights and directors are predominantly white. A new production of Cat On a Hot Tin Roof might make a difference
MIDDAY ADDITIONS
New York Times ArtsBeat Blog
'Brighton Beach,' 'Broadway Bound' Revivals Find a Home
Will the Nederlander Theater brings better luck to the coming revivals of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Broadway Bound" than it did to "Guys and Dolls?"
Hartford Courant Behind the Curtain Blog
* Helen Mirren in "Phedre" in Fairfield...Kind Of
* Hartford's TheaterWorks Shortens Play Considerations
TheaterMania
* James Barbour, Debbie Gravitte, Marc Kudisch, et al. Set for Summer Broadway Festival
* Seth Rudetsky, Robert Wuhl, et al. Set for Ars Nova
* Ernie Curcio's Sundrops and Unfinished Set to Play at the...
* Keith Kirkwood to Star in Mad Cow's I Am My Own Wife
* Paula West to Sing Lena Horne Songs for Stormy Weather Event
* Sarah Sanford, Geoff Sobelle, James Sugg, et al. Set for Pig Iron's Welcome to Yuba City
Playbill
* First Wives Club Songwriters to Receive Johnny Mercer Award
* Seth's Broadway 101, Featuring Rudetsky, to Play Ars Nova in August
Artsy Schmartsy
The Skylight Letter Writing Campaign
There is an effort going in right now to contact the Board of The Skylight regarding the news that came out of the company yesterday regarding a new management structure, and the elimination of the Artistic Director position (the true steward of the mission of the organization in my opinion). If you would like to write a letter, here's the e-mails to send them to:
A Shattered Skylight
If you have been connected in anyway to social media in the last 12 hours or so, you will have heard the news that the Skylight has fired its current Artistic Director, Bill Thiesen. Less reported ranting is that the current Company Manager, Diana Alioto has also been let go. I don't think I've seen a Facebook mention of the further staff cuts of Jason, a key box office employee, or Ralph, the night janitor, but they've been let go, too.
The Producer's Perspective
The story of one fellow's fellowship.
Hal Prince has been on a crusade to put the Creative Producer back in power for many years.
smArts & Culture
Show an interest!
Today you have a guest post from marketer Tom Vanlerberghe, whom I met on … you guessed it: twitter, where he is @kursaaltom. Tom always has something cool and interesting to say, and here he doesn't disappoint! -- Maryann.
The Stage UK
Hare's exploration of economic crisis to premiere at NT this autumn
David Hare's new play The Power of Yes: A Dramatist Seeks to Understand the Financial Crisis is set to open at the National Theatre's Lyttelton space this autumn.
New York Times
Once a Boyhood Outsider, Now Reflecting on His Tribe
David Adjmi’s play “Stunning” is set in the Syrian-Jewish enclave of Brooklyn where he grew up.
Closet Doors Were Shut Tight, but Some Guys Oiled the Hinges
“The Temperamentals” reflects a very personal history of how gay men first began to express themselves in public.
New York Times ArtsBeat Blog
Ashanti Gets Her Brand New Day in 'The Wiz'
A Q&A with Ashanti, who plays Dorothy in the Encores! revival of "The Wiz."
New York Post
Riedel: Kutcher in the wry
Ashton a B'way demigod?
Cindy Adams: Lena Horne's story of trailblazing glory
Out the 23rd is Atria's "Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne." Her voice was satin. Her theme song, "Stormy Weather." Sepia- toned, gorgeous, stunningly dressed, star of stage, music and film, she broke Hollywood's racial barriers in the '40s and '50s. At...
New York Post Theater Blog
Nothing like six dames
I'm so sorry you couldn't make it! But I did, and I'll tell you all about it!
[part 1 of 3]
Preview: The Wiz
A Broadway classic hits the yellow road again.
Time Out New York Upstaged Blog
Brendan Connelly and Lisa D’Amour want to give you presence
A workshop in theater presence
Edge New York
This week’s dream job :: directing Broadway Bares
Broadway performer Peter Gregus has a very understanding boyfriend. How else can you describe someone who allows Gregus to direct Broadway Bares, the annual fundraising event that takes place this Sunday?
TheaterMania
* Sheryl Lee Ralph to Replace Adriane Lenox in Old Globe's The First Wives Club
* Alan Blumenfeld to Star in The Miser at Will Geer Theatricum
* Colin Hanlon, Carrie Manolakos, Phoebe Strole, et al. Set for Factory Girls
Peter Filichia's Diary: One More Walk around the Gardens
You’ve heard of a “new car smell”? Well, there’s such a thing as a “new theater smell,” too, and even though the Philadelphia Theatre Company opened its Suzanne Roberts Theatre 20 months ago, the handsome 360-seat space still awards its patrons with that marvelous just-opened aroma.
Playbill
* Cromer to Return to Off-Broadway's Our Town June 19
* McDonald and Menzel to Sing "American River Suite" at Macy's 4th of July Event
Broadway.tv
Power Of Two: Cheyenne Jackson and Michael Feinstein
So You Think You Can... BURN THE FLOOR!
The first entry for the new Broadway season could well be the most incendiary, figuratively speaking. The production is called BURN THE FLOOR, and it features Latin and Ballroom dancing front and center at the Longacre Theatre. ...
Variety
'Jersey Boys' team with StubHub
Ticket site to be secondary sales outlet for musical
Lynne, Shaye plot 11 pics
Slate led by McCartney toon, 'Elf' musical
Actor David Marks dies at 49
Won the Helen Hayes award for 'Briar Patch'
BackStage - BlogStage
Double Categories
I received an email last week after posting my list of all the theatre award winners and nominees for the 2008-09 season. The reader correctly pointed out that I omitted Constantine ...
Shoshana's Back...How Lucky Can We Get?
Upright Cabaret, which recently marked its fourth anniversary of presenting stellar entertainment in various Los Angeles night spots, as well as in Palm Springs, made its debut at Hollywood's Ford Amphitheatre on June 11 with a spectacular showcase ...
Ticket News
* Wicked tickets remain the most popular in the Top Event Rankings
New Haven Advocate
Outstanding in Their Field
Arts & Ideas is all around us, but further afield — and what a field it is! — another Connecticut arts organization has been providing provocative performing arts opportunities on grassy expanses for decades. The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
Washington Post
Philadelphia Inquirer
15 theater awards total nearly $1 million
Nearly $1 million in grants has been awarded by the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative, a program of the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, Pew officials announced yesterday
Boston Globe
Cash-strapped Mass. theater going out of business
The struggling North Shore Music Theatre says it has failed to raise $2 million it needed to stay open.
The Hub Review
North Shore officially goes bust, amid new questions
The North Shore Music Theatre has officially closed its doors, according to a statement on its website. The theatre had been struggling for several months to raise up to $2 million to fund a shortened season - but the real zinger, mentioned for the first time today as far as I know, is the ...
Stoneham Theatre responds to North Shore closing
The Stoneham Theatre has announced a "Free First Friday" ticket exchange for North Shore Music Theatre subscribers for the coming season. More information is available here.
St. Petersburg Times
Abba duo's 'Chess' is a play with winning moves
Creative Loafing Culture Surfing Blog
Live blogging the Woodruff, right about now …
Cathy Fox and Pierre Ruhe of artscriticatl.com follow new announcements about the Woodruff Arts Center
Huffington Post
Michael Henry Adams: Meeting the Maysles: Grey Gardens comes to Harlem
New to Earth, or new in town, looking around we are bound to hungrily seek others who look or seem like us. Newcomers and immigrants, bright and driven, are perennially the city's lifeblood. But during the Bloomberg regime serious efforts to attract ever more residents of means have seen measures undertaken to relocate and isolate the poor in outer ghettos, out-of-sight. ... In a way, that's precisely what' happened to 'Little Edie' and 'Big Edie,' the 'stars' of Grey Gardens.
The Rob Kozlowski Chicago Theater and Vintage Film Medicine Show
Raven Theatre's 2009-2010 Season
Just got a news release announcing Raven Theatre's upcoming 2009-2010 season, featuring three plays that I'm sure regular readers will recognize as plays that make me shout, "Thank GOD! These shows are NEVER produced!!"
Chicago Tribune
MCA's 2009-10 season: The usual slate of the unusual
Daily Herald
Batavia man brings new Brecht to stage
...German playwright Bertolt Brecht the 500 Clown treatment at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Or rather "500 Clown and the Elephant Deal" started out, according to Kalina, as an adaptation of Brecht's play, "Man is Man," about the transformation of a civilian into a soldier.
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Theisen out as Skylight artistic director
The Skylight Opera Theater has eliminated the position of artistic director, held since August 2004 by William Theisen, a Milwaukee native and a popular figure here.
TheaterJones (TX)
New Season: Jubilee Theatre
Last week when we announced the 2009-2010 season for African-American Repertory Theater, which included August Wilson's Seven Guitars, we noted that with that production, there will have been only three of Wilson's 10 plays in his 20th Century Cycle that have not been professionally staged in North Texas.
Los Angeles Times Culture Monster
Splitsville for Neil LaBute and New York's MCC Theater?*
Neil LaBute has called New York's MCC Theater his creative home for close to seven years. But it now appears that their relationship -- one of the tightest in the off-Broadway community -- is headed for divorce court. Today, MCC said it has canceled its much-awaited production of LaBute's latest play, "The Break of Noon." On top of that, a representative for LaBute told The Times today that she is uncertain if he will remain the company's playwright-in-residence.
Orange County Register The Arts Blog
Twitter play has its fans, detractors
Jeremy Gable’s Twitter-based play (he prefers to call it a “performance”) saw its first tweet last Wednesday. I thought I’d catch up with the O.C. playwright and find out how he (and his readers) feel about the work as it nears the one-week mark.
The Guardian
Theatre bloggers under the influence Chris Wilkinson
This week, the blogosphere has been paying tribute to influential directors and playwrights – and there are some surprising names among the top 10s
Broadway claps, but London clams up Matt Wolf
It's quite common for New York theatre audiences to applaud an actor before he's even spoken his first line. Just don't try doing that in the West End …
British theatre stereotypes us, claim east Asian actors
Swimming against the tide of self-congratulation that, in the wake of a big haul at last week's Tony awards, threatens to engulf British theatre, come a number of British east Asian actors and writers concerned that directors are reluctant to cast them in anything other than stereotypical roles.
Leading ladies kept out of the limelight
• Conference hears of battle against ageism and sexism
• Only 9% of top films last year directed by women
Female playwrights set to take the West End by storm
Last year, Rebecca Lenkiewicz's Her Naked Skin became the first play by a living female playwright ever to be staged in the National's largest auditorium, the Olivier – a fact that, understandably, caused a stir. This year, the number of twentysomething British female writers coming ....
Whatsonstage.com
Wallace, Capron & Ashe Stepping Out for 25 Years
Jessie Wallace, Brian Capron and Rosemary Ashe will star in the 25th anniversary revival of Richard Harris’ Stepping Out which launches on 8 September 2009 from the Leatherhead Theatre in Surrey, where the play was first performed in 1984. Followi...
The Stage UK
Mark Shenton: Young Critics, Conservative Arts Policy, and the funding of new musicals….
Advice to Young Critics…. The Guardian launched its annual young arts critic competition yesterday , and while its terrific that the next generation is being actively sought out, I can’t help wondering what opportunities will still be there for...
Cash boost for "grassroots" musical theatre
Contemporary "grassroots" musical theatre has received a funding boost from Arts Council England worth almost £200,000.
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