Ed Curtis News

Sierra Repertory Theatre opens its 38th season with the feel-good musical comedy Sister Act. Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, the show features music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors).

 The Utah Symphony today announced the appointment of Conner Gray Covington as assistant conductor, starting September 2017.

Sierra Repertory Theatre opens its 38th season with the feel-good musical comedy Sister Act. Based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, the show features music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors).

Praised for playing that is "full of life and sparkle" (Fanfare), acclaimed pianist Sean Kennard returns to Hawai'i for one-night-only with the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) in a performance of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 at 4 pm on Sunday, November 13.

 From 1964 to 1967, the extraordinary Nina Simone released seven albums on PhilipsRecords, further establishing her peerless artistic expression and singular voice. During this exceptional purple patch, she recorded some of her best and most important work of her career, much of it fuelled by the Civil Rights Movement and the turmoil of 1960s America. In conjunction with their 60(th) anniversary this year, Verve is celebrating the genius of Simone, the supernaturally gifted singer, pianist and prolific songwriter, and her incredible mid-'60s run with the release of her entire Philips catalog on vinyl.

New musical theatre is often showcased in fringe venues to test the water and see if the show could have success on a larger platform. Water Babies, however, has its first outing on the stage of one of the largest producing houses in the country, the Curve in Leicester. The production values are extremely high and it is evident that there is a lot of belief in this project. Judging by what I witnessed last night, this production absolutely needs and deserves a future.

Richard E Grant will appear 'as live' on stage interacting with the real actors in a never seen before 3D hologram effect - a first for a theatrical production. Using a combination of cutting edge technology and traditional theatre illusion this effect allows live actors to perform alongside filmed sequences.

Directed by Ed Curtis, with music by Chris Egan, and book and lyrics by Ed Curtis and Guy Jones, this enthralling new musical, with landmark special effects, will open on 6 May, with previews from the 24 April, and run until 17 May. Cementing its reputation for staging major new musicals, Curve sets Water Babies on its journey.

Philadelphia-based The Jost Project is performing another concert with music from their CD Can't Find My Way Home (Dot Time Records, based in New York and Europe). Tonight, January 31 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. they will be at Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia-based The Jost Project is performing two concerts with music from their CD Can't Find My Way Home (Dot Time Records, based in New York and Europe). Tonight, January 24 at 9 pm they will be at Steel City Coffee House, 203 Bridge Street in Phoenixville with Phyllis Chapell opening for them at the Steel City concert at 8 pm.

Philadelphia-based The Jost Project is performing two concerts with music from their CD Can't Find My Way Home (Dot Time Records, based in New York and Europe). On Friday January 24 at 9 pm they will be at Steel City Coffee House, 203 Bridge Street in Phoenixville with Phyllis Chapell opening for them at the Steel City concert at 8 pm. On Friday, January 31 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. they will be at Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom Street in Philadelphia.

Louise Dearman will lead the cast of the world premiere of a brand new musical inspired by Charles Kingsley's classic novel, The Water Babies. The first actress to have played both Glinda and Elphaba in the global smash-hit musical Wicked, Dearman makes her Curve debut as Mrs D.

For the third straight season, the brilliant and imaginative conductor Ivan Fischer will lead Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) at Carnegie Hall. Having sold out his past two concerts with OSL, Fischer returns tonight, November 21 at 8:00 PM with a program of works by Schumann, Mozart, Bartok, and Weiner.

For the third straight season, the brilliant and imaginative conductor Ivan Fischer will lead Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) at Carnegie Hall. Having sold out his past two concerts with OSL, Fischer returns November 21 at 8:00 PM with a program of works by Schumann, Mozart, Bartok, and Weiner.

Black Ensemble Theater announces It's All-Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield produced and written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor with Co-Direction by Jackie Taylor and Daryl D. Brooks. The Story of Curtis Mayfield will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago as an open run, with previews beginning September 14, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 3:00PM. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Black Ensemble Theater announces It's All-Right To Have A Good Time: The Story of Curtis Mayfield produced and written by Black Ensemble Theater Founder and CEO Jackie Taylor with Co-Direction by Jackie Taylor and Daryl D. Brooks. The Story of Curtis Mayfield will be presented at the new Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago as an open run with previews beginning September 14, 2013. The official press opening is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 3:00PM.

While SISTER ACT's First National Tour was playing in Durham, North Carolina, I got a chance to talk with Kingsley Leggs, who plays Curtis Jackson, Deloris Van Cartier's gangster boyfriend and the show's villain. Kingsley Legs, who originated the role of Curtis Jackson on Broadway, spoke with me about his career, SISTER ACT's rehearsal process, preparing the First National Tour, SISTER ACT itself, and life on the road.

Nicky Silver's absurdist play, THE LYONS, gets an excellent production at Dobama. The balance between comedy and tragedy should get positive audience response and inspire some personal awareness.

Now in its 29th year, the much anticipated Music from Angel Fire season will open Friday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012 with a total of 14 concerts featuring works from the Baroque to the Contemporary periods. Performances will take places in a number of Northern NM locations including Taos, Angel Fire, Raton, Eagle Nest, and Las Vegas.

I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Musical...I've slept on it and sat for a while now trying to pick fault with this production, but it is proving impossible.