John Aylward News

Cambridge, MA (FOR RELEASE 1.11.16) — As the 2015-16 contemporary music ensemble-in-residence at Cambridge's Le Laboratoire, the Ecce Ensemble premieres Switch, a contemporary opera written and composed by John Aylward, directed by Laine Rettmer (Loft Opera), and conducted by Jean-Philippe Wurtz (Ensemble Linea). Featuring two vocalists—Amanda DeBoer Bartlett (soprano) and Mikhail Smigelskii (bass-baritone)—backed by the Ecce Ensemble, Switch explores the relationship between an artist and his muse. In addition to two consecutive weekends of performances, Ecce hosts two free, complementary events open to the public at Le Lab: Re-Imagining Contemporary Opera, an artist talk with Aylward and Rettmer on February 3rd at 6:30 p.m.; and Composers' Reading Session, a workshop/presentation of young local composers' chamber works led by Wurtz on February 15th at 12:00 p.m.

Seattle Theater Writers critics' circle is pleased to present the nomination slate of the fifth annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards, theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters in the prior calendar year.

Cambridge, MA (FOR RELEASE 11.18.15) – As the contemporary music ensemble-in- residence at Cambridge's Le Laboratoire, ECCE presents a one-night only performance of Earle Brown's December 1952, in conjunction with the gallery's current exhibit, BIRDLY by Max Rheiner. Featuring dispersed acoustic performances by ECCE (violinist Karen Kim, bass clarinetist Vasko Dukovski, tubaist Ben Stapp, bassoonist Sarah Schoenbeck) interspersed with recorded polyphony by sound designer Ricardo Romaneiro, this spatial rendering of December 1952 is an aural analog to BIRDLY's virtual reality experience.

Cambridge, MA (FOR RELEASE 11.18.15) – As the contemporary music ensemble-in- residence at Cambridge's Le Laboratoire, ECCE presents a one-night only performance of Earle Brown's December 1952, in conjunction with the gallery's current exhibit, BIRDLY by Max Rheiner. Featuring dispersed acoustic performances by ECCE (violinist Karen Kim, bass clarinetist Vasko Dukovski, tubaist Ben Stapp, bassoonist Sarah Schoenbeck) interspersed with recorded polyphony by sound designer Ricardo Romaneiro, this spatial rendering of December 1952 is an aural analog to BIRDLY's virtual reality experience.

Tennessee Williams' searing southern drama, 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' currently playing at ACT, opens with Brick (Brandon O'Neill) and his wife Maggie (Laura Griffith) in a heated conversation about the disintegrating state of their marriage and is filled with sexual tension. Or at least it should be. Unfortunately the relationship of Griffith and O'Neill's Maggie and Brick feels so stale and desperately one-note that there's nowhere for the characters to go. In fact it wasn't until Act Two that the play held much interest for me and really got into the richness of some of these characters.

ECCE Ensemble closes its 2014-15 concert season with an event featuring works by a fascinating mix of renowned composers, including pieces from its latest CD, 'Chamber Industrial' the first all-Per Bloland works recording. Also on the program are compositions by John Zorn, Erin Gee, the late Jonathan Harvey and ECCE's own John Aylward. Kicking of the evening is the premiere of two works to be announced from the ensemble's Call for Scores program.

ECCE Ensemble closes its 2014-15 concert season with an event featuring works by a fascinating mix of renowned composers, including pieces from its latest CD, 'Chamber Industrial' the first all-Per Bloland works recording. Also on the program are compositions by John Zorn, Erin Gee, the late Jonathan Harvey and ECCE's own John Aylward. Kicking of the evening is the premiere of two works to be announced from the ensemble's Call for Scores program.

Rehearsals have begun for a scorching new revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof directed by Kurt Beattie in his final season as Artistic Director. The first play to kick off ACT's 50th Anniversary harkens back to our inaugural 1965 season when Cat on a Hot Tin Roof had its Seattle Premiere directed by ACT founder Gregory A. Falls.

The first play of ACT's 50th Anniversary Season will be packed with talent. Broadway alums and Seattle favorites Laura Griffith and Brandon O'Neill will play Maggie the Cat and Brick, one of the most iconic couples in the theatrical canon. John Aylward, a Seattle treasure who went on to make a name for himself in Hollywood with recurring roles on ER, The West Wing, and Mad Men, will play the family patriarch Big Daddy. Rounding out the cast of leading roles will be elite Seattle acting veteran Marianne Owen as Big Mama. Kurt Beattie, in his final year as Artistic Director will direct this powerhouse cast.

DSW Inc. has partnered with Broadway's Tony Award-winning Best Musical - Kinky Boots, on an exclusive collection. The Kinky Boots Collection, to be sold at the 34th Street location in New York City, was curated in the spirit of the show and celebrates the power that comes with self-expression and being true to yourself. The collection takes its cue from the show's larger-than-life costumes and iconic boots, and has something for everyone with styles ranging from vibrant heels to fringed boots.

ECCE kicks of its 7th season with a concert encompassing works by seven noted contemporary composers at New York City's The DiMenna Center tonight, November 20, 2014.

ECCE kicks of its 7th season with a concert encompassing works by seven noted contemporary composers at New York City's The DiMenna Center on Thursday, November 20, 2014.

After two extensions, the Lincoln Center Theater's critically-acclaimed production of The City of Conversation ends its Off-Broadway run today. The City of Conversation was written by Anthony Giardina and directed by Doug Hughes. It originally opened on May 5.

This week's New York Times In Performance video features Tony Award-nominated actress Jan Maxwell in a scene from Anthony Giardina's play "The City of Conversation,"

Lincoln Center Theater has announced a second, and final, extension of the run of its critically-acclaimed production of THE CITY OF CONVERSATION, a new play by Anthony Giardina, directed by Doug Hughes, through Saturday, July 26 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West. 65th Street).

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Producing Artistic Director, Andre Bishop) has announced that it will extend the run of its critically-acclaimed production of THE CITY OF CONVERSATION, a new play by Anthony Giardina, directed by Doug Hughes, through Sunday, July 6 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

Lincoln Center Theater's production of THE CITY OF CONVERSATION, a new play by Anthony Giardina, directed by Doug Hughes, opened last night at the Mitzi E. Newhouse (150 West 65th Street). BroadwayWorld brings you highlights of the cast in action below!

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Jan Maxwell is elegant, clever and politically savvy in Anthony Giardina's drama of family politics.

Lincoln Center Theater presents THE CITY OF CONVERSATION by Anthony Giardina, directed by Doug Hughes. The show opens tonight, May 5 at 6:45 p.m. in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, 150 West 65th Street.