Michael Phillips News

Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless classic, CATS, hit the big screen this week! Reviews are rolling in for the highly-anticipated adaptation - let's see what the critics are saying!

The Axelrod Performing Arts Center's production of Guys and Dolls, directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens, stars Jared Gertner (Broadway: Putnam County's 25th Annual Spelling Bee, The Book of Mormon) as Nathan Detroit, Jenny Hill (Broadway: Spamalot, Something's Rotten, Seussical The Musical) as Miss Adelaide, Stephen Mark Lukas (Broadway: The Book of Mormon) as Sky Masterson and Evan Bertram as Sarah Brown.

Times Square will today become the canvas of famed pop artist Domingo Zapata, as he embarks on his most ambitious work to date. Over six days, beginning today, Monday, August 12, through Saturday, August 17, 2019, the Spanish artist will paint a retrospective of his work across a 15-story vinyl canvas at One Times Square.

Disney's 'The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau, journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother-and former heir to the throne-has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyonce Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon.

Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that's Andy or Bonnie. So, when Bonnie's beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family's road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo's adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they're worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that's the least of their worries. 

An elite group of twenty of the most talented young opera singers in the country competed this week for prestige and cash prizes in the 31st Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. At the conclusion of this evening's exciting Finals Round, hosted by Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin, the winners were announced from the stage of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas:

Roger Ebert's Film Festival, co-founded and hosted by Chaz Ebert and also known as 'Ebertfest,” announced today that the 22nd Annual Roger Ebert's Film Festival will take place April 15-18, 2020 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, IL with related talks and panel discussions to be held at the Hyatt Place in Champaign and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The 21st Annual Roger Ebert's Film Festival, co-founded and hosted by Chaz Ebert and also known as 'Ebertfest,” announced today the final slate of films for the 2019 event.  

Spanning five decades, Fosse/Verdon explores the singular romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse (Sam Rockwell) and Gwen Verdon (Michelle Williams). He is a visionary filmmaker and one of the theater's most influential choreographers and directors. She is the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Only Bob can create the groundbreaking musicals that allow Gwen to showcase her greatness. Only Gwen can realize the unique vision in Bob's head. Together, they will change the face of American entertainment - at a perilous cost.

It was announced today that Pulse Films will release the Tatia Pilieva directed short film, CRYING OUT LOUD, which paints a portrait of vulnerable men through intimate conversations about masculinity.

North Carolina Theatre, the region's premiere nonprofit professional theatre, is proud to announce casting for its upcoming production of Mamma Mia!, playing February 12-17 at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

He's five-feet-nothin', a hundred and nothin' and barely has a speck of athletic ability, but Rudy Ruettiger still became a sports legend. As the 2018 football season begins, the film that introduced the world to 'Rudy' will return to movie theaters nationwide for two days only on August 28 and September 2, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Join everyone's favorite little orphan in her very first adventure this month at the corner of Franklin and First in Historic Downtown Clarksville.

An elite group of twenty of the most talented young opera singers in the country competed this weekend for prestige and cash prizes in the 30th Annual Dallas Opera Guild Vocal Competition. At the conclusion of this evening's exciting Finals Round, the thrilling centerpiece of The Dallas Opera's annual Springs Gala co-chaired by Susan Geyer and Lynn Mock, the winners were announced from the stage of the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas:

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center announced today the 2018 summer season of plays, musicals, and other works in development at the National Puppetry Conference, National Music Theater Conference, National Playwrights Conference, and Cabaret & Performance Conference.

When three parents stumble upon their daughters' pact to lose their virginity at prom, they launch a covert one-night operation to stop the teens from sealing the deal. Leslie Mann (The Other Woman, This Is 40), Ike Barinholtz (Neighbors, Suicide Squad) and John Cena (Trainwreck, Sisters) star in Blockers, the directorial debut of Kay Cannon (writer of the Pitch Perfect series).

Review Roundup: Critics Weigh In On DEN OF THIEVES

The Garry Marshall Theatre continues Movies at the Marshall with the namesake's 1984 comedy starring Matt Dillon, The Flamingo Kid on Monday, October 23 at 7:30pm followed by a Q&A with stars of the film Film/TV/Stage/Voice actor Hector Elizondo (Last Man Standing, The LEGO Batman Movie, and every film Garry Marshall directed), actor Bronson Pinchot (Ray Donovan, Perfect Strangers) and screenwriter Neal Marshall, producer Michael Phillips. The discussion following the film will be moderated by Scott Marshall.

When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman's journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the United States known as the 'Statesman'.

Known for its “powerfully engaging” (New York Arts) choreography, Ariel Rivka Dance reflects on 10 seasons of provocative modern dance with a pair of career-spanning programs to be performed at New York Live Arts from September 6-9, 2017.