Tracy Christensen News

MasterVoices begins its 2019-20 season on Thursday, November 21 at Carnegie Hall with the concert staging of George and Ira Gershwins' 1933 musical Let 'Em Eat Cake, with a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, a comic satire about a populist U.S. President who is voted out of office and stages a coup to regain power. Artistic Director Ted Sperling will direct and conduct MasterVoices, soloists, and Orchestra of St. Luke's in this timely musical which has not been heard in New York since 1987. Updated casting details are included below.

MasterVoices will begin its 2019-20 season on Thursday, November 21 at Carnegie Hall with the concert staging of George and Ira Gershwins' 1933 musical Let 'Em Eat Cake, with a book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, a comic satire about a populist U.S. President who is voted out of office and stages a coup to regain power.

This holiday season, Sheen Center for Thought & Culture presents The Gospel of John, conceived and performed by award-winning Broadway veteran Ken Jennings (Sweeney Todd, Grand Hotel, Side Show). Jennings brings the Gospel to life on stage - in just 90 minutes.

Imagine if Henry Higgins had wanted Eliza to end up with Freddy all along and you'll get a sense of where George Bernard Shaw was heading with his 1898 comedy of political maneuvering, Caesar and Cleopatra, which premiered over a dozen years before his more enduring classic, PYGMALION.

Ted Sperling, Artistic Director of MasterVoices, announced details of the acclaimed ensemble's 78th season, celebrating the joy of choral singing and the power of the human voice to unite, inspire and connect since 1941. Highlights include three major musical presentations at top venues, including a New York premiere, and the World Premiere of a new work, commissioned by the Company. Throughout the season there will be collaborations with leading singers, artists, ensembles and organizations, some who are familiar with and others who are new to the Company.

Gingold Theatrical Group will soon present a rare revival of Shaw's beloved almost historical comedy Caesar and Cleopatra, which will begin a limited Off-Broadway engagement on Tuesday September 3rd at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues) and continue through October 12th only. Opening Night is set for Sunday September 24th.

Gingold Theatrical Group announces the cast for a rare revival of Shaw's beloved almost historical comedy Caesar and Cleopatra

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) is pleased to announce full casting for of the world premiere of the new musical Scotland, PA, featuring a book by Michael Mitnick, music & lyrics by Adam Gwon, directed by Lonny Price and choreographed by Josh Rhodes.

Goodspeed Musicals continues its commitment to innovative, thought-provoking new works with inspiring new musical Passing Through, based on the book Walking to Listen by Andrew Frosthoefel.

Kicking off their 28th season of surefire hits, the Bay Street Theater offers the world premiere of Wade Dooley's The Prompter. Initially, the Sag Harbor, Long Island, venue presented a reading of the one-act play last year during their annual New Works Festival to much praise. Running through June 16th, it is thrilling to see how the show has developed.

Bay Street Theater presents THE PROMPTER, the first production of the 2019 Mainstage Season, are now in rehearsal in New York City. The World Premiere will be May 28- June 16. Tovah Feldshuh (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Walking Dead, Golda's Balcony) and Wade Dooley (Jersey Boys) star in the show. Single tickets on sale now or tickets can be purchased now as part of the 3-play subscription package for the 2019 Mainstage Season. Call the Box Office at 631-725-9500; open Tuesday - Saturday; 11 am - 5 pm or an hour before show time; or log on to baystreet.org.

Folger Theatre's Love's Labor's Lost, directed by Vivienne Benesch, compliments the uniqueness of this comedy through a delightfully funny cast and production set during the 1930's.

Bay Street Theater has announced the cast and creative team for THE PROMPTER, the first production of the 2019 Mainstage Season, are now in rehearsal in New York City. The World Premiere will be May 28- June 16. Tovah Feldshuh (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Walking Dead, Golda's Balcony) and Wade Dooley (Jersey Boys) star in the show. Single tickets on sale now or tickets can be purchased now as part of the 3-play subscription package for the 2019 Mainstage Season. Call the Box Office at 631-725-9500; open Tuesday - Saturday; 11 am - 5 pm or an hour before show time; or log on to baystreet.org.

The line between Broadway-type musical theatre and opera becomes finer by the year--though I dare say that TOOTSIE is unlikely to be showing up at the Met any time soon. But the Kurt Weill-Ira Gershwin-Moss Hart LADY IN THE DARK might have morphed in a slightly different, better piece of music theatre if it arrived in the 21st century rather than World War II.

After an acclaimed run in London's West End, the Sheen Center for Thought & Culture presents the American premiere production of Stephen Unwin's new play, All Our Children. Now playing in a limited five-week engagement through May 12 at The Sheen Center (18 Bleecker Street at the corner of Elizabeth Street, NYC) in the Black Box Theater. The official opening is Sunday, April 14 at 3PM.

MasterVoices will conclude its 2018-19 season with the world premiere of a new adaptation of the legendary Kurt Weill, Ira Gershwin, Moss Hart musical Lady in the Dark. Presented as part of New York City Center's 75th anniversary season, it is directed and conducted by MasterVoices Artistic Director Ted Sperling, and choreographed by Doug Varone. The musical will star Tony Award winner Victoria Clark in the lead role of Liza Elliott. In addition to the previously announced performances on April 25 and 26, because of high-ticket demand, a matinee has been added for April 27. Opening on Broadway in 1941, Lady in the Dark was groundbreaking in its unusual subject matter psychoanalysis and unconventional structure. It has not been seen in New York in 25 years, since it was presented as part of the inaugural Encores! season at New York City Center in 1994.

After an acclaimed run in London's West End, the Sheen Center for Thought & Culturepresents the American premiere production of Stephen Unwin's new play, All Our Children beginning this weekend, Saturday, April 6 at 8PM. Tony Award® winner John Glover (Saint Joan, The Drowsy Chaperone,Love! Valour! Compassion! on Broadway; TV's 'Smallville') is featured in a company including Jennifer Dundas (The Little Foxes, Arcadia on Broadway), Karl Kenzler (Fiddler on the Roof, You Can't Take It With You on Broadway; 'Law & Order,' 'House of Cards'), Tasha Lawrence ('The Looming Tower,' Hulu; 'Royal Pains') and Sam Lilja (The Iceman Cometh on Broadway). Directed by Ethan McSweeny (Gore Vidal's The Best Man, A Time to Kill on Broadway), All Our Children plays a limited five-week engagement through May 12 at The Sheen Center (18 Bleecker Street at the corner of Elizabeth Street, NYC) in the Black Box Theater.  The official opening is Sunday, April 14 at 3PM.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the first show of the 2019 Mainstage Season. The World Premiere of THE PROMPTER (May 28- June 16) a new comedy by Wade Dooley; will be directed by Scott Schwartz, Bay Street Theater's Artistic Director.

Mind vs. Matter. Game on. Folger Theatre concludes its 2018/19 season of characters that "shake the world" with Love's Labor's Lost, Shakespeare's quick-witted comedy filled with oaths, trickery, and confessions of love. Vivienne Benesch, the 2017 winner of the annual Zelda Fichandler Award, makes her Folger directorial debut.

MasterVoices will conclude its 2018-19 season with the world premiere of a new adaptation of the legendary Kurt Weill, Ira Gershwin, Moss Hartmusical Lady in the Dark. Presented as part of New York City Center's 75th-anniversary season, it is directed and conducted by MasterVoices Artistic Director Ted Sperling, and choreographed by Doug Varone.