A Face in the Crowd - Articles Page 25

SAMMY, a new musical about the life of Sammy David Jr. currently in previews at The Old Globe, is gearing up for it's much anticipated opening on October 2nd and the buzz has begun. After all, what $2.5-million production about an icon with a 13-piece orchestra and list of award-winning actors wouldn't generate excitement?

The Fall theatre season in the DC area is in full bloom. As the leaves are turning, there is a colorful group of shows opening this month. There are so many, so where do I begin? Here are shows that I am looking forward to seeing, and remember I am a musical theatre lover who likes to sprinkle in a play or two - here and there - so don't get mad if I don't choose one of the plays you are looking forward to seeing. You have your chance at the end of this article to share your 'must sees' also with our readers. Hopefully, you'll make the trip down to the DC area to see some of these wonderful productions.

SAMMY, a new musical about the life of Sammy David Jr. currently in previews at The Old Globe, is gearing up for it's much anticipated opening on October 2nd and the buzz has begun. After all, what $2.5-million production about an icon with a 13-piece orchestra and list of award-winning actors wouldn't generate excitement?

When The Color Purple rolls into Atlanta for a stop at the Fabulous Fox Theatre this week, a familiar face will be stepping on the Fox stage once again. Felicia P. Fields, who plays the role of Sofia sat down with me to share a little bit about her unique history with The Color Purple, her take on her character and her love of performing in Atlanta.

Patricia Neal will present AS I AM at the Vineyard Playhouse August 30th as part of the 'Monday Night Specials' series.

Patricia Neal will present AS I AM at the Vineyard Playhouse August 30th as part of the 'Monday Night Specials' series.

Innervation Dance Cooperative (IDC), a Chicago non-profit, hits the stage again with Everyman, the classic rock ballet based on the medieval morality play, set to music by Led Zeppelin (listed below), running June 18-21 at Chicago's Vittum Theater. Enter into Everyman's world of debauchery just before she receives a visit from Death. Audiences will crack up, tear up, and rock out as our heroine desperately seeks a companion for her inevitable journey. IDC's collaborative creative process yields an athletic and eclectic, yet cohesive, movement quality that is the IDC signature. Music lovers will note the perfect marriage of the lyrics and themes of Led Zeppelin's songs to Everyman's plot and message. The meticulously chosen songs tell the story of a journey to death via denial, elation, and depression. There is nary a dull moment (or movement) in this 90-minute, evening-length show. The choreography of Everyman was created collaboratively by ensemble members Molly Beck, Elisa Carlson, Gwendolynn Gonwa, Amy Russell, Michael Sherman, and Amy Williams. The original staging of Everyman (in April 2008 at Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater) was so successful that IDC wanted to take another crack at it and expose the work to a wider audience. This remount boasts newly honed choreography, with new talent and casting, coming together to create an even more crowd-pleasing show.

Innervation Dance Cooperative (IDC), a Chicago non-profit, hits the stage again with Everyman, the classic rock ballet based on the medieval morality play, set to music by Led Zeppelin (listed below), running June 18-21 at Chicago's Vittum Theater. Enter into Everyman's world of debauchery just before she receives a visit from Death. Audiences will crack up, tear up, and rock out as our heroine desperately seeks a companion for her inevitable journey. IDC's collaborative creative process yields an athletic and eclectic, yet cohesive, movement quality that is the IDC signature. Music lovers will note the perfect marriage of the lyrics and themes of Led Zeppelin's songs to Everyman's plot and message. The meticulously chosen songs tell the story of a journey to death via denial, elation, and depression. There is nary a dull moment (or movement) in this 90-minute, evening-length show. The choreography of Everyman was created collaboratively by ensemble members Molly Beck, Elisa Carlson, Gwendolynn Gonwa, Amy Russell, Michael Sherman, and Amy Williams. The original staging of Everyman (in April 2008 at Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater) was so successful that IDC wanted to take another crack at it and expose the work to a wider audience. This remount boasts newly honed choreography, with new talent and casting, coming together to create an even more crowd-pleasing show.

Goodman Theatre proudly concludes its 2008/2009 season with José Rivera's newest play, Boleros for the Disenchanted, 'an epic study of wedded life that is simply?and not so simply?marvelous' (Variety). A true love story inspired by Rivera's parents' courtship and eventual migration from Puerto Rico to Alabama, Boleros for the Disenchanted makes its Chicago premiere directed by Henry Godinez?the Goodman's Resident Artistic Associate who was named 2008 Latino of the Year by the Chicago Latino Network. Chicago actors Elizabeth Ledo and Sandra Marquez command the stage in the role of Flora, based on Rivera's mother, at various points in her life. Godinez's cast also includes Liza Fernandez, Joe Minoso, Rene Rivera and Felix Solis. Boleros for the Disenchanted is performed in English in the Albert Theatre June 20 ? July 26, 2009. Tickets are $25 ? $70. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. Meet the playwright and director at a free post-performance discussion on Thursday, June 25, moderated by Myrna Salazar of the International Latino Cultural Center. Tickets and information: 312.443.3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org. The Chicago Community Trust is the Major Production Sponsor.

Mel Brooks' zany, bawdy, irreverent Broadway hit 'The Producers', closes out the Walnut Street Theater's 200th anniversary season with a lot of belly laughs.

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and who she's seen in the world of cabaret in the past week. The past week's events include Shannon Brown's 'Moonshine Martinis', a terrific Metrojam, and yet another great Cast Party!

1812 Productions is pleased to present its third world premiere comedy of the 2008-2009 season, The Karma Cookie. The Karma Cookie will run from March 5th to March 29th at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street. Press Opening is Wednesday March 11th. Tickets range from $17-$35 and are available by contacting 1812 Productions directly at (215) 592-9560 or at www.1812productions.org.

1812 Productions is pleased to present its third world premiere comedy of the 2008-2009 season, The Karma Cookie. The Karma Cookie will run from March 5th to March 29th at The Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street. Press Opening is Wednesday March 11th. Tickets range from $17-$35 and are available by contacting 1812 Productions directly at (215) 592-9560 or at www.1812productions.org.

In the month of January into early February, The Brava is celebrating the inauguration of the first African-American U.S. president with presentations discussing censorship, race and the extraordinary contribution of some of our heroes of the past. Brava is committed to producing, presenting and cultivating live art celebrating the intersection of feminism and multiculturalism that ignites social change and builds community. In the upcoming weeks, Brava will be exploring the American Metaphor and how it is changing - what it WAS to be American, what it IS to be American today, and how we look at the legacy as we embark on our future by exploring what it means to be American and face our American stereotypes. 'A Song for Coretta' by Pearl Cleage Thru-Feb 7/09 On February 6, 2006, people began lining up at dawn outside of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay their respects to the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose body lay in state in the small sanctuary. By mid-morning, the crowd wound down the street and around the corner of the old red brick building. At close to midnight, the crowd had dwindled to a determined few. The five fictional characters in this play are at the end of that long line.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

In the month of January into early February, The Brava is celebrating the inauguration of the first African-American U.S. president with presentations discussing censorship, race and the extraordinary contribution of some of our heroes of the past. Brava is committed to producing, presenting and cultivating live art celebrating the intersection of feminism and multiculturalism that ignites social change and builds community. In the upcoming weeks, Brava will be exploring the American Metaphor and how it is changing - what it WAS to be American, what it IS to be American today, and how we look at the legacy as we embark on our future by exploring what it means to be American and face our American stereotypes. 'A Song for Coretta' by Pearl Cleage Thru-Feb 7/09 On February 6, 2006, people began lining up at dawn outside of Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church to pay their respects to the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King, widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose body lay in state in the small sanctuary. By mid-morning, the crowd wound down the street and around the corner of the old red brick building. At close to midnight, the crowd had dwindled to a determined few. The five fictional characters in this play are at the end of that long line.

In the month of January into early February, The Brava is celebrating the inauguration of the first African-American U.S. president with presentations discussing censorship, race and the extraordinary contribution of some of our heroes of the past. Brava is committed to producing, presenting and cultivating live art celebrating the intersection of feminism and multiculturalism that ignites social change and builds community. In the upcoming weeks, Brava will be exploring the American Metaphor and how it is changing - what it WAS to be American, what it IS to be American today, and how we look at the legacy as we embark on our future by exploring what it means to be American and face our American stereotypes.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Flower Drum Song,' the 1961 movie musical based on the Broadway production of the same name, is among the 25 films selected for the National Film Registry. The holiday season is usually a busy time for moviegoers, but December is also the time of year when attention is focused on the preservation of the nation's movie heritage.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

Nick Spangler currently starring as Matt in the Off Broadway revival of The Fantasticks, will be a contestant on the latest edition of The Amazing Race. Spangler will compete against the other 'Amazing Racers' with his sister and teammate, Starr Spangler, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Starting at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the 13th season of the Emmy-winning reality competition will follow the teams as they travel over 30,000 miles in 23 days to countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, India and Kazakhstan.

There are those cherished moments in the theater when a performer grips the audience in such a manner that the evening not only becomes the talk of the town, but remains locked forever in the minds of the audiences who were fortunate enough to witness it. Such was the case recently when The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY presented their version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Without exaggeration, the production became the buzz of the community. Not only were people enormously impressed with the stunning sets and costumes, but they were also bowled over by the brilliant performance of Josh Davis as the Beast.

Dubbed 'The World's Most Popular Musical', the current touring production of Mamma Mia still proves to be raking in the 'Money, Money, Money'.

Now on tour in celebration of more than 50 years as a recording artist, the legendary Johnny Mathis showed the kids how it's done on Saturday night, May 31st.

For anyone wishing to catch a glimpse of a bright star that by all means of logic should have faded decades ago, then Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress is a fantastic showcase of laughs and tears. And a note to any network executives reading this review, neither Ryan Seacrest nor Lisa Rinna can ever come close to the genius that is Joan Rivers on the red carpet...