James Johnson News

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) celebrates the holidays in big ways-this year performing three different concerts within one week. Music plays a large part in making the season special, and that means it's the busiest time of year for musicians.

This past weekend, the Clay High School Fine Arts Department presented Children of Eden, a musical based off the first nine chapters of the Book of Genesis. With the music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and the book by John Caird, you already know going in that the music and story will be great and it's just the interpretation of the material that could either succeed or fail; Clay High School more than succeeded, it thrived. Combined with the direction of Meghan Beard and an incredibly talented starring cast, Children of Eden was phenomenal.

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) celebrates the holidays in big ways-this year performing three different concerts within one week. Music plays a large part in making the season special, and that means it's the busiest time of year for musicians.

Opera Australia's largest and most ambitious production returns to Melbourne in 2016. Directed by Neil Armfield, Wagner's Ring Cycle will play at Arts Centre Melbourne from 21 November to 16 December 2016. Melbourne Ring Cycle 2016 comprises four operas - Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung - totalling around 16 hours of music. As in 2013, the cycle of four operas will be performed three times.

Get ready to blast off on opening night for RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET at Rubicon Theatre Company this Saturday, October 29, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Drama League has announced Tony Award and Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham (Amadeus), Emmy Award winner Hank Azaria ('The Simpsons'), Tony Award winner Christopher Durang (Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike), Tony Award winning Broadway Producer Daryl Roth (Kinky Boots), Tony Award nominees Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!), Drama Desk nominee John Bolton (Curtains), along with Lea DeLaria ('Orange is the New Black') and Peri Gilpin ('Frazier'), have joined the roster of special guest performers for The 33rd Annual Drama League Centennial Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce to be held on Monday evening, November 7, 2016 at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue) in New York City.

Opera Australia's largest and most ambitious production returns to Melbourne in 2016. Directed by Neil Armfield, Wagner's Ring Cycle will play at Arts Centre Melbourne from 21 November to 16 December 2016.

Save the date! The Drama League has announced that the 83rd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway).

The Drama League has announced the roster of special guest performers for the 33rd Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway honoring Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce to be held on Monday evening, November 7, 2016 at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue) in New York City.

For three weeks in September and going into October, the South Bend Civic Theatre brings Legally Blonde the Musical to the Wilson Theatre. The international award-winning musical based on the movie, Legally Blonde, explodes on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dances. Director Carys Kresny collaborates with Music Director Geoffrey Carter, Choreographer Karen Pajor, and the ensemble cast to take the audience through Elle's fabulously fun journey. This hilarious, fun, and heart-warming musical runs from September 16th through October 2nd at the Wilson Theatre. It will be so much fun it should be illegal!

Algonquin Theater Productions and Jason Hewitt have announced Broadway actors Lindsay Nicole Chambers (Lysistrata Jones, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Mel Johnson Jr. (Jekyll & Hyde, Hot Feet, The Lion King, Big Deal, The Rink, Eubie!, On the Twentieth Century), and James Ludwig (Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors) have joined the cast of the world premiere of ON THE RAILS, a new musical with book by Tony Sportiello (Second Chance, National Pastime), music and lyrics by Al Tapper (Sessions, An Evening at the Carlyle), arrangements and musical direction by David Wolfson, and directed by Misti B. Wills (In Search of Euphoria).

On April 30, 2016, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Concertmaster Doosook Kim. Kim will perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto on the first half, and the South Dakota Symphony Chorus will join the orchestra in the second half for Beethoven's Mass in C.

Hale Center Theater Orem presentsAIDA: SCHOOL EDITION, running today, March 10 through March 18, 2016.

Hale Center Theater Orem will present AIDA: SCHOOL EDITION, running March 10-18, 2016.

This past weekend, the Clay High School Fine Arts Department opened and closed the show The Curious Savage with two different casts of students and two different interpretations by two different directors. I saw the first cast which was comprised of two seniors, five juniors, and four freshman and directed by Kathryn Hein.

This past weekend at South Bend's Clay High School, the musical Working by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso, based on the best-selling book of interviews with America's work force by Studs Terkel, took to the stage for three performances and absolutely earned their standing ovations! Comprised of dozens of students (and some teachers!) this high school's performance set an impressive tone for not only their student's abilities, but anybody who was involved with such an incredible show.

City Theatre gets festive with A BROADWAY HOLIDAY, a one-night-only concert featuring performances by award-winning Broadway stars Billy Porter and Anthony Rapp. With local talents Maria Becoates-Bey, Daina Michelle Griffith, and Billy Hartung, the special performance will include hit Broadway songs as well as a variety of holiday favorites.

The Drama League welcomes Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford, Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie, and lauded director Diane Paulus to the roster of special guest performers for The Drama League Centennial Gala, celebrating the organization's 100 years of service tonight, November 2, 2015.

BroadwayWorld has learned that The Drama League has just added Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford, Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie, and lauded director Diane Paulus to the roster of special guest performers for The Drama League Centennial Gala, celebrating the organization's 100 years of service.

The Drama League's Centennial Charity Auction has launched at www.biddingforgood.com/thedramaleague, featuring over fifty once-in-a-lifetime prize packages.