James White News

Celebrating 50 years, and the first full season under the artistic leadership of Gary L. Wasserman Artistic Director Yuval Sharon, Michigan Opera Theatre is poised to mount its first fully staged opera in nearly two years.

The first full production in its 2021-2022 season, the opera company will present Tazewell Thompson’s powerful opera, BLUE for two performances, September 11 & 12 both at 7PM at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre.

A Beautiful Life also includes Heartless Bastards’ 2020 single, “Revolution,” available now on all digital platforms. An official music video – directed by documentary filmmakers Sam Wainwright Douglas and David Hartstein – is streaming now on YouTube.

Today's top stories: Broadway vaccination site opens next week, new Beatles musical She Loves Me premieres in Denmark in 2022, Heathers announces West End return and UK tour, and more!

Next up on my local artists interview segment is director, producer, playwright, dancer and actor Liam Burke.

Nantucket's White Heron Theatre today announced the release of a special Halloween episode of the Ghostlight Podcast Series to be released on Saturday, October 31 featuring Broadway veteran Drew McVety with performances by writer/actor Mark Shanahan and Artistic Director Lynne Bolton.

Cynthia Nixon calls in to the show to talk about her exciting role on the Netflix series 'Ratched,' how she's been trying to walk her cat during quarantine, and the creepy costumes that she and her kids have worn for Halloween.

Cynthia Nixon shares how the events of this year compare to the AIDS crisis, discusses how the political climate in New York has changed since she ran for governor and expands on her New York Times op-ed.

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor Cynthia Nixon ('Sex and the City'; The Little Foxes and Rabbit Hole on Broadway, and A Doll's House at McCarter) joins McCarter's Artistic Director and Resident Playwright Emily Mann for a moderated conversation about their careers, theatrical history, and activism.

Today's top stories: the Broadway shutdown has extended until June. This means that Beetlejuice has played its final performance.

Definition Theatre announces casting for the Chicago premiere of WHITE by newly-added ensemble member James Ijames, directed by Tasia A. Jones. WHITE will run from April 17 a?" May 24, 2020, with a press opening on Saturday, April 25 at 6:00pm. Definition Theatre presents WHITE in collaboration with Steppenwolf Theatre's LookOut Series in the Steppenwolf 1700 Theatre. Tickets for WHITE are on sale and can be purchased online at steppenwolf.org or by calling 312-335-1650. The 1700 Theatre is located behind Front Bar at 1700 N Halsted.

Baruch Performing Arts Center will present a work-in-process presentation of Siachen from April 30-May 2, 2020 at Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue (25th Street between Third and Lexington Avenues), NYC. Tickets are $11-$26 and can be purchased online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/1091/production/1014637.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) now beginning its 51st season, will present the third year of Dare To Be Different, a series of five new musicals and three one-night only special events from November 2a?' 24, 2019 at A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53rd Street a?' 10th Avenue & 53rd Street). For reservations, please email boxoffice@amasmusical.org or call 212-563-2565.

James Barr has had a glittering career on the airwaves for the past few years on stations such as Heat and Hits Radio, plus working for MTV. He has taken his fame and following to dip into the stand-up comedy pool, and this guy can truly swim.

Productivity Media Inc and Oakhurst Entertainment announced today that Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott and Sarah Gadon are set to join the cast of the upcoming thriller BLACK BEAR, directed by Lawrence Michael Levine.  Penned by Levine, the film will be produced by Tandem Pictures' Julie Christeas and Jonathan Blitstein, Richard J Bosner (Blue Creek Pictures), Sophia Takal and Oakhurst's Marina Grasic and Jai Khanna. Productivity will finance the film.  Shooting is underway in the Adirondack Mountains in Long Lake, NY.

Kenya Barris and Scott Mescudi have partnered with Netflix for an all new innovative adult animated music series based on Grammy-award winning artist Kid Cudi's upcoming album, Entergalactic, being released by Republic Records.

Scott Mescudi , better known by his stage name Kid Cudi has joined the growing cast of the much anticipated third installment of Bill & Ted. Mescudi joins previously announced cast Alex Winter, Keanu Reeves, William Sadler, Samara Weaving and Brigette Lundy-Paine. Mescudi has a significant role, though details are being kept under wraps. 

IFC Center today announced an impressive and wide-ranging lineup for the third annual Split Screens Festival (www.splitscreensfestival.com) taking place Wednesday, May 29 through Monday, June 3, 2019, at the IFC Center in New York City. The festival consists of special events offering a variety of looks at history, identity and the mystery of existence itself, including panels on series that explore dystopian realities and alternate timelines, and screenings that transport us into any number of time periods and places, be it a late-1800s South Dakota town or the height of 1980s ballroom culture in New York City.

On this day we're celebrating the birthday of multiple Tony Award-winner, television star, and former gubernatorial candidate, the great Cynthia Nixon!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! First, we'd like to wish a great first performance to Ginna Claire Mason who joins the Broadway company of Wicked as Glinda tonight! Break a leg, Ginna!