OPENINGS: Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate will open Pasadena Playhouse’s 2014–2015 Season, running Sept. 16 - Oct. 12, 2014. Featuring some of Porter’s best music, this classic includes songs like “Brush Up Your Shakespeare,” “So in Love,” “Another Op’nin’ Another Show,” and “Too Darn Hot,” and celebrates Shakespeare and the joys, madness, and the rewards of working in the theatre - both onstage and off. The Playhouse production will view the work through a new lens, using the wonderful material of this celebrated production to showcase the trailblazing African-American touring troupes of the early 20th century. Those groups of traveling players brought Shakespeare not just to New York, but to theatres all over the country. Many of the most famous actors of our time owe much to those pioneers, who included Hattie McDaniel, Paul Robeson, Earle Hyman, Jane White, and Dorothy Van Engle. Those brave actors brought literal “color” to great classical roles, opened doors for others, and represent the high style and theatricality that have always been embodied in Porter’s masterpiece. www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
Rock & Roll’s Greatest Lovers, a rock movie musical about John Lennon and Yoko Ono, will be part of this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival June 7 – 29. Though fraught with challenges and tribulations, John and Yoko’s message of peace and love is more relevant today than it was the day they shocked the world by appearing naked on the cover of Rolling Stones Magazine. The one-hour world premiere features original music by Anzu Lawson and Joerg Stoeffel to tell the unprecedented and still untold story of a love that changed the world and defined an era. Performance will take place at the Lillian Theater, 1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90038. www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/1800
HOLIDAY: Chance Theater has announced that it will present an original musical celebration for the holidays, A Celtic Holiday with Chance’s own Celtic band, Craic in the Stone. A Celtic Holiday runs Dec. 9 - 23 (opening night is Dec. 10) and is written by resident artists Jocelyn A. Brown, David McCormick, James McHale, Jennifer Ruckman and Bill Strongin, along with Aimee Gomez, Karen O’Hanlon and Scott B. Well. The holiday concert of rousing pub songs, ethereal melodies, and familiar spiritual tunes is woven together with traditional folktales and perfect for the whole family. Karen O’Hanlon directs. For more about Craic in the Stone, visit www.CraicInTheStone.com. www.chancetheater.com
CABARET/CONCERTS: Kelly
Lester takes the Star Spot at Ryan O’Connor’s Musical Mondays at Eleven
Nightclub in West Hollywood on April 27 performing highlights from her new
tribute to Doris Day, It’s Magic! - The Life & Music of Doris Day. Come
early and sing along with your favorite musical videos and mix and mingle with
West Hollywood’s musical theater fans before Kelly takes the stage. There
is no cover or a drink minimum. For reservations, go to www.eleven.la.
BENEFIT: The Old Globe will host the 2014 Globe Gala on Saturday, July 26 in support of the theatre’s education and artistic programs. The black-tie event will feature a one-night-only performance by Broadway veteran and Tony Award winner Laura Benanti, based on her smash hit New York cabaret (and new CD) In Constant Search of the Right Kind of Attention. A reception will take place prior to the performance, with dinner and dancing to the music of the 13-piece dance band Midnight Special following the performance. Dinner is catered by the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina. Tickets are $750 (regular seating) and $1,000 (VIP seating) each and include the reception, performance, dinner, and dancing. Tables are also available starting at $7,500. Underwriting levels, which include tickets for the Gala, begin at $4,500 per couple. To purchase tickets or a table or to become an underwriter, contact Eileen Prisby, Events Manager, at (619) 231-1941 x 2303 or eprisby@TheOldGlobe.org.
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