Monday, April 29, 2013

Watch the TONY Nominations LIVE!


Watch the 2013 TONY Nominations LIVE right here on Tuesday 4/30 at 8:30 am EST!





Launch the 2013 Tony Awards Live 
Video Console!



Info on the Webcast
The 2013 Tony Awards Nominations Announcement, Sponsored by IBM
Tuesday, April 30, 2013 8:30 a.m. ET
Hosted by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Sutton Foster
Video courtesy NY1 News
More Information
For graphic materials to help you promote the Tony Awards and the syndicated
webcast, visit TonyAwards.com/presskit.
Contact Ben Pesner at BPesner@TonyAwards.com or (212) 703-0208 with
questions.
The 67
th Annual Tony Awards will be broadcast in a live three-hour ceremony
from Radio City Music Hall on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 9,
2013. For more information on the Tony Awards, please visit
www.TonyAwards.com.
#TonyAwards

Sunday, April 28, 2013

A Chorus Line opens May 10th at The Heights Players!


A Chorus Line opens May 10th at The Heights Players
(Brooklyn’s oldest community theater celebrating its 57th season)

The musical for everyone who has had a dream and put it all on the line
(BROOKLYN, NY)  It is a classic story and a theatrical production that celebrates the true emotion, joy and passion of Broadway – it is A Chorus Line.  With a bare stage in an empty theater, dancers audition for the chance of a lifetime, the chance to do what they’ve always dreamed of – to dance in a Broadway show.  The Heights Players proudly presents A Chorus Line, winner of nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, for three weekends in May, opening Friday, May 10th.

A Chorus Line (music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban and book by James Kirkwood, Jr., and Nicholas Dante) offers a glimpse into the personalities of the auditionees and the choreographer as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers.  It is a tribute to everyone who has put themselves “on the line” at some point in their lives.

Directed by Thomas N. Tyler, the Heights Players production features: Tony Artiga, David Arzberger, Simone Bart, Andrea Bernardo, Timothy Chan, Sean Dearing, Aurora Dreger, Alyson Ryan Fuchs, Tom Giancursio, Marissa Giglio, Hilary Goldman, Dina Grilli, Nichole Jorgensen, Desiree Justin, Maureen Kelley, Whitney Kelley, Michael Kidney, Karen Mascolo, Adrian Miranda, Julie Reed, Ian Richardson, Kristen Robles, John Sabatos and Jason Schulof.


SEE THE SHOW A Chorus Line runs from May 10th through May 26th. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($18 for seniors and those under the age of 18). Reservations: 718-237-2752. Theater: The Heights Players, 26 Willow Place, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Convenient to many subway lines including: R, 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C trains.

CONTACT – If you are interested in covering The Heights Players in your media, we are happy to assist! We can provide photographs, posters and postcards, or arrange for interviews with our cast and/or production staff.
The Heights Players
26 Willow Place
Brooklyn, New York 11201

Media:               jill@lewiskelly.net                     646-872-6137
General info:    info@heightsplayers.org          718-237-2752
Reservations:  718-237-2752
___________________________________________________________________________________

THE HEIGHTS PLAYERS – In December of 1956 a small group of people interested in theater held their first meeting as The Heights Players. The first production, The Hasty Heart, opened in February 1957 at the Unitarian Church; much interest was generated by this production and a second production, The Crucible, opened in 1957. It was apparent to all concerned that a theater group had been established in Brooklyn. During the following summer a Workshop Program was begun, introducing more performers and directors to the group. During this time, the Heights Players became a non-profit educational corporation under New York statutes. In addition to 56 seasons of staging classic repertory, The Heights Players has made many contributions to the community, starting with special Theater for Children performances. The group has provided traveling entertainment to Brooklyn hospitals, nursing homes and the Hale House in Manhattan, as well as participating in local street fairs. For many years, we provided special performances for local homeless shelter residents and senior citizen centers.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Our Review of JEKYLL & HYDE on Broadway

Last Sunday I got the chance to see Jekyll & Hyde at The Marquis Theatre after attending a pre-show brunch where I met the cast. What an entertaining show! Since this is a revival, we all know Frank Wildhorn's music. This cast truly gives the music new life, particularly Constantine Maroulis (Jekyll/Hyde) on This is the Moment and Teal Wicks (Emma) on Once Upon a Dream. There has been a lot of hype around Deborah Cox as Lucy. While she didn't excite me or really bring anything groundbreaking to the role, she was serviceable. We all know the story, but the cast keeps it fresh. Constantine Maroulis is electric. You feel for him as Jekyll and loathe him as Hyde. He transitions effortlessly between the two with different facial expressions, body carriage, vocal tones, and  of course his great free-flowing hair. The supporting cast isn't large, but they certainly support the music well. The sets are decent, but remember, this is a touring production after all.

As a whole, I was pleasantly surprised with the production. It is a limited 13-week engagement, so come see it while you can. You won't regret it! If you don't believe me, listen to these fine people.



Join in the fun and HYDE yourself like Constantine!



#HYDEyourself Instructions:

Step 1. In order to #HYDEyourself, log into your application store and download an
                image-collage application, such as PICSTITCH or PHOTOSPLIT. They're free!

Step 2. Take 2 photos of yourself, one as your “Jekyll” and one as your “Hyde.”

Step 3.  Using the image-collage program, select the 2-photo frame and insert one
                photo onto each side, adjusting them so that your face splits down the
                middle.  You can also use any photography programs you may have to alter
                the look of your photos.

Step 4. Save the image to your smart phone and upload to Instagram. (Some
programs, such as picstitch, allow the photos to be directly uploaded to
Instagram without having to save to your smart phone.)

Step 5. Make sure to tag #HYDEyourself @JekyllMusical in the comments section of the photo.

NOTE: These are instructions for how to #HYDEyourself from your smartphone, but of course entries can be submitted via computer using photoshop, paint, etc!

Our Review of ORPHANS on Broadway!


I had the great pleasure of seeing Orphans two weeks ago and it has really stuck with me. Tom Sturridge is a standout as Phillip, the younger brother of Treat (Ben Foster). The two brothers live together in North Philly, forced to fend for themselves until Harold (Alec Baldwin) comes along and shows them a glimpse of a better life. Lyle Kessler's plot is simple. Treat is a tough guy who kidnaps Harold from a bar because he likes the idea of taking control of a rich guy. But, little does he know, Harold will take over his.

Because the story is not difficult to follow, the performances really shine through. Tom Sturridge's portrayal of the younger, mentally and emotionally challenged brother, Phillip, is endearing. He is so honest in a role that could easily become a parody in the hands of a less skilled actor. He warms the heart and you will just want to give him a hug. Ben Foster's Treat is the antithesis, a hardened, strong, workhorse who will do anything necessary to provide for his brother. Alec Baldwin's Harold is about the same as Alec Baldwin in most other roles, but there's nothing with that.

This is a limited engagement so don't wait, go see it!

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre/236 West 45th Street, New York, NY
http://www.orphansonbroadway.com/