Sunday Scoop Week of 12/10/17 - What's Happening This Week or Coming Up Soon

Upcoming at Merkin Concert Hall

Kaufman Music Center

129 W. 67th St.

New York, NY

What Makes I Great:

Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 16, Op. 135

Monday December 11, 7:30 PM

Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 16, Op. 135
NPR & PBS music commentator Rob Kapilow and the Harlem Quartet explore the mysteries of Beethoven's final work. The quartet's unique mixture of the serious and the playful, the cosmic and the comic, have made the work one of Beethoven's most enigmatic masterpieces.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit 

http://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/what-makes-it-great-beethovens-string-quartet-no-16-op.-135

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PAPERBACK EDITION OF

NEIL SIMON’S MEMOIRS

WILL HIT SHELVES DECEMBER 12

The highly anticipated paperback edition of the complete memoirs of playwright Neil Simon will be released this Tuesday, December 12 by Simon & Schuster, featuring an introduction by Nathan Lane and afterword by Simon’s wife Elaine Joyce. The original hardback volume was published on November 8, 2016 to unanimous rave reviews led by Michael Riedel of the New York Post who declared, “Neil Simon’s terrific memoirs are worth revisiting!”

This omnibus edition combines Neil Simon’s two bestselling memoirs Rewrites and The Play Goes On into one volume that spans his extraordinary five-decade career in theater, TV and film. Rewrites takes Simon through his first love, his first play and his first brush with failure. There is the humor of growing up in Washington Heights (which inspired his play Brighton Beach Memoirs) where, despite his parents’ rocky marriage and many separations, he learned to see the funny side of family drama as when his mother screamed thinking she saw a body on the floor in their apartment. (It turned out to be the clothes his father discarded in the hallway after a night of carousing.) He describes his marriage to his beloved wife Joan, and writes movingly about the pain of losing her to cancer. The Play Goes On continues his life’s story, as he wins the Pulitzer Prize and reflects with humor and insight on his tumultuous life and meteoric career.

With the whole story now in one place, NEIL SIMON’S MEMOIRS traces the history of modern entertainment over the last 50 years through the eyes of a man who started life as the son of a garment salesman and became the greatest, and most successful, American playwright of all time.

Neil Simon has written more than 30 Broadway plays and musicals including Barefoot in the Park; The Odd Couple, Promises, Promises; Sweet Charity; Brighton Beach Memoirs; Plaza Suite; They're Playing Our Song; Chapter Two; Lost in Yonkers; The Sunshine Boys; The Prisoner of Second Avenue; Broadway Bound; and Biloxi Blues, along with such films as The Goodbye Girl, Murder by Death and The Out-of-Towners. He has won three Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Kennedy Center Honor, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

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Upcoming at Kelsey Theatre

1200 Old Trenton Rd.

West Windsor, NJ

The Nutcracker and Free Winter Concerts

The Nutcracker

Friday, Dec. 15, 2017 at 7pm 

Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1pm & 4pm

Sunday, Dec, 17 at 1pm & 4pm

The Dance Connection brings this abridged, fully narrated version of the classic ballet to the Kelsey Theatre stage. This magical visit to The Land of The Sweets, followed by a meet and greet with the dancers, is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit 

http://www.kelseytheatre.net/The%20Nutcracker

FREE WINTER CONCERTS!!

The Kelsey Theatre is proud to host 4 Winter Concerts.

Seating is first come/first serve, no tickets necessary.

Please call ahead to reserve Wheel Chair seating.

All shows start at 7:30 pm

MCCC Orchestra: Mon. Dec. 11

MCCC Choral Concert: Tues. Dec. 12 

MCCC Jazz Band Concert: Weds. Dec. 13 

Mercer County Symphonic Band: Wed. Dec. 20 

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Upcoming at State Theatre New Jersey

15 Livingston Ave.

New Brunswick, NJ

The Nutcracker: American Repertory Ballet

Only ARB Performance Featuring Live Orchestra and Choir!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017 AT 7:30PM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 AT 2:00PM & 7:00PM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017 AT 1:00PM & 5:00PM

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.stnj.org/event/nutcracker

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar 

featuring Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Barnes & Noble Winter Event

33 E. 17th St.

Union Square, NY

Saturday December 16, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Storytime Crafts

Face Painting

Get a photo with the Hungr Caterpillar

This event is free and open to the public!

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LC Kids Storytime at the Atrium: The Littlest Train by Chris Gall

David Rubenstein Atrium 

61 W. 62nd St.

New York, NY

Saturday December 16 11:00 AM

LCK Storytime event with Chris Gall, author and illustrator of the DinoTrux––now a major series on Netflix––as he reads his new book The Littlest Train. Recommended for ages 2 and up, this endearing story is about a little toy train’s big adventure, exploring the world and meeting awe-inspiring friends. But when the day is done and the sun goes down, will the littlest train find his way home? Calling all train lovers: all aboard!

This event is free!

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TOY COLLECTION & FREE PHOTOS with SANTA CLAUS

AT All Blue Moon Mexican Café Locations

Sunday, December 17^th

11am – 3pm

Blue Moon Mexican Café Restaurants where life is a fiesta every day –is celebrating the holidays with a special visit from Santa Claus at all locations on Sunday, December 17th from 11am – 3pm. Bring the kids to a Blue Moon location and surprise them with a Santa Claus visit and a free photo to be cherished for years to come. Blue Moon will also be kicking off their annual Toy Drive on Sunday, November 26^th until Monday, December 18th that will be given to local charities.

Reservations are suggested, as Santa Clause is very popular this time of year. Blue Moon Mexican Cafe' is located in Englewood, Woodcliff Lake, Wyckoff, Bronxville, New York and Boca Raton, Florida.

Visit: bluemoonmexicancafe.com for location details.  On behalf of Blue Moon Mexican Café, we wish you and your family a safe and a happy holiday season.

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Upcoming at iPlay America

110 Schank Rd.

Freehold, NJ 

Sunday, December 17                                                                 

Broadway Stars Dinner Show – iPlay America’s Event Center 

Doors: 4:30 PM – Show: 5:30 PM

The Broadway Stars Dinner Show is a new concert event created exclusively for iPlay America’s Event Center. On Sunday, December 17, five of Broadway’s finest vocalists will recreate some of their most memorable and favorite musical moments from classic to contemporary Broadway. This exciting evening of LIVE theatre allows the performers to display their great talents and versatility, share backstage behind-the-scenes anecdotes and conduct an enlightening and entertaining Q&A session with the audience. It is produced and hosted by New York Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit https://www.iplayamerica.com/event/broadway-spotlight

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PR Firm Roundup

News from BroadwayCon

BROADWAYCON RAISES CURTAIN ON 2018 SCHEDULE

FEATURING THREE DAYS OF PANELS, MEETUPS, WORKSHOPS,

PERFORMANCES, AND MORE!

BroadwayCon is thrilled to announce the programming schedule for BroadwayCon 2018 on January 26-28, 2018 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The BroadwayCon 2018 Schedule features three days packed with events curated with Broadway’s biggest fans, performers, and creators in mind. From The Intern Hustle: Young Professionals in Theatre to Playing Theatre History, there is something for every theatre lover at BroadwayCon.

Featuring over 160 hours of original programming and with more than 60 hours to be added in the coming weeks, BroadwayCon will host 12 fan-led meetups for everyone from out-of-towners to theatre teachers, 18 workshops led by top industry professionals, Show Spotlights featuring the cast and creative teams of shows currently running on Broadway, and the 10th Anniversary Reunion of In The Heights. BroadwayCon will also offer the unique chance to catch a First Look at some of the most talked-about new shows coming to Broadway in the upcoming season.

Autograph and photograph experiences, brought to you by Audience Rewards, are free of charge at BroadwayCon and available through a lottery system. Registered attendees may enter the lottery for autograph and photograph experiences with select Special Guests at BroadwayCon.com/extras by January 5, 2018.

Schedule highlights include:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26

BroadwayCon 101: Make the Most of Your Visit

11:00-11:50 AM

Newcomers, join four veteran BroadwayCon attendees to learn valuable information on how best to take advantage of the events happening all weekend. BroadwayCon can be overwhelming but attending our discussion will help you navigate the conference. Topics include using the app, getting the most out of the panels and events, the marketplace, food and cosplay tips. Plus, hear about our favorite moments, celebrity encounters and what we've learned during the first two conventions.

Auditioning for College Theatre Programs

1:00-1:50 PM

“What song do I sing?” “What schools do I apply to?” "What are they looking for in a pre-screen?” “What monologues should I avoid?” If you have asked yourself any of the above questions then you are probably getting ready for your college auditions. Come hear some of the nation’s most respected educators demystify the college audition process.

BroadwayCon Jukebox

9:00-9:50 PM

We're turning karaoke on its head. Take your seat at the BroadwayCon Jukebox, fire up the app, and use our live poll to choose what the stars onstage will sing next!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27

Are We Living in Another Golden Age of Broadway Musicals?
10:00-10:50 AM

Are we living in another Golden Age of the Broadway Musical? Some may say that the American Broadway musical began with Oklahoma. Others say Show boat...(and if we are getting really technical, one may even say The Black Crook...) William Cortez-Statham will try to answer this question by delving into various stages that he classifies as definitive eras ("Golden Ages") of the American Musical Theatre from it's birth to those two gentlemen we now all know so well on Broadway: Alexander Hamilton and Evan Hansen.

Show Spotlight: Dear Evan Hansen

11:00-11:50 AM

It's been a year since Evan Hansen burst onto the scene, earning six Tony Awards. Hear about what it's been like to watch your show take off so quickly, and the challenges of stepping into a role that earned its originator raves.

Building Theatre Community in your Hometown

4:00-4:50 PM

Love the theatre but can't make it to NYC all the time? Come learn how to build the theatre community right where you live. From grassroots theatre criticism, to writing and producing shows, to developing a theatre company, and even building a fan community to attend events in your area, our panelists have done it all. Nothing can compare to the experience of Broadway, but having high quality theatre where you live is not only possible, it improves the quality of life, love, and art in a local community.  

BroadwayCon Blizzard Party Line

7:00-8:30 PM

In 2016, stranded in the middle of one of New York City's largest blizzards in history, we started calling everyone who couldn't make it to BroadwayCon. Now, it's a BroadwayCon MainStage Mainstay. Join us as we call some of Broadway's best and brightest. You never know who might pick up…

SUNDAY, JANUARY 28

Resident and Associate Directors

11:00-11:50 AM

What does a director do once a show is open? Or when a show is playing in multiple places at once? In comes their associate, who keeps the show in tip‐top shape as it ages and the cast changes. Meet some of Broadway's top associate directors and learn about their role in keeping long‐running shows as polished as they were on opening night.

When You Help Others: Theatre for a Cause

1:00-1:50 PM

Four high school students who started their own theatre companies to raise money for different charities talk about how and why they do what they do, and how you can do it, too. Founders of Long Island-based companies Zneefrock Productions and The Crossed Path Players discuss how anyone can use their talents for good.

Defying Negativity: Staying Positive in the World of Show Business

3:00-3:50 PM

Join an intimate conversation with two-time Tony Award nominee, Stephanie J. Block, as Retreat to Broadway's Director and Founder, Brian Reavey, interviews her about the power of positivity in an industry often permeated with competition, self-doubt, rejection, criticism and fear. Topics include: lessons learned when dealing with the pressure to please so many at once, practical skills for how to rise above negativity, and simple strategies and takeaways for incorporating positivity into everyday life.

The BroadwayCon 2018 Schedule can be found at www.BroadwayCon.com/Preview. Additional programming will be announced at a later date and is subject to change.

The BroadwayCon 2018 app, hosted by Guidebook, is available at www.BroadwayCon.com/app.

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News from Karen Greco PR

Jay Armstrong Johnson stays with THE MAD ONES for the remainder of the run

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) announces that Jay Armstrong Johnson will remain with THE MAD ONES through the conclusion of its run on Sunday, December 17.

Produced by Prospect Theater Company, THE MAD ONES is by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilkand directed by Stephen Brackett with choreography by Alexandra Beller. The Music Director is Paul Staroba. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59^th Street, between Park and Madison). Single tickets are $55 - $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org.

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A REGULAR LITTLE HOUDINI magics its way to 59E59 Theaters

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) is thrilled to present the NYC premiere of A REGULAR LITTLE HOUDINI, written and performed by Daniel LLewelyn-Williams and directed by Joshua Richards. Produced by Flying Bridge Theatre Limited, A REGULAR LITTLE HOUDINI begins performances on Tuesday, December 12 for a limited engagement through Sunday, December 31. Press Opening is Sunday, December 17 at 3:30 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 8:30 PM; Saturday at 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM; and Sunday at 3:30 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59^th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Single tickets are $25 ($20 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org.

Set in Newport, South Wales, a tenacious young dockworker's son, smitten by Harry Houdini'samazements, dreams of a life of magic to escape the brutal Welsh working-class reality of Edwardian Britain. Is it possible to follow one's dreams in a world where poverty weighs you down like mud?

 
A REGULAR LITTLE HOUDINI features magic tricks created specifically for the show by two top magicians: quick-change magician Adrian Solar and sleight-of-hand artist Tom Silburn. The original music is composed by Meg Cox.

For more information, visit www.59e59.org.

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What's on at The Wild Project

December 12
MAKE OR BREAK (A Reading in verse) by Cyrus Aaron
Tuesday at 7:30PM
Produced by The Wild Project
Tickets: $10

Dating in New York City is quite the magic trick. A house of mirrors with mind games at every turn. Hate it or love it, the possibility of finding that special someone keeps us coming back for more. But are we always ready to get in on the act.

December 13 - December 14
IN FLIGHT and SACRAMENT BURGER by David Commander's Modern Toy Theater with HAPPY TO SEE YOU by Cara Francis
Produced by The Wild Project
Schedule: Wednesday - Thursday at 8 pm
Tickets: $15
 
IN FLIGHT mocks the market of mis-focusing information and our potential for mass apathy. It questions what it is as a species that allows us to look the other way. Its story draws from the insatiable hunger fordistraction that subtly guides our attention away from the immediacy of larger, life-threatening issues.

SACRAMENT BURGER focuses on our disconnection from the function and value of food and how that detachment contributes to the waste of nearly half of all food produced globally. It explores the inherent need to ritualize the act of eating and how this ceremony is performed within restaurant culture.

Both works are paired with Cara Francis’ HAPPY TO SEE YOU.

December 15 - December 17
NUBLU Music of Now
Produced by The Wild Project
Schedule: Friday - Sunday at 9 pm
Tickets: $10

NUBLU is an impressionistic documentary about a musician-run space in the East Village called Nublu. Nublu is a place where artists with diverging musical styles experiment and develop their own sounds, carrying the tradition of the older NYC nightspots (Slugs, Five Spot etc.) & Loft Jazz scene.

Performances include Brooklyn Gypsies, Henry Threadgill’s Ensemble, On Ka'a Davis & The Famous Original Djuke Music Players, Nublu Orchestra Conducted By Butch Morris, Sun Ra Arkestra, Graham Haynes Synesthesia, Tamango's Urban Tap, Brandon Ross Pendulum, I Led 3 Lives, Brazilian Girls, Low Mentality, Alex From Tokyo, Jojo Mayer's Nerve Feat. Malik, Hess Is More, Graham Haynes And Velibor Pedevski, Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions Feat. Erik Truffaz, Roy Ayers Band, Calibro 35, Robert Glasper Experiment, Love Trio With Lanny Gordin & Joao Parahyba, Love Trio Feat. Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Nublu Orchestra Conducted By Kenny Wollesen.

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News from Michelle Tabnick PR

Portraits of the 14^th Street Y

Opening December 6, 2017 at 7pm

Portraits of the 14th Street Y, a series of photographs by Bridget Badore, will be shown at the 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th Street, New York, NY 10003,from December 6, 2017 through January 6, 2018, with an opening celebration on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 from 7-9pm.  The exhibition is FREE; toreserve a spot for the opening celebration, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gallery-opening-14yportraits-tickets-40136281699.

Portraits of the 14th Street Y tells the stories behind the many faces of the 14th Street Y community, including members, staff, teachers, trainers, artists, caregivers, families, and local business owners. This series showcases 40intimate portraits of those individuals, accompanied by their unique anecdotes and experiences, as told through interviews with the artist. Together, these portraits show the East Village community center as more than a gym, theater, preschool, or place of work-as seen through the eyes of our community, this space proves to be a center for creativity, friendship, inclusivity, and discovery in downtown Manhattan.

Each year, the unique stories of more than 20,000 New Yorkers are woven into the fabric that makes the 14^th Street Y a Downtown home for all. As 2017 comes to a close, this captivating photography series celebrates the more than 50 individuals who've been positively impacted by the 14Y and serves as an important reminder of the importance of accessibility to an open, inclusive community for New York residents at a time when we need it most. 
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Town Stages Opens at 221 West Broadway, NYC

New Cultural Arts Institution in the Heart of Tribeca

Town Stages is now open at 221 West Broadway, NYC. Located in the heart of Tribeca, TOWN is New York's premier venue to celebrate, collaborate and put on a show.

A new female-driven cultural arts institution and venue space, Town Stages is a state-of-the-art, flexible performance and event space that can support the entire lifecycle of New York's hallmark industries. With a stunning 9,000 square foot storefront facility, TOWN provides world-class cultural experiences and opportunities for all:  from civic to corporate, tech to theater.

With a Mainstage, a Cabaret Lounge, and a multi-use event space with a capacity of 225, Town Stages will offer much-needed space and production resources for businesses, arts organizations, and families. TOWN boasts ticketed performances and curated community programing, from performance art to dance to theatre, and is also available for fashion shows, film shoots, weddings, and beyond.  

TOWN will also be home to a Fellowship Program for artists, entrepreneurs, writers, content creators, movers, shakers, and makers of all kinds. In partnership with Sokoloff Arts (501c3), the program is part residency, part incubator, and part home base: offering the ultimate creative freedom to grow. An application-based program, the Fellowship offers access to shared spaces, rehearsal/performance/event subsidies, and an opportunity to be a part of a shared creative community, working together under one roof.

For more information, visit www.townstages.com.

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   Act One of New Opera NYC's Black Square

           as part of 10 days that shook the world

           Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 7:30pm

The capstone event of the REEEC symposium 

10 days that shook the world is the Lyric Theatre at Illinois' production 

From Prince Igor to Black Square. The stories of human lives swept away by the storm of political changes seven centuries apart come alive in this unusual production. From Prince Igor to Black Square pushes the boundaries between classics and avant-garde, juxtaposing classic scenes from the audience' beloved classic Russian operas with the premiere of the first act of the new opera Black Square. Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at7:30pm, Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. The event is free and more details may be found at https://krannertcenter.com/events/lyric-theatre-illinois-scenes-prince-igor-black-square.

The futuristic plot of the Black Square tells a tragicomic love story of a couple overwhelmed by revolution and caught up in societal metamorphosis. It is inspired by an early 20^th century absurd theatre tradition, the aim of which is to deliver complex poetic language through a simple comic book style story. Music is written by the brilliant contemporary Russian composer, Ilya Demutsky, whose name is attached to productions for the famous Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. At only 34, Ilya is already a winner of the Golden Mask, the highest honor in the Russian theatre, which he received for the ballet Hero of Our Times at Bolshoi, and a recipient of the Composer of the Year award (European Oscar) for the Cannes award-winning film The Student. Ilya will be coming to Urbana right after the opening night of his ballet Nureyev at Bolshoi Theater in Moscow amidst the controversy of its cancellation in July, just two days before the opening, and the arrest of its director, Kirill Serebrennikov, well known for his critique of Putin's regime. The libretto is written by Igor Konyukhov, an artistic director of New Opera NYC, and Olga Maslova, an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre, UIUC. A panel discussion will follow the performance

From Prince Igor to Black Square

Lyric Theatre @ Illinois.

Scenes from the Russian Operas

Prince Igor, War and Peace, Golden Cockerel, Eugene Onegin

Directed by Dawn Harris

Piano Larisa Chasanov, Alexander Munger

Black Square 

act one (abbreviated)

Idea by Igor Konyukhov, Composer Ilya Demutsky, Libretto by Olga Maslova and Igor Konyukhov,

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Theater Resources Unlimited

presents the TRU December Panel

Beyond Broadway: A Broader Perspective on Developing New Musicals

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 7:30pm, networking at 7pm

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the TRU December Panel -Beyond Broadway: A Broader Perspective on Developing New Musicalson Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 7:30pm (doors open for networking at7pm) at Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th Street, NYC.  For more details, visit https://truonline.org/events/understanding-off-broadway/.

Speakers will include Ken Cerniglia, Dramaturg and Literary Manager, Disney Theatrical Group; Jason Cocovinis, Director of Marketing, Music Theatre International (MTI), one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theaters from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond; Betsy King Militello, executive director National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), whose 160 organizational members and 40 individual members, located throughout 31 states and abroad, are some of the leading producers of musical theatre in the world.

Doors open at 7:00pm for networking and refreshments, roundtable introductions of everyone in the room will start at 7:30pm - come prepared with your best one-minute summary of who you are, and what you need. Free for TRU members; $12.50 for non-members in advance ($15 at door), free for TRU.  Please use the bright red reservation box on this page, or call at least a day in advance (or much sooner) for reservations: 212-714-7628; or e-mail  TRUStaff1@gmail.com 

For more details, visit http://truonline.org/tru-event-category/monthly-panels/.

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Brooklyn Music School's

Musical Theater Performance of

Little Red Riding Hood

Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7pm

Tickets FREE for children ages 11 and under, 

$20 for adults

Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents a Musical Theater Performance of

Little Red Riding Hood on Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7pm. BMS is located at 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn. Tickets are FREE for children ages 11 and under, and $20 for adults ($10 for BMS students). Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brooklyn-music-school-presents-little-red-riding-hood-tickets-39329792468.

The classic transformative tale of Little Red Riding Hood will come alive in BMS Playhouse on December 15, 2017. Presented by young musical theater performers, this imaginative production will feature the classic and original characters highlighting Little Red's journey through the unfamiliar woods and her encounter with the clever trickster wolf. As our young performers enact the evocative story and narrate the powerful lessons learned through their characters' passage, audiences are reminded of the value of trust, kindness and the importance of community/family in times of hostility. In this exciting production, the creatures of the forest and trees come alive as the Mother's song echoes through the entire journey. Don't miss this original musical written and produced by the BMS faculty, proudly featuring the school's youngest talent in music and theater.

BMS's Musical Theater Program is designed to introduce children into the world of musical theater and performance through a 12-week intensive course that culminates in a fully produced performance of a musical production at the BMS Playhouse. The program will include specialized training in every aspect that goes into the musical theater craft, including singing and vocal coaching, acting and character development, movement and dance, costuming and set design. This program is open to all children ages 5-13, who have the desire to share the stage with fellow child performers. Classes are taught by teachers with world-class backgrounds in musical theater, opera, dance and performance. Each child will have a role in the final production and/or performances at BMS concerts. The program is defined by the philosophy that every child can find their creative voice on stage, combined with intensive training in the fundamentals of vocal performance and building a dramatic vocabulary that ties with their emotions and lived experience. For more information, visit https://www.brooklynmusicschool.org/best-musical-theater-drama-performance-program/.

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National Chorale

presents

50th presentation of Handel's Messiah Sing-In

FeaturingJoanna Mongiardo, Michael Nansel,

Holly Sorensen, and John Wesley Wright

Friday, December 15, 2017 at 7:30pm

National Chorale, New York's premier professional choral company, under the Artistic Direction of Everett McCorvey, continues its 2017-2018 Season at Lincoln Center with the 50th presentation of Handel's Messiah Sing-In onFriday, December 15, 2017 at 7:30pm at the David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC. Tickets are $30-100 and are available at www.nationalchorale.com, or by calling (212) 333-5333.

Join an audience-chorus of almost 3,000 voices under the batons of 17 eminent conductors. Celebrate choral singing and sing in New York's most joyous and popular Holiday Season music event! The performance featuresJoanna Mongiardo, Michael Nansel, Holly Sorensen, and John Wesley Wright.

The 17 conductors from around the country, who will each conduct a movement, are Constance Chase, Hugh Ferguson Floyd, Gregory Hopkins, James John, Thomas Juneau, Deborah Simpkin King, Chris Ludwa, Everett Mccorvey, Vagarshak Ohanyan, Stephen Pagano, John Palatucci, Jennifer Pascual, Vincent Rufino, Kathryn Schneider, Michael Spierman, Jason Tramm and Mark Van Schenkhof.

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The New York Theatre Ballet's production of

Keith Michael's THE NUTCRACKER

returns to Florence Gould Hall

December 15-17, 2017

New York Theatre Ballet returns to Florence Gould Hall with their popular and critically acclaimed production of Keith Michael's THE NUTCRAKERfrom December 15-17, 2017. This is a timeless, inventive re-imagined classic danced to Tchaikovsky's beloved score and set in an Art Nouveau style, circa 1907. The set is designed by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith, and costumes are designed by Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan (Resident Costume Designer at the Metropolitan Opera).

NYTB's The Nutcracker performances are from December 15-17, 2016 at Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59^th Street, NYC (between Park and Madison Avenues). Performances are Friday, December 15 at 6pm as well as Saturday, December 16 and Sunday December 17 at 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm. Tickets are $24 for children (12 and under) and $34 for adults, and are available online at www.nytb.org, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, or in person at the Florence Gould Hall box office at (212) 355-6160. For group sales: 212-679-0401 or email groups@nytb.org.

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News from Polk and Co.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Second Stage Theater’s

World Premiere Production of

CARDINAL

Previews begin January 9, 2018

Opening night is January 30, 2018

CARDINAL will begin previews Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the Tony Kiser Theater (305 West 43^rd Street) and will officially open on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Tickets are available at 2ST.com or by calling the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422.

Paint it red. So begins Lydia’s wild idea to invigorate her Rust Belt town. But when a whip-smart entrepreneur co-opts her scheme, a precarious rivalry is born. A battle for the town’s soul ensues, causing its obsessive mayor, its defiant matriarch, and the rest of its residents to question who they are and where they're headed.

A select number of 30 under 30 tickets for CARDINAL are available for people ages 30 and under, as well as $23 student rush tickets, available one hour prior to curtain and based on availability. Subscriptions are currently available beginning at $295, including the company’s inaugural productions on Broadway. For subscription and ticket information, please visit 2ST.com or call the Second Stage Box Office at 212-246-4422.

For more information, please visit www.2ST.com

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News from Richard Hillman PR

THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY

DEVELOPMENTAL READING SERIES

PRESENTS

A STAGED READING OF

THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ

BOOK AND LYRICS BY DAVID SPENCER

MUSIC BY ALAN MENKEN

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY MORDECAI RICHLER

DIRECTED BY EVAN PAPPAS

TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 AT 2:00PM & 7:00PM

AT THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY AT SAINT PETER’S

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director), dedicated to the development of new musicals and the preservation of musical gems from the past, as part of its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series, will present the staged reading of the new musicalThe Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, with book and lyrics by David Spencer (The Fabulist), music Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors), and based on the novel byMordecai Richler, for two performances only Monday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54^th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). 

The readings are open to the public with a $10.00 advance reservation fee for each reading (Complimentary for York Theatre's Plus Members; $5 for York Theatre Members). Reservations can also be made on the day of the reading (pending availability) for a suggested $5.00 donation in person at the box office.

Based on the literary classic-which also inspired the 1974 film starring Richard Dreyfuss, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz is set on the streets of 1950s Montreal and the countryside of St. Agathe. Ambitious, spiky, and relentlessly driven, Duddy Kravitz is on the cusp of adulthood and hustling to climb the social ladder. Obsessed with his grandfather's maxim that "a man without land is nobody" and desperate to prove himself, he risks making his name at the expense of those he loves; it all comes down to choosing what kind of man he's going to be.

The York’s Developmental Reading Series presents over 30 readings and workshops of new musicals by emerging and established authors throughout the year, a vital part of the writing process. The strong commitment to developing new work is an important part of what makes the York unique in the musical theatre community. The series serves as an incubator for shows to be considered for Mainstage productions, thus serving the York's unique mission of taking new musicals through the complete development process to full production.  Projects developed through the series have included Broadway’s Avenue Q and In Transit and the York’s Cagney.

For additional information, please visit www.yorktheatre.org.

**

SPECIAL EVENT

LIFE IS A CABARET!

THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY

PRESENTS

DESPERATE AFTER DARK

A CABARET CELEBRATING THE SONGS OF DAVID FRIEDMAN

A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY CONCERT PERFORMANCE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2017 AT 10:00PM

AT THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY AT SAINT PETER'S

FEATURING CAST MEMBERS FROM THE NEW HIT OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL

DESPERATE MEASURES

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

 It's a cabaret! The York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Evans Haile, Executive Director) will present a ONE NIGHT ONLY, special event Desperate After Dark, a cabaret of song celebrating the music of David Friedman, following the performance of Desperate Measures, the new hit musical with book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg and music by Mr. Friedman, late night on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 beginning at 10:00PM onstage at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).

Celebrated songwriter David Friedman's songs have been recorded by such luminaries as Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Petula Clark, and the late, great Nancy LaMott. Now the Desperate Measures composer brings his songs of inspiration, love, and hope to The York's stage.  The one-hour cabaret concert, directed by Mr. Friedman, will feature Desperate Measures cast members Emma Degerstedt, Gary Marachek, Lauren Molina, Conor Ryan, Peter Saide, Nick Wyman, and more.

David Friedman has written songs for everyone from Disney to Diana Ross; has written four other musicals with Peter Kellogg (Money Talks (Off Broadway run at the Davenport Theatre), Aucassin and Nicolette (Barrymore Award for best score) Stunt Girl, and Lincoln in Love); collaborated with Deborah Brevoort on King Island Christmas; has performed his revue Listen to My Heart: The Songs of David Friedman for audiences Off-Broadway, all over America, and abroad; wrote songs for The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Aladdin and the King of Thieves, Bambi II, and Trick; scored three television series; contributed music to Broadway's Scandalous; conducted and vocal arranged six musicals on Broadway and numerous Disney animated films, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame; produced all of the late/great Nancy LaMott's CDs and wrote many of her best-known songs; and is currently in his 8th year of co-writing a song a month with Kathie Lee Gifford for the "Everyone Has a Story" segment on "The Today Show."

Audiences are encouraged to attend Desperate Measures at 7:00 p.m., and to stay for special Desperate Measures themed cocktails and the Desperate After Dark cabaret at 10:00 p.m.The cabaret concert will run 60 minutes and is free to those who purchase a full price ticket to Desperate Measures for that evening's performance priced $79.50.  Concert only tickets are available at $25.  York Theatre Company Member tickets are available at $15.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (212) 935-58205820>, online at www.yorktheatre.org<http://www.yorktheatre.org>, or in person at the box office at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's (Citicorp Building, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue), Monday through Friday (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.).

For additional information, please visit www.yorktheatre.org.

**

AMAS MUSICAL THEATRE

 PRESENTS

“B R E A D  A N D  R O S E S”

BOOK & LYRICS BY JILL ABRAMOVITZ

MUSIC BY BRAD ALEXANDER

DIRECTED BY MELISSA CRESPO

MUSIC DIRECTION BY MEG ZERVOULIS

MUSICAL SUPERVISION BY ALEXANDER GEMIGNANI

THE THIRD NEW MUSICAL OFFERING OF THE “DARE TO BE DIFFERENT” SERIES

THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY!

DECEMBER 14 @ 3PM & 7PM

DECEMBER 15 @ 3PM

A.R.T./NEW YORK THEATRES – MEZZANINE THEATRE

502 WEST 53^RD STREET (10^TH AVENUE & 53^RD STREET)

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) will present Bread and Roses, with book & lyrics by Jill Abramovitz and music by Brad Alexander, the third and final offering of Dare To Be Different, the previously announced series of new musicals and one-night only special events being held at A.R.T./New York Theatres (502 West 53^rd Street – 10^th Avenue & 53^rd Street). The three performances will be held on Thursday, December 14 at 3pm & 7pm and on Friday, December 15 @ 3pm. For tickets please call (212) 352-3101 or visit www.amasmusical.org.

Maya is a 25-year old undocumented Mexican woman who crosses the US border to work with her sister Rosa cleaning Office Building 646 in downtown L.A. Witnessing firsthand the corruption and abusive working conditions, Maya joins Sam from Justice for Janitors in an attempt to unionize the workers. Alliances are formed, backs are stabbed, and the sisters’ relationship is brought to the brink. Inspired by true events, Bread and Roses  asks: must the American dream come at the cost of human dignity?

Tickets for Bread and Roses are $20. Become an “Amas49er” member to receive a 50% discount.  For tickets please call (212) 352-3101 or visit the brand new Amas web site atwww.amasmusical.org.

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News from Waldmania PR

PAUL WINTER's

38th ANNUAL WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION

A DAZZLING EXTRAVAGANZA OF MUSIC AND DANCE

WITH SPECIAL GUEST

THE PLETENITSA BALKAN CHOIR

DECEMBER 14, 15 & 16, 2017

CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE, NYC

Seven-time Grammy®-winner Paul Winter's 38th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration presents a dazzling extravaganza of music and dance at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenueat 112th Street, NYC, on December 14, 15, and 16, 2017. Special guests will be the critically acclaimed Pletenitsa Balkan Choir.

Performances will take place on Thursday, December 14 at 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 15 at 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

More information about Paul Winter's 38th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration is available at solsticeconcert.com.

**

THE LAURIE BERKNER BAND: A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION CONCERT

COMES TO TARRYTOWN MUSIC HALL!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017

Best-selling children's recording artist and preschool television favorite Laurie Berkner invites families to share the spirit of the season with The Laurie Berkner Band at a Holiday Celebration Concert at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 17 at Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown, NY.

**

MISTER G CELEBRATES

HANUKKAH

WITH A FUN-FILLED CONCERT

FOR ALL AGES

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2017

THE JEWISH MUSEUM

NEW YORK, NY

Beloved Latin Grammy winning musician Mister G is set to raise the roof and celebrate Hanukkah with a dynamic concert for all ages at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 17 at The Jewish Museum, 109 5th Ave at 92nd St., New York, NY.

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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for another Talking Topic.