In This Week's Scoop
1) Upcoming at Historic Philadelphia
Chinese Lantern Festival Opens May 1
2) Upcoming at State Theatre New Jersey
Brit Floyd, Kip Moore, Rocktopia
3) Hurricane Sleep A New Play ar IATI May 2-12
4) Upcoming at iPlay America
Music City Showcase Finale, Teacher Appreciation Night, Topgolf Swing Suite Opening
Block Party, Kentucky Derby Special
5) Upcoming at Kelsey Theatre
The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System
6) Upcoming at Merkin Hall
Chinese Music Ensemble, PREformances with Allison Charney
PR Firm Roundup
7) News from Andrea Alton PR
Mary Mary Open 5/3
8) News from JT Public Relations
3 Egg Creams Returns to The Cutting Edge 5/4 - 5/28
9) News from Lincoln Center
Free 60th Anniversary Block Party Saturday May 4
10) News from Michelle Tabnick PR
10A) Nai Ni Chen Presents Superheroes Disable Students and Professionals Share Stage
10B) BAM Kids Presents GLIMPSE by Ooarkaan
11) News from Polk and Co. PR
Tootsie the Musical Now Open on Broadway
12) News from Richard Hillman PR
Off Broadway Alliance Presents Puttin' On the Hits
1) Chinese Lantern Festival Returns to Historic Philadelphia
Franklin Square
238 N. 6th St.
Philadelphia, PA
May 1 - June 30
This year marks the fourth Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival to be held in Franklin Square, beginning May 1 and running through June 30. The spectacular festival is a celebration of light and culture that features magnificent steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted sculptures, created by hand using traditional Chinese methods. Bigger than ever before, 29 larger-than-life illuminated displays made of 2,000 individual lanterns and 20,000 LED lights in brilliant colors will glow in the Square. All of the lanterns will be new for the 2019 Festival, including several designs never before seen in the United States, highlighted by a 200-foot long phoenix (different from previous years’ giant dragon), a walk-through dragon tunnel, and a host of interactive installations such as lit swings and a fortune-telling wheel.
In addition to the gorgeous light installations, festival-goers will witness authentic cultural stage performances. Martial arts specialists, a mysterious face changer, dancers, contortionists, and jugglers will grace the stage at the festival to showcase their unique skills. These performers from China will demonstrate incredible and impressive feats of strength, balance, and form during three nightly performances. Visitors can taste Asian cuisine and American favorites, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden open nightly, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts created on site as well as Festival-themed merchandise. Through a partnership with the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, visitors are encouraged to dine in Chinatown restaurants using the Panda Promotions program before or after attending the Festival.
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2)Upcoming at State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave.
New Brunswick, NJ
Brit Floyd, Kip Moore, Rocktopia
Wednesday May 1, 8:00 PM
Brit Floyd World Tour
2019
40 Years of the Wall
Brit Floyd, the world’s greatest Pink Floyd tribute show, returns in 2019 with its most ambitious and biggest production yet; a very special 40th Anniversary celebration of Pink Floyd’s iconic rock opera, The Wall. As well as performing highlights from The Wall, the new Brit Floyd production will include songs from Pink Floyd’s classic albums, The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals, The Division Bell, and much more.
Friday May 1, 8:00 PM
Kip Moore
Room to Spare Acoustic Tour
With Special Guest Muscadine Blood
Sunday May 5, 7:30 PM
Rocktopia
Direct from its smash-hit run on Broadway, the international music sensation Rocktopiacomes to State Theatre New Jersey for one night only! An explosive musical concert event that fuses the most iconic 20th-century rock with world-renowned classical masterpieces, Rocktopia features the works of musical innovators across centuries—including Journey, Mozart, Queen, Beethoven, Aerosmith, Handel, Led Zeppelin, Tchaikovsky, U2, Heart, Puccini, The Who, and more—performed by an elite lineup of vocalists, a five-piece rock band, a 30-person choir, and a 20-piece orchestra.
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3) Hurricane Sleep a New Play at IATI Theatre
64 East 4th Street
(bet. Bowery and Second Avenue)
New York, NY
May 2-12, 2019 (10 performances)
Preview: May 2nd at 7 p.m.
Opening: May 3rd at 8 p.m.
Tuesdays-Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Set in New York City during Hurricane Sandy, Sal finds herself trapped in a flooding bodega alongside a local girl named Ome. This claustrophobic setting will become Sal’s canvas to rapidly flow, like the fast winds that menace the building, in a journey of self-discovery while facing the ghosts from the past and the dreads of the future. Between boxed wine, ayahuasca and maybe a séance, it is disaster that brings us closer together and true intimacy is found when we least expect it.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors. For more information and tickets, call 212-505-6757 or visit IATITheater.org.
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4) Upcoming at iPlay America
110 Schank Rd.
Freehold, NJ
Music City Showcase Finale, Teacher Appreciation Night, Topgolf Swing Suite Opening, Block Party, Kentucky Derby Special
Thursday May 2, Door 6:00 PM Start Time 7:00 PM
Music City Showcase Finale
Come to iPlay America and cheer on local Country Music talents as the compete for the chance to perform at CMA Fest in Nashville this June! Plus, enjoy a LIVE celebrity performance by John Schneider – formally known as “Bo Duke” from Dukes of Hazard!
Friday May 3, Door Time 6:00 PM Start Time 7:00 PM
Teacher Appreciation Ride Night
Join us for a Free Ride Night with the purchase of a $10 game card for teachers and their families. You will need to show your teacher ID at the Welcome Center. Come hungry as well because teachers get 20% off* at Game Time Bar & Grill.
Friday May 3, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Topgolf Swing Suite Grand Opening
Join Greg T and the Z100 Party Patrol to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Topgolf Swing Suite at iPlay America. Enjoy music, giveaways, games and more!
Friday May 3, 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Block Party - 21+
Enjoy drink specials and live DJ, Class Kills! Purchase a Block Party Pass for $49.99 (valid every Friday 9:00 PM to close) and get unlimited video games plus 10% off food and beverage. Valid one year from purchase date.
Saturday May 4
Kentucky Derby Special
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5) Upcoming at Kelsey Theatre
1200 Old Trenton Rd.
West Windsor, NJ
The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System
Saturday, May 4 2:00 & 4:00 PM
When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip! But when rivalries threaten the peace, our young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system. Hop on the Magic School Bus for a ride in Theatreworks USA's new musical adaptation based on the original book series published by Scholastic, and the classic animated series.
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6) Upcoming at Merkin Hall
Kaufman Music Center
129 W. 67th St.
New York, NY
Chinese Music Ensemble,
PREformances with Allison Charney
Sunday May 5, 3:00 PM
Chinese Music Ensemble NY 58th Annual Spring Concert
Featuring ancient Chinese classical to modern compositions, performed on traditional Chinese and Western instruments in various settings from solo and small ensemble to full orchestra.
For more information, visit
Monday May 6, 3:00 PM
PREformances with Allison Charney
MAY FLOWERSFeaturing soprano Allison Charney with tenor Errin Brooks, countertenor Jeffrey Mandelbaum, flutists Marya Martin and Tara Helen O'Connor, cellist Rupei Yeh and pianists Helen Huang, Donna Weng Friedman and Keith Chambers.
For more information, visit
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PR Firm Roundup
7) News from Andrea Alton PR
Retro Productions to Present
a Revival of the 1960’s Rom-Com
MARY, MARY
Limited Run May 3-18 at the Gene Frankel Theatre
Mary is a compulsively wise-cracking magazine editor who uses her sense of humor to shield her insecurities, while Bob is an infuriatingly sensible publisher. Their marriage ended in divorce and they haven't seen each other in 9 months, but now Mary has been called back to Bob's apartment by their mutual friend and lawyer, Oscar, in the hopes that they can avert an audit by the IRS. Throw in Bob's young fiancée Tiffany; his old war buddy, the handsome and single film hero whose star is in decline, Dirk Winston; and one major snow storm--and we begin to wonder, will Mary and Bob recognize that they are soul mates in time to get back together before they each end up in the arms of another?
Performances take place at the Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond Street (Between Lafayette & Bowery), New York, NY 10012. Subways: 6 to Bleecker Street, B/D/F/M to Broadway/Lafayette. Tickets are $22 students and seniors, and $25 for general admission https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/1011. Running time: 2 hours.
Performance schedule:
Friday, May 3 @ 8:00 pm (Opening Night)
Saturday, May 4 @ 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 5 @ 2:00 pm
Monday, May 6 @ 8:00 pm
Thursday, May 9 @ 8:00 pm
Friday, May 10 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 11 @ 8:00 pm
Sunday, May 12 @ 2:00 pm
Wednesday, May 15 @ 8:00 pm
Thursday, May 16 @ 8:00 pm
Friday, May 17 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 18 @ 8:00 pm
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8) News from JT Public Relations
3 EGG CREAMS
The Urban Love Story for the Ages
Inspired by and featuring the music of
LOU CHRISTIE
NYC Cutting Room
44 E. 32nd St.
New York, NY
Written and directed by George Cameron Grant and starring Vince Bandille, 3 EGG CREAMS has been described as “A Bronx Tale meets It’s A Wonderful Life.” It follows Vin Morrone (played by Bandille) as he traverses lessons in life, loss, and love. Whether you grew up on University Avenue in The Bronx, West Philly, or Cedar Falls, this humorous, heart-breaking, and ultimately transcendent journey redefines the mythos of the American male and even the meaning of love itself. 3 EGG CREAMS is inspired by and features the timeless music of the legendary Lou Christie.
Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door and can be purchased by visiting TheCuttingRoomNYC.com or by calling (212) 691-1900
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9) Upcoming at Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Presents
Free 60th Anniversary Block Party
Event Spans Iconic Campus with Performances and Activities from all Constituent Organizations
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts marks the 60th anniversary of the center’s groundbreaking, kicking off the celebration with a free Block Party on Saturday, May 4 from 10:00 am–2:30 pm. With activities for all ages, the event brings together all of the eleven organizations that comprise Lincoln Center—activating the campus with a range of performances, art-making, film screenings, and more.
The 60th Anniversary Block Party begins at 10:00 am with a ceremony and land acknowledgement by Chief Dwaine Perry of the Ramapough Lunaape and Native American performing artists Cliff Matias and the Redhawk Dancers. The day continues with a series of outdoor concerts co-curated by Jordana Leigh of Lincoln Center and Musical Director Sunny Jain, featuring artists from throughout the five boroughs, including:
- Jazz at Lincoln Center-affiliated vocalist and flutist Melanie Charles presenting her unique blend of jazz, soul, experimental and roots music on Hearst Plaza;
- Student ensemble from The Juilliard School;
- Christian Dante White performing “On the Street Where You Live” from the Lincoln Center Theater production of My Fair Lady;
- Red Baraat PLUS (led by Sunny Jain) mixing North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz, and raw punk energy, with a 30-piece ensemble;
- Opera Noire of New York, a performing arts organization dedicated to the advancement of African American artists, presenting the Chorale on Hearst Plaza;
- Fogo Azul NYC, an all-female percussive group, providing Samba Reggae beats;
- Grammy-nominated singer Falu Shah blending classical Indian music and American pop in her kid-friendly project Falu’s Bazaar;
- Brooklyn-based Haitian roots street band Plezi Rara performing in Damrosch Park; and
- Step It Up NYC featuring youth dance and step performers aged 10–20 from throughout the City who participate in afterschool programs funded by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development.
The outdoor activities culminate as more than 100 artists join together on Josie Robertson Plaza for a performance of an original arrangement of classic songs that celebrate NYC, arranged and conducted by Jain.
Indoor activities include:
- Free tickets* to New York City Ballet’s 11:00 am presentation of Inside NYCB: Originating Roles, as company dancers share what it’s like to have works created on them and showcase excerpts of the company’s choreography;
- A sneak peek at the ballet stars of tomorrow with an observation of the School of American Ballet’s 12:30 pm class*;
- A preview of the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra’s summer concerts at 2:30 pm in the David Rubenstein Atrium;
- Kristin Lee (violin) and Gilles Vonsattel (piano) of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center perform an intimate concert of works by Gershwin, Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, and Ravel in the Daniel and Joanna S. Rose Studio at 11am;
- American Journeys, an interactive concert by teaching artists of the New York Philharmonic who explore the ways that composers in America have expressed stories of immigration and migration through their music at 12:45 pm;
- At 2:30 pm at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Leslie Fornino’s one-woman show The Story Goes On,her quirky perspective on life told through storytelling, incorporating Broadway and pop tunes;
- The Metropolitan Opera opens its lobby from 9-10 am and 3-4 pm for visitors to walk up the famous grand staircase of the opera house, admire the iconic crystal chandeliers, and view the two large paintings, almost 26-feet in width, by contemporary artist Cecily Brown, on the Grand Tier and Dress Circle; and
- The Film Society of Lincoln Center opens the Amphitheater at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center for free programming related to their 50th anniversary from 10:00 am-2:30 pm.
* A limited number of free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Josie Robertson Plaza beginning at 10 am.
The anniversary weekend continues with a Diamond Jubilee Gala fundraiser hosted by Neil Patrick Harris on Sunday, May 5 at 5:30 pm. The evening will honor four families who have had a transformative influence on Lincoln Center: the Audrey and Martin Gruss Family, the Rockefeller Family, the Daisy and Paul Soros Family, and the Laurie M. Tisch Family. As Lincoln Center renews its commitment to supporting a thriving campus for the next generation, funds raised will help benefit the organization’s artistic and educational activities which reach millions every year on campus and beyond.
A schedule of 60th Anniversary Block Party events is available here
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10) News from Michelle Tabnick PR
10A) Nai-Ni Chen presents Superheroes
Disabled Students and Professionals share the Stage at
New Jersey City University (NJCU)
Featuring Students of the A Harry Moore School
May 2, 2019 10 AM
at the Margaret Williams Theatre of NJCU
2039 Kennedy Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07305-1597
The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company is proud to announce its 4th season in residence at the New Jersey City University. The showcase features students from our A Harry Moore School Residency, as well as, students from our ballet and modern classes at NJCU. The Nai-Ni Chen Dance company will also demonstrate professional work. This is a rare opportunity to see the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in a free concert for the public.
The Company has pioneered one of the most innovative dance programs for young people with multiple disabilities in the region. In 2018, the Company's program at the A Harry Moore School for children with disabilities won the New Jersey Access Network's Innovator Award. Funding for the 2019 program has been made possible by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Turrell Fund.
Nai-Ni Chen and her dancers have created a series of progressively challenging projects that lead the students in A Harry Moore School to explore their unique abilities. The Company works with resident professional therapists to improve the students' social, cognitive and physical abilities through music and dance.
This year, Nai-Ni Chen and her dancers have designed a series of lessons around the theme of Superheroes. The theme was inspired by the amazing students and their special abilities. The Company's world-renowned professional dancers have partnered with each student to create choreography especially for them.
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10B) BAMkids presents
Glimpse by Oorkaan
May 4 - 12 at BAM Fisher
What do colors sound like? Who can understand the moon? What does the sun say? How many colors does a dream have?
Dutch company Oorkaan presents a visual concert that poetically and playfully imagines what music might look like if we could see it. Young audiences are transported to an enchanting dream world where jazzy sounds and colorful images play an exciting game with each other, and with you. A world in which music, images, technology, musicians, and audience members embark on a special journey-friendship. Featuring Oorkaan's original jazz-inflected compositions, including vocals, a double bass, and percussion,
Glimpse is full of sensory surprises, offering a multitude of ways for children to connect to music.
WHAT:
BAMkids presents Glimpse by Oorkaan
WHERE:
BAM Fisher (Hillman Studio, 321 Ashland Pl)
WHEN:
Sat, May 4 & Sun, May 5 at 10:30am & 3:30pm
Sat, May 11 & Sun, May 12 at 10:30am & 3:30pm
Tickets for Glimpse are $16. For more information visit:
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11) News from Polk and Co.
BROADWAY’S NEW COMEDY MUSICAL TOOTSIE
OFFICIALLY OPEN NOW
AT THE MARQUIS THEATRE
The new comedy musical, TOOTSIE, is now in performances at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre (210 West 46th Street) and officially open now
TOOTSIE tells the story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime as the star of a new Broadway musical. .
TICKETING INFORMATION
Tickets for TOOTSIE are now available at the Marquis Theatre box office and at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929. Tickets range from $79-$169.
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12) News from Richard Hillman PR
THE OFF BROADWAY ALLIANCE
PRESENTS
“PUTTIN' ON THE HITS: SELLING YOUR OFF BROADWAY SHOW”
A PANEL DISCUSSION SEMINAR
THE THEATER CENTER
(210 WEST 50TH STREET, NYC)
SATURDAY MAY 4TH AT 11AM
The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents, and marketing firms, will hold the next event in its Seminars series focused on the Off Broadway producing process on Saturday, May 4, 2019.
The seminar, titled “Puttin' On The Hits: Selling Your Off Broadway Show" will feature top theatre professionals discussing the necessary steps for building the foundation of a commercial Off Broadway production, including; obtaining rights, forming a company, and financing a production. Panelists will include producer Elizabeth Findlay Vice President of Media and Client Services at AKA NYC, Hugh Hysell, head of the full-service theatrical marketing firm Hysell Marketing, and Ron Lasko, founder of Spin Cycle, an innovative cultural communications company. Producer Robert Driemeyer (La Cage aux Folles, Tennessee Williams’ The Two-Character Play) will moderate.
“Puttin’ On The Hits" will be held on the 3rd floor of The Theater Center (210 West 50th Street). Check-in will begin 10:30am for networking and complimentary coffee and bagels. The panel discussion will take place from 11am to 12:30pm with additional time allotted afterward for conversation with fellow attendees.
Admission for the seminar is $5 (to partially cover the costs of presenting the seminar), and pre-registration is a must. Attendees are encouraged to pre-submit questions for the panelists when they submit their reservations. Questions will be asked live at the seminar.
About The Panelist
Elizabeth Findlay is the Vice President of Media and Client Services at AKA NYC. She is a seasoned advertising executive with 20 years in the arts and entertainment space in New York City, with a passion for media, strategy and management of staged entertainment ranging from multi-million dollar, award-winning musicals to non-profit institutions across the country. Currently Elizabeth sits at the head of both the media and client services departments at AKA NYC, an award-winning advertising agency specializing in ticketed events. Current accounts include the Tony-award winning productions of Come from Away, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Edge at Hudson Yards and much more. Favorite Off Broadway clients include The Barrow Street Theatre’s productions of Our Town, Tribes and Nassim, the original production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Forbidden Broadway, and most recently Lizzie: The Lizzie Borden Musical.
Hugh Hysell is a Tony Award® winning Broadway producer, award winning theatrical marketer and performer. Hugh has served as marketing director of over 200 Broadway and Off Broadway shows (including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Jersey Boys, and others), drove membership and single ticket sales for performing arts centers (NYU Skirball and others) led sales channels for multiple e-commerce sites (Groupon, BroadwayBox and others), and activated grassroots street teams for over 50 Broadway shows and TV series. Current Off Broadway marketing clients include Theater Breaking Through Barriers’ Public Servant and the new dark comedy The Bigot. This past season Hugh appeared on "Saturday Night Live" and in the national tour of Million Dollar Quartet. He is a founding member of The Off Broadway Alliance and currently serves as a nominator for the Off Broadway Alliance Award. www.HysellMarketing.com ig:@hughhysell.
Ron Lasko heads Spin Cycle in New York City. Current PR clients include The Flea, the cell, Laurie Beechman Theatre, Theater Breaking Through Barriers, FringeNYC and the long-running immersive hit Then She Fell. He has worked on thousands of productions over the last 25 years; highlights include Sarah Kane's Crave starring Deborah Harry, the first revival of Mae West's Sex, The Guys with Sigourney Weaver, Samuel D. Hunter’s A Bright New Boise, The Civilians’ Gone Missing, Eric Bogosian’s Notes From Underground, Dog Sees God, The Donkey Show, four world premieres by Mac Wellman and eight world premieres by A.R. Gurney. Info: www.SpinCycleNYC.com.
Robert Driemeyer (Moderator) Broadway credits include the Tony Award-winning revival of La Cage aux Folles starring Kelsey Grammar and Douglas Hodge and Elling starring Brendan Fraser and Denis O’Hare. Off Broadway he produced Tennessee Williams’ The Two-Character Playstarring Amanda Plummer and Brad Dourif, and Party Face starring Hayley Mills and directed by Amanda Bearse. Other Off Broadway credits include Shear Madness and Forbidden Broadway. He produced David Parr’s critically acclaimed Slap&Tickle directed by David Drake in Provincetown, MA, and the Actors’ Fund benefit Dear George: Letters to the President, which was simultaneously presented in 40 theatre across the country leading up to the 2004 presidential election. He and producing partner Morgan Sills formed Driemeyer-Sills Productions which focuses on new works, classic revivals, and offers consulting and executive producing services, dsproducers.com
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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for this month's Monthly Mashup
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