Melody But News

Can a 16 year old genius attorney learn to survive in the adult world of law and litigation? That's the question answered in Jodie Toohey's new novel, 'Melody Madson - May It Please the Court?' Toohey will be celebrating publication of the book with a launch party open to the public on Saturday, August 16, 2014, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Midwest Writing Center, located on the 3rd floor of the Bucktown Center for the Arts, 225 E. 2nd Street, in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Toohey will be reading an excerpt, answering questions, giving away door prizes, and sharing free refreshments. This is Toohey's fourth published book. She also has two poetry collections, Crush and Other Love Poems for Girls (2008) and Other Side of Crazy (918studio, 2013). Her other novel, Missing Emily: Croatian Life Letters was released in 2012. She was also a contributor to the MWC Creative Writing Primer (2012, MWC Press). Melody Madson - May It Please the Court? is available for sale on Amazon.com and other online retailers. It will also be available after the launch at both Quad Cities The Book Rack locations, Exotic Imports at Southpark Mall in Moline, Illinois, and can be requested at other local book sellers. She's also giving away two free copies through Goodreads.com. 'I was inspired to write this novel while working as a Paralegal,' Toohey states, adding 'In many ways, even though I was in my 20s, I felt like I was 16 when I started that work.' In the novel, Melody finally gets her big break when senior partner at Lazlo, Marshdon and Brown assigns her first real case. Melody's relationship with her best friend, Jewel, becomes strained as her friendship with another associate, Maggie, advances and she develops romantic feelings for her boss' son, Eric. Her feelings for Eric deepen, her relationship with Jewel sours, the key medical record in her case is lost, and Melody feels her life is crumbling. After working the entire weekend before trial, Melody finds the record, but before she can celebrate, she's discovered. Jewel attempts to free Melody but she is caught and the friends are tied to an office chair, driven out to the middle of nowhere, and left alone, not knowing if they be able to save the case - or themselves. When she is not writing poetry or novels, Jodie Toohey operates Wordsy Woman Word Sales and Service, a professional writing and editing business that helps people say what they want to say. She lives with her husband, daughter, son, cat, and dog in Davenport, Iowa. To learn more about Toohey and her books, visit www.jodietoohey.com.

Andre Previn's operatic adaptation of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' opens at the Union Avenue Opera.

Smithsonian Channel will premiere A STAR-SPANGLED STORY: BATTLE FOR AMERICA, an original one-hour documentary revealing the story surrounding America's National Anthem, today, June 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Smithsonian Channel will premiere A STAR-SPANGLED STORY: BATTLE FOR AMERICA, an original one-hour documentary revealing the story surrounding America's National Anthem, on Saturday, June 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents the Lost Christmas Eve Tour, coming to a city near you! Check out a sneak peek below!

Antonio Loureiro is a man with a singular vision for his music. For the Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and singer, the magic exists in the moment, in spontaneity, where barriers between songs and instrumentals don't exist. And on his second solo album, So, he shows just how beautiful that music can be.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Tea Leaf Green with Whitewater Ramble to the Boulder Theater on Thursday, October 10th, 2013. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, August 30th for $13.00 in advance, $15.00 day of show and $50 VIP package.

Sparks & Shadows, a new boutique record label founded by composer Bear McCreary, announces the release of the EUROPA REPORT Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Sparks & Shadows, a new boutique record label founded by composer Bear McCreary, announces the release of the EUROPA REPORT Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Today we are talking to the originator of Jean Valjean in LES MISERABLES onstage and a preeminent Phantom (and the first to actually play the role) in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA who has clearly made a major mark with his performances in the theatre - not to mention his work on the original concept albums of EVITA and JEKYLL & HYDE - who now makes the leap to the big screen in his featured role in the super-successful feature film iteration of the Claude-Michel Schonberg/Alain Boublil musical based on the Victor Hugo novel - the titanically talented Colm Wilkinson. Opening up about his work in the original Royal Shakespeare Company production of LES MISERABLES and his collaboration with the creative team and cast of actors as well as his association with producer Cameron Mackintosh, director Trevor Nunn and more, Wilkinson details the finer points of creating one of the modern musical theatre's most memorable characters, from his first audition through to the West End, Broadway and beyond. Additionally, Wilkinson reveals all about shooting the feature film version, with Broadway/Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman taking over the leading role and whether he would consider taking on another character in the show after having essaying Jean Valjean onstage and the Monsignor onscreen - maybe Javert? Plus, Wilkinson shares backstage stories involving fellow theatrical luminaries like Trevor Nunn, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more in this career-spanning conversation with one of the mega-musical era's most major of stars - - all of that and much, much more awaits!

Lakeshore Records will release the EMPEROR – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally today, March 5, 2013. Alex Heffes (The Last King of Scotland, State of Play) composed the original score.

Lakeshore Records will release the EMPEROR – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally on March 5, 2013. Alex Heffes (The Last King of Scotland, State of Play) composed the original score.

Lakeshore Records will release the Emperor – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally on March 5, 2013. Alex Heffes (The Last King of Scotland, State of Play) composed the original score.

Just announced is the third CD release by Italian musician, composer, keyboardist, bass and Champan stick player Cristiano Roversi titled 'AntiQua', featuring guest appearances by Le Orme's Aldo Tagliapietra and PFM's Bernardo Lanzetti, among others.

Prolific TV writers Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser turn their talents to the stage with Under My Skin, an amusing fantasy with sexual role reversal. The male spirit gets trapped in a female body and the female in a male's, creating laughs aplenty, quirky romance and even manages to take a stand on a very important topical issue. The issues never reach the level of full dramatic conflict, though, as a sitcom-like comedy style takes control, and it's utter bliss for all concerned, now at the Pasadena Playhouse through October 7.

Currently playing at the Metropolitan Room on Friday nights through September (at 9:30 pm), Two for the Road starring singer Shaynee Rainbolt and musical director/pianist Donn Trenner is a transcendent cabaret show infused with romantic nostalgia. While the pairing of Rainbolt, a critically-acclaimed jazz singer (and multiple MAC and Bistro-Award winner), with Trenner, an Emmy-nominated musical director, conductor, and arranger (who has played piano for a Hollywood Walk of Fame full of stars including Ann-Margret, Shirley MacLaine and Bob Hope) seems as close to a cabaret show slam dunk as you get, there is an intense connection between these two performers that is palpable from the moment Rainbolt wraps her luscious voice around Trenner's jazzy piano riffing for the show's opening number.

The 39th annual edition of the Chicago area's Bach Week Festival, where Baroque music lovers luxuriate in diverse works of Johann Sebastian Bach, will present a signature blend of solo, concerto, orchestral, and choral performances in concerts tonight April 27, May 4, and May 6 in Evanston.

Performances for LEAP OF FAITH began on Tuesday, April 3, and the show officially opened tonight at The St. James Theatre. Four-time Tony nominee Raúl Esparza leads the company along with Jessica Phillips, Kendra Kassebaum, Kecia Lewis-Evans, Leslie Odom, Jr., Krystal Joy Brown and Talon Ackerman. Let's see what the critics had to say...

The 39th annual edition of the Chicago area's Bach Week Festival, where Baroque music lovers luxuriate in diverse works of Johann Sebastian Bach, will present a signature blend of solo, concerto, orchestral, and choral performances in concerts April 27, May 4, and May 6 in Evanston.

SFX supervisor and model maker Roland Stevenson who's films include 'GLADIATOR', 'BLACK HAWK DOWN', 'KINGDOM OF HEAVEN' and the eagerly anticipated Sci-Fi horror 'PROMETHEUS', directed by Ridley Scott, has kindly offered his services to a play by producers Revera Productions ltd. Melody Roche, Co-producer and the lead in 'BUG' is delighted; 'It's fantastic to have input from such a respected figure in the film industry'.