Brenda Bell News

The big apple gives every playwright a lot to chew on and for the past nine years the Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival has been the outlet for stories unique New York to take center stage.

What happens when the sting of betrayal's flame is fanned by the heat of the Nile? MURDER! Agatha Christie's classic play Murder on the Nile, celebrates its 75th birthday this year having opened in Scotland at the Dundee Reparatory Theatre on January 17, 1944. Be Bold Productions has mounted a faithful production of her smoldering work Off-Broadway at the Player Theatre.

An original musical adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast", inspired by the 1740 French Novella, and decidedly not Disney, has been revived at the Players Theatre, and located at 115 MacDougal Street (between West 3rd and Bleeker) in the West Village.  The production features a live chamber ensemble with music by Michael Sgouros and book and lyrics by Brenda Bell.

It may be cold outside but up on the third floor of the Players Theatre on MacDougal Street things are red hot as they prepare to present the eight annual Short Play Festival - Sex! There is nothing like a spicy play to chase away those winter blues and these 15 playwrights have created the forbidden cure.

Tis the season for family, tradition, good cheer and of course "A Christmas Carol".  The Players Theatre continues their annual holiday tradition of presenting "A Christmas Carol the Musical" for the 10th year.  The production is a warm and uplifting adaptation of the classic Dickens tale that celebrates the essence of holiday spirit.  With original music by Michael Sgouros, played by a live percussion trio, the show is wrapped in the warmth of joy, suspense and a sprinkling of tender-hearted redemption.

As long autumn shadows cast their spell across Greenwich Village, the days grow shorter and the nights grow restless and long, enticing the Headless Horseman to realize his lonely, faithful quest.  Sleepy Hollow, an original musical by Michael Sgouros and Brenda Bell, which began previews on September 28th at The Players Theatre in New York City's Greenwich Village, reveals a haunting deeper than the woods of the hollow. Its shadows are cast from the darkness of the human soul.

In the city that never sleeps the Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival has encouraged playwrights to create plays that share a unique aspect of urban life in the annual NYC - themed festival. Celebrating its 8th year, 'Only in New York' opens Thursday, June 7 and runs for three weeks. Each week five original short plays or musicals, by a variety of playwrights (including one high school student) will be presented with a 'Best of the Week' production being selected by audience vote.

A beautiful woman, a dead body and a smoking gun!  Agatha Christie's classic play The Unexpected Guest, celebrates its 60th birthday this year having opened in the West End at the Duchess Theatre on August 12, 1958.  Be Bold Productions has mounted a faithful production of her plot-twisting work Off-Broadway at the Player Theatre.

Now playing at the Players Theatre, "Cinderella" is a light-hearted, touching adaptation of the well-known fairy tale.  The show features book and lyrics by Brenda Bell and original music by Michael Sgouros, played by two live percussionists and a trumpet player, creating a delightful mixture of good-hearted humor and tender remembrances.  This Cinderella doesn't wait around for her dreams to come true - she makes them happen.  Of course, she is inspired by a little magic along the way.

On Sunday, February 18, Cinderella the Musical marked the creators' 40th Off-Broadway production with a sold-out performance at the Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. Michael Sgouros (music) and Brenda Bell (book/lyrics), who have been collaborating since 2008, have written 12 original Off-Broadway musicals together. This latest production of Cinderella marks the shows fourth revival.

The third floor windows are steaming up at the Players Theatre on MacDougal Street as they prepare to present the seventh annual Short Play Festival - Sex! There is nothing like a spicy play to chase away those winter blues and these 15 playwrights have created the forbidden cure.

Bravo Bell, Off-Broadway Theatre Dog, Celebrates National Dog Day at the Players Theatre

Bravo Bell, Off-Broadway Theatre Dog, Celebrates National Dog Day at the Players Theatre

The Players Theatre continues their annual holiday tradition of presenting A Christmas Carol the Musical for the ninth year. The production is a warm and uplifting adaptation of the classic Dickens tale that celebrates the essence of holiday spirit. With original music by Michael Sgouros, played by a live percussion trio, the show is wrapped in the warmth of joy, suspense and a sprinkling of tender-hearted redemption.

As the chill in the air seeps into our summer-warmed hearts, and long days surrender to long shadows, a gothic horror story holds a growing appeal. Be Bold! Productions' Frankenstein - The Musical, began previews Off-Broadway on September 29th, officially opening on October 7th and runs through November 12th at the Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. BroadwayWorld has a shot of the cast wishing audiences a Happy Halloween below!

Fall has arrived, and with a chill finally arriving, thoughts of our grey city streets may be sending your mind to warmer climes, and giving the kids in your life a case of cabin fever. Fear not, intrepid explorers! Literally Alive Family Theatre's musical, Treasure Island, opened October 8th and has dropped anchor through November 12that the Players Theatre in Greenwich Village.

As the chill in the air seeps into our summer-warmed hearts, and long days surrender to long shadows, a gothic horror story holds a growing appeal. Be Bold! Productions' Frankenstein - The Musical, began previews Off-Broadway on September 29th, officially opening on October 7th and runs through November 12th at the Players Theatre in Greenwich Village. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Bravo Bell, Off-Broadway Theatre Dog, Celebrates National Dog Day at the Players Theatre

There is no place like New York!  With a city this rich in culture, scandal and diversity, the possibilities for theatrical reenactment are endless.  The Players Theatre Short Play and Musical Festival and Be Bold! Productions encourage playwrights to mine this precious resource by offering an annual NYC - themed festival each June.  Celebrating its 7th year, "Only in New York" opens Thursday, June 8 and runs for three weeks.  Each week four/five original short plays or musicals, by a variety of playwrights (including one high school student) will be presented with a "Best of the Week" production will being selected by audience vote.

Agatha Christie's renowned murder mystery novel, And Then There Were None, published in 1939 and adapted for the stage by Ms. Christie in 1943 is being staged at the Players Theatre in Greenwich Village.  The production is part of Be Bold! Productions American Classic series which produced The Glass Menagerie in 2015 and Driving Miss Daisy in 2016.