James Alexander News

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the sixth season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative, a comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. All of the program's world premiere operas are presented during the American Opera Initiative Festival weekend,January 19 21, 2018, all in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. The festival begins with the world premiere of a new hour-long work by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, Proving Up, on January 19 and 21, 2018, directed by Alison Moritz and conducted by Christopher Rountree, both in their WNO debuts. Three new pairings of opera composers and librettists Nathan Fletcher and Megan Cohen, Gity Razaz and Sara Cooper, John Glover and Erin Bregman offer new, one-act operas during the festival. Two semi-staged concert performances of each 20-minute opera are presented on January 20, 2018.

Rehearsal images have been released for the UK & Ireland tour of JERSEY BOYS, which opens at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham on 16 December 2017, running until 6 January 2018, then touring until March 2019.

The critically acclaimed production of The Grinning Man, directed by Tony award-winning Tom Morris (War Horse) and based on the classic Victor Hugo (Les Mis rables) novel, The Man Who Laughs, opens at the Trafalgar Studios tonight 6 December.

Washington National Opera (WNO) presents the sixth season of its acclaimed American Opera Initiative, a comprehensive commissioning program that brings contemporary American stories to the stage while fostering the talents of rising American composers and librettists. All of the program's world premiere operas are presented during the American Opera Initiative Festival weekend,January 19 21, 2018, all in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. The festival begins with the world premiere of a new hour-long work by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, Proving Up, on January 19 and 21, 2018, directed by Alison Moritz and conducted by Christopher Rountree, both in their WNO debuts. Three new pairings of opera composers and librettists Nathan Fletcher and Megan Cohen, Gity Razaz and Sara Cooper, John Glover and Erin Bregman offer new, one-act operas during the festival. Two semi-staged concert performances of each 20-minute opera are presented on January 20, 2018.

Written in 1921 by Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill, this iconic piece of expressionist drama is a searing social commentary on the divide between the rich and poor. Yank, an unthinking laborer, embarks on a search for a sense of belonging in a world controlled by the wealthy. His journey from the bowels of a transatlantic ocean liner to the wealthy neighborhoods of New York society serve as a metaphor for the struggle between the working man and the industrial complex found at the heart ofthe play.

Full casting has been announced for the critically acclaimed production of The Grinning Man, directed by Tony award-winning Tom Morris (War Horse) and based on the classic Victor Hugo (Les Mis rables) novel, The Man Who Laughs, which opens at the Trafalgar Studios on 6 December.

Disgraced is a compelling drama that sorts through many of the background stories that make up today's headline news. Its timeliness will resonate with audiences as this talented cast swiftly maneuvers through a script that shows a world filled with many religions in a time when nationalism is front and center. It is today's world with the veneer pulled back so the raw foundation is revealed.

Due to overwhelming demand, a further 12 dates have been announced for the second UK & Ireland Tour of the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning musical JERSEY BOYS, taking the tour through to March 2019.

Acclaimed guitarist and double SAMA nominee James Grace makes a welcome return to the Alexander Bar for the launch of CHILLED, his sixth solo guitar studio album. CHILLED also celebrates ten years of Grace's independently owned and operated record label, Stringwise Records.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" is a musical-review which will be of interest to those who like 1920 and 30's Harlem Renaissance swing music. Be aware that the show, though nicely performed, has over 30 songs and no story line.

Conductor, composer, and pianist Robert Spano releases a new recording on the ASO Media label of two of his own compositions on April 28, 2017 on CD and digital platforms.

Come and join London's newest Improv troupe 'Simprov', for their first ever show - SupercalifragilisticexpialiSIMPROV!

Lyric Opera of Kansas City concludes its 59th season with Gilbert & Sullivan's delightful comic operetta The Pirates of Penzance  April 22, 26, 28, 29, and 30 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The production will be sung in English with English titles. High res production and artists' photos can be downloaded here .

Larry Dodson, Sr., The Bar-Kays' lead singer, will retire at the end of the year after 47 years as the lead singer of the internationally renowned funk and R&B band. 'It has been a blastand I am fortunate to do what I enjoy for almost five decades with The Bar-Kays,' said Dodson.

Acclaimed guitarist and two-time SAMA nominee James Grace makes a welcome return to the Alexander Bar with GUITAR HERO 2, which showcases the most popular guitar-based songs and melodies from the 20th century, drawing on a variety of playing techniques from an array of genres.

Conductor, composer, and pianist Robert Spano releases a new recording on the ASO Media label of two of his own compositions on April 28, 2017 on CD and digital platforms.

Bingham Camp Theatre Retreat, the innovative theatrical program dedicated to creating new work that promotes and celebrates diversity, brings "The Family Resemblance" to New York City with a reading on Monday, March 6 and Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Chelsea Studios.

Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore today released The Philadelphia Orchestra's 2017-18 season. Nezet-Seguin begins his sixth season in Philadelphia with a commitment to lead the world-renowned ensemble through at least 2025-26, continuing a relationship between music director and musicians that has garnered praise around the globe.

The inaugural Explorations series continues with Elvis Costello's The Juliet Letters, Jan. 28 and 29 at the Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building at the Richard J. Stern Opera Center.Explorations features eclectic programs in intimate spaces, with programming that crosses musical borders and experiments with a wide range of lyrical expression.

The inaugural Explorations series continues with Elvis Costello's The Juliet Letters, Jan. 28 and 29 at the Michael and Ginger Frost Production Arts Building at the Richard J. Stern Opera Center.Explorations features eclectic programs in intimate spaces, with programming that crosses musical borders and experiments with a wide range of lyrical expression.