GRACE NOTES - Friday, March 11, 2011

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This weekend’s highlights:

Friday, March 11

* Kathy Griffin wants a Tony opens on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre.

* Crimes of the Heart opens at the McCarter Theatre.

* The Next Fairy Tale opens at Hollywood's Celebration Theatre.

* Catch Me If You Can begins previews at the Neil Simon Theatre.

* Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo begins previews at the Richard Rogers Theatre.

* MCC Theatre’s The Other Place, starring Laurie Metcalf, begins previews at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

* The Great Judy Garland, featuring Ashley Brown, Heather Headley, Karen Olivo and Lorna Luft, at 8 PM at Carnegie Hall.

* The Mikado, starring Christiane Noll, plays March 11-13 at Eugene Opera.

* Starry concert presentation of the musicals The Water Dream and Clear at 8 PM at Brooklyn’s Bushwick Starr. (see article below)


Saturday, March 12

* Having It All opens at North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts Center.

* Streep Tease re-opens at LA’s Bang Comedy Theatre.

* Double Falsehood opens at Classic Stage.

* Groundswell begins previews at The Old Globe.

* Eccentricities of a Nightingale begins previews at A Noise Within.

* Pecadillo Theatre's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn begins performances at Theatre at St. Clements.

* Lyrics & Lyricists’ starry Stage Door Canteen: Broadway Responds to WWII (through March 14) at 8 PM at 92Y.

* A Very Shamrocky -- Rocky Horror in Concert at midnight at LA's Show at Barre.

* Company closes at London's Southwark Playhouse.

* Diary of a Madman closes at BAM.


Sunday, March 13

* Compulson, starring Mandy Patinkin, closes at the Public.

* Nancy Opel begins her run as Mama in Memphis (replacing Cass Morgan).

* The Weir begins previews at South Coast Rep.

* ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at 8 PM at Town Hall.

* David Hyde Pierce will appear in conversation with Guthrie Theater director Joe Dowling at 7 PM at the Guthrie.

* Three Hotels reading, starring Christine Lahti and Ron Rifkin, at 7 PM at LA’s Pacific Resident Theatre.

* Ajax closes at Boston's A.R.T.

* AfterMath, starring Annie Potts, closes at LA's Odyssey Theatre.

* Arsenic and Old Lace, with Betty Buckley and Tovah Feldshuh, closes at Dallas Theatre Center.

* August: Osage County, starring Josie de Guzman, closes at Houston's Alley Theatre.

* Dangerous Beauty closes at Pasadena Playhouse.

* Nunsensations! -- The Nunsense Vegas Revue closes at LA's Lyric Theatre.

* The Crucible closes at Providence’s Trinity Rep.

* What the Public Wants closes at Off-Broadway’s Mint Theatre.

* White People closes at NYC's Ensemble Studio Theatre.

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Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong will return to the role of St. Jimmy for the final three weeks of the Broadway run of American Idiot, which will close April 24 at the St. James Theatre.

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The 2011 Garland Awards, voted on by the Los Angeles theater critics of Back Stage, have been announced:

The Center Theatre Group's presentation of the national tour of Lincoln Center Theater's revival of South Pacific won seven awards, including for Production, director Bartlett Sher, choreographer Christopher Gattelli, music director Ted Sperling, and performers Carmen Cusack, Rod Gilfry, and Keala Settle.

Among the other winning performers are Steven Glaudini (1776), Josh Grisetti (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), Dakin Matthews (King Lear), and Matthew Scott Montgomery (Yellow).

Winners in the musical score category included Michael John LaChiusa for See What I Wanna See, and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes for In the Heights.

Del Shores won awards for both playwriting and direction for Yellow, with other notable winners including playwright Julia Cho for The Language Archive; Jeffrey Hatcher for his adaptation of Cousin Bette; Gordon Edelstein for his direction of The Glass Menagerie; Marcia Milgrom Dodge for her choreography of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; and Neil Patel for his set design for The Language Archive.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

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Josie Rourke, currently artistic director of London's Bush Theatre, will succeed Michael Grandage as artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse as of Jan. 1, 2012.

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GN quote of the week: “Remember you are a star. Never go across the alley even to dump garbage unless you are dressed to the teeth.” ~ Cecil B. de Mille

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Video: Karen Olivo and Ashley Brown discuss the March 11 Judy Garland Carnegie Hall Tribute Concert: http://bit.ly/fKiSDo

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Arizona Theatre Company's 2011-2012 season:

* Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club, Sept. 17-Oct. 8 (Tucson) and Oct. 13-30 (Phoenix).

* God of Carnage, Oct. 22-Nov. 12 (Tucson) and Nov. 17-Dec. 4 (Phoenix).

* Daddy Long Legs, Nov. 26-Dec. 17 (Tucson), and Dec. 29-Jan. 15, 2012 (Phoenix).

* The 39 Steps, Jan. 14-Feb. 4, 2012 (Tucson), and Feb. 9-26, 2012 (Phoenix).

* The Great Gatsby, Feb. 25-March 17, 2012 (Tucson), and March 22-April 8, 2012 (Phoenix).

* Red, April 7-April 28, 2012 (Tucson), and May 3-20, 2012 (Phoenix).

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Through the Night will extend its run to play two additional performances on Monday, March 21 and Monday, March 28 at the Westside Theatre (407 W. 43rd Street), before ending its limited engagement.

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Two small-town twentysomethings—one a party girl, the other a homebody—find their roles reversing after they move to L.A. and meet a smooth-talking local in South Coast Rep’s workshop production of Sofia Alvarez’ Between Us Chickens.

The play, which runs March 25 - April 3, is part of SCR’s inaugural Studio Series, a pilot program designed to create stronger ties between arts organizations and expose audiences to the rich diversity of the local arts scene. It also gives SCR a chance to extend its artistic boundaries and produce works that might not find a home on a main stage.

Casty Stangl directs a cast that includes Amelia Alvarez, Annabelle Borke and Ben Huber.

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Virginia’s Signature Theatre presents Yasmine Reza’s (God of Carnage) scathing dark comedy Art March 29-May 22. Matt Gardiner direct a cast that features Mitchell Hébert, John Lescault and Michael Russotto.

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Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn will be presented by Kansas City’s (MO) Spinning Tree Theatre April 1-3 and 8-10. The cast includes Leah Berry, Shea Coffman, Tom Lancaster, Allison Moody and Jakob Wozniak at the piano. Directed by Michael Grayman with choreography by Andy Parkhurst.

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The 2011 Ravina Festival schedule:

* The 2011 Gala Benefit Evening will celebrate the work of composer George Gershwin July 23 at 7 PM.

* The 2011 summer season at the Illinois venue will also feature concerts by Jennifer Hudson (July 16 at 7:30 PM in the Pavilion), Laura Benanti (Aug. 27 at 8:30 PM in Bennett Gordon Hall) and Mandy Patinkin with Nathan Gunn (Aug. 31 at 8 PM in the Pavilion).

* Rufus Wainwright will also return to Ravinia Aug. 14 in a performance with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, featuring the Chicago premiere of his settings of 5 Shakespeare Sonnets, a work co- commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony and Ravinia Festival. Following intermission, Wainwright returns without the orchestra for a solo rock concert.

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Composer Jeffrey Stock (Triumph of Love) and book writer Marc Acito ("How I Paid For College") are at work on a musical adaptation of E.M. Forster's "A Room with a View." The duo are also collaborating on the musical's lyrics.

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Video: Sondheim and Kushner in conversation at the Public: http://bit.ly/hHDGAj

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Mamie Gummer, Hamish Linklater and Jenn Gambatese are among players in the spring Classic Stage production of David Ives' The School for Lies, a comedy inspired by Molière's classic The Misanthrope. Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago) will direct the world premiere.

The Off-Broadway production begins April 13 at CSC's home at 136 E. 13th Street. Opening night is May 1. Performances play to May 22.

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Tony Award-winning composers John Kander, Adam Guettel and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz will gather to discuss Opera or Musical Theater? April 10 at 7:30 PM at the Gershwin Theatre. New York City Opera general manager and artistic director George Steel will moderate the discussion. (212) 721-6500

NYCO presents the in-depth panel discussion, which will take place on the set of Schwartz's musical Wicked. NYCO is set to stage the New York premiere of his opera Séance on a Wet Afternoon this spring.

Joining Schwartz, Kander and Guettel will be Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and Tony-winning playwright and librettist David Henry Hwang.

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Stage and screen star Mario Cantone has joined the cast of the NBC pilot "A Mann's World." The drama will be written, directed and executive-produced by "Sex and the City" executive producer Michael Patrick King.

It will star Don Johnson as a 50-something Beverly Hills hairdresser trying to maintain his relevancy in the increasingly looks-obsessed world around him. Taylor Kinney, Kelly Hu, Sandra Vergara, Caitlin Crosby, Amanda Warren and J.R. Bourne will also be part of the cast.

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Philadelphia’s Wilma Theatre has announced its 2011-12 season:

* Our Class, by Tadeusz Słobodzianek, Oct. 12-Nov. 13
* Body Awareness, by Annie Baker, Jan. 4-Feb. 5, 2012
* Curse of the Starving Class, by Sam Shepard, March 7-April 8, 2012
* Angels in America, Part One, by Tony Kushner, May 23-June 24, 2012

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Naked Boys Singing, originally seen at the King's Head Theatre and subsequently at the Arts, will return for a fourth London run, beginning performances March 18 at the re-branded Charing Cross Theatre (formerly the New Players).

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Keira Knightley will be the voice of Tinker Bell in the “Neverland” miniseries, set to air on Syfy in December.

Rhys Ifans, Anna Friel, Bob Hoskins, Charles Dance, Raoul Trujillo and Charlie Rowe are also part of the cast. Nick Willing wrote and will direct.

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Twyla Tharp's Las Vegas dance musical Sinatra Dance With Me has extended for a second time, now through April 30 at the Wynn Hotel.

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The Village Voice has some fun with Spider-gate in a comic strip: http://bit.ly/fKiSDo

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Casting has been announced for a concert presentation of the musicals The Water Dream and Clear, to be offered on Friday, March 11 at 8 PM at The Bushwick Starr (207 Starr St. in Brooklyn). Doors will open at 7:30 PM. Cash only ($20).

Shawn Cody has written the book, music and lyrics for The Water Dream, which focuses on an overly critical mythologist who, through facing loss and falling in love, becomes an artist: the author of an awe-inspiring myth. For more information, click here.

Clear, with book, music and lyrics by Paul Oakley Stovall and additional music by Stew, Ryan Link, Christo Willis, and Irv Johnson, is based on Stovall's real-life transition from an actor and retail clerk to a member of a President Obama's Advance Team. For more information, click here.

The company for the presentation will include writer Cody, along with Anthony Rapp, Karmine Alers, Dee Roscioli, Emily Otto, Adam Kern, Cheo Bourne, Doug Chapman, Catherine Hesse, Roger Stewart, Alisa Ledyard, Alana Rader, Lauren Champlin and Jonathan Gregg.

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The National Entertainment Fund for the Cultural Arts has announced participating artists for the 7th Annual Broadway Purim Shpiel, to be held on Monday, March 14 at 7 PM at the Hudson Theatre. Proceeds will benefit The Birthright Israel Foundation, an organization dedicated to sending young Jews from across the world to Israel. Gilbert Gottfried will host the event.

Playwright David Mamet will open the proceedings with a personal message, and there will be a screening of a new short film by the award-winning playwright and director.

Performers will include Nick Adams, Dave Attell, Kelli Barrett, Kevin Earley, Curtis Holbrook, Garrett Long, Mitchell Jarvis, J. Elaine Marcos, Patti Murin, Anne L. Nathan, and Rachel Potter.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda will appear on ABC's award-winning sitcom "Modern Family" later this season as the inventor of an innovative dog-training technique.

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Catch Me If You Can's songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman talk career, early influences and meeting cute girls: http://bit.ly/huJVXF

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The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre is pleased to present the swashbuckling theatrical adventure Treasure Island, April 22 - May 1 at the Laguna Playhouse. The production is directed by Donna Inglima and features members of the Laguna Playhouse Youth Conservatory as well as adult actors. Based on the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson and adapted by Ken Ludwig.

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Barbara Walsh will star in the world premiere of Tony Glazer's Reading Under the Influence: The "Real" Westchester Women's Book Club, to be presented Off-Broadway at the DR2, April 6-May 15, with an opening on April 16. Wendy C. Goldberg will direct.

In the play, the wine hits the fan as the women of the Westchester Book Club gather to discuss their current required reading, "The Homeless Dogs of Egypt." During their chardonnay-fueled discussion, they find out that the rights to their book club have been sold to a reality TV production company.

The cast will also include Joanna Bayless, Summer Crockett Moore, Ashley Austin Morris, Maria-Christina Oliveras, and Jeremy Webb.

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Jason Alexander and Gina Hecht will star in Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue, to run April 21 - May 15 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Glenn Casale will direct the production.

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Off-Broadway's Pearl Theatre presents David Davalos' Wittenberg, which begins previews March 11 and opens March 20 at New York City Center Stage II. Artistic Director J.R. Sullivan directs a cast that includes Sean McNall, Scott Greer, Chris Mixon and Joey Parsons.

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REMINDER: As of Monday, March 14, 2011, GRACE NOTES will move to its new home at GraceNotesStage.com. If you’re a subscriber, be sure to add sgrace1122@gmail.com to your address book. If you’re a web visitor, please note the new web address.

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