Columbus Theatre + Broadway News

Bill Maher Comes to Columbus, 6/16

(5/10/2012) For 20 years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. First on “Politically Incorrect” (Comedy Central, ABC), and for the last 10 years on “Real Time” (HBO), Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 27 Emmy nominations.

Shadowbox Live Presents Sketch Comedy Show CUTTING ROOM FLOOR, Now thru 7/7

(5/10/2012) Shadowbox Live is launching a brand new two hour sketch comedy and rock ‘n’ roll show, Cutting Room Floor, opening tonight, May 10th at The Shadowbox Live Building, at 503 S. Front Street.

Opera Columbus Presents THE MIKADO, 6/8-10

(5/8/2012) Opera Columbus’ 2011-12 season concludes with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) in The Mikado, one of the world’s most popular pieces of musical theatre. In this two-act, comedic opera, beautiful school girl Yum-Yum loves the romantic minstrel Nanki-Poo, but is engaged to Ko-Ko the executioner.

Shadowbox Live Presents Sketch Comedy Show CUTTING ROOM FLOOR, 5/10-7/7

(5/4/2012) Shadowbox Live is launching a brand new two hour sketch comedy and rock ‘n’ roll show, Cutting Room Floor, opening May 10th at The Shadowbox Live Building, at 503 S. Front Street.

Voting Opens for the 2012 BroadwayWorld.com Awards - Vote Now on the Best of the New York Season!

(5/3/2012) The TONY Awards Nominators had their say earlier this week and now it's your turn! We're pleased to announce that voting has now opened for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards!

MEMPHIS Comes to Columbus, Opening 5/29

(5/3/2012) MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony® Award-winner for Best Musical, opens at the Ohio Theatre on May 29 for a limited engagement.

Shadowbox Live Celebrates STEM Rocks the 'Box; Hosts Summer Boot Camp, 6/12-29 & 7/24-8/11

(5/2/2012) For the last four years, Shadowbox Live has been dedicated to supplementing the curriculum of local public high school students with a healthy dose of arts education . . . Shadowbox Live-style. This past Monday night, 35 area students showed off what they’d learned in the fourth installment of STEM Rocks the ‘Box. In addition to the STEM Rocks the Box series, Shadowbox Live also offers a Summer Boot Camp for local teenagers. This summer, Shadowbox Live is holding two sessions, the first June 12-29, and the second July 24-August 11.

BWW Reviews: Getting Addicted is Easy at Shadowbox Live's REEFER MADNESS, Sundays Now through July 8, 2012

(4/30/2012) Shadowbox Live presented the completely campy REEFER MADNESS again last night, and in Julie Klein’s warped little director’s brain, it was pure “mockumentary” delight. REEFER MADNESS is a wacky musical adaptation of the 1936 exploitive propaganda film by the same name that became a cult classic.

Jonathan Pryce Ends Run in Columbus Premiere of THE CARETAKER Today, 4/29

(4/29/2012) Jonathan Pryce, a Tony Award-winning veteran of stage and screen, leads Harold Pinter’s acclaimed play, The Caretaker, produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions/Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, through tonight, April 29.

Jonathan Pryce Stars in the Columbus Premiere of THE CARETAKER

(4/26/2012) Jonathan Pryce, a Tony Award-winning veteran of stage and screen, will lead Harold Pinter’s acclaimed play, The Caretaker, produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions/Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.

(4/22/2012) PROTECT YOUR DAUGHTERS! PROTECT YOUR SONS! SPREAD THE WORD! Beware, for an unspeakable evil has begun to creep into our lives! Shadowbox Live is here to warn you of the dangers . . . with song and dance. Educate yourself and save your children! Come see Reefer Madness, opening on April 22nd!

WEST SIDE STORY Closes in Columbus Tonight

(4/22/2012) The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Columbus, opening at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday, April 17. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Cincinnati Shakespeare Announce THE TEMPEST, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD & More for 2012-13 Season

(4/20/2012) Cincinnati Shakespeare Company have announced their season line up for 2012-13, featuring a variety of Shakespeare plays and literary adaptations as well as THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. On tour 2012-13 will be Two Hour's Traffic's productions of THE TEMPEST and MACBETH, beginning August 5.

CAPA Presents IMAGINATION MOVERS at the Palace Theatre, April 20

(4/20/2012) CAPA presents the Imagination Movers at 3pm and 6:30pm on Friday, April 20, at the Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.). Tickets are $16-$36 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.

Actors' Theatre to Host TENT DINNER Before Premiere of ROBIN HOOD, May 24

(4/19/2012) Actors’ Theatre of Columbus will be transforming German Village’s Schiller Park into Sherwood Forest for its Annual Tent Dinner on Thursday evening, May 24th. In the offing is the world premiere of Robin Hood, of English folklore fame, which was written for Actors’ Theatre by local playwright Philip J. Hickman.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) & More Set for Actors' Theatre 31st Season

(4/19/2012) Actors’ Theatre of Columbus will present a steady line up of comedy, drama, and adventure for their 31st season, including Goldoni's THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS and THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE (ABRIGED) This year, for the first time ever, Actors’ Theatre will perform in two different locations.

Catch An Icon As WEST SIDE STORY Arrives at the Ohio Theatre Thru 4/22

(4/18/2012) When the national touring production of WEST SIDE STORY made its way to the OHIO THEATER last night, I embraced the opportunity to re-visit this 1957 Arthur Laurents' adaptation of Shakespeare's "ROMEO AND JULIET" and experience the delight of what is truly timeless about classic musical theater.

WEST SIDE STORY Comes to Columbus, 4/17-22

(4/17/2012) WEST SIDE STORY is currently touring the country, and now stars Ross Lekites as Tony, Evy Ortiz as Maria, Michelle Aravena as Anita, Drew Foster as Riff and German Santiago as Bernardo. Also featured are Mike Boland as Schrank, Stephen DeRosa as Glad Hand, Jon Drake as Action, Wally Dunn as Krupke, Alexandra Frohlinger as Anybodys, Jay Garcia as Chino, Casey Garvin as Diesel, Nathan Keen as Big Deal, Harris Milgrim as Snowboy, John O'Creagh as Doc, Christopher Rice as Baby John, Clay Thomson as A-rab, along with Karolina Blonski, Alicia Charles, Lauryn Ciardullo, Dean Andre De Luna, Lori Ann Ferreri, Ryan Ghysels, Tim Hausmann, Nicole Hellman, Laura Irion, Thayne Jasperson, Gizel Jimenez, Eric Anthony Johnson, Patrick Ortiz, Kristen Paulicelli, Christie Portera, Waldemar Quinones-Villanueva, Alexandra Blake Redelico, Michael Scirrotto, Jeffrey C. Sousa, Dani Spieler, Jessica Swesey, Kathryn Lin Terza and Kirstin Tucker.

WEST SIDE STORY Comes to Columbus April 17-22

(4/17/2012) The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Columbus, opening at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday, April 17. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

Yanni Comes to Columbus, 5/8

(4/16/2012) Yanni, described as "music’s true world citizen and most popular contemporary composer," continues to sell out major concert venues around the world, including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In April 2011, he begins the first leg of a major North American tour with his world-class orchestra, performing music from his latest album Truth of Touch, as well as classic concert favorites.

Shadowbox Live Presents REEFER MADNESS, Opening 4/22

(4/13/2012) Shadowbox Live presents the musical Reefer Madness, opening April 22nd at The Shadowbox Live Building.

Jean-Marie Zeitouni to Lead the Columbus Symphony, 5/4 & 5

(4/13/2012) CSO Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni will lead the Columbus Symphony in a celebration of orchestral virtuosity with an unmistakable French accent and allure, featuring guest mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera and the Columbus Symphony Chorus. The program includes Debussy’s Prélude a I’Après-midi d’un faune (Prelude to "The Afternoon of a Faun"), Fauré’s Pavane, excerpts from Chausson’s Poeme de l’amour et de la mer for Voice and Orchestra, Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloe, and Duruflé’s Requiem.

CSO to Perform World Premiere of Work by OSU’s Donald Harris

(4/13/2012) CSO Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni will lead the Columbus Symphony in the world premiere of Donald Harris’ Symphony No. 2, the first commissioned piece for the CSO in more than 20 years. Harris, Professor Emeritus of Composition and Theory for The Ohio State University, composed the traditional four-movement, large-scale symphony over a five-year period and describes it as a kaleidoscope, which is also the title he chose for the first movement.

CAPA presents the Alfredo Rodríguez Trio, 5/4

(4/12/2012) A young pianist of astonishing virtuosity and imagination, Cuban-born Alfredo Rodríguez calls up images of legendary jazz pianists like Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Bill Evans, and his compatriot Chucho Valdés. Schooled in the rigorous classical conservatories of Havana, Rodríguez’s riveting artistry is informed as much by Bach and Stravinsky as by his Cuban and jazz roots.

Columbus Symphony to Present Disney in Concert, 4/28

(4/11/2012) The Columbus Symphony, conductor Albert-George Schram, and four guest vocalists will explore many of Walt Disney's stories and characters through their memorable melodies in “Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies.” Accompanied by video-projected clips, still cells, and storyboard art from the films, the concert will include favorites from Disney musicals such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aladdin, and The Lion King, as well as Disney classics from Mary Poppins to Pirates of the Caribbean.

Drexel to Hold Forum of Local Child Experts Post April 24 Screening of BULLY

(4/5/2012) Bully, the controversial new film from Sundance and Emmy Award-winning director Lee Hirsch which explores the national epidemic of bullying through the eyes of young people affected by the often unspoken and violent practice, will open at the Drexel on Friday, April 13.

Shadowbox Live to Present SUMMER LOVIN' Beginning 5/17

(4/4/2012) This summer, Shadowbox Live is sizzling with sketch comedy and rock and rock ‘n’ roll in a brand new Lunchbox production, Summer Lovin’, running Thursdays and Fridays at Noon starting May 17th.

PICNIC WITH THE POPS Announces 2012 Lineup - Idina Menzel, The Temptations and More

(4/2/2012) The Columbus Symphony today announced the 2012 season lineup for its two annual summer outdoor concert series, the Nationwide Insurance Picnic with the Pops and Popcorn Pops. This will be the first season the series will be presented in its new downtown home, the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the Columbus Commons.

Columbus Symphony to Present Shakespeare-Inspired Concert, 3/30-4/1

(4/1/2012) Joined by guest vocalists Michèle Losier, mezzo-soprano, and Alisa Suzanne Jordheim, soprano, CSO Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni and the Columbus Symphony will perform works inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet and A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

Jonathan Pryce to Star in the Columbus Premiere of THE CARETAKER

(3/29/2012) Jonathan Pryce, a Tony Award-winning veteran of stage and screen, will lead Harold Pinter’s acclaimed play, The Caretaker, produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions/Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.

CAPA Presents IMAGINATION MOVERS at the Palace Theatre, April 20

(3/28/2012) CAPA presents the Imagination Movers at 3pm and 6:30pm on Friday, April 20, at the Palace Theatre (34 W. Broad St.). Tickets are $16-$36 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase tickets by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.

WEST SIDE STORY Comes to Columbus April 17-22

(3/27/2012) The tour of the smash hit Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY is coming to Columbus, opening at the Ohio Theatre on Tuesday, April 17. Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents’ Broadway direction will be recreated for the tour by David Saint, the Associate Director on Broadway. The original Jerome Robbins choreography is reproduced by Tony Award nominee Joey McKneely (The Boy from Oz, The Life).

THE MAGIC FLUTE, LA BOHEME et al. Set for Opera Columbus 2012-13 Season

(3/27/2012) Subscriptions go on sale today for the 2012-13 Opera Columbus season which sees the return of Toronto-based Opera Atelier and the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. The two-show season includes Opera Atelier’s revival of Mozart’s wildly popular The Magic Flute and the back-by-popular-demand New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players in H.M.S. Pinafore. Both productions will again employ local artists—the Opera Columbus Chorus and the Columbus Symphony—and all performances will be held in the Southern Theatre.

Mezzo-Soprano Denyce Graves Returns to Columbus for a One-Night-Only Performance, 3/25

(3/25/2012) Opera Columbus presents Denyce Graves at the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.) on Friday, March 25, at 8 pm. Tickets are $38-$98 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase by phone, please call (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000.

Columbus Symphony’s PNC Arts Alive Concerts for Kids to Present RHYTHM OF THE AMERICAS, 3/25

(3/25/2012) The Columbus Symphony and conductor Michael Berkowitz will showcase a variety of percussion instruments in the Rhythm of the Americas program. This PNC Arts Alive Concert for Kids is a one-hour classical concert for young audiences at the Capitol Theatre on March 25, and will feature rhythmic music from all the Americas—North, South, and Central. The CSO’s PNC Arts Alive Concerts for Kids are funded by a grant from PNC Arts Alive, a three-year, $1.5 million initiative of The PNC Foundation that supports visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement in new and innovative ways.

CAPA Presents The Four Bitchin' Babes' Original Revue HORMONAL IMBALANCE 4/15

(3/23/2012) The Four Bitchin’ Babes, a quartet of funny and multi-talented musicians/comediennes, return to Columbus (home of founding Babe Sally Fingerett) to celebrate the little joys of day-to-day life with their original songs and unbridled comedic commentary.

BWW Reviews: BILLY ELLIOT Electrifies the Palace Theatre

(3/23/2012) I was one of the lucky ones who had the chance to see Billy Elliot: The Musical on Broadway before it closed on January 8, 2012. Although this scaled-down NETworks version may lose some of its grandiose sets and sparkle, Billy Elliot still transmits enough electricity to power all of Columbus’ Palace Theatre.

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL Comes to Columbus, 3/20-25

(3/20/2012) NETworks Presentations, LLC brings the multi-award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical to the Palace Theatre march 20-25.Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling, and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

Columbus Symphony Announces Winner of the 2012 Young Musicians Senior Concerto Competition

(3/19/2012) The Columbus Symphony today announced that 16-year-old violinist Mariko Shimasaki is the winner of the 2012 Senior Concerto Competition, an annual competition for young musicians in grades 8-12. Shimasaki will receive a $500 award generously donated by the Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony, and has been invited to perform for the CSO’s Women’s Auxiliary annual luncheon.