Coming Up This Week in Theatre

Below is BroadwayWorld.com's Upcoming Events calendar updated on 10/28/2008. For the complete calendar of upcoming events, concerts, openings, closings and more, visit BroadwayWorld.com's Event Calendar.

The Drowsy Chaperone - Seattle - 10/28/2008

The 5th Avenue Theatre announces its 2008-2009 season lineup bursting with seven enormously entertaining musicals, five of which are making their 5th Avenue debuts. Together they add up to an extra large seven-show season � for the price of just six shows.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE October 28 - November 16, 2008

The first national tour of one of Broadway's biggest and most exhilarating recent hits, The Drowsy Chaperone, bursts onto the 5th Avenue stage in November. The surprise sensation of the 2006 Broadway season, The Drowsy Chaperone won five Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. The action begins when the "Man in Chair" � a musical theater fanatic � places his favorite original cast album on the record player and a show magically springs to life in his living room. The audience is instantly immersed in the glamorous, hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day.

For season ticket information, call 206-625-1900 (toll free 888-5TH-4TIX), stop by The 5th Avenue Theatre box office at 1308 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle, or visit www.5thavenue.org.

The 5th Avenue Theatre's 2008 � 2009 Season Showtimes: Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30PM; Thursday & Friday at 8PM; Saturday at 2PM & 8PM; and Sunday at 1:30PM & 7PM.

Ken Russell Makes Stage Directorial Debut This Fall - 10/28/2008

This fall, Tony Award nominated actor Keith Carradine (The Will Rogers Follies, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, "Nashville," "Dexter") returns to the New York stage in the New York premiere of Anthony Horowitz's acclaimed thriller, MINDGAME. Ken Russell, the celebrated director of the films Tommy, Woman In Love and The Boyfriend, makes his New York stage directorial debut with MINDGAME. Produced by Monica Tidwell, Darren Lee Cole, and Michael Butler, MINDGAME begins performances at SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) on October 28th and opens Sunday, November 9th.

When a writer of pulp crime novels gets an interview with a notorious serial killer he believes he has snared the coup of his� career. But when he arrives at the asylum, he finds nothing can be trusted, not even his own eyes. Through a series of lies, manipulations and memories, dark secrets are revealed.� Why is there a skeleton in the doctor's office? Where did the raw meat in the fridge come from? What is the nurse so afraid of? �and most importantly, how� does one get out?

In 2000, MINDGAME played London's West End at the Vaudeville Theatre following a successful 10-month engagement at Colchester's Mercury Theatre and a two-year tour of the UK.�� Ken Russell's New York debut production of MINDGAME is an entirely new staging of Horowitz's play.

The cast of MINDGAME also includes Lee Godart (David Hare's Skylight at Actors' theatre of Louisville, "All My Children," "The Edge of Night," "Search for Tomorrow"). The scenic design is by Beowulf Boritt (�.Spelling Bee, Lovemusik, Jay Johnson: The Two And Only).� Additional casting and design team will be announced soon.

"After reading Mindgame, I was convinced that I had to direct this play in New York," says Russell.� "Anthony has written a fascinating thriller with a new surprise every five minutes. I am delighted and honored to have this intriguing play as my off-Broadway debut."

"Mindgame is unlike anything I've done in the theater before," says Carradine. "Anthony Horowitz has written an utterly absorbing, unnerving and constantly surprising play. And I can't imagine a more perfect director for this piece than the legendary Ken Russell. This should be quite a ride!"

"I am thrilled that Mindgame will have its New York premiere with Ken Russell, a brilliant director whom I've always admired, at the helm," says Horowitz.� "It was my aim to write a play that would entertain and beguile and I'm confident this is going to be a production no one will forget."

MINDGAME begins performances October 28th at SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street). Opening night is Sunday, November 9th.� Via subway, take the C/E trains to Spring Street. Performances are Tuesday - Sundat at 8PM, with matinees on Sunday at 3PM and Sunday evening at 7PM.� Tickets are $64 - $74 and can be purchased 24 hours a day at www.sohoplayhouse.com or by calling The SoHo Theatre box office at (212) 691-1555 between noon and 8:30PM.

KEITH CARRADINE (Dr. Farquhar) is best known to New York theatre audiences for his Tony Award nominated performance as the title character in The Will Rogers Follies. He won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Foxfire with Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, and most recently appeared as Lawrence in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Imperial Theater.� Recent television roles include Wild Bill Hickock in HBO's "Deadwood", FBI Special Agent Frank Lundy on Showtime's "Dexter" and Agent Carl McGowan in the new season of� CBS'� NUMB3RS.� Carradine appeared with brothers David and Robert as the Younger brothers in Walter Hill's film The Long Riders. He appeared again for Hill in Southern Comfort.� His first notable film appearance was in director Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller.� He went on to play Bowie in Altman's Thieves Like Us and one of the principal characters, callow, womanizing folk singer Tom Frank, in Altman's critically acclaimed movie Nashville. His song from that movie, "I'm Easy", was a top-ten Billboard hit and Carradine won an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song for writing the tune.� He starred opposite Harvey Keitel in Ridley Scott's The Duellists. He has worked several times in the offbeat films of Altman's prot�g� Alan Rudolph, playing a disarmingly candid madman in Choose Me an incompetent petty criminal in Trouble in Mind and an American artist in 1920s Paris in The Moderns. He also had a cameo role as Will Rogers in Rudolph's Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle. Carradine co-starred with Daryl Hannah as homicidal sociopath John Netherwood in the thriller The Tie That Binds.� Other notable works include Emperor of the North with Lee Marvin, Louis Malle's Pretty Baby, the CBS mini-series Chiefs,� and in the video for Madonna's single "Material Girl." He recently completed filming an as-yet untitled dark comedy with Hope Davis, Selma Blair and Dermot Mulroney, and Peacock with Cillian Murphy, Susan Sarandon and Ellen Paige.

LEE GODART (Mark Styler) starred as Tom Sergeant in the Actor's Theatre of Louisville's long running production of David Hare's masterpiece, Skylight. Other theatre credits include Nils Bohr in Michael Frayn's Copenhagen, King Henry in The Lion in Winter, Shannon in Night of the Iguana,� Cassio in Othello, Brutus in Julius Caesar, Antonio in The Merchant of Venice , Edward Chamberlayne in T.S. Eliot's The Cocktail Party, and two separate productions as Marc in Yasmine Reza's Art. Lee also played assorted scoundrels and villains in daytime television', like Elliot Dorn ("Edge of Night"), Kent Bogard ("All My Children") and Bela Garody ("Search for Tomorrow"). In Paris, he appeared on stage as Titus in Racine's Berenice, Max in Gabriel Arout's highly successful Oui and Athanase in Senecal's Athanase. On French television he starred as Gabriel in Gaston Leroux's "La Poupee Sanglante", guest starred as Etienne on "The New Avengers" and played the evil assassin, Endo Lascar in the French film The Consortium. Mr. Godart was last seen Off Broadway at Ubu Rep. in Albert Camus' The Misunderstanding as the ill-fated son, Jan, and can next be seen as Paul Gauguin in the upcoming feature film, The Eyes of Van Gogh.

ANTHONY HOROWITZ (Playwright) is best known as a screenwriter and novelist. Born in 1955 in North London, he was educated at Rugby School and York University and published his first novel when he was just 22. He created the hugely popular and BAFTA-award winning TV series, "Foyle's War", as well as "Midsomer Murders", "Murder in Mind", "Crime Traveller" and "Menace". His books for children include the Alex Rider series about a teenage secret agent which have sold ten million copies worldwide and topped the New York Times bestseller list. Titles include Stormbreaker which became a film in 2006, Point Blanc, Skeleton Key, Eagle Strike and Ark Angel which won the British Book Award for Children's Book of the Year. Further series are the Diamond Brothers mystery stories, and two collections of horror stories, originally pulished as Horowitz Horror and More Horowitz Horror which have now been reissued as Scared". His most recent books are Nightrise, the third in the Gatekeeper series, coming after Raven's Gate and Evil Star. Anthony Horowitz has also written a horror film, The Gathering, starring Christina Ricci. He lives in central London with his wife and two sons.

KEN RUSSELL (Director). Known as Britain's "enfant terrible" of cinema, the British filmmaker Ken Russell, is best known in the United States as director of such feature films as Women in Love (1969), The Music Lovers (1970), Tommy (1975), and Altered States (1980). Although his television work is less well known outside the United Kingdom, it has had a major impact on the development of the television genre of fictional history.� Other film credits include Amelia and the Angel (1957) Peep Show (1958), Lourdes (1958) French Dressing (1963) Billion Dollar Brain (1967), The Devils (1971), The Boy Friend (1971) The Savage Messiah (1972); Mahler (1974), Lisztomania (1975), Valentino (1977), Crimes of Passion (1984), Gothic (1986) Salom�'s Last Dance (1988), The Lair of the White Worm (1988) The Rainbow (1989) and Whore (1991).� On stage, Russell has directed the operas The Rake's Progress (1982) Die Soldaten (1983) Madame Butterfly (1983), La Boh�me (1984), Faust (1985) Princess Ida (1992) and Salom� (1993).� With Mindgame, Russell makes his New York stage debut.

Michael Cavanaugh of 'Movin' Out' to Perform Billy Joel at BB King's 10/28 - 10/28/2008

MICHAEL CAVANAUGH of Broadway's Movin' Out will perform BILLY JOEL at BB King's at 8PM on Tuesday October 28th, 2008.

Michael and his band perform the greatest Billy Joel songs from the hit musical "Movin' Out". Michael adds colorful "behind the scenes" anecdotes about working with Joel, as well as more classic Billy Joel tunes not included in the show. Michael Cavanaugh soared to international fame as the star vocalist, pianist, and frontman in Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's Broadway sensation "Movin' Out." Hand-picked by Joel for the role, Michael amazed both audiences and critics night after night in countless performances on Broadway and across the nation. Michael received a Tony Award nomination for his role, as well as a Grammy Award nomination for the original cast album.

BB King's is located at 237 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue, adjacent to 42nd St. Tickets can be purchased by phone 212-307-7171, at www.ticketmaster.com, or in person at B.B. King box office from 10:30am to midnight every night.

Unless otherwise noted, all shows are suitable for all ages and offer general admission seating. Seating for all shows is first come, first seated; we do not take advance table reservation, except where noted as a condition of a VIP ticket. A $10 food and/or beverage minimum is standard for table seating during all shows.

Michael Arden to Sing Joni Mitchell's 'Blue' 10/28-30 - 10/28/2008

Michael Arden will sings the Joni Mitchell Blue CD on Tuesday - Thursday, October 28 - 30 at 11:30 PM.

In the tradition of Rufus Wainwright's Judy Garland Carnegie Hall concert, and Leslie Kritzer as Patti Lupone at Les Mouches, Joe's Pub is thrilled to present Michael Arden covering Joni Mitchell's seminal album "Blue" in its entirety, with new arrangements by Todd Almond. "Blue" was released in June, 1971 it was hailed as instant classic, critically and commercially, a potent culmination of her career. The record expressed her depressed assessments of the world balanced by notions of exuberant romantic love. Hit songs include, "River", "All I Want", "A Case of You" and many more,

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the web at joespub.com; by calling 212-967-7555, or at the Public Theater Box Office (1 PM to 6 PM), or Joe's Pub from (6 PM to 10 PM)

FOR TABLE RESERVATIONS: 212-539-8778

Purchase of tickets does NOT guarantee a table reservation; you must call to reserve seats. Seating, as well as standing-room, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Two drink or $12 food minimum per person is standard.

'Sessions' Re-Opens Tuesday 10/28 at Algonquin - 10/28/2008

Award-winning playwright Al Tapper's original musical, “SESSIONS” re-opens Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (7:PM) at Manhattan’s brand new Algonquin Theater (123 East 24th Street – between Lexington and Park Avenues), which was specifically built to house the spectacular show.

In addition to lead actors John Hickok ("Little Women") and Maya Days (“AIDA”) the stellar “SESSIONS” cast also includes Al Bundonis, Ken Jennings, Kelli Maguire, Trisha Rapier, Scott Richard Foster, Jason Wooten and Becky Barta.

Al Tapper, who wrote the book, music and lyrics for “SESSIONS,” is perhaps best known as the producer of the critically acclaimed documentary, "Broadway: The Golden Age."

Co-producing “SESSIONS” with Algonquin Theater Productions is Ten Grand Productions, who also co-produced the show at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

“SESSIONS” centers around Dr. Peter Peterson, an affluent New York therapist who discovers his own life is as much in need of examination as those of his patients. Among those causing Dr. Peterson angst are the bickering Murphys, the loner George, the aptly named Sunshine, the troubled Mary, the millionaire Baxter, and Dylan who really believes he is THAT (Bob) Dylan. On top of it all is Leila, the femme fatale with eyes...and long, long legs...for Dr. Peterson.

“SESSIONS” appeared for a limited 2007 summer engagement at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, where it played to sold-out houses, received standing ovations, and got positive reviews from Joe Franklin, Barbara Mehlman, and Lou Powsner of Courier-Life Publications.

Algonquin Theater Productions has renovated the former Blue Heron Arts Center specifically for the purpose of remounting the show in their first-class 99-seat Kaufman Theater.

Steven Petrillo directs, Penny Ayn Maas provides the choreography and Steven Gross is the musical director.

Following its Tuesday October 28th (7:PM) opening, “SESSIONS” will run Wednesdays through Fridays (8:PM), Saturdays (2:PM & 8:PM), and Sundays (3:PM).

All seats are $50 and are available by visiting www.smarttix.com or by calling 212 868-4444. Discounts: Senior and Student tickets: $20.00

“SESSIONS” is an irresistible stage musical experience that should not be missed.

Algonquin Theater Productions is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to the idea of moving shows on to the next level, whether that be Broadway, Off Broadway, regional, film or television. It was created in 2004 by Artistic Director Tony Sportiello and has enjoyed both critical and popular success with “SESSIONS,” Levy Lee Simon's “SAME TRAIN,” and their production of Shel Silverstein's "THE DEVIL AND BILLY MARKHAM.”

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Wicked: From Page to Stage - 10/28/2008

Wicked: From Page to Stage Tuesday � October 28 � 6:30 PM Wicked, the Broadway smash musical and winner of 20 major awards, including a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, is based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire about two witches in the Land of Oz. Composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, book writer Winnie Holzman, and producer Marc Platt will discuss the process of adapting the novel to create the stage musical that would become a Broadway blockbuster. David Cote, chief drama critic for Time Out New York, will moderate the discussion. Reservations required. $10 for Museum members, seniors, and students; $15 for non-members.

For reservations and program information, call (212) 534-1672, ext. 3395

Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street 212) 534-1672 www.mcny.org

Schwartz, Holzman and Platt to Discuss WICKED: From Page to Stage - 10/28/2008

Wicked, the Broadway smash musical and winner of 20 major awards, including a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, is based on the bestselling novel by Gregory Maguire about two witches in the Land of Oz. Composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, book writer Winnie Holzman, and producer Marc Platt will discuss the process of adapting the novel to create the stage musical that would become a Broadway blockbuster. David Cote, chief drama critic for Time Out New York, will moderate the discussion. Reservations required. $10 for Museum members, seniors, and students; $15 for non-members.

For reservations and program information, call (212) 534-1672, ext. 3395

The Museum of the City of New York is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street. For more information, visit www.mcny.org

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman. It is directed by Joe Mantello, with musical staging by Wayne Cilento. WICKED is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone.

WICKED features set design by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee, costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony Meola. The orchestrations are by William David Brohn, with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott.

WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of their remarkable odyssey, how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch.

Tickets for WICKED range in price from $30 to $99 and can be purchased online at www.shnsf.com and www.ticketmaster.com/wicked, through Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone (415) 512-7770, at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, the Orpheum Theatre Box Office (1192 Market at 8th St., Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm) and the Curran Theatre Box Office through October 11 (445 Geary between Taylor and Mason, Mon - Sat, Noon - 6pm). Groups of 20 or more may order now by calling Group Sales at (415) 551-2020.

For information about WICKED world-wide, please visit www.wicked.com.

Bichir and Cochran to Star in Geffen's 'By the Waters of Babylon'; Previews Begin 10/28 - 10/28/2008

The Los Angeles premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan’s By the Waters of Babylon brings two award-winning, long-time theater actors to the Geffen stage for the first time: Demián Bichir and Shannon Cochran. Bichir, who is currently starring as Mary Louise-Parker’s love interest on Showtime’s Weeds, will play the role of Arturo, a Cuban immigrant who is hired to (coincidentally) weed the garden of unconventional Austin widow Catherine. Cochran, who will star as Catherine, is straight from Chicago where she starred in sold out performances of The Lion in Winter at the Writers Theatre.

While both actors will be making their Geffen Playhouse debut with this production, Bichir – who comes from one of the most well- known theatrical families in Mexico, will be making his US stage debut. On screen Bichir is already becoming familiar to American audiences; in addition to his role on Weeds, Bichir recently portrayed Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh’s Che Guevara biopics
The Argentine and Guerilla. In his home country, Bichir’s film Sexo, Pudor y Lágrimas held the box office record for number one movie in Mexico for three years straight, and he has been awarded numerous honors ranging from the prestigious Ariel Award for Best Actor to a medal presented by the cultural commission in Mexico City for distinction in the arts. Playing opposite Bichir, Cochran brings her own vast stage experience to the production. The actress, who has won accolades for her on some of America’s most prominent stages including Steppenwolf, The Goodman and South Coast Repertory, starred off-Broadway in Bug, for which she was the recipient of the 2004 Theatre World Award, an Obie Award and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.

“With this play, I’m doing something very different – a two-character contemporary love story. This kind of piece can be very challenging but in Demián and Shannon we have found two extraordinary talents who will bring out all of the complexity and passion with which these characters struggle,” said playwright Robert Schenkkan. “It’s a great pleasure to bring this play to Los Angeles. Audiences here are so enthusiastic, sophisticated, and knowledgeable. With Babylon, I think they’re in for a very special experience.”

By the Waters of Babylon, directed by Old Vic and A.C.T. alum Richard Seyd, opens on the main stage of the Geffen Playhouse on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Previews: Tuesday, October 28 to Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Opening Night: Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Closing Night:
Sunday, December 7, 2008

DEMIÁN BICHIR (Arturo) Bichir is one of the most well known and well respected actors in his home of Mexico and all of Latin America. In his native Mexico he has performed in plays such as in O'Neill's Ah! Wilderness, directed by José Quintero (Best Newcomer, Mexican Association of Theater Press), Shakespeare's Richard III directed by Clifford Williams, Strindberg's The Ghost Sonata (Best Actor, Mexican Association of Theater Press), Neil Simon's Broadway Bound and the Odd Couple, Halliwell's Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs (Best Actor, Mexican Association of Theater Press) and Extras, Sabina Berman’s adaptation of Marie Jones’ Stones in His Pockets . His films have been seen by more than twelve million people in Mexico alone without mentioning the vast audience in Spain and South America, and include Rojo Amanecer (winner of the Grand Jury Prize in the San Sebastian Film Festival), Hasta Morir (winner Ariel Award for Best Actor,), Sin Noticias de Dios with Penélope Cruz, Sex, Shame and Tears (Ariel Best Actor nominee), American Visa (Best Foreign Film nominee at the Goyas in Spain), and EnemigosIntimos (soon to be released worldwide). Bichir received a special award at the 35th Chicago International Film Festival for three of his films. He’s been invited to be part of the jury in three different film festivals; LALIFF, Málaga and Ibiza. He has received two tributes, one at the San Diego film festival, and recently received another with his brothers at the Monterrey film festival in México in 2008. In addition, Bichir received a medal for recognition in the arts from the cultural commission in Mexico City in 2007. Demián Bichir can currently be seen on the hit Showtime series Weeds , portraying Mary Louise Parker’s new love interest. In addition, he also completed the pivotal role of Fidel Castro in the upcoming Che movies, Guerilla and The Argentine for director Steven Soderbergh which recently premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Bichir currently resides in Los Angeles and Mexico.

Shannon Cochran (Catherine): Shannon Cochran most recently appeared in sold-out performances of The Lion in Winter at Writers Theatre, in the Chicagoland area. Prior to that, Shannon starred in the World Premiere of SystemWonderland at South Coast Repertory. She appeared at the Long Wharf Theatre in Private Lies , after starring Off-Broadway in Bug at the Barrow Street Theatre. She was a recipient of the 2004 Theatre World Award, an Obie Award and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Prior to her New York debut, she had appeared in Tracy Lett’sLetts’ Man From Nebraska , directed by Anna B. Shapiro at Steppenwolf, which was voted one of TIME MAGAZINE’S TOP 10 plays of 2003. Other theatre performances include: The Unmentionables and Stepping Out at Steppenwolf, Twelfth Night , Pal Joey and A Flea in Her Ear at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, Space and 93 Acres of Barley at The Mark Taper Forum and Private Lies and The Father at Writers Theatre. She has directed Theresa Raquin for greasyjoan and Private Passage for Odyssey Theatre. Shannon lists among her film and television credits: The Ring ,Law and Order: SVU. Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, The Unit , Star Trek: Nemesis, Frasier , Gilmore Girls and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Shannon currently resides in Los Angeles.

ROBERT SCHENKKAN (Playwright) Robert is the author of The Kentucky Cycle, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as an LA Critics Best Play Award, PEN WEST Award, Tony Nomination and Outer Critics Circle Nomination. He has written eight other full-length plays: Lewis and Clark, Reach The Euphrates ,The Marriage of Miss Hollywood and King Neptune,The Devil And Daniel Webster,Handler, Heaven on Earth (Julie Harris/Beverly Hills Theatre Guild Award), Tachinoki, Final Passages, and The Dream Thief and a collection of One Act plays, Conversations with the Spanish Ladyand other Plays. He is currently at work on two musicals: A Night At the Alhambra Café, and The Twelve. Robert is the co-author of the film, The Quiet American.

For television he wrote: The Andromeda Strain nominated for 6 Emmys including “Best Miniseries”; four episodes of the much anticipated Hanks/Spielberg/HBO miniseries, The Pacific; Crazy Horse (TNT); and Spartacus (USA). He is currently adapting Anabasis as a feature film for SONY. Other films in development include Fall of Saigon (Fox), Desmond Doss (Pandemonium Films) and Ugly Americans (2929). He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, PEN America, the Ensemble Studio Theatre, the Friar Society, and is an alumnus of New Dramatists. Robert is married to the writer, Maria Dahvana Headley, and lives in Seattle with his two children. www.robertschenkkan.com

RICHARD SEYD (Director) Most recently, Seyd directed A Reckoning with Jonathan Pryce in London at the SoHo Theatre. Previously, he directed a Feast of Fools (with Geoff Hoyle) at the Marines Memorial Theatre and previously at LaJolla Playhouse. He has also received Drama-Logue, BackStage West and Bay Area Critics Circle Awards for his direction of Cloud Nine, About Face ,Noises Off, Oleanna,A View From the Bridge,Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, andA Streetcar Named Desire. From 1992 - 1997 he served asAssociate Artistic Director of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. For ACT, he directedThe Learned Ladies,Dario Fo'sThe Pope And The Witch,Pygmalion, Mrs. Warren's Profession, Oleanna, Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead, Othello,The Matchmaker, and A Streetcar Named Desire.

In the 1980's Seyd was Associate Producing Director of the Eureka Theatre, and directed many productions for the company including Cloud Nine,The Wash,Threepenny Opera, and Dario Fo's About Face. In addition, he is the director of an award-winning 35 mm short film entitled Brass Tacks. Seyd received his Theatre Training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and acted with the affiliated Old Vic Company. He became a founding member of Stage Two - a company based on the works of Jersey Grotowski that was begun by James Roose-Evans. In 1968, he co-founded Red Ladder Theatre, Britain's first professional, political theatre collective, now 35 years old. He acted, directed and produced for the company for seven years. Upon moving to San Francisco in 1975, Richard taught at the Cultural Training Center. From here, directing became his main focus as detailed above. In the early 1990's, Richard returned to teaching for professional actors in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

Tickets ($40 to $74) are on sale now at the Geffen Playhouse box office, online at GeffenPlayhouse.com, via credit card phone order at (310) 208-5454, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster at (213) 365-3500. Student rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain for $15.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesday through Thursday
7:30 p.m.
Fridays
8:00 p.m.
Saturdays
4:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Sundays
2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

ABOUT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
The Geffen Playhouse has been a hub of the Los Angeles theater scene since opening its doors in 1995. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and musicals, the Geffen Playhouse continues to present a body of work that has garnered national recognition. Named in honor of entertainment mogul and philanthropist David Geffen, who made the initial donation to the theater, the company is helmed by Producing Director and President of the Board Gilbert (Gil) Cates, Artistic Director Randall Arney, Managing Director Susan Barton and Chairman of the Board Frank Mancuso. Proudly associated with UCLA, the Geffen Playhouse welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year, and maintains an extensive education and outreach program, designed to engage young people and the community at large in the arts. For more information, please visit GeffenPlayhouse.com.

Case, Hurlbert, Keenan-Bolger and MORE to Perform at VOTE OR DIE 10/28 - 10/28/2008

VOTE OR DIE, a Halloween/Election concert with the songs of Ryann Ferguson & Steven Jamail plays The Zipper Factory Theater on Oct. 28th at 10:30PM. Ryan J. Davis directs.

The week of Halloween and exactly one week before we elect a new president, Broadway's hottest young talent will join the award-winning writing team for an evening of songs from their projects VOTE!, Tercio de Muerte, Nicholas & Alexandra, and more.

Set to perform are Allison Case (Hair, Mamma Mia), Sasha Cooke (Dr. Atomic at the Met), Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Spelling Bee), Janet Dacal (In the Heights), Brandon Wardell (Assassins, Good Vibrations), Landon Beard (Altar Boyz), Vanessa Ray (Spelling Bee), Dani Spieler (Legally Blonde), Jake Wilson (The Battery's Down), Dana Steingold (Spelling Bee), Celisse Henderson (Wicked), Tracy Weiler, Matt Skrincosky, and Molly Rosenberger.

Rice University Alumni and co-collaborators Ryann Ferguson & Steven Jamail (of 2005 Fringe Festival's Byzantium and Harper's Guild Award Winners for Best Aria, "Lotus Song") come from intensive theatre backgrounds ranging from production, to marketing, to lighting design, and composition, collectively. With successful experiences both together and apart, the two recently premiered their new musical, VOTE! in a private, industry-only reading, directed by Ryan J. Davis. The duo again team up with Davis, for this one night only concert with partial proceeds going to benefit Rock the Vote.

VOTE! is a new musical about high school election espionage and the pursuit of a real dream that "counts," as told by four ambitious youngsters and their teacher. The race forces them to consider the meaning and power of an individual vote and why they are really running (a timely coincidence, given that it dovetails with one of our most diverse and arguably important political seasons to date). VOTE! delivers an exciting outlet for all of us to consider what we're voting for and who's really behind the faces of a given candidacy.

For tickets, go to www.thezipperfactory.com or call 212.352.3101.

For more information on VOTE! The Musical please visit www.votethemusical.com.

Steve Brinberg to Perform SIMPLY BARBRA at London's Shaw Theatre - 10/28/2008

In the build up to the presidential election Steven Brinberg flies into London to recite a special SIMPLY BARBRA MANIFESTO. The evening will deliver a night of classical Barbra classics - People, Close To You, and Evergreen.

“A night of breath-taking vocal mastery fused with astute comedic observations," describe press notes.

The show will also reveal Barbra’s thoughts on her marriages – her movies choices. Meet The Focker’s’ advice given to presidential officials and The White House. Steven also delivers an array of other DIVAS which he performs within the show - CHER, Cleo Laine, and Ethel Merman.

Plus a very special surprise appearance - Barack Obama – serenaded LIVE - expect other surprise artists – and the finest musical direction and accompaniment by Nathan Martin who has worked with Steven worldwide on their sell-out tours.

The success of Steven Brinberg as Simply Barbra continues worldwide with shows and tours; in the USA, AUSTRALIA, EUROPE AND LONDON. In recent years in London at The Arts Theatre, The Playhouse and a record-breaking run at The Jeremyn Street Theatre. He continues to tour the USA with Marvin Hamlisch and the symphony. Steven’s film credits include CAMP and NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM.

SIMPLY BARBRA will perform Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 October 2008 at 7.30PM. Ticket Price is £25, £20 and £15. For more information please visit www.theshawtheatre.com or www.simplybarbra.com

International Cast Recording of CINDERELLA Featuring Salonga Available on iTunes Starting 10/28 - 10/28/2008

In an exclusive arrangement with iTunes©, Broadway Asia Entertainment (producers Steven Baruch / Richard Frankel / Simone Genatt / Marc Routh / Tom Viertel) proudly announces the upcoming international release of the 2008 Original International Tour Cast Recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Tony Award winner Lea Salonga available exclusively online beginning Tuesday, October 28, 2008. The 2008 International Tour is directed by Bobby Garcia.

Produced by LAKESHORE RECORDS (Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Superbad), the new cast recording of CINDERELLA was recorded in the Philippines at Carmel House Studios. The show's cast of 26 was accompanied by the studio's in-house orchestra, the FILharminoKA, under the direction of resident conductor Gerard Salonga.

The critically acclaimed international tour of CINDERELLA opened on July 29, 2008 in Salonga's hometown of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, before embarking on a 30-week Asian tour playing such countries as China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Macao and Korea.

The new album is one of the most complete recordings of the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein score and features new renditions of such classics as "In My Own Little Corner," "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful" and "Ten Minutes Ago." With several new orchestrations by Tony Award nominee Larry Blank, the recording includes two songs from the R&H catalogue rarely performed in the stage version including "The Sweetest Sounds" and "There's Music in You."

Tony Award winning actress Lea Salonga leads the cast in the title role. Salonga is widely known for creating the role Kim in Miss Saigon in both London's West End and on Broadway winning won both the Olivier and Tony Awards for her heart-breaking performance. Salonga's strong bonds to the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical library date from her childhood in Manila, the Philippines, where she appeared in professional productions of The King and I and The Sound of Music. She can be heard on the all-star studio recording of The King and I with Julie Andrews and Ben Kingsley. In 2002, she appeared in R&H's Flower Drum Song on Broadway. Salonga also created the singing voices of Disney heroines Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan.

Salonga is joined by Peter Saide as the "Prince," Julia Cook as "Stepmother," Jen Bechter as "Portia," Brandy Zarle as "Joy," Charlie Parker as the "Fairy Godmother," Aaron Galligan-Stierle as the "Herald," Jefferson Slinkard as the "King," Janna Cardia as the "Queen," Steve Gagliastro as "Chef" and Richard Cerato as "Steward."

Produced by Broadway Asia Entertainment and directed by Bobby Garcia, the international tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA features a book adapted by award winning writer and director Mark Waldrop. The design team features Tony Award winner David Gallo (scenic design) and Paul Miller (lighting design) along with renowned couture designer Renato Balestra (costume design), Michael Waters (sound design) and choreography by Vince Pesce.

CINDERELLA was written by the legendary American song-writing duo of Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics) and Richard Rodgers (music). The timeless and enchanting musical version of the fairy tale was originally presented live on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews and was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Successful remakes hit the airwaves in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren and in 1997 starring pop singer Brandy in the title role, multiple Grammy Award-winner Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother and Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters as her wicked Stepmother.

To download iTunes© and purchase the 2008 Original International Tour cast recording of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, visit www.apple.com/itunes/. For more information on CINDERELLA, please visit www.cinderellaonstage.com.

TRACK LISTING FOR
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA

1.      Overture / The Sweetest Sounds- Orchestra / Cinderella, Fairy Godmother
2.      The Prince is Giving a Ball- Herald, Stepmother, Portia, Joy, Company
3.      In My Own Little Corner- Cinderella
4.      Your Majesties- King, Queen, Herald and Servants
5.      Loneliness of the Evening- Prince
6.      Boys and Girls Like You and Me- King, Queen
7.      Impossible / It's Possible- Cinderella, Fairy Godmother
8.      Waltz for a Ball- Orchestra
9.      Ten Minutes Ago- Cinderella, Prince
10.     Stepsisters' Lament- Portia, Joy
11.     Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?-Cinderella, Prince
12.     Impossible (Reprise)-Cinderella, Fairy Godmother
13.     When You're Driving Through the Moonlight- Cinderella, Stepmother, Portia, Joy
14.     A Lovely Night- Cinderella, Stepmother, Portia, Joy
15.     There's Music in You- Cinderella, Fairy Godmother
16.     Finale- Company

Executive Producer Marc Routh provides liner notes.

ABOUT Broadway Asia ENTERTAINMENT
With offices in New York and Shanghai, Broadway Asia Entertainment is the largest producer of Broadway musicals in Asia, and its founders are one of the most active commercial producers in the world as well as the largest touring operation throughout the Asia Pacific region. Past and current productions include: 42nd Street; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Mandarin language); The King And I; SpongeBob SquarePants Live: The Sponge Who Could Fly! based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon ; The Sound of Music and Swing!. Upcoming Productions include: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Fantasticks and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. BAE's founders produce Gyspy, Young Frankenstein, Legally Blonde, The Producers, winner of 12 Tony Awards; Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards; Stomp, the international sensation performing in New York for over 13 years; Cookin' which has toured over 40 countries and many other award winning shows in London, on Broadway, on tour in the U.S., U.K. and Asia, and in Las Vegas. BAE co-producers on their Asian touring productions include NETworks Presentations, The Really Useful Group, Troika Entertainment and Nickelodeon Theatricals.   For more information, please visit www.broadwayasiaentertainment.com.

ABOUT LAKESHORE RECORDS
Lakeshore Records is the independent music division of Lakeshore Entertainment, responsible for such films as Underworld, Million Dollar Baby, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Underworld: Evolution, Crank, She's The Man and the upcoming films Crank 2: High Voltage and Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans.

Lakeshore Records has released soundtracks to such films as Wanted, Pineapple Express, Tropic Thunder, Superbad, Resident Evil: Extinction, Napoleon Dynamite, Little Miss Sunshine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Nacho Libre, The Last Kiss, Underworld and Underworld: Evolution, Wicker Park, and The Lakehouse to name a few. Additionally, Lakeshore Records has released score albums from composers such as Danny Elfman, James Horner, Thomas Newman, John Powell, Mark Isham, Graeme Revell, Rolfe Kent, Gustavo Santoalalla, Philip Glass, Dario Marianelli, Mark Mothersbaugh, Christophe Beck, Christopher Young, Rachel Portman, and Marco Beltrami.

Artists who began their careers at Lakeshore Records, or on one of its associate imprints include the critically acclaimed Queens Of The Stone Age and alternative darlings Grandaddy. Additionally, Lakeshore Records has released albums from James Wilsey (Silvertone), Meat Beat Manifesto, Kevin Devine (Miracle of 86), AK1200, Bob Forrest, Thelonious Monster and Candiria.

ABOUT Lea Salonga
The Tony Award winning star of Miss Saigon, Lea Salonga, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Lea recently began her first major U.S. city concert tour with performances in San Francisco, Atlantic City, Honolulu, Maui, Chicago, Norfolk, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, grossing over one million dollars in ticket sales. On November 7 she sold out Carnegie Hall in an all new show directed by Richard Jay-Alexander (Bette Midler's Kiss My Brass tour; Barbra Streisand Timeless Farewell tour).

Salonga gained international stardom for her award winning lead role as Kim on Broadway in the 1991 production of Miss Saigon. She not only won a Tony Award for "Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical," but also an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk Award and the Laurence Olivier Award. Her vast array of theater credits also include Les Miserables as Eponine, the witch in Into The Woods, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, The Goodbye Girl, They're Playing Our Song, Grease, The Fantasticks, Paper Moon, The Bad Seed, The Sound of Music and Annie.

In Fall of 2002 Salonga made another splash on Broadway, starring in the hit revival of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammersteins' Flower Drum Song with a re-imagined book by David Henry Hwang.

In March 2007, Lea returned to Broadway to star as Fantine in the 2006 revival of Les Miserables.

Salonga can be heard on screen as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Disney's blockbuster smash Aladdin. In a recent article in Southwest Magazine entitled the "50 Greatest Movie Soundtracks," Aladdin was ranked #17 with specific note made of Miss Salonga's version of "Whole New World." She is also the singing voice of Mulan in Mulan and Mulan 2.

She can be heard on the original cast recordings of Miss Saigon, Flower Drum Song (Broadway Revival), The King and I (with Julie Andrews and Ben Kingsley), The Nutcracker, "Hey, Mr. Producer!" and the Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert. Lea has recorded over a dozen solo CD's including "Lea Salonga," "Lea…In Love," "By Heart," "Songs from the Screen," "Songs From Home," "Lea…Live!;" "Lea Salonga: The Broadway Concert" and, most recently "Inspired" (available as an import or on Amazon.com).

Salonga has also made several notable appearances on such television shows as "ER," "As the World Turns," "Hey, Mr. Producer" and "Russell Watson: The Voice for PBS" and the PBS special "Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert."

The schedule for the international tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is as follows:

CHINA
- October 17 - 21, 2008 at Shanghai's Majestic Theatre
- October 24 - 30, 2008 at the Beijing Exhibition Hall Theatre
- November 5 - 28, 2008 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

THAILAND
- December 16 - 21, 2008 at the Muang Thai Rachadalai, Bangkok

SINGAPORE
- January 2 - 22, 2009 at the Esplanade

MALAYSIA
- January 30 - February 8, 2009 at the Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur

Spring 2009 dates in Japan to be announced shortly.

Joe's Pub Presents Glenn O'Brien 10/28 - 10/28/2008

Broadway Loves Joe's Pub happens Sunday, 11/2 at 9:30PM. Hosted by Judy Gold, and featuring Laura Benanti, Cady Huffman, Gavin Creel, Steven Pasquale, Hairspray's Nikki Blonsky and Rent's Will Chase. The performers will be reprising songs they have performed in previous Joe's Pub events, giving fans a chance to relive the magical nights from years past.

The concert is part of the 10th Anniversary Celebration at Joe s Pub. Joe's Pub at The Public Theater (Director, Shanta Thake; General Manager, Kevin Abbott) debuted in October of 1998 as a performance space dedicated to presenting artists across a variety of genres, and was founded on the principle of showcasing affordable, accessible, and quality entertainment to the people of New York. The intimate space quickly became one of New York's most in demand venues for music, theater, cabaret, dance, and comedy, presenting artists from over 90 countries. The Village Voice voted Joe's Pub the "Best Excuse to Let a Single Venue Dictate Your Taste". Newsweek calls the club "one of the country's best small stages" and New York Magazine raves "you never know what you'll find next at Joe's Pub, but you can count on the fact that it will be good, very good."

All seats for "Broadway Loves Joe's Pub" are $50. For Tickets, call 212-967-7555 or visit www.joespub.com; or in person at The Public Theater Box Office from 1pm to 6pm and at Joe's Pub from 6pm to 10pm (both located at 425 Lafayette St.). For table reservations call 212-539-8778. Purchase of tickets does NOT guarantee a table reservation; you must call to reserve seats. Seating, as well as standing-room, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Two drink or $12 food minimum per person is standard.

The following shows have just been added for the 10th Anniversary:

10/28 - Glenn O'Brien
11/10 - Julie Foldsei
11/17 - Among the Oak and Ash
11/19 - Pharaoh's Daughter
12/5 - Hawksley Workman
12/9 - Milton
12/27 - Sephardic Music Festival
1/12 - Moriarty
2/7 - Three Of Hearts: A Benefit for the Family Center

Click here for ticket info.

UCSD Sound Design Director Shahrokh Yadegari to Speak in NYC 10/28 - 10/28/2008

The University of California, San Diego's acclaimed UCSD Near You alumni outreach program continues this fall in New York City and the Bay Area. This innovative series brings UC San Diego's outstanding faculty and alumni speakers together with fellow graduates, parents and friends around the country. At each event, speakers share their research and accomplishments that help to enhance the university's local impact, national influence and global reach. To date, more than 1,000 alumni have reconnected with the university through UCSD Near You.

"UCSD Near You keeps our alumni informed about UC San Diego's up-to-the-minute news and research breakthroughs, and builds their engagement with the university," notes Armin Afsahi, assistant vice chancellor of Alumni Affairs at UC San Diego and executive director of the UCSD Alumni Association. "These exciting educational events offer a great opportunity for alumni to network with fellow graduates who reside in their same area."

UCSD Near You fall events, open to UC San Diego alumni and parents, include:

"From a Mockingbird to Carnegie Hall: The Revolution of Sound Design"
Shahrokh Yadegari, Ph.D. '04, Director of Sound Design, UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance
October 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.: Trattoria Dell'Arte Restaurant, New York City

Over a decade ago, inspiration came to Iranian-American musician Yadegari from a mockingbird. He recorded the bird's nightly songs, and then played them back. "The bird was so excited to hear its own singing," he explains "Everything changed: his energy, his performance, his song." Translating this experience into the world of music, Yadegari developed a software program to replicate the effect for acoustic musicians. This melding of technology and art has yielded remarkable results in the evolution of theatrical sound design.

Speaker Bio: http://theatre.ucsd.edu/people/faculty/ShahrokhYadegari/

"Beyond the Headlines: The Real Promise and Future of Bio-Fuels"
Steve A. Kay, Ph.D., Dean, UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences
October 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.: Palo Alto Hills Golf Course and Country Club
October 29, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.: UC San Francisco's Mission Bay Conference Center

Rising oil prices, along with an increased awareness of global warming, have spurred a race to develop alternative energy sources. Kay, a renowned plant scientist and member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, will share the exciting promise of algae-based biofuels. He has advised industry analysts and policymakers and recently launched the San Diego Center for Algae-based Biofuels (SDCAB), a regional consortium and premier public/private partnership dedicated to the advancement of algae-based biofuels research.

Speaker Bio: http://biology.ucsd.edu/faculty/kay.html

For more information about UCSD Near You, visit www.ucsdnearyou.ucsd.edu or call (858) 534-3900.

The University of California, San Diego, ranked the 7th best public university in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, is one of the nation's most accomplished research universities, widely acknowledged for its local impact, national influence and global reach. The UCSD Alumni Association, formed in 1964 by a small group of early graduates, has grown to represent more than 122,000 alumni with a mission to foster lifelong engagement and a mutually beneficial relationship of alumni and students with UC San Diego. The Association works to provide alumni with continued access to the resources of the university, communicate UC San Diego news and events, as well as facilitate a network for alumni and student interaction. For information, please visit www.alumni.ucsd.edu.

Michael Arden to Perform Joni Mitchell's BLUE at Joe's Pub 10/28-10/30 - 10/28/2008

In the tradition of Rufus Wainwright's Judy Garland Carnegie Hall concert, Leslie Kritzer as Patti LuPone at Les Mouches, Joe's Pub is thrilled to present Michael Arden covering Joni Mitchell's seminal album "Blue" in it's entirety, with new arrangements by Todd Almond and a incredible 5-piece band including Michael Aarons, Jim Hershman, Trey Files and Ruth Bennett.

The concert will be at JOE’S PUB (425 Lafayette Street – between Astor Place & West 4th Street)
for three (3) nights only.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28th at 11:30pm.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29th at 11:30pm.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30th at 11:30pm.

When "Blue" was released in June, 1971 it was hailed as instant classic, critically and commercially, a potent culmination of her career. The record expressed her depressed assessments of the world balanced by notions of exuberant romantic love. Hit songs include "River", "All I Want", "A Case of You" and many more.

Mr. Arden most recently served as Assistant Director to Warren Carlyle for the Broadway musical, “A TALE OF TWO CITIES”.

TICKETS are $20 and can be purchased by calling 212-967-7555 or 212-539-8778. Reservations are encouraged.

For online booking, please visit www.joespub.com

B.B. King Blues Club & Lucille's Grill Schedule of Upcoming Events - 10/28/2008

B.B. King Blues Club & Grill one of the nation's most respected music venues and New York's premier home for Broadway stars and cabaret and and Lucille's Grill,a bar/restaurant located inside B.B. King Blues Club & Grill present their schedule of performances, with recently added or altered shows.

  B.B. King Blues Club and Grill is located at 237 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue, New York, and is accessible via the 42nd St 1,2,3,7, N, Q, R, W and S trains and via the Port Authority A, C and E trains.

For tickets, visit online at http://www.ticketmaster.com, or go in person to the B.B. King box office from 10:30am to midnight every night.

B.B. KING BLUES CLUB SCHEDULE:

New Show Added: Sunday, November 9 The Phil Lesh Afterparty with NATURAL BREAKDOWN File Under: Rock, Jam Band NB: SRO Doors at 11:30pm, Show at Midnight $14 The goal is to raise consciousness through sound and word. To bring crowds to intense peaks, through a winding river of sound. Like Nature breaks down rock over thousands of years, and how everything can be broKen Down to its base component, light: Natural Breakdown is a hopeful outlook and a call for change. They believe that the world is in need of some serious healing, and a strong vehicle for this shift is music. They want to break down the barriers between people and bridge the gap between performers/audience, to uncover that core experience of unity and oneness. They strive to bring people together for a unique and uplifting musical healing experience and hopefully spread the seeds of a brighter future in this time of great change. New Show Added: Friday, November 14 The Phil Lesh Afterparty with MJ PROJECT, THE DIRTY DROP + DJ TUCCI File Under: Jam Band, Rock, Jazz NB: SRO Doors at Midnight $5 adv, $7 at door MJ Project performs an instrumental, intelligent and funky mix of rock, progressive jazz, danceable grooves and spacy but melodic sounds. The Philadelphia-based band's mix of talent, telepathic tightness and fearless appreciation of improv adds up to a rock-solid groove and impeccable sound that works on many levels. The Dirty Drop was born in a dark, damp New Brunswick basement in November 2006. Overcoming setbacks and working fervently to produce better and better music, the Drop has progressed exponentially over their short career. Masters of melding liquid grooves and classic rock sensibilities with evil, fist-pumping improvisations, each member of this melodic rock band brings something uniquely extraordinary to the table. Influenced by a wide range of musical genres from jam-trance (The Disco Biscuits) to aggressive funk (RHCP), from classic rock (Led Zeppelin) to bewildering improvisation (Phish), The Dirty Drop captures fans using a copious spectrum of styles and sounds as bait. And the band's live show is certainly one to behold as well, as it serves as the honeymoon for the marriage between the terribly funky refrains and groovy experimental jams of this five-piece tour de force. New Shows Added: Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30 Holiday Matinee Show with STRAWBERRY FIELDS featuring members of BEATLEMANIA File Under: Classic Rock, Family, Tribute Doors at 11:00am, Show at Noon $20 adv, $25 at door STRAWBERRY FIELDS is a look-a-like, sound-a-like Beatles tribute, dedicated to bringing you as close to a real Beatles concert as you can get. They take you on a Magical Mystery Tour beginning in 1964 complete with mop top hair, black suits with thin ties & the 1st four albums of music. Next stop, 1967, features the psychedelic era of "Sergeant Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band" album with all the costumes & jackets on the album cover. The last stop includes: "White Album", "Abbey Road" & "Let It Be". New Show Added: Thursday, January 1 Holiday Matinee with GROOVE BUFFET Tribute to R&B, Motown and Soul File Under: Classic R&B NB: Ticket includes All-You-Can Eat Buffet, Show, Tax and Tip Doors at 12:30pm, Show at 1:30pm $40 adv, $42.50 at door Paying homage to the R&B, Motown and Soul legends, and founded solely on passion for the music, Groove Buffet formed in early 2005. The band is quickly on the rise and has become one of the best tribute bands in the New York Tri-State area. Yet, it doesn't seem right to call a group like Groove Buffet a tribute band. Unlike some tribute bands, Groove Buffet is not performing a routine. They don't dress up in 1960's attire, prance the stage like James Brown, or play note-for-note solos. Groove Buffet is much more attitude than imitation, and captures the true spirit of what the music is all about. Their music creates an environment where fellowship can thrive, and people come out to each gig for that atmosphere. Groove Buffet has gained praise from R&B, Classic Rock, Motown, and Soul fans alike, as well as the younger "jam band" crowd, which has become attached to the grooving sounds the band brings to the table each and every show. Groove Buffet has an extensive song library from which it crafts each show's set list, providing an entire night of material featuring the sounds of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Joe Cocker, Van Morrison, Otis Redding, James Brown, Wilson Pickett and many more artists. THIS WEEK AT B.B. KING: Monday, October 27 STRAWBERRY FIELDS featuring members of BEATLEMANIA File Under: Classic Rock, Family, Tribute Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 8:00pm $25 Tuesday, October 28 Michael Cavanaugh of Broadway's Movin' Out performs his new CD In Color featuring the music of Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, LED ZEPPELIN, Pete Townshend, Michael Cavanaugh and more File Under: Broadway, Classic Rock Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 8:00pm $27.50 Wednesday, October 29 The Quantum Eye: Magic Deceptions with Sam Eaton – Halloween Show File Under: Theater, Prestidigitation, Holiday Doors at 7:30pm, Show at 8:00pm $25 Thursday, October 30 REFI ROCK Presented by The HGI Foundation File Under: Rock , Benefit Doors at 6:00pm $25 Friday, October 31 THE MISFITS – Halloween Show with special guests - MARTYRD, JOHNNY B. MORBID + UNTIL DESTINY File Under: Holiday, Metal, Rock NB: SRO Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 8:00pm $26 adv, $30 at door EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON, join us for STRAWBERRY FIELDS featuring members of BEATLEMANIA File Under: Classic Rock, Family, Tribute Doors at 11:00am, Show at Noon NB: Ticket includes All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet, Show, Tax and Tip $40 adv, $42.50 at door Saturday, November 1 BUCKETHEAD File Under: Rock, Instrumental, Heavy Metal NB: SRO Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 8:00pm SOLD OUT EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON, join us for THE WORLD FAMOUS HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR Sunday Gospel Brunch File Under: Gospel, Family, Soul NB: Ticket includes All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet, Show, Tax and Tip Doors at 12:30pm, Show at 1:30pm $40 adv, $42.50 at door Sunday, November 2 THE WORLD FAMOUS HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR A Special Two-Set Evening Performance File Under: Gospel, Soul Doors at 6:00pm, Show at 8:00pm $25

Monday, November 3 Jeremy Schonfeld'S DRIFT with Kris Coleman (Jersey Boys), Jarrod Emick (Tony Award Winner for Damn Yankees), Adam Kantor, Terrence Mann (Tony Nominated star of Les Miserable and Beauty and the Beast), Karla Mosley (Expatriate), Julia Murney (Wicked), Adam Cantor (Spring Awakening) and Adam Pascal (Rent) With Scott Coulter and Michelle Kinney Presented with The Path Fund Inc. File Under: Benefit, Theater, Broadway Doors at 6:30pm, Show at 8:00pm $30 SRO, $60 General admission seating (first come, first served) This one night only event is a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and The Broadway Dreams Foundation. GENERAL POLICIES: B.B. King Blues Club and Grill is located at 237 West 42nd Street, between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, online at ticketmaster.com or 212-307-7171. Tickets can be purchased in person at our box office from 10:30 am to midnight every night. We are a full-scale restaurant and bar; serving food and drink throughout most of our shows. A $10 food and/or beverage minimum is standard for table seating during all shows. To read our menu, please click here. Unless otherwise noted, all shows are suitable for all ages and offer general admission seating. Seating for all shows is first come, first seated; we do not take advance table reservation, except where noted as a condition of a VIP ticket. We cannot seat incomplete parties. Standing room for all shows is available at our bar. For further show information, directions to the venue and for the latest updates visit us at www.bbkingblues.com or call 212-997-4144. THIS WEEK AT LUCILLE'S GRILL ALL SHOWS ARE FREE AND WITHOUT COVER: Monday, October 27 JON PARIS 8:00pm – 1:00am Tuesday, October 28 JOE TAINO 8:00pm – 1:00am Wednesday, October 29 THE JUNIOR MACK BAND 8:00pm – 1:00am Thursday, October 30 PIMP THE CAT 8:00pm – 1:00am Friday, October 31 IRVING LOUIS LATTIN 8:00pm – 2:00am Saturday, November 1 SMALL TIME LEROY 8:00pm – 2:00am Sunday, November 2 DOWNTOWN POKER CLUB 8:00pm – 1:00am Monday, November 3 JON PARIS 8:00pm – 1:00am GENERAL POLICIES: Lucille's Bar and Grill is located at B.B. King Blues Club at 237 West 42nd Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway. Enter through the main doors at B.B. King, go down the stairs and turn left at the box office. Unless otherwise noted, all shows are open to the public without a ticket price and without a food or drink minimum. Lucille's is open daily from 11:00am to 1:00am on weekdays, 11:00am to 3:00am on Fridays and Saturdays. Artists perform roughly one-hour sets with fifteen-minute breaks between 8:00pm to 1:00am, unless otherwise noted. We are a full-scale restaurant and bar; serving food and drink throughout all of our shows. To read our menu, please click here. All shows are suitable for all ages. We offer general admission seating. Seating for all shows is first come, first seated; we do not take advance table reservations. We cannot seat incomplete parties. While waiting for your party, you are welcome to enjoy the show from our bar. Left-click the underlined, linked dates to go directly to the Lucille's website for further information about each show. For further show information, directions to the venue and for the latest updates, visit us on the web at http://www.lucillesgrillnyc.com/ or call 212-997-4144

ALL SHOWS, LINEUPS AND SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE VISIT US ON THE WEB AT http://www.bbkingblues.com

THE SEAGULL star Peter Sarsgaard interviewed tonight on 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' - 10/28/2008

Peter Sarsgaard, currently starring on Broadway in Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, will be interviewed tonight, Tuesday, October 28 on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien.   In the New York area, Late Night with Conan O'Brien airs on WNBC-TV, Channel 4 at 12:35 AM. Check local listings.

Ben Brantley of The New York Times, hailed THE SEAGULL as "Magnificent. The finest production of Chekhov I have ever known. Peter Sarsgaard is slyly brilliant." Peter Marks of The Washington Post, praised THE SEAGULL as "A mesmerizing evening. Peter Sarsgaard is powerful." Mike Kuchwara of the Associated Press, called the production "A revelation. Peter Sarsgaard is perfect. THE SEAGULL reverberates with greatness."

The Royal Court Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, in a new version by Christopher Hampton and directed by Ian Rickson, is playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street), where it opened on October 2.   The production plays a strictly limited engagement through December 21.

Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, written in 1895 and the first of the playwright's masterworks, concerns the romantic entanglements and regrets of a group of actors, writers and artists gathered on a Russian estate. One of the theatre's great plays about writing, THE SEAGULL conveys the struggle for new forms and the frustrations and fulfillment of putting words on a page.

Terri White & The Charlie Lindbergh Trio - 10/28/2008

Terri White will be performing on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm at the Irdium Jazz Club. There is a $25 cover charge; food is $10. Those who print out this article will receive $10 off.

Ben Brantley of the New York Times said, "Of particular note among the ensemble is Terri White, whose low, rafter-rattling alto turns the soulful, sassy 'Necessity' into what would register as a show stopper even in Madison Square Garden."

Terri White's Broadway show credits include Barnum (Tony Nomination - Best Supporting Actress in a Musical), Ain't Misbehavin', Bubbling Brown Sugar, and Two Gentlemen of Verona. her off-Broadway credits include The Club (Obie Award Winner), Juba, Nunsense I & II and Jungle Book.

She can be seen on video in Nunsense I & II with Rue McClanahan, Liza Live at Radio City Music Hall with Liza and Boys on the Side with Whoopi Goldberg.

Terri has performed with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, The Long Island Philharmonic, Atlantic City at Ceasar's Palace, Anything Cole at Carnegie Hall, and as soloist with the Cleveland Ballet "In Studio D". Last year she had the honor of opening for Liza Minnelli at the Luxor in Las Vegas.

She can be heard on "Incurably Romantic," and the cast albums of Barnum, Finian's Rainbow at The Irish Rep, Liza Live! and Forbidden Broadway's 20th Anniversary Edition ("Screamgirls").

Comfortable and consummate in all genres (Broadway, Rythum & Blues, Gospel & Jazz) Terri's first solo CD, "The Lady's Got To Sing" produced by Old Hat Productions, fused all the incredible facets of this very talented lady into "one knockout punch."

For more information: www.iridiumjazzclub.com1650 Broadway (at 51st) Reservations 212-582-2121

New Rep Theatre to Present 'Lieutenant of Inishmore' Starting 10/29 - 10/29/2008

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is thrilled to present The Lieutenant of Inishmore. Written by Martin McDonagh, the playwright who gave us the critically acclaimed The Pillowman, comes this blazingly funny and bitterly blood-curdling play about a terrorist and his cat. The Lieutenant of Inishmore opens for the press on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 7:30pm and plays through November 16, 2008 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in the Charles Mosesian Theater.

“I am very excited that New Rep is producing another of Martin McDonagh’s works.” says Rick Lombardo, Producing Artistic Director. “He is one of the theater world’s most highly regarded contemporary authors, and I’m very pleased that New Rep has introduced more of his work than any other theater company to the Boston area.”

“I am thrilled to be returning to New Rep.” states David R. Gammons, the director of The Lieutenant of Inishmore, who directed last season’s Downstage @ New Rep production of My Name is Rachel Corrie. “I share McDonagh’s dark sense of humor, and I am looking forward to bringing this bloody comedy to life on stage.”

Blazingly funny and bitterly blood-curdling. A brazen and unapologetic farce. This award-winning comedy tells of a ruthless Irish Republican Army enforcer, “Mad” Padraic, and the one thing he loves more than anything else in the world . . . his little black cat, Wee Thomas. But someone has killed Wee Thomas. Was it an accident or an execution? Whoever is responsible had better fess up, or Padraic’s reign of terror will come crashing down on the small Irish island of Inishmore. What ensues is a hilariously bloody, choking farce, quintessential to McDonagh.

New Repertory Theatre presents provocative and intelligent works of both established and emerging playwrights in an intimate setting that involves and engages the audience. New Rep has earned a reputation for dynamic productions that honor the writers and feature talented professional actors from the New England theatre community as well as guest artists from around the U.S. New Rep has received Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for outstanding acting, scenic design, direction, and production. Programming at New Repertory Theatre is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The Artists

David R. Gammons (director) is a director, designer, theatre educator, and visual artist. He is the recipient of the 2007 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director for his production of Titus Andronicus with Actors' Shakespeare Project. Recent directing projects include: the New England premiere of My Name is Rachel Corrie at New Rep; a revival of Arthur Kopit's Oh Dad, Poor Dad… as the inaugural production at Harvard University's New College Theatre; Romeo and Juliet at Boston Conservatory; and Eric Bogosian’s subUrbia at MIT. His work as a director, designer, and creator of original performance material includes collaborations with American Repertory Theatre, Headlong Dance Theater, Spencer/Colton Dance, Pig Iron Theatre Company, Theatre Offensive, and SpeakEasy Stage, to name a few. David is a graduate of the Directing Program at The A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. He has been the Director of the Theatre Program at Concord Academy since 2000, where he directs a Company of young artists committed to creating original experimental work. For more information, visit David R. Gammons.com.

Lynn R. Guerra (Mairead) has been busy with the Publick Theatre this year, performing in productions of The Seagull (Masha), Hay Fever (Sorrell), and Travesties (Gwendolen). Last fall, she played Ophelia in Shakespeare Now’s Hamlet, directed by David Wheeler. Lynn studied Theatre and Fine Arts at Hofstra University and Oxford University, where her favorite credits include The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (Beatrice), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Suzanne), Agnes of God (Agnes), Miss Julie (Julie), and The Real Inspector Hound (Lady Cynthia).

Colin Hamell (Padraic) is Artistic Director of Tir Na Theatre. He recently appeared as Mickybo in their production of Mojo Mickybo in New York at the 59E59 Theater and as Charlie in their production of Stones in His Pockets in Brussels, Belgium. Tir Na will produce the American premiere of two plays by Irish writer Conor McDermottroe in Boston's BCA in February, 2009. Previously, he appeared: Off Broadway as Eamonn in Ronan Noone’s The Blowin’ of Baile Gall produced by Gabriel Byrne at the Irish Arts Centre, NYC; Smiler Becoming Yank at the Huntington Theatre, Boston; Mickybo in Mojo Mickybo by Owen McCafferty, Ladeen in The Lepers of Baile Baiste by Ronan Noone, and Coleman in The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh at the Súgàn Theatre, Boston; Ray Dooley in The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh, starring Julie Harris and Stuart in the U.S. premiere of Cooking with Elvis by Lee Hall at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre; and Brendan in the IRNE Award-winning production of The Weir by Conor McPherson at New Rep. Film Credits include 29 Forever and The Gates, starring Bob Wahlberg.

Rory James Kelly (Donny) recently played the title role in The Drawer Boy at The Shadowland Theatre in New York and appeared at The Public Theatre in Maine in the Irish play Moonshine, originally produced by the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He toured nationally in several productions of the Tony Award-winning play Equus with Anthony Perkins, Donald Madden, and George Maharis. At the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, he was seen as Ralph in All the Way Home with Dana Ivey, and at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles as Malcolm in Macbeth with Vanessa Redgrave and Charlton Heston, directed by Peter Wood from the Royal Shakespeare Company. As a company member with the Asolo Repertory Theatre, he played: Marco in A View from the Bridge; Happy in Death of a Salesman; Gunner in Shaw’s Misalliance; Guildenstern in Hamlet; Saul in As Is; John in Winslow Boy; Burton in Burn This; and Marvin in Dark of the Moon, directed by Sheldon Epps.

Ross MacDonald (Brendan) recently made his Boston debut with the Publick Theatre in The Seagull and Hay Fever. This also marks the anniversary of his return from serving with the British Army in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Before this military sojourn, he had performed in a wide variety of productions on "the other side of the pond." His work includes numerous roles with the Oxford Shakespeare Company, most recently as Macbeth in Macbeth and as Pistol and Fenton in Merry Wives of Windsor (where he met his lovely American wife-to-be). Other roles include: Dr. Faustus (Dr Faustus); Garcin (Huis Clos); Spurio (Revengers Tragedy); Aston (The Caretaker); and Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet). Film roles include Lieutenant 119 in the Sundance Festival Best International film, Bloody Sunday. Ross' theatrical training started at the University of Winchester and the London Academy of Performing Arts.

Karl Baker Olson (Davey) is happy to be back at New Rep after appearing in last season’s production of The Misanthrope. Since then, he has played Posner in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys (SpeakEasy Stage), Mark in Melinda Lopez’s Gary (Boston Playwrights’ Theatre), Ben in Nitzan Halperin’s Sow and Weep in NYC, and spent the summer serving as the assistant director for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s production of As You Like It. He received a BFA in acting from the Boston University School of Theatre in 2007 and has also trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Stephen Tolin (special effects design) is proud to be making his Boston debut with New Rep’s The Lieutenant. of Inishmore. Steve owns and operates his Special FX shop, TolinFX, in Pittsburgh, PA. His work can be seen on screen in movies and television and on the stage. Some of Steve’s favorite theatre credits include: The Lt. of Inishmore (Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA); The Lt. of Inishmore (Fusion Theatre, Albuquerque, NM); The Lt. of Inishmore (Teatro La Plaza ISIL, Lima, Peru); and The Lt. of Inishmore (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis, MI). You can see more of Steve’s work at www.tolinfx.com.

Martin McDonagh (playwright) Born and raised in South London of Irish-born parents, Mr. McDonagh became familiar with the Connemara region of County Galway, the setting for most of his plays, during annual visits to relatives. His unsolicited script of The Beauty Queen of Leenane had its world premiere in the new Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Ireland in February of 1996 in a Druid Theatre/Royal Court Theatre co-production before playing the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in March of that year. Reviews were exceptional across the board, and houses were full to capacity. Beauty Queen was revived, amid a blaze of publicity, in October of the same year at the Royal Court’s main house at the West End venue, The Duke of York’s Theatre, following an Irish tour and reviewed again with enormous enthusiasm. Beauty Queen, the first play in Mr. McDonagh’s Leenane trilogy, was revived for a second time, together with the premieres of the second and third plays in the series, A Skull in Connemara and The Lonesome West, by Druid/Royal Court in Ireland and London in June to September 1997. After Beauty Queen opened on Broadway, it received the 1998 Drama Desk Award, the 1998 Drama League Award, and six Tony Award nominations, including the nomination for Best Play. In 2004, The Pillowman received London’s Olivier Award for Best New Play and, after transferring to Broadway, was nominated for four Drama Desk and six Tony Awards, including Best Play. In March of 2006, McDonagh received the Academy Award for his screenplay Six Shooter. Most recently, McDonagh’s play The Lieutenant of Inishmore received a 2006 Tony nomination for Best Play, along with five other nominations. Mr.McDonagh’s plays have been sold in 28 countries in 21 languages.

The Thugs by Adam Bock at Profiles Theatre Oct 29th - 10/29/2008

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season
with the award-winning dark comedy
The Thugs by Adam Bock

Profiles production of The Thugs is making its Midwest Premiere at Profiles and will play in rep with the acclaimed comedy-drama Men of Tortuga

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the OBIE Award-winning dark comedy The Thugs by Adam Bock, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. he production runs October 29-December 14, 2008, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The play will run in repertory with Profiles’ production of Men of Tortuga, playing through December 7, 2008. The press opening for The Thugs is Wednesday, October 29, 2008, at 8:00 p.m.

The Thugs is a dark comedy about the mysterious things that are happening on the 9th floor of a big law firm. When a group of temps try to discover the secrets that lurk in the hidden crevices of their workplace, they realize they would rather believe in gossip and rumors than face dangerous realities.

The Profiles production marks the Midwest Premiere of The Thugs. The play received its critically-acclaimed 2006 world premiere at the Soho Rep in New York, winning an OBIE Award for outstanding playwriting and was named to Time Out New York’s “Top Ten” lists. Mr. Bock has also won the prestigious American Theater Critics Award, the Glickman Award and the Theater Critics Circle Awards for Best Original Script, among others.

This is the second production of Profiles Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Season. The Thugs follows the October 9 opening of Men of Tortuga by Jason Wells and the two shows will play in repertory. The Thugs will play Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

“We’re very excited to open our 20th Anniversary Season with these two productions,” says Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. “Both plays take a unique look at the people behind the scenes in the world of business, with Men of Tortuga giving us a portrait of the ruthless leaders who pull the strings and seek to destroy all who oppose them. Meanwhile The Thugs explores the lowly temps at a law firm who have lost their direction in life making gossip and rumor turn into paranoia and fear. These playwrights approach their subjects with their own distinct voice making them very unique experiences for the audience. Yet they will play together in rep beautifully.”

Coming Up This Week in Theatre - 10/28/2008