Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

State of the art: year-end reflections from nonprofit arts leaders

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0800

State of the art: year-end reflections from nonprofit arts leaders

At the year's end, arts leaders reflect on issues affecting the nonprofit arts world, including the creative economy, diversity and arts education; plus, Broadway Direct recaps its top stories of 2013.

COMMENTARY

1. From KCET's Artbound: Philanthropist David Bohnett on the Creative Economy of Southern California by Danielle Brazell [ArtsForLA.org]
December 16, 2013

"L.A.'s greatest export is culture. The creative economy is the 4th largest employment cluster ... and accounts for 1 in 8 jobs in the County. ... [W]e cannot forget the importance of strengthening Los Angeles' creative core through strategic planning ... "

2. TCG Releases Special Report on Arts Education [BroadwayWorld.com]
December 12, 2013

"Workshops and classes in schools are the most common form of arts education programming, with nearly half of all programming targeting ages 12-18. These findings reflect the over 100 theatres that participated in the TCG Education Survey 2012 ... "

3. Defining Outcomes in Arts Education by Bruce Whitacre [Blog.ArtsUSA.org]
December 16, 2013

"What is the purpose of theatre education at the K-12 level? What ... objectives are shared by diverse programs in diverse communities? How do we reconcile a theatre’s objectives in engaging future audiences with the educational objectives of schools and parents? ... "

4. Difficult truths to face as theater leaders talk diversity, economics by Charles McNulty [LATimes.com]

"It took a while but near the end of Monday evening's diversity forum featuring the artistic leaders of Southern California's most prominent nonprofit theaters, the issue everyone was skirting was finally being loudly addressed ... "

THE YEAR ON BROADWAY

5. Year-end recap: Our top stories of 2013 by Broadway Direct [BroadwayDirect.com]

"Whether you see most of your theater in The Big Apple or on tour across the country, it can be a challenge to keep up with the Broadway headlines. But fear not! We've got you covered ... "

‘Tis the season to go to the theatre

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:00:00 -0800

‘Tis the season to go to the theatre

Broadway theatregoers turned out in record numbers over the Thanksgiving holiday, and other highlights from this week's theatre news.

Holiday Theatre

1. A Record Holiday Week for Broadway by Patrick Healy [ArtsBeat.Blogs.NYTimes.com]
December 2, 2013

"Broadway had its best Thanksgiving week ever at the box office, setting a record of $31.5 million in ticket sales for the 32 musicals and plays running last week, according to data released on Monday by the Broadway League ... "

2.Holiday Plays in LA [TheatreInLA.com]

Los Angeles theatres of all shapes and sizes are spreading holiday cheer with both traditional and irreverent fare. What shows top your must-see list? Tell us in the comments section below!

CTG in the News

3. Casey Affleck, Jane Kaczmarek and More to Guest Star in A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens! at CTG by BWW News Desk [BroadwayWorld.com]
November 19, 2013

"Center Theatre Group and The Second City are assembling a collection of special guests to drop in to the Kirk Douglas Theatre for a surprise cameo appearance in The Second City's 'A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens!'" See the full list on BroadwayWorld.com!

4. 'Peter and the Starcatcher' Is the Play That Never Wants to Grow Upby Kylie Jane Wakefield [LADowntownNews.com]
December 3, 2013

"Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan: Boy doesn’t want to grow up. Has adventures in Neverland with Wendy and her brothers. Tangles with Captain Hook and helps save Tinker Bell. Tries to avoid ... "

[Read more »](http://Read more »)

A Theatre Classic on the Small Screen

5. Sneak peek: 'Sound of Music Live!' [USAToday.com]
December 4, 2013

Thanks to NBC, the von Trapp family returns to both stage and screen on December 5. See exclusive photos of the production's dress rehearsal on USAToday.com.

6. 'The Sound of Music': We rank every song by EW Staff [PopWatch.EW.com]
December 4, 2013

"With a few exceptions, there are no bad songs in The Sound of Music. (Which exceptions? We’ll get to that.) But even though this musical contains what might be Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s most consistently hummable score, every number in it isn’t created equal. ..."

Opening nights and premieres galore

Fri, 22 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Opening nights and premieres galore

With Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty here at Center Theatre Group, Macbeth at Lincoln center, and more premiering shows around the country, the LA and NY stage scenes are extremely busy.

Opening Nights

1. Review: In 'Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty,' imagination awakes by Lewis Segal [LATimes.com]
November 22, 2013

"Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty" opened Thursday at Center Theatre Group, and this gothic romance "exploited our lust for the undead in surprising, resourceful ways." Bourne's staging of this Tchaikovsky masterwork, onstage at the Ahmanson Theatre through Dec. 1, combines the traditional story with a modern fairy-tale twist.

2. Come, You Spirits! Step Inside the Thrilling Opening Night of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Starring Ethan Hawke by Broadway.com staff [Broadway.com]
November 22, 2013

"Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Shakespeare's terrifying tragedy Macbeth opened at Broadway’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre on November 21. Hear from stars Ethan Hawke, Anne-Marie Duff and more as they toast to their big opening night."

3. Review: 'Play Dead' with glee as Todd Robbins conjures chills by Margaret Gray [LATimes.com]
November 21, 2013

The Geffen Playhouse is reviving the 2010 off-Broadway show "Play Dead," but they are not willing to reveal their new tricks and experience. This show about magicians in the 1930s successfully "scares the wits" out of audience members.

Premiering Shows

4. Wicked Fave Louise Dearman to Headline U.K. Premiere of New Musical The Water Babies by Damian Bellino [Broadway.com]
November 22, 2013

"Louise Dearman will headline the world premiere of The Water Babies at the U.K's Curve Theatre. Dearman, the first actress to ever portray both Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked, will take on the role of Mrs D in the new musical inspired by Charles Kingsley’s classic novel."

5. Labyrinth Theater Company to Present New York Premiere of Stephen Belber's The Muscles in Our Toes by Damian Bellino [Broadway.com]
November 21, 2013

The Labyrinth Theatre Company announced that they will be adding The Muscles in Our Toes to their season. This dark comedy, about "four friends [who] meet at their high school reunion, and ponder a plan to free their old friend who’s been kidnapped by a radical political group," will open in late spring 2014.

Veteran works, Shakespearean performances, and more!

Tue, 12 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Veteran works, Shakespearean performances, and more!

New plays and arts programs for veterans emerge, Twelfth Night and Waiting for Godot with Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen opens on Broadway, and Princess Bride turns into a stage production.

Veterans in the arts

1. Play about honoring veterans features real-life military personnel by Kristin Tillotson [StarTribune.com]
November 9, 2013

The Veterans Play Project, which premiers Friday at Fort Snelling’s Base Camp, is a show based on experiences from military with a cast primarily made up of veterans. "Set in a fictitious small town going through a debate about turning a sacred space called the Rock into a veterans memorial, the play explores how vets are honored for their service, and the varying feelings they have about that."

2. War Theater, Repurposed By Robin Pogrebin [NYTimes.com]
November 10, 2013

After a time of service, many veterans do not know how to re-enter the arts world. B. R. McDonald is a veteran himself, and after seeing this need decided to create his Veteran Artist Program that helps "former soldiers learn to navigate the entertainment business and pitch their projects."

New York Shows

3. Boys Will Be Boys (and Sometimes Girls) by Ben Brantley [NYTimes.com]
November 10, 2013

Twelfth Night, which opened on Sunday in New York with Mark Rylance, was a big success. The production featured males in all of the roles to give it the original Shakespearean feel.

4. Meet Didi & Gogo! Get an Absurd First Look at Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellen in Waiting For Godot by Lindsay Champion [Broadway.com]
November 11, 2013

Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart team up in Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot. The two orginally performed this in London in 2009, but will now open at the Cort Theatre on November 24.

5. 'Princess Bride' to be turned into a Disney stage production by David Ng [LATimes.com]
November 11, 2013

Disney announced on Monday that they will be adapting the movie Princess Bride for a stage production. There is no release date yet, nor do they know whether or not they will be making it a play or a musical.

Sleep

Center Theatre Group — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:32:00 -0800

There are medical conditions where symptoms include involuntary sleep. Narcolepsy sufferers have no control over short episodes of sleep, it can happen anywhere at any time. “There is a rare ‘Sleeping Beauty’ condition (Kleine-Levin Syndrome) where sufferers experience long sleep episodes.

Many people sleepwalk, carrying out simple or complex and sometimes dangerous activities with no recollection when they wake (somnambulism or noctambulism). Perhaps students in your group sleepwalk or know someone who does?

There is also a lot of research into teenage sleep and the amount of sleep they need or don’t need, the findings vary. Although there does seem to be a consensus on the impact of lack of sleep in teenagers – their academic studies can suffer.

“It’s well-known that teenagers are often night owls and sleepy during the day, so it may be cheering to know that there’s a reason for it.

Research shows that adolescent body clocks differ from those of adults and they do need more sleep. While the average nine- to 10-year-old requires eight hours sleep a night, their older teenage siblings might well need an extra hour and a half.

Lack of sleep is a common cause of under-performance, according to research by the National Sleep Foundation in the US. It found that students obtaining lower grades went to bed later and had fewer hours’ sleep than their higher-achieving classmates.

Difficulties in remembering or concentrating on work in class are associated with sleep deprivation because the brain continues to work while we are asleep, processing new information that enhances the learning process. Some teens can suffer mood or personality changes and may have physical symptoms such as headaches.”

“They often protest that they need the extra hours in bed. But getting too much sleep could in fact be leaving teenagers behind at school, according to research. A study found that they performed better academically if they cut down on lie-ins and had more regular sleep patterns.

And while many think they need nine hours, the optimum amount of sleep for a typical 16-year-old is just seven a night, according to scientists at Brigham Young University, in Utah. Eric Eide, study author, said: ‘We’re not talking about sleep deprivation. The data simply says that seven hours is optimal at that age.’ Reporting the findings in the Eastern Economics Journal, the team said the right amount of sleep decreases with age. The optimum amount of sleep for a ten-year-old is around nine hours while for 12-year-olds it is eight hours.

HOW MUCH SLEEP IS OK?

Most studies suggest teenagers need at least nine hours sleep. And previous studies suggest that children between age seven and 12 need 11 hours in bed. But, according to this latest research by Brigham Young University, the right amount - in terms of testing best in exams - is as follows:

Aged 10: nine to 9.5 hours
Aged 12: eight to 8.5 hours
Aged 16: eleven hours.

Center Theatre Group wins big at Ovations

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Center Theatre Group wins big at Ovations

CTG takes 12 trophies at the Ovation Awards, and other highlights from L.A. theatre's biggest night.

Onstage in L.A.

1.Center Theatre Group Collects 12 Awards at L.A. Stage Alliance's 24th Ovation Awards by Degen Pener [HollywoodReporter.com]
November 4, 2013

November 3 was a good night for Center Theatre Group, which won 12 trophies at the annual Ovation Awards. The event, hosted by Michael McKean, honored the season's best in theatre.

2. Ovation Awards 2013: Center Theatre Group, La Mirada win big By David Ng [LATimes.com]
November 4, 2013

"The Ovation Awards, L.A.'s biggest theater honors, were handed out Sunday at a ceremony at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse." Click here for a complete list of the night's winners.

3. THE ARTS FIX: Top 5 #OvationAwards Instagram Photos by Dani Oliver [LAStageTimes.com]
November 5, 2013

Guests at the Ovation Awards ceremony took to social media to share their thoughts, opinions and silly photos. Here are the top five Instagram moments, according to the event's media manager, Dani Oliver.

4. Notes on The Nether From Ovation Awards Champs by Les Spindle [LAStageTimes.com]
November 5, 2013

CTG's world-premiere production of The Nether turned out to be the Ovation Awards' most feted production. Playwright Jennifer Haley, director Neel Keller, actors Dakin Matthews and Brighid Fleming, and set designer Adrian W. Jones reflect on the creative process that led to the well-received production.

5. It was a Quick and Mostly Painless Evening at the Ovation Awards Last Night by Colin Mitchell [Bitter-Lemons.com]
November 4, 2013

Colin Mitchell shares his views on the Ovation Award ceremony's hits and misses.

Broadway gears up for Halloween, and other theatre news

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0700

Broadway gears up for Halloween, and other theatre news

A rise for non-profit theatres and arts programs, and Broadway costume designers and actors get ready for Halloween.

Importance of the Arts

1.TCG Report Cites Good Fiscal News for Nonprofit Theaters by LA Stage Alliance [LAStageTimes.com]
October 22, 2013

After a decline in non-profit theatre attendance due to the recession, Theatre Communications Group is happy to announce the number of individual and season ticket holders increased in 2012.

2. Six Ways Arts Education Helps Prepare our Kids for Life by Lisa Phillips [IntimateExcellent.Wordpress.com]
October 29, 2013

In a competitive world that seems to be focused only on "rights" and "wrongs," the arts continue to be very beneficial to young people for many reasons. Here are just a few.

Halloween Frenzy

3. Halloween Tips From a Costume Designer by Allen Mogol [BroadwayDirect.com]
October 28, 2013

With Halloween fast approaching, it is hard to decide whether to go buy a costume or make one at home. Take some tips from Broadway costume designer, Gregory Gale, by clicking on the link below.

4. Cinderella’s Santino Fontana on Loving Leprechaun & Dressing Up as Miley Cyrus' Tongue by Broadway.com Staff [Broadway.com]
October 28, 2013

"Halloween is the most theatrical holiday, so it makes perfect sense that Broadway actors — who understand the value of rocking a costume — would embrace the spooky season." Check out this interview with Santino Fontana to see his take on Halloween costumes.

5. Nick Adams & the Cast of The Rocky Horror Show Do the Time Warp at Bucks County Playhouse by Ryan Gilbert [Broadway.com]
October 28, 2013

What better way to get into the Halloween spirit than to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show with an all-star cast! Click the link below to read more about the Bucks County Playhouse's new production.

Emerging shows and playwrights take stage in New York

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0700

Emerging shows and playwrights take stage in New York

James Franco makes his Broadway debut, while Jesse Tyler Ferguson works on The 24 Hour Plays, and ‘Bronx Bombers’ makes its bump up to Broadway.

Emerging Shows

1. James Franco Confirms His Broadway Debut in Revival of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men with Chris O'Dowd By Ryan Gilbert [Broadway.com]
October 22, 2013

The show will be directed by Tony winner Anna D. Shapiro, but even though the run dates have not yet been released, both Franco and O'Dowd are excited to make their Broadway debut in Of Mice and Men.

2. A Broadway Run for ‘Bronx Bombers’ By Aadm W. Kepler [NYTimes.com]
October 21, 2013

"'Bronx Bombers,' a play centered around the Yankees and some their biggest stars from the last century, completed a short Off Broadway run on Saturday. But the producers are to announce on Monday that a move to Broadway is set for January..."

3. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Zachary Levi, Julia Stiles & More on Tap For Broadway’s 24 Hour Plays By Lindsay Champion [Broadway.com]
October 22, 2013

With The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway coming up on November 18, stars like Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Zachary Levi, and Julia Stiles sign on to help out with the cause. The cast will have 24 hours to write, direct and perform six original short plays.

Emerging Playwrights

4. New York University sophomore wins playwriting contest. Next stop? Broadway, for a little bit By Mark Kennedy [StarTribune.com]
October 22, 2013

Sophomore Devin Mojica from New York University won "the chance to write one of the six short pieces that will be performed as part of the 'The 24 Hour Plays.'" All competitors had six hours to write a 3-minute play that was then performed for the judges, and Mojica's play "Naughty List" about an anger management class won. He will now be one of the six playwrights, working alongside five highly respected playwrights, for The 24 Hour Plays next month.

5. 10 emerging authors, poets, playwrights each receive $50,000 Whiting Writers' Award By Associated Press [StarTribune.com]
October 21, 2013

"Ten emerging authors, poets and playwrights have been picked as winners of $50,000 prizes for showing 'exceptional talent and promise.'"

New pieces in Los Angeles and New York theatre and film

Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0700

New pieces in Los Angeles and New York theatre and film

A diverse range of new works gears up for performances across the country.

Los Angeles works

1. Time and space are one in thrilling 'Einstein on the Beach' by Mark Swed [LATimes.com]
October 13, 2013

Einstein on the Beach is being revived again after 20 years. This image-based 4-hour show was brought to life with the help of the LA Opera and the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. Though the designer of the show, Robert Wilson, thought that the Music Center would be the end of the show's run, he did not realize other countries, like France and Germany, would also want to experience this moving piece of opera.

Click here to read the full review of the show!

2. Richard Montoya takes L.A. tale 'Water & Power' from stage to screenby Reed Johnson [LATimes.com]
October 12, 2013

Richard Montoya, known for his works in Chicano comedy-theater ensemble Culture Clash and stage drama "Water & Power," is premiering his film adaptation of this drama as part of the revived L.A. Latino International Film Festival. Now that Latinos are becoming a dominant ethno-cultural group in Los Angeles, Montoya says, "The film hopes to be a kind of a cautionary tale with how we're going to proceed in this city and how are we going to deal with each other."

With a cast that includes many of its original players, the show turned film "challenged us to see what is in front of our eyes that we never see."

New York works

3. Jump In! Little Miss Sunshine, Starring Will Swenson & Stephanie J. Block, Begins Performances by Lindsay Champion [Broadway.com]
October 15, 2013

"Based on the movie of the same name, Little Miss Sunshine tells the story of Olive (Nordberg), an idealistic young girl who convinces her entire family to drive an old VW bus 800 miles to a pre-teen beauty pageant. As the group makes its journey, a series of mishaps threaten to derail the trip."

4. In Performance: Eric Bogosian of ‘100 (Monologues)’ by Erik Piepenburg [NYtimes.com]
October 15, 2013

Obie Award-winning playwright Eric Bogosian began his run of 100 monologues on October 1. Bogosian got a lot of inspiration for his piece based on overheard voices on the streets of New York. To read more and see an excerpt from his work, click here.

5. Musical from cancelled show 'Smash' gets a concert performance in New York with Jeremy Jordan by Mark Kennedy [Startribune.com]

Though the TV show "Smash" was cancelled, its legacy will live on in New York on December 9. The musical within the show "Hit List" will have another shot with a concert performance. BONUS FACT: Joe Iconis, the creator of CTG's upcoming show The Black Suits, assisted in writing the music for this show!

Shut down: How the political deadlock affects non-profit organizations

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 19:01:00 -0700

Shut down: How the political deadlock affects non-profit organizations

COMMENTARY: Journalists and bloggers respond to the political battle that has temporarily closed many cultural institutions and furloughed thousands of workers.

1. The Government Shutdown's Effect on Culture Is Worth Caring About by Kevin Pires [Flavorwire.com]
October 1, 2013

A red banner tops the Smithsonian website. It’s a simple two-sentence statement. The first sentence reads, “Due to the federal government shutdown, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are closed.”

It’ll be difficult to rally for art ...

2. Government shutdowns are even worse for Washington's museums than you think by Katherine Boyle [WashingtonPost.com]
October 5, 2013

This week, the National Gallery of Art turned away the prime minister of Greece, Antonis Samaras, and Adrienne Arsht, the philanthropist who underwrote the gallery’s most recent blockbuster exhibition, “Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes.” Samaras was supposed to view ...

3. Updated: Government Shutdown: What It Means for Nonprofits [Philanthropy.com]
October 8, 2013

Big swaths of the federal government have closed shop because Congress failed to reach a deal to keep the money flowing. [This article contains] reports about how the shutdown is affecting nonprofits.

4. Shut Down, Not Shut Off: What Can Nonprofits Learn From the Government Impasse? by Adnan Mahmud [HuffingtonPost.com]
October 7, 2013

We are now one week into the government shutdown. ... The effects are starting to be felt in my office and at other nonprofits here in Seattle and around the country that receive federal grants or otherwise work closely with government offices. ...

5. Government Shutdown Will Impact Millions of Service Volunteers by Aine Creedon [NonprofitQuarterly.org]
October 2, 2013

The Corporation for National and Community Service engages millions of Americans in service through national service initiatives, and the government shutdown is putting many of these programs and AmeriCorps members in limbo ...

Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

State of the art: year-end reflections from nonprofit arts leaders

State of the art: year-end reflections from nonprofit arts leaders

At the year's end, arts leaders reflect on issues affecting the nonprofit arts world, including the creative economy, diversity and arts education; plus, Broadway Direct recaps its top stories of 2013.

COMMENTARY

THE YEAR ON BROADWAY

‘Tis the season to go to the theatre

‘Tis the season to go to the theatre

Broadway theatregoers turned out in record numbers over the Thanksgiving holiday, and other highlights from this week's theatre news.

Holiday Theatre

CTG in the News

A Theatre Classic on the Small Screen

Opening nights and premieres galore

Opening nights and premieres galore

With Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty here at Center Theatre Group, Macbeth at Lincoln center, and more premiering shows around the country, the LA and NY stage scenes are extremely busy.

Opening Nights

Premiering Shows

Veteran works, Shakespearean performances, and more!

Veteran works, Shakespearean performances, and more!

New plays and arts programs for veterans emerge, Twelfth Night and Waiting for Godot with Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen opens on Broadway, and Princess Bride turns into a stage production.

Veterans in the arts

New York Shows

Sleep

Center Theatre Group wins big at Ovations

Center Theatre Group wins big at Ovations

CTG takes 12 trophies at the Ovation Awards, and other highlights from L.A. theatre's biggest night.

Onstage in L.A.

Did your favorite productions win Ovation Awards? Tells us what you think about the honorees in the comments section!

Broadway gears up for Halloween, and other theatre news

Broadway gears up for Halloween, and other theatre news

A rise for non-profit theatres and arts programs, and Broadway costume designers and actors get ready for Halloween.

Importance of the Arts

Halloween Frenzy

Emerging shows and playwrights take stage in New York

Emerging shows and playwrights take stage in New York

James Franco makes his Broadway debut, while Jesse Tyler Ferguson works on The 24 Hour Plays, and ‘Bronx Bombers’ makes its bump up to Broadway.

Emerging Shows

Emerging Playwrights

New pieces in Los Angeles and New York theatre and film

New pieces in Los Angeles and New York theatre and film

A diverse range of new works gears up for performances across the country.

Los Angeles works

New York works

Shut down: How the political deadlock affects non-profit organizations

Shut down: How the political deadlock affects non-profit organizations

COMMENTARY: Journalists and bloggers respond to the political battle that has temporarily closed many cultural institutions and furloughed thousands of workers.