“Everybody Black” – Actors Theatre’s 43rd Humana Festival of New American Plays – March 19 – April 7 at Pamela Brown Auditorium
When some wealthy white folks offer a big paycheck, a black historian agrees to write the definitive version of The Black Experience™. The problem is, the historian has never met another black person. What emerges is a blisteringly funny satire filled with unforgettable characters, including a brazen Barack Obama here to set the record straight, and a talk show about black people addicted to dating white people. With searing wit and bold candor, Everybody Black explores how we chronicle—and make sense of—Black History.
by Dave Harris
directed by Awoye Timpo
Kentucky Shakespeare Kicks Off 6th annual SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS tour – April 6 – May 25, 2019
Kentucky Shakespeare announces the 2019 SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS tour.Their 6-actor, 90-minute production of MACBETH will tour to 28 parks in Louisville, Indiana, and other Kentucky cities this spring, bringing free Shakespeare to neighborhoods April 6-May 25, 2019.
“We couldn’t be happier to be able to serve so many parks and neighborhoods with this tour. In 2014 we started with nine parks and this spring we’ll triple that number! This season, we branch out even further, bringing free Shakespeare in the Parks to Mt. Washington in Bullitt County and Bowling Green plus serving some local neighborhoods for the first time including Smoketown and Klondike Park. We’ll again have backup rain spaces for each location too, so you can join us rain or shine. We’re grateful for the opportunity to bring this special free family event to neighborhoods across the area!” says Producing Artistic Director Matt Wallace.
StageOne Family Theatre presents The True Story of the Three Little Pigs – Friday, March 22nd – Saturday, April 13th – Brown Theatre
There are two sides to every story, and when the Big, Bad Wolf takes the stand in Piggsylvania’s Trial of the Century, he finally gets his say. But whether he’ll get a fair trial in piggy court is anyone’s guess! Will the pigs make a puppet out of justice, or is the wolf’s catchy song-and-dance about a sneeze gone wrong all razzle-dazzle? This musical adaptation of the popular children’s book is sure to delight!
Please note the April 13th, 2:00 PM event is a Sensory Friendly Performance.
read morePNC Broadway in Louisville presents On Your Feet! – March 12 – March 17 – The Kentucky Center Whitney Hall
Reflecting back with Audience – Our thoughts on the show:
Some patrons can be a bit dubious when it comes to musical reviews, or “jukebox musicals,” and justifiably so. Too often, a weak narrative serves as the rack on which disparate oldies-but-goodies are flung and left to dry. Not so with “On Your Feet,” the hit-filled production with a story as strong and moving as the many songs that give it sound and the dancing that gives it sight.
Christie Prades as Gloria and Eddie Noel as Emilio take us through the journey of two young Miami teens who connect through music, their struggle to break into the business and their eventual dominance of it. Along the way, they fall in love and discover that navigating the demands of family can be just as daunting as negotiating deals or getting reluctant disc jockeys to spin their records.I loved “On Your Feet.” If you had a radio and a soul in the 1980s and 1990s, odds are you’ll love it, too. By, Joseph Grove
Actors Theatre of Louisville Announces New Artistic Director Robert Barry Fleming
Robert Barry Fleming will join Actors Theatre of Louisville as Artistic Director. The appointment was announced Monday by Mac Thompson, President of the Board of Directors, and Managing Director Kevin E. Moore. Fleming comes to Louisville by way of Cleveland where he serves as Associate Artistic Director of Cleveland Play House; previously, he was the Director of Artistic Programming at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. His tenure at Actors Theatre begins June 1, 2019.
Fleming will be the theatre’s fifth Artistic Director, joining a lineage of distinguished leaders who have guided this nationally-recognized theatre. He comes to the appointment with a varied portfolio and substantial experience as an artistic leader, producer, director, choreographer, performer, teacher and coach. Fleming is also a native Kentuckian raised in the state capitol of Frankfort, about an hour from Actors Theatre in downtown Louisville.Fleming says, “To come home and lead this singular organization with its distinguished legacy of artistic excellence is humbling and simply mind-blowing. I look forward to being a part of the collaborative, radically humanizing and inclusive artistic work at Actors Theatre of Louisville.
read moreLouisville Orchestra Names Robert Massey as new CEO
The Louisville Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Massey as Chief Executive Officer. He will start his new position in March 2019. Massey follows Andrew Kipe in this leadership role. Kipe took a position with The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland in August 2018.
Mr. Massey has built a reputation as one of classical music’s most innovative, dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial leaders. As the head of the Jacksonville Symphony (2014 – 2019), Orchestra Iowa (2008 – 2014), and the Washington Bach Consort (2004 – 2008), he led remarkable transformations at each, developing and implementing innovative strategies that enhanced and diversified program offerings, increased accessibility, extended reach, deepened impact, and ensured financial sustainability.
59th Annual Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park Featuring As You Like It, Henry IV Part II, and King Lear
Kentucky Shakespeare kicks off its 59th annual free Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Central Park with a comedy, a history, and a tragedy. The season begins with their professional productions of As You Like It May 29th, then Henry IV, Part II June 13th, followed by King Lear on June 27th. July 9th-21st all three performances will be presented in repertory. The season will be dedicated to the late Bekki Jo Schneider, former Producer of Kentucky Shakespeare and founder Doug Ramey’s immediate successor. “Last year we lost our dear friend Bekki Jo. She was instrumental in helping make the company what it is today, not only during her tenure here as an actor and leader but for years after as a mentor to me and to so many others in our community. We dedicate this season to her as we celebrate her life and legacy,” said Matt Wallace, Producing Artistic Director.
PNC Broadway in Louisville Announces 2019-2020 Season – New Subscriptions On Sale March 28
PNC Broadway in Louisville is proud to announce the 2019-2020 Season which includes the six-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN opening the series at The Kentucky Center. The season will also include the new productions direct from Broadway, THE BAND’S VISIT, ANASTASIA, and COME FROM AWAY, the acclaimed new production of MISS SAIGON, the return of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Disney’s THE LION KING will be making a triumphant return as a season option. Only current subscribers can renew their season tickets at this time. Season tickets will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, March 28. People interested in purchasing as a new subscriber may sign up on the “Save the Date” list at BroadwayInLouisville.com, which will notify them by email on March 28 when tickets are available.
Kentucky Opera Announces Brown-Forman 2019-2020 Season
General Director Barbara Lynne Jamison launches Youth Opera Initiative, adding 4th opera to the season!
The Brown-Forman 2019/20 Season — the first programmed by General Director Barbara Lynne Jamison who joined the company in August 2018 — will be framed by two timeless classics along with two Kentucky Opera debuts that allow the company to deeply engage with its community. The season kicks off in September with Georges Bizet’s Carmen. On Veteran’s Day weekend in November, Kentucky Opera presents Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied – a story that follows the saga of Jim Thompson, America’s longest-held prisoner of war. The season continues with Mozart’s classic comedy The Marriage of Figaro over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2020.
The Corpse Washer – March 1–April 7 – Actors Theatre’s 43rd Humana Festival of New American Plays – Bingham Theatre
In an Iraq beset by decades of war and occupation, Jawad faces a difficult choice. Must he follow in his father’s footsteps washing the bodies of the dead—an honored Muslim tradition—or can he pursue his dreams of being an artist? Adapted from Iraqi writer Sinan Antoon’s award-winning novel, The Corpse Washer is a haunting portrait of a young man coming of age and a society’s fight for survival, in a country where life and death are inextricably intertwined.
Audience advisory: Contains strong language and discussion of war violence.
Age recommendation: 16+
adapted for the stage by Ismail Khalidi and Naomi Wallace
from the novel of the same name by Sinan Antoon
directed by Mark Brokaw
commissioned by Actors Theatre of Louisville
Louisville Orchestra presents The Music of Queen – March 23 at 8 PM – The Kentucky Center Whitney Hall
Who isn’t familiar with the classic tunes of Queen? The band plays all the favorites staying as close as possible to the original recordings and the orchestra is “wrapped” around that original sound. If you’re an average fan or someone who knows literally every song ever recorded by Queen, there’s something for you in this show.
Brody Dolyniuk, lead vocals
Dan Clemens, bass + background vocals
Powell Randolph, drums + background vocals
George Cintron, guitar + background vocals
Justin Avery, keyboards + background vocals
Louisville Orchestra’s Coffee & Classics Series “Tchaikovsky Concerto 1” – March 29-30 – The Kentucky Center
Elegant, insightful, balanced and brilliant, pianist Andrew von Oeyen is captivating! Russian composers Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) and Shostakovich (1906-1975) were a generation apart but their passion for their homeland, its people and music, pulses in every beat of these two magnificent works.
The Kentucky Center presents Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical – April 18th @ 7:30 PM at Brown Theatre
Based on the French novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and the classic cult film starring Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillipe and Sarah Michelle Geller, Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical pulls you into the manipulative world of Manhattan’s most dangerous liaisons: Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. Seduced by revenge and fueled by passion, the two diabolically charming step-siblings place a bet on whether or not Sebastian can deflower their incoming headmaster’s daughter, Annette Hargrove. As the two set out to destroy the innocent girl—and anyone who gets in their way—they find themselves entangled in a web of secrets, temptation, and the cruelest game of all: love.
Featuring your favorite throwback hits by artists like Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, REM, *NSYNC, and, of course, Britney Spears, this intoxicating new musical is “the ultimate night out” (Entertainment Weekly).
The Kentucky Center and Live Nation present Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry Tour – Saturday, April 20th @ 7:00 PM – Brown Theatre
Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is hitting the road in 2018 for a North American tour capitalizing on the success of his top rated SiriusXM The Pete & Sebastian Show and new book Stay Hungry.
Maniscalco, whose career began performing in boxing rings and bowling alleys, had a breakout year in 2017 with the success of his Why Would You Do That? tour based on his popular 2016 Showtime special and the birth of his daughter Serafina.
read moreLouisville Orchestra Presents POPS: Storm Large: Love, Lust, + Rock N’ Roll – April 20 @ 8 PM – The Kentucky Center
From Cole Porter and Frank Sinatra to Led Zeppelin and Queen, this music is a pulse-racing tribute to Love, Lust + Rock ‘n’ Roll, with powerful hits including “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “The Lady Is a Tramp,” “Kashmir,” “Somebody to Love,” and much more performed by the sensational and sultry Storm Large!
STORM LARGE, vocalist BOB BERNHARDT, conductor
Louisville Orchestra Presents: Coffee + Brown Forman Series “Teddy Talks Brahms” – April 26-27 – The Kentucky Center
In the second of his one-piece programs, Teddy Abrams deconstructs and explores the miraculous construction of the final symphony of Romantic Era German composer Johannes Brahms (1833-1897).
JOHANNES BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
Teddy Abrams, conductor
The Magical Shen Yun Experience – May 1 at 7:30 PM – The Kentucky Center Whitney Hall
Shen Yun presents five thousands years of Chinese civilization in a live performance on stage. Through classical Chinese dance, breathtaking music, and gorgeous costumes, the show introduces an ancient world once lost. In May, the performance will be returning to Louisville!
Shen Yun Performing Arts is a nonprofit company based in New York. It was formed in 2006 by artists from around the world who came together with a mission—to show the world what Chinese culture once was. In China, this traditional culture has been devastated over 70 years of communist rule. In fact, Shen Yun is not even allowed to perform in China today.
Louisville Orchestra Coffee and Classics Series “Beethoven’s Ninth” w/ Teddy Abrams – May 10-11 at Whitney Hall
Conceived on a gigantic scale, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is an exaltation of the ideal of universal brotherhood. In his only symphony to use a chorus and vocal soloists, Beethoven traced the line from anguish to joy, and from doubt to hope.
In addition, Teddy Abrams has created a song cycle for soprano and full orchestra that will premiere at this performance.
PNC Broadway in Louisville Presents: Hello, Dolly! May 14-19 at The Kentucky Center Whitney Hall
Tony Award®-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley stars in Hello, Dolly!—the universally acclaimed smash that NPR calls “the best show of the year!”
Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, director Jerry Zaks’ “gorgeous” new production (Vogue) is “making people crazy happy!” (The Washington Post).
Breaking box office records week after week and receiving thunderous raves on Broadway, this Hello, Dolly! pays tribute to the original work of legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion—hailed both then and now as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history. Rolling Stone calls it “a must-see event. A musical comedy dream. If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket, you’ll be seeing something historic. Wow, wow, wow indeed!”
read morePNC Broadway in Louisville presents Hamilton – June 4-23 at The Kentucky Center Whitney Hall
HAMILTON is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.
With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.
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