Category: United States

Open Auditions for Heller Shorts – Off, Off Brookside Short Play Festival on Saturday, June 19, 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date June 17, 2010

Open auditions will be held for Heller Shorts – Off, Off Brookside Short Play Festival at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2010, in the Henthorne Performing Arts Center, 4825 S. Quaker in Tulsa, OK. All age ranges of men and women are needed, from late teens to seniors
Performances of the eight selected short plays will run from Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010, through Saturday, Aug. 15, 2010.
Actors will be asked to read cold and should be available for callbacks on Monday, June 21, 2010, when they will read for specific roles. Actors may be cast in more than one play, if they wish. Limit three roles maximum per actor.

The eight plays to be cast are:

“Jogging Memories” by Susan Apker

“iZombie” by Kendra Blevins

“Miranda’s Warning” by Nona Charleston

“Dirty Shorts” by Stephanie Colburn

“Shorts” by Steve Credell

“Check, Please” by Marilyn Gates

“The Manhattan Arrangement” by Jeffrey S. Wetterman

“Cheering” by Michael Wright.

The plays selected were read and rated by a panel of judges. Only plays by playwrights from the Green County of Oklahoma were considered.
Heller @ Henthorne is located in the Henthorne Performing Arts Center at 4825 S. Quaker. For more information, call (918) 746-5065 or visit www.hellertheatre.com.
Heller Theatre and the Henthorne Performing Arts Center are part of the Park and Recreation Department of the City of Tulsa. Heller has been producing contemporary plays since 1981.

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Grove Community Playmakers present production “The Crane Wife”

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date June 16, 2010

Grove Community Playmakers present “The Crane Wife” at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Friday, Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday performances and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees today through June 27, 2010, at The Playmakers, 121 W. Third St., Grove, OK. The recommended minimum age level is elementary school age.
According to a news release, “The Crane Wife” is based on an ancient Japanese folktale, adapted for the stage by Barbara Carlisle. She has has formed the story into a stirring theatrical experience, with lovely imagery, stylized choreography, and a mixture of narrative and theatrical conventions adapted from Japanese theatre. This haunting tale is unlike any other Playmaker production and will entertain adults and children alike. The music by David P. Newsome underscores the stylized movement of the Village Chorus who use narration, masks, puppets, and mime to tell the tale. The play is produced with assistance from The Oklahoma Arts Council and by special arrangement with Anchorage Press Plays.
Carlisle writes for a multigenerational audience so that children and adults can experience theatre together. The minimum age for this production is elementary school students.
The cast of adults and youth include Villagers: Ashley Davidson, Jimmie Gwin, Hailee Gwin, Jaxson Oakley, Meghan Stowe and Sunny Uttley. The role of the peasant, Kokuro is performed by Justus Fletcher. Kirby Williams portrays the Crane Wife. Dancers are Emma Lawson and Kennedy Tackkett. Josh Fletcher and Bob Brogdon take turns in the role of a Samurai.
The Playmakers have chosen to put the play in the Heian period, somewhere between the 9th and 12th centuries. Marge Chowning has designed the period clothing for the cast with historical accuracy as a guideline. Dennis Neff has produced the sound track. Masks and puppets are made by Flora Elmore and Vicki King. Set and prop construction is by Jimmie Gwin with set decoration is by Jonathan Elmore. Lighting is designed by the director, Suzanne Boles, with technical assistance from Keith Klickman.
For more information, call (918) 786-8950 or e-mail 1groveplaymakers@sbcglobal.net. Adult tickets are $15 including tax; students (first through 12th-grade) are $8 including tax. Tickets are available online. Pay What You Can Afford seats are available at most performances.

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Broken Arrow Community Playhouse presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in June 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date June 8, 2010

The Broken Arrow Community Playhouse (BACP) continues to present the revised version of a favorite for the whole family “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” based on the Comic Strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz, book, music and lyrics by Clark M. Gesner, additional dialogue by Michael Mayer, directed by Jana Ellis with music direction by Justin Rosser and choreography by David Rickel. Performance dates are at 8 p.m. June 10, 11 and 12 and at 2 p.m. for Sunday matinee June 13.
This version of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” was produced on Broadway in 1999 and starred Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth as Sally. This version is not just the same play with two new songs; all the music and dialogue of the show have been reworked, the incidental music, dance music, vocal arrangements and orchestrations are all new. The cast includes Amanda Steen Lizano, Lauren Casey, Lance Whitlow, Ian Weddle, David Moreland and Seth Paden.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” opens as Charlie Brown stands alone as his various friends give their various opinions of him, each calling him a “good man.” Charlie Brown is happy and hopeful as usual, but nevertheless wonders if he really is what they say. He decides to find out how he can really become a good person. This day in his life and the lives of his friends takes us through it all; love, aspirations,dreams, disappointment and frustration. Join us as we watch Charlie Brown, Sally, Lucy, Schroeder, Linus and Snoopy come to the realizations of what truly makes them happy.
Ticket prices are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students, and $6 for children 12 and younger. For more information, go to www.bacptheatre.com.
Reservations for the production may be made by calling the BACP box office at (918) 258-0077. The BACP is in The Main Place at 1800 S. Main in downtown Broken Arrow.
Produced by special arrangement with Tams Witmark Music Library Inc. This production is made possible in part by grants from the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Broken Arrow Community Playhouse is a member of the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association and the Tulsa Area Community Theatre Association.

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Grace Ann Productions present “Love Letters” this summer in Tulsa

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date June 8, 2010

Grace Ann Productions present “Love Letters” at 5 p.m. each Sunday for the following dates (June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25 and August 1, 2010). Location is at Village at Central Park, 1125 E. 8th St. in Tulsa, OK.
Wry and poignant, “Love Letters,” written by A. R. Gurney, is a play told entirely through letters. From the first scrawled valentines of childhood, to the last guilty goodbyes, “Love Letters” envelops us in a unique nostalgia. Rediscover youth’s innocence, the fears and fancies, the goals and dreams all contained within the pages of their lifelong relationship … the letters that were at its very root.
Tickets are Adults $15 and $12 for seniors/students. The play, directed by E. Kirby, Jr., stars Ann Archer as Melissa (June 6-27), David Carpenter as Andy and Laura Mathy as Melissa (July 11-August 1).
For more information, call (918) 491-3410.

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31st Annual Detroit International Jazz Festival adds more artists to its lineup

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date June 4, 2010

Photo: Take 6.

Festival organizers for the 31st Detroit International Jazz Festival recently announced artist additions to the 2010 lineup on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, through Monday, Sept.6, 2010, in downtown Detroit. The newly added artists further underscore an already existing diversity of musical genres, including funk, gospel and R&B.
Yellowjackets, Salim Washington and the Harlem Arts Ensemble, Jason D. Williams, and gospel sensation James Fortune and FIYA will join the previously announced roster featuring Mulgrew Miller, Take 6, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Manhattan Transfer, Roy Haynes and Allen Toussaint.
“Soul” is the theme of the opening night, Friday Sept. 3. Performances by Take 6 and the Mulgrew Miller Trio will be followed by the urban soul music of Tower of Power. For over 40 years, this group has thrilled audiences all over the world with their unique brand of music.
The Yellowjackets have been cutting-edge purveyors of innovative, eclectic jazz for nearly 30 years. With every recording since their 1981 debut album, the Yellowjackets have pushed the boundaries of improvisational jazz and have been leaders in the music’s inescapable evolution. Hailed as the “most adventurous quartet in contemporary jazz music” by All Music Guide, this multi-Grammy Award-winning group features Russell Ferrante, Will Kennedy, Jimmy Haslip and Bob Mintzer.
Jason D. Williams has the same musical innovation and on-the-edge attitude as Jerry Lee Lewis. The fiery Memphis-born pianist covers boogie-woogie rock & roll, classical, country and jazz, in what has been described as an “enthusiastic, reckless and stormy” way.
ASCAP Award winner and Stellar Award nominee James Fortune and FIYA will headline the festival’s “Come MONday” gospel celebration on Sept. 6. The Houston artist made music history with “I Trust You” – the longest running #1 single in gospel music. The group’s rapid success in the gospel music industry has garnered international acclaim and opened the door to their sharing the stage opening for distinguished artists Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Kim Burrell, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful and Donald Lawrence. Fortune was a featured guest judge for the 2009 Verizon Wireless How Sweet the Sound Competition.
The “Come MONday” gospel celebration will also feature Detroit’s own Second Ebenezer and Triumph Church choirs.
For the full 2010 artist roster, visit detroitjazzfest.com. The lineup of Detroit-based jazz musicians playing at the festival will be announced in mid-June.

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“The Wayman Tisdale Story” to premiere at Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 5, 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date June 3, 2010

The Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame will be the host of the Tulsa premiere of “The Wayman Tisdale Story” at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2010, at the Jazz Depot, 111 East First St. Upper Level in Tulsa, OK.
“The Wayman Tisdale Story” is a documentary celebrating the life and legacy of Tisdale, who was a Tulsa, OK, native, three-time all-American, gold-medal Olympian, former NBA basketball player and world renowned jazz musician. The film is directed by Emmy-nominated Brian Schodorf and produced by Hunter, Seamons, Linda Mensch and Rahman Ayi.
Doors will open at 7 p.m., reception/live music by Tulsa group WALLSTREET (winner of the Wayman’s Challenge held at the Depot in 2008) at 7:30 p.m. and finally, the showing of the film at 8:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. For more information, call the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at (918) 281-8603, (918) 281-8605, (918) 281-8609 or go online to www.okjazz.org.

Elaine Norwood gospel music religion United States

Former Isley Brothers vocalist Elaine Norwood prepares for June 2010 release

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 28, 2010

After two decades of performing as a backup singer for Mariah Carey, James Ingram and the Isley Brothers, Elaine Norwood is standing in the spotlight. After years of paying her dues, Norwood has her first bona fide national hit.
The dramatic ballad “He’s Still Working on Me” is #19 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and building momentum.
“A lot of people think that when you get saved that you are perfect and that you have no more trials,” Norwood said in news release. “They make idols out of ordinary people, but this let’s people know that in spite of what they used to be or what they used to do, God is still working on us. We’re striving towards perfection. When you make a mistake, don’t throw in the towel because God forgives. We will be perfected when He comes back.”
On her forthcoming fourth CD Released (Highly Favored Music), Norwood shows all the dimensions to her dynamic personality. Her father, Rev. Charles Norwood, joins her on their remake of Rev. James Cleveland‘s 1976 smash, “God Has Smiled on Me.” The polished but passionate album vacillates from traditional ballads such as “Soon I Will Be Done” and a sanctified rendition of Alicia Key’s “Ain’t Got You” to churchy romps like “I’ll Say Yes!” and funky, up-tempo tracks like “Never Let a Day Go By.” Producing duties fell to ’70s funkster Leon Haywood (of “Don’t Push It, Don’t Force It” R&B fame) and gospel producer Sanchez Harley (Shirley Caesar, Mighty Clouds of Joy).
“These songs really affirm my heart,” Norwood said. “I’ve been a praise-and-worship leader since 1996. The other albums didn’t capture that side of me totally. In the studio, you are locked into the track, and when it ends, you are done but God might not be! We can sing a tag in church for ten minutes but to do that on a CD, the record label is going to say that radio needs no more than four or five minutes of the song. They aren’t going to play a ten-minute song. But, on this project, I was allowed to go longer, so I truly feel that with these songs I’ve been released.”
For more information on Norwood’s project (to be released on June 8, 2010), visit www.elainenorwood.com.
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Myron Butler to produce gospel artist Tonya Baker’s first live recording in July 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 28, 2010

Kingdom Records has tapped Grammy-winning producer Myron Butler to produce Tonya Baker‘s first live recording. The live recording takes place at 7 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2010, at
The Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Admission is free.

Baker made her national debut with the acclaimed CD “Special Friend” in 2008, and Dayton, Ohio, native has been critically-praised for her unusual blend of jazzy vocal riffs with a straightforward gospel message.

“I would be lying if I said I weren’t a bit nervous,” Baker said in a news release. “I’ve been asked for several years, `When are you going to do a live recording?’ Well, I guess this is the time and I pray that God will be pleased with our offering and the people will be blessed and encouraged. There’s nothing like the live experience. You feel the energy from the people and the presence of God in the place. Most importantly, I don’t want the people to just come looking for a great show – but an encounter with God.”

Butler has produced projects with such notables as Smokie Norful and Tamela Mann from TBS’s “Meet The Browns” series. He’s also made a name for himself as an EMI Gospel recording artist with hits such as “Stronger,” “Set Me Free,” and his current single, “Revealed.”

Baker said, “Myron Butler is an incredibly anointed and gifted artist, songwriter, and producer. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to work with him. I’m equally thankful that Kingdom Records’ A&R director Michael Weatherspoon was able to make it happen.”

For more information about Tonya Baker’s recording, call (708) 339-9301 or visit www.kingdomrecordsinc.com.

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Kirk Whalum to appear on TV One’s “Washington Watch with Roland Martin” on Sunday

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 26, 2010

According to a news release, multi-Grammy nominated saxophonist Kirk Whalum will appear as a guest onTV One’s ‘Washington Watch with Roland Martin” on Sunday, May 30.

Citing Kirk Whalum as one of his favorite musicians, Martin invited Whalum on the show to discuss current events and issues relating to the African American community. Also, as both are avid technology enthusiasts, the conversation is sure to touch on Whalum’s interactive marketing strategies and his active Facebook following of more than 37,000 fans, as well as his latest, chart-topping CD “The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III.”

From health care to the economy, Roland Martin covers issues that matter most in his new “Sunday Brunch” style show, “Washington Watch with Roland Martin.” The show airs every Sunday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST on TV One. Check local listings for information on TV One.

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Lucinda Moore to appear on TBN’s “Praise the Lord” program on Monday, May 23, 2010

Post author By mitchmuse
Post date May 21, 2010

Lucinda Moore, who has done vocal cameos on recordings with Hezekiah Walker and Tramaine Hawkins, is celebrating a milestone. The 20-year music veteran, best known for her 2006 breakthrough smash “Pressure into Praise,” has just released her sophomore CD “Blessed, Broken & Given” (Tyscot Records). The album has debuted at #13 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart – her highest entry to date (Her prior self-titled CD peaked at #18 on the same chart in 2007). Now, Pastor Zachary Tims has chosen to have Moore as his special psalmist on Monday, May 23, 2010, episode of TBN’s “Praise The Lord” program.
Tims will host the program and conduct interviews with Bishop Larry Trotter, Dr. Todd Hall, and Pastor Lawrence Powell. Moore will sing songs throughout the broadcast. Visit www.tbn.org and the “Praise Tonight” tab for more information. Visit www.lucindamoore.com or www.tyscot.com for more information on Moore.