Christopher West News

The Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, the arts center of the Archdiocese of New York, has announced highlights of its 2020 Spring season, a rich mix of theater, film, music, author's nights, gallery exhibitions, and talk events featuring artists and thought leaders including Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal columnist and author Peggy Noonan; New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks, and Director of The Philanthropy Roundtable's Character Initiative and author Anne Snyder; Director of the Vatican Observatory and President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ; a rousing evening of gospel music from Vy Higginsen's Sing Harlem choir; celebrated composer and big bandleader Darcy James Argue plus the New England Conservatory Alumni Big Band; Tony Award nominee Melissa Errico and multi-award winning New Yorker staff writer Adam Gopnik; singer, songwriter, and acclaimed clawhammer banjo player Abigail Washburn and genre-bending composer, guzheng virtuoso and vocalist from Beijing Wu Fei; and events tackling thought-provoking topical themes including justice in underserved communities, the protection of immigrants to America, and the inspiration of Sr. Thea Bowman and other Servants of God.

Newcomer Mariah Lyttle hasn't exactly pounded the New York City pavement quite yet, but it's not a reflection on her motivation or hard work. In fact, the young actress barely crossed the graduation stage before headlining a regional production of THE WIZ, which closed only moments before she booked the coveted role of Celie in the latest THE COLOR PURPLE national tour. While back at home for the holidays with her family, Ms. Lyttle sat down to share how the role has helped her find her voice, and how this classic story inspires hope and faith in audiences of all backgrounds and beliefs.

It wasn't long after moving to New York City before actress Courtnee Carter made her Broadway debut understudying the lead character Ti Moune in the highly celebrated revival of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. This week, we caught up with Ms. Carter while on tour with the show from Charleston, North Carolina where she now performs the role full time. She spoke about breaking down barriers and building a better community through love and hope. Read our full conversation below.

It's beginning to look a lot like Broadway at the Irving Arts Center as MainStage Irving-Las Colinas returns with their second annual holiday fundraiser, HAVE YOURSELF A BROADWAY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. Get ready to deck the hall with your favorite local performers, because this cheerful winter concert is even bigger and better than before.

MainStage Irving-Las Colinas has announced their 2019-2020 season to be produced at their award-winning theatre in the heart of the metroplex located at Irving Arts Center (3333 N MacArthur Blvd., Irving TX). This season is to be presented from September 2019 to August 2020 including five main-stage productions plus two special season add-ons.

Texas-born Brooke Singer is no stranger to the stage. In fact, she's been performing professionally since before most of her peers had picked their first extra-curricular activity. And now, after years of sailing the world playing famous Disney characters like Belle and performing in the world premiere of the stage version of TANGLED, she's got an opportunity to show off her less family-friendly skills by taking the new stage musical version of the nostalgic 90's film Cruel Intentions on the road. We caught up between shows while the tour was stopped in sunny Washington DC. Read more, below:

Theatrical charity, Acting for Others today announce Christopher Biggins as head judge, alongside Celia Imrie and Bill Paterson for the inaugural West End Flea Market taking place on the morning of Saturday 18 May at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden. They will take to the market to judge the competitions for the Best Dressed Stall and the Showstopper centrepieces created by top venues and West End shows that will be auctioned off. Participants include Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Only Fools and Horses, The Royal Opera House, The Phantom of the Opera, The Mousetrap and Les Miserables with more to be announced.

Music Theatre of Denton announces supplemental auditions for several roles in RAGTIME, the Broadway musical based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished 1975 novel. With a book by Terrence McNally and music by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, RAGTIME is considered one of the best musicals on the past several decades. For Music Theatre of Denton, Kyle Christopher West directs with John Norine Jr. serving as musical director and Elizabeth Cantrell as stage manager. RAGTIME runs February 22nd - March 3rd.

The weather outside was indeed frightful, a 70 degree day followed by fitful storms, but White Christmas inside the Firehouse Theatre was, exactly as their curtain speech quipped, simply delightful.

The Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch will deck the halls with Irving Berlin's iconic holiday tunes in the family-favorite musical, WHITE CHRISTMAS. With tickets as low as $13, this song-and-dance spectacle is sure to please audiences of all ages. WHITE CHRISTMAS opens Friday, November 30th and runs through Sunday, December 16th.

Music Theatre of Denton is proud to announce auditions for RAGTIME, the Broadway musical based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished 1975 novel. With a book by Terrence McNally and music by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, RAGTIME is considered one of the best musicals on the past several decades. For Music Theatre of Denton, Kyle Christopher West directs with John Norine Jr. serving as musical director and Elizabeth Cantrell as stage manager. RAGTIME runs February 22nd - March 3rd.

The Firehouse Theatre is proud to announce auditions for WHITE CHRISTMAS, the Broadway musical based on the classic holiday film. WHITE CHRISTMAS is directed and choreographed by Kyle Christopher West and musically directed by John Norine Jr. Elizabeth Cantrell serves as stage manager with Lorens Portalatin as assistant director, Wendy Rene'e Searcy as scenic designer and Cassondra Plybon-Harbin as lighting designer. Guest choreographer Mandy Modic (of the 42nd STREET national tour) will stage the show's tap dances.

Mandy Modic spent 2015-2016 traveling the country in her tap shoes as Gladys in Mark Bramble and Randy Skinner's 42ND STREET. The gig that followed was the same show, but a highly publicized reenvisioned production at Drury Lane Theatre in Illinois (where she played Lorraine), which has reportedly been eyeing a Broadway transfer. She's performed professionally with The Marriot Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Paramount Theatre, Theatre at the Center, The Wick Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, and Little Theatre on the Square and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe, not to mention a co-starring role on NBC's short-lived The Playboy Club.

It was exactly three years ago that I first spoke with Audrey Cardwell. At that time, she was in the ensemble of CINDERELLA on tour, often stepping in for the title character opposite her boyfriend, Andy Huntington Jones (who later starred in CATS on Broadway). Since then, her life has continued to play out like the fairytale she performed, now bringing her back into town as the leading lady of the new Broadway musical, BRIGHT STAR.

At nearly 60 years old, GYPSY still has a story to tell - and the story being told at Firehouse Theatre now through Sunday, June 17th should not be missed! From lead players to ensemble, this bold musical fills every inch of the theatre with big talent, beautiful costumes, and impressive choreography that does not miss a beat.

Theatrical charity Acting for Others today announce Christopher Biggins to return to the tents as a judge for the fourth annual right royal West End Bake Off taking place on Saturday 19th May, the same day His Royal Highness Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle. Biggins joins the previously announced judges, Ruthie Henshall and Wendi Peters as they take to the tents to judge the cake creations from top West End Shows. The full line up of bakers are Mamma Mia!, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Phantom Of The Opera, Les Miserables, Book Of Mormon, Chicago, The Mousetrap, Chess, Young Frankenstein, 42nd Street, Hamilton, Strictly Ballroom, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Witness For The Prosecution, H.R.Haitch, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, The Great Gatsby.

The Firehouse Theatre is thrilled to announce IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS as the final show of their 2018 season, with opening night scheduled for Friday, November 30th and performances running through Sunday, December 16th, 2018. BroadwayWorld.com Senior Editor Kyle Christopher West is set to direct and choreograph the holiday musical, with John Norine Jr. serving as musical director.

This Summer, The Firehouse Theatre will present the famous musical fable GYPSY from May 31st-June 17th, directed by Derek Whitener, with musical direction by John Norine Jr. and choreography by Kyle Christopher West. Marilyn Setu serves as assistant director; Kim Velten will stage manage; Costume Design is by Victor Newman Brockwell.