While what happens onstage is the essence of theatre, theatre people do lots of interesting things offstage as well. Every two weeks, Playbill On-Line's Associate Editor Katia Lundy will bring you news of non-show theatre events around the U.S. -- exclusively on Playbill On-Line. To send Katia information for this column, eMail releases to [email protected].
BROADWAY IN BLOOM
Join 1-800-FLOWERS, proud sponsor of the 1996 New York Flower Show, to celebrate "Broadway in Bloom." At this year's show, 1-800-FLOWERS will offer unusual flower varieties, uniquely colored roses and carnations and more. And you won't want to miss the garden competition inspired by the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music."
The New York Flower show will take place Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 17 at the New York Coliseum (Broadway and 59th Street at Columbus Circle). Tickets are on sale at 1-800-FLOWERS' New York area retail stores: Manhattan (380 Second Avenue at 22nd Street), Massapequa (4847 Merrick Road), Brooklyn (156 Graham Avenue) and Bayside (215-02 73rd Avenue). General admission tickets are $12, receive a $3 discount on your tickets if you make a purchase at one of the stores.
For general show information, call 1-800-553-2121
THOROUGHLY MODERN JULIE AND CAROL
Julie Andrews and Carol Channing will join cast members from their respective shows ("Victor/Victoria" and "Hello, Dolly!") 7:30 PM Feb. 26 in New York, in hosting a benefit screening of their movie musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie." The two stars will be joined by Joel Siegel of TV's "Good Morning America," who will make a special introduction at the screening. The moneys raised will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the organization devoted toward fighting the challenges of HIV/AIDS.
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" stars both Julie Andrews and Carol Channing as well as Mary Tyler Moore in a story set in the vivacious, flapper-filled 20's. With song such as "Jazz Baby," Channing went on to earn an Oscar nomination for her role as Muzzy Van Hossmere.
The screening of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" will take place at the Sony Astor Plaza on Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets. Tickets are $25 for the screening alone; $100 for the screening plus the reception; and $250 for Benefactor tickets. For more information or the make reservations, please call 212-840-0770.
MODELS STRUT THEIR STUFF FOR MUSICAL THEATRE
The Civic Light Opera Guild and Kaufmann's department store in Pittsburgh. PA, have come together to present a Brunch and Fashion Show to benefit the CLO Academy of Musical Theatre. Since 1989, the CLO Academy has provided young people, and adults alike, professional-level training in all areas of musical theatre.
The benefit Brunch and Fashion show will take place on March 23rd at Kaufmann's in Downtown Pittsburgh and will feature Kaufmann's 1996 Spring Collections of Dana Buchman, Anne Klein II, Ellen Tracy, CK and DKNY. A special in-store discount will be offered to those attending the event.
Tickets are $20 with all proceeds going to the CLO Academy of Musical Theatre. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Katie Duez at 412-281-3973, ext. 215. Deadline for ticket orders is March 15.
PLAYWRIGHTS SUMMER CONFERENCE
This spring, high school students will vie for the opportunity to participate in The Playwrights' Center's Annual Young Playwrights Summer Conference, to be held July 14-27, on the campus of Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.
The conference is open to thirty writers in grades 8-12. During the two week conference, students create original stage plays and screenplays with a host of recognizable playwrights and theatre professionals including the Hamline University staff.
Applications are now being accepted. For an application or further information, contact Kristina Halvorson, Education Associate, The Playwrights' Center, 2301 Franklin Avenue East Minneapolis, MN 55406, (612)332-7481.
Students may apply by submitting a writing sample of a play, prose, poetry or a cassette tape of an original story; or by submitting a teacher's recommendation. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 22, 1996.
FREE LABS FOR PLAYWRIGHTS
The Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theatre (A.S..K.) in Beverly Hills, CA, will present three practical labs for playwrights to kick off the spring season.
Writer/Performer Sandra Tsing Loh will start things off with "Turning Life Stories into Art" on March 6. To follow, directors Roberta Levitow and Bill Reichblum take over to present "Strategies and Expectations: The Playwright/Director Collaboration" on March 27. And last but not least, award-winning playwright of "Tea," Velina Hasu Houston, will lead the "First Stages" lab on April 20.
All three labs are free but enrollment is limited and is by lottery. For reservations and information, call 310-284-9027. Reservations will be confirmed and workshop locations will be announce two weeks prior to each lab.
ALLIANCE THEATRE GALA EVENTS
On Monday March 20, Alliance Theatre will host their annual Gala Benefit. The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a star-studded dinner with Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad, Joan Van Ark, Emmanuel Lewis and Bill Nunn to name a few.
The evening progresses with an intimate one night only offering of "A Conversation with Gregory Peck" at 8 p.m.
With over 50 films to his credit, the gathering will begin with a 25 minute reel of scenes from Peck's illustrious film career. Peck will then proceed to share what he modestly calls "my little anecdotes, tales, stories and jokes" from his filmmaking experiences that offer wonderful insights into such friends as Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Laurence Olivier, Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn. Finally, he will open the floor for audience questions.
Tickets for "A Conversation with Gregory Peck" will go on sale at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office on February 25. Tickets range in price from $20-$250. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call 404-733-5000.
ERIC BOGOSIAN RETURNS TO YALE
Eric Bogosian returns to the Yale Repertory Theatre stage for two performances with his latest work, "Wake Up and Smell the Coffee" on Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Bogosian's award-winning solo shows commonly rant at the state of mind of America today. His other solo works include "Drinking in America," "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" and "Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead." He is also the author of two plays, "Talk Radio" and "Suburbia."
Tickets for "Wake Up and Smell the Coffee" are now on sale ranging from $10-$21. For more information, call the Yale Repertory Theatre Box Office at 203-432-1234.
GILLIAN LYNNE SPEAKS OUT
Gillian Lynn will speak about her industrious life in theatre on Monday, March 4 at the ArtsConnection, 120 West 46th St. in New York. The discussion is being sponsored by Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, The Drama League and ArtsConnection. In it, Lynn will discuss her career as choreographer ("Cats") and director as well as sharing her attitudes about the theatre.
Admission is $10. For more information or to reserve a seat, please call 212-302-5359.
PARENTS DISCUSS GAY ISSUES
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will hold a discussion on February 29 as to what it's like to be the parent of a gay person. The free event will follow the 8 p.m. performance of "Just Men," the new comedy by Gary Goldstein now showing at the Stella Adler Theatre in Los Angeles.
Two sets of parents from PFLAG will participate and join the playwright and cast in an informal question and answer session. Audience members will be encouraged to discuss issues portrayed in the play.
"Just Men" runs Thursday-Saturdays at 8 p.m. General Admission to "Just Men" is $20. The Stella Adler theatre is located at 6773 Hollywood Blvd. For information and reservations, call THEATIX at 213-466-176
PLAYWRIGHTS FOR THE '90S
Now in its eighth year, Playwrights for the '90s, Chicago Dramatists Workshop's annual sampling of many varied playwrights, will showcase world premieres of eight short plays by veteran and new playwrights, all within a two-hour production.
"Over the years, our annual Playwrights For the '90s has become a popular vehicle for audiences and producers to sample the works of several playwrights all in one evening, " states Artistic Director Russ Tutterow.
This year's installment is scheduled for January 25 through March 3, and will feature works by award-winning playwrights such as Keith Huff, Roger Rueff & David Rush, and up and coming Chicago writers Tina Fay, Mark Guarino, Kate Hoffower, Stan Nevin and Louise Rozett.
Tickets range from $6-$12. For reservations and further information, please call 312-633-0630.
SUBMIT YOUR PLAYS
City Playhouse in Los Angeles is accepting submissions for its Ten-Minute Play Festival competition. All submissions will be reviewed and selected plays will be produced at the Theatre Academy's Caminito Theatre on the campus of Los Angeles City College. The play that is chosen to be the "best" will receive $100.
The purpose of this festival is to foster new plays and showcase Theatre Academy students and professionals to the Hollywood community. The chosen participants will have the opportunity to work with many theatre professions, including actors, designers, and directors. Also, some plays may be nurtured to full length to showcase in the Theatre Academy's regular season of plays.
Submissions have to be sent no later than June 1, 1996 along with a $15 fee and should not have a running time of more than ten minutes. Entrants should send scripts to: City Playhouse Ten-Minute Plays, LACC Theatre Academy, 855 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029. For more information, call 213-953-4336.
FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
Stamford Center for the Arts is holding it's annual Young Audience Series which features professional productions presented especially for students and teachers on weekdays during school hours. The upcoming productions include:
Opera New England's "The Magic Flute" (April 11, 1996): Grades 2-6
Theatreworks/USA's "The Great Brain" (May 2, 1996): Grades 1-
All performances are held at the Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT. Ticket prices for both teachers and students are $6. For more information contact Nancy Coffin at (203) 358-2305.
