http://www.gomemphis.com/news/arts/stage/?partner=RSSGo Memphis Stories: Stage Reviewsen-usarts/stagehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/19/alvin-ailey-dancers-put-inspiration-in-motion/?partner=RSSTwenty years have elapsed since Judith Jamison inherited the leadership of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a dance company-turned-institution that is almost constantly on the move. Jamison, 66, is still moving with it. She'll likely be watching from the back of the Orpheum this weekend when the troupe performs three slightly different programs, each anchored by Ailey's 1960 signature work "Revelations." blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-183398-733850arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNAlvin Ailey dancers put inspiration in motionGo Memphisalvin-ailey-dancers-put-inspiration-in-motionurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-183398-733850Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/18/comics-plan-to-bring-down-house/?partner=RSSAn all-star lineup of African-American comedians will take to the stage Friday at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts with the "5 Star Comedy Explosion," a one-of-a-kind concert event featuring comics Sheryl Underwood, Marvin Dixon, Cory Holcomb, Lester Bibbs, and a surprise special guest. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:55:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-183397-733849arts/stageMark JordanMemphis, TNComics plan to bring down houseGo Memphiscomics-plan-to-bring-down-houseurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-183397-733849Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/15/ten-regional-premieres-highlight-playhouse-new/?partner=RSSThe first show Jackie Nichols was certain would be on Playhouse on the Square's first full season in its new theater is also one of the company's most successful titles. "We've held off doing 'Peter Pan' for the last few years because we were waiting for our new fly system," the executive producer said. "We can finally do the show the way it needs to be done." The theater itself hopes to take flight during the 2010-11 season, both technically and in terms of variety. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:28:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-183032-733846arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNTen regional premieres highlight Playhouse new seasonGo Memphisten-regional-premieres-highlight-playhouse-newurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-183032-733846Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/09/stage-review-wallace-keeps-dreams-alive-stirring-o/?partner=RSS"I'm verbal," says Phil Darius Wallace, and there is no better description of the Memphis actor whose abilities — his elegant baritone, commanding delivery and knack for robust oratory — have helped bring history to life on local stages. Wallace's autobiographical solo show, "Hold Fast," is playing through Sunday at TheatreWorks. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:02:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-182122-733840arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: Wallace keeps dreams alive in stirring one-man showGo Memphisstage-review-wallace-keeps-dreams-alive-stirring-ourn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-182122-733840Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/09/stage-review-over-tavern-comic-relief-1950s/?partner=RSSTom Dudzik’s “Over the Tavern” at the Germantown Community Theatre has some good natured fun with the image of the American family in the 1950s. For the Polish-American Pazinski household in Buffalo, the culture of “Father Knows Best,” Ed Sullivan and beehive hairdos runs athwart of Catholic school, teen angst and family tensions. It’s given a comedic treatment, but not without bringing in the touchy topics of abusive parenting and misdirected intentions. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-182084-733840arts/stageJon W. SparksMemphis, TNStage Review: 'Over the Tavern' is comic relief from the 1950sGo Memphisstage-review-over-tavern-comic-relief-1950surn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-182084-733840Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/05/concert-review-msos-opus-one-offers-opulent-evenin/?partner=RSSThe premiere performance of Opus One was all about firsts. Thursday night offered the first public presentation of the new conductorless series by Memphis Symphony Orchestra musicians. It showcased Beethoven’s First Symphony and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1. And it was the first time I heard Ryan Fleur, the MSO’s president and CEO, say with a bit of wonder, “I don’t have to do anything tonight!" Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181560-733836arts/stageJon W. SparksMemphis, TNConcert Review: MSO's Opus One offers opulent evening of casual funGo Memphisconcert-review-msos-opus-one-offers-opulent-eveninurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181560-733836Change733836Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/05/better-staging-might-work-a-miracle/?partner=RSSSpace is vital in William Gibson's action-packed drama about the turning point in the life of Helen Keller. So is atmosphere. And in directing this production like the straightforward period piece staged every summer down at Keller's home in Alabama, Heather Wilson misses the opportunity to establish Circuit Playhouse as a venue of unique perspectives. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181330-733836arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: Better staging might do wonders with 'Miracle Worker'Go Memphisbetter-staging-might-work-a-miracleurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181330-733836Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/04/stage-review-ballet-memphis-abundance-bursts-expre/?partner=RSSOne thing’s certain about Ballet Memphis taking up residence in Playhouse on the Square’s new theater: never before has the dance company come into such detailed view. If watching dance at the Orpheum is like seeing the heavens through a backyard telescope, at Playhouse you’re gazing through the Hubble. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:34:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181393-733835arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: Ballet Memphis' "AbunDANCE" bursts with expressionGo Memphisstage-review-ballet-memphis-abundance-bursts-expreurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181393-733835Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/mar/03/stage-review-buffalo-gal-needs-good-shaking/?partner=RSS"Buffalo Gal," by the prolific A.R. Gurney (“Love Letters,” “Sylvia”) is playing on the Theatre Memphis Next Stage. Christina Wellford Scott, an old hand at playing divas such as Maria Callas in “Master Class” and Madame DuBois in “Streetcar,” offers more of the same as Amanda, an unhappy, aging Hollywood actress who returns to her hometown regional theater in Buffalo to star in a new production of “The Cherry Orchard.” blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:28:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181189-733834arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: 'Buffalo Gal' needs a 'good shaking'Go Memphisstage-review-buffalo-gal-needs-good-shakingurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-181189-733834Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/feb/28/music-review-iris-sparkles-program-upsized-string-/?partner=RSSThe IRIS Orchestra routinely has a guest artist to show off, but Saturday night's performance departed from that formula. It featured, rather, a superlative string ensemble of the IRIS musicians performing pieces that all had origins as string quartets but were later upgraded to symphonic size. Leading off the program was Verdi's String Quartet in E minor, scored for orchestra by Arturo Toscanini, a lush and handsome piece that embodied the essence of poetry. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-180784-733831arts/stageJon W. SparksMemphis, TNMusic Review: IRIS sparkles in program of upsized string quartetsGo Memphismusic-review-iris-sparkles-program-upsized-string-urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-180784-733831Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/feb/23/theater-review-crucible-success-harrell-theatre-ge/?partner=RSSAmy Hanford's production at the Harrell is generally well cast and handsomely mounted. John Proctor (an effective Brian Everson) occupies the center as a good but imperfect man. When he is joined by his wife, Elizabeth, played by Emily F. Chateau, the scenes pop with energy. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:48:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-180000-733826arts/stageJon W. SparksMemphis, TNTheater Review: 'The Crucible' a success as Harrell Theatre gets seriousGo Memphistheater-review-crucible-success-harrell-theatre-geurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-180000-733826Change733826Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/feb/18/the-piano-lesson-showcases-potential-of-hattiloo/?partner=RSSNo theater in Memphis is better equipped to handle the works of playwright August Wilson than the Hattiloo Theatre, a black repertory company that has already assembled a rich talent pool of local actors. That pool may not be seasoned, but it is improving with every show. And "The Piano Lesson," the second of Wilson's plays to be staged by the theater, features a cast that shows both its inexperience and potential. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-179203-733821arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TN'The Piano Lesson' showcases potential of Hattiloo castGo Memphisthe-piano-lesson-showcases-potential-of-hattiloourn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-179203-733821Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/feb/12/heavenly-pairing-lifts-fallen-angels/?partner=RSSOver the years, Theatre Memphis has promoted its stable of actors in such a way that a handful of them are — in the minds of longtime patrons — stars. By virtue of the many shows they've been in at the theater, Ann Sharp and Jude Knight have every right to demand their names on a marquee of some kind. Quite likely, more than a few people would show up because of it. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:02:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-178145-733815arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNHeavenly pairing lifts 'Fallen Angels'Go Memphisheavenly-pairing-lifts-fallen-angelsurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-178145-733815Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/feb/08/mso-concert-lives-up-to-expectations/?partner=RSSThe Memphis Symphony Orchestra's concert on Saturday night was much anticipated on several levels. The program featured the Rachmaninoff "Piano Concerto No. 2," robust, romantic and enduringly popular. Better yet was that it was performed by guest artist Kirill Gerstein, Russian-born U.S. citizen with a background in jazz. And it was the second appearance of conductor candidate Thomas Wilkins, who is in the running for the permanent position of MSO maestro and music director. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-177639-733811arts/stageJon W. SparksMemphis, TNReview: MSO concert lives up to expectationsGo Memphismso-concert-lives-up-to-expectationsurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-177639-733811Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/feb/06/news-in-the-arts-memphis-featured-in-mtvs-buried/?partner=RSSSome eight months after "$5 Cover" and almost three years after Three 6 Mafia's "Adventures in Hollyhood," MTV returns to Memphis for an episode of "The Buried Life." The new reality series chronicles the misadventures and charitable missions of four twentysomething Canadian men who use "good will, guts and gumption" to "travel the globe in a purple transit bus to complete a list of '100 things to do before you die...,'" according to MTV. Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:03:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-177327-733809arts/stageStaff WriterMemphis, TNNews in the Arts: Memphis featured in MTV's 'Buried Life'Go Memphisnews-in-the-arts-memphis-featured-in-mtvs-buriedurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-177327-733809Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/feb/01/stage-review-pippin-pushes-evelope-new-playhouse/?partner=RSSOn Friday, the night every other theater in town went dark because of the freezing rain, Playhouse on the Square premiered the first musical in its new arts center at 66 South Cooper. Given both the moxie it took the company to raise $12.5 million in funding during a recession, and the feverish support of local theatergoers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the house was sold-out when the cast of “Pippin” took the stage. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:24:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176654-733804arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: 'Pippin' pushes the evelope for new PlayhouseGo Memphisstage-review-pippin-pushes-evelope-new-playhouseurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176654-733804Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/jan/29/stage-review-jersey-boys-gets-standing-ovation-fee/?partner=RSSIf “Jersey Boys” can’t get the job done here in the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, then Broadway may as well stop making musicals out of pop songs. It’s not just that the show, which tells the detailed and often tumultuous story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, is a knock-yer-socks-off hit production. Any fan of oldies will be satisfied by the music, served up with more choreography and flair than even the original band members had during their heyday. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:53:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176076-733801arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: 'Jersey Boys' gets standing ovation for feel-good eveningGo Memphisstage-review-jersey-boys-gets-standing-ovation-feeurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176076-733801Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/jan/29/personalities-jell-in-j-k-cabaret/?partner=RSSJenny Madden and Kim Justis, the "J" and the "K" in the "J & K Self-Rising Cabaret" now running at TheatreSouth, already have something of a cult following in Memphis, together and separately. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176054-733801arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: Personalities jell in J & K CabaretGo Memphispersonalities-jell-in-j-k-cabareturn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176054-733801Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/jan/29/the-new-playhouse-on-the-square-stars-in-own-debut/?partner=RSSTonight, the new Playhouse on the Square premieres its first production -- "Pippin." The 1972 Stephen Schwartz musical was chosen partly because of its simplicity. "The show begins and ends on an empty stage," said director Scott Ferguson. "What a great way to show off the theatricality of the space. There's a line that says 'we have magic to do,' and the original idea is that we're creating an environment where magic can happen." blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Fri, 29 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176039-733801arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNThe new Playhouse on the Square stars in own debutGo Memphisthe-new-playhouse-on-the-square-stars-in-own-debuturn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-176039-733801Change0Usablehttp://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/jan/26/stage-review-opera-memphis-experimental-orpheus-li/?partner=RSSFor many classical music fans, the words “experimental opera” conjure visions of Hades, or something very close to it. Maybe a bare stage, five naked countertenors and two jet engines roaring in the key of A-minor. Or a “Carmen” as performed by professional wrestlers. Scary, and avoidable. When Opera Memphis experiments, however, it’s closer to what happens in a high school biology class using a Petri dish and a scalpel. The purpose is to test its audience’s interest in more daring alchemy. blank@commercialappeal.com (Christopher Blank)Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:14:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-175714-733798arts/stageChristopher BlankMemphis, TNStage Review: Opera Memphis' experimental 'Orpheus' is too safeGo Memphisstage-review-opera-memphis-experimental-orpheus-liurn:publicid:www.gomemphis.com:news-Story-175714-733798Change0Usable