Breaking out of the Black box: Broadway legendโs new book explores diversity in arts
Sheldon Epps, who created the Tony-Award nominated productions โPlay On!โ and โBlues in the Night,โ recently took to the blank page to tell his personal story, โMy Own Directions: A Black Manโs Journey in the American Theatre."
Orlando actor takes the wheel in โDriving Miss Daisy,โ steers conversation on race in the arts
SANFORD, Fla. โ No one drives Miss Daisy quite like Michael Morman. Heโs reprised the role of Hoke Colburn in โDriving Miss Daisyโ seven times, most recently in the Theater West End production, which just finished its run in Sanford. With each subsequent production, he evolved his performance, understanding the meaning of Colburnโs words and actions more fully with age. In โDriving Miss Daisy,โ one scene stands out to him. After his closing curtain call in โDriving Miss Daisy,โ Morman realized something.
โClare and the Chocolate Nutcrackerโ creator works to bring inspiring show back to stage
And in the wake of the pandemic, the focus this year is bringing โClare and the Chocolate Nutcrackerโ back to the stage to continue building an arts legacy for local underserved youth. โClare and the Chocolate Nutcrackerโ is a ballet interwoven with elements of African American culture, dance and music. Seeking more diverse representation in the arts inspired Beverly Page of Orlando Community Arts to create the modern adaptation of the classic nutcracker with a soulful spin. โClare and the Chocolate Nutcrackerโ first debuted at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in 2012. To supplement the costs, Page is selling custom-made โClare and the Chocolate Nutcrackerโ merchandise online with Walmart and Etsy.
Opera adapts to pandemic, hosts drive-thru show in a parking garage -- and the results are stunning
DETROIT โ When one thinks of the opera, images of a parking garage are unlikely to come to mind, but some unexpected creativity during the pandemic allowed people to experience the opera from their vehicle. This proves it: When you canโt pack people into a theater, you find another way to perform. Michigan Opera Theatre opened its season in late December this way. Each act performed on a different level of the opera house garage. Watch nextREAD: Michigan Opera Theatre names Yuval Sharon new artistic director
'Chariots of Fire,' 'Lord of the Rings' actor Ian Holm dies
FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2012 file photo, actor Ian Holm appears at the premiere of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" in London. Holm, the acclaimed British actor whose long career included roles in Chariots of Fire and The Lord of the Rings has died, his agent said Friday. Holm died peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by his family and carer, his agent, Alex Irwin, said in a statement. (Photo by Jon Furniss/Invision/AP, File)LONDON Ian Holm, an acclaimed British actor whose long career included roles in Chariots of Fire and The Lord of the Rings has died. Holm died peacefully Friday morning in a hospital, surrounded by his family and carer, his agent, Alex Irwin, said in a statement.