Theatre Shorts

By Byrne Harrison

A good article about Broadway rush, lottery and standing-room only policies.

While in New York performing in the Met's production of the opera Hamlet, Natalie Dessay will participate in an evening of music, drama and commentary devoted to one of Shakespeare's most tragic and least understood heroines, Ophelia. Reading selections from Shakespeare's play will be Tony Award-winner Blair Brown (The Clean House, Copenhagen, Arcadia), Drama Desk Award-winner Lauren Ambrose (Exit the King, Hamlet, Awake and Sing), Jennifer Ikeda (Hamlet, Top Girls), Santino Fontana (Hamlet, Sunday in the Park with George, Billy Elliot), and others. Ms Dessay will be singing from Ambroise Thomas's opera Hamlet and soprano Julie Boulianne, about to make her New York City Opera debut in Chabrier's L'Etoile, will sing Berlioz's "La Mort d'Ophelie."

In a move that is causing quite a bit of debate, the producers of the revival of Promises, Promises have announced that they are adding the well-known Bacharach/David hit "I Say a Little Prayer" to the first act.

Marin Mazzie joins cast of Enron.

Singer Patti Page honored in Barnstable for her 1957 hit, "Old Cape Cod."

TCG discusses the pros and cons of texting in the theatre.

Billy Cruddup to star in the Vineyard Theatre's production of Adam Rapp's The Metal Children in May. The show is also being directed by Rapp.

This month's Project Shaw reading by the Gingold Theatrical Group is The Doctor's Dilemma. And don't forget their St. Patrick's Day celebration.

David Mamet's Race, starring James Spader, David Alan Grier, Kerry Washington and Richard Thomas, will play its 100th performance tonight at 8:00.

For those who are looking for film opportunities, ACEFEST will be holding their annual networking party at Amnesia in Chelsea on March 25th. Guests are encouraged to bring business cards, headshots, postcards and other promotional materials to the party.