The Bluebird Patch

Candice McLellan (left) plays Siri and Jasmine Ellis plays Luna in the world premiere comedy Sweep at Aurora Theatre. (Photo by Chris Bartelski.)  Post-modern comedy to showcase the exploits of two “multiverse” hit women in imaginative tale LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Atlanta audiences are invited to step into a splintered world of strange imaginings as Aurora Theatre presents the world premiere of the femme fantasy story SWEEP , February 10 –March 5, 2017 ! The magical quest, written by rising Latina playwright Georgina Escobar, follows two sisters’ attempt at resetting history’s imperfections by hunting both biblical and modern-day targets through a set of alternate realities called the “multiverse.” Imaginative and adventure-filled, this zany, time-traveling escapade is a can’t-miss production for the New Year! “ One of the most riveting facets of SWEEP is the exploration of the idea that history can be re-written to create different outcomes today,” ...

Producers Paul Blake and Sony/ATV Music Publishing announce that the Tony & Grammy Award-winning Broadway hit Beautiful—The Carole King Musical , about the early life and career of the legendary and groundbreaking singer/songwriter, will premiere at the Fox Theatre for a limited engagement from May 24-29 as part of the 2015/2016 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta Series. Tickets start at $33.50 and are available at by visiting www.FoxTheatre.org/beautiful, calling 1-855-285-8499 or visiting the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308). Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit www.BeautifulOnBroadway.com or www.BroadwayInAtlanta.com . Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will play at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre May 24-29. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 p.m. Friday 8 p.m. ...

The hills are alive...you know the rest. Everyone's favorite tale of nannies, nuns and Nazis is heading out on a new North American tour in 2015/16. The last show written by legendary duo Rodgers and Hammerstein, this iconic musical boasts a score which reads like a Greatest Hits of musical theatre, with songs including My Favorite Things, Edelweiss and Do-Re-Mi. It's inspired an Oscar-winning movie, a tv talent show and, as the 18 million viewers who tuned in to see NBC's live special prove, remains an incredibly popular piece of American pop culture. While everyone knows the story off by heart, that doesn't mean that there's nothing new to be said about The Sound of Music. Helming this tour is Jack O'Brien (Hairspray), one of Broadway's most accomplished directors, who's seeking to strip away some of the more kitschy elements which have become attached to the musical over the years. The three time Tony Award winner told the New York Times...

Raising Funds for Educational and Outreach Activities, Including a Performance with Guest Artist Morris Robinson ATLANTA, February 18, 2016  –  The Atlanta Chamber Players (ACP), currently celebrating their 40th Anniversary Season, have launched a crowd-funding campaign ( https://www.power2give.org/campaigns/364 ) to support education and outreach initiatives in partnership with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The Office of Cultural Affairs has offered a one-to-one match for every dollar raised in the campaign through the power2give online platform through March 15th.   Over the next month, the ACP are planning to raise $4,000 from individual donors, to be matched by an additional $4,000 from the City of Atlanta. Essentially, donors’ gifts are doubled by giving during the power2give campaign! The funds raised will help pay for the educational programming as well as the costs associated with the free community concert on Sunday,...

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (February 4, 2016) –  Lust over laughable comedy nights, pulse to the passionate rhythm of Latin music and celebrate a true valentine to youth, life, love and the beauty of human connection in the smash-hit  I and You ! While Cupid draws his arrow and sweethearts prepare for the perfect date night, don’t forget to add Aurora to the love list for head over heel events guaranteed to create heartwarming memories!      Special Valentine’s Day Programming    Teatro Aurora: Sangria, Tapas y Flamenco February 13 at 7 p.m. This Valentine’s Day is going to get physical! Pulse to the passionate rhythms of Caló Gitano Dance Company as Teatro Aurora presents  Sangria, Tapas y Flamenco  on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. A perfect evening of food, fun and romance with a side of Latin flair, guests will have access to a full bar and other menu items available. Held at Stars and Strikes’ private event hall...

  Mismatched teenagers offer insightful wisdom for all ages  LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (January 21, 2016)  – A quintessential tale of two worlds colliding, audiences are invited to experience the power of diversity and the beauty of acceptance in the award-winning I and You a t Aurora Theatre ,  January 29-February 21 . As part of the 2015-16 GGC Harvel Lab Series , this moving story of two teenagers and the bond they create through examination of poetry offers an ode to youth, life, love and the strange splendor of human connectedness! “ This play has quickly become one of the hottest properties in American theater, including a recently opened off-Broadway run,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Aurora’s Producing Artistic Director. “Lauren is a dear friend and nothing could thrill me more than having the opportunity for Aurora Theatre to produce the Georgia premiere of this Atlanta-bred playwright’s most recent work. Lauren’s work is universally acclaimed and widely...

Atlanta teacher’s poignant play provides raw look at cancer’s vexing grip LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (January 6, 2016)  – A beautiful story of life and the looming question of what happens next,  Aurora Theatre  invites audiences to experience the powerful Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece  Wit , playing  January 14-February 7 . Detailing the final days of Dr. Vivian Bearing’s battle with stage IV ovarian cancer,  Wit  is a poetic journey through the English professor’s reflection on her life and the relationship between patient and healer. “As cancer survivors, this play is extremely personal for both myself and partner Ann-Carol,” said Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez. “ Although the type of cancer is very specific in  Wit , the brilliance of the play is we have all been, in some way, affected by cancer. Ultimately, Vivian’s personal battle with cancer in the play serves to comfort and inspire every person who has fought, every ...

Holiday favorite celebrates eighth run at Little Five Points theatre ATLANTA (November 30, 2015) –   A holiday adventure beyond wildest dreams,  Madeline’s Christmas  celebrates the yuletide season at  Horizon Theatre ,  December 5-31 ! A merry treat for parents and children alike, families are invited to join Madeline and friends for an enchanting musical adaption of Ludwig Bemelmans’ classic children’s tale! Featuring 24 local girls performing alongside professional actors in collaboration with The Atlanta Children’s Theatre Company, this beloved Atlanta tradition is a holiday must-see! In the production’s eight-year history, more than 190 local girls have realized their dream of performing with a professional theatre company as part of the  Madeline’s Christmas  cast. This year’s cast features girls, ages 8 to 12, from five metro Atlanta counties and 18 different schools. Madeline’s Christmas  runs  December 5-3...

  . “The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!” Broadway in Atlanta is excited to announce a holiday ticket special for the upcoming engagement of “Elf The Musical,” playing at the Fox Theatre from  December 2 - 6   as part of the 2015/2016 season. These limited view seats are a great option for families looking to experience the magic of this holiday story at a discounted rate, matinees included. With Orchestra seats for $47.50, families will get an up-close experience to all the fun the show has to offer! For more information, visit   www.foxtheatre.org/Elf .   ELF  is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth f...

WIN A FAMILY FOUR-PACK TICKETS BREAK THE FLOOR PRODUCTIONS and the Fox Theatre are pleased to announce that North America’s hottest new dance show — SHAPING SOUND — will perform one night only at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, priced at $39, $49, $59 and $100, are on sale at  www.FoxTheatre.org , by calling 855-285-8499, or at the Fox Theatre Ticket Office. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 404-881-2000. Experience the exhilarating collaboration of North America’s newest dance visionaries as they mash-up music genres and dance styles in an explosive dance theater experience perfect for all ages. Under the Artistic Direction of Emmy Award Winner, TRAVIS WALL, and co-created with NICK LAZZARINI, TEDDY FORANCE and KYLE ROBINSON,  SHAPING SOUND  is an electrifying mash-up of dance styles and musical genres brought fully to life on stage by a dynamic company of contemporary dancers. After risin...

Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico & Central America and acknowledged around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Conceptually, it is a hybrid, owing its origins to both prehispanic Aztec philosophy & religion and medieval European ritual practice. Scholars trace its origins to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. In ancient Aztec ceremonies, both children and dead ancestors were remembered and celebrated. The Aztecs would bring offerings of food to altars in honor of the dead. They would also place small clay images that were supposed to represent the deceased on these same altars.  When the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, they brought the Christian Holiday of All Soul’s Day with th...

NETworks Presentations, LLC  is pleased to announce casting for Atlanta engagement of  ELF THE MUSICAL .  The show will play  December 2 - 6  at The Fox Theatre as part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta 2015/2016 season. The cast will feature  Daniel Patrick Smith  (Buddy),  Maggie Anderson  (Jovie),  Harper Brady  (Michael),  Ken Clement  (Santa), Michael Fisher  (Store Manager),  Drew Martin  (Mr. Greenway), Gabrielle Mirabella  (Emily),  Audra Qualley  (Deb),  Nicky Torchia (Michael), and  D. Scott Withers  (Walter). The cast will also include  Joseph Fierberg,   Spencer Glass,   Shane Hurst, Ashleigh Junio ,  Erin Kei,   Caitlin Lester-Sams, Tyler Logan, Katie Lomardo, Nicole Pavone, Emily Jeanne Phillips, Benjamin Rivera, Brandon Stonestreet, Jake Swain,  and  Mia Wienberger. Based on the beloved 2003 New L...

OPENING NEXT WEEK Peter Pan soars onto the stage in this vibrant, colorful adaptation of the time-honored classic tale. Adventures abound as amateur inventor Wendy Darling and her brothers travel to Neverland with the impetuous Peter and his fairy companion Tinkerbell! The gang romps with the Lost Boys, rescues the resourceful Princess Tiger Lily, and battles the infamous Captain Hook. Experience the rare chance to hear authentic Cherokee! The Cherokee Nation Education Services and their Translation Department partnered with the Center to translate Tiger Lily's dialogue into this gorgeous language. NOTE: Performances  Wednesday  through  Sunday .  Discounted preview performances are on Tuesday &  Wednesday, September 22 & 23 .  (Show-only tickets for just $6.75). Home Educators  get a great discount on select performances!  Get details here. Showtim...

Spanish Language programming celebrates Gwinnett’s diverse culture LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (September 9, 2015)  – The joys and frustrations unique to single ladies of all ages come to light in this wacky modern tale. Even matters of the heart are examined through a comedic lens in Gustavo Ott’s  Divorciadas, Evangélicas y Vegetarianas ( Divorcées, Evangelists, and Vegetarians) at Aurora Theatre running September 25 – October 18, 2015 . September 25 – October 18, 2015 . Performed in Spanish with English Supertitles, this play expertly finds the funny in uncomfortable situations and blunt truths. “Earlier this year, Aurora received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to deepen our relationship with the Latino community by expanding programing. Additionally, we received funding from BrandMortage to produce this show. I am very proud of our commitment to producing plays in Spanish,” said Producing Artistic Director Anthony Rodriguez. “As our community grows...

PLAYING AT ATLANTA’S FOX THEATRE FOR ONE WEEK ONLY: NOVEMBER 3-8 Tickets on sale August 30 RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA , the 2013 Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of  South Pacific  and  The Sound of Music , will play at the Fox Theatre for a limited engagement from November 3-8 as part of the 2015/2016 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta Series. Tickets go on sale  Sunday, August 30.   Tickets start at $33 and are available at by visiting  www.FoxTheatre.org/Cinderella , calling  1-855-285-8499  or visiting the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308). Group orders of 15 or more may be placed by calling  404-881-2000 . Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit:    www.CinderellaOnBroadway.com  or  www.BroadwayInAtlanta.com . RODGERS+HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELL...

Three mini-series packages provide unparalleled access for theatre fans In celebration of 35 years presenting the best of Broadway to Atlanta audiences, Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta is now offering Atlanta audiences the opportunity to experience three Broadway sensations from its expanded 2015/2016 Blockbuster season. Each themed package features three hit shows from the upcoming Broadway in Atlanta lineup. Package choices include: Fan Favorites The Sound of Music  (March 1-6, 2016) Kinky Boots  (March 29-April 3, 2016) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  (May 24-29, 2016)

Smash-hit musical livens up Lawrenceville as 20 th  Anniversary Signature Series debut LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (June 22, 2015)  – Jive along to the brassy beats of Beale Street in 1950s Memphis, where the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll reels in an aspiring R&B DJ, who just happens to be white,  to spark change in the deep South. Bringing powerhouse numbers to the suburban Atlanta stage,  Aurora Theatre  debuts its  20 th  Anniversary Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series  with the regional premiere of the hit-musical sensation  Memphis , playing  July 23- August 30, 2015 ! A co-production with Theatrical Outfit, this tuneful tale is sure to strike a chord with music lovers of all ages!  “ When you take a mega musical like  Memphis  and produce it in Aurora’s intimate theatre setting, what you get is an unparalleled experience of fierce emotion, dynamic theatrics and the ability for audiences to immerse...

If you LOVE all things handmade you are going to love the ICE's Summer Craft Market on June 6- 7 ICE's mission is to provide opportunity to craft and vintage sellers. Educating shoppers on why they should buy handcrafted is a big component as well (Why? Because you are using your money to directly support someone using their talents to make a living, instead of a big box store and a chain of middle-men. What you buy will be unique instead of contributing to the sameness threatening to dominate society today). Encouraging people to craft is another important aspect of ICE's mission through hands-on activities at our events, ICE Summer Camp for Kids, Craft Escape and bringing Make N Takes to other events such as Art on the BeltLine, Maiedae Mixer, Maker Faire Atlanta and the Decatur Book Fest. While their original goal was to create a market where they could sell their own creations, ICE has grown so much that Shannon and Christy barely have time to cr...

For The First Time, The Public Will Have Access To Backstage, Legendary Stage ATLANTA, GA  – The Fox Theatre today announces special Behind the Scenes Tours, a 90-minute guided program that allows guests to experience the soul of the Fox from three different perspectives.    First, people will see the work, operationally, that goes into every performance backstage and underneath the stage, including power rooms, production offices, and stage lifts – a salute to the hundreds of unseen workers hustling to allow the curtain to open at 8 p.m.    Next, guests will walk through the history of the Fox while hearing the incredible stories of how Atlanta came together to save the legendary Fox Theatre 40 years ago! The tour invites people to imagine the Fox in 1929 and take in the theater’s historical significance and preservation efforts by visiting never before seen restoration workrooms.    The final stop of the tour allows guests to walk...

New puppet production based on award-winning children’s book ATLANTA  – Get ready for a brand-new barnyard tale like you’ve never “herd” before! Featuring Farmer Brown and his clever, comical cows, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type grazes the Center for Puppetry Arts stage with its debut June 9-July 26 . Directed by the Center’s artistic director Jon Ludwig, this bovine bunch illustrates what happens when cows learn to type and chickens go on strike! Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type is adapted from the award-winning children’s book for the puppet stage by Ludwig and resident puppet builder Jason Hines. This fun farm tale features rod marionettes and rod puppets performed by veteran puppeteers Brian Harrison, Mandy Mitchell, Amy Sweeney, and Tim Sweeney, with narration and original musical accompaniment by Dolph Amick. All of the puppets, props and scenery were created onsite by the Center’s talented artists.