The Kentucky Center Blog

Sneak Peek video! Anne Hathaway as "Fantine" in upcoming Les Misérables film

 

Universal Pictures has released a trailer for its upcoming film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Les Misérables, starring Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean. 

Here's an excerpt regarding the film from The San Diego Entertainer:

"While Hathaway is clearly the star of the trailer, don’t be fooled into thinking she is the female star of the film. If anyone knows anything about this old story, Fantine won’t be in it for long. Her daughter Cosette, played by the vibrant Amanda Seyfriend, and the tragic Eponine, played by Samantha Barks, share the female lead spotlight instead. Also starring in the film is musical veteran Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, a reformed thief whose life is made hell by lawman Javert, played by Russell Crowe. It’s a shame we don’t get to hear them sing in the trailer but Universal is bound to release more trailers between now and the film’s Dec 14, 2012 release date, so it is highly likely that we’ll get to hear them sing soon enough.

With the stunning visuals, the trailer reflects a dismal and gritty 19th century France. You see gorgeous shots of the French rebels in battle, bleak scenes of Jean Valjean laboring in turbulent waters, and the suffering Fantine being sheered like a sheep. The tones, costuming, makeup, and gaunt look to the actors make the trailer into a heavy promise of what’s to come."

Cannot wait to see this film! And I really hope Russell Crowe can sing... 

"Inspiring!" "Incredible!" "Phenomenal!" Fans gush about BILLY ELLIOT The Musical

 

This video from the BILLY ELLIOT North American tour site includes feedback from exhilirated fans. The comments that struck me were:

"If you've ever had a dream, even if it wasn't about dancing, you relate to Billy. You feel that electricity." 

"For anyone who's ever helped you achieve anything in your life - buy them a ticket and see the show with them. It's an incredible Valentine from the heart."

I get chills just reading that last sentence. Can't wait to see the show!

Tickets are on sale now at The Kentucky Center box office.

 

PNC Broadway in Louisville presents

BILLY ELLIOT The Musical

June 26 - July 1

The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

Sara Watkins goes for broke with "When It Pleases You" [video]. See her in Louisville Aug. 12.

 

In the past two weeks, Sara Watkins has popped up all over late night TV, promoting her new release SUN, MIDNIGHT SUN.  Known as the fierce fiddler with big, brown eyes and a tiny voice, Ms. Sara is obviously out to make herself heard with this new single, "When It Pleases You." She could be Patti Smith howling into the microphone. 

Sara, tread cautiously. I have one word for you: NODES.

If you like what you hear here [she does some beautiful, heartbreaking ballads too], you may want to catch her at The Kentucky Center on August 12, when she opens for Jackson Browne. Event and ticketing information can be found here.

SUN MIDNIGHT SUN, the second solo album from acclaimed singer, songwriter, and fiddle player Sara Watkins, features special guest appearances by Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Benmont Tench, and Sean Watkins.

Rufus Wainwright sings OUT OF THE GAME on "Ellen." Reminds us of David Cassidy. Performs at Iroquois Amphitheater Aug. 5.

Click to watch Rufus Wainwright perform his new single OUT OF THE GAME on the Ellen Degeneres Show. Fans are probably more accustomed to seeing the singer/songwriter perform sitting at the piano, but you've gotta give Rufus credit for stepping up his game and adopting the guitar-strumming Pop persona. Of course, with the guitar slung across his chest, his layered hair and his head thrown back singing...I was also reminded of young David Cassidy during his heart-throb years on "The Patridge Family." 

Click to watch the video.

Do you see any similarities? Funny how times change. I actually prefer Rufus' flowered trousers to those ruffled shirts and velveteen the Patridge kids were forced to wear.

Rufus Wainwright and special guest Adam Cohen are scheduled to perform at Louisville's Iroquois Amphitheater on August 5. The Kentucky Center is co-producing the event and we hope to see you there!

Tickets are available in-person at the Iroquois box office or via TicketFly.com on the Louisville Metro Government site.

"This American Life" host Ira Glass delivers engaging commencement speech. Hear him in Louisville October 6.

 

As reported on BaltimoreFishbowl.com - Ira Glass, host and creator of THIS AMERICAN LIFE, one of the most popular programs on National Public Radio, recently delivered the commencement speech at Goucher College. Both Glass and his grandmother graduated from Goucher. And he made it clear from his opening remarks that the inspirational energy of the day was the achievement of the graduating students themselves - and not anything from the words he would relay.

Click here to listen to his speech.

Disclaimers aside, his short seventeen-minute speech proves what THIS AMERICAN LIFE listeners already know: Ira Glass knows how to frame - and tell - a compelling story.

Glass is touring the country this summer and fall with his "Reinventing Radio" presentation. If you love THIS AMERICAN LIFE, you'll want to put this date on your calendar. Tickets go on sale to the public June 1 through The Kentucky Center box office.

89.3 WFPL & The Kentucky Center present

"Reinventing Radio": An Evening with Ira Glass

Host/Creator of This American Life

Saturday, October 6, 8 pm

Brown Theatre on Broadway

Ticketing information

"SHINE" from BILLY ELLIOT The Musical

"Give it the old razzle-dazzle and shine" is the advice Billy Elliot's hard-knock dance teacher imparts to her students. There are plenty of light-hearted moments in this musical. PNC Broadway in Louisville presents BILLY ELLIOT at Louisville's Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts June 26 - July 1. Tickets start at $22.75. Click here for ticketing information and event details.

Elton John discusses writing the music for Broadway musical BILLY ELLIOT

In this interview with Katie Couric, Sir Elton John talks about how he became involved in writing music for the Broadway version of BILLY ELLIOT after falling in love with the movie.

Elton wrote the music in only two weeks - starting with lyrics first, his tried-and-true method whether he writes for Rock, Pop or Broadway. "I write in binges, three or four songs a day, but I only write a few times a year - and I look forward to doing it."

His Broadway successes prior to working on BILLY ELLIOT include writing music for award-winning shows LION KING, AIDA, and LESTAT. Elton explains that BILLY ELLIOT was especially poignant for him because his own father never approved of his decision - or recognized his success - as a Rock n Roll performer. "Within each of us there is someting creative and if you have art, it can ease the pain of any terrible situation."

PNC Broadway in Louisville presents

BILLY ELLIOT

June 26 - July 1

The Kentucky Center, Whitney Hall

Online ticketing and details

Based on the Academy Award-nominated 2000 film of the same title, BILLY ELLIOT is the story of its namesake star, a young boy in a depressed working-class mining town in the North of England.

Set during the history-making 1984 miner’s strike, the show follows Billy, the youngest child of a blue-collar family that has recently lost its Mum, as he discovers his unlikely and extraordinary gift for ballet.

While Billy’s father and brother take to the picket lines of the violent and life-changing strike, Billy secretly begins to study the art of dance with the help of a hard-drinking, chain-smoking local dance teacher.

But as Billy blossoms and thrives, the world and lives around him continues to wither—and his only escape may be the prestigious Royal Ballet School, a place no working-class boy has ever gone, or been allowed to go to, before.

Recommended for audiences age 13+ due to mature language.

Brandi Carlile scheduled to perform at Iroquois Amphitheater Aug. 11. Tickets on sale May 18.

Please note this event is not ticketed by The Kentucky Center.

91.9 WFPK Rock 'n Stroll featuring
BRANDI CARLILE
with Special Guest
Saturday, August 11, 8 pm
Iroquois Amphitheater
Gates open at 6:30 pm

Video: "Dreams" [Austin City Limits Festival, 2011]

Singer-songwriter BRANDI CARLILE has spent the better part of the last decade on tour, bringing her music to an ever-expanding audience. Along the way, she has shared stages with such artists as the Dave Matthews Band, Ray LaMontagne, and The Avett Brothers, and garnered acclaim for her recordings “The Story” (2007) and “Give Up The Ghost” (2009).

Known for her remarkably expressive vocal style, Carlile will release new music in June. “BEAR CREEK” veers off into new musical territory, fusing classic rock ‘n roll, folk, bluegrass, and “pure soul” in a distinctive new sound.

This concert is part of a larger event, the 91.9 WFPK Rock ‘n Stroll, a 5k walk to benefit Louisville Public Media. Louisville Public Media is a non-profit organization that operates 89.3 WFPL, 90.5 WUOL, and 91.9 WFPK. See details below or visit www.wfpk.org/rock-n-stroll/.

Public On-Sale May 18: These events go on sale to the general public Friday, May 18, at 10 a.m. $40 Walk & Concert ticket (Preferred reserved seating, free t-shirt) and $30 Concert-only ticket, reserved seating. Tickets are available via www.TicketFly.com, by phone (877-4-FLY-TIX), or in-person at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, M-F.)

Co-produced by The Kentucky Center and Production Simple.

Did we take your picture? Sharing shots from the 6th Annual Da 'Ville Classic Drumline Showcase

 

The Kentucky Center and River City Drum Corp hosted the 6th Annual Da 'Ville Classic Drumline Showcase in Whitney Hall in April.

Drumlines, marching bands, dance teams and cheering squads were featured in this celebration of the Historically Black College and University tradition.

 

Local musicians and dancers were able to strut their stuff in a high-energy environment. The event also serves as a recruiting platform for regional schools, including Kentucky State University.

View more highlight photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kentuckycenter/sets/72157629771472128/

 

Last episode of iconic THE COSBY SHOW aired 20 years ago today! See Bill Cosby in Louisville May 12.

The final episode of THE COSBY SHOW aired 20 years ago today! Bill Cosby, as Dr. Cliff Huxtable, was the patriarch of a very active, creative and tight-knit clan that made their way into millions of homes via the beloved sitcom over a period of eight award-winning years.

Where are they now? Read this article and find out!

And if you're a fan of Bill Cosby's storytelling and gentle humor, consider seeing him perform live at The Kentucky Center on May 12. Good seats are still available.