Topeka Civic Theatre "Next to Normal" preview by Bill Blankenship

Although it is as far as a Broadway musical can get from its historic feel-good fare, those who see Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy’s Studio Series production of “Next to Normal” should leave feeling better having explored a subject that touches far more lives than any of us care to admit — mental illness.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Capital City Chorus preview by Bill Blankenship

At least three generations of singers will be represented on stage when the Capital City Chorus presents its spring concert Saturday.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Fabulous Jules Verne Film Festival preview by Bill Blankenship

The Fabulous Jules Verne Film Festival will celebrate the novelist whose 19th century fiction became 20th century fact. The festival, organized as a successor event to the Godzilla & Friends Film Festival, will open Friday and continue Saturday in Room 112 of the Henderson Learning Resources Center on the campus of Washburn University at the northeast corner of S.W. 10th and Jewell Avenue. Admission is free.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Graham Dechter Quartet review by Check Berg

In a season of not-to-be forgotten performances, the high voltage Graham Dechter Quartet lit up the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 S.E. 6th, with a luminescence surely observable from galaxies far, far away.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Topeka Symphony hires Kyle Pickett as new conductor

The Topeka Symphony Orchestra has appointed Kyle Wiley Pickett as its conductor and music director. The hiring, which was announced Saturday night at the conclusion of the symphony's 2012-13 season finale, ended a months-long national search that began when John W. Strickler, director for 23 years, resigned at the end of the 2011-12 season.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Home-schooled students win national vocal music competition

A group of Topeka home-schooled teenagers won top honors at a recent national vocal music competition, but members of the ensemble say it is the friendships they forged that will mean the most to them in the years to come.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Topeka Civic Theatre "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" review by Lizzi Crystal

“Why is it so hard for people to talk?” This is the question at the heart of Topeka Civic Theatre and Academy’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” running now through May 4 in the Sheffel Theatre.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Ballet Midwest "Coppelia" preview by Bill Blankenship

For its spring program, Ballet Midwest will present a fairy tale about a boy who falls in love with a life-size mechanical doll he thinks is a girl, which makes the boy’s fiancee so jealous that she pretends to be the doll so they can live happily ever after.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal
and the cast list

Kansas Youth Chorale, Christ the King Church preivew by Bill Blankenship

The Kansas Youth Chorale will cap its successful third season with a concert Sunday night. The program will begin at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 5973 S.W. 25th. Tickets are free for children 12 and younger and $10 at the door or $8 in advance for everyone else.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Helen Hocker Theater 2013-2014 Season by Bill Blankenship

“Shrek The Musical” will kick off an eight-show 2013-14 season at Helen Hocker Theater. The season announcement was made Tuesday evening at a Business After Hours event coordinated by the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Ambassadors staged a ribbon-cutting acknowledging the new management of the Gage Park venue by Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Bill Maher interview by Sara Shepherd

Bill Maher is coming to Kansas this week. You know, the state where everyone thinks life begins at, “Hey, there’s this guy I want you to meet.” The unequivocal liberal comedian and host of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” had barbs at the ready when we interviewed him by phone from his Los Angeles office this week.

more at the Lawrence Journal World

Bill Maher interview by David Hudnall

The last time Bill Maher was in this part of the Midwest, the cretins at the Westboro Baptist Church drove down to Springfield to protest his stand-up show. Saturday, Maher is making it even easier on those trolls: He's performing in their hometown, at the Topeka Performing Arts Center. The Pitch chatted with the liberal comedian and host of HBO's Real Time With Bill Maher.

more at the Pitch

Topeka Civic Theatre "No Dogs Allowed" review by Lizzi Crystal

Based on the children’s book by Sonia Manzano (best known as Maria on “Sesame Street”), this is a Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy production of the story of Iris, an 8-year-old girl who lives with her family and beloved dog, El Exigente.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Washburn Honors Concert preview by Bill Blankenship

The musical skills of four Washburn University students have earned them spots on the music department’s annual honors concert.

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Nikki Renée Daniels "Summertime" performance with the Topeka Festival Singers

Broadway star Nikki Renée Daniels sang "Summertime" from The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess at Topeka Festival Singers' March 2013 concert.

 more at Broadway World

Make-up artist Marie Shereman interview by Carolyn Kaberline

Although Marie Shereman is quick to tell people she is “truly afraid of blood, needles, pain, knives and such,” that fear doesn’t extend to her work with special effects makeup. There she “loves blood and guts.”

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Musician Joe Schoonover interview by Michael Goehring

Growing up around people who loved to play music, it was only natural for Joe Schoonover to become a musician, too.

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Jan Allan Zarr takes over Topeka Performing Arts Center

Jan Allan Zarr said he is excited to begin as executive director for the Topeka Performing Arts Center. Zarr is coming to Topeka with his fiancee to assume his duties in mid-April for VenuWorks Inc., which based in Ames, Iowa.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

WTCT Players "War of the Worlds" preview by Bill Blankenship

An Oct. 30, 1938, radio broadcast that caused thousands of listeners to panic because they believed it was news of a Martian invasion will be one of the scripts the WTCT Players will present Sunday at Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Barbara Wiggins steps down as director of Topeka Performing Arts Center

Barbara Wiggins has faced numerous challenges in the seven years she has served as executive director for the Topeka Performing Arts Center, including city funding cuts. But Wiggins hasn’t backed down and continues to garner support for TPAC even though her stint as executive director will end Wednesday.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal