Movie star Terrence Howard, who made his Broadway debut this past season in the all-black cast revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, has just released his debut album Shine Through It. Howard, who has often played musicians in the movies, wrote, arranged, and produced all eleven tracks in the CD. He played an aspiring rapper in the 2005 film Hustle and Flow, earning and Oscar nomination for his performance, and was seen over the summer in the popular movie Iron Man.

Terrence Howard

Congratulations to Connie McEwen and musician extraordinaire George Caldwell, who got married on August 10. Mr Caldwell is serving as musical conductor for the show Ella now running at the GeVa in Rochester through October 12th. He was just nominated for a Chicago Jeff Award for musical direction for a different production of Ella, which ran last year at the Northlight Theatre. Mrs. Caldwell is serving as the first director of communications and community relations for the re-named Theatre Alliance of Buffalo (TAB).

Congratulations also to Jeff Denman and Erin Crouch, who got married on August 17 in New York City. Denman is heading back to Broadway in November to star in the musical Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Ujima Theatre Company is celebrating its 30th birthday in grand style on September 27 with a special performance of the musical In De Beginnin’ at 7pm, preceded by a party at 5:30 and followed with an after party at 8:30. In De Beginnin’, which runs September 19-November 16, was first presented by the company in 1989 and was brought back for an extended run in 1998. Beverly Dove returns as the “Lawd,” Rodney Appleby as the “Rev,” and Phil Knoerzer as the “Debil.”

Road Less Traveled Productions begins its New Play Workshop Readings on Monday, September 22, with The Alpha Geek by Alex Livingston, directed by Kyle LoConti. The series continues on October 6 with Christopher LaBanca’s Unwritten, directed by Jon Elston. The readings take place at 7:30pm in the company’s theater, located inside the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center.

After almost 30 years, Mary Kate O’Connell returns to Theatre of Youth to appear in their production of Madeline’s Christmas which opens on December 12. Prior to that, TOY will present The Boxcar Children (October 10-31) starring Arlene Clement, Tim Newell, Linda Stein, and Bill Schmidt.

Torn Space kicks off its season on October 24 at the Adam Mickiewicz Dramatic Circle with Dan Shanahan’s Area. The company will also present The Fastest Clock in the Universe by British playwright Philip Ridley (March 5-29), and Endwords directed by Vincent O’Neill, starring David Oliver. Endwords, adapted by Vincent and Chris O’Neill from the works of Beckett, was first presented back in 1990 by the Irish Classical Theatre Company.

Jay and Bob Desiderio are bringing back their much loved and well remembered dinner theater to Desiderio’s Restaurant in Lancaster. Neil Simon’s God’s Favorite will be presented September 25-November 2 starring John Buscaglia, John Kreuzer, Debra Spragge, and Dolores Mendolia. The restaurant is located at 5827 Broadway.

American Repertory Theater will present the classic Kaufman and Hart comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner November 29-December 20 at TheaterLoft. Directed by Jeanne Cairns, the production will star Chris Standart, Jim Maloy, Kathleen Betsko Yale, Darleen Pickering Hummert, and Lisa Ludwig.

Prior to that, Lisa Ludwig will star as Sister Aloysius in the BUA production of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doubt, by John Patrick Shanley. The play opens October 3 at the Alleyway Theatre. Doubt also stars Arianna Boykins, Katie White, and Louis Colaiacovo (pictured below with la Ludwig).