Interview: Josh Piven, Author of the Play 'No Reservations'

Writer Josh Piven

By A.D. AMOROSI

Josh Piven, Philadelphia native and the author behind The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, gives playwriting a go with No Reservations, a work debuting this weekend in his hometown at the Adrienne Theater’s Skybox on Sansom Street. Though Jesus isn’t the focus of the New York Times best-selling humorist’s satirical Nativity play – a social media-savvy look at celebrity obsession - don’t let that stop you from griping. "I encourage protesting," says Piven. "We’d love the publicity."
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You have read this article Adrienne Theater / Allison Heishman / books / Brandon Pierce / interview / Josh Piven / Muddled / music / No Reservations / Philadelphia PA / Reformation / theater / Theater Alliance / Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/interview-josh-piven-author-of-play.html. Thanks!

Philadelphia Restaurant Ela Upgrades Bar with New Cocktail Program

A trio of cocktails from Ela in Philadelphia

By GLAMOROSI

Ela, the Philadelphia restaurant owned by chefs Jason Cichonski (seen this year on Bravo TV's Top Chef ) and Chip Roman is already known for innovative, elegant dishes. Now, mixologists Maria Polise and Zachary Svoboda have designed a cocktail program to equal Ela's creative cuisine.
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Meek Mill Holds 1st Annual 'A Dreamchaser’s Thanksgiving' in Philly

Meek Mill

By A.D. AMOROSI

Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill may be busy in the studio recording his second album and playing shows with pal and label boss, Rick Ross, but this schedule won’t stop him from giving back. This week, Mill is in Philly hosting his first annual "A Dreamchaser’s Thanksgiving," November 26 and November 27. "I’m blessed to be in a position where I can make sure that as many people as possible have a meal on Thanksgiving, so that they can be with their loved ones to enjoy the holiday," says Mill in a press statement.
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You have read this article A Dreamchaser's Thanksgiving / Dreams and Nightmares / food / food and drink / Maybach Music Group / Meek Mill / music / Philadelphia PA / Rick Ross / Thanksgiving with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/meek-mill-holds-1st-annual-dreamchasers.html. Thanks!

Bruce Springsteen to Release New 'High Hopes' Album in January [VIDEO]

Bruce Springsteen will release High Hopes in January 2014

By A.D. AMOROSI

The New Year will barely have begun when Bruce Springsteen releases his new, quite unexpected album, High Hopes, on January 14, 2014. Rather than being a full album of new tunes from "The Boss," the Columbia label LP will feature one new tune (the title track), cover songs, studio outtakes and re-recordings of longtime Springsteen favorites. "This is music I always felt needed to be released," Springsteen said in a Shore Fire PR press statement on November 25. The video for the debut single "High Hopes" was also released that same day (watch below).
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You have read this article Bruce Springsteen / High Hopes / Lilyhammer / music / Rage Against the Machine / records / Steven Van Zandt / The Boss / Tim Scott McConnell / Tom Morello / track listing / video with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/bruce-springsteen-to-release-new-hopes.html. Thanks!

Interview: Choreographer Matt West from 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast'

The cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, a show choreographed by Matt West

By GLAMOROSI

The stage production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film of the same name, launched on Broadway in 1994. Since then, the beloved musical has been seen in over 13 countries, moving audiences with the story of Belle and Beast (a prince trapped in a beast's body) and musical numbers like "Be Our Guest" and the title song. The original team behind Beauty and the Beast is back together for a new touring production of the show that will stop at Philadelphia's Academy of Music from Tuesday, November 26 through Sunday December 1. We interviewed choreographer Matt West about Beauty and the Beast, his long association with Disney, and what dancers need to land the best jobs.
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You have read this article Academy of Music / Beauty and the Beast / Broadway / choreographer / dance / Disney / film / film and tv / interview / Kimmel Center / Matt West / music / Philadelphia PA / Shanghai Disneyland / theater with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/interview-choreographer-matt-west-from.html. Thanks!

'Chasing Nashville' Recap S1 E5 No Place Like Home: Autumn Goes to Prom

Autumn Blair, stepmom Pam and dad J from Chasing Nashville

By GLAMOROSI

On season 1, episode 5 of Chasing Nashville titled "No Place Like Home," the aspiring country singers adjust their strategies after hearing producer Keith Thomas' critiques of last week's open mic performances. Some stay in Nashville, but a few head home, including Autumn who temporarily leaves to go to prom. In the week between Chasing Nashville episodes 4 and 5, the show disappeared from Lifetime TV's lineup. Viewers took to social media to ask, "What happened to Chasing Nashville?, " and got the answer when cast members Tweeted that the show was cancelled, and also encouraged fans to contact Lifetime and Tweet the hashtag #SaveChasingNashville. For now, we'll continue to recap Chasing Nashville as the episodes become available.
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You have read this article Autumn Blair / Brett Manning / Chasing Nashville / country music / Deanna Walker / film / film and tv / Helena Hunt / Julia Knight / Keith Thomas / Lauren Marie Presley / Lifetime / music / recap / Savannah Little with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/nashville-recap-s1-e5-no-place-like.html. Thanks!

'Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition' Season 2 Finale: McKaylee Wins

McKaylee True, winner of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition Season 2

By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), Gianna won the Group Dance Challenge, and along with her mom Cindy, got to assign the competition solos. They played it well in terms of strategy, but their competitors AND Abby Lee Miller were unhappy with their choices, and the judges advanced all four girls to the next round. So, the AUDC season 2 finale (episode 12) begins with a Final 4, but Kalani is eliminated after the first challenge, and only the Top 3 - Gianna, McKaylee and Trinity - compete for $100,000 and a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School of New York. Judges Rachelle Rak and Richy Jackson perform, as does Dance Moms star Maddie Ziegler. In the end, McKaylee True is named the winner of Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition.
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You have read this article Abby Lee Miller / Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition / audc / dance / film / film and tv / Gianna / Kalani / Matt Cady / McKaylee / Rachelle Rak / Richy Jackson / Tarua Hall / Tessandra Chavez / Top 3 / Trinity / Victor Rojas with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/ultimate-dance-competition-season-2.html. Thanks!

Interview: Katelyn Prominski, "Flashdance – The Musical" Touring Company

Katelyn Prominski, currently on tour with "Flashdance - the Musical"

By GLAMOROSI

Thirty years ago, the movie Flashdance galvanized legions of dreamers to "Take your passion and make it happen," and launched a fashion movement (legwarmers and off-the-shoulder sweatshirts). In 2008, "Flashdance – the Musical" premiered in the UK, bringing the character of Pittsburgh, PA steelworker Alex Owens and her quest for a dance career to life for theater-goers. In 2013, a touring company brought the show to audiences in the US, and now, "Flashdance – the Musical" stops at Philadelphia's Academy of Music from November 19-24. We interviewed cast member Katelyn Prominski, a former member of the Pennsylvania Ballet, about the show, life on the road, ambition, and her sage advice for young dancers.
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You have read this article Academy of Music / ballet / dance / film / film and tv / Flashdance / Flashdance the Musical / George Balanchine / interview / Katelyn Prominski / Kimmel Center / music / Philadelphia PA / Suzanne Farrell Ballet / theater with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/interview-katelyn-prominski-musical.html. Thanks!

Eminem's 'Marshall Mathers 2' First Week Sales Numbers and Tour Rumors

Eminem

By A.D. AMOROSI

The verdict is in on Eminem’s new, long awaited Marshall Mathers 2 album, and by all press and audience standards, it’s a hit, selling 792,000 copies in its first week of release. Eminem hasn’t toured since his last album, Recovery, came out in 2010, so the big question that remains is, when is he hitting the boards? We have the answer to that, or at least a rumor we heard, about the Eminem Tour 2014.
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'Chasing Nashville' Recap - S1 E4 Surprise Showdown: Open Mic Night

Julia Knight and Lauren Marie Presley, stars of Chasing Nashville on Lifetime

By GLAMOROSI

When we last saw the crew from Chasing Nashville, four of the girls had been invited to Nashville to work with producer Keith Thomas, and two of them – Autumn Blair and Savannah Little – faced off in a karaoke duet of "Falling Slowly" from Once. This week on Chasing Nashville season 1, episode 4, titled "Surprise Showdown," the aspiring country music stars must prove they can write and sing their own songs by performing at an open mic night. Keith is expecting Autumn and Savannah, and also Helena Hunt and Julia Knight, but is surprised when Lauren Marie Presley shows up to perform.
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You have read this article Autumn Blair / Chasing Nashville / country music / Deanna Walker / Falling Slowly / film / film and tv / Helena Hunt / Julia Knight / Keith Thomas / Lauren Marie Presley / Lifetime / music / recap / Savannah Little with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/nashville-recap-s1-e4-surprise-showdown.html. Thanks!

'Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition' S2 E11: No One Eliminated, Top 4 Safe

Rachelle Rak, Richy Jackson and Abby Lee Miller from AUDC season 2

By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), JoJo Siwa, this year's youngest contestant, was eliminated. This week on AUDC season 2, episode 11 titled "Down the Rabbit Hole," the final four contestants compete under an Alice in Wonderland theme, the skill the judges are looking for is "characterization," and the Group Dance Challenge winner gets to assign all of the competition dances.  Gianna wins, and along with her mom Cindy, they assign their competition styles that aren't their best. There are cries of sabotage, but in the end, it's a move that benefits them all; the judges decide to move everyone in the Top 4 to the finals, so no-one is eliminated.
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You have read this article Abby Lee Miller / Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition / Alice / audc / dance / film / film and tv / Gianna / Kalani / Matt Cady / McKaylee / Rachelle Rak / Richy Jackson / Tarua Hall / Tessandra Chavez / Top 4 / Trinity / Victor Rojas with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/ultimate-dance-competition-s2-e11-no.html. Thanks!

'Chasing Nashville' Season 1, Episode 3 Recap: Welcome to Music City

The cast of Lifetime TV's docu-series Chasing Nashville

By A.D. AMOROSI

For Chasing Nashville season one, episode three, the young singers who placed in the finals of the Hillbilly Days vocal competition head to Nashville, Tennessee to work with producer Keith Thomas. Each of them has obstacles to overcome: Savannah Little's parents disagree about spending money on a coach; Helena Hunt doesn’t want a makeover; Autumn Blair isn’t keen on taking vocal lessons; Julia Knight and her mom Gina have to deal with momager Lana, who invites herself and her daughter Lauren Marie Presley to attend their private session at Thomas' studio.
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You have read this article Autumn Blair / Brett Manning / Chasing Nashville / country music / Falling Slowly / film / film and tv / Helena Hunt / Julia Knight / Keith Thomas / Lauren Marie Presley / Lifetime / music / recap / Savannah Little with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/nashville-season-1-episode-3-recap.html. Thanks!

'Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition' Divas in the House: JoJo Eliminated

JoJo and her mom Jessalynn on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition season 2

By GLAMOROSI

Previously on Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (AUDC), we were moved to tears when judge Rachelle Rak used her "Callback Card" to save Trinity from elimination. So, this week on AUDC season 2, episode 10, titled "Divas in the House," there are still five contestants vying for $100,000 and a full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School of New York. For this round the theme is "Divas," and the skill the judges are looking for is "performance." Asia Monet Ray, the youngest dancer and breakout star on AUDC season 1 and cast member on Dance Moms season 3, makes a guest appearance in a dance-off. Things don't go well for season 2's youngest contender though: this week, JoJo is eliminated.
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You have read this article Abby Lee Miller / Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition / Asia Monet Ray / audc / dance / film / film and tv / Gianna / JoJo / Joyce Chittick / Kalani / McKaylee / Q Pittman / Rachelle Rak / Richy Jackson / Trinity / Victor Rojas with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/ultimate-dance-competition-divas-in.html. Thanks!

SliCE Adds New Seasonal Pizzas and Fresh Donuts to Fall Menu

Jeff Yank, General Manager at SliCE Pizza's Italian Market location in Philly

By GLAMOROSI

SliCE owners Jason and Marlo Dilks have already mastered the art of gourmet pizza, and now for Fall 2013, they are refining and redefining their menu. SliCE Pizza, with its three locations (Rittenhouse Square and the Italian Market in Philadelphia, PA; Washington Township in Sewell, NJ) has upped its game by adding several new seasonal pizzas to their menu, and they are now offering something sweet: handmade donuts with chocolate sauce.
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You have read this article donuts / food / food and drink / Italian Market / Jason Dilks / Jeff Yank / Marlo Dilks / Philadelphia PA / pizza / pizzeria / review / Rittenhouse Square / Sewell NJ / SliCE Pizza with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/slice-adds-new-seasonal-pizzas-and.html. Thanks!

Nancy Glass Productions Films New Cooking Show at Pat's Steaks in Philly

Nancy Glass Productions cooking show set at Pat's Steaks in South Philadelphia

By A.D. AMOROSI

On a warm and windy Friday night in South Philadelphia’s Italian Market area, three amateur chefs and three notable names from the local food scene – Frank Olivieri, Michele Pulaski, and Pete Ciarrocchi – assembled at Pat’s Steaks to film the pilot of a cooking show that will be shopped to all major networks. The brains behind the shoot was none other than Nancy Glass, a veteran on-air personality (the syndicated Evening Magazine) and producer (shows such as Bubba-Q and Get Trucked).
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Universal Warrior Fantasy Hair Competition Showcases Philly Salons

The Universal Warrior Fantasy Hair Competition benefits City of Hope

By GLAMOROSI

This weekend in Philadelphia, PA, City of Hope – one of the nation’s top cancer research hospitals and treatment centers – celebrates its COH Hair Ball, now known as Universal Warrior: Fantasy Hair Competition, at Voyeur nightclub in Philly's Midtown Village. Area salons will compete with their best creations, all with a futuristic theme, for prize packages worth over $5000. The contest will be judged by a panel of Philadelphia media and celebrities, and will feature a performance by Brittany Lynn’s Drag Mafia.
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You have read this article A.D. Amorosi / beauty / Brittany Lynn / City of Hope / Drag Mafia / Fantasy Hair Competition / fashion / Gina Gannon / Glamorosi / Josh Middleton / Philadelphia PA / Tony Bruno / Tony Luke Jr. / Universal Warrior / Zach Lashway with the title November 2013. You can bookmark this page URL https://greatwall0.blogspot.com/2013/11/universal-warrior-fantasy-hair.html. Thanks!