Brno, Czech republic – three years after its lauded premiere, the National Theater in Brno’s production of handel’s Alcina has returned home, elevated to new heights thanks to the addition of internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano magdalena Kožená. Already a critical darling following a accomplished tour of european
Grand Rapids Moviegoers Face a Full Slate of New releases This Holiday Weekend
Grand Rapids audiences have a diverse range of film options this Thanksgiving weekend, from action and drama to animated adventures and musical adaptations. Several new titles are hitting local theaters, alongside continuing runs of popular films.
The holiday moviegoing season is a key period for the film industry, offering a chance for both blockbuster releases and smaller, critically acclaimed films to reach a wide audience. Here’s a look at what’s playing in Grand Rapids theaters:
Currently in Theaters:
* “WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025″
* “The Thing With Feathers”
* “Andhra king Taluka“
* “Aftershock: The Nicole Bell Story”
* “Another Sweet Christmas”
* “Wicked: For Good” – Starring Cynthia erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, this film explores the backstory to “The wizard of Oz.” It currently holds a 70% Tomatometer rating and a 95% Popcornmeter on rotten Tomatoes.
* “Rental Family” – Brendan Fraser stars in this coming-of-age drama about an American actor working for a Japanese “rental family” agency. It has an 88% Tomatometer rating and a 96% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.
* “Zootopia 2″ – The animated sequel follows Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde as thay investigate a new case in Zootopia. It premieres in theaters on Nov. 26.
New Releases This Week:
* “Wildcats” with kate Beckinsale, premiering Nov. 25.
* “Eternity” with Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen, premiering Nov. 26.
* “Tinsel Town” with Kiefer Sutherland, premiering Nov. 28.
Movie theater chains with Grand Rapids locations include list of chains not provided in source]. More information on new releases can be found at[https://wwwimdbcom/calendar/[https://wwwimdbcom/calendar/[https://wwwimdbcom/calendar/[https://wwwimdbcom/calendar/.
Sèvremoine Residents Prepare for Absurdist Comedy “Mission Florimont“
the Théâtre & Co association’s January Troupe is gearing up to premiere its latest production, “Mission Florimont,” a comedic play promising a journey into the delightfully chaotic world of playwrights Sébastien Azzopardi and Sacha danino. Rehearsals are currently underway at the Saint-Martin theater in Torfou, with performances scheduled for January 24th, 2026, running through February 1st, 2026.
This production marks another chapter in the january Troupe’s commitment to providing accessible theater to the Sèvremoine community and offering a dynamic training ground for amateur actors. The troupe, formerly known as the “Young Adult Troupe,” consistently refreshes its repertoire, ensuring both performers and audiences experience a diverse range of theatrical styles. Director Noël Mongeais emphasizes this dedication to variety, stating, “This year, the troupe is tackling the crazy and absurd world of Sébastien Azzopardi and Sacha Danino. We will take the public alongside the knight Florimont on a secret and perilous mission.”
Comprised of 8 actors aged between 18 and 50, the January Troupe is one of four active groups within the Théâtre & Co association, alongside the Workshops, the March Troupe, and the Traveling Troupe. mongeais intentionally selects plays spanning genres – from classical works to detective stories, farces, and tragicomedies – to challenge the troupe’s skills and provide fresh entertainment for local theatergoers.
Plauen & Zwickau, germany – The Theater Plauen-Zwickau is grappling with a severe financial crisis, facing projected deficits of €1.5 million for 2024, a further €1.6 million in 2025, and €1.2 million in 2026. While current financial reserves and emergency aid from the Free State of saxony,and also the cities of Plauen and Zwickau,can temporarily offset these losses,a long-term solution remains elusive,raising the specter of potential bankruptcy.
The financial strain stems from rising personnel, energy, and material costs, a situation city officials acknowledge was foreseeable. To address the crisis,both Plauen and Zwickau commissioned a savings plan from the Munich-based cultural consulting firm “Actori,” aiming to identify potential cuts while maintaining current funding levels.
However, the path forward is proving contentious. The Zwickau city council rejected the austerity package in October, opting to allow the theater management to independently determine savings measures - a decision welcomed by Theater Managing Director Sandra Kaiser. The Plauen city council, though, did approve a resolution based on the Actori plan, which proposes cutting 21 jobs, implementing an in-house collective bargaining agreement for staff, and generating revenue by renting out theater buildings during off-peak times.
“We now need to discuss how the two resolutions in Plauen and Zwickau will be implemented,” Kaiser stated to MDR KULTUR. “Both cities must now negotiate a solution.” She described the proposed job cuts as “severe,” noting they would impact employees already working overtime. “I don’t know how that can work,” she added, expressing concern about the theater’s future offerings. “It certainly won’t be affordable on that scale.”
Theater director Dirk Löschner echoed these concerns, explaining to MDR KULTUR that in-house collective bargaining agreements are typically temporary fixes. He also indicated that the 21 job cuts outlined in the Plauen resolution could be just the beginning, potentially rising to “45 to 55 jobs” in the future.
The diverging approaches of the two city councils highlight the challenges facing the Theater Plauen-Zwickau as it navigates a precarious financial situation. the future of the regional theater, a important cultural institution for both Plauen and zwickau, hinges on a unified solution and challenging decisions regarding its operational structure and workforce.
Tom Hanks‘s Stage presence in ‘This World of Tomorrow‘ Sparks Debate on Celebrity and Performance
New York, NY – Tom Hanks’s current role in the play This World of Tomorrow at The Shed is prompting discussion about the role of movie stars in live theater and the nature of performance itself. While audiences flock to see familiar faces like Kristin Chenoweth and Laurie Metcalf on stage, Hanks’s presence has raised questions about whether asking established film actors to perform conventional plays is necessary-or even desirable.
The production, running through December 21, has ignited a conversation about stripping away theatrical conventions. A recent review suggests a radical option: foregoing scripts, directors, and ensembles entirely, and instead presenting hanks in silent, illuminated stillness for two hours, transforming the experience into a form of secular pilgrimage or “sacramental theater.” The core argument centers on the idea that Hanks’s star power alone is sufficient, and that the act of witnessing him as Tom Hanks is the performance itself, shifting the focus from his acting to the audience’s own reverence and interpretation.
NEW YORK, NY – Tom Hanks, celebrated for decades as Hollywood’s quintessential “nice guy,” is facing lukewarm reviews for his performance in the new Broadway play This World of Tomorrow, currently running at the Hayes Theater. While lauded for his presence, critics suggest the production suffers from sluggish pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a frustrating withholding of key plot points, including a pivotal reveal about his character’s origins.
The play, which opened April 29th, centers on Bert, portrayed by Hanks, a man grappling with a mysterious connection to Carmen (Kelli O’Hara), a woman haunted by a past she can’t quite grasp. A central, and ultimately unseen, element of the narrative is Bert’s identity as a time-traveling scientist - a revelation the script deliberately avoids presenting directly to the audience. This narrative choice, alongside a perceived lack of depth in supporting characters, has led reviewers to question the play’s two-hour-plus runtime and overall impact.
Despite the criticisms leveled at the script, several elements of the production have been praised. Kelli O’Hara’s performance as Carmen is consistently highlighted as a standout, bringing “a sage edge” to the role. Derek McLane’s innovative set design, utilizing vertical-pillar projections to evoke the atmosphere of 1939, and Dede Ayite’s period-appropriate costuming also receive positive attention. Though, these strengths are deemed insufficient to overcome the play’s basic structural issues.
Reviewers from The Daily Beast note the play’s “dreary circling of character and themes,” and its failure to capitalize on potentially dramatic moments. The production’s deliberate omission of Bert’s time-traveling confession is particularly frustrating, leaving audiences feeling shortchanged. This World of Tomorrow marks Hanks’ return to the Broadway stage after a 23-year absence, and while his presence undoubtedly draws audiences, the play itself appears to be struggling to deliver a compelling narrative experience.
