Bowfire is a "total string experience" - a performance featuring the finest lineup of fiddle and violin virtuosos ever assembled on stage - and it's coming to The Bushnell on January 29 for one performance only! We had a chance to touch base with Bowfire creator and musical director, Lenny Solomon, about the show:

What was it like filming the PBS special (in Spring 2007)?

An amazing experience for us all. It started in a small rehearsal room with a director and a choreographer for a week. We then moved into a theater for rehearsals and for adding production elements like sets and lights, adding many people who work with those elements for a week, and then into the performance venue, adding the TV crew, the HD trucks and the recording truck. Hundreds of people ended up working on our show. I think the results show that it is a big and beautiful show. It just exploded for us.

Any funny show moments or "on tour" stories?

During rehearsals for the DVD, we were in a rehearsal theater for a week and the local crew stagehands could not find the "off" heat switch. It was 100 degrees and we were all sweating it. Funny now - hot then.

What do you love about Bowfire, and why is it a must-see event?

The fact that all us violinists and fiddlers share our music with each other is an incredible and gratifying experience. This fact elevates all our performances as we try to do our best for each other and the audiences, who pick up on the excitement we generate from the stage. Bowfire is a new direction in performance for strings combining styles and excellence. It is sensational virtuosity.

Anything else the audience needs to know?

Don't be afraid to bring anybody to this show.

Although the beginning of our new season is eight months away, we are very busy here at The Bushnell booking shows for next season. What would you like to see on our stages? Any particular show, comedy act, dance troupe, orchestra, family programming, or anything else you'd like to see in Mortensen Hall or the Belding Theater? Let us know - we'd love to hear from you!

We are excited to kick off 2008 with The Producers, which opens tonight in Mortensen Hall! There is no better way to kick the wintertime blues than with a hilarious Mel Brooks musical. Are you planning to see the show? If you have, what did you think?

First off - we are so excited that so many of you are posting comments to our blog entries. We are thrilled that our Bushnell Blog is one of the most active blogs of theaters of our type across the country! Thank you for helping us make it so successful - and please keep all of your comments coming!

We have made a small change. You may notice when you comment again that your posting won't immediately pop up until it has been approved by our moderator. We have been hit pretty hard with spam-style comments, and to make sure none of those comments actually make it to the blog, we are now making this small change.

Just know that no matter what you - the true performing arts fan - have to say, it will definitely make it to our blog!

Thank you all so very much for taking advantage of the opportunity to talk to us through our new Bushnell Blog. We read, discuss and otherwise consider your postings everyday in hopes of doing an even better job bringing you the best the industry can offer. We will be announcing the 08-09 Broadway Series[very soon and will eagerly await your reactions!

The topic of repeat titles is very timely. Clearly, some folks love ‘em; some folks are less keen. Historically, The Bushnell (and colleague theatres) has been limited in their choices to the titles Broadway producers put on the road. Recently, however, The Bushnell has taken a very proactive role in changing that paradigm. The results of these efforts – brand NEW shows - are making their way to stages in New York and Chicago this season. If things go as planned, we will start to see these shows hit Broadway in the 08-09, 09-10 seasons, and therefore play The Bushnell shortly thereafter. For more details I would encourage you to read our president’s message in our annual report here (scroll to the bottom to download the PDF).

For you lovers of the classics, fear not. We will continue to strive for a healthy balance between the new and the time-honored.

For you lovers of the latest and greatest, fear not. We will also stay committed to representing your taste and interests “at the table.”

See you at The Drowsy Chaperone in February!

Scott Galbraith, VP Programming

We are always looking for ways to showcase the performances coming up at The Bushnell - and we are very excited to debut our new movie player on our bushnell.org homepage! Please take a minute to watch the promo about a very funny musical coming February 19-24, The Drowsy Chaperone, and let us know what you think!

The music of a great American folk artist came to life this week with Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver. Did you see the show? What did you think?