News briefs: Kennedy documentary, new seasons for Out Front and Act3, more

A new documentary about John F. Kennedy’s assassination titled Inside the Warren Commission will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting June 26 at 10 p.m. Directed and produced by Atlanta filmmaker William VanDerKloot, the film is presented by the University of Georgia libraries and will feature archival footage, White House telephone recordings and interviews. 

“The program features some notable Atlantans,” VanDerKloot told ArtsATL. “It is narrated by news anchor Monica Pearson and features a segment with former CNN President Tom Johnson, where he discusses his scoop on the FBI’s secret Oswald note.”

A national broadcast is planned for November to acknowledge the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination.

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Jennie T. Anderson Theatre earns Telly award 

Jennie T. Anderson Theatre’s streaming production The Wild Party earned honors for Best Long Form Entertainment in the 44th annual Telly awards, which pays tribute to excellence in video and television across all screens. 

Cobb Parks and Jennie T. Anderson Theatre produced The Wild Party as part of the theater’s third season of concert musicals. Featuring a cast of 13 actors and nine musicians, it streamed June 17 through June 19, 2022.

 “Our goal was to create a hybrid of live theater and filmmaking unlike anything seen in Atlanta theater,” said Managing Director Jono Davis in a press release. “We are very honored our work is being seen on this level. We have Cobb Parks to thank for its support, along with our patrons, who made this show the best-selling streaming product yet.”

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Out Front and Act3 Productions announce new seasons

Out Front Theatre announced its 2023-24 season, opening in October with The Prom and followed by anticipated productions such as the Southeast premiere of Snowgirls – The Musical and the Georgia premiere of At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen.

“Every season we strive to produce the best queer-focused shows to ensure we have a wide range of thought-provoking works and entertainment that let audiences both think and escape,” said Out Front Producing Artistic Director Paul Conroy in a press release. “This season, I’m excited that we’re running the

gamut from a play written by one of queer theatrer’s most legendary authors to contemporary writers that are pushing the boundaries with their work.”

In Sandy Springs, Act3 Productions will open its 2023-24 season in September with the musical comedy Xanadu and continue with Perfect Arrangement, written by Atlanta playwright Topher Payne;  I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; and Lend Me a Tenor. 

“I’m delighted to see Perfect Arrangement returning home to Atlanta,” Payne told ArtsATL. “Selfishly, my husband has never seen a production of the play, so this is really convenient for us. I’m saddened by its continuing relevance — the play takes place in 1950, and I keep hoping for a story about the persecution of LGBTQ Americans to become a historical artifact. We obviously aren’t there yet. I’m grateful to Act3 for giving their time and talent to join in the fight.”