Arena Stage News

The March on Washington for Gun Control will present a Benefit reading of a Newtown documentary theater piece 26 Pebbles by Eric Ulloa on August 24 at 8:00 p.m. at Arena Stage at the Mead Center of American Theater directed by Molly Smith. This is a stirring new play that explores the power of community in the face of the tragedy in Newtown, CT.

One of the capital's most beloved annual traditions, the Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) Free For All, and one of William Shakespeare's most beloved plays, A Midsummer Night's Dream, are coming together for a major milestone: Free For All's 25th anniversary. Ethan McSweeny directs a revival of his 2012-2013 STC production, which will run September 1-13 at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW).

Stephen Sondheim's macabre musical thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street receives its highly anticipated San Francisco Opera premiere in a production featuring a cast of notable operatic stars and performed with Sondheim's original score for the lyric stage.

'Artaud Artaud' is a 'cruel not-masterpiece in one act' written by Matthew Minnicino, directed by Jake Beckhard and perfomed by Artilliers performing company. The play is a comitragic carnival that centers around the godfather of the avant-garde theater, Antonin Artaud. It is a merciless parody of the sensibilities of Artaud's manifesto 'Theatre of Cruelty' and a sympathetic, semi-obsessive portrait of its greatest proponent and his somewhat dual nature. It is a faithful biopic written into a biting satire, yet is at its heart an homage to the messiness of creativity. 'Artaud Artaud' will have its world premiere September 1-15 presented by Theater for the New City's 2015 Dream Up Festival.

BroadwayWorld has learned that writer and director Randy Johnson (A Night With Janis Joplin -- Broadway and currently at Pasadena Playhouse) has obtained the stage rights to Gayle Wald's biography SHOUT, SISTER, SHOUT!: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ROCK-AND-ROLL TRAILBLAZER ROSETTA THARPE (Beacon Press, 2007). Johnson is currently in discussion with producers and regional theatres to present and produce SHOUT, SISTER, SHOUT! for the 2016/17 season.

The world premiere of Karen Zacarias' DESTINY OF DESIRE runs September 11-October 18, 2015 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The company just kicked off rehearsals, and BroadwayWorld has photos from their meet-and-greet below!

"If life is a bowl of cherries, what am I doing in the pits?" Erma Bombeck, the award-winning humorist and syndicated columnist known for her wry and humorous take on family life, is the subject of the newest project from twin-sister journalists and playwrights Allison Engel and Margaret Engel-the world-premiere drama Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End debuting at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The Engels reunite with director David Esbjornson (Arena Stage's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) following their collaboration on the smash hit Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins, which starred Kathleen Turner in its celebrated 2012 run at Arena Stage.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Carlos Gomez, an original cast member of Broadway's IN THE HEIGHTS, has replaced Geoffrey Rivas as 'Ernesto del Rio' in the world premiere of Karen Zacarias' DESTINY OF DESIRE, running September 11-October 18, 2015 at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater.

San Francisco Playhouse opens the seventh season of its Award-Winning Sandbox Series with the dynamic world premiere of Lila Rose Kaplan's 1 2 3.

Continuing its ongoing efforts of supporting the development of new musicals and plays under its SigWorks program, Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA is currently workshopping SCKBSTD by Grammy Award-winning composer/lyricist Bruce Hornsby, lyricist Chip deMatteo and book writer Joe Calarco (Shakespeare's R&J, Walter Cronkite is Dead) based on an original book by Clay McLeod Chapman (rest area, The Tribe Trilogy). The workshop will culminate in an invitation only presentation.

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced that Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes (Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Bonnie and Clyde), Corey Cott (Newsies,Gigi) and Tony Award winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, 42nd Street) will star in the theater's world-premiere musical The Bandstand .  

With over 50 million copies sold worldwide, John Gray's 1992 NY Times Best-Seller, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus is one of the most read self-help books in the world, helping men and women enrich their personal relationships. Celebrated playwright Eric Coble (Broadway's The Velocity of Autumn) has adapted Gray's principles into a hysterical and inspiring night of theatre called … Men are from Mars -- Woman are from Venus LIVE!  

The Muny announced today the cast for its production of Oklahoma! (August 10 -16) directed by Rob Ruggiero, choreographed by Susan Stroman and music directed by Kevin Stites. Ginger Thatcher will restage Ms. Stroman's choreography.

Community Matters is a series of free events presented in partnership between People's Light and numerous local organizations to spark dialogue about vital issues in our community. Performed readings of new plays are the centerpiece of each evening. They are followed by a discussion with the artists, community partners, and special guests.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces artist additions for the 2015/16 season, with select cast and creative team members announced for Destiny of Desire, Oliver!, Sweat and All the Way as part of the theater's 66th season.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long have announced that Hamlet In Bed, written by Michael Laurence and directed by Lisa Peterson, will begin previews Friday, August 28, at 8pm at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place.  Joining Mr. Laurence in the cast is Annette O'Toole.  The official opening night is set for Thursday, September 10; the production will run through Sunday, October 25.

Community Matters is a series of free events presented in partnership between People's Light and numerous local organizations to spark dialogue about vital issues in our community. Performed readings of new plays are the centerpiece of each evening. They are followed by a discussion with the artists, community partners, and special guests.

Do not miss a summer surprise of this poignant and provocative new musical.

Old Log Theatre's 2015/16 season opens with the regional premiere of Eric Coble's new dramatic comedy THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN. This two person play takes place in a simple Brooklyn brownstone; 79-year-old Alexandra lives a solitary existence with her fleeting memories and is at an impasse with her family over how she should spend her autumn years.  Alexandra's long-absent son enters as a most unlikely mediator, to try and save his mother's life as much as his own. Funny and sweet, aching and revelatory, this perceptive play reveals both the fragility and ferocity of life.

George Street Playhouse announced today that award-winning vocalist MAUREEN McGOVERN will make a special appearance at the New Brunswick theatre on Wednesday, September 16 at 8pm.  Joined on stage by her music director JEFF HARRIS, Ms. McGovern will offer selections from her newest show and upcoming CD, Sing, My Sisters, Sing!