Arena Stage News

Broadway's Leslie Kritzer joins the cast of Rick Crom's Off-Broadway musical revue NEWSical the Musical beginning Sept. 8. Internet gossip columnist Perez Hilton was announced last week as joining the cast of the long-running show.

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

The Royal Wedding. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Olympic Games and Ceremonies. Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates our "love affair" with all things British with Private Lives, an elegant and sophisticated comedy by Sir Noel Coward which previews September 5 and opens Saturday, September 8 at the theatre's intimate home in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. A co-production of Rubicon The Royal Wedding. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Olympic Games and Ceremonies. Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates our "love affair" with all things British with Private Lives, an elegant and sophisticated comedy by Sir Noel Cowar, opening tonight, Saturday, September 8 at the theatre's intimate home in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. A co-production of Rubicon and Laguna Playhouse, Private Lives runs Wednesdays through Sundays through September 30. Get a first look at the cast onstage below! Laguna Playhouse, Private Lives runs Wednesdays through Sundays through September 30. Get a first look at the cast onstage below!

Opening Mixed Blood Theatre's 37th season is the winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama, NEXT TO NORMAL, described as 'a breathtaking rock production that reveals one family's struggle with mental illness.' Artistic Director Jack Reuler directs the powerhouse musical, which was also nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, opens October 5 and runs through November 11 at Mixed Blood's historic firehouse theatre on the West Bank, 1501 S. Fourth St. in Minneapolis.

ROCKIN' WITH THE AGES & THE PINK LADY present the World Premiere production of THE BEAT GOES ON! A Musical Celebration of the Young at Heart, featuring musical direction by David O, and written, choreographed and directed by Ovation Award-winner Cate Caplin.

Clay Steakley and Jennifer Richmond will take on the roles of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald this fall as Actors Bridge Ensemble presents the world premiere of Bill Feehely's Outside Paradise, November 9-18 at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre. Outside Paradise follows the life and love of literary legends F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald through the jazz age and into infamy. Funded by a Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission Creation Grant, this new work examines the volatile passion, deep commitment and remarkable work of this iconic pair and their closest confidants.

The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents and marketing firms, will hold another in its series of seminars focused on the culture, business and history of Off Broadway this Sunday, September 9th.

Kathleen Turner, an iconic film and stage star and chair of Planned Parenthood's Board of Advocates, will speak about reproductive rights and the state of women's health during a National Press Club luncheon today, Sept. 6.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Brian Beirne to the newly created position of Managing Director of 59E59 Theaters.

The Washington Stage Guild celebrates its 27th Season with its distinctive repertory, an array of eloquent plays of idea and argument, passion and wit-smart theatre for a smart town. As always, The Washington Stage Guild's 2012-2013 season will include four productions of plays that delight and challenge audiences with wit, insight, and truth. There are always lessons to be learned in these great works, and the plays of the Stage Guild's 27th season revolve around the complex relationship between teacher and student, mentor and disciple, expert and novice, when the inevitable happens and the pupil takes flight. Three plays by a trio of the greatest writers the world has known-Dante, Shaw, T.S. Eliot-will be joined by the DC premiere of a recent Off-Broadway hit by the Englishwoman Karoline Leach.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that Red Dog Howls, written by Alexander Dinelaris and directed by Ken Rus Schmoll, begins performances tonight at 7pm at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is scheduled for Monday, September 24 at 7pm. Award-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant (Angels in America, Wit) returns to New York Theatre Workshop in a landmark role, joining Florencia Lozano and Alfredo Narciso in the cast of this New York premiere.

This October, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, an ancient tale comes roaring back to life in a compelling new telling filled with contemporary wit and wisdom. The clash of swords and shields, the broken hearts and broken oaths, the bonds of friendship and family - An Iliad arises on a bare stage, told by an old man who's seen too much. Two-time Obie Award-winner Lisa Peterson directs a stunning show that stars Henry Woronicz, who masterfully captures the grief and glory of the battle for Troy.

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents a San Diego premiere of The Underpants, adapted by Steve Martin and written by Carl Sternheim. The show begins previews tonight, September 5th through 7th and continues September 8 through 30, 2012.

Celebrated vocal coach Michael Maresca and choreographer Cassie Abate join the musical theatre faculty at Texas State University. Maresca will head musical theater voice and Abate will be the head of musical theatre dance. Texas State's musical theatre program has risen to national prominence since Broadway veteran Kaitlin Hopkins took the helm in the fall of 2009.

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

Since reuniting in 1991, the band (now a quintet) has toured hundreds of cities and countries worldwide and continuously reach new audiences with their stellar string of classics, all easily dubbed "Good Time Music." This chart-topping group, which was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, features three of the original band members-Steve Boone, Joe Butler and Jerry Yester- together with Mike Arturi and Phil Smith. They close out the Spencer Theater's summer season with an evening of good time music tonight, September 1 at 8 p.m.

Alice Ripley won a Tony Award for her leading role in the recent Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next to Normal, and was a Tony-nominee for Sideshow on Broadway. This Labor Day weekend, she joins the star-studded lineup of Broadway at The Art House in Provincetown, today, Sept 1 & tomorrow, Sept 2 for three shows only. Series host Seth Rudetsky joins her at piano. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com or call 508-487-9222.

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents a San Diego premiere of The Underpants, adapted by Steve Martin and written by Carl Sternheim. The show begins previews September 5-7 and continues September 8 through October 7, 2012.