Arena Stage News

The Arena Stage Board of Trustees has announced that it has renewed the contracts of Artistic Director Molly Smith and Managing Director Edgar Dobie for five additional years with the theater.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company announces the Winter/Spring 2012 schedule for Happenings at the Harman, a free programming series offered Wednesdays at noon held in the Forum in Sidney Harman Hall (610 F St. NW).

Disappearing Inc. has announced that the world premiere of SMOKE AND MIRRORS, written and performed by Albie Selznick, produced by Michelle Grant and directed by Paul Millet and Bettina Zacar is EXTENDING through Sunday, December 18 at the Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth Street in Santa Monica.

A play that certainly deserves the title: much ado about nothing!

Anna Deavere Smith's latest production, Let Me Down Easy airs on THIRTEEN's Great Performances Friday, January 13 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present the World Premiere of Invisible Man, adapted from Ralph Ellison's novel by Oren Jacoby, and directed by Christopher McElroen.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater's Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle will be transformed into a mystical place of wonder and amusement, with a dash of ridiculousness, with Elephant Room, featuring semi-pro conjurors Dennis Diamond, Daryl Hannah and Louie Magic.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, will present Black Pearl Sings! by Frank Higgins, directed by Steve Scott.

Edward Gero and Patrick Andrews star in Red at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, produced in association with Goodman Theatre. John Logan's Tony Award-winning play ran at Goodman Theatre September 17-October 30, 2011, including a weeklong extension due to popular demand. Now bringing his production to Arena Stage for its D.C. premiere is Tony Award winner and Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls (Broadway's Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey into Night, Talk Radio). Red runs January 20-March 4, 2012 in the Kreeger Theater. Check out production shots below!

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and Broadway producer Alicia Keys will host talkback discussions following the STICK FLY performances next week on Monday, December 19th and Thursday, December 22nd at the Cort Theatre (138 W. 48th Street). STICK FLY is written by Lydia R. Diamond and directed by Kenny Leon.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will present the world premiere of THE TOTAL BENT, with book and lyrics by Stew and music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, beginning on Tuesday, February 14.

Anna Deavere Smith's latest production,Let Me Down Easy airs on THIRTEEN's Great Performances Friday, January 13 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings). Originally presented at Long Wharf Theatre, the play received its New York premiere at Second Stage Theatre. The Great Performances production was recorded inFebruary 2011 in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in Washington, D.C., launching a national tour that concluded in September.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company welcomes former STC Associate Director PJ Paparelli who will direct and put a new twist on Shakespeare's earliest romantic comedy, The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

City Theatre begins the New Year with Through The Night, a poetic one-man show written and performed by Daniel Beaty. Through the Night runs January 14 - February 5, 2012 on City Theatre's Main Stage, with an Opening Night Performance on Friday, January 20 at 8 p.m.

STICK FLY, written by Lydia R. Diamond, directed by Kenny Leon, and produced and with original music by Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Alicia Keys, was featured this morning on ABC's 'Good Morning America.' Host Robin Roberts visited Alicia Keys and the cast at the Cort Theatre (138 W. 48th Street) to talk about this exciting new production that opened last week. Click here to watch the full interview. STICK FLY producers also announced today that a new block of tickets has been made available for purchase. The show is now on sale through February 28th.

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present the regional premiere of An Iliad, adapted from Fagles' translation of Homer's Iliad by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell.

The Record gives Broadway performers an outlet to discuss their solo music. We love and support our favorite stage performers but this will be your first chance to really find out what their music is all about. You can learn about their CD's, concerts, influences, upcoming projects and much more. Broadway performers are officially now on The Record. Our fifth subject is fan favorite, Alice Ripley, who closes in MCC's WILD ANIMALS YOU SHOULD KNOW December 11 and is playing a concert show, Daily Practice (named for her eponymous sophomore album), at the Laurie Beechman Theatre through December 16.