Arizona Theatre Company News

?Artists, arts-related organizations, advocates and business leaders representing tourism and economic development will gather at the Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., for the 29th annual Arizona Arts Congress from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., today, Feb. 3.

The Geffen Playhouse announces the cast for its West Coast premiere production of Conor McPherson's The Night Alive, helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney. This production will feature Paul Vincent O'Connor (August: Osage County at the National Theatre, London), Fiona O'Shaughnessy (Utopia), Dan Donohue (The Lion King on Broadway), Denis Arndt (Basic Instinct), and Peter O'Meara (Band of Brothers).

?Artists, arts-related organizations, advocates and business leaders representing tourism and economic development will gather at the Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., for the 29th annual Arizona Arts Congress from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Arizona Theatre Company has added two additional performances to the world premiere production of Emmy Award-winning writer Rick Cleveland's Five Presidents.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer) and The Amas Musical Theatre Lab will present staged readings for the New York premiere of I Am, I Will, I Do, a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Dan Manjovi. Directed byChristopher Scott with Musical Direction by Steven Gross, the readings will be held on Monday, February 9th at 6pm and Tuesday, February 10th at 3pm & 7pm at Shetler Studios - Penthouse.

?Arizona Theatre Company's Theatre in the Park at Zazu Pannee, 1502 E. Osborn Road, presents a free 30-minute performance of selections from the zany musical comedy whodunit, Murder for Two, from tonight, Jan. 7, 2015.

Enduring Arizona Theatre Company's current production of Murder for Two is like watching two cute hamsters incessantly rolling on a wheel, keeping pace with its speed but going nowhere fast. It's curious, but, in the end, unsatisfying. While Joe Kinosian and Ian Lowe make a great team and are, each in his own way, versatile and immensely talented performers, this murder mystery musical whodunnit s laborious.

Dallas Theater Center heads back to the Kalita Humphreys Theater with The Book Club Play by Karen Zacarias. Meredith McDonough, who previously worked on the new hit musical Fly By Night, returns to make her DTC directorial debut in this comedy about books and the people who love them. The Book Club Play begins previews tonight, January 1, 2015 with a Pay-What-You-Can performance and runs through Sunday, February 1.

Six Valley theatre companies will exchange tickets purchased for Actors Theatre productions before the 29-year old organization announced that it is ceasing operations.

?Arizona Theatre Company's Theatre in the Park at Zazu Pannee, 1502 E. Osborn Road, presents a free 30-minute performance of selections from the zany musical comedy whodunit, Murder for Two, from Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.

In a continued outpouring of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, more than 30 additional artistic directors have signed the open letter that was issued yesterday in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years.

Dallas Theater Center heads back to the Kalita Humphreys Theater with The Book Club Play by Karen Zacarias. Meredith McDonough, who previously worked on the new hit musical Fly By Night, returns to make her DTC directorial debut in this comedy about books and the people who love them. The Book Club Play begins previews on Thursday, January 1, 2015 with a Pay-What-You-Can performance and runs through Sunday, February 1.

Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to announce a special autism-friendly performance for its critically-acclaimed, holiday musical, Elf. Paper Mill Playhouse will offer this special autism-friendly performance of Elf today, December 23, at 1:30pm. This performance is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities.

In an unprecedented display of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, an open letter has been issued in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years. The letter, released earlier today represents the views of top theater brass from coast-to-coast, who believe that his dismissal was an act of politically motivated censorship in retaliation for Roth's choice to produce and publicly defend challenging and provocative work.

Rattlestick Playwrights and LaiLou Productions have announced that the world premiere of Shesh Yak, written by Laith Nakli and directed by Bruce McCarty, will begin previews Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, west of Seventh Avenue South. The official opening night is set for Thursday, January 29, 2015. The production will play through Sunday, February 22, 2015.

Paper Mill Playhouse released a block of great seats today for its holiday musical, Elf, for the week following Christmas. Expanded availability includes performances from December 27, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf has a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Elf is directed by Eric Ankrim and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. Elf runs eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through January 4, 2015. Elf has been playing to many sold-out houses since November 26. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.

Arizona Theatre Company (ATC) has put together a terrific New Year's Eve package that includes a choice of delicious dinner entrees at Arizona Center's Canyon Cafe and 1130 The Restaurant, tickets to Off-Broadway's zany musical comedy whodunit, Murder for Two, and a pre-show champagne-and chocolate reception at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, from 6:30 to 7:30. The curtain goes up at 7:30.

The Geffen Playhouse announces the cast for its West Coast premiere production of Conor McPherson's The Night Alive, helmed by Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Randall Arney. This production will feature Paul Vincent O'Connor (August: Osage County at the National Theatre, London), Fiona O'Shaughnessy (Utopia), Dan Donohue (The Lion King on Broadway), Denis Arndt (Basic Instinct), and Peter O'Meara (Band of Brothers).

The Old Globe today announced it will present the Second Annual New Voices Festival, a weekend of readings of new American plays by professional playwrights, this weekend, December 12 - 14, 2014.

A cop who plays by the rules, dreaming of making detective, and his suspects deliver a full 90 minutes of a madcap fun evening of theatre -- and this is all pulled off by two actors.