Ars Nova News

Previews begin tonight, May 13 at 8PM for the Playwrights Horizons world premiere production of Indian Summer, a new play by Gregory S. Moss (Reunion; punkplay; Billy Witch; La Brea; Orange, Hat & Grace; House of Gold).

Ars Nova, New York's incubator for boundary-pushing theater, is pleased to announce the line-up for its 9th Annual ANT Fest, which features new work from 42 trail-blazing artists over a four-week festival, June 6-30. This celebration of new, independent live entertainment is a prime destination for an eclectic mix of brand new shows from some of the most intrepid, adventurous artists in New York City.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return  to OASIS (298 Eleventh Street, San Francisco CA) on Saturday, May 28 at 7:00 PM after three packed shows last year. The Meeting* has been called "delicious and delightfully droll" by The New York Post and "hilarious and sardonic" by The Village Voice. A story for Slate.com called the evening "so deliciously icy that it left me shivering with fear and delight." The New York run of The Meeting* - currently running monthly at Joe's Pub at The Public Theater - has been sold out since the New York Times "Arts & Leisure" piece ran last September. Tickets are $20 and are available at SFOasis.com.

The Drama League today announced the new team to replace longtime artistic director Roger T. Danforth, who departs the storied company this summer. Travis LeMont Ballenger has been named to the newly created position of Associate Producer, and Sherri Eden Barber will assume the role of Program Director. Gabriel Stelian-Shanks will see his position expanded to the role of Executive Artistic Director

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents the latest cabaret performance from Amy Jo Jackson, host of the 54 Concert Lab and Mrs. Peacock from the 30th Anniversary Reading of CLUE..

Theater J will bring playwright Anna Ziegler back to DC with the insightful, wry drama, Another Way Home, which plays June 23 through July 17, 2016. Another Way Home, directed by Shirley Serotsky, follows the Nadelman parents (Rick Foucheux and Naomi Jacobson) at summer camp visiting day which quickly turns into a family emergency. Their son Joey (Chris Stinson), is nowhere to be found and they are left wondering - where has he gone, why is their marriage lacking, and what might have happened if they had taken a different path. Join us as we transform Theater J into Camp Kickapoo and discover a little bit more about the strangers we all live with - our family.

Artistic Director Robert Lyons presents the 23rd annual OBIE Award-winning Ice Factory Festival. Ice Factory 2016 takes place at New Ohio Theatre, located at 154 Christopher Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets in New York City. Ice Factory 2016 will present seven new works over seven weeks, running from June 29 - August 13, 2016.

A friendly reminder! Previews begin next Friday, May 13 at 8PM for the Playwrights Horizons world premiere production of Indian Summer, a new play by Gregory S. Moss (Reunion; punkplay; Billy Witch; La Brea; Orange, Hat & Grace; House of Gold).

Tonight, May 7, Brooklyn band Sky-Pony will hit the stage at NYC's Mercury Lounge. Freddy Hall & The Best Intentions will open.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents the American professional premiere of the new musical THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, written by Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy. Performances take place tonight, May 6, through May 21, 2016.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) presents HADESTOWN, written by celebrated singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell and developed with and directed by the inventive two-time OBIE award-winning director Rachel Chavkin (Three Pianos; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812).

Lesser America (The Bachelors, Carnival Kids, Trevor) will present HALF MOON BAY by Dan Moyer. It is directed by Jess Chayes (AD of Peter and The Starcatcher) starring Keilly McQuail (You Got Older, Her Requiem) and Gabriel King (These Seven Sicknesses). Previews begin May 12 at Cherry Lane Theatre, where Lesser America is the inaugural Company in Residence. Opening set for Thursday, May 19.

Alice Ripley, Nathan Lee Graham, Gay Marshall, Carol Lipnik, Rob Maitner and Gabrielle Stravelli have joined the cast of the sixth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre. The event will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan) on Monday, June 6.

SPARKLE & CIRCULATE with JUSTIN SAYRE -- the official monthly podcast of the International Order of Sodomites - has posted its new episode, which features an interview with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Alaska 5000, who discusses her time on the hit Logo TV reality show, her debut album and the current 'Battle of the Seasons' tour.

Diversionary Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow, presents the daring new musical The Boy Who Danced On Air with Book and Lyrics by Charlie Sohne, Music by Tim Rosser, featuring direction by Tony Speciale, choreography by Nejla Yatkin, and musical direction by Cris O' Bryon.  

Barrett Foa, acclaimed star of stage and screen, brings his one-man show, Grin and Barrett, to Feinstein's at the Nikko for two performances only - Friday, June 24 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, June 25 (7 p.m.). After seven seasons of spouting intricate tech geekery on the hit CBS television show, 'NCIS: Los Angeles,' the star of Broadway's Avenue Q, Mamma Mia!, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and off-Broadway's Buyer & Cellar will present an evening of pride, desperation, and show-offsmanship in a one-man cabaret that is sure to be... an hour long! Produced by Andrew Carlberg, Grin and Barrett is directed by Christopher Youngsman and features choreography by Rene?e Felice Smith and musical direction and arrangements by David O. Tickets for Barrett Foa range in price from $45-$65 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com.

Led by Founding Artistic Director Katherine Kovner and Producing Director Roberta Pereira, The Playwrights Realm is pleased to announce its 2016-17 10th anniversary season. Over the past decade, The Realm has continually produced work by brave new voices and worked to introduce new initiatives to expand its commitment to providing holistic support to playwrights as they strive to make a life in the arts.

The New Group has announced additional guests for post-show talkbacks at The Sensuality Party, with playwrights Thomas Bradshaw (Burning, Intimacy) and Erika Sheffer (Russian Transport) joining in the conversation at Brooklyn College following the 7:00pm performances on May 2 and May 3, respectively, and Wallace Shawn (Aunt Dan and Lemon, The Fever, Marie and Bruce) joining at LaGuardia Community College following the 2:30pm performance on May 11.

In Episode 410 of 'Something New' -- a musical theatre podcast that interviews artists and premieres original songs -- award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Lauren Ruff, a musical theatre performer, filmmaker, voice-over artist, and teaching artist.