Ars Nova News

Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler announced today a two-week extension of its smash hit Bad Jews, now running through June 21 at the company's home in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. Immediately after, Wit will transfer Bad Jews to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie's 318-seat space for a summer remount, June 26-July 19.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is proud to announce the lineup for the 10th annual First Look, a program dedicated to new play development, August 11 - 16, 2015 in the Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Providing an early look at works-in-progress from some of the most dynamic playwrights in the field, First Look develops new plays for future production at Steppenwolf and other theaters across the country. Since its inception in 2005, First Look has developed 14 plays that have received subsequent world premiere productions at other theatres, as well as Sex with Strangers by Laura Eason, which premiered on the Steppenwolf stage.

Michael Feinstein, Molly Pope, John Early and Jonah Verdon will join the previously announced headliners Melissa Errico, Liz Callaway, The Skivvies, Michael McElroy, Lauren Worsham, Cyrille Aimee, Rachel  York, Adam Kantor, Randy Graff, Kim David Smith, Danielle Grabianowski, Julie Hill, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson to headline the fifth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - on Monday, June 1. The Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan). Called "a rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert" by The Wall Street Journal, "Night Of A Thousand Judys" will honor the iconic Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer. There will be a pre-show VIP reception at 6:30 PM and the performance at 8:00 PM.

In Episode 314, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with performer and songwriter Kate Steinberg.

SPACE on Ryder Farm, a nonprofit artist residency program announces its 5th season. Housed on Ryder Farm in picturesque Brewster, NY, SPACE will host over 150 artists as they develop 75 projects.

Original ensemble members, Michael Winther, Kimberly Grigsby, Shane Shanahan are joined by cellist, Peter Sachon as they reunite with Pulitzer prize-winning lyricist, Mark Campbell and many of the composers for a special one-night-only concert event, celebrating the ten year anniversary of Songs from an Unmade Bed, the critically acclaimed, theatrical song cycle originally produced off-Broadway by New York Theatre Workshop in 2005.

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the West Coast premiere of an exciting new American play, Rich Girl, by acclaimed playwright Victoria Stewart, continuing the Globe's 80th Anniversary festivities as part of the Balboa Park Centennial Celebration. Rich Girl will be directed by James Vasquez (Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show), and will play May 23 - June 21, 2015, in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

City Theatre announces the lineup for this year's two-day Momentum festival, featuring new works by returning favorites Jessica Dickey and Keith Reddin.

Artistic Director Hal Brooks has announced that the 21st Season of the Cape Cod Theatre Project will feature staged readings of new work by Lucas Hnath, Laura Jacqmin, Kevin Armento, and actor-turned-playwright Ryan King. The 2015 Season, the fourth under Mr. Brooks' leadership, runs weekends from July 2 through July 25, 2015 in Falmouth, MA.

Rady&Bloom Collective Playmaking, presenting the World Premiere of The Upper Room, co-written and co-directed by Jeremy Bloom and Brian Rady, with music composed and performed by Catherine Brookman (Broadway revival of Hair), running May 22 - June 12, 2015. Previews begin May 22 for a May 28 opening.

Kathy Evans, Founding Executive Director of Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, announced the 17 writers and 8 new musicals selected for the fifth summer of weeklong retreats. For eight consecutive weeks beginning July 5th, each writing team will have a residency in Rhinebeck, New York. Writers are provided a private home, transportation, food, and a $400 stipend. This year's writers include Obie winner Kirsten Childs, Tony nominee Elizabeth Davis, and 2015 Jonathan Larson award-winners Charlie Sohne, Tim Rosser, and Sam Willmott, who also just won the Kleban Prize. 

THE OTHER THING, written by Emily Schwend and directed by Lucie Tiberghien, makes its world premiere at Second Stage tonight, May 21, following previews from May 12. The production runs through June 7, 2015.

Starsky + Cox - the couple named "Psychics to the Stars" by Vanity Fair, known for their international best-selling book Sextrology - will bring this season's premier installment of  STARRING - A Midsummer's Evening of Entertaining Enlightenment to Joe's Pub at The Public Theater on Sunday, June 21 at 7:00 PM for the summer solstice.

The New York Drama Critics' Circle previously named Between Riverside and Crazy, by Stephen Adly Guirgis, best play of the 2014-15 season. Hamilton was named best musical. The selections were made at the organization's 80th annual voting meeting, at the offices of Time Out New York in Manhattan. The awards were presented at a private cocktail reception last night, May 19. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the special celebration below!

The New York Drama Critics' Circle previously named Between Riverside and Crazy, by Stephen Adly Guirgis, best play of the 2014-15 season. Hamilton was named best musical. The selections were made at the organization's 80th annual voting meeting, at the offices of Time Out New York in Manhattan. The awards will be presented at a private cocktail reception tonight, May 19.

The American Theatre Wing and the Village Voice just announced the winners of the 60th Annual OBIE Awards.

FRESH PRODUCE'd L.A. returns tonight, May 19th at 8 p.m. at Moth Theater Company, located at 4359 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029. The series runs the third Today of each month, featuring three new short plays or excerpts of plays from three new writers.

Original ensemble members, Michael Winther, Kimberly Grigsby, Shane Shanahan are joined by cellist, Peter Sachon as they reunite with Pulitzer prize-winning lyricist, Mark Campbell and many of the composers for a special one-night-only concert event, celebrating the ten year anniversary of Songs from an Unmade Bed, the critically acclaimed, theatrical song cycle originally produced off-Broadway by New York Theatre Workshop in 2005.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announces nine awards granted from their National Fund for New Musicals, a major funding program to support NAMT member not-for-profit theatres in their collaborations with writers to create, develop and produce new musicals. Now in its seventh year, the Fund will provide grants totaling $46,000 to ten organizations across the country.

The Skivvies, Cyrille Aimee, Adam Kantor, Julie Hill, Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson will join the previously announced headliners Melissa Errico, Liz Callaway, Michael McElroy, Lauren Worsham, Rachel  York, Randy Graff, Kim David Smith and Danielle Grabianowski for the fifth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre - on Monday, June 1. The Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan). Called "a rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert" by The Wall Street Journal, "Night Of A Thousand Judys" will honor the iconic Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer. There will be a pre-show VIP reception at 6:30 PM and the performance at 8:00 PM.