Ars Nova News

In Episode 207 of 'Something New', award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with actor and playwright Matthew-Lee Erlbach (www.matthew-lee.com).

The Jeff-Recommended world premiere of Laura Jacqmin's Do-Gooder will extend through Saturday, March 1 at North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn. Directed by Artistic Director Ann Filmer, Do-Gooder is the first show in 16th Street's Season Seven 2014: How to Be Good.

Entertainment Weekly writes that the producers of off-Broadway's NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 are planning a film adaptation of the interactive, operatic stage spectacle and will launch a Kickstarter campaign this coming Tuesday, February 11, to help fund the venture. The goal is currently set for $500,000.

IAMA Theatre Company has announced the Los Angeles premiere of The Recommendation, written by Jonathan Caren and directed by Laura Savia, at Theatre Asylum in Hollywood. Opening is set for tonight, February 8 at 8pm. The Recommendation will play a limited engagement through March 9 only.

For the first DG Conservatory of the new year, the Dramatists Guild is thrilled to team up with the writers who created Behind the Music-al, Kyle Ewalt and Michael Ian Walker, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Dramatists Guild's New York office, in the Frederick Loewe Room, 1501 Broadway (between 43rd and 44th Streets), Suite 710. This free seminar is opening a limited number of seats to the public and reservations are required.

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of FRIEND ART by Sofia Alvarez, directed by Portia Krieger. The cast includes Greg Keller, Jessica Love, Arian Moayed and Cassie Paras.

Greg Edwards & Andy Sandberg's acclaimed two-actor, 30-character comedy about travel agents and the people they serve, Craving for Travel, now making its world premiere at the Peter J. Sharp Theater (416 W. 42nd Street, NYC), will close as scheduled this Sunday, February 9. The play is commissioned and produced by Jim Strong, one of America's leading luxury travel agents, and directed by Sandberg.

Actors Theatre of Louisville Artistic Director Les Waters and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein have announced the three ten-minute plays chosen to premiere during the 38th Humana Festival of New American Plays (February 26 - April 6, 2014). This year's ten-minute plays are Winter Games by Rachel Bonds, Some Prepared Remarks (A History in Speech) by Jason Gray Platt and Poor Shem by Gregory Hischak.

Slant Theatre Project has announced that the next live episode of ON THIS ISLAND, their ongoing live theatrical podcast series, will be staged and recorded at Ars Nova, 511 West 54th Street in NYC on Tuesday, February 25th, 2014 at 8pm.

Playwrights Horizons presents the New York premiere production of STAGE KISS, a new play marking the eagerly-awaited return of two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl (Dead Man's Cell Phone at PH; The Clean House, In the Next Room...) to the theater company. Directed by Rebecca Taichman (Milk Like Sugar at PH; the current Marie Antoinette, Orlando, The Scene, Luck of the Irish), the production begins previews this evening, February 7 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Sunday, March 2 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday evening, March 23 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will continue its three-month engagement at JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater on Sunday, February 16 at 9:30 PM with a celebration of stage and screen star Bernadette Peters. After a highly-successful run at 54 Below, the show has returned to its downtown roots for an exciting Winter/spring season. The Meeting* has been called 'delicious and delightfully droll' by The New York Post, and 'hilarious and sardonic' by The Village Voice. A recent story for Slate.com called the evening 'so deliciously icy that it left me shivering with fear and delight.' The February show will feature special guests Karen Mason, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Carole J. Bufford, Gabrielle Stravelli, Connor Donahue and Carlo Maria. Tracy Stark serves as Musical Director.

The Los Angeles Premiere of the critically acclaimed DERBY DAY written and directed by Samuel Brett Williams opens Saturday, February 22nd at 8 PM. There will be two previews on February 20th and February 21st. at 8 PM. The show runs Thursday's, Friday's and Saturday's through March 22nd at the Elephant Theatre (6322 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, 90038). Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.plays411.com/derbyday or by calling 323.960.7779.

Celebrate Valentine's Day in 19th century Russia with Natasha, Pierre and a love letter of your very own. GREAT COMET ticket-holders for performances beginning Tuesday, February 11th through Sunday, February 16th, can submit text in advance, which will be hand-written and delivered as beautifully as they were in 19th century Russia. Prior to the performance you are attending, visit www.greatcometof1812.com to write your love letter, and it will be hand-delivered to your table at the show. Tickets are on sale now at Telecharge.com for all performances through Sunday, March 2, 2014.

Tony® Award nominee Annaleigh Ashford just brought her one woman show, Lost In The Stars, to 54 Below, and will soon return for an encore performance (February 15 at 11pm). From the haunting melodies of Kurt Weill and Stephen Sondheim, to the heyday of disco melodies, Ashford's Lost in the Stars pays tribute to the rich history of Studio 54. With story and song, this classic evening of cabaret has a touch of fun with a whole lot of heart. Tickets for Annaleigh Ashford - Lost in the Stars at 54 Below range from $25-$45, and are on sale now at www.54below.com.

Ars Nova announces a February and March lineup featuring exciting new comedy, music and theater programming.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the third annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series. The series will celebrate seven critically-acclaimed seasons of Roundabout Underground productions. Roundabout Underground Reading Series is a five night event that will include a nightly reading of a new play written and directed by an emerging artist.

WICKED will welcome new cast members to the Broadway blockbuster beginning Tuesday, February 25. CHRISTINE DWYER will assume the role of Elphaba, after recently performing the role on National Tour, and JENNI BARBER (The Nance, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) will assume the role of Glinda.

Hartford Stage is now accepting applications from high school student writers, actors, rappers, dancers, musicians, poets and artists to create and perform an original theatre piece as part of Project: Transform. Project: Transform is a free program that will bring together approximately 15 high school students from districts throughout Connecticut to create and perform their own piece of theatre, under the guidance of renowned guest playwright and Aetna New Voices Fellow Janine Nabers and director Hunter Parker.

Kindling Theatre Company has announced the World Premiere of TAKE ME BACK, written by Emily Schwend and directed by Jay Stull. TAKE ME BACK begins performances on Friday, February 28 for a limited engagement through Saturday, March 22. Opening Night is Wednesday, March 5 at 8 PM. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Saturday at 8 PM, with added performances on Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4 at 8 PM. Performances are at Walkerspace (46 Walker Street, between Broadway and Church Streets). Tickets are $18 and are available by calling SmartTix at (212) 868-4444 or visiting www.smarttix.com.

Winter usually isn't the busiest time of year for incoming Broadway shows, but that doesn't mean that there is any lack of fresh talent making their debuts! The Broadway Winter has arrived, and while a solid number of new faces are treading the boards, dozens more are on their way in the coming months. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!