Ars Nova News

Born and abandoned in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant, Bob travels across America determined to become a 'great' man. The Echo Theater Company presents the Los Angeles premiere of Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's hilarious, award-winning comedy, BOB: A Life in Five Acts. Echo artistic director Chris Fields helms the limited 4-week run, tonight, June 8 through June 30 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Welcome to our first edition of "Cutting-Edge Composers In the Studio" exclusively on Broadwayworld.com! Today, we are in the studio with Joe Iconis, and his collaborators Jason Sweettooth Williams and Lance Rubin. You can hear Joe discuss his inspiration for writing, his experience with SMASH, what it's like to work with the Joe Iconis Family, and his upcoming projects. These talented gentlemen also shared a live performance of the song "Outlaw" from their show Bloodsong of Love and a song from their new musical in progress entitled Annie Golden: Bounty Hunter, Yo! Joe sent us this synopsis for his latest creative endeavor: What if musical theater legend Annie Golden starred in a show as a bad-ass action hero?' That was the idea that led to this musical, Annie Golden: Bounty Hunter, Yo, which uses the conventions---both theatrical and musical---of 70's blaxploitation films to tell the story of a widowed down-on-her-luck theatre actress who becomes a bounty hunter and goes on a journey of self-discovery and serious ass-kicking.

BEN RIMALOWER: "PATTI ISSUES" - the hit Off Broadway solo play hailed as "ecstatically vivid" by The New York Times and praised for its "wit, feeling and conviction" by Time Out New York - has added a second performance for its Chicago premiere due to high ticket demand. In addition to the show on Thursday, June 13, there will be an additional show on Friday, June 14. Both will be at Mary's Attic at 8:00 PM. After rave reviews and a host of awards, the New York production of "PATTI ISSUES" was recently extended for the sixth time and will run through June 29 at The Duplex in the West Village. Other summer tour spots include Fire Island Pines and Provincetown, hot off a recent string of sold-out performances in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Berkeley. Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PattiIssues.com.

Ars Nova has released the schedule for its ANT Fest for the week of June 10-15. These events are all part of ANT Fest, their annual All New Talent Festival

Jonathan Whitton (Bistro & MAC Award Winner, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH) continues his critically lauded concert residency with guitarist Aaron Jones at Don't Tell Mama. BLACK SHEEP CARNIVAL continues once a month through 2013 with dates currently scheduled for tonight, June 7 @ 7:30PM and Monday, July 8 & August 5 @ 7:30PM.

Artistic Director Robert Lyons presents the 20th annual Obie Award-winning Ice Factory Festival. Ice Factory 2013 takes place at the New Ohio Theatre, located at 154 Christopher Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets in New York City. Ice Factory 2013 will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with six new works over six weeks, running from June 26 - August 3, 2013. Get a sneak peek at some of the productions in the photos below!

The new musical SHIDA, written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle -- whose Broadway appearances include leading roles in THE COLOR PURPLE and HAIR -- will receive its world-premiere this summer Off-Broadway as an Ars Nova Summer Fling (511 W. 54 St. in Manhattan). Previews begin July 19 prior to SHIDA's official opening night on July 31. The limited engagement runs through August 28.

Ars Nova announces the lineup for its 6th Annual ANT Fest. This year's festival of All New Talent runs from today, June 3 - 29, featuring fresh new work from some of New York's most exciting emerging artists. From trapeze thrillers to hip-hop basketball musicals, 2013's ANT Fest heats up Ars Nova this summer with four weeks of comedy, music, theater and a fusion of all three you won't see anywhere else.

Artistic Director Robert Lyons presents the 20th annual Obie Award-winning Ice Factory Festival. Ice Factory 2013 takes place at the New Ohio Theatre, located at 154 Christopher Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets in New York City. Ice Factory 2013 will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with six new works over six weeks, running from June 26 - August 3, 2013.

Jonathan Whitton (Bistro & MAC Award Winner, HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH) continues his critically lauded concert residency with guitarist Aaron Jones at Don't Tell Mama. BLACK SHEEP CARNIVAL continues once a month through 2013 with dates currently scheduled for Friday, June 7 @ 7:30PM and Monday, July 8 & August 5 @ 7:30PM.

The Kindling Theatre Company and Neighborhood Productions, in association with The Gym at Judson, are thrilled to present the world premiere of THE CAPABLES, written by Jay Stull and directed by Stefanie Abel Horowitz. THE CAPABLES begins performances on Wednesday, July 17 for a limited engagement through Saturday, August 3. Press opening is Tuesday, July 23 at 7 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Wednesday at 7 PM; Thursday - Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday at 7 PM. Performances are at The Gym at Judson (243 Thompson Street, at Washington Square South). Tickets are $18. To purchase tickets, call SmartTix on 212-868-4444 or visit www.smarttix.com.

Sailor hijinks, the danger of war, and the passion of young love are all joined together by Rogers & Hammerstein's sensational score in one of the most powerful musicals of all time, SOUTH PACIFIC. The musical runs now through July 14, 2013 at the John W. Engeman Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Articulate Theatre Company has announced the NYC premiere production of Jenny Connell Davis' DRAGON, directed by Cat Parker. DRAGON will play a limited engagement as part of the 4th Annual Planet Connection Theatre Festivity at the Robert Moss Theatre (440 Lafayette St., 3rd Floor). Performances begin tonight, May 29 and continue through Monday, June 17.

Are you cramping? Is your job giving you a heavy flow? Is PMS making you a total bitch? In her own twisted take on the old-school variety hour, Natalie Joy Johnson has the remedy you've been waiting for: 'Natalie Joy Johnson's Time Of The Month.' The Show will play Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street) tonight, May 27th at 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $20.

SUMMERWORKS 2013 - the annual season of new plays presented by the four-time Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb, will be presented tonight, May 24 to June 29 at The Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St.) in Manhattan.

NETworks Presentations LLC's Founder and CEO Kenneth Gentry has just announced the addition of Orin Wolf to its executive staff. Effective July 1, 2013, Orin will join the company as President, with co-founder Scott W. Jackson serving as Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Seth Wenig as Executive Vice President - Production. Gentry will continue as Chief Executive Officer.

On June 24, acclaimed singer/songwriter, composer, artist and playwright Max Vernon presents a concert performance of his brand new musical theater piece, The View UpStairs, at the Living Room on NYC's Lower East Side. Vernon will be joined on stage by a full band and a cast of Broadway, Off-Broadway, film and television regulars that includes Tony nominee Michael McElroy (Big River, The Wild Party, Rent), Nathan Lee Graham (The Wild Party, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Zoolander), Katie Thompson (Big Fish, Giant), Will Connolly (Once), Derek Klena (Dogfight, Carrie, Wicked), MJ Rodriguez (Rent) and Rania Salem Manganaro (Hit the Wall). The evening will feature songs and narration from the show.

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 will add performances to its weekly playing schedule beginning Thursday, May 30th, due to popular demand. The playing schedule will now be as follows: Tuesdays at 8pm, Wednesdays at 2pm and 8pm, Thursdays at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 5:30 and 9:30pm, and Sundays at 1pm. The first Wednesday matinee will take place June 5th. To purchase tickets, please visit www.thegreatcometof1812.com.

Announcing the cast and creative team for the enchanting musical, South Pacific. Sailor hijinks, the danger of war, and the passion of young love are all joined together by Rogers & Hammerstein's sensational score in one of the most powerful musicals of all time. Previews begin tonight, May 23 at 8:00 p.m.; with the official opening on Saturday, May 25 at 8:00 p.m. and running through July 14, 2013.