Ars Nova News

Ars Nova has announced a slew of special events that will be presented following its current production of 'Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,' an electro-pop opera ripped from a scandalous slice of Tolstoy's War and Peace.

OUT LOUD is Ars Nova's FREE play-reading series dedicated to developing new work by emerging playwrights.

About the show: Matchmaker Matchmaker I'm Willing to Settle! invites you to join "Nikki" as she plunges into the matrix of the world wide web to emerge as a guru of Internet Dating in this new original musical. Throw in accidental pornography, impromptu 24 hour trips to Europe, a video chat romance and you've got an honest, heartbreakingly uplifting story that will delight the single, the not, those wishing they were single again…and everyone in between!

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, present The Killing of Sister George, by Frank Marcus and adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by and starring Kathleen Turner.

BC BEAT is a Broadway choreography showcase and dance party for curious people in the know. BC BEAT returns to Cielo (18 Little West 12th Street) on Monday December 10, 2012. With online ticket sales benefiting New York Cares Hurricane Sandy Relief Projects, tickets are now available.

This week at Joe's Pub, November 26 - December 2, 2012, features performances by Karine Hannah, a night with PigPen Theatre Co., Nicole Henry, Jack Ingram & Radney Foster, Razia's Shadow, Jonah Smith, Maia Vidal, Frisk Me: The Songs of Max Vernon, Alice Smith, Martha Redbone, Emanuel and the Fear, Public Forum Deut: Tony Kushner and Rachel Maddow, and Grace McLean and Them Apples. Details below!

The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute (www.strasberg.com) will present LOVELAB by playwright Lila Feinberg, who is the first recipient of The Clifford Odets Ensemble Play Commission. The Clifford Odets Ensemble Play Commission is an annual playwriting commission that encourages early career playwrights to write plays for large ensembles of emerging actors.

Page 73 Productions will present a reading of the new play PLAYGROUNDS by Sarah Sander directed by Josh Hecht. The reading will be Monday, November 26 at 7:30pm at 311 West 43rd Street, 6th floor (Dodger Atelier). The reading is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by visiting www.page73.org/playgrounds or emailing info@page73.org.

Ad Astria Live presents the West Coast premiere of the hit New York solo play, BEN RIMALOWER: PATTI ISSUES, written and performed by Ben Rimalower and directed by Aaron Mark. The play will run one night only TONIGHT, November 25th at 8:00 pm at Rockwell Table & Stage!

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and community events for A Wind in the Willows Christmas, a new musical inspired by Kenneth Grahame's children's classic, written by composer Mike Reid, lyricist Sarah Schlesinger, and bookwriter Mindi Dickstein. The world-premiere production is directed by Amanda Dehnert, with music direction by James Sampliner.

SPACE on Ryder Farm announces its inaugural benefit - SPACE in the City - set for Monday, December 3rd from 7-10pm at Ars Nova loft at 511 W. 54th Street in New York City. The event will feature artist performance and readings from theater artists including Gabriel Ebert (4,000 Miles, Brief Encounter), Adam Rapp (Through the Yellow Hour, Red Light Winter), Teddy Bergman (Peter and the Starcatcher), Damon Daunno (Brief Encounter) and Grace McLean (www.gracemclean.com).

Ben Rimalower's PATTI ISSUES, written and performed by Ben Rimalower and directed by Aaron Mark extends yet again at The Duplex through the end of the year-until February 28th, 2012!

Award-winning musical theatre composer/lyricist Rob Rokicki celebrates the release of his album, I'm Ready: The Songs of Rob Rokicki at The Triad (Stage 72) tonight, November 19th at 9:15 p.m. Showcasing a collection of songs Rokicki has written over the past decade, the concert will feature Becca Ayers (Addams Family, Giant), Melinda Bass (Messiah Rocks), Brittney Bertier, Nick Dalton (Surf, Legally Blonde), Alexandra Ferrara, Amanda Flynn (Mamma Mia, Wicked), Brian Gallagher (Jekyll & Hyde), Leslie Henstock (Les Miserables, Light in the Piazza), Carly Hughes (Ghost, Ragtime), Megan Hilty (SMASH, 9 to 5, Wicked), Gwen Hollander (Little Women), Emma Hunton (Spring Awakening, Rent), Joe Iconis (Things to Ruin), Lauren Marcus (The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks), Ashley Moniz (Sister Act, Legally Blonde), Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone (Hands on a Hardbody, Legally Blonde), and Michael James Scott (Book of Mormon, Elf).

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that Murder Ballad, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, that opened to glowing reviews last night is extending by two weeks through Sunday, December 16 at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Robert Petkoff (Anything Goes, Ragtime) and Larkin Bogan (American Idiot, Hair) have been added to the lineup of performers to join Max Vernon, one of the most innovative young voices in contemporary musical theater, in his return to Joe's Pub on November 30 at 9:30PM.

Victor Maog has been appointed the new Artistic Director of Second Generation (2g) Gladys Chen, Board President, announced today, and will start his new position by spearheading 2g's signature event, Instant Vaudeville.