Austin Pendleton News

Set in World War II, a German U-boat's mission becomes a journey into terror as its crew is trapped within on the ocean floor. Award-winning playwright Nat Cassidy directs his fascinating, terrifying, immersive theatrical experience like no other: The Temple, or, Lebensraum at The Brick Theater, at 579 Metropolitan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, February 18-28, 2015.

The American Playwriting Foundation, established to make annual grants to new American plays, announced today The Relentless Award, the largest annual cash prize in American theater awarded to a playwright in recognition of a new play. Established in honor of Philip Seymour Hoffman and his pursuit of truth in the theater, The Relentless Award will honor an unproduced play with $45,000, laying the groundwork for the future of American Theater. The American Playwriting Foundation is now open for submissions, and the deadline is July 10, 2015. Three finalists and one winner will be announced on October 2, 2015.

There will be a Special Reading of "The Believers" by Robert Carroll on Sunday, February 8th at the BAM Fisher Building in the Fishman Theater 321 Ashland Place Brooklyn, NY 11217 (between the Opera House and the Williamsburg Saving Bank Building).

Nylon Fusion Theatre Company announces their Short Play Festival "This Round's On Us" on February 20-21, featuring eleven new plays in two sets. Guest writers include Michael Puzzo and Don Nigro. Gotham's John Doman plays President McKinley in Nigro's new play Front Porch. Hosted by Lori Kee.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz Executive Director) will conclude its 2014-15 season with the world premiere of WHORL INSIDE A LOOP, a new play by Dick Scanlan and Sherie Rene Scott, co-directed by Michael Mayer and Mr. Scanlan, the creative team behind the Tony-nominated, critically acclaimed hit, Everyday Rapture, which had its world premiere at Second Stage Theatre in 2009.

Directed by Austin Pendleton, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY begins previews tonight, January 16, 2015 and will officially open on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Second Stage Theatre's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street).

Silver Spring Stage presents Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed and produced by Seth Ghitelman, which draws back the curtain on a fascinating and witty portrayal of theater titans jockeying for control while rehearsing a new play. Orson's Shadow, the area community theater premiere, will perform weekends tonight, January 9 to January 31, 2015.

The Public Theater began performances for the 11th annual UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL yesterday, January 7. This popular and highly-anticipated program of The Public Theater's winter season includes artists from across the U.S. and around the world, including Argentina, Iran, Switzerland, Spain, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Curated by Co-Directors Mark Russell and Meiyin Wang, this year's UNDER THE RADAR also marks the launch of the new Devised Theater Working Group which will present eight works-in-process as part of the festival's INCOMING! Series.

Silver Spring Stage presents Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed and produced by Seth Ghitelman, which draws back the curtain on a fascinating and witty portrayal of theater titans jockeying for control while rehearsing a new play. Orson's Shadow, the area community theater premiere, will perform weekends January 9 to January 31, 2015.

The magic continues when one of L.A.'s most beloved and longest running shows, Smoke and Mirrors moves to the Odyssey Theatre on Jan. 17 through March 15. Created by and starring noted actor and lifetime member of the Magic Castle, Albie Selznick and co-produced with Ron Sossi, artistic director of the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, the L.A. Times Critic's Choice smash hit directed by David Schweizer makes its debut in West L.A.

Solo shows from all over the world are invited to submit for 2015 United Solo Theatre Festival. The world's largest solo theatre festival will take place at Theatre Row, located in the heart of New York's legendary theatre district, between September 17 - November 22, 2015.

Oberon Theatre Ensemble will host a benefit to support its season. 24/7 will feature seven short plays created in 24 hours and presented January 25th at the June Havoc Theater (312 West 36th Street) at 7pm.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2014/15 subscription season with the world premiere production of Airline Highway, written by Lisa D'Amour (Detroit, How to Build a Forest) and directed by Joe Mantello (The Last Ship, Casa Valentina, Wicked). Steppenwolf's production will be presented by Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) at their Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway in Spring 2015. Airline Highway opens tonight, December 14, 2014 and runs through February 8, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St).

Step into the dusk of the Ancien Regime, as icons tumble, gossips rumble, and musicians hurl their slings. Arrows fly between the fans of French harmony and Italian melody in this site-specific music-theater piece based on the Philosophe's play of opposites.

MEMPHIS stars Lakeisha Renee Houston and Brandon Fleming are recipients of the first SELVIN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP. Harry and Maureen Selvin, longtime patrons of the arts and supporters of Cabrillo Music Theatre, have developed this scholarship, to be presented on the final performance of each Cabrillo Music Theatre production, to the performer in that Cabrillo show that best exemplifies the spirit of Cabrillo Music Theatre. At the November 23rd performance of MEMPHIS, Houston and Fleming each receive a $500 cash scholarship, a personal trophy, and name recognition on a permanent plaque of all those recognized, to reside in the Cabrillo Music Theatre office.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2014/15 Subscription season with the world premiere production ofAirline Highway, written by Lisa D'Amour (Detroit, Cherokee) and directed by Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Assassins, Wicked). Steppenwolf's production will be presented by Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) at their Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway in Spring 2015. Airline Highway began previews December 4, 2014 (Opening night is December 14, 2014; Press performances are December 13 at 3pm and December 16 at 7:30pm) and continues through February 8, 2015 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Single tickets to Airline Highway ($20 - $86) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St); at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Three shows - three awards for Nancy Redman.

Flux Theatre Ensemble will present the World Premiere of Kristen Palmer's (The Stray Dog with Rising Phoenix; Departures with Blue Coyote) ONCE UPON A BRIDE THERE WAS A FOREST, today, December 6-20 at the 4th Street Theatre (83 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery).

Casting is complete for Second Stage Theatre presentation of the Atlantic Theater Company's production of Stephen Adly Guirgis' acclaimed play, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY. Ron Cephas Jones (Of Mice of Men and 2ST's Wildflower) and Michael Rispoli (Between Riverside and Crazy at ATC) join previously announced cast members Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences, 2ST's Jitney), Victor Almanzar (Repertorio Espanol, LAByrinth Theater), Elizabeth Canavan (The Little Flower of East Orange), Rosal Colon (The Motherf*cker with the Hat) and Liza Colon-Zayas (2ST Water by the Spoonful and Living Out).