Branden Jacobs-Jenkins News

Playwright Aleshea Harris' play IS GOD IS, receiving just its second production at Minneapolis' Mixed Blood Theatre, is a revenge play. More than that, it's a revenge fantasy. Filled with the kind of vengeance that we don't resort to in real life because we're civilized people, but it sure is fun to think about. When you hear of a man who does horrible things to his wife and/or children, or even worse, experience it first hand, there's a part of the primal brain that wants to deliver an eye for an eye. This play is the cathartic fulfillment of those desires. It reminds me of the Dixie Chicks' song 'Goodbye Earl,' in which two friends conspire to kill the abusive husband of one of them. Critics cried - you're advocating violence and murder, how horrible! No - it's fiction, art, fantasy, metaphor, seeing an evil someone get what they deserve, if only in our imagination. Such is IS GOD IS, tenfold, in all its horrific yet somehow satisfying violence to avenge great hurts against one's self and loved ones.

Producer Victoria Weinberg announced today that Ali Skye Bennet's new play RAFETUS will receive an invited presentation, directed by Jill DeArmon, this Friday, September 28, 2018 at 11:00am and 2:30pm at The New Ripley-Grier (305 W. 38th St.) in New York City.  Based on a true story, RAFETUS was developed in part at the HBMG Foundation's National Winter Playwright's Retreat, is a 2018­19 Woodward/Newman Drama Award Finalist, and a 2017 Finalist and 2018 Semifinalist for the National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

The Echo Theater Company's west coast premiere of playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Pulitzer Prize-finalist GLORIA receives a sturdy mounting with a very capable cast handling the witty, words-heavy monologues. Plot centers on a group of lower-level publishing employees stuck (for various reasons) in their respective, non-upwardly mobile positions. GLORIA illustrates the various common office behaviors, such as back-stabbing, condescension, 'Mean Girl' insulting, and stressing out.

California Shakespeare Theater announced today the return of its record-breaking hit play black odyssey for a special limited engagement, September 25 through October 7, 2018 at the Bruns Amphitheater. Marcus Gardley's music-filled journey through African-American folklore garnered box office records, critical acclaim, sold-out houses, and standing ovations during its initial August 2017 run.

American Theatre magazine, published by Theatre Communications Group (TCG), has just released its annual lists of the Top 10 Most-Produced Plays and Top 20 Most-Produced Playwrights for the new season.

Melbourne Theatre Company will present three events as part of MPavilion's 2018/9 program, including one of New York's most eminent young theatre directors, Lila Neugebauer, in conversation with MTC Literary Director Chris Mead on Thursday 6 December. 

Broadway Records and Yellow Sound Label today announced that The Beast in the Jungle (Original Score Recording) will be released digitally and in stores on Friday September 14, 2018. The album is currently available for pre-order at www.BroadwayRecords.com and Amazon.com.

Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce complete cast for the New York premiere of Ngozi Anyanwu's GOOD GRIEF, directed by Awoye Timpo. Performances will begin at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) Thursday, October 11 with opening night set for Tuesday, October 30th.

Soho Rep. announces its 2018-2019 season, with two world premieres that demonstrate the small but flexible space's 'indispensible' (New York Magazine) presence as 'a 70-seat house filled with big ideas' (Hilton Als, The New Yorker). Through singular and irreverent stylistic approaches, Kate Tarker's Thunderbodies,directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz (October 16-November 18, 2018), and Christopher Chen's Passage, directed by Saheem Ali (April 23-May 26, 2019),interrogate the staggering ramifications of U.S and global imperialism.

It's an explosive and thought-provoking production in more ways than one - and a natural fit for Woolly.

Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce that Jeremy O. Harris is the recipient of the 2018-19 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award. Mr. Harris will be presented with the award at The Vineyard's annual Emerging Artists Luncheon on Friday, October 12 from noon-2:30pm at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) in Manhattan. Paula Vogel will speak at the event.

Definition Theatre Company opens its 2018-2019 season with No Child… by Nilaja Sun and directed by Chika Ike. No Child... will run from August 31 - September 23, 2018, with a press opening on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:30pm. Definition Theatre Company presents its 2018-2019 season in the Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens as part of its Resident Theater Company program. Tickets for No Child… are on sale and can be purchased online at victorygardens.org or by calling 773.871.3000. Victory Gardens Theater is located at 2433 N Lincoln Avenue.

The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced today the Nominating Committee for the 2018-2019 Broadway season. The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

Definition Theatre Company opens its 2018-2019 season with No Child… by Nilaja Sun and directed by Chika Ike. No Child... will run from August 31 - September 23, 2018, with a press opening today, September 5 at 7:30pm.

Final casting for Berkeley Repertory Theatre's upcoming production of Fairview was announced today. Written by Jackie Sibblies Drury, directed bySarah Benson, with choreography by Raja Feather Kelly, the world premiere production comes straight to Berkeley Rep from a critically acclaimed New York run. Previews begin on Thursday, October 4 with regular run of the show opening on Thursday, October 11 and continuing through Sunday, November 4. Individual tickets begin at $30 ($15 if you're under 35) and can be purchased online at berkeleyrep.org or by phone at 510 647-2949.

Definition Theatre Company opens its 2018-2019 season with No Child… by Nilaja Sun and directed by Chika Ike. No Child... will run from August 31 - September 23, 2018, with a press opening on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:30pm.

A debt-ridden plantation, a new owner, a lovely young woman with a secret, and an assortment of slaves-these antiquated elements have been mashed up against a contemporary framework to create an astonishing, outrageously comic, and eloquent perspective on race in America, in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' An Octoroon. This Obie award winning play will begin a 5-week run at Stage West today, August 30.

Jocelyn Bioh's hit MCC production of SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY lands in Los Angeles at the Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre running September 2 through September 30, before encoring back in New York City at the Lucille Lortel Theatre October 16 through November 25. We had the opportunity to chat with Mirirai Sithole, one of the original cast members who's making the trek between coasts.

California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes) announced further details today for the Shakespearean centerpiece to the 2018 Epic Season, The War of the Roses. The War of the Roses is a monumental evening of theater spanning four history plays-the Henry VI trilogy and Richard III. Presented as an action-packed evening, The War of the Roses will deliver a fast-paced, far-ranging, vividly theatrical depiction of two powerful families-the Lancasters and the Yorks-and their decades-long fight for the English throne. Political unrest and power grabs collide with weak leadership and civil strife as the country fights against the threat of tyranny.

Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce dates and casting for the New York premiere of Ngozi Anyanwu's GOOD GRIEF, directed by Awoye Timpo. Performances will begin at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) Thursday, October 11 with opening night set for Tuesday, October 30th.