Christopher Durang News

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) will kick off its 14th full season of mainstage plays with the hysterically satirical comedy Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them, by Christopher Durang.

In celebration of Tennessee Williams' centennial year, Westport Country Playhouse will stage a special performance by acclaimed actor Richard Thomas in 'A Distant Country Called Youth,' based on a collection of lively and evocative letters written by a young Tennessee Williams, on Monday, August 29, 7 p.m.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) has announced its 2011-2012 mainstage season.

Playwrights Horizons and 92YTribeca have announced that they will present a panel discussion previewing the theater company's new season on Monday evening, September 12 at 7:30 PM at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson Street). Moderated by The New Yorker culture writer Michael Schulman, joined by Playwrights Horizons Artistic Director Tim Sanford, the panel discussion will feature all six writers from the theater company's 2011/2012 Season.

Mary Tyler Moore will present Bernadette Peters with Westport Country Playhouse's Distinguished Dedication and Service to the American Musical Theater Award at the historic theater's annual gala on Monday evening, September 19.

Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones have announced that the role of 'Stella' will be played by two-time Tony Nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega and the role of 'Mitch' will be played by Wood Harris, in the upcoming Broadway production of A Streetcar Named Desire directed by Emily Mann. They will join Blair Underwood as 'Stanley' and Nicole Ari Parker as 'Blanche'. This production is slated to hit the boards, Spring, 2012. Theatre is TBA.

From post-performance discussions to an LGBT Night, Westport Country Playhouse will offer several special events and opportunities surrounding its Tennessee Williams centennial production, 'Suddenly Last Summer,' written by Williams and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

Singer Josh Groban is set to guest star on NBC's hit ‘The Office' this season, according to EW.com. Groban will play the brother of Andy Bernard (played by Ed Helms).

Juilliard's Drama Division announces the complete schedule for its 2011-2012 season of fully-staged productions featuring students in their fourth and final year of acting training at Juilliard. This season's plays include Arthur Miller's All My Sons, directed by Harris Yulin, October 19-23; Juilliard alumnus Nathan Jackson's Broke-ology, directed by Kent Gash, November 10-14; and Noel Coward's Hay Fever, directed by Dakin Matthews, December 8-12. The Drama Division is led by James Houghton, Richard Rodgers Director of Drama.

From post-performance discussions to an LGBT Night, Westport Country Playhouse will offer several special events and opportunities surrounding its Tennessee Williams centennial production, 'Suddenly Last Summer,' written by Williams and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced it will once again present its popular, annual benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES. This year's event, set for Monday evening, October 17, will feature new works by seven of the theater's alumni writers: Tanya Barfield (Blue Door at PH), Bathsheba Doran (Kin at PH), Obie Award winner Daniel Goldfarb (The Retributionists at PH), Eric Overmyer (The Heliotrope Bouquet... at PH), Jonathan Marc Sherman (Sophistry at PH), Jeanine Tesori (Violet at PH) and Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy at PH). Each play will be performed in a different, unconventional space throughout all five stories of Playwrights Horizons' home at 416 West 42nd Street, and the entire evening will benefit the company's developmental programs and productions.

After a memorable and record-breaking inaugural year, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater celebrates its 61st anniversary season with Trouble in Mind, written by playwright Alice Childress. Childress was the first African-American woman to have her plays professionally produced in New York, and she became the first woman of color to win an Obie Award, in 1956 for Trouble in Mind (Best Original Production).

92YTribeca is 92nd Street Y's downtown arts and culture venue in New York City. Opened in October 2008, 92YTribeca presents music, comedy, film, theater, talks, classes, family events, and Jewish community and holiday programs in a versatile, street-level, modern space at 200 Hudson Street.

Throughline Artists (J.J. Kandel and John McCormack, Producing Directors) presents SUMMER SHORTS 5, their fifth annual festival of new American short plays from established and emerging writers, at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street). Performances began Thursday August 4th, and continue through Saturday September 3rd. This season's cast includes Mando Alvarado, Jeff Binder, Christian Campbell, James Chen, Nick Choksi, Erin Darke, Crystal Finn, Arthur French, Meg Gibson, Kathryn Grody, Beth Hoyt, Neal Huff, J.J. Kandel, Megan Ketch, TEd Koch, Jodie Markell, Shirley A. Rumierk, Socorro Santiago, Rebecca Schull, Ryan Cyrus Shams, Victor Slezak, AiDan Sullivan, Louise Sullivan, Maryann Towne, Ryan Tramont, and Lydia Weintraub. Check out photos fro the opening night reception below!

Audiences will be captivated by Pittsburgh CLO's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, August 2-14 at the Benedum Center! This powerful rock opera takes viewers on an emotional journey through the final days of Jesus of Nazareth.

John Doyle's latest project, TEN CENTS A DANCE, will play August 11-28 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. TEN CENTS A DANCE, conceived and directed by John Doyle, features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart.

The Made At Horse Trade Series will feature two works developed through Horse Trade Theater Group's The Fire This Time Festival, Yusef Miller's Breakfast and Kelley Nicole Girod's Ambrosia, playing as a double feature August 10-29 at The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery), Monday & Wednesday at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets ($18/$15 students & seniors) are available online at www.horseTRADE.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Throughline Artists (J.J. Kandel and John McCormack, Producing Directors) will present SUMMER SHORTS 5, their fifth annual festival of new American short plays from established and emerging writers, at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street).