Curt Columbus News

These days, it is said more and more often that there are no new ideas under the sun. These accusations of a lack of originality are especially directed at Hollywood and the television studios. Every weekend sees the opening of a new sequel or reboot or re-imagining. While there are, in reality, some great original ideas coming out of Hollywood and television, there is also no shortage of originality in the world of live theater. Unfortunately, Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, playing at Trinity Rep, feels like little more than a needless attempt to update and reboot Chekov while using as many modern day and mostly unnecessary pop-culture references as possible.

Trinity Rep has announced the return of their annual wine tasting event - Red White & Groove - a casual evening featuring food, wine, and dancing to the music of Superchief Trio. Co-chaired by Gil MacLean and his wife Michelle Collie, the event is sponsored by Bottles Fine Wine. The benefit party will take place on Saturday January 25th from 7PM to 11PM at the Pell Chafee Performance Center, 87 Empire St., Providence. The evening features a wine tasting with culinary pairings from several local restaurants and the danceable rhythms Superchief Trio with opening act 3pile. Tickets are $75 and are available online at www.trinityrep.com, by phone at 401-351-4242 or in person at the Trinity Rep Box Office at 201 Washington St. in Providence.

Trinity Rep continues their 50th anniversary season with the New England premiere of Christopher Durang's smash-hit comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Directed by The Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus, the show beings in previews November 21st in the intimate Dowling Theater and runs through December 22nd. Taking takes his cue from some of Anton Chekhov's most recognizable characters, Durang wickedly adds more than a dash of pop culture, a huge helping of dark humor and then lets the characters stew in a pressure cooker of their own devising. The result is a whirlwind weekend of classic Durang barbs, over the top tirades and ridiculously hysterical situations hailed. Tickets on sale now through the box office at 201 Washington St., by phone at (401) 351-4242 and online at www.trinityrep.com.

Trinity Rep announces the addition of sign language interpretation to their upcoming sensory-friendly performance of Charles Dickens with their annual presentation of his classic tale A Christmas Carol, as adapted by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming, presented by Cardi's Furniture with supporting sponsor Amica Insurance. The sensory-friendly presentation with of the show with ASL interpretation will be held today, November 9 at 2:00PM and is sponsored by The Hearst Foundations.

Fresh on the heels of their sold out run of season opener The Grapes of Wrath, Trinity Rep continues their 50th anniversary season with the New England premiere of Christopher Durang's smash-hit comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Directed by The Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus, the show beings in previews November 21st in the intimate Dowling Theater and runs through December 22nd. Taking takes his cue from some of Anton Chekhov's most recognizable characters, Durang wickedly adds more than a dash of pop culture, a huge helping of dark humor and then lets the characters stew in a pressure cooker of their own devising. The result is a whirlwind weekend of classic Durang barbs, over the top tirades and ridiculously hysterical situations hailed as "Terrifically kooky!" by Entertainment Weekly. For those that are not familiar with Uncle Vanya or Cherry Orchard, Critics agree that 'Even if you've never read a word of Chekhov, you're likely to find plenty to make you laugh…' (The New York Times.) Tickets on sale now through the box office at 201 Washington, by phone at (401) 351-4242 and online at www.trinityrep.com.

Trinity Rep proudly announces the addition of sign language interpretation to their upcoming sensory-friendly performance of Charles Dickens with their annual presentation of his classic tale A Christmas Carol, as adapted by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming, presented by Cardi's Furniture with supporting sponsor Amica Insurance. The sensory-friendly presentation with of the show with ASL interpretation will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 2:00PM and is sponsored by The Hearst Foundations. The ASL interpretation is made possible by a donation from Perspectives Corporation. Catering to both adults and children with sensitivities, this modified performance fits the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other cognitive and physical disabilities, as well as those seeking sign language interpretation. Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol is a timeless tale of forgiveness and hope that earns rave reviews from audiences and critics year after year. Tickets for this performance are on sale now and by phone at (401) 351-4242 and in person at the theater's box office. All seats for this performance are $22. Please indicate a preference for the ASL interpretation when purchasing to ensure the best view of the interpreter.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) announces the 2013 Cycle A recipients of the Leadership U[niversity]-Continuing Ed program. Through the support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, grants of up to $5,000 will support four mid-career and veteran theatre professionals at TCG Member Theatres for learning opportunities to advance their leadership skills. The goal of this program is to strengthen the field by developing the individuals who are the core and the future of theatre. The Cycle B Continuing Ed grant application process will launch in October of 2013.

Trinity Rep proudly announces the addition of a sensory-friendly performance of Charles Dickens with their annual presentation of his classic tale of A Christmas Carol, as adapted by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming, presented by Cardi's Furniture with supporting sponsor Amica Insurance. The sensory-friendly adaptation of the show will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 2:00PM and is sponsored by The Hearst Foundations. Catering to both adults and children with sensitivities, this modified show fits the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other cognitive and physical disabilities. Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol is a timeless tale of forgiveness and hope that earns rave reviews from audiences and critics year after year. Tickets for this performance are on sale now and by phone at (401) 351-4242 and in person at the theater's box office. All seats for this performance are $22.

In response to high demand and praise from critics and patrons alike, Trinity Rep announces additional performances of The Grapes of Wrath. Tickets are now on sale for Friday, October 11 at 7:30pm and Saturday, October 12 at 7:30pm. The Friday night performance serves as benefit for Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE) and RI Coalition for the Homeless, with proceeds donated to these organizations. Tickets for the added performances of The Grapes of Wrath are on sale now at the Trinity Rep box office, 201 Washington St.; by phone at (401) 351-4242; and online at www.trinityrep.com.

Trinity Repertory Company has announced that in tandem with the depression era drama, The Grapes of Wrath, they are partnering with the RI Blood Center for a Blood Drive on Friday, September 13th from 2:30pm-5:30pm at Trinity Repertory Company, 201 Washington St in Providence in order to raise awareness and urge donations. All pre-registered donors will get a free ticket to a performance of The Grapes of Wrath, onstage now through October 6 at Trinity Rep. To register, login to www.ribcdonor.org and follow the steps to Trinity Rep's drive.

Trinity Rep kicks off their 50th Anniversary season with John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, the definitive American tale of the strength of family and the human spirit set in the aftermath of the Great Depression. The Grapes of Wrath begins previews tonight, September 5, 2013 and runs until October 6, 2013 in Trinity Rep's Dowling Theater.

Trinity Repertory Company announces open enrollment for lifelong learning classes. The program is currently accepting registration, and fall classes begin as early as August 29. Committed to the belief in theater for every generation, the education department offers a wide array of performance classes for adults taught by the resident acting company and artistic staff. For those too shy to be on stage, the department offers a playwriting class and discussion series illuminating the artistic process. For more information on courses and offerings, contact Jordan Butterfield, Education Programs Manager at jbutterfield@trinityrep.com. To enroll in Acting Classes and Discussion Series, email education@trinityrep.com or register online at http://www.trinityrep.com/education/.

Trinity Rep kicks off their 50th Anniversary season with John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, the definitive American tale of the strength of family and the human spirit set in the aftermath of the Great Depression. The Grapes of Wrath begins previews September 5, 2013 and runs until October 6, 2013 in Trinity Rep's Dowling Theater. Adapted for the stage by Frank Galati, this evocative and deeply affecting stage version promises to lift Steinbeck's novel to new heights of theatrical urgency, especially when married with director Brian McEleney's visceral storytelling style. Part naturalistic epic, part road novel, part inspirational gospel, The Grapes of Wrath boasts a 17 member cast and original folk-rock music from the show's band, 3pile. This production is sponsored by Taco/The White Family Foundation.

Trinity Repertory Company, the State Theater of Rhode Island is proud to announce that three new company members have been added to their resident acting company roster - Mia Ellis, Rebecca Gibel and Charlie Thurston. All three performers are Brown/Trinity Rep MFA acting program graduates and no strangers to the Trinity Rep stage, having appeared in multiple productions over the past several seasons. The three join Trinity Rep's current resident acting company members: Stephen Berenson, Angela Brazil, Timothy Crowe, Mauro Hantman, Janice Duclos, Brian McEleney, Phyllis Kay, Anne Scurria, Barbara Meek, Fred Sullivan, Jr., Stephen Thorne, Rachael Warren, and Joe Wilson, Jr.

For the Arden's 26th Season of great stories by great storytellers, the company presents a daring and ambitious musical, dramas that grapple with the complicated notion of the American family, provocative pieces by contemporary playwrights, and a new approach to a classic text. Says Arden's Producing Artistic Director Terrence J. Nolen: "The 2013/14 season will include a remarkable range of stories by master storytellers. We are proud to produce the work of Jason Robert Brown, Lydia Diamond, and Alfred Uhry at the Arden for the first time, and are thrilled to welcome plays by Philadelphia writers Quiara Alegria Hudes and Michael Hollinger to our stages. The coming year also includes a new translation by Curt Columbus of Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters, and adaptations of Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside School and Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. Coming this fall, we will also open the Hamilton Family Arts Center, our new education and production center. We are thrilled by the prospect of creating our 2013/14 productions in this great new space.'

Trinity Repertory Company previously announced that three local Rhode Island residents would be receiving Pell Awards this year in addition to Kate Burton, the recipient of the 2013 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. The 17th annual Pell Awards will be held tonight, June 10, 2013 at Trinity Rep with a reception to follow next door at the Providence Public Library.

Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company, under the leadership of The Richard L. Bready Artistic Director Curt Columbus and Executive Director Michael Gennaro is thrilled to announce that they have been named the State Theater of Rhode Island. The bill, introduced by House Speaker Gordon Fox (D), and Senator Maryellen Goodwin (D) officially passed Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Columbus, Gennaro, members of the acting company and board of directors accepted the honor on the floor of the Statehouse.

Trinity Rep has announced that former artistic director and Academy-award nominated film, stage and TV actorRichard Jenkins is returning to Trinity Rep for their 50th Season. Richard and his wife Sharon Jenkins are set to direct and choreograph Trinity Rep's production of Lionel Bart's family musical Oliver! in February of 2014.

On April 29th at New York City's Pierre Hotel, the National Corporate Theatre Fund (NCTF) honored Vanessa Williams, American Express and five resident theatres celebrating their 50th anniversary - Actors Theatre of Louisville, Guthrie Theater, Hartford Stage, Seattle Repertory Theatre and Trinity Repertory Company - at NCTF's annual Chairman's Awards Gala. Actor George Takei, star of the Broadway-bound musical Allegiance, emceed the event. Scroll down for photos of the stars!