Dallas Theater Center News

The Baltimore Playwrights Festival continues its Thirty-Second Season with tonight's August 9th opening of Countdown to the Happy Day, by Thomas W. Stephens, produced by Heralds of Hope Theater in Residence at Sojourner-Douglass College (www.heraldsofhopetheater.com), 410-997-5779.

Second Thought Theatre presents the final production in its ninth season, In a Forest, Dark and Deep by Neil LaBute. Director Regan Adair returns to STT for the first time since 2011's critical hit, Red Light Winter. In a Forest, Dark and Deep will run in previews today, August 9 - 10, 2013. Opening and Press Night is Thursday, August 15 at 7:30pm. The show closes August 31.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR WATERTOWER THEATRE is a dynamic new group of early to mid-career professionals who take an active role in enhancing Dallas' cultural scene while furthering their knowledge of, and involvement with, the performing arts and the theatre. The group is run by a Steering Committee of its membership. YP4WTT President is Collin Duwe (Dallas Theater Center) and Melisa Stinson Ellis (Ellis Art Gallery).

Back by popular demand, Todd Waite reprises his role as Houston's favorite holiday elf. A compact, one-character comedy, The Santaland Diaries is a hilarious cult classic featuring comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. NPR humorist and best-selling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, David Sedaris has become one of America's pre-eminent humor writers. Recommended for mature audiences due to language and subject matter.

Amphibian Stage Productions and Diana Sheehan today announced a party celebrating the release of Ms. Sheehan's first CD,Nobody's Hart: Diana Sheehan Sings the Lyrics of Lorenz Hart, which will take place on Saturday, August 24 at Rebecca Low Sculptural Metal Gallery and Studio in Fort Worth.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR WATERTOWER THEATRE is a dynamic new group of early to mid-career professionals who take an active role in enhancing Dallas' cultural scene while furthering their knowledge of, and involvement with, the performing arts and the theatre. The group is run by a Steering Committee of its membership. YP4WTT President is Collin Duwe (Dallas Theater Center) and Melisa Stinson Ellis (Ellis Art Gallery).

Giant's Kate Baldwin, Brian D'Arcy James and Michael John LaChiusa attended a CD signing and performance at Barnes & Noble (86th & Lexington Ave) yesterday, August 1. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos below!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Artistic Director Tony Taccone today announces the appointment of Liesl Tommy as the nonprofit's associate director. Tommy, who most recently directed Berkeley Rep's critically acclaimed production of Ruined, joins the Theatre's artistic team effective September 1. Tommy will fulfill various artistic duties including directing for Berkeley Rep's main stage; developing new work through The Ground Floor, the Center for the Creation and Development of New Work; and supporting ongoing artistic pursuits in the spirit of cultivating and producing innovative and adventurous work for the Theatre.

Scott Boswell, chairman of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Board of Directors, and Leo E. Morton, chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), are pleased to announce that Angela Lee Gieras has been appointed executive director of Kansas City Rep. The newly created position will provide additional leadership as the Rep prepares for its 50th anniversary in 2014 and will support the Rep as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading regional theatre. Gieras will begin her new position today, August 1.

Giant's Kate Baldwin, Brian D'Arcy James and Michael John LaChiusa will be present for a CD signing and performance at Barnes & Noble at 86th & Lexington Ave in NYC tonight, August 1, 2013 at 7 PM.

Partial Comfort Productions (Drama Desk nominee A Bright New Boise) kicks off it's 11th season with the World Premiere of AND MILES TO GO by Chad Beckim. Directed by Hal Brooks (Pulitzer Prize finalist Thom Pain), previews begin October 2 at The Wild Project. Opening night is slated for Thursday, October 10.

Sundance Institute and the LUMA Foundation previously announced that the two organizations would collaborate to host The Sundance Institute | LUMA Foundation Theatre Directors Retreat at Domaine de l'Armelliere, today, July 29 - August 9, in Arles, France. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of The Sundance Institute Theatre Program, Producing Director Christopher Hibma and Program Associate Anne Kauffman, the Retreat will be the first theatre director-centered residency at the Institute.

Second Thought Theatre announced today cast and creative team of the final production in its ninth season, In a Forest, Dark and Deep by Neil LaBute. Director Regan Adair returns to STT for the first time since 2011's critical hit, Red Light Winter. In a Forest, Dark and Deep will run in previews August 9 - 10, 2013. Opening and Press Night is Thursday, August 15 at 7:30pm. The show closes August 31.

Producers Daryl Roth and Eva Price announced today that Patrick Page, Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, Chike Johnson, and Ashley Williams plus Dashiell Eaves, J.R. Horne, John Procaccino, Tijuana Ricks, and Lee Sellarswill join the previously announced Sebastian Arcelus, Fred Dalton Thompson, and John Douglas Thompson in the new Broadway courtroom drama A Time to Kill, Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes' stage adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling novel. This new Broadway play holds the distinction of being the first-ever John Grisham property to be adapted for the stage. A Time to Kill is set to open on Broadway on October 20, 2013 at the John Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). Previews begin September 28th. Ethan McSweeny will direct. Final casting will be announced shortly. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 26th at Telecharge.com (212-239-6200) or by visiting www.ATimeToKillOnBroadway.com.

The Baltimore Playwrights Festival (www.baltplayfest.org) continues its Thirty-Second Season with the August 9th opening of Countdown to the Happy Day, by Thomas W. Stephens, produced by Heralds of Hope Theater in Residence at Sojourner-Douglass College (www.heraldsofhopetheater.com), 410-997-5779. Co-directed by Percy Thomas and Margaret Locklear, performances will run throughSeptember 1, 2013, taking place Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 4:00 p.m., at Sojourner Douglas College Theater, 200 N. Central Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202. Tickets are $10, and may be purchased at the door, or in advance by calling 410-997-5779. Convenient parking is located at the rear of the building on Asquith Street off of Orleans with easy access to the theater.

Summertime is an important season for Broadway, with tourists flocking from all over to check out the stars they watched on the Tony Awards, be the first to visit the newest additions to the Broadway line-up, and even stop back at an old favorite. Need help keeping track of Broadway's newest and most buzzed-about performers? BroadwayWorld brings you a roundup of the hottest stars of the summer below!

Dallas Theater Center announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production. Check out a first look at the show below!

Producers Daryl Roth and Eva Price announced today that Sebastian Arcelus, Fred Dalton Thompson (in his Broadway debut), and John Douglas Thompson will star in the new Broadway courtroom drama A Time to Kill, Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes' stage adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling novel. This new Broadway play holds the distinction of being the first-ever John Grisham property to be adapted for the stage. A Time to Kill is set to open on Broadway on October 20, 2013 at the John Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). Previews begin September 28th. Ethan McSweeny will direct. The remainder of the high-powered ensemble cast of 13 will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.ATimeToKillOnBroadway.com.