Danny Hoch News

La MaMa, the world-renowned downtown theatre founded by the late Ellen Stewart, will celebrate is 50th anniversary season in 2011-12 -- entitled 'Homecomings' - with a two day celebration on October 16th and 17th 2011: The La MaMa 50 World Block Party and The La MaMa 50 Gala. The festivities kick off with the La MaMa 50 World Block Party on Sunday, October 16 from 2 to 6pm on the block of East 4th Street (between the Bowery and Second Avenue in Manhattan) that is home to La MaMa's three performance spaces, and where Ms. Stewart herself resided for many years before her death in January 2011.

In September, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre kicks off its new season with the world premiere of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup, a captivating new show created specifically for this outstanding actress. Written by Artistic Director Tony Taccone, developed by Rita Moreno and Tony Taccone, and staged by David Galligan, this spectacular production starts previews in the Roda Theatre on September 2, opens September 7, and runs through October 30.

According to the Boston Globe, Tony nominee Lily Rabe will star in the New Group premiere of her father, David Rabe's new play- An Early History of Fire. The off-Broadway production will be directed by Jo Bonney and will run in thir 2011-12 season.

In September, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre kicks off its new season with the world premiere of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup, a captivating new show created specifically for this outstanding actress.

Producers Julian Schlossberg and Letty Aronson announced today that Katherine Borowitz, Jason Kravits, Richard Libertini, Mark Linn-Baker, Patricia O'Connell have joined the ensemble cast of the world premiere of RELATIVELY SPEAKING, three one-act comedies by the prolific writing trio of Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen. They join the previously-announced cast of Caroline Aaron, Bill Army, Lisa Emery, Ari Graynor, Steve Guttenberg, Danny Hoch, Julie Kavner, Fred Melamed, Grant Shaud, Marlo Thomas.

ROGER, THE CHICKEN is a four-part comedy centering on an eccentric hipster named Roger who dresses like a chicken. Yeah, he's that cool. Join Roger (played by writer/creator Matthew-Lee Erlbach) as he struggles to find success in his relationship, stand up career, and 'day jobs,' while navigating his way through a world with its own set of social conventions. 'Part One: Therapy' is already up online at www.RogertheChicken.com and youtube.com/RogerChicken. Part two premieres Sunday, July 3, with the following parts premiering on the next two Sundays.

ROGER, THE CHICKEN is a four-part comedy centering on an eccentric hipster named Roger who dresses like a chicken. Yeah, he's that cool. Join Roger (played by writer/creator Matthew-Lee Erlbach) as he struggles to find success in his relationship, stand up career, and 'day jobs,' while navigating his way through a world with its own set of social conventions. 'Part One: Therapy' is already up online at www.RogertheChicken.com and youtube.com/RogerChicken. Part two premieres Sunday, July 3, with the following parts premiering on the next two Sundays.

If you're looking for a quick roundup of all of this week's events in the theatre world, look no further: here are some of the best news articles that the week had to offer!

Vassar & New York Stage and Film announce complete casting for its two Inside Look play workshops to be offered this season at Powerhouse Theater: Margaret and Craig by David Solomon, directed by Sheryl Kaller (July 1-3) and Handball by Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, directed by Cándido Tirado (July 15-17).

Producers Julian Schlossberg and Letty Aronson have announced that Caroline Aaron, Bill Army, Lisa Emery, Ari Graynor, Steve Guttenberg, Danny Hoch, Julie Kavner, Fred Melamed, Grant Shaud and Marlo Thomas will star in the ensemble cast of the world premiere production of RELATIVELY SPEAKING, three one-act comedies by the prolific writing trio of Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen, and directed by John Turturro.

Off-Broadway's The New Group proudly announces the productions slated for its 2011-2012 season.

The Broadway packed NURSE JACKIE on Showtime has just been renewed for a fourth season, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Starring Edie Falco in the title role, the show has featured a parade (which we hope never ends) of other Broadway talent and guest stars as well. The Season 3 finale of NURSE JACKIE is set to air next month.

Aurora Theatre Company announced today that Arion Press in San Francisco will print a limited edition handcrafted book of renowned American playwright Edward Albee's script for A DELICATE BALANCE; the book printing will coincide with Aurora Theatre Company's production of the play.

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre completed the line-up for another year of innovative and adventurous work with the announcement of three exceptional shows.

Performance Space 122 will honor Justin Vivian Bond, Danny Hoch and Carmelita Tropicana at the 30th Anniversary Season Spring Gala on Monday, April 25 beginning at 6pm at the Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand St. at Pitt Street).

Performance Space 122 will honor Justin Vivian Bond, Danny Hoch and Carmelita Tropicana at the 30th Anniversary Season Spring Gala on Monday, April 25 beginning at 6pm at the Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand St. at Pitt Street).

Moving Pictures Film and Television presents HENRY'S CRIME Opens April 8th in NY and April 15th in LA (opening in additional markets as well)

Monday nights have been long enjoyed by theatregoers and all of us here at BroadwayWorld.com as the night where there's more cabarets, benefit concerts and other special events than we know how to handle. The beginning of the week has gotten even more complicated now, because in addition to all of those, we're now finding ourselves rushing home to be in front of the TV at 10pm to watch the wonderful NURSE JACKIE on Showtime, starring Edie Falco. The show has featured a parade (which we hope never ends) of other Broadway talent and guest stars as well. Season 3, which began last week looks to be the show's sharpest, most fun and strongest season yet.

Broadway veteran Kevin Anderson leads the cast in the Los Angeles run of world premiere production of Neil LaBute's The Break of Noon. The Break of Noon, which is a co-production with MCC in New York, will feature Catherine Dent as well as Tracee Chimo and John Earl Jelks, who performed their roles in the New York portion of the run. Helmed by director Jo Bonney, The Break of Noon begins in previews on January 25, 2011 and officially opens February 2, 2011.