David Esbjornson News

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre is proud to announce that it has completed its 2014-15 subscription programming with the addition of X's and O's (A Gridiron Love Story) written by KJ Sanchez. Memory, myth, and football meet head on in this hard-hitting world premiere directed by Michael Leibert Artistic Director Tony Taccone. Working with collaborator Jenny Mercein, Sanchez delivers a gripping docudrama dramatically based on brutally honest and heartrending interviews with football players, their families, and their fans about traumatic brain injuries and their impact on the game. The play takes an unflinching look at the lives and loves around this singularly American sport - and the lingering questions it asks of us all. This dynamic world premiere is commissioned by Berkeley Rep and developed through The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep's Center for the Creation and Development of New Work. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on Friday, January 16, 2015, opens Friday, January 23, 2015, and runs through Sunday, March 1, 2015.

A stellar production of Thornton Wilder's 'Our Town' is now being performed at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick through May 25th.

The first industry-only reading of A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES, based on the best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel by John Kennedy Toole, will be held today, Monday, April 28th in New York City.

Guthrie Director Joe Dowling today announced ten mainstage productions in his final season at the helm of the world renowned theater, culminating 20 years of remarkable leadership. The 2014-2015 lineup includes first-time Guthrie productions of plays by A.R. Gurney, Anne Washburn and Sarah Ruhl, three productions directed by Dowling, including a beloved Shakespeare comedy and iconic masterpieces by Arthur Miller and Sean O'Casey, the Guthrie debut of visionary writer and director Mary Zimmerman, as well as an all-American musical slated for summer.

Producers Bob Guza and John Hardy of Shelton Street announced today the first industry-only reading of A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES based on the best-selling and Pulitzer Prize winning novel by John Kennedy Toole. As plans move forward towards a Broadway production, the invited reading will take place on Monday, April 28th in New York City.

Huntington Theatre Company, the 2013 recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award and Boston magazine's Best Theatre of 2013, announces that a new stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner will kick off the 2014-2015 Season with performances beginning September 5. The adaptation by August Wilson collaborator Todd Kreidler and directed by David Esbjornson (All My Sons at the Huntington) joins the previously announced six subscription titles plus a special presentation directed by the visionary David Cromer (Our Town).

Known nationally and internationally for thrilling audiences with captivating and esteemed productions, Berkeley Rep is poised to present yet another compelling collection of shows for its 47th season. Today, Berkeley Rep's Michael Leibert Artistic Director Tony Taccone reveals five of seven productions that will comprise the 2014-15 subscription programming.

The Public Theater announced the line-up today for the 2014 free Shakespeare in the Park season, continuing a 52-year tradition of free theater in Central Park. Since 1962, over five million people have enjoyed more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte Theater. Conceived by founder Joe Papp as a way to make great theater accessible to all, The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park continues to be the bedrock of the Company's mission to increase access and engage the community. This summer, free Shakespeare in the Park will feature a comedy and a tragedy with Jack O'Brien directing MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and Daniel Sullivan directing KING LEAR.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater presents Guess Who's Coming to Dinner starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner (The Cosby Show, Malcolm and Eddie) in his Washington, D.C. theatrical debut as Dr. John Prentice. Under the direction of David Esbjornson (Broadway's Driving Miss Daisy and Arena's Red Hot Patriot starring Kathleen Turner), this heart-warming comedy features many of the same actors who appeared in the world premiere of the play by True Colors TheatreCompany in July 2012.The play is adapted from William Rose's screenplay for the 1967 film of the same name starring Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburnand Spencer Tracy about a young white woman in the 1960s introducing her family to her charming, accomplished and African-American fiance. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner runs November 29, 2013-January 5, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage. BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

Malcolm-Jamal Warner makes his D.C.-area theater debut as Dr. John Prentice in Todd Kreidler's stage adaptation of GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER directed by David Esbjornson. Warner first rose to national prominence appearing as Theo in the television series THE COSBY SHOW. His work on the show garnered him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He is not only a seasoned actor, but an accomplished musician, director and producer. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER runs through January 5, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage. Below, check out a look back at the opening night festivities!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a thought-provoking play that challenges us by asking pointed questions regarding equality and love in a heart-warming production at Arena Stage.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner (The Cosby Show, Malcolm and Eddie) in his Washington, D.C. theatrical debut as Dr. John Prentice. Under the direction of David Esbjornson (Broadway's Driving Miss Daisy and Arena's Red Hot Patriot starring Kathleen Turner), this heart-warming comedy features many of the same actors who appeared in the world premiere of the play by True Colors Theatre Company in July 2012. Kenny Leon, who collaborated with playwright Todd Kreidler on the world premiere and was previously announced to direct for Arena Stage, withdrew from the project due to an unforeseen conflict. The play is adapted from William Rose's screenplay for the 1967 film of the same name starring Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy about a young white woman in the 1960s introducing her family to her charming, accomplished and African-American fiance. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner runs November 29, 2013-January 5, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage.

On Today October 14 at 7:30pm, Red Bull Theater presents a staged reading of SAMSON AGONISTES by John Milton, featuring Robert Cuccioli, Ron Cephas Jones, Richard Easton, Alfredo Narciso, Dakin Matthews, Roberta Maxwell, Christina Rouner, Robert Stanton and Marc Vietor. The reading will be directed by Michael Sexton.

On Monday October 14 at 7:30pm, Red Bull Theater presents a staged reading of SAMSON AGONISTES by John Milton, featuring Robert Cuccioli, Ron Cephas Jones, Richard Easton, Alfredo Narciso, Dakin Matthews, Roberta Maxwell, Christina Rouner, Robert Stanton and Marc Vietor. The reading will be directed by Michael Sexton.

SALON/SANCTUARY CONCERTS opens its fifth season with Ethan Peck, Florencia Lozano and Steven Rattazzi, joining Grammy-nominated musicians Jory Vinikour and Jose Lemos in the return of 'THE HEIRS OF TANTALUS' tonight, September 19 and the 21st, 2013.

SALON/SANCTUARY CONCERTS opens its fifth season with Ethan Peck, Florencia Lozano and Steven Rattazzi, joining Grammy-nominated musicians Jory Vinikour and Jose Lemos in the return of 'THE HEIRS OF TANTALUS' on September 19 and 21, 2013.

Red Bull Theater (Jesse Berger, Artistic Director) will present their Tenth Anniversary Season at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theater, including Off Broadway revivals of modern classics by the iconoclastic Joe Orton and Charles Ludlam - writing in the tradition of Marlowe and Aristophanes - alongside Revelation Readings of Jacobean gems such as 'Tis Pity She's a Whore and The Roaring Girl, and of rarities like the American Premiere of Nabokov's Tragedy of Mr. Morn, Brecht & Weill's musical Happy End, and Thornton Wilder's Alcestiad, offering something for every lover of classic theater to relish.

Beginning in July 2013, the Alley Theatre will produce Agatha Christie's The Hollow during its popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series. Under the direction of Gregory Boyd, the Alley's resident company of actors will bring to life the colorful cast of characters in Agatha Christie's The Hollow.

The Boston Theater Critics Association previously announced its nominations for the 31st Annual Elliot Norton Awards. The awards, which recognize excellence in Greater Boston theater, will be presented tonight, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Paramount Mainstage, 559 Washington Street, Boston.