David Kaplan News

The classic Tennessee Williams drama THE MILK TRAIN DOESN'T STOP HERE ANYMORE comes to Artscape this October directly from the 8th Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival in the USA.

The Pearl Theatre Company kicks off its 30th anniversary season-the second season in its new home on West 42nd Street-with the first New York revival in 15 years of George Bernard Shaw's You Never Can Tell in a co-production with the Gingold Theatrical Group that is directed by David Staller. RunningSeptember 3-October 13, the show's sumptuous costumes, elegant settings and Shavian wit will raise a champagne toast to a year of celebration at The Pearl, where Shaw, following Shakespeare, has been the second most produced playwright in The Pearl's history. The production is also the centerpiece of the Shaw New York 2013 festival.

'It may be disappointing to some, but despite the title there is no gore in The Mutilated,' says David Kaplan, curator of the Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. 'Instead we have broad humor, cryptic Christmas Carols, and touching characters seeking redemption in all the wrong places. Altogether a really good time at the theater."

Real life husband and wife Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon play the classic couple 'Big Daddy' and 'Big Mama' in Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize Winning play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at this year's TW Festival, 50% Illusion: Tennessee Williams and Women, in an upcoming production from the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT).

Magnolia Pictures has released the first trailer for writer-director Joe Swanberg's DRINKING BUDDIES. The film will hit theaters on August 23rd. Get a first look below!

The Tulsa return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, July 7. In Tulsa, THE LION KING will play Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday* evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m., Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. with additional performances on Monday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, July 5 at 1:00 p.m. *There will be no performances on Thursday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. "Thus far sales have been strong, but there are still great seats available" said Ed Payton, Chief Executive Officer, Celebrity Attractions. The show's six-week premiere engagement in 2006 played a sold-out run at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

This September theater artists from around the globe will converge on the seaside village of Provincetown, where Williams worked over several summers, to celebrate America's great playwright with a program of plays, dance, film and performance art organized around the theme of Tennessee Williams and Women: 50% Illusion.

The Nashville return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, June 2. The show's six-week premiere engagement in 2006 played a sold-out run at TPAC.

Tony award-winning actor Elizabeth Ashley, well-known as one of the definitive interpreters of Tennessee Williams' women, will share stories of her friendship with the great American playwright and the classic roles she played at this year's fundraising Gala to launch the 8th season of the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival: 50% Illusion: Tennessee Williams and Women.

Today we are talking to a versatile stage and screen actress who has scored in a number of unique roles on Broadway and around the country in addition to making a recent mark with her work on the Broadway-themed web series IT COULD BE WORSE - the passionate and compelling Alison Fraser. Discussing her vast resume and some of her most fondly remembered performances to date, Fraser opens up about her remarkable career thus far - including her work originating parts in IN TROUSERS, MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS, THE SECRET GARDEN, ROMANCE/ROMANCE, GUNMETAL BLUES, THE DIVINE SISTER and more - and looks ahead to her most recent projects, current, upcoming and beyond. Most importantly, Fraser details the finer points of LOVE THERAPY, the new Wendy Beckett play she stars in Off-Broadway and outlines her continuing collaboration onstage with the playwright, having previously starred in CHARITY CASE, as well as what we can expect from the realistic new drama, opening April 29. Additionally, Fraser sheds some light on her recent work in the world premiere of the Tennessee Williams play IN MASKS OUTRAGEOUS AND AUSTERE and how that led to her new solo revue, THE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS SONGBOOK. Plus, memories of appearing in GYPSY on Broadway with Patti LuPone and working with Arthur Laurents on that as well as his own final play, cameoing on SMASH, reflections on her memorable musical partnerships with husband Rusty Magee and noted FALSETTOS songwriter William Finn, as well as thoughts on the contemporary theatre scene and her various theatre-related web projects, favorite recent shows and much, much more!

The Fox Cities' return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, May 5. The production performed two preview performances on Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10.

Cinedigm has acquired all North American and Latin American distribution rights to Destin Daniel Cretton's 2013 SXSW Film Festival dual Grand Jury and Audience Award winner Short Term 12. Cinedigm plans to release the film theatrically in late summer with an eye towards awards for the film and its performances.

The Wagner/Cuban Company's Magnolia Pictures announced today that they have acquired North American distribution rights to writer-director Joe Swanberg's DRINKING BUDDIES, starring Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick and Ron Livingston.

The Omaha return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, April 7. In Omaha, THE LION KING plays Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. There will also be a special matinee at 2:00 pm. on Thursday, April 4. "Omahans are welcoming back this wonderful show in a big way," Joan Squires, President of Omaha Performing Arts said. "Thus far sales have exceeded our expectations but there are still good seats available," she added. "We have seats throughout the run of the show but especially in the later weeks, so check with our box office for best available seating."

Casting has been announced for the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center 's engagement of DISNEY'S THE LION KING. The Fox Cities 'most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Center' s stage from Tuesday, April 9 to Sunday, May 5. The press opening night is Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. The show's six-week premiere engagement in 2007 played a sold-out run at the Fox Cities P.A.C.

This very special one-time event will be held on Monday, March 4 at The Century Theatre located inside The Historic Gem Theatre at 333 Madison Street Detroit; MI. Tickets are currently on sale for $75.00 including dinner at the Century Grille beginning at 6:00PM.

While most people know the story of The Lion King, everyone needs to experience musical stage version. The production is currently here in the Motor City at the Detroit Opera House until March 10th and the show is not one to be missed!

Twice Tony-nominated Broadway star Alison Fraser will command the stage and a seven piece swing band singing what she calls 'the soundtrack of Tennessee Williams' life.' The 90-minute benefit concert features songs Williams chose for his plays - music that is integral to the emotional contours of his indelible dramas.

The Detroit return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Detroit Opera House for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, March 10. In Detroit, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m., Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m.