David Mamet News

It would certainly be an interesting experience for modern playgoers to travel back in time and see how The Merchant of Venice was first received by Shakespeare's audiences.  Those only familiar with the play's famous, 'Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions...' speech, spoken by the moneylender Shylock, might just assume the author meant it to be a drama attacking anti-Semitic tendencies of the day.

Have you ever wanted to be on stage with some of New York's Broadway actors like Chris Bauer, Darrell Hammond and Richard Kind? Do you dream of feeling the excitement and rush of an opening night on Broadway? How about a luxurious stay for 16-20 in a private home in an exotic location like Punta Cana, Dominican Republic?

Eddie Izzard, Dennis Haysbert, Afton C. Williamson, and Richard Thomas began their run in RACE, written and directed by David Mamet, on Monday June 21st for a nine-week limited engagement through Saturday, August 21st. In this clip, Izzard chats RACE and why he connects so much with Mamet.

David Alan Grier is set to perform at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, on July 2.

Piven Theatre Workshop closes its 2009-10 season with the Chicago premiere of Late: A Cowboy Song, written by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Jessica Thebus and featuring Polly Noonan. The production will run July 24 - August 29, 2010 at Piven Theatre Workshop, 927 Noyes Street. Press opening is Monday, July 26, 2010 at 7:30PM.

Juilliard's Drama Division presents a series of fully-staged productions during the 2010-2011 season featuring students in their fourth and final year of acting training at Juilliard.

Eddie Izzard, Dennis Haysbert, Afton C. Williamson, and Richard Thomas began their run in RACE, written and directed by David Mamet, on Monday June 21st for a nine-week limited engagement through Saturday, August 21st.

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center offers three summer programs for aspiring theatre arts students. Nearly 120 local students are participating in a hands-on, intensive, theatre arts learning experience that will culminate in two diverse productions July 15-18, featuring songs and scenes from the best musicals and playwrights, plus film, commercials and more.

Sydney Theatre Company, Artists Repertory Theatre and Commonwealth Bank present Long Day's Journey Into Night by Eugene O'Neill 29 June - 1 August 2010. Opening Night 3 July 2010 at 7.30pm Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay. Then touring to Portland, Oregon, USA, from 13 to 29 August 2010.

Actor Dennis Haysbert recently joined the cast of David Mamet's Broadway play RACE. On June 25, he was interviewed on 'Today' and talked about the play. During the interview, Haysbert hinted that him and Mamet (playwright and director of RACE), may be looking to collaborate on a television project in the future.

The Ross Valley Players kicks off it's new season with David Mamet's political comedy 'November,' opening on Sept. 17. James Dunn directs this play about U.S. President Charles 'Chucky' Smith nearing the end of his first term and dealing with the unfavorable prospects that he will be elected for a second term.

HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the production of the company's 5th Annual GreenHouse New Play Festival. Three plays 'in progress' are chosen from over 250 submitted by playwrights all over the world. Each script is given a workshop that includes professional directors on staff at HotCity, a professional dramaturg (a literary drama scholar) and professional local actors. This workshop provides a springboard for re-writes, culminating in readings at the festival by professional actors and adjudicated by HotCity artistic staff. At the festival event, scripts are performed as staged readings, followed by talkback sessions where you, the patrons, are given the opportunity to offer your thoughts and ask questions of the playwrights.

HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the production of the company's 5th Annual GreenHouse New Play Festival. Three plays 'in progress' are chosen from over 250 submitted by playwrights all over the world. Each script is given a workshop that includes professional directors on staff at HotCity, a professional dramaturg (a literary drama scholar) and professional local actors. This workshop provides a springboard for re-writes, culminating in readings at the festival by professional actors and adjudicated by HotCity artistic staff. At the festival event, scripts are performed as staged readings, followed by talkback sessions where you, the patrons, are given the opportunity to offer your thoughts and ask questions of the playwrights.

The Comix Theatre is an elegant space with comfortable seating, unobstructed stage views and the purest acoustics.

Stage legend Patti LuPone sereved as the featured guest for the 'From Stage To Page' workshop at the 2010 BookExpo at the Javits Center last month. In the discussion, LuPone provides insight into her forthcoming memoir 'Patti LuPone: A Memoir,' the struggles she faced finding stardom in EVITA at a young age, and yes, GLEE.

Celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy presents a special evening of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie deRoy & friends on Wednesday, July 14th (7PM) at the New York hotspot Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street ~between 5th & 6th Avenues).

The critically acclaimed Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble will presentWilliam Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream on the Powerhouse Theatre's redwood deck from July 8 - 31. As a way of showing appreciation for the ongoing support of the Santa Monicacommunity, all performances will be offered at no cost to the public.

The Comix Theatre is an elegant space with comfortable seating, unobstructed stage views and the purest acoustics.

Stars & stripes, Joy Behar, fireworks, and Darrell Hammond... What do they all have in common? Fourth of July weekend fun on the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor! Two special performances with comic favorites Joy Behar and Darrell Hammond will kick off Bay Street's 2010 Summer Comedy Club over the holiday weekend.

EDDIE IZZARD, DENNIS HAYSBERT, AFTON C. WILLIAMSON, and RICHARD THOMAS begin their run in RACE, written and directed by David Mamet, on Monday June 21st for a nine-week limited engagement through Saturday, August 21st.