Edward Albee News

In its opening moments, it would be completely understandable to assume that Assistance, Leslye Headland's viciously fun satire of the cutthroat dealings among entry-level twenty-somethings, might be mimicking David Mamet's dark comedy of film executives, Speed-the-Plow. 

On the centennial of Strindberg's death, Harvard University is hosting a two-day symposium of staged readings, expert lectures, an exhibit of rare artifacts, and film screenings that will provide a fresh look at the work of this Swedish playwright, author and artist who changed the course of the modern theatre. The symposium events will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, March 2 - Saturday, March 3, primarily in Barker Center, 12 Quincy Street on the Harvard campus. All events are free and open to the public.

Lynn Cohen and Jake Robards set to headline the cast of the world premiere of Rivka Beekerman-Greenberg's EAVESDROPPING ON DREAMS, presented Off-Broadway by Barefoot Theatre Company with previews beginning April 20 prior to an official press opening of Friday, April 27 at the Cherry Lane Studio Theatre (38 Commerce Street) in Manhattan. Ronald Cohen will direct.

Nicky Silver's play THE LYONS -- a critical and popular success when it debuted last fall at Vineyard Theatre -- will transfer to Broadway's Cort Theatre (138 W. 48 St.) with its entire original cast expected to be inteact, including the Tony Award-winning stars Linda Lavin and Dick Latessa, along with Kate Jennings Grant, Brenda Pressley and Gregory Wooddell. Michael Esper is in negotionations to return as well. The Vineyard Theatre production of THE LYONS will be presented on Broadway by producer Kathleen K. Johnson. Mark Brokaw directs.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity Ensemble, will participate in a global benefit for the people of Japan, SHINSAI: Theatre for Japan, Sunday, March 11 at 3 p.m. at the Richard Christiansen Theater in Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 North Lincoln Ave. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 with 100% of the proceeds going to SHINSAI. For tickets and more information go to www.americanbluestheater.com or call 312.725.4228.

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company announces its 16th season, the first under the new leadership of longtime company member Nick Sandys.

Signature Theatre Company presents Edward Albee'S THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, directed by David Esbjornson. The production will play Monday, March 5 through Sunday, April 1 and is the inaugural production in The End Stage Theatre at the company's new home The Pershing Square Signature Center. Check out the production photos below!

The production will now play through Sunday, April 1 and is the inaugural production in The End Stage Theatre at the company's new home The Pershing Square Signature Center.

Signature Theatre Company has just announced a one-week extension for EDWARD ALBEE'S THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, directed by David Esbjornson. The production will now play through Sunday, April 1 and is the inaugural production in The End Stage Theatre at the company's new home The Pershing Square Signature Center. The production will open on Monday, March 5. Tickets during the extension week are $75 each. Signature announced yesterday that Katori Hall's HURT VILLAGE has also been extended, and will now play in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre through March 25.

Cherry Lane Theatre's award-winning MENTOR PROJECT will continue its 13th season with a production of EVOLUTION, written and performed by Patricia Buckley, directed Michele Chivu and mentored Jean-Claude van Itallie with performances scheduled March 13 through March 24 at Cherry Lane Studio Theatre (38 Commerce Street in Manhattan), where the 2012 MENTOR PROJECT is in residence through April 14.

TOPHER GRACE and OLIVIA THIRLBY will co-star in Second Stage Theatre's production of Paul Weitz's world premiere comedy, LONELY, I'M NOT, directed by Trip Cullman. Preview performances are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 10 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street). The production will officially open on Monday, May 7. For tickets or more information, please visit www.2ST.com. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Signature Theatre has just announced a one-week extension for the world premiere of Katori Hall's HURT VILLAGE, directed by Patricia McGregor. This inaugural production in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at the company's new home The Pershing Square Signature Center will now play through Sunday, March 25. HURT VILLAGE opened on Monday, February 27. Tickets during the extension week are $75 each.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION is opening yet another major U.S. production, with performances beginning at Pittsburgh Public Theater this Thursday, March 1st. The official opening night is March 9th and the limited engagement is set to run through April 1st. Under the direction of Mary B. Robinson, the Pittsburgh debut of FREUD'S LAST SESSION will star Jonathan Crombie as C. S. Lewis and David Wohl as Sigmund Freud. Winner of the 2011 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play, FREUD'S LAST SESSION is currently in its second smash year at NYC's New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), starring Mark H. Dold and Martin Rayner, directed by Tyler Marchant.

Last night before a crowd of 200 theatre makers and theatre lovers, theatreWashington announced the nominees for the 28th Helen Hayes Awards. The National Theatre's Helen Hayes Gallery set the scene for the announcement of nominees in 26 categories for artistic excellence and the announcement of the recipient of the 2012 John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company. The Helen Hayes Awards is one of the most prestigious honors for artists and theatre companies in Washington's vibrant theatre scene.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, actor Bill Pullman is set to portray the President in the upcoming NBC comedy pilot 1600 PENN.

Signature Theatre (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) has announced that performances begin tonight for the world premiere production of Katori Hall's HURT VILLAGE, directed by Patricia McGregor.

Known for her many memorable roles on stages and screens large and small, many from the canon of William Shakespeare (OTHELLO, MACBETH) and Edward Albee (THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, SEASCAPE, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? & LISTENING), Maureen Anderman is making her grand return to the realm of Shakespeare onstage in New York with the new BAM production of RICHARD III directed by Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey. In addition to illustrating many aspects of the rapturously received revival of the historical tragedy as she has traveled with it around the world, Anderman and I also discuss her affiliation with Shakespeare and what she derives from performing his greatest works, with RICHARD III being the central focus. Also, Anderman details her experiences working with Edward Albee on the original Broadway productions of THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE and SEASCAPE, as well as offering some candid observations on some of her favorite feature film and television appearances over the years - THE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF MOLLY DODD and LAW & ORDER included. As well as all of that, Anderman also shines a light on her recent standby duties for Vanessa Redgrave in THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING and DRIVING MISS DAISY, as well as the forthcoming Westport Country Playhouse production of MAGICAL THINKING in which she will be starring later this year.

On the centennial of Strindberg's death, Harvard University is hosting a two-day symposium of staged readings, expert lectures, an exhibit of rare artifacts, and film screenings that will provide a fresh look at the work of this Swedish playwright, author and artist who changed the course of the modern theatre. The symposium events will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, March 2 - Saturday, March 3, primarily in Barker Center, 12 Quincy Street on the Harvard campus. All events are free and open to the public.