Edward Albee News

Broadway's Sebastian Arcelus, who previously appeared onstage in ELF and JERSEY BOYS, is trying on a more serious, and non-singing role in A TIME TO KILL. The play is a Rupert Holmes' adaptation of a novel by John Grisham and will open today, May 22 at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, after previews which began on May 6.

Vineyard Theatre's (108 E. 15 St.) world-premiere production of Christopher Shinn's play PICKED will close on May 22.

The Latino Theater Company, in association with Ken Werther, has announced a limited engagement of The Good Boy at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. This new solo show, written and performed by Michael Bonnabel and directed by Darin Anthony, will close Sunday, May 22.

Created by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen, the show will be given a Developmental Lab Production by the Vineyard Theatre from 4 to 19 June 2011.

Pride Films and Plays is delighted to announce that 21 writers have been named semi-finalists in Women's Work. Nine plays and 12 screenplays with lesbian themes or characters have been selected as semi-finalists in the Sapphics on Stage and Sapphics on Screen categories.

Out Front on Main, Inc. presents a showcase of challenging and thought provoking one act plays opening Thursday, May 19. Edward Albee's The Zoo Story, directed by Ryan Daniel, and Therac 25, directed by Buddy Jones, will run through June 5, with performances Thursdays-Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

Bonnie Keen is, without doubt, one of the most fearless actors to ever take the stage in Nashville. With a gorgeous voice and a talent that is worthy of praise, she will do whatever it takes to connect with her audience, lacing her performances with warmth, wit and wonder. The first time I saw Bonnie onstage was years ago, back in the day, when she played the Witch in Circle Players' production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods; she was mesmerizing. Savvy and smart, she knows what works and what doesn't work onstage and in that role, in which she goes from ugly and twisted to beautiful and elegant, she displayed a range that other actors envy. At the time she did Into the Woods, she was taking a break from her burgeoning recording career: She's an award-winning member of the contemporary Christian music trio First Call.

Broadway and off Broadway producer Randall L. Wreghitt has passed away, according to his production company website. A message posted on the homepage reads: 'Hello friends, our beloved Randall passed away early this morning. All arrangements are pending as of now and we will keep you posted.'

Due to overwhelming demand, Mark St. Germain's runaway hit play FREUD'S LAST SESSION today put a new block of seats on sale through September 4th.

New Dramatists, Tony Honor® recipient and the nation's premiere playwright development workshop, honored 14-time Tony Award® winner Roger Berlind with their 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award at its 62nd Annual Spring Luncheon tribute, yesterday, May 17th at the New York Marriott Marquis. Philip J. Smith and Robert E. Wankel of The Shubert Organization served as the Luncheon Chairs. Jim Dale, Emily Mann and Brian Stokes Mitchell were among those paying tribute to Mr Berlind. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the event and brings you phoot coverage below.

Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced initial details for its 2011 special online Auction in connection with its annual Spring Gala Benefit. Bidding for the auction, which will feature an eclectic array of items and unique opportunities, begins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 26 at 8AM at www.biddingforgood/playwrightshorizons. Online bidding will continue for three weeks through Wednesday, May 18 (with items staggered to close at 8PM and 9PM).

Previews for Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) production of Tony Kushner's THE ILLUSION begin tonight, Tuesday, May 17 at the Peter Norton Space (555 W. 42nd Street) with opening night scheduled for June 5.

Penguin Rep Theatre (Joe Brancato, Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director) and Edmund Gaynes, in association with Don and Lizanne Mitchell, will present The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a musical by Angelo Parra, conceived and directed by Joe Brancato.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company is proud to announce a call for submissions for its seventh season of the Global Age Project (GAP) festival of new works. The company will choose four new plays to be presented as staged readings with professional directors and actors during the GAP festival in February of 2012.

Following a successful run at Georgetown University, GU's Theater and Performance Studies Program and Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater present Tennessee Williams' most autobiographical work The Glass Menagerie in conjunction with The Glass Menagerie Project.

The life and work of playwright Lanford Wilson will be celebrated in a memorial tribute on Monday, May 16 at 1PM at The Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street, east of Broadway).

The life and work of playwright Lanford Wilson will be celebrated in a memorial tribute on Monday, May 16 at 1PM at The Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street, east of Broadway).

FREUD'S LAST SESSION, the smash hit play by Mark St. Germain, will host special post-performance discussions this Saturday matinee May 14th, Wednesday May 18th and Tuesday May 24th led by the playwright and the show's stars, Mark H. Dold (C.S. Lewis) and Martin Rayner (Sigmund Freud).

Stephen Adly Guirgis, freshly nominated for a 2011 Tony Award®, will appear in Buffalo on Saturday, May 14th, to celebrate, share, and be honored at Road Less Traveled Productions' (RLTP's) 2011 Spring Gala.

With a 2011 Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor In A Play for his magnetic turn in the critically-hailed revival of Larry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART on Broadway and a leading role on Showtime's THE BIG C co-starring real-life close friend Laura Linney, as well as a busy film career that boats memorable turns in THE REF, ME & MY SHADOWS: LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, the recent remake of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 and TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, John Benjamin Hickey is a very busy man. Nevertheless, he was kind enough to recently take some time out of his beyond busy schedule to talk all about his stage and screen career - including sharing some revealing anecdotes about starring in THE CRUCIBLE with Liam Neeson and Linney, as well as working with the esteemed playwright Arthur Miller himself, in addition to his work in Terrance McNally's LOVE, VALOUR, COMPASSION, Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall's revival of CABARET, and, of course, all about the George C. Wolfe/Joel Grey production of THE NORMAL HEART starring director/actor Joe Mantello that he is participating in now. Plus, we have his thoughts on his recent GOOD WIFE appearance, feelings on the place of political theatre in society today, what roles he would like to take on in the future, his affection for the work of Edward Albee - and much, much more.