Ellen Burstyn News

Hana Sharif has been named associate artistic director of Hartford Stage, the Hartford Courant's Behind the Curtain blog reports. Sharif will succeed Jeremy B. Cohen, who is to become producing director of Minneapolis's The Playwrights Center, on August 9.

Neil Berg's new cabaret show, RISE UP: The Theater Songs of Neil Berg, comes to Feinstein's, hosted by Rob Evan, and featuring a star-studded cast, including current Wicked star Mandy Gonzalez, and special guest, Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham, and others!

Hartford Stage has announced a dynamic 2010-2011 season which includes Tony winners Ben Vereen and Chita Rivera in their SummerStage program. Both will be presenting back to back solo shows each with one week runs at the Roberts Theatre just outside of Hartford. Rivera will play there June 22 to 27 and Vereen July 6 to 11.

Neil Berg's new cabaret show, RISE UP: The Theater Songs of Neil Berg, comes to Feinstein's, hosted by Rob Evan, and featuring a star-studded cast, including current Wicked star Mandy Gonzalez, and special guest, Academy Award-winner F. Murray Abraham, and others for a performance July 18, 2010 at 8:30pm.

The Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park presents Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare's timeless tale of ill-fated lovers and feuding families. Jeff Irving stars as Romeo (Ross Petty's Robin Hood, Mirvish Productions' Sound of Music and Canadian Stage/Citadel Theatre's The December Man /L'homme de décembre) and Christine Horne stars as Juliet (The Stone Angel with Ellen Burstyn and KICK Theatre's Miss Julie: Sheh'mah).

Burning Coal Theatre Company's annual adult acting class, taught by Artistic Director Jerome Davis, is enrolling now.

Hartford Stage has announced a dynamic 2010-2011 season which includes Tony winners Ben Vereen and Chita Rivera in their SummerStage program. Both will be presenting back to back solo shows each with one week runs at the Roberts Theatre just outside of Hartford. Rivera will play there June 22 to 27 and Vereen July 6 to 11.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) announces casting for In Love with Jobim, the next offering in its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series.

Registration is now open for the New Session of Adult Acting Classes, beginning May 16th & 17th, 2010 at JTA Talent in Charlotte. Taught by professional actor/director Martin Thompson, these classes are appropriate for both aspiring actors and professionals who would like to improve their skills.

THE BILBAO EFFECT -- a world-premiere play that puts contemporary architecture on trial -- written by Oren Safdie (whose previous play about architecture, PRIVATE JOKES, PUBLIC PLACES, was a hit Off-Broadway in 2003) will be presented Off-Broadway with previews starting May 12 prior to an official press opening night on May 16, 2010 at Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Place) in Manhattan.

THE BILBAO EFFECT, a world-premiere play that puts contemporary architecture on trial, written by Oren Safdie (whose previous play about architecture, PRIVATE JOKES, PUBLIC PLACES, was a hit Off-Broadway in 2003) will be presented Off-Broadway with previews starting May 12 prior to an official press opening night on May 16, 2010 at Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Place) in Manhattan. THE BILBAO EFFECT will run Wednesday through Saturday at 8PM through June 5. For tickets call (212) 352-3101 or (866) 811-4111 or visit www.theatermania.com

Kevin McKeon's Snow Falling on Cedars has just been announced as the sixth production of Hartford Stages's 2010-11 season. Cast and creative members will be announced at a later date.

THE BILBAO EFFECT -- a world-premiere play that puts contemporary architecture on trial -- written by Oren Safdie (whose previous play about architecture, PRIVATE JOKES, PUBLIC PLACES, was a hit Off-Broadway in 2003) will be presented Off-Broadway with previews starting May 12 prior to an official press opening night on May 16, 2010 at Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Place) in Manhattan.

The 21st annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards kicks-off Sunday, May 2 and continues through Friday, May 7 and highlights over 100 films by students graduating from the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). The program includes screenings of short films, videos and animations; and an awards ceremony and gala with notable presenters from the film industry.

The 21st annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards will highlight over 100 films by students graduating from the BFA Film, Video and Animation Department at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). The program includes screenings of short films, videos and animations; and an awards ceremony and gala with notable presenters from the film industry. All festival events take place at the SVA Theatre (333 West 23rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Many events are FREE and open to the general public.

The 21st Annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival and Awards - taking place May 2-7 culminates with an awards ceremony and gala, Thursday, May 6 at 6:30PM at the SVA Theatre (333 West 23rd Street) and features a full roster of names from the world of film and animation.

The award-winning York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) announces casting for In Love with Jobim, the next offering in its acclaimed Developmental Reading Series.

Royal George, 1641 N. Halsted, raised the curtain at 7:30p.m. on Monday, May 3rd, 2010 in honor of Michael Cullen, owner of the Mercury Theater and Cullen's Bar and Grill, and a thirty five-year veteran producer and pioneer in the development of Chicagoland theater as it is known today. Recently suffering from a stroke, Mr. Cullen requires extensive therapy treatments. The evening, directed by Michael Weber, featured Chicago's Entertainer Ron Hawking, Gretchen Cryer (Writer and star of I'm Getting My Act Together) and cast members from Million Dollar Quartet. The evening also featured cast members appearing from some of the many dynamic productions that Michael Cullen produced including Steel Magnolias (Nancy Baird), A Couple of Blaguards (Howard Platt), Pump Boys And Dinettes (Malcolm Ruhl, John Foley, Shawn Stengel, Tom Mendel, Mary Launder, Rick Pickren, Tammy Mader, Liza Jaine, Tiffany Herlien, Shaun Whitely, Brian Burke and Maggie LaMee) & The Irish And How They Got That Way (Jane Baxter, Miller, Kent Lewis, David Girolmo, Justine Serino, and Susan Voelz.). Chicago Tribune Theater Critic Chris Jones made a special appearance that was the highlight of the evening. Thousands of dollars were raised for Mr. Cullen's rehabilitative care.

The Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, raises the curtain at 7:30p.m. on Monday, May 3rd, 2010 in honor of Michael Cullen, owner of the Mercury Theater and Cullen's Bar and Grill, and a thirty five-year veteran producer and pioneer in the development of Chicagoland theater as it is known today. Recently suffering from a stroke, Mr. Cullen requires extensive therapy treatments.

Neil Berg and Rita Harvey are to be honored by Rockland Family Shelter on Sunday May 2nd. Academy Award winning actress Ellen Burstyn will also be honored.