Ensemble Studio Theatre News

As part of Artists at Play's mission to present stories of underrepresented communities, they will develop and showcase two new works to the L.A. theatre community. This upcoming event features readings of Marabella by local playwright Boni B. Alvarez, whose Dallas Non-Stop was recently Ovation Recommended; and Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters, named one of the Best 10 Plays of 2013 (TimeOut Chicago, Edge Boston).

A Tony Award-winning tour through the legendary Fats Waller songbook, Ain't Misbehavin' dives into the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, the golden age of honky-tonk dives, swing music and stride piano players. Considered "a tribute to the timeless appeal of Waller's music" by The New York Times, Ain't Misbehavin' includes classic Waller hits like "Loungin' at the Waldorf" and "I Can't Give You Anything but Love." Ain't Misbehavin' was conceived by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr. and will be directed by Rep Associate Artist Dan Kazemi, who was the Musical Director of End of The Rainbow, A Christmas Carol, Forever Plaid and Ragtime this season at The Rep.

MCC Theater presents the Off-Broadway premiere of Robert Askins' Hand to God starring Steven Boyer who reprises his celebrated, Obie Award-winning performance from the Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) in 2011. Boyer is joined in this brand new production by Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch as well as Geneva Carr, Michael Oberholtzer, and Sarah Stiles. Hand to God is directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel and is currently in previews at the Lucille LortelTheatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on February 19, 2014. An official opening night is set for March 10, 2014. BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the cast in action below!

Buzz22 Chicago has announced the casting for the World Premiere production of Laura Jacqmin's 'GHOST BIKE,' directed by Co-Artistic Director Sara Sawicki, tonight, February 27 - March 30, 2014 at Red Tape Theatre, 621 W Belmont Ave. Combining elements of Greek, African, and Chinese mythology, 'GHOST BIKE' depicts two best friends navigating the ultimate challenge to a friendship through an underworld beneath their home city of Chicago. 'GHOST BIKE' is Buzz22 Chicago's next production after their sold out and highly acclaimed production of 'She Kills Monsters' at the Steppenwolf Garage in Feb-April 2013.

Geva Theatre Center' 41st Season continues with the world premiere of Informed Consent by Deborah Zoe Laufer. Directed by Sean Daniels, this heartwarming, honest and compelling tale, ripped from the headlines and inspired by a true story, begins performances on March 18 and runs in the Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage through April 13.

INTAR today announced the cast for the next production of its 2013-14 season: Adoration of the Old Woman, by Academy Award-nominated and Obie Award winning Jose Rivera and directed by Patricia McGregor will star Raul Castillo (HBO's 'Looking'), Danielle Davenport, Jose Joaquin Perez, Socorro Santiago and Carmen Zilles. This limited Off-Broadway engagement begins March 13th and continues through April 6th only. Opening Night is set for Wednesday March 19th.

Artistic Director Les Waters and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein are delighted to announce the 38th Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, running tonight, February 26-April 6, 2014. This year's Festival program will feature (in order of opening):

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced Tony Award winner Rosemary Harris will play the role of 'Eleanor Swan' in the Off-Broadway premiere of Tom Stoppard's Indian Ink, directed by Carey Perloff. The production will begin performances on September 4 and open Sunday, September 28, 2014 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold & Miriam Steinberg Centre for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Performances begin tonight for Roundabout Theatre Company's third annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series. The actors involved in the series include: Pico Alexander, Fred Applegate, De'Adre Aziza, David Aaron Baker, Cassie Beck, Michael Chernus, Diane Davis, Dashiell Eaves, Ryan Eggold, Lisa Emery, Sue Jean Kim, Chad Kimball, Jessica Love, Lizbeth Mackay, Annie McNamara, Alex Mickiewicz, Aaron Clifton Moten, Olivia Oguma, Tonya Pinkins, Paul Pontrelli, Conrad Ricamora, Reg Rogers, Debra Jo Rupp, Campbell Scott and Max von Essen.

Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck, Fool. In Rebeck's new comedy, two kings get together and place a wager on their fools - a jester competition, and the funniest one gets to keep his head. Two evil minions have a lot to say about this, but not as much as the kitchen wench. And what's the queen been up to all night? A dramatical comical farcical tragical play about power, love and laughter, set in a medieval kitchen. Adult Language, Adult Situations, Beheadings.

Marin Theatre Company is committed to exploring and developing new work for the American theater, supporting playwrights with their creative process from conception to production and engaging audiences with the best contemporary new plays. Through multiple programs, MTC seeks out writers and champions projects for continued life on the MTC stage and beyond. With our commissioning program, new play prizes, new play staged readings series, playwright residencies and a commitment to world premiere productions, MTC promotes the future of the American theater.

The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, the nation's premiere short play competition, is now collecting submissions for its 39th season. The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 28 at 11:59pm.

The New York-based Happy Few Theatre Company has announced their inaugural production, a seven-person adaptation of As You Like It, using Shakespeare's original text. The Company aims to present actor-driven productions of plays from the classical to the contemporary. Performances of 'As You Like It' run from April 10 to April 27, 2014, at Theaterlab's new space on west 36th Street.

Soho Rep. announces casting and performance dates for the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon, directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson. The production, April 23-May 18, concludes a banner New York season for the celebrated playwright, whose Appropriate makes its New York premiere February 25-April 6 at Signature Theatre.

Concrete Temple Theatre presents the World Premiere of Alone in Triptych, written by Renee Philippi and co-directed by Eric Nightengale and Renee Philippi. Alone in Triptych runs from March 13 - 30, 2014 in a limited engagement at HERE, located at 145 6th Avenue (Enter on Dominick, 1 block south of Spring) in New York City. Previews begin March 13 for a March 16 opening.

Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA has announced the West Coast premiere of The Ugly One, a comedy by Marius von Mayenburg (English translation by Maja Zade), directed by Gates McFadden. Starring Robert Joy, Tony Pasqualini, Eve Gordon, and Peter Larney, The Ugly One is set to open today, February 15 with performances at 5pm and 8pm. The limited engagement will run through March 24.

Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA has announced the West Coast premiere of The Ugly One, a comedy by Marius von Mayenburg (English translation by Maja Zade), directed by Gates McFadden. Starring Robert Joy, Tony Pasqualini, Eve Gordon, and Peter Larney, The Ugly One will play one preview performance tonight, February 14 and is set to open Saturday, February 15 with performances at 5pm and 8pm. The limited engagement will run through March 24.

Carla Ching's comedy Fast Company, about a family of Asian American con artists on the trail of a million-dollar comic book, begins previews for its New York premiere at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street, Wednesday, March 12, at 7:00pm for an opening Thursday, March 20, at 7:00pm (for a run currently scheduled through April 6). Robert Ross Parker of the Obie-winning troupe Vampire Cowboys directs.

Buzz22 Chicago has announced that tickets for the World Premiere production of Laura Jacqmin's 'Ghost Bike,' directed by Co-Artistic Director Sara Sawicki are now on sale. The production runs March 8 - April 6, 2014 at the Greenhouse Upstairs Mainstage, 2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60647. Combining elements of Greek, African, and Chinese mythology, 'Ghost Bike' depicts two best friends navigating the ultimate challenge to a friendship through an underworld beneath their home city, Chicago. 'Ghost Bike' is Buzz22 Chicago's next production after 2013's sold out and highly acclaimed production of 'She Kills Monsters' at the Steppenwolf Garage.