Ensemble Studio Theatre News

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company, along with GAP Producer M. Graham Smith and GAP Associate Producer Deborah Taylor, announces the four plays chosen as finalists by a committee of local directors for the seventh annual Global Age Project (GAP), the company's new works initiative that promotes the creation of forward-looking theater: The Hummingbirds by Garret Jon Groenveld; In a Word by Lauren Yee; Rasheeda Speaking by Joel Drake Johnson; and Ashes, Ashes by Kevin Christopher Snipes.

David Gelles (GRACELAND at Lincoln Center), Anney Giobbe (SUBURBIA) and Eric Hoffmann (WEST SIDE STORY) comprise the cast of POST OFFICE, a new play by David Jenkins (MIDDLEMEN) being given its world-premiere by Human Animals.

Theatricum's new play development program, Botanicum Seedlings, continues to inspire growth by reaching out to a mix of emerging and award-winning playwrights for SeedlingsFest, its second festival of new plays. This Festival of (short) Playreadings features two days of plays written on a theme - 'Certified Organic' - expressly for this event, giving Theatricum company members and audiences the opportunity to sample fresh new works that are 100% natural and pesticide-free - and enjoy seasonal gourmet treats and live music as part of the package. SeedlingsFest takes place Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, at 1 pm. Admission is Free; donations gratefully accepted.

Lincoln Center's upcoming White Light Festival (October 20-November 19, 2011), in its second season, will include two outstanding theater productions among the range of works of music, film, dance, art and discussion to be presented.

Penumbra Theatre Company, the nation's preeminent African American theatre, announces a special presentation of I Wish You Love in the 2011-2012 season. Due to popular demand, 16 performances will be staged at Penumbra Theatre November 18 - December 4, 2011

Steppenwolf has just announced that Emmy®, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award® winner Julianna Margulies will be the guest of honor at the third annual Steppenwolf Salutes WOMEN IN THE ARTS fundraising luncheon on Monday, March 12, 2012 at Noon at The Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. Ms. Margulies, who currently stars in the hit CBS drama The Good Wife, will be interviewed about her stage, television and film career by Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey in a format similar to Inside the Actors Studio. Previous honorees at Steppenwolf Salutes WOMEN IN THE ARTS include ensemble members Joan Allen and Martha Plimpton.

Producer Carolyn Rossi Copeland, currently represented Off-Broadway with the hit play Freud's Last Session, has assembled a starry cast for today's (November 14th) special invitational presentation of the original new musical AMAZING GRACE, with music & lyrics by Christopher Smith and book by Mr. Smith & Arthur Giron, at the New 42nd Street Studios.

Gulfshore Playhouse will perform an exclusive reading of 'Significant Others' by Jason Odell Williams November 14 at Café Lurcat. This is a new twist on the 'reading' idea. Café Lurcat will be serving a specially-designed three-course meal with 5:00, 5:30 or 6:00pm seating times. The reading will start at 7:30 p.m. while patrons relax with their dessert or a glass of wine.

Court Theatre Artistic Director Charles Newell and Executive Director Stephen J. Albert present the regional premiere of An Iliad, adapted from Fagles' translation of Homer's Iliad by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced the complete cast for its upcoming production of the new musical THE BLUE FLOWER: Sebastian Arcelus (Buddy in Elf, Wicked, Jersey Boys), Marc Kudisch (Three-time Tony Award nominee for 9 to 5, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Meghan McGeary (The Blue Flower at A.R.T.), Joseph Medeiros (Irving Berlin's White Christmas), Julia Osborne (National Tour of South Pacific), Graham Rowat (Guys and Dolls), Aaron Serotsky (August: Osage County), and Teal Wicks (Elphaba in Wicked).

Ego Actus is set to present a special talkback with Martin Denton of nytheatre.com, following the 3:00 pm performance of Aliens With Extraordinary Skills, the critically acclaimed play by Saviana Stanescu, on November 6, 2011.

Sugar Valley Theatricals , in association with Isaac H. Suggs, Jr. is pleased to announce its production of MUNCHED by Kim Porter, a groundbreaking play dealing with Munchhausen Syndrome by Proxy and a young woman's reluctant search for the gory details of life with her mother.

MUNCHED was produced in 2009 in Los Angeles by Buzzworks Theater Company where it won the LA Drama Critics Circle award, The LA WEEKLY award and the McDonald Award for Playwriting excellence. The East coast premier of MUNCHED will be directed by Petronia Paley (Multiple AUDELCO award winner and legendary soap opera veteran.

Gulfshore Playhouse will perform an exclusive reading of 'Significant Others' by Jason Odell Williams November 14 at Café Lurcat. This is a new twist on the 'reading' idea. Café Lurcat will be serving a specially-designed three-course meal with 5:00, 5:30 or 6:00pm seating times. The reading will start at 7:30 p.m. while patrons relax with their dessert or a glass of wine.