Ian Roberts News

San Francisco Opera's 2016-17 Season continues with Donizetti's Don Pasquale in six performances from September 28-October 15, 2016. After a 32-year absence from the Company's repertory, the sparkling comedy of cruel games and young love returns in Laurent Pelly's fanciful staging, which is a co-production with Santa Fe Opera and Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu.

San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock today announced the casting and schedule for the Company's summer 2018 presentations of Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung). The four-opera cycle of Das Rheingold,Die Walkure, Siegfried and Gotterdammerung-widely considered the greatest and most ambitious work ever conceived for the lyric stage-will be presented in three complete cycles from June 12 through July 1, 2018. 

The Dallas Opera is thrilled to announce the fourteenth in a series of free public simulcasts, this time involving a game-changing Dallas Opera production: Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's critically acclaimed twenty-first century masterpiece: MOBY-DICK, starring world-renowned helden tenorJay Hunter Morris as Captain Ahab.

Comedy Central earned four awards at last night's 2015-2016 Primetime Emmy® Awards Ceremony. The #1 brand in comedy scored back-to-back wins in the Variety Sketch Series, Directing for a Variety Series, and Interactive Media – Social TV Experience categories.

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to present the return of the UCB TourCO as part of the 2016/17 Off Broadway Series. Performances will be in the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall today, September 16. Tickets go on sale this Today, July 8 at 12:00 pm.

San Francisco Opera presents the world premiere of Chinese-American composer Bright Sheng's Dream of the Red Chamber, with a libretto by the composer and David Henry Hwang, in six performances from September 10-29, 2016. Commissioned by San Francisco Opera, the work is a co-production with the Hong Kong Arts Festival and will be performed March 17-18, 2017 at the Grand Theatre in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre as part of its 45th annual festival. Based on one of the quintessential works of world literature, Sheng and Hwang's opera explores the characters at the heart of Chinese author Cao Xueqin's 18th-century novel and communicates their story as a vivid musical and theatrical experience. 

San Francisco Opera presents the world premiere of Chinese-American composer Bright Sheng's Dream of the Red Chamber, with a libretto by the composer and David Henry Hwang, in six performances from tonight, September 10, through September 29, 2016.

San Francisco Opera's 2016-17 Season opens Friday, September 9 with a gala performance of Umberto Giordano's Andrea Chenier in a new production by Sir David McVicar. Company Music Director Nicola Luisotti leads a stellar cast, including three international stars making their San Francisco Opera debuts in the demanding lead roles: South Korean tenor Yonghoon Lee in the title role, Italian soprano Anna Pirozzi as Maddalena di Coigny and Georgian baritone George Gagnidze as Carlo Gerard. The opening night festivities are distinguished by San Francisco Opera Guild's glamorous Opera Ball 2016: La Revolution et L'Amour and BRAVO! Club's Annual Opening Night Gala. The opening of the Company's 94th season also marks the beginning of Matthew Shilvock's inaugural season as General Director. Shilvock is the seventh General Director in the Company's history.

San Francisco Opera's 2016-17 Season continues with Donizetti'sDon Pasquale in six performances from September 28-October 15, 2016. After a 32-year absence from the Company's repertory, the sparkling comedy of cruel games and young love returns in Laurent Pelly's fanciful staging, which is a co-production with Santa Fe Opera and Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu. Maestro Giuseppe Finzi conducts the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Chorus and a cast including bass-baritone Maurizio Muraro in the title role, soprano Heidi Stober as Norina, tenor Lawrence Brownlee in his Company debut as Ernesto and baritones Lucas Meachem and Edward Nelson as Dr. Malatesta.

Check out brand new stills from the production of Will Snider's HOW TO USE A KNIFE at Capital Stage.

Don't miss X-Factor's Rhydian in the charming, kooky and hilarious 1950s musical, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, at the Lichfield Garrick this September.

Capital Stage launches its 12th season, and inaugural season chosen by Producing Artistic Director Michael Stevenson, Love + War, with its 3rd National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. How to Use a Knife by Will Snider will be directed by Producing Artistic Director Michael Stevenson and will feature Capital Stage favorites such as Adrian Roberts, Harry Harris, Kirk Blackinton and Kelley Ogden. 

San Francisco Opera presents the world premiere of Chinese-American composer Bright Sheng's Dream of the Red Chamber, with a libretto by the composer and David Henry Hwang, in six performances from September 10-29, 2016.

Critics and audiences agree: 'MASTER HAROLD'... and the boys are magnificent. Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional 4 performances of Athol Fugard's (Blood Knot, My Children! My Africa!) modern classic 'MASTER HAROLD'... and the boys to the previously announced 7 performance extension. Former San Jose Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Timothy Near helms 'MASTER HAROLD'... and the boys, featuring L. Peter Callender (Breakfast With Mugabe, The Soldier's Tale and Permanent Collection), Adrian Roberts (Breakfast With Mugabe), and Andrew Humann (Shotgun Players, San Francisco Playhouse, Berkeley Playhouse). 'MASTER HAROLD'... and the boys now plays through July 31st (added performances: Thursday, July 28, 8pm; Friday, July 29, 8pm; Saturday, July 30, 8pm; Sunday, July 31, 2pm) at the Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley. For tickets and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to present the return of the UCB TourCO as part of the 2016/17 Off Broadway Series. Performances will be in the Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall on Friday, September 16. Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 8 at 12:00 pm.

Critics and audiences agree: "MASTER HAROLD"… and the boys are magnificent. Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional 7 performances of Athol Fugard's (Blood Knot, My Children! My Africa!) modern classic "MASTER HAROLD"… and the boys.

In an expansion of its partnership with The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Seeso, the premium comedy streaming channel, today announced that it has renewed its popular Original Series THE UCB SHOW

 In an expansion of its partnership with The Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), Seeso, the premium comedy streaming channel, today announced that it has renewed its popular Original Series “The UCB Show,” from hosts, creators, and Upright Citizen's Brigade founders Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts and Matt Besser, and will begin shooting season two today at The 18th Annual Del Close Improv Comedy Marathon in NYC.