James Spader News

It would certainly be an interesting experience for modern playgoers to travel back in time and see how The Merchant of Venice was first received by Shakespeare's audiences.  Those only familiar with the play's famous, 'Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions...' speech, spoken by the moneylender Shylock, might just assume the author meant it to be a drama attacking anti-Semitic tendencies of the day.

Eddie Izzard, Dennis Haysbert, Afton C. Williamson, and Richard Thomas began their run in RACE, written and directed by David Mamet, on Monday June 21st for a nine-week limited engagement through Saturday, August 21st.

This week, June 8, RACE introduced its new cast to the press. Written and directed by David Mamet, RACE recouped early in the spring and is the longest running play of the season. BroadwayWorld met up with the new crew at Sardi's for the photo op.

The Ridgefield Theater Barn is thrilled to be able to offer an adults-only acting class this summer, to be taught by Susan Grace Cohen of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, where she has been a faculty member for 20 years.

Culture Project (CP) has announced that 'Blueprint for Accountability,' a groundbreaking theater/film/journalism series launched at The Times Center in May 2009, will return for an encore presentation on June 7th at 7:30PM at NYU Skirball Center.

The Mandalay Bay Events Center at Mandalay Bay will present Lilith Fair on Friday, July 9. It has been nearly 11 years since the last tour and Lilith is back. The tour will feature a rotating list of more than 80 eclectic and notable female acts. Much like the original Lilith Fair, there will be 11 artists on each date with only two consistencies per show - the Lilith Local Talent Search ourstage.com winner, who will kick off the show, and headliner Sarah McLachlan. Additional artists scheduled to perform include Elizaveta, Miranda Lambert, Susan Justice, Queen Latifah, The Bangles, A Fine Frenzy, Emmylou Harris and Marina & the Diamonds.

This lost masterpiece of pornography was recently discovered in a woodworking shop of a Beverly Hills dentist. June Crenshaw (Kristen Bell) was known as the 'sex kitten' of the Supreme Court.

RACE, 'the topical detective story' (New York Times) that 'sizzles with energy' (The Wall Street Journal), written and directed by David Mamet will play its 200th performance on Saturday, May 29th at 8:00 pm. RACE, which recouped early in the spring, is the longest running play of the season.

Yesterday, May 26, the ladies of The View welcomed RACE star James Spader to the couch to talk about the show and his newly erected Sardi's portriat. Click below to watch his segment!

Today, the RACE Red Sequined Dress Ladies promoted RACE in Times Square with cast members Richard Thomas, James Spader, David Alan Grier and Kerry Washington.

As previously announced, acclaimed Tony Award nominated actor Sir Patrick Stewart will return to Broadway in David Mamet's A LIFE IN THE THEATRE. Today, Variety reported that the production will play Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, following the exit of A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE June 6.

David Mamet recently sat down with magician Ricky Jay to discuss his life through anecdotes, as well as perform readings from two of his books, 'Theatre,' a collection of short, biographical stories, and 'The Trials of Roderick Spode (The Human Ant),' the story of a man who accidentally becomes a superhero.

Culture Project (CP) has announced that 'Blueprint for Accountability,' a groundbreaking theater/film/journalism series launched at The Times Center in May 2009, will return for an encore presentation on June 7th at 7:30PM at NYU Skirball Center.

The New York Times is reporting that Eddie Izzard will take over for James Spader in RACE beginning on June 21st. This now completes the new cast along with Afton C. Williamson and Dennis Haysbert along with Richard Thomas who will remain with the show.

The producers of RACE have announced that Afton C. Williamson, who made her Broadway debut in Joe Turner's Come and Gone, will take over the role of 'Susan' from Kerry Washington, beginning Tuesday, June 15th. Williamson made a striking impression on the creative team when, as understudy, she replaced Kerry Washington the one night Kerry missed a performance, due to a previous obligation to go to the White House as part of the President's national Arts Council.

The producers of David Mamet's acclaimed hit play RACE have announced that the Golden Globe and SAG award nominated star of '24' and 'The Unit' DENNIS HAYSBERT for an exclusive nine week limited engagement, beginning performances on Monday, June 21st through Saturday, August 21st.

2010 Tony Award nominee DAVID ALAN GRIER and acclaimed film star KERRY WASHINGTON will conclude their critically acclaimed performances in David Mamet's RACE on SUNDAY, JUNE 13th. Emmy Award winner JAMES SPADER, in the pivotal role of lawyer 'Jack Lawson', will play his final performance on SUNDAY, JUNE 20th.

The producers of RACE have announced that David Mamet's new play will extend through August 23rd at The Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th St.). The producers recently announced that the play recouped its investment. Tickets to RACE can be purchased by visiting telecharge.com or calling 212-239-6200.