Jay Presson Allen News

Diversionary Theatre's production of Tru starring renowned local artist Todd Blakesley under the skilled direction of Derek Livingston has kicked off rehearsals and will open to preview audiences at Diversionary Theatre starting November 20th, 2014.

Texas stage legend, Jaston Williams, is heading back to Galveston's The Grand 1894 Opera House. This time around he is bringing his newest play, MAID MARIAN IN A STOLEN CAR, to tickle our ribs. Gearing up for the production, Jaston Williams talks to me about why you should see MAID MARIAN IN A STOLEN CAR.

Different Stages opens its 2014-2015 season with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Jay Presson Allen.

Coyote StageWorks is wrapping up its hugely successful 2012/13 Season at the Annenberg Theater with TRU, the award-winning play about Truman Capote, by the outstanding American screenwriter, playwright, stage director, television producer and novelist, Jay Presson Allen. Allen, who also wrote MARNIE, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODY, CABARET, FUNNY LADY and more, was said to have been at first hesitant to write a play about Truman Capote, who she had met but did not know. In the end, though, her work was praised by everyone, including Capote's family, as accurately portraying one of America's most controversial authors in his last years.

Coyote StageWorks is wrapping up its hugely successful 2012/13 Season at the Annenberg Theater with TRU, the award-winning play about Truman Capote, by the outstanding American screenwriter, playwright, stage director, television producer and novelist, Jay Presson Allen. Allen, who also wrote MARNIE, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODY, CABARET, FUNNY LADY and more, was said to have been at first hesitant to write a play about Truman Capote, who she had met but did not know. In the end, though, her work was praised by everyone, including Capote's family, as accurately portraying one of America's most controversial authors in his last years.

CABARET, Bob Fosse's ground-breaking Oscar-winning musical drama starring Liza Minnelli (Arthur, The Sterile Cuckoo), Michael York (the Austin Powers films), Joel Grey (TV's 'Oz'), Helmut Griem, and Marisa Berenson (I am Love), celebrates its 40th anniversary with a Blu-ray debut today, February 5, 2013.

Liza Minnelli and the cast of CABARET are featured in the new doucmentary CABARET: THE MUSICAL THAT CHANGED MUSICALS. The film is included as part of the 40th anniversary Blu-ray release available from Warner Brothers beginning tomorrow, February 5th. Click here to get a first look!

I've heard it said that we are our most authentic selves when no one else is around and it's just us with our thoughts. Perhaps that's why Tru is so effective. By giving us a one man play in which Truman Capote can contemplate his life and the people in it, Jay Presson Allen has given us a fascinating portrait of the famous writer. Buoyed by Jaston Williams's fearless performance, this production is not to be missed.

Greater Tuna star Jaston Williams inhabits Truman Capote in what's described as a virtuoso performance of the charming, acerbic, fragile, and enigmatic writer. In this one-man tour de force, Williams' astonishing portrayal of the In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's author is by turns hilarious, vulnerable, and confessional. The audience becomes confidants to TRU's trademark wit and honesty. Packed houses, standing ovations, and waves of laughter characterized this show in its initial run at ZACH Theatre 12 years ago making it the hottest ticket in town. This production promises to be even more fun this time around.

Coyote StageWorks launches its fourth season on November 23 with the Tony-nominated comedy "Souvenir" and follows up with a season that consists of "a little something for everyone". For the second season in a row, all productions will be staged at the Annenberg Theatre which is located at The Palm Springs Museum Of Art in downtown Palm Springs. CSW's mission is to bring affordable, entertaining, and thought-provoking theatre to Palm Springs and the surrounding communities of the Coachella Valley and to create an Actors' Equity Theater of local, regional, and national influence.

Rep Stage, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), continues its 20th anniversary season with J.M. Barrie's stirring, lyrical tale about the tricks of time, loss of innocence and eternal youth. "Mary Rose" opens tonight, October 31, 2012, with a limited run through November 18 in the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA) on the campus of HCC.

Rep Stage, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), continues its 20th anniversary season with J.M. Barrie's stirring, lyrical tale about the tricks of time, loss of innocence and eternal youth. "Mary Rose" opens October 31, 2012, with a limited run through November 18 in the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA) on the campus of HCC.

The most exciting moment in ZACH's Theatre's history will happen this fall with the opening of the new Topfer Theatre. The once-in-a-lifetime first season will include a world premiere, an American musical with a full orchestra for the first time at ZACH, a beloved classic made new, an international concert guest star, and the biggest, snowiest holiday favorite of all time, all taking full advantage of the technological capabilities of the extraordinary new theatre.

Coyote StageWorks launches its fourth season on November 23 with the Tony-nominated comedy "Souvenir" and follows up with a season that consists of "a little something for everyone". For the second season in a row, all productions will be staged at the Annenberg Theatre which is located at The Palm Springs Museum Of Art in downtown Palm Springs. CSW's mission is to bring affordable, entertaining, and thought-provoking theatre to Palm Springs and the surrounding communities of the Coachella Valley and to create an Actors' Equity Theater of local, regional, and national influence.

CABARET, Bob Fosse's ground-breaking Oscar®-winning musical drama starring Liza Minnelli (Arthur, The Sterile Cuckoo), Michael York (the Austin Powers films), Joel Grey (TV's "Oz"), Helmut Griem, and Marisa Berenson (I am Love), celebrates its 40th anniversary with a Blu-ray debut on February 5, 2013.

The most exciting moment in ZACH's Theatre's history will happen this fall with the opening of the new Topfer Theatre. The once-in-a-lifetime first season will include a world premiere, an American musical with a full orchestra for the first time at ZACH, a beloved classic made new, an international concert guest star, and the biggest, snowiest holiday favorite of all time, all taking full advantage of the technological capabilities of the extraordinary new theatre.

Jaston Williams, quite possibly Texas' premiere contemporary story teller, hand-selected The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston, Texas, to premiere his latest one-man show Camping With Gasoline. And with full sincerity, I can say that the Galveston audiences are very thankful that he did.

The New Group presents the world premiere of An Early History of Fire, a new play by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe. Directed by Jo Bonney, this production features Gordon Clapp, Erin Darke, Jonny Orsini, Devin Ratray, Dennis Staroselsky, Theo Stockman and Claire van der Boom. Limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated April 5 - May 26 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street). The official Opening Night was Monday, April 30 at 7:00 PM. Check out the after-party photos below featuing Meryle Streep and all the cast.