Jim Baldassare News

Wakka Wakka, currently presenting the U.S. premiere of its latest original theatre piece entitled "BABY UNIVERSE (A Puppet Odyssey)," written and directed by Wakka Wakka members Kirjan Waage and Gwendolyn Warnock, has added 3 performances and 2 Talk Backs to its schedule.

The return of 'PERFECT HARMONY,' a hit of the 2006 New York International Fringe Festival and a 2008 sold-out summer run on Theatre Row is now back on track after a dispute between the theatre manager at 45 Bleecker Theatres (the show's recent home) and the space's landlord resulted in a closing of that complex on October 13. Theatre Row General Manager Erika Feldman came to the show's rescue and offered the production a new home - The Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues) in the Theatre Row complex. 'PERFECT HARMONY' is conceived and directed by Andrew Grosso, and written by Grosso and The Essentials. Performances resume at The Acorn on Thursday, October 21 and the official opening performance is set for Wednesday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the Off Broadway run are available through Telecharge at 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com, and on sale through November 13, 2010. (The producers are planning to move the show to another space following this run at The Acorn.)

Will Forte is to leave the cast of 'Saturday Night Live,' the New York Times reports. A source told the Times that Forte 'plans to pursue other projects' after departing the show.

The world premiere production of 'SWEET, SWEET MOTHERHOOD,' by Jeremy Kareken, in collaboration with Professor Lee M. Silver, a comedy with scientific issues and moral dilemmas, will begin previews on Thursday, July 8, at HERE (www.here.org), 145 Sixth Avenue (enter on Dominick Street, one block south of Spring Street).

Peculiar Works Project (the OBIE Award-winning company founded in 1993; Co-Artistic Directors Ralph Lewis, Catherine Porter, and Barry Rowell), will present a revival of the Depression Era play 'CAN YOU HEAR THEIR VOICES? (A Play of Our Time)' by Hallie Flanagan and Margaret Ellen Clifford.

New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director), the OBIE Award-winning downtown theater company founded in 1992, and New Feet Productions will present the world premiere of Emily DeVoti's thought-provoking new play 'MILK,' directed by Jessica Bauman.

Aaron Louis, in association with New Georges and The Essentials, have announced a three week extension of their world premiere production of Marielle Heller's 'THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL,' adapted from the hit graphic novel of the same name by Phoebe Gloeckner, and directed by Sarah Cameron Sunde and Rachel Eckerling, in a multi-media production.

Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company, presents the world premiere production of 'ALICE IN SLASHERLAND,' written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Robert Ross Parker, with fight choreography by Mr. Nguyen.

Tommy Femia, the 7-time Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs (MAC) Award-winning impersonator, continues his 20th season at the popular midtown club Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues), with his acclaimed portrayal of the legendary Judy Garland in 'Judy Garland LIVE!' on Saturday, February 13 at 8:30 PM with special guest star Broadway, cabaret, and recording artist MAC and Bistro Award-winning vocalist Eric Michael Gillett. David Maiocco will serve as musical director.

Saturday Night Live stars and writers including Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, Abby Elliott, Bridey Elliott, Jorma Taccone, Colin Jost, Hannibal Buress, and more came together on Sunday, January 31 to perform a ONE NIGHT ONLY event: 'BEYOND FUNDERDOME COMEDY BLOWOUT!'

The Roundtable Ensemble, now in its 11th season, will present 'BABEL TOWER,' a new play written and directed by Alexis Kozak.

Page 73 Productions (Liz Jones and Asher Richelli, Executive Directors) and New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director) will present the world premiere of Heidi Schreck's riveting new play "CREATURE," directed by Leigh Silverman. This Off Broadway engagement will be performed at the Ohio Theatre, 66 Wooster Street (between Spring and Broome Streets). Previews begin on Wednesday, October 28, and the official Opening Night will be Monday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. Performances will run through November 21.

Page 73 Productions (Liz Jones and Asher Richelli, Executive Directors) and New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director) will present the world premiere of Heidi Schreck's riveting new play "CREATURE," directed by Leigh Silverman. This Off Broadway engagement will be performed at the Ohio Theatre, 66 Wooster Street (between Spring and Broome Streets). Previews begin on Wednesday, October 28, and the official Opening Night will be Monday, November 2 at 7:00 p.m. Performances will run through November 21.

Accidental Repertory Theater is currently presenting, as its first public production, the international classic 'BRECHT ON BRECHT,' adapted and translated by George Tabori, and directed by the company's Artistic Director John Strasberg.

Frog & Peach Theatre Company's production of Shakespeare's comedy 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING,' directed by Lynnea Benson will play its final four performances this weekend at The West End Theatre (the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew), 263 West 86th Street (between West End Avenue and Broadway). The show officially opened on October 4 and will conclude its run this Sunday, October 25.

13P (Thirteen Playwrights, Inc), the OBIE Award-winning theater company made up of 13 playwrights, will present Lucy Thurber's (P#8) 'MONSTROSITY,' directed by Lear deBessonet. 'MONSTROSITY' will be performed at The Connelly Theatre, 220 East 4th Street (between Avenues A and B), with performances running from July 9 through 19, 2009 for a total of twelve performances.

13P (Thirteen Playwrights, Inc), the OBIE Award-winning theater company made up of 13 playwrights, will present Lucy Thurber's (P#8) 'MONSTROSITY,' directed by Lear deBessonet. 'MONSTROSITY,' featuring a cast of 21, will be performed at The Connelly Theatre, 220 East 4th Street (between Avenues A and B), with performances running from July 9 through 19, 2009 for a total of twelve performances. (Evening performances will all be at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9; Friday, July 10; Saturday, July 11; Sunday, July 12; Tuesday, July 14; Wednesday, July 15; Thursday, July 16; Friday, July 17; and Saturday, July 18. There will be three matinee performances at 1:00 p.m. on: Saturdays, July 11 and 18 and Sunday, July 19 (the final performance of 'MONSTROSITY' will be the matinee on July 19). Running time is 3½ hours. Tickets are available through www.monstrositytheplay.com or 866-811-4111.

13P, the OBIE-winning company comprising 13 playwrights presented its spring benefit The First (and Last) Annual 'THIRTINI AWARDS' at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, for one performance only on Monday, May 11.

Frog & Peach Theatre Company (now in its fourteenth season), will present William Shakespeare's comedy 'AS YOU LIKE IT,' directed by Lynnea Benson, and featuring Emmy Award-winner Camryn Grimes as Rosalind.

New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director), the OBIE Award-winning downtown theater company founded in 1992, and Hip-Hop Theater Festival is currently playing OBIE Winning Actress/Pulitzer-nominated playwright Eisa Davis' 'ANGELA'S MIXTAPE,' directed by Liesl Tommy.