Joan Marcus News

No matter how early you enter the house for New York Theatre Workshop's production of Once, the play is already well underway.  Most of the thirteen-member ensemble, all of whom play musical instruments, seem to have long been gathered inside designer Bob Crowley's cozy Dublin pub, playing traditional folk songs, dancing a bit and singing their hearts out.  The festive mood resembles the kind of improvised jam session you might luckily stumble upon some night and never want to leave, especially since audience members are welcome to join them on stage, purchase a drink or two and linger a while.

Whether it's historic Off-Broadway theatres being replaced by chain stores and condos after their rents are tripled or beloved long-time Coney Island businesses facing eviction if they don't conform to the bland, antiseptic vision of new planners, New Yorkers are very familiar with the culture vs. commerce issues Anton Chekhov was writing about in The Cherry Orchard.

After a run in Spring 2010 as a co-production between Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and Vineyard Theatre (Artistic Director, Douglas Aibel; Executive Director, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell), the critically-acclaimed score of THE BURNT PART BOYS has been recorded by Yellow Sound Label, produced by Michael Croiter in conjunction with Playwrights Horizons, to be released in digital and CD formats on December 6, 2011.

Together with DreamWorks Theatricals and NETworks Presentations, LLC. The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America announced that SHREK THE MUSICAL, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, will play the Adrienne Arsht Center, for one week only, December 6-11, 2011 as part of the Broadway in Miami 2011-2012 season presented by Bank of America.

After a run in Spring 2010 as a co-production between Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and Vineyard Theatre (Artistic Director, Douglas Aibel; Executive Director, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell), the critically-acclaimed score of THE BURNT PART BOYS has been recorded by Yellow Sound Label, produced by Michael Croiter in conjunction with Playwrights Horizons, to be released in digital and CD formats on December 6, 2011. The album may be purchased at www.yellowsoundlabel.com and www.playwrightshorizons.org (at which one may also watch an exclusive making-of video), as well as through online outlets such as iTunes and in stores nationwide.

In MAPLE AND VINE, Katha (Marin Ireland) and Ryu (Peter Kim) have become allergic to their 21st-century lives. After they meet a charismatic man from a community of 1950s re-enactors, they forsake cell phones and sushi for cigarettes and Tupperware parties. In this compulsively authentic world, Katha and Ryu are surprised by what their new neighbors - and they themselves - are willing to sacrifice for happiness. Check out production shots from the show below!

Jacques Brel is dead and buried and entombed in French Polynesia and the Zipper Theatre, home of the very satisfying revival of Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris several seasons back is now a beloved memory, but the producers of that mounting have been keeping the 'ol carousel madly turning for nearly a year now with regular presentations of Jacques Brel Returns, up at The Triad.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will present post-show discussions following select performances of the Public Lab production, TITUS ANDRONICUS, directed by Michael Sexton. The Public Lab Thursday Night Speaker Series for TITUS ANDRONICUS will be held following the Thursday, December 8 and Thursday, December 15 performances and consist of engaging conversations with notable panelists. Tickets are $15 for all performances and include free admission to the post-show discussions. TITUS ANDRONICUS runs through Sunday, December 18. Check out production shots below!

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo present the world premiere of the new musical Once, which is based on the Academy Award-winning film. Once began previews Tuesday, November 15 and opens Tuesday, December 6 at New York Theatre Workshop, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Check out production shots below!

Standing On Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays, which opened at the Minetta Lane Theatre on November 13, assembles some of America's most illustrious and Award-winning playwrights, including Mo Gaffney, Jordan Harrison, Moisés Kaufman, Neil LaBute, Wendy MacLeod, José Rivera, Paul Rudnick and Doug Wright, all responding to one of the defining issues of our day -- the on-going battle for marriage equality throughout the United States - in a heartfelt, funny and altogether illuminating evening of short plays that celebrates the courage to be in a relationship - any relationship.

Together with DreamWorks Theatricals and NETworks Presentations, LLC. The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America announced that SHREK THE MUSICAL, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, will play the Adrienne Arsht Center, for one week only, December 6-11, 2011 as part of the Broadway in Miami 2011-2012 season presented by Bank of America.

If you're looking for a quick roundup of this week's events on Broadway, look no further: here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

With Duke Ellington's music as the centerpiece, Cotton Club Parade reimagines one of the composer's Cotton Club floor shows. Ellington and his orchestra began a four-year residency at the Club in 1927 and continued making guest appearances throughout the 1930s. Legendary performers such as the Nicholas Brothers, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Snake Hips Tucker, Peg Leg Bates and a 16-year old Lena Horne all performed at the Club.

Much more than a concert, AN EVENING WITH Patti LuPone AND Mandy Patinkin is a passionate, intimate and unique musical love story told entirely through a selection of some of the greatest songs ever written for the stage. Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, two Broadway legends who first appeared together giving Tony Award winning performances in Evita, bring their critically acclaimed theatre concert to the Barrymore Theatre for 63 performances through Friday, January 13, with an opening night of Monday, November 21. Check out photos of the duo in action below!

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: November 5-11.

Together with DreamWorks Theatricals and NETworks Presentations, LLC. The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America announced that SHREK THE MUSICAL, with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, will play the Adrienne Arsht Center, for one week only, December 6-11, 2011 as part of the Broadway in Miami 2011-2012 season presented by Bank of America.

Performances for MCC's Wild Animals You Should Know began November 3, 2011 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and opens this Sunday, November 20! Production shots have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below.

After a run in Spring 2010 as a co-production between Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and Vineyard Theatre (Artistic Director, Douglas Aibel; Executive Director, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell), the critically-acclaimed score of THE BURNT PART BOYS has been recorded by Yellow Sound Label, produced by Michael Croiter in conjunction with Playwrights Horizons, to be released in digital and CD formats on December 6, 2011. The album may be purchased at www.yellowsoundlabel.com and www.playwrightshorizons.org (at which one may also watch an exclusive making-of video), as well as through online outlets such as iTunes and in stores nationwide.

Casting has been announced for the Philadelphia return engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. JERSEY BOYS will launch a new Second National Tour at the Forrest Theatre on Dec. 6 - Jan. 14. The official press opening will be Friday, Dec. 9 at 8:00 pm