John Gassner News

Last chance to catch BASIC TRAINING: A new comedy created and starring Kahlil Ashanti at the Barrow Street Theater - 27 Barrow Street at 7th Ave Final Performance December 1 You can't choose your family... but you can change it!

In a special tribute to Clive Barnes on the New York Post's web site, columnist Michael Riedel talks to Harvey Fierstein, Jeffrey Richards, John Cullum, Gerald Schoenfeld about the legendary critic's life and legacy.

Clive Barnes, drama critic, dance lover and a true legend of the New York theatrical landscape passed away after a battle with liver cancer on November 19th BroadwayWorld has learned.

Keen Teens, the educational theatre partnership between Off-Broadway's Keen Company and the publishing company Playscripts, Inc. has selected the writers for the program's third season. Liz Flahive, Jason Grote and Cheri Magid have been commissioned to write thirty minute, large cast plays, which will be produced with student actors Off-Broadway in May 2009.

Set in the present-day DRC, Ruined is the captivating story of Mama Nadi (Ekulona), the owner of a canteen who serves up everything from a cold beer and a warm meal-to the company of a woman. Through the eyes of this savvy businesswoman who both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds, Nottage captures the constantly shifting allegiances and tragic absurdity that marks the civil war in the DRC. Ruined, rendered with Nottage's trademark humanity, clarity and surprising humor, gives a glimpse of a country that has suffered immeasurable losses since the beginning of this war that has raged for more than a decade.

Goodman Theatre opens its "Strong Women, Strong Voices" Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's Ruined, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club. Commissioned by the Goodman and first seen in the 2007 New Stages Series, Ruined was developed through Nottage and Whoriskey's pilgrimage to Uganda-where countless interviews and interactions resulted in a portrait of the lives of the women and girls caught in the devastating armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Leading the Goodman's cast in the role of Mama Nadi is Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Well on Broadway; Righteous Kill), who previously collaborated with Nottage and Whoriskey on the world premiere of Fabulation at Playwrights Horizons. Ruined begins performances on November 8 (opening night is November 17) and runs through December 7. Tickets are $10 - $39. Ruined begins performances at Manhattan Theatre Club on January 21, 2009.

The Herbert Berghof (HB) Studio and the HB Playwrights Foundation will host a tribute to the acclaimed and accomplished actors/comedians Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller in a gala celebration at The Players Club on Monday, November 10, 2008.

Chicago's Goodman Theatre opens its 'Strong Women, Strong Voices' Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club.

The Herbert Berghof (HB) Studio and the HB Playwrights Foundation will host a tribute to the acclaimed and accomplished actors/comedians Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller in a gala celebration at The Players Club on Monday, November 10, 2008.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers, featuring Maggie Burke as 'Kay Danley,' Natalie Gold as 'Loretta Trumble-Pinkerstone,' Michael Hayden as 'Denton Pinkerstone,' Gio Perez as 'Eben Trumble-Pinkerstone' and Michael Warner as 'Bill Clinton.' The Language of Trees will officially open tonight Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Set in the present-day DRC, Ruined is the captivating story of Mama Nadi (Ekulona), the owner of a canteen who serves up everything from a cold beer and a warm meal-to the company of a woman. Through the eyes of this savvy businesswoman who both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds, Nottage captures the constantly shifting allegiances and tragic absurdity that marks the civil war in the DRC. Ruined, rendered with Nottage's trademark humanity, clarity and surprising humor, gives a glimpse of a country that has suffered immeasurable losses since the beginning of this war that has raged for more than a decade.

Chicago's Goodman Theatre opens its 'Strong Women, Strong Voices' Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club.

Josephson Entertainment, Erich Jungwirth/VoiceChair Productions and Richard Jordan Productions Ltd announced today the Off-Broadway premiere of BASIC TRAINING (www.BasicTrainingNYC.com), a new comedy created by and starring Kahlil Ashanti. BASIC TRAINING is a hilarious story based on one soldier's outrageous experience in the U.S. Air Force and will play the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow St. at 7th Avenue, 1 block south of Christopher Street) beginning Friday, Sept. 26th with an official opening on Monday, Oct. 13th.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers, featuring Maggie Burke as 'Kay Danley,' Natalie Gold as 'Loretta Trumble-Pinkerstone,' Michael Hayden as 'Denton Pinkerstone,' Gio Perez as 'Eben Trumble-Pinkerstone' and Michael Warner as 'Bill Clinton.' Previews begin tonight, Saturday, October 4th.

Josephson Entertainment, Erich Jungwirth/VoiceChair Productions and Richard Jordan Productions Ltd announced today the Off-Broadway premiere of BASIC TRAINING (www.BasicTrainingNYC.com), a new comedy created by and starring Kahlil Ashanti. BASIC TRAINING is a hilarious story based on one soldier's outrageous experience in the U.S. Air Force and will play the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow St. at 7th Avenue, 1 block south of Christopher Street) beginning Friday, Sept. 26th with an official opening on Monday, Oct. 13th.

Josephson Entertainment, Erich Jungwirth/VoiceChair Productions and Richard Jordan Productions Ltd announced today the Off-Broadway premiere of BASIC TRAINING (www.BasicTrainingNYC.com), a new comedy created by and starring Kahlil Ashanti. BASIC TRAINING is a hilarious story based on one soldier's outrageous experience in the U.S. Air Force and will play the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow St. at 7th Avenue, 1 block south of Christopher Street) beginning Friday, Sept. 26th with an official opening on Monday, Oct. 13th.

Josephson Entertainment, Erich Jungwirth/VoiceChair Productions and Richard Jordan Productions Ltd announced today the Off-Broadway premiere of BASIC TRAINING (www.BasicTrainingNYC.com), a new comedy created by and starring Kahlil Ashanti. BASIC TRAINING is a hilarious story based on one soldier's outrageous experience in the U.S. Air Force and will play the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow St. at 7th Avenue, 1 block south of Christopher Street) beginning Friday, Sept. 26th with an official opening on Monday, Oct. 13th.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) announces the full cast for The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers. The Language of Trees will feature Maggie Burke as 'Kay Danley,' Natalie Gold as 'Loretta Trumble-Pinkerstone,' Michael Hayden as 'Denton Pinkerstone,' Gio Perez as 'Eben Trumble-Pinkerstone' and Michael Warner as 'Bill Clinton.'

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the recipients of its first Bank of America Playwright Commissioning Program. The three recipients are David Lindsay-Abaire, Noah Haidle and Liz Flahive.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers.