Johnny Johnson News

Commonly known as A Texas Trilogy, the three plays centered on small-town life set the theatre world afire in 1974. Originally presented at the Dallas Theatre Center, the plays drew such attention that NY critics and theatre luminaries were soon flying to Dallas to witness American theatre at its finest. Signed by legendary agent Audrey Wood, who had also discovered Tennessee Williams and William Inge, Jones's plays then transferred to a sold-out run at the Kennedy Center. Preston Jones went from obscurity to being on the cover of many national magazines. The Saturday Review cover proudly proclaimed him "The Next O'Neill." A bidding war then broke out to bring the plays to New York, and, directed by Alan Schneider, they finally arrived on Broadway in 1976.

A Woman on Top , the new musical for both sides of the aisle inspired by Hillary Clinton, previously announced the complete cast for a special industry reading next week. Reathel Bean (Caroline, Or Change) joins star Karen Mason, Drama Desk-nominated Broadway star of Wonderland, Mamma Mia and Sunset Boulevard, as well as Frank Vlastnik (Broadway: Big, The Sweet Smell of Success, A Year with Frog & Toad), Marni Nixon (Broadway: Nine, Follies; Film: The King and I, West Side Story, My Fair Lady) and Sarah Cetrulo (The Black Suits by Joe Iconis).

A Woman on Top , the new musical for both sides of the aisle inspired by Hillary Clinton, has announced the complete cast for a special industry reading next week. Reathel Bean (Caroline, Or Change) will join the previously announced star Karen Mason, Drama Desk-nominated Broadway star of Wonderland, Mamma Mia and Sunset Boulevard, as well as Frank Vlastnik (Broadway: Big, The Sweet Smell of Success, A Year with Frog & Toad), Marni Nixon (Broadway: Nine, Follies; Film: The King and I, West Side Story, My Fair Lady) and Sarah Cetrulo (The Black Suits by Joe Iconis).

A Woman on Top , the new musical for both sides of the aisle inspired by the current political climate, will have a special industry reading next month. The reading will star Karen Mason -- Drama Desk-nominated Broadway star of Wonderland, Mamma Mia and Sunset Boulevard, as well as a prolific concert and recording artist -- and be directed by Dan Knechtges (Lysistrata Jones, Tony Award nominee for Xanadu choreography). The show has music by Rhonda Kess, and lyrics by Rhonda Kess and Dale Kiken and a book by Dale Kiken. The reading will take place on Wednesday, July 9 at 3:00 PM and Thursday, July 10 at 2:00 PM at The New 42nd Street Studios (229 West 42nd Street). Industry members interested in attending should email AWOTrsvp@gmail.com and indicate their affiliation.

The Musical Theater Project and Cleveland Public Theatre will present 'Deconstructing Kurt Weill: The American Songs' tonight, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 2014. Both performances will be held at 7pm in the Levin Theatre at Cleveland Public Theatre.

The Musical Theater Project and Cleveland Public Theatre will present 'Deconstructing Kurt Weill: The American Songs' on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 2014. Both performances will be held at 7pm in the Levin Theatre at Cleveland Public Theatre.

Danny Zelisko Presents George Thorogood & The Destroyers live at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts tonight, Feb. 27, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the concert go on sale Monday, Dec. 9, 2013 at 10 a.m.

Just in time for gift giving, The ReGroup Theatre Co, Inc is pleased to announce the third volume in their Lost 'Group' Theatre Plays series.

Danny Zelisko Presents George Thorogood & The Destroyers live at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the concert go on sale Monday, Dec. 9, 2013 at 10 a.m.

On the heals of their acclaimed productions of 1931- and Success Story, The ReGroup turns its attention to the Group Theatre's very first play, Paul Green's The House of Connelly. Presented with special permission and support of the Paul Green Foundation, this poetic tale of the last dying gasps of the Old South trying to prevent progress of new ideas gets a much overdue NY revival. Wayward son Will Connelly, heir to the famous Connelly estate finds himself unable to live up to the prestige of the legendary Connelly's of the past. When a new tenant farmer arrives with his daughter Patsy, is it love at first site or does she have her calculating eyes on becoming the new Mrs. Connelly? The struggle between tradition and change, black and white and truth versus secrets come to a shocking conclusion. Though the Group made Mr. Green rewrite the ending to make it more hopeful, the ReGroup will be presenting Mr. Green's original ending. It is sure to be jaw dropping even after 80 years.

Having presented 2 volumes of The "Lost" Group Theatre Plays, featuring 6 out of print or never before published plays of the Group Theatre, ReGroup will soon be publishing a new volume.

The Silent Partner will be presented tonight, Monday, July 15th, 2013 at The Players Club: 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC. The evening begins with an open bar reception from 7pm - 8, followed by the 8 PM hybrid performance/reading of this rare play.

Clifford Odets' The Silent Partner, was originally written for production by The Group Theatre, but the company sadly closed its doors before the play was ever mounted. It was never published, and other than a 1972 Lee Strasberg helmed workshop at the Actors Studio, the play has been unseen for 75 years causing it to be the source of much speculation. Often referred to as a long-form version of Waiting for Lefty as it deals with striking workers, it is an entirely original and savagely poetic 3-Act tale that only Odets could tell.

The Silent Partner will be presented on Monday, July 15th, 2013 at The Players Club: 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC. The evening will begin with an open bar reception from 7pm - 8, followed by the 8 PM hybrid performance/reading of this rare play.

Celebrating the 80th birthday of playwright and novelist David Storey, the first London production in over 30 years - and the first production in London since the original National Theatre production- David Storey's Early Days plays at the Finborough Theatre for a limited run of nine Today and Monday evening and Tuesday matinee performances from tonight, 16 June 2013 (Press Night: Monday 17 June 2013 at 7.30pm).

Clifford Odets' The Silent Partner, was originally written for production by The Group Theatre, but the company sadly closed its doors before the play was ever mounted. It was never published, and other than a 1972 Lee Strasberg helmed workshop at the Actors Studio, the play has been unseen for 75 years causing it to be the source of much speculation. Often referred to as a long-form version of Waiting for Lefty as it deals with striking workers, it is an entirely original and savagely poetic 3-Act tale that only Odets could tell.

Celebrating the 80th birthday of playwright and novelist David Storey, the first London production in over 30 years - and the first production in London since the original National Theatre production- David Storey's Early Days plays at the Finborough Theatre for a limited run of nine Sunday and Monday evening and Tuesday matinee performances from Sunday, 16 June 2013 (Press Night: Monday 17 June 2013 at 7.30pm).

Festival Stage of Winston-Salem continues its third season of professional theatre with a production of Moises Kaufman's new drama 33 Variations, presented at Hanesbrands Theatre (209 N. Spruce Street, Winston-Salem) from tonight, Feb. 1 to Feb. 24.