Joseph Papp News

The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Joey Parnes Interim Executive Director) announced the line-up today for the third Public Forum event of the season, "Imagination and Memory," on Monday, March 7 at 8 p.m.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Interim Executive Director, Joey Parnes) announced today that it will present TIMON OF ATHENS as the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE, a vital new platform for The Public's ongoing exploration of the Shakespeare canon that will continue the growth of The Public's Shakespeare Initiative and expand the many ways The Public produces American interpretations of Shakespeare.

Joel Grey - the much-lauded star of both stage and screen - will have a busy spring. The 78-year-old actor is appearing in the Roundabout revival of ANYTHING GOES, and will also be directing THE NORMAL HEART, beginning rehearsals later this month. His schedule will keep him so busy, in fact, that Tony Award-winning director George C. Wolfe will step in to direct THE NORMAL HEART when Grey's projects conflict.

Direct from critically acclaimed runs in London's West End and the Edinburgh Festival, CATWALK CONFIDENTIAL, Robyn Peterson's one woman show about her life as a super model in the 1970's, will have a special fundraiser performance on March 3, a benefit for AGENDA FOUNDATION

A star-studded cast filled with celebrities across a variety of genres -- including a boxing legend, a talk-show personality, a Super Bowl Steeler, a former Playboy bunny and a legendary comedic actress - are set to compete each week on the dance floor in the spectacular two-hour season premiere of 'Dancing with the Stars,' MONDAY, MARCH 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Andrew Gerle may be one of the most talented and promising composers/writers for the theatre today that you've never heard of. He launches the new year with an incredible lineup of projects on the horizon: a musical, a play, a new book, a star-studded revue, a concert reading at City Opera featuring an 80-piece orchestra, a recital performance of his work at London's Wigmore Hall, and the first-ever published volume of his songs.

Producers Philip Morgaman, Anne Caruso/Vincent Caruso, Frankie J. Grande, and James P. MacGilvray have announced that casting is complete for the upcoming Broadway production of Born Yesterday, a comedy by Garson Kanin, directed by Doug Hughes. The production stars Jim Belushi, Robert Sean Leonard, and Nina Arianda and will play Broadway's Cort Theatre, 138 West 48th Street, beginning previews Thursday, March 31, and opening Sunday, April 24.

The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Joey Parnes Interim Executive Director) announced the line-up today for the second Public Forum event of 2011, "Too Rich To Fail: A Town Hall Meeting on Americans and Their Money," on Monday, February 28 at 8 p.m.

The Cabaret rolls out the red carpet for 'The Queen of Cabaret,' Andrea Marcovicci as we celebrate the 2011 Season Grand Opening. Paying tribute to silver screen legends like Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn, Bing Crosby, and Bob Hope, Andrea illuminates how movie music has scored our lives and loves. The evening will feature a dazzling array of movie songs from the 1930s through the 1990s - with such classics as 'The Way We Were,' 'Thanks for the Memory,' 'Days of Wine and Roses,' and 'As Time Goes By.' *Champagne reception to follow each performance. Black Tie Optional.

According to an Equity Casting notice, Broadway's THE NOrMAL HEART will be performed as a staged reading, directed by Joel Grey. Accordingly, the production will be adding the character of a Reader / Examining Doctor, whose character description reads: 'Male, any age. He will introduce the play every evening, read stage directions, and play a pivotal scene with Emma every night. Casting personnel state, 'We are looking for exciting ideas to do a few weeks at a time.'

First reported by BroadwayWorld.com last night and now with confirmed dates, THE NORMAL HEART is headed back to Broadway with previews beginning on April 19th and an opening set for April 27, 2011 at the Golden Theatre.

BroadwayWorld has learned that just before the 2010-2011 season comes to a close, Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart will open on Broadway at the Golden Theater starring Cheyenne Jackson, Joe Mantello and Ellen Barkin. Following an Actor's Fund benefit performance of the show starring Mantello and Glenn Close this past fall, rumors began swirling that Daryl Roth was hot to ressurect the property into a full-scale production - it's first on Broadway. Securing an available theater had apparently held up her efforts. it is believed that Mantello will reprise his role as Ned Weeks. Jackson will play his lover Felix Turner and Barkin will assume the role of Dr. Emma Brookner.

Three-time Tony Award-winning scenic designer ROBIN WAGNER and esteemed costume designer LEWIS BROWN are among the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Brown was selected to receive the 2011 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Robin Wagner will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design. Sadly, Mr. Brown passed away in January of 2011. His award will be accepted by his long-time colleague and friend, Albert Wolsky, who was the recipient of the 2010 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will kick off its 40th season by presenting the Off-Broadway premiere of Cool Blues by Bill Harris at their home at Henry Street Settlement's Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall (466 Grand Street).

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will offer post-show discussions following select performances of TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role.

The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Joey Parnes Interim Executive Director) announced the line-up today for the third Public Forum event of the season, "Imagination and Memory," on Monday, March 7 at 8 p.m.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announced complete casting today for the world premiere of URGE FOR GOING written by Mona Mansour and directed by Hal Brooks. The third show in the 2010-2011 Public LAB season, URGE FOR GOING will run Friday, March 25 through Sunday, April 17, with an official press opening on Sunday, April 10. Single tickets go on sale on February 20; member tickets are on sale beginning February 17; all tickets for Public LAB productions are $15.

The New Group proudly presents the first major New York revival of Wallace Shawn's Marie and Bruce in a limited Off-Broadway engagement March 14 - May 7.

In honor of Tennessee Williams' 100th birthday, Aurora Theatre Company continues its 19th season with the playwright's haunting drama THE ECCENTRICITIES OF A NIGHTINGALE. Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross helms this evocative play featuring Beth Wilmurt, Charles Dean, Marcia Pizzo, and Thomas Gorrebeeck, along with Amy Crumpacker, Ryan Tasker, Leanne Borghesi, and Beth Deitchman.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will kick off its 40th season by presenting the Off-Broadway premiere of Cool Blues by Bill Harris at their home at Henry Street Settlement's Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall (466 Grand Street).