Joseph Papp News

Even as its shows reach New York and London, Berkeley Repertory Theatre begins another season of fearless theatre here at home: Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin stars in the world-premiere production of Compulsion on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage. Acclaimed director Oskar Eustis returns to the Bay Area with Rinne Groff's latest play, a kaleidoscopic collision of history and culture that combines stellar acting with marvelous marionettes. Compulsion, a world-premiere co-production from Berkeley Rep, The Public Theater, and Yale Repertory Theatre, begins previews on September 13, opens September 16, and closes October 31.

Two River Theater Co. is proud to present Opus, a play about a renowned string quartet, written by Michael Hollinger and directed by Little Silver's Matthew Arbour.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the newly revised adaptation of the timeless classic, 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' helmed by award-winning director Gerald Freedman, September 28 through October 30, as part of its 80th Anniversary Season.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present post-show discussions following select performances of Richard Nelson's That Hopey Changey Thing, the first play of the 2010-2011 Public LAB season.

Fresh from its sold-out run at the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival, Gregg Greenberg's comedy-drama CLEMENZA & TESSIO ARE DEAD returns with a look at mob life from the bottom up. Starring Frank Senger*, Anthony Gallo and Troy Dane*, this tale of two men's attempts to climb the criminal corporate ladder begins performances December 2nd at the Shell Theater, at 300 West 43rd Street. The show is directed by Frank Senger and produced by Gregg Greenberg. The production is an Equity Showcase.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews Tuesday, October 26 for the world premiere of THAT HOPEY CHANGEY THING, written and directed by Richard Nelson.

Two River Theater Co. is proud to present Opus, a play about a renowned string quartet, written by Michael Hollinger and directed by Little Silver's Matthew Arbour.

The same time The Public Theater is in previews for Daniel Sullivan's acclaimed production of The Merchant of Venice on Broadway, The Public Theater announced it would expand its Shakespeare Initiative to include a new platform for the production of Shakespeare's works: THE MOBILE UNIT.

TACT/The Actors Company Theatre (Scott Alan Evans, Cynthia Harris and Simon Jones, Co-Artistic Directors), the critically-acclaimed company "dedicated to presenting neglected or rarely produced plays of literary merit," announces complete casting for The Memorandum, by Vaclav Havel, the first production of the company's 2010/11 season.

Penguin Rep Theatre closes its 33rd season with the New York premiere of MRS. MANNERLY, a comedy by Jeffrey Hatcher, October 1 through October 24 in Stony Point, New York. Directed by Penguin Rep artistic director Joe Brancato, MRS. MANNERLY stars Diane Ciesla and Mark Shanahan.

THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT by Stephen Adly Guirgis will make its world premiere on Broadway starring Bobby Cannavale, Chris Rock, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Annabella Sciorra and Yul Vázquez. Directed by Anna D. Shapiro, the production will open on Monday, April 11, 2011 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street, New York City). The strictly limited 14-week engagement will begin previews on Tuesday, March 22, 2011.

Last night, October 18, the Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart, earned a heartfelt standing ovation at the Walter Kerr Theatre. The reading starred Glenn Close, Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello, Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson in the one-night-only event that raised $150,000 for The Actors Fund and Friends in Deed.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews Tuesday, October 26 for the world premiere of THAT HOPEY CHANGEY THING, written and directed by Richard Nelson.

Last night's, Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart was a phenomenal success. The cast featured Glenn Close, Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello,Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson in the one-night-only event that benefited The Actors Fund and Friends In Deed. The historic reading took place at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Last night's, Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart was a phenomenal success. The cast featured Glenn Close, Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello,Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson in the one-night-only event that benefited The Actors Fund and Friends In Deed. The historic reading took place at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Last night's, Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart was a phenomenal success. The cast featured Glenn Close, Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello,Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson in the one-night-only event that benefited The Actors Fund and Friends In Deed. The historic reading took place at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, continues its 45th Anniversary season, themed Shake It Up, with the Pulitzer Prize-winning play CRIMES OF THE HEART by Beth Henley. This production will be directed by Leslie Ishii. The cast of the production includes Maya Erskine, Kimiko Gelman, Elizabeth Liang, Hiwa Bourne, Tim Chiou, and Jason Sino. In CRIMES OF THE HEART we meet three delightfully dysfunctional sisters: Babe has just shot her husband, Meg is fresh from the loony bin, and Lenny celebrates her birthday alone by sticking a candle in a cookie. This Southern classic with an Asian American cast will be an unforgettable night of laughter and tears in East West Players style.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews Tuesday, October 19 for the New York premiere of IN THE WAKE.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will present Knock Me a Kiss by Charles Smith at their home at Henry Street Settlement's Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall (466 Grand Street). Performances begin November 11th with Opening Night set for Sunday, November 21st. Performances continue through December 5th only. Chuck Smith directs a cast that features Erin Cherry, André De Shields, Gillian Glasco, Morocco Omari, Sean Phillips, and Marie Thomas. Knock Me a Kiss will have set design by Anthony Davidson, costume design by Ali Turns, lighting design by Shirley Prendergast, and sound design by Bill Toles.

Producer Daryl Roth announced that Glenn Close will play the role of 'Dr. Emma Brookner' in the upcoming, Joel Grey-directed, 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play, The Normal Heart. She joins cast members Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Joe Mantello, Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Patrick Wilson in the one-night-only event that will benefit The Actors Fund and Friends In Deed. The historic reading will take place at Broadway's Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) on Monday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.