Julie Harris News

Known for her many memorable roles on stages and screens large and small, many from the canon of William Shakespeare (OTHELLO, MACBETH) and Edward Albee (THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, SEASCAPE, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? & LISTENING), Maureen Anderman is making her grand return to the realm of Shakespeare onstage in New York with the new BAM production of RICHARD III directed by Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey. In addition to illustrating many aspects of the rapturously received revival of the historical tragedy as she has traveled with it around the world, Anderman and I also discuss her affiliation with Shakespeare and what she derives from performing his greatest works, with RICHARD III being the central focus. Also, Anderman details her experiences working with Edward Albee on the original Broadway productions of THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE and SEASCAPE, as well as offering some candid observations on some of her favorite feature film and television appearances over the years - THE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF MOLLY DODD and LAW & ORDER included. As well as all of that, Anderman also shines a light on her recent standby duties for Vanessa Redgrave in THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING and DRIVING MISS DAISY, as well as the forthcoming Westport Country Playhouse production of MAGICAL THINKING in which she will be starring later this year.

ACT -A Contemporary Theatre rings in 2012 with new and continuing efforts that recognize achievements in outstanding playwriting and create the atmosphere for the development of new work. Playwright Angus MacLachlan (author of the highly acclaimed film Junebug) is named the 2012 ACT New Play Award winner for Abundant Acreage Available. Two FREE staged readings will be presented in ACT's Bullitt Cabaret February 25-26, 2012. Immediately following each reading are post-play discussions with the playwright and the director, Anita Montgomery.

The Tony Winning Broadway Sensation Passing Strange begins previews Thursday, February 23 with an official press opening set for Friday, February 24.

This week, "Theater Talk" welcomes award-winning bookwriter and his SILENCE! The Musical stars, David Garrison and Jenn Harris. Along with hosts Michael Riedel and Susan Haskins, they focus on the process of turning the classic movie thriller The Silence of the Lambs into a musical. This episode will premiere on WNET/Thirteen Friday February 24th at 1:30 AM and repeat on CUNY TV Saturday February 25th at 8:30 PM, Sunday February 26th at 12:30 PM and Monday February 27th at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM.

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Don Gregory, has announced the full company for the new Broadway production of Mary Chase's Harvey starring Jim Parsons (Elwood P. Dowd), Jessica Hecht (Veta Louise Simmons), Charles Kimbrough (William R. Chumley, M.D.), Larry Bryggman (Judge Omar Gaffney), Carol Kane (Betty Chumley), Peter Benson (E.J. Lofgren), Tracee Chimo (Myrtle Mae Simmons), Holley Fain (Ruth Kelly, R.N.), Angela Paton (Mrs. Ethel Chauvenet), Rich Sommer (Duane Wilson), Morgan Spector (Lyman Sanderson, M.D.) and directed by Scott Ellis.

Raven Theatre is set to present the world premiere of Chicago playwright, Jon Steinhagen's play, Dating Walter Dante, directed by Cody Estle.

The Laguna Playhouse has been awarded a $5,000 "Capacity Building and Capital Projects" grant from the Laguna Beach Community Foundation.

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Damian Arnold, has announced casting for the Broadway premiere of Marc Camoletti's classic farce Don't Dress For Dinner, starring Ben Daniels as "Robert," Melora Hardin as "Jacqueline," Adam James as "Bernard" and Jennifer Tilly as "Suzanne" with Spencer Kayden as "Suzette." Don't Dress For Dinner is adapted by Robin Hawdon and directed by John Tillinger.

Cleveland Play House (CPH) will to produce Jeffrey Hatcher's backstage comedy Ten Chimneys as the inaugural production in the new Second Stage, one of only three fully outfitted, flexible theatres in the nation.

ACT -A Contemporary Theatre rings in 2012 with new and continuing efforts that recognize achievements in outstanding playwriting and create the atmosphere for the development of new work. Playwright Angus MacLachlan (author of the highly acclaimed film Junebug) is named the 2012 ACT New Play Award winner for Abundant Acreage Available. Two FREE staged readings will be presented in ACT's Bullitt Cabaret February 25-26, 2012. Immediately following each reading are post-play discussions with the playwright and the director, Anita Montgomery.

Raven Theatre is set to present the world premiere of Chicago playwright, Jon Steinhagen's play, Dating Walter Dante, directed by Cody Estle.

Cleveland Play House (CPH) will to produce Jeffrey Hatcher's backstage comedy Ten Chimneys as the inaugural production in the new Second Stage, one of only three fully outfitted, flexible theatres in the nation.

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Don Gregory, announced that Jim Parsons (Elwood P. Dowd), Jessica Hecht (Veta Louise Simmons) and Charles Kimbrough (William R. Chumley, M.D.) starring in a new Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy Harvey by Mary Chase and directed by Scott Ellis.

On Monday, November 14, Sonnet Repertory Theatre hosted its Tenth Annual Benefit and Cabaret. The event brought together a diverse and talented group of performers and composers at Joe's Pub to honor award-winning director and teacher, Gerald Freedman. Celebrating Freedman's career, this evening featured some of Broadway's greatest talents and legends, including Brian d'Arcy James, Jennifer Ferrin, Penny Fuller, Hal Holbrook, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Jeremy Jordan, Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Terrence Mann, John Mauceri, Estelle Parsons, Austin Pendleton, Bryce Pinkham,Wesley Taylor, Alfred Uhry, Price Waldman, and Emily Young, and including special video tributes by Olympia Dukakis and Chita Rivera. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the concert and brings you full photo coverage below!

We'll have photo coverage up shortly, but couldn't resist bringing you a quick preview 'Freeze Frame' from Sonnet Repertory Theatre's Tenth Annual Benefit and Cabaret on Monday, November 14 of Patti LuPone and Kevin Kline.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre will present their Tenth Annual Benefit and Cabaret on Monday, November 14, bringing together a diverse and talented group of performers and composers at Joe's Pub to honor award-winning director and teacher, Gerald Freedman.

At The Acting Company's Masquerade Gala on November 14 at Capitale, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Joseph Benincasa, Chairman and President respectively of The Actors Fund, will accept the Joan Warburg Humanitarian Award honoring the Fund's extraordinary legacy of providing health and human services to the entertainment community since 1882. James Bundy, Dean of Yale School of Drama and Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, will receive the John Houseman Award recognizing his profound commitment to the development of classical actors and a national audience for the theater. David Hyde Pierce and Charles S. Dutton will present the awards; the Godspell cast will entertain and Acting Company Alumnus Hamish Linklater (Seminar) emcees the evening for an industry-filled audience of producers, directors, entertainers and other notables including The Honorable Thomas Kean, legendary record producer Clive Davis, New York Times writer Enid Nemy and The Broadway League's Charlotte St. Martin. For ticket Information call: 212-258-3111 .