Lucille Lortel News

Ghostlight Records announced today that they will go into the recording studio with the cast of Carrie next week, April 17, to record the first-ever cast album. Release dates for the album will be announced at a later time.

TBS JUST FOR LAUGHS CHICAGO, the nation's biggest comedy festival, kicks off its fourth year by announcing some very big names, with more surprises still to come. From June 12-17, an astonishing array of comedians, sketch shows, specialty acts and films will keep Chicago in stitches from some of its finest and most iconic venues.

The New York Times reports tonight that 'the creators and MCC said one successful result of the revival is that the musical would become a licensable property available for productions at high schools, colleges and regional theaters. After the 1988 Broadway production closed, the creators were so devastated that they refused hundreds of requests by directors and theater companies to stage "Carrie" until Mr. Arima pitched his vision. Now the creators are ready to say yes to productions, and are already talking to one - SpeakEasy Stage Company in Boston - about doing "Carrie" next spring.'

American Theater Company (ATC), together with About Face Theatre, presents a co-production of Jonathan Larson's Rent, directed by David Cromer. Rent will run April 27, 2012 - June 17, 2012 at ATC, 1909 W. Byron. The press openings are Sunday, May 6, 2012 and Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7 pm.

York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director), celebrating the legendary librettist and lyricist Tom Jones with Musicals in Mufti: The Tom Jones Festival, has announced casting for the next two musicals in the spring series:

MCC Theater has announced the line-up for its Spring 2012 PlayLab play readings of new plays by four members of the company's Playwrights' Coalition: Brooke Berman, Crystal Skillman, Alex Lewin and Blair Singer to be held on April 16, April 23, April 30 and May 7, 2012.

The Mint Theater's production of Rutherford & Son by Githa Sowerby at the Mint's home in the heart of the theater district closes on April 8th.

FELA! plays at the Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) for two-weeks only through April 8, 2012.

Meet the cast of Roundabout Theatre Company's new Off-Broadway production of Simon Gray's comedy-drama The Common Pursuit, directed by Moises Kaufman. The Common Pursuit will feature Kristen Bush as 'Marigold,' Kieran Campion as 'Peter,' Josh Cooke as 'Stuart,' Jacob Fishel as 'Martin,' Tim McGeever as 'Humphry,' Lucas Near-Verbrugghe as 'Nick.' Check out the photos below!

Penguin Rep Theatre's 2012 season opens Friday, May 18 and runs through Sunday, October 28, artistic director Joe Brancato and executive director Andrew M. Horn announced today.

The Flea Theater and The Civilians present the New York Premiere of The Civilians' YOU BETTER SIT DOWN: TALES FROM MY PARENTS' DIVORCE, by Anne Kauffman, Matthew Maher, Caitlin Miller, Jennifer R. Morris, Janice Paran and Robbie Collier Sublett. Conceived by Jennifer R. Morris and directed by Anne Kauffman, previews begin April for this limited-run Off-Broadway engagement, with opening night slated for April 12.

Alliance Repertory Theatre Company Presents Jon Maran's The Temperamentals Mar 23rd - Apr 7th 2012 - at the Edison Valley Playhouse.

SILENCE! The Musical, currently nominated for two Lucille Lortel Awards including Best Musical, will celebrate its 200th performance tonight, April 6th at The 9th Space Theatre at Performance Space 122, 150 First Avenue (at 9th St.) SILENCE! The Musical is the unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Christopher Gattelli. After opening on July 9, 2011 the show immediately became a sold-out phenomenon and was selected by Time Magazine as one of the year's Top 5 Musicals. Due to overwhelming ticket demand, the producers recently put a new block of seats on sale through September 2nd.

Due to popular demand, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced an additional extension of its New York premiere production of THE BIG MEAL, a new play by Dan LeFranc. Originally set to play a limited engagement through Sunday, April 8, the production initially extended two weeks to Sunday, April 22. THE BIG MEAL will now extend an additional week through Sunday, April 29 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the Alley Theatre's production of the Conor McPherson's THE SEAFARER. The Seafarer, by Conor McPherson and directed by Gregory Boyd, begins previews Friday April 6, opens Wednesday April 11 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2012 on the Hubbard Stage. Tickets start at $25 and are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org, at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue, or by calling 713.220.5700. Groups of 10 or more can receive special concierge services and select discounts by calling 713.220.5700 and asking for the group sales department.

The Whidbey Island Center for the Arts Theater Series will present DOUBT, A PARABLE, by John Patrick Shanley, April 6-21, 2012 at 7:30 pm, directed by Andrew Grenier, director of GOD OF CARNAGE at WICA in 2011.

Moonbox Productions presents Floyd Collins; based on a true story, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book and additional lyrics by Tina Landau. Directed by Allison Olivia Choat, musical direction by Dan Rodriguez, choreographed by Rachel Bertone. Performances run from April 6-14: Thurs. (7:30 pm), Fri. (8 pm), Sat. (2 pm & 8 pm), & Sun. (2 pm). Tickets: $32-$37. BCA Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont St., Boston. Wheelchair accessible. For advance tickets and information, visit or call the Box Office at 671-933-8600 or log onto www.bostontheatrescene.com.

"A Measure of Cruelty" tells the story of a peaceful South Florida neighborhood rocked by headlines, and a local bar owner struggling to keep the peace with his son. But as a storm grows ever closer, the men are forced to come to terms with each other and their long-guarded secrets. Carbonell Award-winning director Richard Jay Simon will stage this exciting new play with a creative team that includes resident set designer Douglas Grinn, lighting designer John Hall, sound designer Matt Corey (2011 Carbonell Award Winner), resident costume designer K. Blair Brown, production stage manager Linda Harris and graphics/photography by George Schiavone.