Lucille Lortel News

MCC THEATER has announced the line-up for their Spring 2013 PlayLab readings of new plays by three members of the company's Playwrights' Coalition: Adam Szymkowicz, Ed Napier, and Ashlin Halfnight to be held respectively at 7PM on June 3, June 10 and June 23, 2013 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). The series offers a rare look into the development process of new plays by some of New York's most exciting playwrights. Audience members will also be invited to meet and greet the artists at receptions directly following the readings.

The National Symphony Orchestra Pops will present three performances of The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz May 16-18 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the performances feature performances by Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and The Washington Chorus. The performances celebrate Stephen Schwartz's 65th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the perennially 'popular' Wicked, and Mr. Schwartz will make a special appearance in each of the three programs, performing and sharing stories of the creation of Wicked.

A special industry 'by-invitation-only' staged reading of the new Broadway-bound play COFFEE STAINS will be presented on May 20th at the award-winning Colony Theatre in Burbank, Calif. The reading will be directed by acclaimed Ovation Award winning director Jenny Sullivan (The Geffen, Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Williamstown, Lucille Lortell, The Rubicon, Ensemble Theater of Santa Barbara, The Falcon).

The National Symphony Orchestra Pops will present three performances of The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz tonight, May 16-18 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the performances feature performances by Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and The Washington Chorus. The performances celebrate Stephen Schwartz's 65th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the perennially 'popular' Wicked.

Page 73 Productions - the Off-Broadway company dedicated to producing and developing works by early-career playwrights - will present a reading of their 2013 Interstate 73 member E.M. Lewis' play SONG OF EXTINCTION on Wednesday, May 15 at 4pm at Roundabout Theater Company's rehearsal studios (115 West 45th Street 12th Floor). Calloway Award winner Carolyn Cantor (THE GREAT GOD PAN, AFTER THE REVOLUTION) will direct.

Atlantic Theater Company welcomes Olivier and two time Tony Award winning playwright John Guare, who will make his Off Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production of his new play 3 KINDS OF EXILE, directed by Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe, featuring Atlantic ensemble members Peter Maloney and David Pittu and guest artists Alison Cimmet, Jeffrey Kuhn, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Martin Moran, Kate Rigg, Omar Sangare and Timothy Splain.

Irish Repertory Theatre continues its 25th Anniversary Season with The Weir by Conor McPherson, author of SHINING CITY and THE SEAFARER - with previews set to begin tonight, May 15, prior to an official Off-Broadway opening May 23 on the Irish Repertory's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage (132 West 22nd Street). Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, performances are set to run through July 7.

The Vineyard Theatre presents the world premiere of Jenny Schwartz's SOMEWHERE FUN. Ms. Schwartz returns to The Vineyard following her critically acclaimed play GOD'S EAR in 2008.

Theatreworks USA, the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for young audiences, has announced the Off-Broadway premiere of the new children's musical THE CIVIL WAR. as the 25th Anniversary production of the company's annual Free Summer Theatre Program.

Joe's Pub at The Public welcomes world premieres, highly-anticipated debuts and the return of many esteemed performers this May and June. Funny girl JULIE KLAUSNER makes her debut with two evenings of cabaret. Legendary downtown performance artist JOHN KELLY returns to premiere Rebel Songs. The 60s-inspired flight attendant PAM ANN returns for five nights in the Cockpit. Elsewhere: Tony Award-winners TONYA PINKINS and LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA, Once star CRISTIN MILIOTI, TAYLOR MAC'S epic exploration of popular music, a special appearance from Justin Vivian Bond, JOEY ARIAS, the greatest rapper in the world, CHAMPAGNE JERRY and more. Read on for more May and June cabaret, comedy, Broadway and musical theater highlights at Joe's Pub at The Public.

ONCE, the Tony and Grammy Award winning Best New Musical based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film currently plays on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street). The production opened to rave reviews on Sunday, March 18, 2012. In the video below, the adorable Jillian Lebling and Eliza Holland Madore who alternate in the role of Ivanka, interview fellow cast member J. Michael Zygo, who plays the Emcee. Check it out below!

Glen Hansard, Academy Award winner and co-writer of the music and lyrics for Once, visited the Phoenix Theatre to meet with Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cvitesic, the leading actors in the critically acclaimed West End production.

Debra Jo Rupp stars in Becoming Dr. Ruth at TheaterWorks in Downtown Hartford. The comedy will run May 31 through July 7, 2013.