Mark Twain News

Presidential debates are famous for their catch phrases and game changing moments, evidence Al Gore's "lock box," George H.W. Bush's checking his watch and Ronald Reagan's "There you go again." Candidate neckties have received much less focus, even though they have been worn 42 times since the period of regular debates began in 1976. Since then, several clear trends have emerged, especially during the more recent red state vs. blue state era.

Today, September 30, 2012, fourteen actors, actresses, critics, playwrights - and even an astronaut - will be inducted into the newest class of THE PLAYERS Hall of Fame, John Martello, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS, has announced. For the 5th time in its history, The PLAYERS will commemorate each of the new, 14 inductees with a fine-art portrait that will become part of THE PLAYERS' permanent collection. The unveiling is at a special fundraising dinner at the landmarked Booth mansion at 16 Gramercy Park South, (East 20th off Park Ave.) New York City.

FIRST TIME FEST (FTF) - a celebration of first time filmmakers - is a new and unique film festival, event and opportunity taking place in New York City from March 1 through March 4, 2013. FTF is currently seeking submissions for its inaugural event.

Tonight, September 28, 2012 at 7:00pm in the historic Players Club, Salon/Sanctuary Concerts-the series that presents early music in intimate alternative venues-opens its fourth season with a unique collaborative event featuring three renowned artists who share a love of baroque music. The performance will include songs of Henry Purcell, arias of Handel, and cantatas of Vivaldi. Program details will be announced shortly. A post-performance dinner with the artists follows at the club.

Bill Cosby, who has been making audiences laugh for decades with his keen insight into everyday existence, brings his signature comedy to the Treasure Island Theatre tonight, September 28 at 8 p.m.

Tonight, September 28, 2012 at 7:00pm in the historic Players Club, Salon/Sanctuary Concerts-the series that presents early music in intimate alternative venues-opens its fourth season with a unique collaborative event featuring three renowned artists who share a love of baroque music. The performance will include songs of Henry Purcell, arias of Handel, and cantatas of Vivaldi. Program details will be announced shortly. A post-performance dinner with the artists follows at the club.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer plays Oct. 19-Nov. 4, 2012 at SteppingStone Theatre. Written by Mark Jensen and based on the book by Mark Twain, this world premiere features music by Gary Rue.

Village Theatre opens its 2012-2013 with Big River. This Tony Award winning musical is unique among the Broadway musical cannon for its powerful Bluegrass/Country score. The music and lyrics for Big River are by legendary chart topping country singer-songwriter Roger Miller. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below.

On Sunday, September 30, 2012, fourteen actors, actresses, critics, playwrights - and even an astronaut - will be inducted into the newest class of THE PLAYERS Hall of Fame, John Martello, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS, has announced. For the 5th time in its history, The PLAYERS will commemorate each of the new, 14 inductees with a fine-art portrait that will become part of THE PLAYERS' permanent collection. The unveiling is at a special fundraising dinner at the landmarked Booth mansion at 16 Gramercy Park South, (East 20th off Park Ave.) New York City.

As part of its educational offerings, Sea Tea Improv will be teaching two levels of improv courses to the public this fall. For the first time, this swift-growing professional theater company will be offering an Intro to Improv workshop, a Foundation-Level course called 'The Character,' and a Focus-Level course about 'Second Beats.' The courses will each be taught by a founding member of the acclaimed Hartford-based improvisational theater company. All classes will be held at Sea Tea Improv's brand-new studio space: 75 Pratt St, 5th floor, Room 512, in Hartford, Conn.

Beginning in 2007, Hal Holbrook performed his acclaimed one-man show 'Mark Twain Tonight!' in each of the Gallo Center for the Arts' first two seasons. Now he returns for a third engagement on Friday, October 5, at 8 pm.

People's Light & Theatre presents Mark Twain: Sacred Cows Make the Best Hamburgers, running October 10-November 4, 2012 on the Steinbright Stage. David Bradley directs.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents a family treat for the holidays, the Tony Award-winning musical BIG RIVER directed by Robert Kelley. Hilarious and heartwarming, Mark Twain's story The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn comes alive in this musical adaptation.

Mark Twain's play "Is He Dead?", adapted by David Ives, is an uproarious hysterical romp. Or it can be. Unfortunately the current production from Theater Schmeater, while still funny, lacks a cohesiveness that could take it to the realm of "seriously funny".

At the top of the show for Village Theatre's production of "Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" we are greeted with a quote from Mark Twain and the original book. "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot." And while clever, showing that quote at the top of the show doesn't excuse the fact that there is little through line or story arc to this production. There's a ton of talent performing throughout the evening but at times they felt like they were in different shows.