Marsha Norman News

As a companion column to this weekend's extensive, exclusive InDepth InterView with Broadway and Hollywood star Patrick Wilson, today, let's take a look at twenty takes (or so) of this versatile and multi-talented stage and screen star in a vast array of impressive roles - everything from showing off his vocal chops with a live duet of an Andrew Lloyd Webber anthem from THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with SHAMELESS star Emmy Rossum to showing it all with a fully-bared FULL MONTY performance to trailers for some of his most impressive film performances (ANGELS IN AMERICA, LITTLE CHILDREN, HARD CANDY, WATCHMEN and INSIDIOUS among them) to his most recent work in PROMETHEUS, YOUNG ADULT and the forthcoming THE CONJURING. Plus, a charming GAP ad with Claire Danes, a hilarious College Humor Clip, the National Anthem and much, much more!

Today we are talking again to one of Broadway's recent rising stars all about his sensational sophomore solo album, STILL DREAMING OF PARADISE, as well as his role in this weekend's invitation-only reading of the new musical AMAZING GRACE - 2011-2012 season standout and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Tony Award nominee Josh Young. Espousing on the many elements that converged to make his solo album a reality, Young outlines his process with his close collaborators by discussing the imperative inspirations, subsequent arrangement experimentation, actual studio recording, scientific song selection process, major project goals and a lot more, as well as shares memories of what many of the album's tracks mean to him on a personal level and what we can expect from albums from him in the future, near and far. Plus, Young reveals his affection for his first major New York post-SUPERSTAR production, AMAZING GRACE, as he shares his enthusiasm for the daring subject, rich source material - no less than the life of controversial historical figure John Newton - and the purportedly thrilling new score composed for it and the unique and compelling tale behind it as the new musical takes this next step in its developmental process in the Lincoln Center-set industry presentation. Additionally, Young touches upon his favorite memories from the Tony Awards and participating in the Transport Group's recent concert production of BABY - and much, much more!

MCC Theater has announced that MCC Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute will direct the world premiere of his new play, Reasons to Be Happy, as part of its 2012-13 Season. Performances of Reasons to Be Happy begin at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on May 16, 2013 and continue through June 23, 2013. An official opening is set for June 2, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Additional information, including complete casting, will be announced shortly.

Playhouse on the Square announces its 2012-2013 season of plays and musicals. Reservations and ticket information can be found at http://www.playhouseonthesquare.org/boxoffice/ or by calling (901) 726-4656. The Box Office is located inside Playhouse on the Square at 66 South Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104. Ken Ludwig's TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Plays The Playhouse on the Square Today Thru 12/30. Check out what else is coming up!

The League of Professional Theatre Women has announced that its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors women exhibiting exemplary service to the theatre, will be presented by Marsha Norman (playwright) to Joan D. Firestone, Executive Director of The Moth. In addition to its annual Lifetime Achievement Award, LPTW will have Linda Chapman (playwright) present the 2012 Lee Reynolds Award to Kia Corthron, an outstanding American dramatist and activist, and the 2012 Josephine Abady Award presented by Angelina Fiordellisi (Cherry Lane Theater) to Stephanie Ybarra, an Artistic Associate at The Public Theatre. All the awards will be presented at the LPTW's Turning Thirty Awards Celebration, in honor of the League's 30th Anniversary year, on December 6, 2012, at Scandinavia House at 58 Park Avenue, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This year's celebration will also be the culmination of a year of celebratory events for the League.

The Dramatists Guild of America offers the public archived audio featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony nominated playwright Lanford Wilson with fellow DG Council member Jeffrey Sweet as part of their In the Room podcast series, available today, November 19th.

The Dramatists Guild of America offers the public archived audio featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony nominated playwright Lanford Wilson with fellow DG Council member Jeffrey Sweet as part of their In the Room podcast series, available Monday, November 19th.

Executive Director Walter Stearns announced today that he will launch a subscription series at the Mercury Theater including four full productions, which will transform the Mercury into the largest producer of musicals in the city of Chicago; employing almost one hundred theater professionals. Plans are to produce Rogers and Hammerstein's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING which features songs such as 'Oh What a Beautiful Mornin', 'Some Enchanted Evening' and 'If I Loved You' in January. In March, the Mercury will stage a revival of BARNUM, the Cy Coleman circus musical centered around legendary showman P.T. Barnum, complete with professional circus performers. August brings the regional premiere of THE COLOR PURPLE, the Broadway hit based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel and subsequent Steven Spielberg film. The season concludes with the return voyage of the popular holiday musical,THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. Single tickets are available for $29 and up, and 3 show subscription packages start as low as $80. Season packages and A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING tickets go on-sale November 16th.

Chance Theater has announced its boldest season ever. Chance subscribers and audiences will be taken on seven journeys during 2013, from prehistoric dinosaurs trying to find love, to a musical about a President trying to rock out to democracy, from a young girl finding a secret garden to a young man whose spirit lives on more than ten years after his death, This truly is the season to "Chance it" and join Southern California's bravest and most audacious theatre company!

Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA announces a new opening date for the world premiere of DOESN'T ANYONE KNOW WHAT A PANCREAS IS?, written by Carole Real and directed by Jenny O'Hara. DOESN'T ANYONE KNOW WHAT A PANCREAS IS? will now preview tonight, November 13 and will open on Wednesday November 14 at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles, 90039. THE FISHERMAN'S WIFE will be extending and will now run through Thursday, December 13.

On Sunday, November 11 at 6:00pm, The New Group offers the first presentation in this season's continuing series Dark Nights at The New Group: "WOMEN in 3-D: Creating Complex, Sexual Female Characters" with playwrights Francine Volpe, Julia Jordan and Marsha Norman.

ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE/LA announces a new opening date for the world premiere of DOESN'T ANYONE KNOW WHAT A PANCREAS IS?, written by Carole Real and directed by Jenny O'Hara. DOESN'T ANYONE KNOW WHAT A PANCREAS IS? will now preview on Tuesday, November 13 and will open on Wednesday November 14 at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave. in Los Angeles, 90039. THE FISHERMAN'S WIFE will be extending and will now run through Thursday, December 13.

Aria Entertainment & Knockhardy Productions presents The Secret Garden: In Concert from 10th February to 17th March 2013 at The King's Head Theatre, London.

The Dramatists Guild of America offers the public archived audio featuring multi-award winning (Grammy, OBIE Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, NAACP Image Award) and Tony nominated singer, writer and composer Micki Grant with fellow DG Council member Kia Corthron as part of their In the Room podcast series.

Due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, the Dramatists Guild of America is cancelling their 2012 Awards Night on Monday, November 5 at The Players Club. The Dramatists Guild will reschedule the Awards Night to a later date, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The Guild's thoughts and well wishes are with everyone affected by the storm and they are most appreciative of your understanding during this difficult time..