Michael Greif News

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, in collaboration with GFour Productions (producers of Menopause the Musical and winners of more than 30 Tony Awards), has announced what promises to be Rochester's next hit musical: MOTHERHOOD THE MUSICAL.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will begin previews for the New York premiere production of GIANT, an epic love story with book by Sybille Pearson and music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, tonight, October 26. Directed by Michael Greif, GIANT runs through Sunday, December 2 in The Public's Newman Theater at its Astor Place home, with an official press opening on Tuesday, November 13. Tickets are on sale now at (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office.

New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' now in its 22nd season of alternative, adult musical theatre, has announced its cast for the powerhouse Pulitzer Prize winning rock opera NEXT TO NORMAL, running Feb. 28-March 23, 2013 at the Washington University South Campus Theatre.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons recently announced additional performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Poetic Justice this evening, October 22.

Obie-award winning stage, TV and film actor, and accomplished director, Ching Valdes-Aran, presents a solo exhibition of her paintings for the first time in the United States. Entitled CHING VALDES-ARAN: NEW AND SELECTED WORK, the exhibition will be on view at the Philippine Center Gallery in New York City from today, October 22 through November 2nd, 2012. The Philippine Center Gallery is located at 556 Fifth Avenue, between West 45th and 46th Streets. An artist's reception will take place on Monday October 22 from 6 to 9 pm.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons has announced additional performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Poetic Justice on Monday evening, October 22.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will begin previews for the New York premiere production of GIANT, an epic love story with book by Sybille Pearson and music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, on Friday, October 26. Directed by Michael Greif, GIANT runs through Sunday, December 2 in The Public's Newman Theater at its Astor Place home, with an official press opening on Tuesday, November 13. Tickets are on sale now at (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office. In the video below, go behind the scenes of a recent photo shoot with the cast!

Obie-award winning stage, TV and film actor, and accomplished director, Ching Valdes-Aran, presents a solo exhibition of her paintings for the first time in the United States. Entitled CHING VALDES-ARAN: NEW AND SELECTED WORK, the exhibition will be on view at the Philippine Center Gallery in New York City from October 22 through November 2nd, 2012. The Philippine Center Gallery is located at 556 Fifth Avenue, between West 45th and 46th Streets. An artist's reception will take place on Monday October 22 from 6 to 9 pm.

Today we are talking to one of Broadway's biggest homegrown stars who has appeared in the original New York productions of many memorable modern-day classics, among them THE WHO'S TOMMY, AIDA, THE LAST FIVE YEARS and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, in additions to highly-regarded turns in the first replacement cast of RENT, the Tommy Tune/Jeff Calhoun revival of GREASE, the Off-Broadway curiosity DEBBIE DOES DALLAS, the first (and only) LA mounting of Randy Newman's FAUST, as well as her starring role in the recent Lincoln Center Theater's production of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, and, of course, her own rapturously-received, award-winning solo showpiece, EVERYDAY RAPTURE - the convivially mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind Sherie Rene Scott. Discussing the major transitions in her life, including her transformation from ingenue to leading lady to solo performer, Scott illustrates a unique and varied career as well as opens up about the themes, songs, stories, experiences and encounters that formed the basis for her new solo piece premiering at 54 Below this week, PIECE OF MEAT. Additionally, Scott touches upon her work as the co-owner of the revolutionary Sh-K-Boom Records with her husband, Kurt Deutsch, as well as her own album work over the years, in addition to stories related to the recording of many of their most celebrated titles and the composers whose work is prominently featured on their releases - Tom Kitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michael John LaChiusa and many more included. All of that, plus Mennonites, music and meat - and much, much more!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will begin previews for the New York premiere production of GIANT, an epic love story with book by Sybille Pearson and music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa, on Friday, October 26. Directed by Michael Greif, GIANT runs through Sunday, December 2 in The Public's Newman Theater at its Astor Place home, with an official press opening on Tuesday, November 13. Tickets are on sale now at (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) begins accepting entries today, Wednesday, October 3, for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to the New York premiere of THE WHALE, a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise), directed by Davis McCallum (February House, A Bright New Boise, the upcoming Water By the Spoonful at Second Stage). Due to the overwhelming response to Playwrights Horizons' 2012/2013 season, all productions are now playing longer runs to accommodate the larger subscription base. The limited engagement of THE WHALE, originally announced through Sunday, November 18, will now play through Sunday, December 2.

Previews begin Friday, October 12 for the Playwrights Horizons' production of THE WHALE, the New York premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Samuel D. Hunter (A Bright New Boise). Directed by Davis McCallum (February House, A Bright New Boise, the upcoming Water By the Spoonful at Second Stage), the production has an Opening Night set for Monday, November 5 at 7PM at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Mondays in October, Broadway actress Lindsay Mendez (Dogfight, Godspell) and award-winning composer-lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver (35mm, Darling) will team-up for "ACTOR THERAPY," a series of master classes for performers looking to improve their auditions, build a better book, and expand their understanding of what it means to be an actor and song interpreter in New York today.

The Public Theater's $40 million revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place will be unveiled October 4, 2012 and celebrated through a series of events designed to engage the entire New York community and marking a rededication to its founding principles. The eight weeks of community events will be anchored by a free block party and open house on Saturday, October 13, 12pm-5pm, during which Lafayette Street between Astor Place and East 4th Street will be partially closed to traffic and The Public's historic building will be open to all. A physical expression of the Company's core mission of sparking dialogues, fostering artistic development and experimentation, and increasing public accessibility, the revitalization project opens up the landmark building to the street and community, and transforms the lobby into a public piazza for artists, students, and audiences.

Due to popular demand, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced an extension of its critically-acclaimed, sold-out New York premiere production of DETROIT, the new play by Obie Award winner Lisa D'Amour.

Previews began August 24 for the Playwrights Horizons production of DETROIT, the New York premiere of the much-heralded new play by Obie Award winner Lisa D'Amour. The show opened last night, September 18 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big opening below!

Mondays in October, Broadway actress Lindsay Mendez (Dogfight, Godspell) and award-winning composer-lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver (35mm, Darling) will team-up for "ACTOR THERAPY," a series of master classes for performers looking to improve their auditions, build a better book, and expand their understanding of what it means to be an actor and song interpreter in New York today.