Michael Hurst News

We interviewed Mary Testa who will perform in Two River Theater's production of 'Pericles' from April 16th to May 8th. Testa spoke to us about her career, the show and working on the Red Bank stage.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the lineup of productions for its 2016/17 Season, which will launch in September with August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Full-season 6-play subscriptions are on sale now from 732.345.1400 or 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank. Subscribers save 25% on tickets, receive prime seating and a number of additional benefits. Visit tworivertheater.org for more details. Single tickets will go on sale in August 2016.

DICKHEAD, a bold new play by Dave Cash, is set for its debut run April 14-17 at The Paradise Factory. Set in a boxing ring with play-by-play commentary by a team of sports announcers, DICKHEAD presents an unflinching and irreverent look into the inner workings of one man's mind as he battles the demons of his inner addictions --- personified by his three anthropomor- phic penises: Ego Penis, Mouth Penis and Penis Penis.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for its production of Shakespeare's Pericles, featuring original music and lyrics by multidisciplinary artist Rinde Eckert, who also plays Gower/Old Pericles. Pericles is choreographed by Tony nominee Dan Knechtges (Lysistrata Jones, Xanadu) and directed by acclaimed theater and opera director David Schweizer, whose past collaborations with Eckert include the Obie Award-winning And God Created Great Whales and Horizon, winner of the Lucille Lortel Award.

Circa Theatre celebrates its 40th anniversary with a brand new production of Shakespeare's stunning tragedy KING LEAR. Acclaimed Shakespearean director Michael Hurst takes the helm while the title role is played by one of New Zealand's theatre legends, Ray Henwood.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for Ropes, a play written by Barbara Colio, translated by Maria Alexandria Beech, and directed by Lisa Rothe. Performances will begin in Two River's Marion Huber Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, February 20 and continue through Sunday, March 20. The opening night performance is Friday, February 26 at 8pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The lead production sponsor is Bank of America.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for its production of Lives of Reason, a world premiere written by Robert Rechnitz and Kenneth Stunkel, directed by Jonathan Fox. Performances will begin in Two River's Marion Huber Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, January 9 and continue through Sunday, February 7. The opening night performance is Friday, January 15 at 8pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The lead production sponsors are Monmouth University and Saker ShopRites.

Ghostlight Records and Two River Theater announce the release of the Original Cast Recording of the new musical BE MORE CHILL, with physical CDs in stores and online today, December 18.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for its production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Tony Award-winning musical farce written by comedy giants Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by theater legend Stephen Sondheim. The director is Jessica Stone (Absurd Person Singular), the choreographer is Denis Jones (Honeymoon in Vegas), and the musical director is Gary Adler (Avenue Q).

Ghostlight Records and Two River Theater announce the release of the Original Cast Recording of the new musical BE MORE CHILL, with a U.S. Digital Release today, October 30; and international digital release on Friday, November 13; with physical CDs in stores and online Friday, December 18.

Ghostlight Records and Two River Theater announce the release of the Original Cast Recording of the new musical BE MORE CHILL, with a U.S. Digital Release on Friday, October 30; and international digital release on Friday, November 13; with physical CDs in stores and online Friday, December 18.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for its production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the Tony Award-winning musical farce written by comedy giants Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, with music and lyrics by theater legend Stephen Sondheim. The director is Jessica Stone (Absurd Person Singular), the choreographer is Denis Jones (Honeymoon in Vegas), and the musical director is Gary Adler (Avenue Q).

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the full cast and creative team for its production of August Wilson's Seven Guitars, directed by Brandon J. Dirden, an award-winning actor who is making his directorial debut with this production. Seven Guitars is the third play in Wilson's American Century Cycle produced by Two River, following the theater's acclaimed mountings of Jitney and Two Trains Running. Performances will begin in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, September 12 and continue through Sunday, October 4. The opening night performance is Friday, September 18 at 8pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The lead production sponsor is Springpoint Senior Living Foundation at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, kicks off its fifth annual Crossing Borders festival of new plays by Latino writers.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the lineup for its fifth annual Crossing Borders festival of new plays by Latino writers.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces a five-performance extension for its world-premiere production of Be More Chill, a new musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, based on the acclaimed 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini.  The production is directed by Stephen Brackett, with orchestrations and music supervision by Charlie Rosen, music direction by Nathan Dame, and choreography by Chase Brock.

'Casterbridge,' based on Thomas Hardy's classic Victorian novel, 'The Mayor of Casterbridge,' is a new musical theater work with book and lyrics by David Willinger and music by Christopher Beste. The 20-character, two-act musical is fairly faithful to Hardy's parable of the spiritual ups and downs of man and features a score inspired by English country music of the period. Theater for the New City will present the piece's world premiere run today, June 4 to 19, directed by Willinger.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the lineup of productions for its 2015/16 Season. The season will launch in September with August Wilson's Seven Guitars, directed by Brandon J. Dirden and will include the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, directed by Jessica Stone; a new music-theater production of Shakespeare's Pericles created by Rinde Eckert and David Schweizer; and the Transport Group's critically acclaimed production of I Remember Mama, directed by Jack Cummings III.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, concludes its 2014/15 Season with Be More Chill, a new musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz, based on the acclaimed 2004 novel by Ned Vizzini. The production is directed by Stephen Brackett, with orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, music direction by Nathan Dame, and choreography by Chase Brock. The production will run May 30-June 21, 2015, with the opening night on Friday, June 5. Tickets starting at $20 are available from 732.345.1400 or www.tworivertheater.org. Be More Chill is supported by lead production sponsor Durso Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley.