Michael Smith News

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE), a panel of critics from media outlets around the state of Massachusetts, have announced the winners for the 2011 IRNE Awards honoring the best of the 2010 Theatre Season. A list of the nominees and winners is below.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) present THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. Directed by Mr. Langs, the co-production by the two non-profit theaters will be presented in its New York premiere with previews beginning Thursday, May 12 and an Opening Night set for Tuesday, June 7. The limited engagement will play through Sunday, July 3 at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the York Theatre (James Morgan, Artistic Director) is pleased to present an invitation-only showcase presentation entitled An Afternoon with Doug Cohen featuring the words and music of the 2010 Fred Ebb Award Winner. Featured in the presentation will be Heidi Blickenstaff, Bradley Dean, Tovah Feldshuh, Jackie Hoffman, Lauren Kennedy, Jeff McCarthy, Lindsay Roberts, Lance Rubin, Howie Michael Smith and Barbara Walsh.

The Fred Ebb Foundation (Mitchell Bernard, Trustee) in association with the York Theatre (James Morgan, Artistic Director) is pleased to present an invitation-only showcase presentation entitled An Afternoon with Doug Cohen featuring the words and music of the 2010 Fred Ebb Award Winner. Featured in the presentation will be Heidi Blickenstaff, Bradley Dean, Tovah Feldshuh, Jackie Hoffman, Lauren Kennedy, Jeff McCarthy, Lindsay Roberts, Lance Rubin, Howie Michael Smith and Barbara Walsh.

THE WORKSHOP THEATER celebrates Pride month with the world premiere of Fabulous Ganesh at the WorkShop Mainstage Theater June 2nd-June 24th, Thursday-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm. The WorkShop Theater is located at 312 West 36th Street, 4th floor. Subway: A, C, or E to Penn Station. General admission tickets to Fabulous Darshan are $18, $15 for students and seniors.

David Henry Hwang's award-winning drama, M. Butterfly, comes to the stage at CCBC Essex, opening Thursday, March 31 at 8 p.m., and running Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2 at 8 p.ml, Monday, April 4 at 10 a.m., and Tuesday April 5 at 1 p.m.

Drury Lane Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning international hit musical AIDA, Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Jim Corti (Sweet Charity, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cabaret, and Sugar.) Featuring a dynamic cast led by Stephanie Umoh as 'Aida' ('Sarah' in the 2009 Broadway production of Ragtime) and Jared Zirilli as 'Radames' (first National Tour of Wicked), AIDA opens March 24 and runs through May 29 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane.

Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, and Jack Williams. Three of the biggest names in Folk music will grace the PFAA stage for a not-to-be-missed concert on Saturday, March 26. Steve and Cindy will open the show with their sublime harmonies and the incomparable Jack Williams will take the audience home showcasing his formidable talents honed over the past 50 years.

David Henry Hwang's award-winning drama, M. Butterfly, comes to the stage at CCBC Essex, opening Thursday, March 31 at 8 p.m., and running Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2 at 8 p.ml, Monday, April 4 at 10 a.m., and Tuesday April 5 at 1 p.m.

'At This Performance,' the ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway standbys and understudies is set to continue March 20-21.

During April, May, and June the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture will present three cabaret events and four afternoons of high tea accompanied by unique entertainment at Maxim's: The Nancy Goldberg International Center.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) have announced complete casting and creative team for THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs.

On Monday, March 7th, twelve performers joined composer Keith Varney onstage for a showcase of his original songs, Inappropriate for an Office, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, and Jack Williams. Three of the biggest names in Folk music will grace the PFAA stage for a not-to-be-missed concert on Saturday, March 26. Steve and Cindy will open the show with their sublime harmonies and the incomparable Jack Williams will take the audience home showcasing his formidable talents honed over the past 50 years.

Award-winning composer/lyricist Keith Varney will present 'Inappropriate for an Office,' a concert of his original songs, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Monday, March 7th at 7pm.

Drury Lane Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning international hit musical AIDA, Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner Jim Corti (Sweet Charity, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cabaret, and Sugar.) Featuring a dynamic cast led by Stephanie Umoh as 'Aida' ('Sarah' in the 2009 Broadway production of Ragtime) and Jared Zirilli as 'Radames' (first National Tour of Wicked), AIDA previews March 17, opens March 24 and runs through May 29 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane.

Award-winning composer/lyricist Keith Varney will present 'Inappropriate for an Office,' a concert of his original songs, at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on Monday, March 7th at 7pm.

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) committee has just announced its 2010 IRNE Award nominations, and Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston has earned 17 for its 2010 season. Included in the Large Theater category, Reagle Music Theatre is judged alongside Boston's Huntington Theatre Company, Cambridge's A.R.T., Trinity Repertory Company of Providence, RI, Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse, and the North Shore Music Theatre of Beverly.

Cartoon Network handed out the top honors at their first-ever sports awards show, Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards (HallofGame.com). From the red carpet, to the never-before-seen stunts and surprises on stage, Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards show, which will air on February 25th at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT), will feature icons from television, film, music and sports, as kids experience an evening of humor and fun at the most raucous and biggest sports awards show ever presented on television.

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE), a panel of critics from media outlets around the state of Massachusetts, have announced the nominees for the IRNE Awards honoring the best of the 20010 Theatre Season. A list of the nominees is below