Michael Winter News

Fringe first timer is bringing his new, no holds barred adaptation of a best selling American autobiography to the Edinburgh stage.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival opens its outdoor theatre the weekend of June 12-14 with Shakespeare's ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, directed by Bill Rauch; the world-premiere musical by Jeff Whitty with music and lyrics by the Go-Go's, HEAD OVER HEELS, directed by Ed Sylvanus Iskandar; and Alexandre Dumas's THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, directed by Marcela Lorca. The shows will close the weekend of October 9-11.

Award-winning director Bob Vernon returns to the stage in May after a four-year hiatus to lead the Seacoast Repertory Theatre's production of Into the Woods, the Stephen Sondheim musical that weaves well-loved Grimm's fairy tales into a provocative fantasy of dreams and their consequences.

Today, Showtime Networks Inc. and IFC Films announced a new exclusive theatrical output agreement that extends the companies' existing deal to cover films theatrically distributed by IFC Films through 2021.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival will open Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night, directed by Christopher Liam Moore, on March 29 in the Thomas Theatre. Preview performances are March 25, 27 and 28.

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will return to Broadway this spring as Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's The Audience, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry. Opening Night is tonight, March 8, 2015; the limited engagement runs through June 28, 2015 at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Scroll down to learn more about the company!

Seattle Theater Writers critics' circle just announced the nomination slate of the fourth annual Gypsy Rose Lee Awards,theater awards devoted to recognizing excellence across the economic spectrum of professional Seattle theaters in the prior calendar year.

Oh my! It's been a hell of a year for the Seattle Theatre scene and I can say we've been quite fortunate to see the incredible shows we have. So many amazing shows in fact that picking just a few stand outs (let alone a "best") is a near impossibility. But I have searched the deep dark recesses of my memory to find the shows and performances that really stood out and stuck with me beyond the evening and throughout the year. And so, without further ado, I'm thrilled to present the BWW 2014 Seattle Critic's Choice Awards (or Jay's Picks). Let the awesomeness flow!

The Daily Mail reports that Laura Pitt-Pulford and Michael French are set to star as 'Maria' and 'Captain Von Trapp' in Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by Paul Kerryson at the Leicester Curve. The musical runs November 28, 2014 through January 17, 2015.

I'm just going to stop you right here, Dear Reader. If you haven't already gone out and got your tickets for the Seattle Rep's production of Robert Schenkkan's "All the Way" then just stop reading this and go take care of that. I'll wait. Done? OK, now we can continue to talk about this juggernaut of a play that has completely lived up to all the hype that preceded it and more.

The Daily Mail reports that Laura Pitt-Pulford and Michael French are set to star as 'Maria' and 'Captain Von Trapp' in Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by Paul Kerryson at the Leicester Curve. The musical runs November 28, 2014 through January 17, 2015.

The National Theater Institute Semester is a 14-week, credit-earning program, offering college-aged students intensive theater immersion at the two-time Tony Award-winning Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

This week at Rooftop Films might be more fun than you're used to. I suggest you consult a physician if you're at risk of laughing too much. There's just that much fun ahead.

This week at Rooftop Films might be more fun than you're used to. I suggest you consult a physician if you're at risk of laughing too much. There's just that much fun ahead.

Seacoast Repertory Theatre has announced that is has been has been honored with New Hampshire Magazine's Best of NH Award in the category of "New Hampshire's Eclectic Performing Arts Venue". The Rep earned its award because of the overwhelming success of its "Red Light Series", an ongoing sojourn through the world of adult alternative programming. In naming The Seacoast Repertory Theatre this year's winner, NH Magazine stated:

Seacoast Repertory Theatre has announced that Let's 'B' Reel: Cult Classic Films at The Rep will screen Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys with a very special live Skype interview with star of the film, Jamison Newlander tonight, June 18th 2014. In addition to the special display, there will be a sultry vampire themed pre-show featuring hosts Timothy Fife and the 'Queen of B's', Bunny Wonderland (Knate Higgins), and Lady Luck Burlesque.

Seacoast Repertory Theatre has announced that Let's "B" Reel: Cult Classic Films at The Rep will screen Joel Schumacher's The Lost Boys with a very special live Skype interview with star of the film, Jamison Newlander June 18th 2014. In addition to the special display, there will be a sultry vampire themed pre-show featuring hosts Timothy Fife and the "Queen of B's", Bunny Wonderland (Knate Higgins), and Lady Luck Burlesque.

A Shakespearean classic directed by Sheila Daniels. Sounds like a dead lock winner right? Unfortunately Seattle Shakespeare Company's current production of "King Lear", while having some moments of power, ultimately left me wanting. Wanting for what? That's tough to say. There were so many little things needling me about the production that didn't quite work that they almost overshadowed what did. But ultimately it amounted to an inconsistency of pacing and performance that left me, like Lear, out in the cold facing the storm (such as it is but we'll get to that later).

Following a sold-out run of The Importance of Being Earnest, Seattle Shakespeare Company announced today that it will extend its production of King Lear through May 17 with four additional performances at the Cornish Playhouse. Below, BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production, which began previews last night - and opens tonight, Friday, April 25.