New Group News

On November 8 renowned singer-songwriter, composer, musician and poet Alicia Jo Rabins will debut her brand new, full-length performative song cycle A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff at Joe's Pub in New York City.

Goodman Theatre announces four Chicago-based writers for its third season of the Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency program designed to support and develop new works. The appointed playwrights include Greg Allen, founding director of The Neo-Futurists and the creator of Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes); Alice Austen, resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists and a member of Shanghai Low Theatricals; Ike Holter, founding member and resident writer of The Inconvenience and author of Hit the Wall; and Christopher Oscar Peña, whose play however long the night premiered at London's Old Vic. A partnership with Chicago Dramatists, the Playwrights Unit meets twice per month with members of the Goodman's artistic team to discuss their plays-in-progress and provide feedback for one another. The program includes readings of the playwrights' works-in-progress at Chicago Dramatists in early 2013, and culminates in June 2013 staged readings of their completed works at the Goodman. Playwrights Unit alumni include Philip Dawkins, Nambi E. Kelley, Elaine Romero and Martin Zimmerman (2011/2012 Season), and Seth Bockley, Lisa Dillman, Laura Jacqmin and Rohina Malik (2010/2011 Season).

Yale Repertory Theatre, in a co-production with American Repertory Theater, presents the world premiere of Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi, directed by Rebecca Taichman. Marie Antoinette will be performed at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street) October 26 through November 17. Opening Night is Thursday, November 1. The cast includes Fred Arsenault, Hannah Cabell, David Greenspan, Marin Ireland, Vin Knight, Jo Lampert, Polly Lee, Steven Rattazzi, Jake Silbermann, Teale Sperling, Brian Wiles, and Ashton Woerz.

The first gathering of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Associate Artists happened on Friday, September 28, 2012 at The Rep's Administrative Offices. 18 of the 19 Artistic Associates either attended in person or attended via teleconference. The gathering was to discuss the future of The Rep as well as the responsibilities of this newly-formed group of theater professionals.

Thomas Sadoski, a Tony nominee for his work in reasons to be pretty and who currently stars in HBO's The Newsroom, is set to appear in the world premiere production of Michael Golamco's Build in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse.

According to EW.com, Broadway favorite Daphne Rubin-Vega has joined SMASH's all-star cast for season two. Rubin-Vega will play a Broadway publicist on the show, which returns on NBC in 2013. Also joining the cast for season 2 are Jennifer Hudson, Sean Hayes, Jesse L. Martin, Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus and Jeremy Jordan.

American Idiot's Van Hughes and Hair's Ryan Link will star in the New York premiere of Son of a Gun, a contemporary folk rock musical previously developed with the O'Neill Theater Center, Joe's Pub and The Drama League. Performances begin November 1, 2012 at The Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row. Gabriel Barre (Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, john & jen) directs.

Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with Unique Features and Jujamcyn Theaters announced today that Jordan Gelber (Avenue Q, All My Sons) will play Broadway's favorite elf, 'Buddy' in the hit holiday musical ELF. He will be joined by Leslie Kritzer (Sondheim on Sondheim, A Catered Affair) as 'Jovie' and Mitchell Sink as 'Michael' in his Broadway debut.

NBCUniversal announced the top semi-finalists for its seventh-annual "Short Cuts Festival" at an industry screening on September 12, 2012 at the School of Visual Arts in New York. The event was hosted by NBC's "30 Rock" co-star Keith Powell.

Mark Blum has joined the cast of The New Group's The Good Mother, written by Francine Volpe and directed by Scott Elliott. He joins Darren Goldstein, Gretchen Mol, Alfredo Narciso and Eric Nelsen in the premiere of this new play, replacing the previously announced Bill Sage, who had to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict prior to start of rehearsals. Mark Blum's Broadway credits include Gore Vidal's The Best Man, Twelve Angry Men, A Thousand Clowns, Lost in Yonkers, and more. He has appeared previously at The New Group in Wallace Shawn and Allen Shawn's play/opera The Music Teacher, among others.

Broadway's Marin Ireland (After Miss Julie) will appear at The Hampton's International Film Festival this weekend to promote her new film SPARROW DANCE. In the film, award-winning filmmaker Noah Buschel turns his lens on the confines of an NYC apartment in this charming and original love story.

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).

Labyrinth Theater Company, the award-winning, downtown ensemble announced today the complete cast and creative team for their World Premiere production of Radiance, written by Cusi Cram and directed by Suzanne Agins. The complete cast of the upcoming production of Radiance includes Kelly AuCoin (Julius Caesar, Julie & Julia) and Ana Reeder (Top Girls, Sight Unseen), as well as Labyrinth Company Members Kohl Sudduth (The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Take Me Out) and Aaron Roman Weiner (Thinner Than Water, The Glass Menagerie).

Ars Nova presents the world premiere of Ars Nova 2011 Composer-in-Residence Dave Malloy's Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Directed by Rachel Chavkin, this production will play a limited Off-Broadway engagement, beginning previews this coming Monday, October 1 and running through November 10. Official Opening Night is set for Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00 PM. Get a first look at the cast below!

Blue Coyote Theater Group has announced the cast for the World Premiere of CONEY, written by David Johnston and directed by Gary Shrader. CONEY begins performances on Saturday, October 27 for a limited engagement through Saturday, November 17.

In just three days, Times Square will turn into every theatre lover's dream as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS presents the 26th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. The all day, outdoor extravaganza features celebrities from Broadway's biggest shows, live and silent auctions with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive backstage access, and one-of-a-kind theatre treasures. As usual, BroadwayWorld.com will be streaming live video from the Grand Auction. Check back on Sunday for full details!