Oscar Wilde News

It joins GYPSY, with Imelda Staunton, as one of the big musicals of the summer, and features Jamie Parker, Clare Foster, Sophie Thompson and Peter Polycarpou

Celebrating its 13th season, the Ensemble of the Romantic Century (ERC) presents Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart at The Fishman Space in the new BAM Fisher. A fully staged theatrical concert blending striking music, powerful language and biography, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart delves into the unconventional 16-year long relationship between one of the great composers of the 19th century and his patroness, Madame von Meck. Written by Eve Wolf and directed by Donald T. Sanders, this evening-length production seamlessly interweaves a dramatic script performed by actor Simon Fortin (Tchaikovsky) and actress Ariel Bock (Madame von Meck) of Shakespeare & Company with live chamber and vocal music performed by violinist Rachel Lee Priday, cellist Adrian Daurov, pianist Eve Wolf and tenor Blake Friedman. Featuring some of Tchaikovsky's epic pieces including Piano Trio in A Minor, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart represents some of the composer's balletic works through dance both choreographed and performed by American Ballet Theatre dancer Daniel Mantei.

Edward Seckerson - former presenter of BBC Radio 3's long-running musical theatre show Stage and Screen continues to host a series of in-depth encounters with the stars of musical theatre at London's Charing Cross Theatre.

Justin Sayre's Play, The Click of the Lock, will be presented at The Player's Club as part of a new play reading. The cast will feature Tony Nominated Downtown Performer Justin Vivian Bond, Zachary Booth (Damages, Keep the Lights On), Rob Maitner (Urinetown, NY Fringe Festival; Bistro Award for Fairy Tales at the WPA Theater), Brian Barefoot, Jax Jackson, Grant Chapman & Chris Tyler. The reading will be held at the Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan) at 8:00 PM, with a cocktail reception starting at 7pm. To reserve a seat, please contact clickofthelock@gmail.com.

Internationally celebrated composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has come to the defense of his most recent West End musical, STEPHEN WARD, following the recent news that the show will close after an extremely short run - one of the shortest West End runs of any of his shows to date, as a matter of fact.

Walnut Street Theatre has announced the 2014-2015 Independence Studio on 3 season. This 80 seat theatre gives Philadelphia audiences an intimate setting to experience World Premiere plays, delightful musicals and Walnut's National Touring productions before they leave town. With every seat just inches away from amazing theatrical talent, the Independence Studio on 3 stage is Philadelphia's premier space for theatre that's up-close and personal.

The House Theatre of Chicago presents DORIAN, a modern adaptation of Oscar Wilde's novel 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.' This famous thriller of Dorian's ill-fated portrait is performed in promenade style. This original play is intended for mature audiences only, and is written by Company Members Ben Lobpries and Tommy Rapley. Company Member Kevin O'Donnell provides the score. Rapley directs and choreographs. The production previews April 4 - 13 and opens on Monday April 14 at 7pm at the Chopin Theatre (1543 W. Division St, Chicago). DORIAN will run through May 18, 2014.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will continue its engagement at JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater on Sunday, March 16 at 9:30 PM with a celebration of the celebrated TV program 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' After a highly-successful season at 54 Below, the show has returned to its downtown roots this year with shows through May. The March show will feature special guests to be announced.

Only one other writer could compete with Shakespeare for the title of the most quoted playwright, and that is Oscar Wilde. Seattle Shakespeare Company produces their first production of a Wilde play with The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Victor Pappas this spring.

Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas will celebrate Pittsburgh Public Theater's 40th anniversary with The Season of Legends, six breathtaking works that epitomize The Public's range. Included are the first play produced by The Public 40 years ago, a heavenly world premiere comedy, a musical bouquet of brilliance, August Wilson's most personal play, William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, and a recent New York hit about a diva's passion for design.

Prime Stage Theatre continues its 2013-2014 season with The Importance of being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck, Fool. In Rebeck's new comedy, two kings get together and place a wager on their fools - a jester competition, and the funniest one gets to keep his head. Two evil minions have a lot to say about this, but not as much as the kitchen wench. And what's the queen been up to all night? A dramatical comical farcical tragical play about power, love and laughter, set in a medieval kitchen. Adult Language, Adult Situations, Beheadings.

San Jose Rep, the flagship theatre of San Jose, has just announced its full 2014-15 season, which is set to include two world premieres- Wuthering Heights and The 12. They write: 'Our 2014-2015 season is an extraordinary journey around the world and across centuries featuring two world premieres, larger than life characters with sizzling international flair and spectacularly diverse music -brought to life by daring and award-winning actors, directors and designers.' The full season is as follows:

The Judas Kiss is David Hare's poignant and moving portrait of Oscar Wilde's one-sided love for Lord Alfred Douglas - a love which proved to be his salvation and destroyer alike. Season: March 15 - March 22, 2014 - 8 PERFORMANCES ONLY. BOOK NOW

The original London cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's new musical STEPHEN WARD is now available digitally from Amazon and iTunes.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre will present the fourth annual 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' on Monday, June 16. The Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan). Called 'a rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert' by The Wall Street Journal, 'Night Of A Thousand Judys' will honor the iconic Judy Garland with special skits, tributes and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer. This show will also help celebrate the landmark 75th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. There will be a pre-show VIP reception at 6:30 PM and the performance at 8:00 PM. The evening is written and hosted by Justin Sayre, and directed and choreographed by Jason Wise, with special guests to be announced. For more information, visit www.aliforneycenter.org/judys.

General Director & President David B. Devan and Music Director Corrado Rovaris are pleased to announce Opera Philadelphia's 40th Anniversary Season, featuring a stellar cast of international opera stars in five new productions at the Academy of Music and the Perelman Theater.

Zee Zee Theatre presents the world premiere of Dave Deveau's controversial and riveting new play, Lowest Common Denominator, which explores the world of intergenerational relationships and unleashes the darkness that exists just underneath a thin skin. Directed by Cameron Mackenzie, Lowest Common Denominator stars Deborah Williams, Dallas Sauer and Shawn Macdonald (and boasts a highly accomplished design team: Kyla Gardiner (Lighting Design), Sydney Cavanagh (Costume Design) & Marina Szijarto (Set Design)) and plays at the PAL Studio Theatre March 14-30, 2014.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will continue its three-month engagement at JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater tonight, February 16 at 9:30 PM with a celebration of stage and screen star Bernadette Peters.

An outrages romp into Victorian England with ballpoint pens and yellow plastic sunglasses awaits audiences at the Just Off Broadway Theatre in Kansas City, Mo. Journeyman Theatre presents their hilarious look at Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.