Robert Eli News

You would think a story with its title character would be the main focus of a play. For example, Beetljuice the Musical’s title character almost never leaves the stage and has a character arc, or in The Music Man, the literal Music Man, Harold Hill, remains the center of attention for most of its play. Unfortunately, Miss Maude at AD Players, a play that draws inspiration from a selfless black nurse from the 1950s, fails to provide its title character anything more than a plot point for its white male protagonist. This ultimately leads to a Pre-Broadway World Premiere that with some tweaking could see a fully successful commercial run in both New York and other theaters. While I did not personally enjoy some aspects of the story, Martin Casella has the beginnings of what could be a great play.

A.D. Players at the George Theater will present the world premiere of Broadway-aimed Miss Maude this month.

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of the romantic comedy/drama, "Lobby Hero" by Kenneth Lonergan, 2017 Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay for "Manchester by the Sea," on Monday, March 13, at 7 p.m. 

I can't believe it's May again. It marks a year since my audition process for Fiddler began. It also marks a year since I decided that if I booked the show, I was going to propose to my girlfriend on the stage.

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, presents Perfect Arrangement, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno)and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement closes today, November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street project.

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, presents PERFECT ARRANGEMENT, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno)and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement runs through this Friday, November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street project.

Two young 1950s married couples seem to be living idyllic lives, but they have a secret.

Two government workers are assigned to help rid personnel of 'deviants.' There's just one little problem.

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, presents PERFECT ARRANGEMENT, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement runs now through November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street project. 

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, presents PERFECT ARRANGEMENT, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement runs now through November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street project. Opening night is tonight, October 15 at 7PM. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

Topher Payne's new comedy is set during a time when the U.S. government sought to identify 'sexual deviants.'

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, presents PERFECT ARRANGEMENT, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement runs now through November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street project. Opening night is Thursday, October 15 at 7PM. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Christopher J. Hanke takes a look at some of the historic research that helps put the actors in a 1950s state of mind.

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, presents PERFECT ARRANGEMENT, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement runs tonight, September 29, through November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street project. Opening night is Thursday, October 15 at 7PM.

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, announces casting for Perfect Arrangement, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement runs September 29- November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street® project. Opening night is Thursday, October 15 at 7PM.

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, announces casting for Perfect Arrangement, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed byMichael Barakiva (White People).  The limited engagement runs September 29- November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street® project.  Opening night is Thursday, October 15 at 7PM.

The Bay Street Shakespeare Initiative and Hamptons Shakespeare Festival presented TWELFTH NIGHT, OR WHAT YOU WILL by William Shakespeare last Friday and Saturday nights at Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor, NY. The cast included Piper Perabo (Covert Affairs), who starred as Viola. Both readings were free and we well attended. Scroll down for a look at the cast onstage!

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of 'The Country Club,' a wry comedy by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane, on Monday, June 22, at 7 p.m., followed by a post-performance 'Meet the Cast' reception in the courtyard. Director is Anne Keefe, Playhouse associate artist and curator of the playreading series. Tickets are $20 each.

Up next in Westport Country Playhouse's Script in Hand Playreading Series is THE COUNTRY CLUB by Douglas Carter Beane on Monday, June 22 at 7:00pm.

Agatha Christie's classic whodunit, 'The Mousetrap,' will be presented as a Script in Hand playreading at Westport Country Playhouse, on Monday, December 15, at 7 p.m. Director is Anne Keefe, Playhouse associate artist and curator of the playreading series. Tickets are $15 each.