Royal Shakespeare Company News

Lyric Opera of Chicago announces that respected stage, film and television actor, Patrick Stewart, will co-host The Second City Guide to the Opera on Saturday, January 5, with internationally renowned soprano and Lyric Opera creative consultant, Renée Fleming.

Due to popular demand, The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that the critically acclaimed Public Lab production of SORRY will extend one final week to Sunday, December 2. SORRY, written and directed by Richard Nelson, opened on Tuesday, November 6 to unanimously positive reviews and was originally scheduled to close on November 18. It was extended one additional week to November 25 but strong demand has extended it one final week. All tickets for the extension weeks are $30 and can be purchased at (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office at 425 Lafayette Street.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today four new World's Stage presentations in 2013-bold theatrical events from across the globe, each in its own voice, provoking discussion on issues of international significance. On the heels of celebrating the Year of Creative Scotland with two critically acclaimed National Theatre of Scotland productions this fall, Chicago Shakespeare Theater continues to demonstrate its commitment to engage audiences in global issues, bringing to Chicago conversations of searing social and political importance through the work of internationally acclaimed theater artists.

According to published reports, One Man, Two Guvnors' Fred Ridgeway passed away on November 12, 2012, at the age of 59 after being diagnosed with a motor neuron disease.

According to the Daily Mail, Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, Call The Midwife's Miranda Hart, and stage and film stars Julie Walters and Patrick Stewart will take part in a fundraising performance of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap tonight, November 18, at the St. Martin's Theatre.

Commissioned in 2000 by The National Theatre to mark the centenary of Oscar Wilde's death and not seen in London since then, In Extremis, by Neil Bartlett, will play a 4-week season at the King's Head Theatre, London from today 18 November - Sunday 9 December, playing on Sundays and Mondays. Press night is Monday 19 November at 7.15pm.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Broadway welcomes three new shows, MATILDA picks its leading leadies, Rob McClure gets a place on the wall at Sardi's, and so much more!

According to the Daily Mail, Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, Call The Midwife's Miranda Hart, and stage and film stars Julie Walters and Patrick Stewart will take part in a fundraising performance of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap this Sunday, November 18, at the St. Martin's Theatre.

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced the casting of the title role in the RSC's eagerly anticipated Broadway-bound musical Matilda the Musical. Each of the four girls will play the role at difference performances: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro. Each girl will be making her Broadway debut. The four leading ladies met the press earlier today and you can check out photos of the girls below!

The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Dodgers today announced the casting of the title role in the RSC's eagerly anticipated Broadway-bound musical MATILDA THE MUSICAL. Each of the four girls will play the role at difference performances: Sophia Gennusa, Oona Laurence, Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro. Each girl will be making her Broadway debut.

Centenary Stage Company features singing and dancing throughout the chilly December month. Opening up with the beloved family classic The Wizard of Oz, welcoming the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet performing The Nutcracker, and ending with the Young Performers Workshop Winter Festival of Shows featuring musical favorites Hello, Dolly!, A Chorus Line, and The Boy Friend

Richard Eyre directs the world premiere of Nick Dear's The Dark Earth and the Light Sky at the Almeida Theatre. Running until the 12 January 2013, with press night tonight, 15 November 2012. Designs are by Bob Crowley with lighting by Peter Mumford and sound by John Leonard. The cast is Pip Carter (Edward Thomas), Pandora Colin (Eleanor), Ifan Huw Dafydd (Philip Thomas), Shaun Dooley (Robert Frost), Hattie Morahan (Helen Thomas) and Dan Poole (Bott/Major Lushington). Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

L.A. Theatre Works celebrates the 200th Anniversary of Pride and Prejudice with Christina Calvit's acclaimed stage adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel, returning from the first leg of a 25-venue national tour for five performances, today, Nov. 15-18, at UCLA's James Bridges Theater. There, the production will be recorded in front of a live audience for later broadcast on public radio and SiriusXM Satellite before heading back out on the road.

The Huntington's production of Harold Pinter's BETRAYAL opens tonight, November 14 at 7pm, Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre. The production is directed by Maria Aitken. The cast includes Alan Cox, Mark H. Dold, Gretchen Egolf, and Luis Negrón. Check out production photos inside!

The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Patrick Willingham, Executive Director), in association with PEN American Center, will present a Public Forum program on Monday, December 3 on behalf of writers and artists who have been imprisoned speaking truth to power. THOUGHT IS FREE: An Evening of Protest and Solidarity will be hosted by Liev Schreiber and feature Carl Bernstein, Nathan Englander, Shirin Neshat, Lou Reed, and Salman Rushdie. Member tickets, priced at $15, and single tickets, priced at $20, are on sale now and can be purchased at (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at The Public Theater box office at 425 Lafayette Street.

Richard Eyre directs the world premiere of Nick Dear's The Dark Earth and the Light Sky at the Almeida Theatre. Running until the 12 January 2013, with press night on 15 November 2012. Designs are by Bob Crowley with lighting by Peter Mumford and sound by John Leonard. The cast is Pip Carter (Edward Thomas), Pandora Colin (Eleanor), Ifan Huw Dafydd (Philip Thomas), Shaun Dooley (Robert Frost), Hattie Morahan (Helen Thomas) and Dan Poole (Bott/Major Lushington). Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!