Sam Shepard News

Due to popular demand, The New Group has announced a two-week extension for Russian Transport, which began previews on January 17 and had an Official Opening Night on January 30.

Next up in its continuing series Dark Nights, The New Group presents Re-imagining Baal today at 4:00pm.

STOPPED BRIDGE OF DREAMS, the newest work from the Obie Award-winning and MacArthur Fellow writer, director, multi-media innovator and long-time La MaMa artist John Jesurun. STOPPED BRIDGE OF DREAMS marks Mr. Jesurun's return to La MaMa for the first time in a decade. The production performs at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), with a press opening set for Sunday, January 22. Heading the cast of STOPPED BRIDGE OF DREAMS is the celebrated downtown actress Black-Eyed Susan.

The life of the Buddha in his own words - the evolution of his thought, his triumphs, and the rarely portrayed tragedy at the end of his life. The West Coast premiere of Evan Brenner's moving and enlightening one-man play, Buddha - A Fantastic Journey now under the direction of John C. Reilly, gets a limited four-week engagement February 10 -March 4 at the Bootleg Theater.

The Theatre School Showcase: Contemporary Plays and Classics Presents: A LIE OF THE MIND directed by Carlos Murillo, 'A Tale of dysfunction in Sam Shepard's gritty American West.'

Following the success of the acclaimed premiere of Taylor Mac's THE WALK ACROSS AMERICAN FOR MOTHER EARTH last season, La MaMa in association with the Obie Award-winning theatre company The Talking Band will present Sidney Goldfarb's play HOT LUNCH APOSTLES at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), with preview performances starting Thursday, March 1 prior to an official press opening set for Thursday, March 8.

In honor of La MaMa's 50th Anniversary, Pace University's Performing Arts (students, alumni and faculty) celebrate La MaMa's "Homecomings" season with a tribute to three playwrights who called La MaMa their early home: Maria Irene Fornes, Sam Shepard and Lanford Wilson.

Will Act For Food will present the Midwest premiere (and second production ever) of Jack's Precious Moment, by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Azar Kazemi, opening Thursday, February 2 and running through February 25 at Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park.

Magic Theatre continues its mission of championing new, innovative theatrical voices with its 2012 Asian Explosion from February 9 through 13. This five-day festival will coincide with Magic Theatre's world premiere production of Lloyd Suh's Jesus in India, and will provide a forum for discovering and celebrating the vibrant community of Asian and South Asian writers for the theatre through a series a five readings and two solo performances offered for free to the public.

Next up in its continuing series Dark Nights, The New Group presents Re-imagining Baal on Sunday, February 5 at 4:00pm. Reservations required at seats@thenewgroup.org (space is limited). Suggested donation: $20.

Signature Theatre has announced that the Signature Center Opening Gala Celebration will take place on Monday, January 30th and will be a first look at the Company's new home, the Frank Gehry-designed Signature Center.

Following performances of its first year of Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano, Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, and Dael Orlandersmith), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series on January 29th at 7 p.m. with SOLITARY MAN by Keith Reddin.

Rehearsals are currently underway for Cygnet's upcoming stunner, Irish Playwright Martin McDonagh's A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE. Guest Director Lisa Berger is tackling the Southern California Premiere of McDonagh's first and only US-based comedy that, despite its change in location, stays true to the playwright's overriding themes of gore and wit. The cast includes Jeffrey Jones, Mike Sears and Cygnet newcomers Kelly Iversen and Vimel. Previews begin January 19th, 2012, and Press Opening is January 28th, 2012.

Festival Stage of Winston-Salem continues its second season with a revival of the Off-Broadway hit musical "Oil City Symphony," playing Jan. 27-Feb. 19 at the Hanesbrands Theatre in downtown Winston-Salem.

Signature Theatre and The Pershing Square Foundation announced today a $25 million gift to Signature Theatre to fund the innovative Signature Ticket Initiative, as well as dedicating the theatre's new home as The Pershing Square Signature Center.

As first reported on TVLine.com, actress Frances Fisher will guest star on an upcoming episode of ABC's A GIFTED MAN to air in early March.

Following performances of its first year of Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano, Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, and Dael Orlandersmith), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series on January 29th at 7 p.m. with SOLITARY MAN by Keith Reddin.

On Sunday, April 1, the hometown of California cuisine hosts a day of "Delicious Fictions" featuring Golden Globe Award-winner Jill Eikenberry and Emmy Award-nominee Michael Tucker.