Sam Shepard News

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Hedda Gabler, written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted Christopher Shinn and directed by Azar Kazemi, as the second installment of the 2010-2011 New Directors Series.

Nightingale Theater presents Back Bog Beast Bait by Sam Shepard Thursday, February 10 through Saturday, February 12

Artistic Director Rich Ferraioli of Variations Theatre Group decided to stage the gut wrenching 90 minute play Fool for Love after realizing that Off-Off-Broadway Theatre "needed a bit of an awakening".

HotCity Theatre continues to provide St. Louis with a mix of new plays and modern classics, and actor/playwright Sam Shepard's TRUE WEST is their latest foray in these areas. Considered to be one of Shepard's more accessible works, TRUE WEST is a fascinating look at sibling rivalry, and it also takes some entertaining jabs at the Hollywood blockbuster mentality, which has only grown worse since this play premiered in 1980. HotCity's production is distinguished by an excellent cast and sparkling direction that consistently engages.

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced complete casting for the world premiere production of Sharr White's The Other Place, MCC's second offering of their 25th Anniversary season.

Producers Philip Morgaman, Anne Caruso/Vincent Caruso, Frankie J. Grande, and James P. MacGilvray have announced that Robert Sean Leonard will star opposite Jim Belushi and Nina Arianda in the upcoming Broadway production of Born Yesterday, a comedy by Garson Kanin, directed by Doug Hughes, at Broadway's Cort Theatre, 138 West 48 Street. The opening night is set for Sunday, April 24.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds at its first five Cino Nights presentations (of Gary Sunshine's BEST SEX EVER, Mando Alvarado's (O)N THE 5:31, Courtney Baron's HERE I LIE, Florencia Lozano's BUSTED, and Kristen Palmer's THE STRAY DOG), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series on February 13th at 7 p.m. with Emily DeVoti's THE UPSTART.

New Village Arts, Carlsbad's award-winning, professional theatre is very proud to announce its Tenth Season. This will be NVA's biggest season ever, with eight full productions, NVA's first musical and two local premieres. Over the past nine seasons, NVA has established itself as one of the most important mid-sized theatres in San Diego, producing over 40 highly acclaimed productions, including a world-premiere holiday show, multiple regional and local premieres, unforgettable American and world classics, the intense work of Sam Shepard and the popular FREE Shakespeare in the Park. New Village Arts honors that history in Season 10 and introduces some exciting new traditions for North County, by selecting shows that honor the history of the company, recognize the amazing current growth and give an intriguing glimpse into the future. All of the plays take us on an adventure - into growing up, learning about love and loss and celebrating the power of the human soul.

HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the opening of TRUE WEST, by American playwright Sam Shepard. TRUE WEST premiered in 1980 at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco, CA where Shepard was a resident playwright. It has enjoyed incredible success throughout the country, creating many famous productions like that in which leading men Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly switched roles on and off during the run and jointly won a Tony for their performances, and that which ignited the careers of Gary Sinise and John Malkovich and was filmed and aired by PBS. HotCity proudly brings this modern classic to St. Louis as the first show in their 2011 Season. Doug Finlayson directs.

Due to weather conditions, the Nightingale Theater will remain closed this weekend. We will resume our performance schedule for 'Back Bog Beast Bait' Thursday, February 10, and will alert you if any further rescheduling is necessary.

Public Theater Chairman of the Board Warren Spector and Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson announced today that Mr. Hamingson has stepped down from his position at The Public Theater for personal reasons but will stay on as a consultant for two months to help with the transition. Joey Parnes, who was the Executive Producer at The Public Theater from 1994-1996 and has been the Executive Producer on The Public's recent Broadway productions, will be the interim Executive Director while a nationwide search is conducted for Mr. Hamingson's successor.

Equinox Theatre announces its events listings for February 2011.

The Theatre School at DePaul University presents Hedda Gabler, written by Henrik Ibsen, adapted Christopher Shinn and directed by Azar Kazemi, as the second installment of the 2010-2011 New Directors Series.

Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Executive Director) will present Tom Diriwachter's AGE OUT, a play based on Tom's own experiences working as a waiter in Times Square. Age Out was first developed at Theater for the New City as part of the Chrysalis Workshop directed by Lissa Moira and will close on January 30.

In conjunction with the premiere of his play, Borderline, noted playwright Murray Mednick will be in Atlanta to teach a Writing Workshop at PushPush Saturday, January 29th from 1pm - 4pm. The cost for the workshop will be at the reduced rate of $30 and is open to all writers interested in writing for film and/or theater.

PushPush Presents Borderline, a world premiere play by Murray Mednick.

PushPush Presents Borderline, a world premiere play by Murray Mednick.

Last week, Paragon Theatre hosted an exciting preview of it's 10th season. When asked about the theme or drive for this new season, Executive Director Michael Stricker replied, 'We wanted to do shows that scared the hell out of us...we really wanted to be challenged this season.' Here is what's in store...

New Village Arts has built quite a reputation for its productions of the work of one of America's greatest dramatists, Sam Shepard. To celebrate Season 10, NVA presents a Shepard favorite. SIMPATICO blends all of Shepard's trademarks with an unbelievable sense of humor in a film-noir style. The plot deals with a horse-racing scheme run amuck and follows two former best friends through blackmail, intrigue, betrayal and redemption and includes bourbon, Buicks and a Kentucky Derby dress. Equity actor Mike Sears (Carter) and NVA Ensemble Member Manny Fernandes (Vinnie) bring the two friends to life and are joined by NVA Ensemble Member Jack Missett (Simms), Kelly Iversen (Kelly), Terri Park (Rosie) and Kim Strassburger (Cecilia). Watch unbelievable actors tackle extreme situations under the direction of award-winning director and NVA Ensemble Member Lisa Berger, known for her ability to take edgy stories and tell them with compassion, humanity and humor. SIMPATICO will be playing at New Village Arts Theatre (2787 State Street, Carlsbad Village) from March 2 - 27, 2011. The official opening night is March 5 at 8 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.NewVillageArts.org or by calling 760-433-3245.

The Centre Theater's Independent Voices Festival includes a special event this week.