Sarah Benson News

In a continued outpouring of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, more than 30 additional artistic directors have signed the open letter that was issued yesterday in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years.

In an unprecedented display of solidarity among a giant consortium of the American theater's artistic directors, an open letter has been issued in support of Ari Roth, following his recent dismissal from the Jewish Community Center in Washington, D.C., where he has served as Artistic Director of Theater J for the past 18 years. The letter, released earlier today represents the views of top theater brass from coast-to-coast, who believe that his dismissal was an act of politically motivated censorship in retaliation for Roth's choice to produce and publicly defend challenging and provocative work.

Following a critically-acclaimed international tour, Soho Rep., in association with John Adrian Selzer, presents the New York premiere of Winners and Losers (January 2-February 1), a fierce and funny saga about what friendship can sustain. On the cusp of turning 40, longtime collaborators Marcus Youssef and James Long got an email from a mutual friend touting a self-help pyramid scheme. This unexpected note inspired the two men to take a frank look at their own lives. In this autobiographical piece, Youssef and Long, directed by Chris Abraham, sit at a table and play an invented game called "winners and losers." They name people, places or things-Beyonce Knowles, Mexican food, their fathers-pronouncing each one a winner or loser. What begins as a simple game rapidly descends into a merciless and brutal appraisal of each other's families, backgrounds and life choices.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has announced the world premiere of a new play from its acclaimed Company-in-Residence Elevator Repair Service (The Sound and the Fury, The Select, Gatz) to premiere in Fall 2015.

'Can We Talk? Towards a Critical Discourse' with Tom Sellar is set for Monday, November 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Segal Theatre. Free and open to the public.

Soho Rep's AN OCTOROON will run February 14, 2015 - March 8, 2015 at Theatre for a New Audience's Polonsky Shakespeare Center (262 Ashland Place, Brooklyn). Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, AN OCTOROON will be directed by Sarah Benson.

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at The Graduate Center, CUNY is pleased to announce the full lineup of its eleventh annual PRELUDE Festival. Dedicated to artists at the forefront of contemporary New York City theatre and performance, PRELUDE 2014 features an array of artists working in theatrical and interdisciplinary performance.

'Not Afraid' by Nora Sorena Casey is a dark comedy about Bets, a young woman who is obsessed with her death metal blog. When she gets a death threat, it catalyzes a series of disturbing encounters for both her and her housemate and best friend, Hunter, a callous law student. The two women argue about heavy metal, the U.S.S.R. and taco night -- and try not to die. The play is at once funny, sad and devastating. PowerOut presents the work's world premiere October 19 to November 4 at Under St. Marks, 94 St. Marks Place. Ben Ferber directs.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sarah Benson and Executive Director Cynthia Flowers, Soho Rep. has continually produced work by bold artists who harness the intimate power of a 73-seat black box theater to create transformative experiences. Soho Rep.'s 2014-15 season, announced today, comprises three new works that each speak to the civic power of theater through their own distinctive form.

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY) presents PRELUDE 2014, an annual three-day festival dedicated to artists at the forefront of contemporary New York City theatre and performance.

On March 31, 300 friends, artists and supporters gathered to celebrate and honor Soho Rep.'s Board Chair Jon Dembrow at their annual spring gala. Forty-five minutes into the evening, the beam supporting a second-story balcony at the event venue, Angel Orensanz Center, cracked. The building was deemed unsafe and all the guests were evacuated by the FDNY. The cancellation of the event and on-site auction left Soho Rep. with a projected end-of-the-fiscal-year deficit of $68,000.

Just last night, Drama Desk and Tony Award winner Laura Benanti ('The Sound of Music Live!', Gypsy, Women On The Verge of a Nervous Breakdown) hosted the 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street). Big winners for the night included Audra McDonald, Bryan Cranston, Jessie Mueller, and Neil Patrick Harris and Jefferson Mays- who tied for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. Click here for a full list of winners. Check out photos of arrivals: Part 1 and Part 2.

Joe's Pub has announced their lineup of events for May 14-25. There is sure to be some thing for everyone - check out all the details below!

In response to popular demand and critical acclaim, Soho Rep. announces a second extension of the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon. Directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson, An Octoroon will run through June 8.

Soho Rep presents the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon, directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson. The production, tonight, April 23, through May 18, concludes a banner New York season for the celebrated playwright, whose Appropriate made its New York premiere February 25-April 6 at Signature Theatre.

In response to popular demand and one week before performances begin, Soho Rep. extends the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon, directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson, to May 24. Performances of An Octoroon will now take place April 23-May 24 (see schedule above) at Soho Rep. Critics are welcome as of Wednesday, April 30 for an official opening of Sunday, May 4 at 7:30pm.

Soho Rep. announces final casting for the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon, directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson. The production, April 23-May 18, concludes a banner New York season for the celebrated playwright, whose Appropriate recently opened at Signature Theatre and continues through April 6.

Soho Rep. announces casting and performance dates for the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon, directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson. The production, April 23-May 18, concludes a banner New York season for the celebrated playwright, whose Appropriate makes its New York premiere February 25-April 6 at Signature Theatre.