Shakespeare & Company News

The Pulitizer and Tony Award winnning rock opera RENT comes to the Broadway Theatre Center May 21 through June 20 as part of the Sylight Opera Series. Ticket prices range from $62 to $20 and are available at the Box Office, 414-291-7800 or www.skylightopera.com.

The Cornelia Street Cafe will be featuring the Jason Rigby Quintet today, April 23. The Sage Quintet is a powerhouse ensemble formed to explore group improvisation with the twists and turns of a two-horn front line mixed with the dynamic sound of the Fender Rhodes electric piano. The band was formed conceptually out of the influences of Miles' 70's electric bands, Ornette Coleman's explorations with Don Cherry and Dewey Redman, and Jack DeJohnette's mid-70's work - all culminating in a modern mixture of grooves, free melodies, psychedelic sounds, and angular horn lines.

Mark Shenton and Good Night Out Presents the world premiere of SHRUNK by Charlotte Eilenberg. The show is directed by Julian Birkett, Produced by Mark Shenton, Designed by Kate Guinness. The cast is made up of Jack Klaff, Amanda Ryan and runs 18th May - 12th June (PRESS NIGHT: FRIDAY 21st MAY at 7.30pm

After 6 sold out shows at last summer's Del Close Marathon Week at UCB; Standing room only shows at Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival and 12 hilarious shows at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, Canada - THE IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY returns to New York City for 5 Performances only at The Barrow Street Theatre in the West Village, May 20th-24th, 2010.

Canadian Stage presents the Toronto premiere of Catalyst Theatre's Frankenstein, an award-winning adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic gothic novel integrating poetic verse, song, original music, stylized movement and fantastical costumes and sets made entirely of paper.

Tamzin Outhwaite is joined by Mark Umbers in the West End transfer of the Tony Award-winning musical, Sweet Charity. Matthew White's production of Sweet Charity, which completed its sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory last month, will open at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 23 April 2010 with press night on 4 May and is currently booking until 8 January 2011.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce casting, dates and a director for the American premiere of Olivier Award nominee Moira Buffini's award-winning play GABRIEL, which will mark the final main stage production of Atlantic's 2009-2010 season.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati is pleased to announce its fourth and fifth production of the season, Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, written by Tony Kushner. Angels in America will open with the first of the two part play, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, on Know Theatre's mainstage April 3 and play through May 8, 2010. The second half of the production, Angels in America: Perestroika, will open April 23 and play through May 8, 2010.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce casting, dates and a director for the American premiere of Olivier Award nominee Moira Buffini's award-winning play GABRIEL, which will mark the final main stage production of Atlantic's 2009-2010 season.

The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center announced an expanded season of productions, artists, local discoveries, and new film and performance series. The summer pre-season begins on June 17 with the new musical, DADDY LONG LEGS. The official season kicks off October 7- 9, with an opening weekend of performances and events featuring jazz star, Esperanza Spalding; classical cellist, Lynn Harrell; and folk singer, Judy Collins.

The U.K. Critics' Circle has honored playwright and director Sir Alan Ayckbourn with their award for Distinguished Service to the Arts.

A Celebration of the Bard's Birthday with Special Guests: B. H. Barry, Barry Edelstein and Tina Packer; with an Exhibition of a Unique Copy of the First Edition of the First Shakespeare Concordance.

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company Ensemble is pleased to announce its newest member, playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. Among his many accomplishments, McCraney is the author of the critically-acclaimed The Brother/Sister Plays, currently playing at Steppenwolf through May 23, 2010. As a playwright, he has collaborated with Steppenwolf ensemble member Tina Landau on seven productions and readings nationally. He also appeared on stage at Steppenwolf in Landau's 2004 production of Theatrical Essays. Additionally, McCraney was recently commissioned by Steppenwolf, through support from the Joyce Foundation Awards, to write a new play for the Steppenwolf ensemble based on the biblical book of Job. The Steppenwolf ensemble, the longest-existing theater ensemble in the U.S., now totals 43 members.

The Hypocrites, in association with Chicago DCA Theater, present the Broadway classic Cabaret. The production, directed by Matt Hawkins, comes to Chicago DCA Theater's Storefront Theater at 66 E. Randolph Street, through May 23, 2010.

The Southwest Shakespeare Company presents Richard III, by William Shakespeare, from April 22 - May 8, 2010 at the Nesbitt/Elliot Playhouse Theater - Mesa Arts Center.

Just in time to celebrate Shakespeare's 446th birthday on April 23, founding Artistic Director Terrence O'Brien has announced the line up for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival's 2010 season (hvshakespeare.org).

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe's 2010 Shakespeare Festival performed in repertory in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.

In a magical tour-de-force, Simon Callow tracks down the real William Shakespeare in the world premiere of 'SHAKESPEARE - THE MAN FROM STRATFORD', a new comedy by Shakespeare scholar Jonathan Bate, which brings to life both the man and the unforgettable characters, who have since conquered the world's stages.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 Season with a revival of BETH HENLEY's Pulitzer Prize-winning play CRIMES OF THE HEART. Set in Mississippi in 1974 (five years after Hurricane Camille), this sweet, sexy comedy follows the travails of the three Magrath sisters, who come together at the family home in Hazelhurst when the youngest Babe is charged with shooting her husband 'cause she didn't like his looks.'

Anna Mackmin returns to The Old Vic to direct a cast led by Toby Stephens in Tom Stoppard's multi-award winning modern classic, The Real Thing , opening on Wednesday 21 April 2010, with previews from 10 April.