Shakespeare & Company News

They were the brand name on every woman's lips. Goodman Theatre announces it will produce the world premiere of War Paint, a new musical that charts the ascent and arch-rivalry of cosmetics entrepreneurs Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden. Patti LuPone, who 'generates more raw excitement than any other performer on Broadway' (The New York Times), and Christine Ebersole, a 'first-class, revitalizing master of period style' (The New York Times), respectively star as Rubinstein and Arden, the brilliant innovators with humble roots who shrewdly navigated the 1930s male-dominated business world to forever change the business of beauty. Directed by Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal, If/Then, Grey Gardens), War Paint reunites Scott Frankel and Michael Korie-the acclaimed composer and lyricist team of Grey Gardens and Far From Heaven-with Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright (Grey Gardens, I Am My Own Wife, The Little Mermaid). The musical is inspired by the book, War Paint, by Lindy Woodhead and the documentary film, The Powder & the Glory, by Ann Carol Grossman and Arnie Reisman.  

An army of artists including Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Andrew Scott, Bertie Carvel, Jeremy Irvine, Jessica Brown Findlay, and many more will read Homer's sequel, THE ODYSSEY, which will be live-streamed free from unusual and iconic locations across London to celebrate the end of Almeida Greeks, today 12 November 2015.

The Dallas Opera is delighted to present an original, musically compelling and visually stunning world premiere: Mark Adamo's BECOMING SANTA CLAUS, opening on Friday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. 

DALLAS, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is delighted to present an original, musically compelling and visually stunning world premiere: Mark Adamo's BECOMING SANTA CLAUS, opening on Friday, December 4that 7:30 p.m. in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.  

Gamut Theatre Group is proud to announce the first production of its 2015-2016 Stage Door Series: HEAR THE VOICE, BE THE VERSE, an original adaptation of classical verse poetry.  HEAR THE VOICE, BE THE VERSE will be performed on December 11, 12, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the new Gamut Classic Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg.

Custom Made Theatre Company plunges into virtual romantic comedy reality with Madhuri Shekar's award-winning Jane Austin meets Cyrano meets online gaming in 'In Love and Warcraft,' tonight, November 12 through December 12 at the company's new location, the Custom Made Theatre at 533 Sutter St. (at Powell) just north of Union Square.

The Old Globe's 18th annual production of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, starring J. Bernard Calloway in the title role, opens tonight, November 12, 2015 and will run through December 26th.

We are delighted to announce the spring 2016 Ustinov Studio French Canadian season, running from 18th February until 30th April. This is a rare opportunity to experience Canada's contemporary theatre scene, one of the most vibrant in the world, reflecting a rich diversity of regional and cultural identities.

Co-creators and ONCE cast members Erikka Walsh, Katrina Lenk, and Scott Stangland launch their Seed&Spark campaign for Season One of MISS TERI. The actor/musicians are set to film the remaining episodes in the spring of 2016.

Following acclaimed runs at both the Brighton Fringe and at the Bridewell Theatre, Pam Gems' PIAF, is to transfer to Charing Cross Theatre for a 5-week season from Tuesday, 1 December.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report initial casting for The Public Theater's New York premiere of HEAD OF PASSES, written by Tarell Alvin McCraney and directed by Tina Landau. Phylicia Rashad returns to The Public to play 'Shelah' in this deeply moving new drama about family, acceptance, and the power of faith. Rashad last appeared at The Public in THE STORY by Tracey Scott Wilson in 2003. HEAD OF PASSES begins previews on Tuesday, March 15 in the Newman Theater with an official press opening on Monday, March 28.

In summer 2016 Tippet Rise, a brand new arts center that celebrates the union of land, art, architecture and music, will open outside Fishtail, Montana, midway between Billings and the edge of Yellowstone National Park.

An army of artists including Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Andrew Scott, Bertie Carvel, Jeremy Irvine, Jessica Brown Findlay, and many more will read Homer's sequel, THE ODYSSEY, which will be live-streamed free from unusual and iconic locations across London to celebrate the end of Almeida Greeks, on Thursday 12 November 2015.

Red Bull Theater today announced that their Twelfth Season will continue with John Marston's THE MALCONTENT, directed by Derek Smith, featuring Geraint Wyn Davies along with the previously announced Matthew Rauch ('Banshee'), four-time Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason, Kelley Curran, Clifton Duncan, Cameron Folmar, Christopher Innvar, Rachel Mewbron, Christina Rouner, Rocco Sisto, Susanna Stahlmann, and Nathan Wilkenstein. 

This Christmas, Southampton's Nuffield will be transformed into the enchanting, mythical kingdom of Camelot to tell the story of young MERLIN and his childhood friends Arthur and Gwen as they embark on an action-packed journey of a lifetime, encountering powerful magic forces, mystical characters and adventures beyond their wildest dreams. MERLIN will run 26 November 2015 - 3 January 2016, with press night set for Tuesday 1 December 2015.

The Young Vic's critically-acclaimed production of Arthur Miller's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, directed by Ivo van Hove, opens tonight at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). It will play an 18-week limited engagement through Sunday, February 21, 2016.

John Dowland, though also a sprightly and humorous composer, is most famous for the darker side of his character and the pervading melancholy that nourished his unquiet soul. But he was in no way the inventor of highly charged melodic poignancy in solo lute music. Two important composers of the generation of English lutenists that preceded him clearly show signs of great invention including moments of tormented yearnings which led to music of extraordinary depth. John Johnson (died in 1594) and Anthony Holborne (died in 1602) were the most prominent lutenists to remain in England during the Elizabethan period (Dowland spent many years on the Continent). Their œuvre contains rhapsodic Pavans of lyrical intensity and richness of harmony, spirited Galliards, striking character pieces and elaborate variations. They were both virtuosos if the highest calibre as the daring of their diminution techniques attests.

Following wide acclaim at Hampstead Downstairs last year, James Fritz's Olivier-nominated debut play FOUR MINUTES TWELVE SECONDS, directed by award-winning director Anna Ledwich, transfers to Trafalgar Studios this autumn, running tonight 10th November - Saturday 5th December 2015. Press night is set for Thursday 12th November.