Shakespeare & Company News

Today in 1982, Macbeth opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where it ran for 21 performances. Written by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607. The earliest account of a performance of what was probably Shakespeare's play is April 1611, when Simon Forman recorded seeing such a play at the Globe Theatre.

Gina McKee (Di & Viv & Rose, King Lear, Ivanov, Our Friends In The North, Notting Hill) will play Queen Elizabeth, alongside the previously announced Martin Freeman

The Mountain Play - 'A Great Outdoor Theatre Adventure' and the San Francisco Bay Area's most magical outdoor theater experience, is proud to present the Tony Award-winning musical South Pacific directed by Linda Dunn for its 101st season in 2014.

Critically acclaimed theatre company Third Man Theatre are working at the Old Red Lion for the first time, with the London transfer of their brand new full-length show, Mugs Arrows, which was developed and premiered at the Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter as part of their Residency programme in 2013 receiving rave reviews. The show will run at the Old Red Lion Theatre, Islington from 3rd - 21s June 2014. Press night is set for Thursday 5th June, 7.30pm.

According to published reports, playwright Charles Marowitz passed away on May 2 in Agoura Hills from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was 80 years old.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's world premiere production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical has captured the imagination of young and old alike and continues to play to packed houses at London's Cambridge Theatre. Sweeping the board at the 2012 Laurence Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking seven awards, the Broadway production has taken the US by storm winning four Tony Awards® and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for each of the four girls sharing the title role. Below, check out new phots of the current cast in action!

The leading Suffolk theatre company Red Rose Chain's open air season, 'Theatre In The Forest' celebrates its 15th Anniversary this year with a double bill of classic plays. The season begins with The Comedy of Errors which from August will run in rep alongside a brand new adaption of Wuthering Heights.

59E59 Theaters welcomes KPS Productions, in association with the Pleasance Theatre in Edinburgh to Brits Off Broadway & supported by Jersey Arts Trust, with PLAYING WITH GROWN UPS by Hannah Patterson, directed by Hannah Eidinow. PLAYING WITH GROWN UPS began performances on Tuesday, April 29 for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 18. Press opening is today, Tuesday, May 6 at 7:15 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:15 PM; Friday at 8:15 PM; Saturday at 2:15 PM and 8:15 PM; and Sunday at 3:15 PM and 7:15 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets are $35 ($24.50 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279- 4200 or visit www.59e59.org.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has announced that its 2014 Spring Gala will honor Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff and President of The Dodgers Michael David. Both are founding partners of Dodger Properties, which is responsible for over 150 productions of some of the most successful theatre on Broadway (56 Tony Awards), Off-Broadway and internationally. The gala will take place on Monday, May 12 at The Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel, beginning at 6:30pm.

Popcorn Hat Players Presents 'THE THREE LITTLE PIGS' from July 9-August 16. Show Times: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 a.m.; Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company finally tackles the subject of comedy, condensing the complete history (abridged) into a concise two-hour package that doesn't miss a trick. From cavemen to clowns, shtick to Stooges, and Seinfeld to the Supreme Court, there's something for everyone in the myriad sketches offered up by this trio of talented comedians. With the exception of the mention of a few of George Carlin's infamous seven words, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF COMEDY (ABRIDGED) at Merrimack Repertory Theatre is good family entertainment and the kids might even learn to appreciate the pioneers of the art form.

Nonesuch Records will release Natalie Merchant's new self-titled album today, May 6, 2014.

In the latest installment of the popular 'Jasper Goes to the Library' series, theatre is the featured art form, with scenes from Shakespeare's Cymbeline performed by members of the South Carolina Shakespeare Company tonight, May 6 at 6:30 PM, at the Cooper Branch of the Richland Library, located at 5317 N. Trenholm Rd., Columbia, SC 29206, in Forest Acres.

Dorks in Dungeons LIVE! Onstage performs their last two shows for this season on Sunday May, 18th and Sunday, June 22nd at 7pm at The Seacoast Repertory Theatre. This month, in Dorks in Dungeons, they continue their ongoing adventure in a two hour improv comedy adventure in the tradition of Dungeons and Dragons. The regular cast of characters will be joined by guest improviser CJ Lewis.

Stage Left Theatre has announced added performance for their hit production of Principal Principle by Joe Zarrow, as well as the programming for its 33rd season - Against the Grain. The company will offer three mainstage productions that center on characters who choose to fight against the expectations placed on them by others - for better or for worse.

Shrunken Shakespeare Company and Pulp Variety Streamcast members star in new authorized adaptation of IDW's Graphic Novel Kill Shakespeare. Cast members include: Yvonne Cone (Shakespeare & Co, SSC, TBG), Jennifer Martina (SSC, PVS), Sam Parrott (Shakespeare & Co, SSC), Michael Moreno (Shakespeare Forum: Merchant of Venice; Shakespeare & Co.: All's Well...), Sketkh Williams (PVS), Robert Davenport (SSC, UCB), Eric Chase (One Life to Live, SSC, PVS), Amanda Baumler (SSC, PVS), Matt Golden (PVS), Equiano Mosieri (Shakespeare & Co: Romeo and Juliet; Berkshire Theatre Fest), Richard Templeton (PVS), Adam Luke (PVS)

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at The New American Shakespeare Tavern will present The Comedy of Errors, directed by Andrew Houchins, May 9-June 2014. There will be a $15 preview on May 8.

New Repertory Theatre announces ON THE VERGE by Eric Overmyer. Directed by Jim Petosa, ON THE VERGE performs in the Charles Mosesian Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, in Watertown, MA. Tickets are $28 -$60 and may be purchased by calling the box office at 617-923-8487 or online at newrep.org. Student, senior, and group discounts are available. The press performance is tonight, May 5 at 7:30pm.

From May 10 to June 7, 2014, SpeakEasy Stage Company will present the New England Premiere of one of the most talked-about shows in theatre history: CARRIE the musical.