Stephen Bogardus News

It's quite a shame when a well-written, absorbing play has three strikes against it from the onset. Such is the case with The Exorcist by John Pielmeier. The best-selling novel by William Peter Blatty and the 1973 boxoffice blockbuster film of the same name were so powerfully gripping and unforgettable that, with the play coming along 40 years later, for those of us that lived through the nightmare to end all nightmares, we've been there, seen that. For those of a newer, unfamiliar generation, it won't have enough special effects. Wisely, for my generation, the spinning head and green vomit in the original film are not recreated onstage. But, as a result, many may tune out or turn off preferring a midnight screening of the film on Netflix. As I already said, a shame, as Pielmeieir's script is psychologically thrilling on its own, so apt for the mature, questioning adult mind, and the production is extremely well directed by John Doyle and superbly acted by a first-rate ensemble headed by Brooke Shields in her best and most remarkable performance to date. But is all of this enough? Probably not.

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The Geffen Playhouse's world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist features Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain in the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin, respectively, as well as Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener takes on the role of Chris' charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter plays the young Regan MacNeil.

The Exorcist opened last night, July 11, in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse and runs through August, 12, 2012, starring Brooke Shields, Richard Chamberlain, David Wilson Barnes, Emily Yetter, and more. Check out the opening night party in the photos below!

The Geffen Playhouse's world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist features Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain in the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin, respectively, as well as Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener takes on the role of Chris' charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter plays the young Regan MacNeil. The world premiere cast also includes Stephen Bogardus, Manoel Felciano, Tom Nelis and Roslyn Ruff. The play is written by John Pielmeier adapted from the novel by William Peter Blatty, and is directed by John Doyle. The Exorcist just began previews and opens in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on July 11, 2012 and runs through August, 12, 2012. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Producers Ben Sprecher and Sonia Friedman may bring their production of THE EXCORCIST, adapted from the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty by John Pielmeier, to the John Golden Theatre on Broadway this fall, according to the New York Post.

The Geffen Playhouse's world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist showcases an award-winning design team - including world-renowned creative consultant Teller and internationally acclaimed spiritual composer Sir John Tavener - to bring playwright John Pielmeier's script and Tony Award winning director John Doyle's vision to life on stage. The team also includes Tony Award winning scenic/costume designer Scott Pask, lighting designer Jane Cox and sound designer Dan Moses Schreir. Working with Doyle, the design team will be tasked with creating a theatrical experience that engages the senses in a way that is unique to live performance.

Chip Zien will join a panel of original 'Falsettos Trilogy' cast members Michael Rupert, Alison Fraser, Stephen Bogardus and Jonathan C. Kaplan at a pre-show Benefit Dinner supporting L.I.C.C. tonight, June 2, 2012 from 5:30 pm at Le Pain Quotidien - 65 Bleecker Street, NY.

In addition to an accomplished cast, the Geffen Playhouse's world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist showcases an award-winning design team - including world-renowned creative consultant Teller and internationally acclaimed spiritual composer Sir John Tavener - to bring playwright John Pielmeier's script and Tony Award winning director John Doyle's vision to life on stage. The team also includes Tony Award winning scenic/costume designer Scott Pask, lighting designer Jane Cox and sound designer Dan Moses Schreir. Working with Doyle, the design team will be tasked with creating a theatrical experience that engages the senses in a way that is unique to live performance.

Chip Zien will join a panel of original 'Falsettos Trilogy' cast members Michael Rupert, Alison Fraser, Stephen Bogardus and Jonathan C. Kaplan at a pre-show Benefit Dinner supporting L.I.C.C. on Saturday, June 2, 2012 from 5:30 pm at Le Pain Quotidien - 65 Bleecker Street, NY.

Stage and screen stars Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain will take on the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin in playwright John Pielmeier's world premiere of The Exorcist at the Geffen Playhouse. Helmed by acclaimed director John Doyle, who won a Tony Award for his striking reimagining of Sweeney Todd, this stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty's famous 1971 novel transforms the unsettling battles of good versus evil, faith versus fact and ego versus ethos into a uniquely theatrical experience as sophisticated as it is suspenseful.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY continued its Spring 2012 season with Randie Levine-Miller's "SHOWSTOPPER DIVOS - A SWELL PARTY" on April 29 starring Tony Award nominated actor Stephen Bogardus, Drama Desk Award winner Jim Brochu, Bistro Award winner Nicolas King, star lead singer from The Platters Myles Savage, and acclaimed vocalist/actor Kevin Spiritas.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Spring 2012 season with Randie Levine-Miller's "SHOWSTOPPER DIVOS - A SWELL PARTY" tonight, April 29 starring Tony Award nominated actor Stephen Bogardus, Drama Desk Award winner Jim Brochu, Bistro Award winner Nicolas King, star lead singer from The Platters Myles Savage, and acclaimed vocalist/actor Kevin Spiritas.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY will continue its Spring 2012 season with Randie Levine-Miller's "SHOWSTOPPER DIVOS - A SWELL PARTY" on April 29 starring Tony Award nominated actor Stephen Bogardus, Drama Desk Award winner Jim Brochu, Bistro Award winner Nicolas King, star lead singer from The Platters Myles Savage, and acclaimed vocalist/actor Kevin Spiritas.

On March 8th at 2 p.m. there will be a reading of ROOM 16 by Stephen Sislen (composer/lyricist), Andrea Lepcio (book) and Ben H. Winters (lyrics), directed by Kim Weild with music direction by Vadim Feichtner.

Boston premiere of 2010 Tony Award-winning play GOD OF CARNAGE at the Huntington Theatre is full of laughs but short on deeper satisfactions

As a part of its 30th Anniversary Season, the Huntington Theatre Company presents God of Carnage- the scathing Tony and Olivier Award-winning New York smash hit by Yasmina Reza (Art). The production runs through February 5, 2012 at the B.U. Theatre. Check out production shots from the show below!

Reprise Theatre Company will present An Evening With Joan Rivers for one performance only on Monday, January 30 at 8:00 pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.

The Acting Company will present a staged reading of CHARLEY'S AUNT on December 12. The event will take place at 7pm at the Mainstage Theatre. Written by Brandon Thomas, the reading will be directed by Ian Belknap, and feature the talents of Stephen Bogardus, Santino Fontana, and Michael Urie.

Reprise Theatre Company will present An Evening With Joan Rivers for one performance only on Monday, January 30 at 8:00 pm, at UCLA's Freud Playhouse.