Stephen Ray News

In January 2012, something remarkable happened at the prestigious Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, UK. After lengthy workshops with over 30 medically discharged military personnel and a professional playwright and director, a new play entitled THE TWO WORLDS OF CHARLIE F was unveiled at two fund-raising evenings. The audience, which was comprised of many of the UK's leading actors, theatre practitioners and seasoned theatergoers, was astonished to witness such a powerful and unforgettable examination of the cost of war. The response was so great that the show was taken to the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it too received standing ovations, five-star reviews, full houses and was awarded the festival's coveted Amnesty International Award for Freedom of Expression.

Sydney Theatre Company and the Australian Defence Force present The Long Way Home in its Melbourne premiere. The show, by Daniel Keene, will run 27 to 29 March 2014 at the Merlyn Theatre, The Coopers Malthouse.

Naples Equity theatre group TheatreZone opens its ninth season "Year of the Composers" performing Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock musical Whistle Down the Wind with lyrics by Jim Steinman, book by Patricia Knop, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gayle Edwards, directed by Mark Danni, music direction by Charles Fornara and choreography by Karen Molnar. Whistle Down the Wind plays January 6-16, 2014 at the G&L Theatre, 13275 Livingston Road in Naples.

Adelaide Festival Centre cements its position as one of the nation's leading cultural precincts as it unveils its 2014 program. It is the largest season ever at the Festival Centre, featuring two large-scale musicals, an exciting array of family entertainment and several groundbreaking collaborations with local companies. The program features some big names both nationally and internationally with Lior, Ludovico Einaudi, Helen Reddy, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Tan Dun among the line-up with a total of 233 shows, 77 events, 13 world premieres and 10 Australian premieres.

OUR TOWN gets a reverent 75th anniversary production at Ford's Theatre. Thornton Wilder's classic drama still shines, in spite of some forced moments. Director Stephen Rayne allows the play to remain imaginative, while not offering a definitive take on it.

The Ford's Theatre 2012-13 season continues with a production of Thornton Wilder's treasured American drama 'Our Town', directed by Stephen Rayne, now through February 24, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show in the photos below!

The Ford's Theatre 2012-13 season continues with a production of Thornton Wilder's treasured American drama "Our Town", directed by Stephen Rayne, January 25 through February 24, 2013. Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama presents a timeless commentary on the transience of human existence. Teenagers George and Emily meet, fall in love, marry-and suffer the slings and arrows of everyday life. Wilder transforms their ordinary story into a poignant and captivating exploration of mortality and the interconnectivity of human beings. In celebration of the play's 75th-Anniversary year, Stephen Rayne ("The Heavens Are Hung In Black," "Sabrina Fair" and "Parade") directs a diverse cast, creating an "Our Town" for our time.

Shakespeare Theatre Company ends their Tony Award-winning season with a luxurious production of Shakespeare's THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR and prepares for another 'Free for All.'

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, brings its celebrated 25th Anniversary Season to an end with William Shakespeare's riotous romp The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by celebrated British director Stephen Rayne. The production marks the first performance of this comedic favorite at STC in more than a decade. Merry Wives will take place in the Company's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from tonight, June 12-July 15, 2012.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, brings its celebrated 25th Anniversary Season to an end with William Shakespeare's riotous romp The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by celebrated British director Stephen Rayne. The production marks the first performance of this comedic favorite at STC in more than a decade. Merry Wives will take place in the Company's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from June 12-July 15, 2012.

Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault announced the Theatre's 2012-2013 season.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company announces casting for the two remaining productions of their 25th Anniversary Season. The Servant of Two Masters, running from May 15-June 24 at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street NW), and The Merry Wives of Windsor, running from June 12-July 15 at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW), both feature new and familiar faces to STC's stages.

It's powerful, it's moving, it's melodious, and it's true!

Ford's Theatre is presenting the Washington premiere of the Tony-winning musical drama Parade, directed by Stephen Rayne. The production opened on September 23 and runs though October 30, 2011. The centerpiece of this year's programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project, Parade is based on the true story of Leo Frank's trial and lynching in early 20th-century Atlanta. Ostracized for his faith and Northern heritage, Jewish factory manager Leo Frank is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl the day of the annual Confederate Memorial Day parade. Alfred Uhry's award-winning book and Jason Robert Brown's rousing, colorful and haunting score illuminate a circus of conflicting accounts, false testimony and mishandled evidence in a town reeling with social and racial tension. Isolated from the world, Leo develops a new and deeper love for his wife, who tirelessly crusades for his freedom. Tony-Award nominee Euan Morton stars as Leo Frank with Jenny Fellner as Lucille Frank in this compelling and provocative tale of justice miscarried. Production photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

The new DC area theatre season begins in September. Over 50 shows are opening in our professional and community theatres. But before we move on to the new season and what's opening in September, let's look back at my personal favorite musicals, plays, and performances in both musicals and plays in the DC area - from August 2010 to August 2011.

Tampa Bay's professional theaters announce the first annual Jeff Norton Theater Awards to be held Monday, August 22 at The Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL. The event starts at 7pm with after-party to follow.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: August 6- 12 !

Ford's Theatre presents the Washington premiere of the Tony-winning musical drama 'Parade,' directed by Stephen Rayne, September 23 though October 30, 2011. The centerpiece of this year's programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project, Parade is based on the true story of Leo Frank's trial and lynching in early 20th-century Atlanta. Ostracized for his faith and Northern heritage, Jewish factory manager Leo Frank is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl the day of the annual Confederate Memorial Day parade. Alfred Uhry's award-winning book and Jason Robert Brown's rousing, colorful and haunting score illuminate a circus of conflicting accounts, false testimony and mishandled evidence in a town reeling with social and racial tension. Isolated from the world, Leo develops a new and deeper love for his wife, who tirelessly crusades for his freedom. Tony-Award nominee Euan Morton stars as Leo Frank with Jenny Fellner as Lucille Frank in this compelling and provocative tale of justice miscarried. Check out photos from the production below!

Tampa Bay's professional theaters announce the first annual Jeff Norton Theater Awards to be held Monday, August 22 at The Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College, 253 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, FL. The event starts at 7pm with after-party to follow.