Studio Theatre News

Atlantic Theater Company has announced complete casting for the American premiere production of award-winning British playwright Roy Williams' stage adaptation of Alan Sillitoe's beloved short story THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER, directed by Leah C. Gardiner.

The Aurora Fox is pleased to present GUYS ON ICE - The World's Greatest Ice Fishing Musical Comedy for a limited run: tonight, December 13, 14, 21 at 7:30pm and December 22 at 2:00pm.

The world premiere of Laura Jacqmin's DO-GOODER opens 16th Street Theater's Season Seven performing January 16 - February 22, 2014 at 6420 16th Street in Berwyn, with a press opening of Thursday, January 23 at 7:30 PM. Directed by Artistic Director Ann Filmer, Do-Gooder is the first show in 16th Street's Season Seven 2014: How to Be Good.

WaterTower Theatre presents Ken Ludwig's THE GAME'S AFOOT (OR HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS), running December 13 - January 5, 2014.

Finks by Joe Gilford, the award-nominated play about the blacklist travails of his parents, Jack Gilford and Madeline Gilford, that received much acclaim last season at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, will debut as both a public radio and streaming podcast hosted by onetime blacklisted actor Lee Grant and in print from Dramatists Play Service tonight, December 12, at 6:00pm at The Drama Bookshop, 250 West 40th Street.

12 - 15 December, Pontine Theatre premieres A New England Christmas at Pontine's West End Studio Theatre. The program, underwritten by Chris Dwyer & Michael Huxtable. Co-Artistic Directors, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers unveil original adaptations of two heart-warming Christmas stories set in New England: Captain Eli's Best Ear by Frank Stockton, a yarn about two salty, old sea captains who decide to keep Christmas together; and The Romance of a Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Wiggin, a story about far-flung families reunited by the lure of a Christmas with the 'folks back home.' These charming 19th century holiday stories-not to mention punch and cookies-are sure to evoke the holiday spirit! The soundtrack includes traditional melodies, many of them played and recorded by Strafford, NH's Jeffrey Zohler.

Signature Theatre presents two limited-run shows that bring the spirit of the holidays to the stage for family, friends, and music lovers of all ages. The fun begins this week with composer and Signature favorite Matt Conner (Crossing, The Hollow, Nevermore), who will warm up the intimate ARK Theatre with his new show A Matt Conner Christmas.

On Friday, Dec. 20 at 7pm and Sunday, Dec 21 at 2pm, the Warner Theatre Center for Arts Education will present a special holiday event -A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens-In Concert.

SST's production of ELVIS'S TOENAIL, by Fionnuala Kenny and directed by Joe Banno and Sal Romeo, will play its final performance this weekend.

"This is a story that's old as old, of how a girl turned straw into gold," and one that the audiences at Imagination Stage are sure to know! Directed by Janet Stanford and written by Mike Kenny, Rumpelstiltskin is a unique interpretation of a fairytale in which the characters discover their true place in the world, complete with witty poetry, exquisite movement, and original music performed live by a fiddle player. Best for ages 5-10, Rumpelstiltskin runs in Imagination Stage's Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre February 5-March 16, 2014. Tickets start at $10, and may be purchased online at www.imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660. Group rates are available.

Buzz22 Chicago has announced the casting for the World Premiere production of Laura Jacqmin's 'GHOST BIKE,' directed by Co-Artistic Director Sara Sawicki, February 27 - March 30, 2014 at Red Tape Theatre, 621 W Belmont Ave. Combining elements of Greek, African, and Chinese mythology, 'GHOST BIKE' depicts two best friends navigating the ultimate challenge to a friendship through an underworld beneath their home city of Chicago. 'GHOST BIKE' is Buzz22 Chicago's next production after their sold out and highly acclaimed production of 'She Kills Monsters' at the Steppenwolf Garage in Feb-April 2013.

For the sixth year, Pontine Theatre presentss a host of New Vaudeville performers at its annual WEST-FEST. Performances are scheduled for 2pm, 26-30 December at Pontine's West End Studio Theatre located at 959 Islington Street in Portsmouth. WEST-FEST is modeled on the Phyzgig Festival which was founded in Portland Maine in 1997. It's a family-oriented festival that chases away the blues with performances featuring magic, mirth, and mayhem. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at www.pontine.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door a half-hour prior to each show (cash & checks only), based on availability. Contact: info@pontine.org / 603-436-6660.

Rosie Benton (Stick Fly, Accent on Youth), Erik Lochtefeld, and P.J. Sosko will play three Civil War re-enactors in the world premiere of Jessica Dickey's dark comedy, Row After Row, directed by Daniella Topol, Women's Project Theater's Producing Artistic Director Julie Crosby announced. Row After Row, which marks the 36th season of Women's Project Theater, begins previews January 15 for an opening January 23 at Women's Project Theater's home, New York City Center Stage II, 131 West 55th Street.

Tune in tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 12:35 PM (ET) to join in the celebration with 'Mr. Showbusiness' on Jimmy Ferraro's THEATRE CHAT AND THIS 'N THAT, broadcasting live on WWJB -- regionally and nationally on the world wide web: www.wwjb.com/pages/4395150.php. This week's guests are actress Crystal Fox and playwright Joe Gilford.

2014 Adult Winter Workshops are Open for Registration! NHTP Adult Workshop Intensives are held at the West End Studio Theatre in Portsmouth, NH for participants age 16 and up. For more information contact us at info@nhtheatreproject.org or 603-431-6644, ext. 4. If you would like to enroll in a 2014 Workshop, please send us your name, contact information, the name of the workshop you would like to enroll in, and payment to NHTP at 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, or email us your registration information and pay online at www.nhtheatreproject.org/payment. For a listing of NHTP Resident Teaching Artists, check out the About Us/Resident Artists page on our website.

Portland Stage Studio Theatre's Christmas reprise of David Sedaris' Santaland Diaries is eighty-five minutes of rollicking, wicked good fun (as Mainers like to say!). This is due not only to Sedaris' mordant comic style, but also to the chameleon brilliance of Dustin Tucker as Elf Crumpet.