Susan Smith News

Jeanne Becquet is walking a tightrope without a net. She's trying to keep her family safe and provided for, which requires a certain level of 'cordiality' with the Nazi officer in command of a local occupying force. And she's been managing, however uncomfortably. But all that is about to change in Moira Buffini's Gabriel, beginning its run at Fort Worth's Stage West on Thursday, January 10. BroadwayWorld has a first look in the photos below!

The Boomerang Theatre Company (Tim Errickson, Artistic Director; Sue Abbott, Managing Director) will celebrate their 15th Anniversary in 2013 with an outdoor production of Shakespeare's RICHARD III and the world premiere of Johnna Adams' verse comedy LICKSPITTLES, BUTTONHOLERS AND DAMNED PERNICIOUS GO BETWEENS. Additional productions in the 2013 season will be announced shortly. Check out www.boomerangtheatre.org for more information.

Six D.C.-area playwrights have been selected to participate in the inaugural Playwrights' Arena as part of the American Voices New Play Institute at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Playwrights' Arena is a collaborative group of local writers dedicated to the support and development of each other's work and practice. The yearlong program commences in January 2013, and the inaugural members include Norman Allen, Randy Baker, Jacqueline E. Lawton, Heather McDonald, Danielle Mohlman and Shawn Northrip. Also in January as part of the Institute's programming will be the next installment of the Kogod Cradle Series featuring readings of The Age of Innocence, a new adaptation for the stage by Resident Playwright Karen Zacarías, January 14-16, 2013.

Manhattan Theatre Club's Murder Ballad, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, that opened to glowing reviews, closes today, Sunday, December 16 at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Atlantic Theater Company presents the world premiere of Melissa James Gibson's WHAT RYHMES WITH AMERICA, starring Atlantic ensemble member Chris Bauer leading a cast featuring Aimee Carrero, Seana Kofoed and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, directed by Daniel Aukin. WHAT RHYMES WITH AMERICA began previews Monday, November 19; officially opened last night, December 12; and will play a limited engagement through Sunday, December 30, 2012 off-Broadway at Atlantic's main stage Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street). Check out photos from opening night below!

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of MURDER BALLAD, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, begins the final week of its acclaimed extended engagement tonight at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl's DEAR ELIZABETH, a play in letters from Elizabeth Bishop to Robert Lowell and back again, directed by Les Waters, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), November 30-December 22. Opening Night is tonight, December 6. The cast of DEAR ELIZABETH is Mary Beth Fisher and Jefferson Mays. Click below to go backstage with the stars, plus watch highlights from the show!

Yale Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Sarah Ruhl's DEAR ELIZABETH, a play in letters from Elizabeth Bishop to Robert Lowell and back again, directed by Les Waters, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), November 30-December 22. Opening Night is tonight, December 6. The cast of DEAR ELIZABETH is Mary Beth Fisher and Jefferson Mays. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the pair onstage in the photos below!

Main Street Theater collaborates with MECA Houston (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts) to present a Mexican Pastorela, La Música del Cielo (Music from Heaven), written and directed by Peter Webster. The production will be presented in Spanish with English surtitles.

La Jolla Playhouse announces a new play development initiative, the DNA New Work Series, entailing a six-week period of workshop productions and public readings of new plays and musicals, taking place January 24 through March 3, 2013. The focus of the DNA New Work Series is to allow playwrights and directors the opportunity to develop a script by providing rehearsal time, space and resources, culminating in a workshop production or public reading.

Irish Repertory Theatre in association with Fallen Angel Theatre Company, Inc. present the U.S. premiere of AIRSWIMMING by Charlotte Jones, the award-winning author of HUMBLE BOY, with previews set to begin January 9, prior to an official press opening January 13, in Irish Repertory Theatre Company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). John Keating directs.

Just announced, Manhattan Theatre Club's Murder Ballad will be releasing its world premiere cast recording via Yellow Sound Label. On sale date and where to purchase the album will be announced in the coming weeks.

Atlantic Theater Company presents the world premiere of Melissa James Gibson's WHAT RYHMES WITH AMERICA, starring Atlantic ensemble member Chris Bauer leading a cast featuring Aimee Carrero, Seana Kofoed and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, directed by Daniel Aukin. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Beth Henley's 100-proof comedy THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST, starring film and television actress Amber Tamblyn and directed by Tony Award winner Judith Ivey, will bow on Broadway in the spring of 2013. THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST marks Ms. Tamblyn's Broadway debut and Ms. Ivey's Broadway debut as director, and is produced by HOP Theatricals. Broadway theater and dates to be announced.

Page 73 Productions will present a reading of the new play PLAYGROUNDS by Sarah Sander directed by Josh Hecht. The reading will be Monday, November 26 at 7:30pm at 311 West 43rd Street, 6th floor (Dodger Atelier). The reading is free and open to the public, but reservations are required by visiting www.page73.org/playgrounds or emailing info@page73.org.

Main Street Theater collaborates with MECA Houston (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts) to present a Mexican Pastorela, La Música del Cielo (Music from Heaven), written and directed by Peter Webster. The production will be presented in Spanish with English surtitles.

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that Murder Ballad, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, that opened to glowing reviews last night is extending by two weeks through Sunday, December 16 at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).