Suzan-Lori Parks News

In the video below, members of the cast and creative team of Broadway-bound PORGY AND BESS discuss with PBS the changes made by director Diane Paulus and book-writer Suzan-Lori Parks. They address the history of the opera and that though some people have always viewed this show as racist, Audra McDonald (Bess) adamently shares why that is exaclty what the show is not. Both Diane Paulus and Suzan-Lori Parks talk about the controversy that has surrounded this revamped musical. They reveal why this is an acceptable version of the show, even for purists and die-hard Gershwin fans. Click below to chck it out!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will present post-show discussions following select performances of the Public Lab production, TITUS ANDRONICUS, directed by Michael Sexton. The Public Lab Thursday Night Speaker Series for TITUS ANDRONICUS will be held following the Thursday, December 8 and Thursday, December 15 performances and consist of engaging conversations with notable panelists. Tickets are $15 for all performances and include free admission to the post-show discussions. TITUS ANDRONICUS begins previews on Tuesday, November 29 and runs through Sunday, December 18.

TADA! Resident Youth Theater Ensemble is pleased to commence their season on November 18 at 6 p.m. with Sneak Peek: School of Rockwell, directed by Janine Nina Trevens, a Season Celebration fundraising event including a pre-show reception with composer Eric Rockwell, a performance, and a post-show Q&A celebrating TADA!?s 20 year collaboration with Rockwell.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Heather Hitchens, Executive Director) continues the 2011 season of its legendary, long running, and newly revamped television show, 'Working in the Theatre,' with an all new episode on 'The State of Theatre: Institutions and Producers.'

On Twitter Watch, Audra McDonald wrote 'So excited to go to Charleston today. Birthplace of Porgy & Bess! Can't wait to visit Cabbage Row & the DuBose Heyward House. Pics 2 come. THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, with a score by George Gershwin, a book by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and lyrics byIra Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, has been adapted by Pulitzer prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks, and two-time Obie winner Diedre L. Murray. A.R.T.'s Artistic Director, Diane Paulus, directs. The Broadway production will star Audra McDonald as Bess, Norm Lewis as Porgy and David Alan Grier as Sporting Life, reprising their A.R.T. roles. The production will begin previews on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 and open on Thursday, January 12th, 2012- running through June 24, 2012. Tickets are now on sale at ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 '

Sugar Valley Theatricals , in association with Isaac H. Suggs, Jr. is pleased to announce its production of MUNCHED by Kim Porter, a groundbreaking play dealing with Munchhausen Syndrome by Proxy and a young woman's reluctant search for the gory details of life with her mother.

MUNCHED was produced in 2009 in Los Angeles by Buzzworks Theater Company where it won the LA Drama Critics Circle award, The LA WEEKLY award and the McDonald Award for Playwriting excellence. The East coast premier of MUNCHED will be directed by Petronia Paley (Multiple AUDELCO award winner and legendary soap opera veteran.

TADA! Resident Youth Theater Ensemble is pleased to commence their season on November 18 at 6 p.m. with Sneak Peek: School of Rockwell, directed by Janine Nina Trevens, a Season Celebration fundraising event including a pre-show reception with composer Eric Rockwell, a performance, and a post-show Q&A celebrating TADA!?s 20 year collaboration with Rockwell.

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, October 30, 2011 - Sunday, October 30, 2011.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, and Friends of the Jenin Freedom Theatre announced today an evening of song, video and performance on October 30th, 2011 at 7:00pm to benefit the Freedom Theatre. Tickets are $100 and the event is hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tony Kushner and featuring Academy Award-winner David Byrne, Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks, Grammy-winners Aimee Mann and Angelique Kidjo, Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, Palestinian hip-hop group DAM, as well as a special performance by the acting company of The Freedom Theatre. The entire evening is directed by Jo Bonney.

Tickets for the Shaw Festival's 50th season went on sale to Shaw Festival Members and Visa Infinite cardholders on November 6 and December 4, respectively, and the response has been wonderfully strong. Compared to the same time last year, Members ticket sales are 5% ahead, with group sales reaching the $1 million mark, 15% ahead of the same time last year. Next season's productions of My Fair Lady and The Admirable Crichton are very popular with families, reflecting a remarkable 143% increase in family package sales.

Mac Wellman will present 3 2's; or AFAR on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, October 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 at 7:30 pm at Dixon Place (161A Chrystie Street New York, NY 10002). Tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 at door. For more information, visit online at www.dixonplace.org or call 212 219-0736.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announced today that the Ford Foundation has generously awarded The Public Theater a $2 million grant to support The Public's GOING PUBLIC capital campaign. The largest campaign gift to date after the City's substantial commitment of $28 million, the Ford Foundation will be recognized for this significant grant with the renovated Public Theater lobby being renamed the 'Ford Foundation Lobby.' The $40 million renovation of The Public's long-time home on Lafayette Street is expected to be completed by summer 2012 with a grand reopening in fall 2012.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announced today that the Ford Foundation has generously awarded The Public Theater a $2 million grant to support The Public's GOING PUBLIC capital campaign. The largest campaign gift to date after the City's substantial commitment of $28 million, the Ford Foundation will be recognized for this significant grant with the renovated Public Theater lobby being renamed the 'Ford Foundation Lobby.' The $40 million renovation of The Public's long-time home on Lafayette Street is expected to be completed by summer 2012 with a grand reopening in fall 2012.

Today, at an event overflowing with fans of her work, Tony Award-winning playwright, performer, and activist Eve Ensler announced that Berkeley Repertory Theatre will present the world premiere of her new show. On the stage of the Roda Theatre, she revealed that Emotional Creature - which was developed during workshops in Johannesburg and Paris - will debut in Berkeley next June. Known for launching high-profile projects such as American Idiot and Passing Strange, Berkeley Rep is the perfect place to begin this journey.

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, which played a record-breaking, sold out engagement at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, will play a 26-week limited run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). The new marquee is now up at the theatre - check it out below!

Classic Stage Company has announced the establishment of the Rosemarie Tichler Fund, which will annually award a young artist with a $3,500 grant.