Tennessee Williams News

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) welcomes the return of Firework Theater (formerly Kids with Guns) with the NYC premiere of THE PILLOW BOOK, by Anna Moench and directed by David F. Chapman. THE PILLOW BOOK begins previews on Thursday, August 4 for a limited engagement through Saturday, August 20.

Following sold out runs of Twelfth Night and Richard II last summer, Sonnet Repertory Theatre announces their upcoming production of Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle, directed by Christopher Schilder. The Caucasian Chalk Circle will begin performances on Thursday, July 28, with an official opening slated for Friday, July 29.

The Ohio State University Arts and Humanities and University Libraries' Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute has announced that it will present the prestigious 2011 Margo Jones Award to Lincoln Center Theater dramaturg Anne Cattaneo. The award, which will be presented to Ms. Cattaneo in a ceremony in the Vivian Beaumont Theater lobby on Monday, July 11 beginning at 5:30, is given annually to a 'citizen-of-the-theatre who has demonstrated a significant impact, understanding and affirmation of the craft of playwriting, with a lifetime commitment to the encouragement of the living theatre everywhere.'

Plays about the world of theatre are forever alluring. Such is the case with the world premiere of Kowalski that presents the initial meeting between Tennessee Williams and Marlon Brando. Kowalski, of course, is Stanley's last name...Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, that is, which offered the role of a lifetime to the actor who turned out to be... the icon of his generation. Now at the Two Roads Theatre, Kowalski is a rich and delicious theatrical dessert played to the hilt by a devilishly delightful cast.

Musical Theatre West is proud to announce the cast for the professional regional premiere of THE WEDDING SINGER directed by Larry Raben at the beautiful 1,070-seat Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. THE WEDDING SINGER runs July 9 through July 24, 2011, with a low priced preview on July 8.

Directed with confidence by Corbin Green (who telegraphs his focused vision for the piece throughout the production) and acted with grace, style and alacrity by a superb ensemble of actors, Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, now onstage at Boiler Room Theatre, may well be the most satisfying production ever presented by BRT.

Following a successful run at Georgetown University, GU's Theater and Performance Studies Program and Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater present Tennessee Williams' most autobiographical work The Glass Menagerie in conjunction with The Glass Menagerie Project.

That Face by Polly Stenham and directed by Michael Colucci, Artistic Director, Redtwist Theatre opens at Redtwist Theatre on Saturday, July 2, at 3:00pm

Elyssa Rabinowitz, in association with All Out Arts and New Village Productions present the World-premeire of Dan Fingerman's new play THE AUSTERITY OF HOPE about a group of 20-something gay friends living, loving and growing in Astoria Queens - starring Max Rhyser (INBETWEENMEN.com) and directed by Dan Dinero as part of the 9th Annual Fresh Fruit Festival at The Barrow Group Theatre (312 West 36th Street), with performances Monday, July 18th at 5PM; Tuesday, July 19th at 8:45PM; Thursday, July 21st at 9PM; and Saturday, July 23rd at 3:30PM.

Cause Celebrè (Susan Charlotte, Founding Artistic Director) in association with Mary J. Davis is proud to celebrate a collection of worthy non-profits throughout the run of The Shoemaker and The Pretty Trap this summer, beginning July 14 through July 24 at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre.

Elyssa Rabinowitz, in association with All Out Arts and New Village Productions present the World-premeire of Dan Fingerman's new play THE AUSTERITY OF HOPE about a group of 20-something gay friends living, loving and growing in Astoria Queens - starring Max Rhyser (INBETWEENMEN.com) and directed by Dan Dinero as part of the 9th Annual Fresh Fruit Festival at The Barrow Group Theatre (312 West 36th Street), with performances Monday, July 18th at 5PM; Tuesday, July 19th at 8:45PM; Thursday, July 21st at 9PM; and Saturday, July 23rd at 3:30PM.

Elyssa Rabinowitz, in association with All Out Arts and New Village Productions present the World-premeire of Dan Fingerman's new play THE AUSTERITY OF HOPE about a group of 20-something gay friends living, loving and growing in Astoria Queens - starring Max Rhyser (INBETWEENMEN.com) and directed by Dan Dinero as part of the 9th Annual Fresh Fruit Festival at The Barrow Group Theatre (312 West 36th Street), with performances Monday, July 18th at 5PM; Tuesday, July 19th at 8:45PM; Thursday, July 21st at 9PM; and Saturday, July 23rd at 3:30PM.

It was the Summer of 1947. Hot off the success of his smash debut ‘The Glass Menagerie,' Tennessee Williams had written a play that would cement his legacy as America's greatest playwright. He needed to find the perfect star to play Stanley Kowalski in 'A Streetcar Named Desire.' When a young unknown actor named Marlon Brando showed up to read for the role the rest, as they say, was history. This is the untold story of the most infamous audition of them all...

Marking its 80th birthday on Wednesday, June 29, Westport Country Playhouse will offer special opportunities and a ceremony to celebrate the significant milestone.

Artistic Director Jenny Gersten announced today additional casting for the Main Stage productions for the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF), the company's 57th season and the first under Ms. Gersten's leadership.

Theodore Mann and Paul Libin, on behalf of Circle in the Square Theatre, paid tribute to playwright Eugene O'Neill on Saturday with a special plaque placed on the former site of the Golden Swan (also known as the Hell Hole), one of O'Neill's inspirations for Harry Hope's saloon in 'The Iceman Cometh.'

La Jolla Playhouse presents Peer Gynt, by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by David Schweizer, running June 28 - July 24 (media night: Wednesday, July 6 at 7:30 pm) in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Tickets to Peer Gynt are available by calling the Box Office: (858) 550-1010 or online at LaJollaPlayhouse.org.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, a number of entities have come together to showcase the Festival in seven different exhibits. Guests will better understand the Festival's history by visiting these exhibits and seeing fifty years unfold through photos, programs, posters, displays, and a special showing of Shakespeare's First Folio.