The Actors Studio News

The Silent Partner will be presented on Monday, July 15th, 2013 at The Players Club: 16 Gramercy Park South, NYC. The evening will begin with an open bar reception from 7pm - 8, followed by the 8 PM hybrid performance/reading of this rare play.

'White Noise' is the first play by Washington, DC artist Tom Block (www.tomblock.com). It depicts a philosophical artist who travels to Detroit for an exhibit, where he is hosted by an aging, bickering couple who are wealthy, stingy and tormented. The play painstakingly explores Block's own thought process. Its set is a 25 foot long mural by Block which is based on a 13th century Sufi tract, 'The Conference of the Birds' by Attar, which also represents the psyche of the main character. The play raises questions of mysticism and the application of spirituality in our lives. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., NYC, will present the work's New York debut tonight, June 27 to July 14. Moema Umann directs. Block is a well-known painter, human right activist and author of two books, 'Shalom/Salaam: A Story of a Mystical Fraternity' and 'A Fatal Addiction: War in the Name of God.'

The Los Angeles Times reports that Elliott Reid, best known for his roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Absent-Minded Professor, passed away on Friday, June 21 at age 93.

'White Noise' is the first play by Washington, DC artist Tom Block (www.tomblock.com). It depicts a philosophical artist who travels to Detroit for an exhibit, where he is hosted by an aging, bickering couple who are wealthy, stingy and tormented. The play painstakingly explores Block's own thought process. Its set is a 25 foot long mural by Block which is based on a 13th century Sufi tract, 'The Conference of the Birds' by Attar, which also represents the psyche of the main character. The play raises questions of mysticism and the application of spirituality in our lives. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., NYC, will present the work's New York debut June 27 to July 14. Moema Umann directs. Block is a well-known painter, human right activist and author of two books, 'Shalom/Salaam: A Story of a Mystical Fraternity' and 'A Fatal Addiction: War in the Name of God.'

Play Club, Cape Town's Book Club for Theatre Lovers, will continue their rave-reviewed afternoons with a brand new series just in time for winter: 'Hooked On Classics'. This series will feature some of theatre's classics with scripts by Athol Fugard, Edward Albee and Agatha Christie.

Bravo Media's 'Inside the Actors Studio,' hosted by James Lipton, commemorates the life and career of legendary actor James Gandolfini with a special broadcast of his appearance on the award-winning series on Sunday, June 23 at 6pm ET/PT. Bravo will encore the episode, which originally aired on October 17, 2004, on Monday, June 24 at 10:30am and Wednesday, June 26 at 6pm.

One of the most enduring icons of 20th-century America, Marilyn Monroe invented an endlessly fascinating public persona, but also concealed a private side known only to her closest confidants. A half-century after her death, her creation still blazes brightly in the cultural imagination, while its creator remains in the shadows.

Clifford Odets' The Silent Partner, was originally written for production by The Group Theatre, but the company sadly closed its doors before the play was ever mounted. It was never published, and other than a 1972 Lee Strasberg helmed workshop at the Actors Studio, the play has been unseen for 75 years causing it to be the source of much speculation. Often referred to as a long-form version of Waiting for Lefty as it deals with striking workers, it is an entirely original and savagely poetic 3-Act tale that only Odets could tell.

Sally Kellerman, the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated celebrated actress, voiceover virtuoso and singer, returns to Vitello's Jazz and Supper Club for 'SALLY KELLERMAN LIVE!,' an evening of intimate and laid back music and conversation presented in her own inimitable style, backed by The Andy Langham Trio. The ONE NIGHT ONLY performance will be presented tonight, June 5, 2013 at 4939 Tujunga Avenue; Studio City, Calif. Kellerman's program will include some new takes on familiar songs.

One of the most enduring icons of 20th-century America, Marilyn Monroe invented an endlessly fascinating public persona, but also concealed a private side known only to her closest confidants. A half-century after her death, her creation still blazes brightly in the cultural imagination, while its creator remains in the shadows.

Dubbed the season of 'ART Inside the Box', the company has moved from Bittner Hall into the basement of 16 Linwood location and has converted it into a black box theater performance space. ART/WNY decision to move from Bittner Hall into this space allows the company more flexibility with productions scheduled for the 2013-14 season as well as allows ART/WNY more of a permenent presences in the space. 'We can build, create and light environments without the overhanging pressure to tear it down and reset the whole thing, from platforms to light grid, for each production.' Added Executive/Artistic Director Matthew LaChiusa. 'That's going to add to the production values of each piece as well as make it more of a engaging experience for patrons.'

Looking Glass Theatre, celebrating 20 years, brings back for a very limited run Frankie Little Hardin's East of the Sun, West of the Moon, a new children's play directed by Julia Sterling Martin and Naima Warden. East of the Sun, West of the Moon performs today, June 1 and Saturday June 8 at 2 p.m at Richmond Shepard Theatre, located at 309 East 26th Street, at 2nd Avenue.

James Lipton, host of the long-running program “Inside the Actors Studio” discussed his recent disclosure that he once worked as a pimp in Paris, in an interview broadcast today, May 30, 2013, on CBS THIS MORNING on the CBS Television Network. Check out the appearance below!

On June 3, 2013 Julia Jordan, Theresa Rebeck, Marsha Norman, Tim Sanford and The Committee for Recognizing Women in Theatre will present the 4th Annual Lilly Awards at Playwrights Horizons. Named for playwright Lillian Hellman, The Lilly Awards were created to recognize the extraordinary contributions made by women to the American Theater. Producers, playwrights, actors, designers, and directors will be honored for their continued excellence in the theater community.

Dallas Theater Center announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

Bravo Media's Emmy-nominated series 'Inside the Actors Studio,' hosted by James Lipton, reaches a milestone of 250 episodes with a two-hour event tonight, May 29th at 7p.m. ET/PT.

The Laguna Playhouse is thrilled to present film great Leslie Caron (An American In Paris, Gigi, Fanny) in a comic and heartfelt valentine to the human condition, SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, written by Richard Alfieri and directed by Michael Arabian (Waiting for Godot). Additional exciting casting news to be announced shortly! SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS will begin previews on Tuesday, November 26 and will open on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30pm and run through Sunday, December 29, 2013 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Sally Kellerman, the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated celebrated actress, voiceover virtuoso and singer, returns to Vitello's Jazz and Supper Club for 'SALLY KELLERMAN LIVE!,' an evening of intimate and laid back music and conversation presented in her own inimitable style, backed by The Andy Langham Trio. The ONE NIGHT ONLY performance will be presented on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 4939 Tujunga Avenue; Studio City, Calif. Kellerman's program will include some new takes on familiar songs.