The Actors Studio News

'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.'

The Tony Award-nominated play ORPHANS will play its final Broadway show TODAY, MAY 19 after 27 previews and 37 regular performances at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). The production began performances on March 26 and opened on April 18. The Broadway production of Lyle Kessler's ORPHANS stars Alec Baldwin, Ben Foster and Tom Sturridge and is directed by Daniel Sullivan.

The Drama Bookshop (250 West 40th Street) will celebrate the new Grove Press edition of ORPHANS this Friday May 17th from 5-7 PM when playwright Lyle Kessler is interviewed by Steven Adly Guirgis at the shop's Seelen Theatre. A Q&A and book signing will follow this free event.

Atlantic Theater Company welcomes Olivier and two time Tony Award winning playwright John Guare, who will make his Off Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production of his new play 3 KINDS OF EXILE, directed by Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe, featuring Atlantic ensemble members Peter Maloney and David Pittu and guest artists Alison Cimmet, Jeffrey Kuhn, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Martin Moran, Kate Rigg, Omar Sangare and Timothy Splain.

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Director, has announced that the world premiere of Tom Attea's new play, BENEDICTUS, written two years ago, about a pope who resigns, will open on May 30th and run until June 16, 2013, at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue). Mark Mercante will direct the production, and Arthur Abrams will provide incidental music. www.TheaterfortheNewCity.net

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 on Wednesday, May 29th at 7p.m. ET/PT.

The producers of the Tony Award-nominated play ORPHANS have announced that the Broadway production will play its final performance on SUNDAY, MAY 19 after 27 previews and 37 regular performances at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). The production began performances on March 26 and opened on April 18. The Broadway production of Lyle Kessler'sORPHANS stars Alec Baldwin, Ben Foster and Tom Sturridge and is directed by Daniel Sullivan.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced the new 2050 Fellowship Program to begin with the 2013/14 season.

La MaMa presents the World Premiere of Chemistry of Love, written by Jill Campbell and directed by George Ferencz. Chemistry of Love runs now through May 19, 2013 in a limited engagement at La MaMa's First Floor Theatre, located at 74A East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue & the Bowery in New York City. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The greatest songwriters revered him. And his songs-from 'All the Things You Are' to 'The Way You Look Tonight'-remain a vital part of our cultural conversation. It is no accident that Jerome Kern is also known as 'The Dean.' Author and Lyrics & Lyricists series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer takes the helm as artistic director/writer/host for The Song is You: Jerome Kern Coast to Coast, tonight, May 4 and May 5, 6. Winer is joined by vocalists Karrin Allyson, Debby Boone, Jeffry Denman, bassist Jay Leonhart, Howard McGillin, Paula West and Karen Ziemba, with special guest Barbara Carroll.

The Pace University Department of Performing Arts is producing a concert of works by Adam Guettel, performed Tony award-winning composer of the musicals The Light in the Piazza, Floyd Collins, Myths & Hymns and accompanied by Pace Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Musical Theater students and alumni.

SALLY KELLERMAN, the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated celebrated actress, voiceover virtuoso and singer, returns to Vicky's of Santa Fe Supper Club for her fourth appearance in the desert cities for "SALLY KELLERMAN LIVE!,"an evening of intimate and laid back music and conversation presented in her own inimitable style, backed by a Trio consisting of Andy Langham on Piano, Lyman Medeiros on Bass and Dick Weller on Drums. The ONE NIGHT ONLY performance will be presented by producer Bobbi Goodman at Vicky's of Santa Fe Supper Club; 45-100 Club Drive (Highway 111 at Club Drive); Indian Wells, CA 92210 on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. Kellerman's program will include some new takes on familiar songs.

Now at the forefront of play development and producing new works, three award-winning theaters have joined forces for the first time. The beneficies are Los Angeles theatre audiences able to see this World Premiere staging of Donald Freed's new play, Tomorrow. Damian Cruden (Artistic Director from England's York Royal Theatre) directs a stellar cast, which includes Salome Jens, Kevin Quinn, and Jenn Robbins. Tomorrow runs at the Skylight Theatre Complex through May 5, 2013.

Frog & Peach Theatre Company will present a Weimar vision of Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure' April 25 to May 19 at the West End Theater, 263 West 86th Street. Artistic Director Lynnea Benson directs. The classic will be set in the 1930s Germany in order to comment on the corruption and hypocrisy that underlies the smug patina of modern life.

Hershey Area Playhouse will present the Pulitzer Prize winning play Proof in April. Proof is the story of a mathematician whose genius and madness wreaks havoc on his daughters and a former student. When the former student finds a revolutionary mathematical proof among the mathematician's papers, the characters become steeped in conflict as they struggle to determine who wrote the proof.

Beginning in April, 2013, 1812 Productions will present the world premiere comedy It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project, created and directed by 1812 Productions' Artistic Director, Jennifer Childs, and featuring a diverse ensemble of Philadelphia actresses. A production which will use physical comedy, storytelling, and music in a one-of-a-kind theatrical event, the creative process for It's My Party: The Women and Comedy Project began in 2010 with two questions: how do women use comedy and how does that usage change as they age. With these pointed inquiries as her guides, Ms. Childs embarked on three inclusive and ongoing initiatives which, together, would form the core of the Project.

Mississippi Mud Productions will present The Blonde Bombshell Project, a new solo play written and starring Jen Danby and directed by Tony Nominee and Obie-Winning Director Austin Pendleton. Fresh from their collaboration as Catharine Holly and Dr. Sugar in Suddenly, Last Summer with Mississippi Mud, this new solo work is about about legendary Hollywood 'Blonde Bombshell' Marilyn Monroe in her final summer of 1962. ??

Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Broadway World have partnered for an inaugural filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the union actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. The most recent event was a two hour career conversation with Vincent D'Onofrio moderated by Broadway World's own Richard Ridge, and you can check out highlights from the discussion below!