The New Group News

Religion, politics and theater collide when Bart DeLorenzo directs the Los Angeles premiere of Passion Play by Tony and two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee Sarah Ruhl, kicking off the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's 45th Anniversary Season in a co-production with Evidence Room. Performances begin Jan. 25 at the Odyssey Theatre in West L.A. and continue through March 16.

Casting is complete for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Chicago-premiere production of Russian Transport by Erika Sheffer. Ensemble member Yasen Peyankov directs a cast of five featuring ensemble members Tim Hopper, Mariann Mayberry and Alan Wilder with Aaron Himelstein and Melanie Neilan. This 'thoughtful, well-written domestic drama with something original to say about immigrant families living by old world values in a new world culture' (Variety) received its world-premiere production Off-Broadway at The New Group in 2012. Russian Transport begins previews February 6, 2014 (opening night is February 16; press performances are February 15 at 3pm and February 18 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 11, 2014 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - 78) are on sale now at steppenwolf.org.

The New Group continues its 2013-2014 season with the world premiere of Intimacy, a new play by Thomas Bradshaw. Directed by Scott Elliott, Intimacy features David Anzuelo, Austin Cauldwell, Ella Dershowitz, Laura Esterman, Daniel Gerroll, Dea Julien and Keith Randolph Smith. A limited Off-Broadway engagement plays January 14 - March 8 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street), with Official Opening Night set for Wednesday, January 29 at 7:00pm. BroadwayWorld was there for the cast's first rehearsal today and you can check out photos below!

Tickets go on sale Monday, December 16 for the New York premiere of Annapurna by Sharr White (The Snow Geese, The Other Place) directed by Bart DeLorenzo (Artistic Director, Evidence Room; Ivanov, Margo Veil, The Receptionist - Odyssey Theatre) and starring Megan Mullally ("Will & Grace") and Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation"). A limited engagement is slated Off-Broadway at The New Group, from April 13 - June 1. Official Opening Night takes place Monday, April 21 at 7:00pm, at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street).

This January, playwright Christina Masciotti whose most recent play VISION DISTURBANCE, directed by Richard Maxwell, was described as a "showcase for Masciotti's gift for writing" by The New York Times, "brilliant … and … unforgettable" by The New Yorker, and named one of the Top Ten Plays of 2010 by Time Out New York, will premiere her latest play ADULT, presented by Darling and Company in association with terraNOVA Collective, at Abrons Art Center.

'Prepararse, creer en ti, en tus proyectos, ser dedicado y trabajar en equipo', fueron los principios que guiaron la nueva versión del musical que presentó recientemente en la Ciudad de México.

The New Group production of Beth Henley's THE JACKSONIAN - directed by Robert Falls and featuring Ed Harris,Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett - will offer a special performance to benefit The Actors Fund Dec. 15 at 8 PM.

Tina Benko has received the annual St. Clair Bayfield Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation for her performance as Titania in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Julie Taymor as Theatre for a New Audience's inaugural production at its new home in Brooklyn. The announcement was made by Arne Gundersen, President of the Foundation.

After a sold-out run in September, The Sister Rosettas are back with five more performances. A revival of the rock/pop-punk/cabaret music of world touring MING DYNASTY, last seen on City Stages in 2009 alongside Diana Ross, Ben Harper, and Al Green, now brings new front woman Diana Oh and bassist/songwriter Philippe Arman to the stage. The story of how this new collaboration was formed fuses old songs and new and is led by veterans Eric Miranda, Kole Smith and Matt Harrington.

NYU Steinhardt Music and Performing Arts Professions, New York Foundation for the Arts, Yamaha Pianos, RS Berkeley Horns, presents the 42nd Street Jazz Festival, from December 16-23, 2013 at Theater Row, 410 W. 42nd Street, NYC.

Acclaimed filmmaker, art advisor ALEXANDRA FAIRWEATHER and ERIC GOODMAN, an M & A specialist with a premiere international bank, the Millennial co-founders of IVY UNTAPPED and co- publishers of Fairweather Magazine, unveiled a new members-only web site, www.untapped.me, at by-invitation-press-and-potential-members launch event at (appropriately) the Yale Club in Manhattan on November 19th during a reception sponsored by Kiss Mix Cocktails. Guest Hosts include Dana Prussian, Sarah Lebovitz and Ramon Torres. Over 150 guests from the Ivy League & Seven Sisters schools- as well as grads from Stanford, UCLA and Technion in Haifa, Israel and other top institutions - filled the elegant penthouse with its sweeping views of midtown Manhattan.

David Anzuelo, Austin Cauldwell, Ella Dershowitz, Laura Esterman, Daniel Gerroll, Dea Julien and Keith Randolph Smith

Happy Birthday Daphne Rubin-Vega! Rubin Vega is a two-time Tony and Drama Desk nominee and recipient of the Theater World, Obie, Blockbuster awards and was recently nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her role in Jack Goes Boating. She is perhaps best known for the roles she originated, including Mimi (RENT) and Conchita (Anna in the Tropics), both Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway shows for which she was nominated for the Tony award. She also originated the role of Rahmi (Gum), Sofia (Nilo Cruz' Two Sisters and a Piano), Canary Mary (Suzan-Lori Parks' f**king A, Lucille Lortel nomination) and Lucy (Jack Goes Boating) at the Public Theater, as well as starred in the Broadway revivals of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Magenta) and Les Mis, ('Fantine') and most recently, The New Group's Blood From a Stone ('Yvette') opposite Ethan Hawke.'

After a sold-out run in September, The Sister Rosettas are back with five more performances. A revival of the rock/pop-punk/cabaret music of world touring MING DYNASTY, last seen on City Stages in 2009 alongside Diana Ross, Ben Harper, and Al Green, now brings new front woman Diana Oh and bassist/songwriter Philippe Arman to the stage. The story of how this new collaboration was formed fuses old songs and new and is led by veterans Eric Miranda, Kole Smith and Matt Harrington.

Jennifer Barnhart - who made her Broadway debut in 2003 in the original cast of the Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q - returns to the long-running hit at New World Stages (340 W. 50 St.) starting with the Monday, November 11 performance at 8 pm. Ms. Barnhart will perform the roles she helped create over 10 years ago: as a Bad Idea Bear, kindergarten school principal Mrs. T, as well as her trademark 'second-hand' work with puppets Nicky and Trekkie Monster.

Beth Henley's Southern Gothic comedy/drama pulls you in with its attention-grabbing characters and atmosphere but then leaves you wondering if it's ever going to take you anywhere.

The New Group launches its 2013-2014 season with the New York premiere of the Geffen Playhouse production of The Jacksonian, by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls, this production features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett. Opening was Thursday night, November 7, and BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with the whole gang at the after party. Check out what they had to say below!

The New Group launches its 2013-2014 season with the New York premiere of the Geffen Playhouse production of The Jacksonian, by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls, this production features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett. Opening was last night, November 7, and you can check out photos from the after party below!

Jonny Orsini returns to Broadway this season as 'Malcolm' in the Lincoln Center Theatre production of MACBETH, which opens at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on November 21. Below you can check out photos of him in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride!

Blanchett takes on the role of 'Janet,' who returns for the funeral of her grandfather, a film visual effects artist who secretly worked as a U.S. special ops agent. As her grandfather's secret life becomes a threat to her, she is forced to uncover the truth about his mysterious background. Dale will play a 'military major' related to Blanchett.