The New Group News

If Betty Comden and Adolph Green were both born in Bombay, Singin' In The Rain might have wound up resembling The New Group's new musical, Bunty Berman Presents….  Not that Ayub Khan Din (book, music and lyrics) and Paul Bogaev's (music) Bollywood-set musical comedy is on the same level as that masterwork, but the spirit of silly 1950s MGM hijinks abounds throughout the evening.  It's got laughs, it's got tunes and it offers a fun, mindless time.

I suppose Richard Foreman doesn't have many talkbacks after performances of his plays because, really, how many times can you respond to an audience member asking, 'What the f***?'

Artistic Director David Winitsky and Producer Jenny Levison, of the Jewish Plays Project have announced the plays that have been chosen for OPEN: The Festival of New Jewish Theater at the 14th Street Y. The performances and readings of these plays will be held June 10-30, 2013 at the Theater at 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street (between 1st and 2nd Ave), New York, NY.

Stage Left Studio, 214 W. 30th Street, is celebrating its third Drama Desk nominated show, Tom Gualtieri and Heather Hill's That Play: A Solo Macbeth, with added performances May 2, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16 & 25 at 7:30pm. Nominated this year for 'Unique Theatrical Experience' THAT PLAY has enjoyed a long run in New York City and continued rave reviews from both critics and audience.

Today, May 3rd at 12 noon, Brave New World Enterprises, LLC will present a Special Pre-Broadway Workshop Table Reading of the new musical based on Aldous Huxley's novel, BRAVE NEW WORLD. The presentation, directed by SHERYL KALLER, with musical direction by JOHN McDANIEL, will take place at the Snapple Theatre Center (1627 Broadway) for invited industry audiences only.

The Whitney Museum in New York has commissioned a new work by playwright Thomas Bradshaw for the Blues For Smoke Exhibition Live Performances to premiere today, April 26 through April 28, at the Whitney.

Profiles Theatre Artistic Directors Darrell W. Cox and Joe Jahraus announce the 25th Anniversary Season featuring a full slate of new and challenging works premiering at the Profiles Theatre Complex on North Broadway. The upcoming season features six productions including the Midwest premieres of Wrecks by Neil LaBute, the award-winning play Cock by Mike Bartlett, Hunter Gatherers by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, In God's Hat by Rhett Rossi and Gidion's Knot by Johnna Adams. Additionally, Profiles acclaimed production of Hellcab by Will Kern, one of Chicago theatre's longest running hits, returns for the holiday season. These six productions alternate between Profiles' two venues, The Main Stage at 4139 N. Broadway and The Alley Stage at 4147 N. Broadway.

“Run, but don't run away” opens the chorus of this new single, a unique collaboration between South African musician Gazelle, Dither Down mainstay Jogyo and vocalist Devi Mambouka. 3 NYC-based transplants of African descent who have come together to create an invocation to “Change your perspective” and “Face your fears.” The result is “R.U.N”, an acronym of sorts that Jogyo says means “Remember Union Now.” It's an infectious track, which features hypnotic guitar riffs, pounding beats and haunting lyrics. Each artist contributes vocals that highlight their signature styles, while at the same time seamlessly blending together. Click below to watch the video!

The New Group announced today that Ayub Khan Din has stepped into the title role in the new musical Bunty Berman Presents..., replacing actor Erick Avari who withdrew from the production last week on doctor's orders following an injury. The world premiere of this musical comedy, with book & lyrics by Ayub Khan Din and music by Ayub Khan Din and Paul Bogaev, is directed by Scott Elliott. Previews began April 12. Performances resume Wednesday, April 24 in advance of Official Opening Night on Thursday, May 9 at 7:00pm. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through June 1 at The New Group at Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street).

Preview performances of Bunty Berman Presents... will not take place Friday, April 19, Saturday, April 20 and Monday, April 22 at The New Group. Actor Erick Avari sustained an injury from a fall during a rehearsal earlier this week, and as a result, has withdrawn from the show on doctor's orders.

4@15: Four New Fifteen-Minute Musicals, performed in conjunction with University of California, Irvine, will commence performances Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20, for three performances only at the Playroom Theater. Tammy Holder serves as Music Director; Brian Blythe directs.

Scandinavian American Theater Company will present the US Premiere of GORILLA by Rhea Leman. The Danish premiere was just nominated for the 2013 Reumert Award (the Danish equivalent of the Tony Award) for Best Playwrighting. Directed by Ari Edelson, previews begin May 24 at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row. Opening is slated for May 30.

On Friday, May 3rd at 12 noon, Brave New World Enterprises, LLC will present a Special Pre-Broadway Workshop Table Reading of the new musical based on Aldous Huxley's novel, BRAVE NEW WORLD. The presentation, directed by SHERYL KALLER, with musical direction by JOHN McDANIEL, will take place at the Snapple Theatre Center (1627 Broadway) for invited industry audiences only.

Red Bull Theater will present the American Premiere of a new adaptation of August Strindberg's The Dance of Death by Mike Poulton (Tony Award Nominee for Best Play for Fortune's Fool), directed by Joseph Hardy (Tony Award winner for Best Director for Child's Play), for a strictly limited engagement beginning tonight, April 10th and continuing through May 4th only, at the Lucille Lortel Theater (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson Streets). Opening Night is set for Thursday April 18th.

The Flea Theater will present the world premiere of a cautionary tale by playwright christopher oscar peña. Directed by Flea Resident Director Benjamin H. Kamine (Thomas Bradshaw's Job), previews begin May 29 with opening night set for June 10.

Lincoln Center Theater presents an LCT3 Special Event of Mr. Joy, a 90-minute one-man show written and performed by Daniel Beaty and directed by Sheryl Kaller. The workshop production will be performed tonight, April 9, April 12-15, and April 17-21 at 7:00 pm at the Claire Tow Theater (150 West 65 Street).