The Old Globe News

Michael Weston replaces Justin Long in Center Theatre Group's production of the Tony-nominated "Other Desert Cities" by Jon Robin Baitz. Weston joins the previously announced Jeannie Berlin, Robert Foxworth, Robin Weigert and JoBeth Williams. Long has bowed out due to a film commitment.

Single tickets for Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! are now on sale online at www.TheOldGlobe.org. The annual holiday musical, directed by James Vasquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, will run on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, November 17 - December 29. Previews run from Nov. 17 - Nov. 23. Opening night is Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below.

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons has announced additional performers participating in the return of its popular benefit evening STORIES ON 5 STORIES: Poetic Justice on Monday evening, October 22.

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, presents the world premiere musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder with book by Robert L. Freedman; music by Steven Lutvak; lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak; and directed by Darko Tresnjak. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder plays now through November 11 and features Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays, playing eight of the more than 20 characters. There is an Opening Night performance this evening at 8pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production highlights below.

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, presents the world premiere musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder with book by Robert L. Freedman; music by Steven Lutvak; lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak; and directed by Darko Tresnjak. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder plays now through November 11 and features Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays, playing eight of the more than 20 characters. There is an Opening Night performance this evening at 8pm. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below.

The Old Globe today announced its 2013 Summer Season. Adrian Noble will return for his fourth season as the Artistic Director of the Globe's Shakespeare Festival and direct Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice starring Festival veteran Miles Anderson. Noble will also direct Tom Stoppard's classic farce, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Presented in repertory in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, the Festival will also include the perennial favorite A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Summer Season will also feature N. Richard Nash's romantic comedy The Rainmaker and the San Diego Premiere of Double Indemnity, based on the classic novel by James M. Cain and adapted for the stage by David Pichette and R. Hamilton Wright. The Rainmaker will run on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre and Double Indemnity in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets to the Globe's 2013 Summer Season are currently available by subscription only, and prices range from $66 to $422. Subscription packages may be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the box office.

A group of up and coming theatre professionals have been hard at work writing, composing, directing and choreographing the newest theatrical adventure by the award-winning ensemble A BROKEN UMBRELLA THEATRE. THE LIBRARY PROJECT, a commission by the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation, features the work of over 70 artists, including composer/lyricist Rob Shapiro, composer Chrissy Gardner, playwright Jason Patrick Wells, choreographer Robin Levin and directors Ian and Rachel Alderman.

Dallas Theater Center continues its exciting and conversation-provoking 2012-2013 season with the regional premiere of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. This unique experience will transport audience members into the thrilling and aggressive world of professional wrestling, complete with a wrestling ring, while weaving a story of power and class in America. The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity runs at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre tonight, October 19 - Sunday, November 11.

Following its celebrated opening at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pullman Porter Blues travels across the country to sweep D.C. audiences along for a ride in its world-premiere co-production at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by her grandfather's work on the postal trains, playwright Cheryl L. West, whose work at Arena Stage includes Jar the Floor and Play On!, returns with the tale of three Pullman train porters whose journey is underscored by Midwest blues songs, including "Sweet Home Chicago" and "This Train." Directed by Lisa Peterson (Arena's The Rainmaker and The Quality of Life), Pullman Porter Blues runs November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

TVLine reports that George Takei will be returning as a guest star to the CBS drama series HAWAII FIVE-O. The actor will portray the uncle of Daniel Dae Kim's Chin Ho Kelly who will provide the team with information that helps them with a case.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, kicks off its holiday season with William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Director Ethan McSweeny (Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice) takes a fresh approach to this well-loved play filled with magic and wonder. The production runs at STC's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from November 15-December 30, 2012.

In their first co-producing endeavor, HERE and the Hip-Hop Theater Festival in association with Collective Consciousness Theatre present the world premiere of How to Break, a new play fueled by human beat-boxing, breaking, popping and locking, linguistic flow and multimedia graffiti art. This production will play a limited engagement at HERE from tonight, October 18 - November 4, with Official Opening set for Tuesday, October 23 at 7:00pm.

The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team for The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program presentation of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, running Nov. 10 - Nov. 18 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is Nov. 10 at 8:00 p.m. Directed by Ray Chambers, tickets to Measure for Measure can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office.

The Old Globe today announced the cast and creative team for The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program presentation of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, running Nov. 10 - Nov. 18 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is Nov. 10 at 8:00 p.m. Directed by Ray Chambers, tickets to Measure for Measure can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office.

To coincide with the ongoing presidential campaign, the Huntington Theatre Company will stage the American premiere of Now or Later, Christopher Shinn's timely political drama about our freedoms. Drama Desk and Outer Critic's Circle Award winner Michael Wilson, who recently helmed the acclaimed Broadway production of Gore Vidal's presidential drama The Best Man, directs the new production. The production opens tomorrow, Wednesday, October 17 and runs through November 10. Get a first look at the cast onstage below!

Atlanta's nationally acclaimed Alliance Theatre will stage the multi-award-winning Broadway musical Next to Normal-the production's first run for Atlanta audiences. Next to Normal is the gripping story of a suburban family coping with the affects of mental illness.

The Board of Directors of The Old Globe today announced the appointment of Barry Edelstein as Artistic Director. A nationally-recognized director, producer, author and educator, Edelstein will work together with Managing Director Michael G. Murphy to lead San Diego's flagship arts institution. Both Edelstein and Murphy will report jointly to the Board of Directors. Currently the Director of The Public Theater's Shakespeare Initiative in New York City, Edelstein will assume the artistic directorship of The Old Globe on Nov. 1 and will reside full-time in San Diego in January 2013.

54 Below has announced that Sherie Rene Scott will play an exclusive two-week engagement when she presents her brand new show "Piece of Meat" at 54 Below tonight, October 16-20 & 23-27 at 8:30 PM and October 19, 20, 26, & 27 at 11:00 PM.

It's Saturday, and that means it's time for BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' round-up! Today's photos feature the casts of A CHORUS LINE at Paper Mill Playhouse, NEWSIES, ONCE, BRING IT ON, CHAPLIN, EVITA, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, KINKY BOOTS, the national tours of WICKED and MARY POPPINS, the Broadway-bound ALLEGIANCE from San Diego and quite a few regional shows!

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) just announced the 2012 recipients of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Initiative commissions for Manhattan Theatre Club. This year's six commissioned writers are April de Angelis (Jumpy), Nick Jones (The Coward), Heidi Schreck (Creature), Melissa Ross (Thinner Than Water), Sarah Treem (A Feminine Ending), and Bess Wohl (Barcelona).