The Public Theater News

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents the New York premiere of Nature Theater of Oklahoma's Life and Times Episodes 4.5 & 5, as part of its acclaimed Crossing the Line 2013 festival, which also commissioned Episode 5. Nature Theater of Oklahoma's epic Life and Times series is a sixteen-hour, multi-art serial created from a single phone conversation with a 34-year-old woman, who tells her whole life story up to the present day.

Native Voices at the Autry, America's leading Native American theatre company with a mission to develop new plays by emerging and established Native playwrights, announces its 2013-14 season, which spotlights themes of law, lawmakers, lawyers and activists.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola has announced that Fetch Clay, Make Man, written by Will Power and directed by Des McAnuff, will begin performances tonight, August 23 at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is set for Thursday, September 12 at 7pm. Fetch Clay, Make Man is scheduled to run through Sunday, October 13; tickets are on sale now.

The Judas Redux team (led by Executive Producers Julia Albain and Corey Lubowich of Team StarKid fame) presents a new production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, and directed by Julia Albain. The Last Days of Judas Iscariot will be presented at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont in Chicago, for 18 performances, today, August 23 - September 8, 2013. The Press Opening is scheduled for Sunday, August 25 at 6:00 p.m.

EINSTEIN, a new play by Jay Prasad, will end its limited engagement this Sunday, August 25th. Performances began on August 2ndat Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street (between Ninth & Tenth Ave.)

Composer and lyricist Dan Messé of Hem revealed on the band's Facebook page on August 13 that he is currently working on the Broadway adaptation of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 film AMELIE.

Joe's Pub at The Public is calling all bros tonight, August 22, 7pm. After sold-out shows at Caroline's On Broadway and 92YTribeca, Ewalt and Walker's Bromance in Concert is ready to rock Joe's Pub like a girl gone wild on spring break.

MetLife Foundation and Theatre Communications Group (TCG) announce the sixth round recipients of the MetLife/TCG A-ha! Program: Think It, Do It, which empowers TCG Member Theatres to take groundbreaking approaches to artistic, managerial, production and/or technological challenges and opportunities. Seven theatres were awarded grants totaling $250,000 to either research and develop new ideas, or experiment and implement innovative concepts.

The 2013 New York International Fringe Festival has its first break-out hit with Ted Cubbin's new comedy The Rufus Equation, a world premiere production directed by Tom Ridgely, the Drama Desk-nominated director and co-founder of Waterwell. The Rufus Equation continues at The Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street, NYC), tonight, August 21 at 2:00 p.m., and Friday, August 23 at 2:00 p.m. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Christina Gorman's Far From the Trees, directed by Tim Raphael, tonight, August 21 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

The original New York cast -- Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy, NYPD Blue, Private Practice), Beth Dixon, Virginia Kull, Kellie Overbey andLee Tergesen (Monster, Wayne's World, Weird Science) - are set for the West Coast premiere of Rapture, Blister, Burn, written by Gina Gionfriddo, in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, opening tonight, August 21, 2013 (previews began August 13).

The Public Theater's critically acclaimed world premiere of the musical Here Lies Love, with concept and lyrics by David Byrne, recently concluded its run at the Public's downtown home. The show, which has gotten lots of buzz about a possible transfer, features music by Byrne and Fatboy Slim, with additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, and choreography by Annie-B Parson. Below you can check out photos of the show's star, Ruthie Ann Miles, in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride!

New York City Center will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of its Fall for Dance Festival with two FREE evenings of dance at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, hosted by The Public Theater, on September 16 and 17 at 8 p.m.(rain date, September 18).

Dallas Theater Center launches its 2013-14 season with A Raisin in the Sun. Tre Garrett of Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre will make his directorial debut at DTC with this Tony Award-winning play. A Raisin in the Sun begins with a Pay-What-You-Can performance on Friday, September 13 and runs through Sunday, October 27 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST takes a bow in the Park, The Matilda's have a Potter experience, FIRST DATE hits the recording studio and so much more!

Japan Society proudly welcomes renowned puppet artist Basil Twist with the return of his critically acclaimed, award-winning Dogugaeshi as Japan Society's Performing Arts Program commences its 60th Anniversary season: Japan, the U.S. & Beyond!. A limited engagement, 7 performances only, plays September 18-22 at Japan Society (333 East 47th Street).

Today we are talking a phenomenally talented performer known for his decades treading the boards in a number of featured and lead roles, most recently wowing crowds with his turn as one of the title characters in THE GERSHWINS' PORGY & BESS - the engaging and golden-voiced Norm Lewis. Discussing many of his most celebrated roles as well as some more obscure, Lewis paints a vivid picture of his career trajectory thus far and shares compelling and candid stories of working on productions as varied and diverse as the original Broadway versions of THE WHO'S TOMMY, SIDE SHOW, THE WILD PARTY, AMOUR, THE LITTLE MERMAID and SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM as well as his sensational work regionally in projects such as his recent essaying of Javert in LES MISERABLES at The Muny (to say nothing of the 25th Anniversary live at the 02) as well as turns in SWEENEY TODD and THE WIZARD & I: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ among many others. Additionally, Lewis sheds some light on his recent onscreen work, clueing us in on how he became involved with hit nighttime soap SCANDAL and how he enjoyeds working with co-stars Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn on it - and if we will possibly see him in Season Three, perhaps. Plus, Lewis opens up about his upcoming solo gigs and performing plans - including first news on his starring part in the upcoming Public Theater musical version of THE TEMPEST - as well as touches upon a host of topics ranging from his appearances at spectacular special events - DREAMGIRLS: IN CONCERT, HAIR: IN CONCERT, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA in the Park - to his appearance in SEX & THE CITY 2 (opposite Liza Minnelli) to recording studio work, dream projects, future goals, favorite workshop/reading experiences and much, much more!