The Public Theatre News

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre continues to celebrate its successful 21st season with two cabaret shows in February that highlight the voices of the award-winning singer/actress Katie Thompson (Signature's Giant) and the acclaimed Scottish performer Euan Morton (Broadway's Taboo; Signature's Chess). The performance dates for Mr. Morton - who has been called 'sensational' by The New York Times - are February 10th and 11th, followed by Ms. Thompson and her 'shiveringly good' voice (The Washington Times), from February 22nd through the 26th.

Fifty years after her legendary Carnegie Hall debut, The New York Pops remembers Hollywood icon Judy Garland with a song-for-song re-creation of the 1961 performance that is referred to by so many as "the greatest night in show business history".

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, now celebrating it's thirty-third year. The Houston-based Prize received the 2010 Theatre Communications Group's National Funder Award. The annual honor goes to a company, foundation or other entity for 'leadership and sustained national support of theater in America.'

Producers Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment have announced that Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark will co-star as Mother Superior in the new Broadway musical, SISTER ACT, beginning preview performances on March 24, 2011 and opening on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway). As previously announced, Olivier Award nominee Patina Miller will reprise her critically acclaimed performance as Deloris Van Cartier, which she originated in the West End production of SISTER ACT.

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 1/30 for Maine

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, continues its 44th season with DOUBLE FALSEHOOD, written by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher, adapted for the 18th Century stage by Lewis Theobald, and directed by Kulick.

San Jose Repertory Theatre is honored to present the cast of Ronald Harwood's compelling drama The Dresser. Ken Ruta takes the role of 'Sir,' a tyrannical Shakespearean actor-manger attempting to keep his dying company together during the air raids in World War II Britain.

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 1/23 for Maine

Obie Award-winning director Annie Dorsen (PASSING STRANGE, DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA) returns to New York - after having spent the last year creating theatre and dance throughout Europe - with the U.S. premiere of her ground-breaking, human-less new play for computers HELLO HI THERE, as a part of PS122's 6th annual COIL festival, their annual winter festival of contemporary performance featuring hits from past, present and future seasons of PS122.

How do you discuss the undiscussable? Philadelphia Theatre Company presents the Philadelphia premiere of David Mamet's provocative play Race, running January 21 through February 13, 2011 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Victory Gardens continues its 2010/11 Season with the world premiere of The Boys Room by Ensemble Playwright Joel Drake Johnson, directed by Associate Artistic Director Sandy Shinner. The Boys Room marks Shinner and Johnson's sixth collaboration-A Guide For The Perplexed, Four Places, The End of the Tour, Before My Eyes, all at Victory Gardens, and Tranquillity Woods for Steppenwolf's First Look series. The production runs January 21 - February 20, 2011 at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park. The Press Opening is Monday, January 31, 2011, at 7:30 pm.

San Jose Repertory Theatre is honored to present the cast of Ronald Harwood's compelling drama The Dresser. Ken Ruta takes the role of 'Sir,' a tyrannical Shakespearean actor-manger attempting to keep his dying company together during the air raids in World War II Britain.

American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) has announced that STEPHANIE J. BLOCK, DANIEL BREAKER, KIMBERLY HÉBERT GREGORY, KEVIN ISOLA and KAREN OLIVO will star in the world premiere comedy, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK, the new play by Lynn Nottage, directed by Jo Bonney. BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is Ms. Nottage's first play to be produced in New York since she won the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined in 2009.

Anthony Rapp (Rent) will make a guest appearance during Robi Hager's (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie) Joe's Pub concert Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 9:30PM.

Robi Hager, of the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening, will make his solo debut January 18th at Joe's Pub.

Upcoming Theatre Communication Group Member Shows - 1/16 for Maine

With gaseous energy and outrageous jokes, the first rehearsals of The Imaginary Invalid at Portland Center Stage are underway, in a new adaptation by Constance Congdon of the classic comedy by Molière. The Imaginary Invalid previews on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, with opening night set for January 14, and performances through February 6. Performance times are Tuesday through Sunday, 7:30 pm, with matinees at 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and some Thursday matinees at noon. Tickets start at $33 for full adult prices, with student and under age 30 discounts available. Rush tickets may be available for some performances at $20 each. For a full calendar of performances and ticket availability, visit the show page at http://www.pcs.org/invalid.

American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present Anton Chekhov's THREE SISTERS, featuring 2010 Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal (Masha), Josh Hamilton (Andre) 2010 Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht (Olga) and acclaimed actor Peter Sarsgaard (Vershinin).