Thornton Wilder News

The Greatest Gift, a special family holiday playreading with music, will be presented by Westport Country Playhouse in association with Bisno Productions as part of the Playhouse's popular Script in Hand series, on Monday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's Family Festivities Series will present, "Season's Greetings," with magic, music, live animals, special effects and audience participation, celebrating the world's seasonal holidays, on Sunday, December 12, 1 and 4 p.m.

Bill Irwin, actor, director, writer and clown, whose work has been honored with Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Barrymore and Helen Hayes Awards, and Doug Skinner, musician, puppeteer and composer, who wrote and played the music for several of Mr. Irwin's shows, will appear in "The Clowns and Mr. Beckett," an evening of madcap routines, shtick and novelty songs, at Westport Country Playhouse on Saturday, December 11, 8 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's Young Professionals Network will present a post-performance party with actress and vocalist Tracie Thoms, following her "Seasons" concert on Friday, December 10, 8 p.m.

McCarter Theatre (Emily Mann, Artistic Director; Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director) is pleased to announce that Academy Award, Tony and Obie Award winner Mercedes Ruehl will star in the two-character world premiere of Sarah Treem's The How and The Why. Directed by Emily Mann, the cast will also feature New Jersey native Bess Rous.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Celebration, 'Wicked,' 'The Story Of My Life,' 'The Apple Tree,' 'Hello, Dolly!,' 'Working,' Ann Reinking, more....

First Stage presents the world premiere of THE MAGIC BICYCLE, an original time-travel adventure full of comedy and heart. THE MAGIC BICYCLE runs January 14 through February 5, 2011 at the Todd Wehr Theater in the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Marcus Center Box Office, by phone at (414) 273-7206 or online at www.FirstStage.org.

Transport Group (TG), the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and 2007 and 2010 OBIE Awards, has announced that it will present the New York premiere of Lysistrata Jones, a new musical by Douglas Carter Beane (Xanadu, Little Dog Laughed) and composer-lyricist Lewis Flinn (Divine Sister) on the basketball court of the Judson Memorial Church gymnasium. Dan Knechtges (Xanadu, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) will direct and choreograph. Previews begin May 2011 with an opening date to be announced.

Having opened to a host of positive reviews and strong ticket sales, Vineyard Theatre's world-premiere production of Will Eno's play MIDDLETOWN will extend its run an additional two weeks - through December 5 - it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, artistic director of The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.).

In celebration of the holiday season, Westport Country Playhouse announces six special events, including comedy, concerts, dance and theater, beginning December 4 and continuing on selected days through December 19.

Westport/Weston Natives Justin Paul, Dan Asher, Drew McKeon and Jeremy Goldsmith in Band: The Broadway Boys' Holiday Concert at Westport Country Playhouse

In a feature out in the Washington Post today, musical legend Jerry Herman reveals that a Broadway revival of his classic, Hello, Dolly! is on the way. According to the report, 'A revival of 'Hello, Dolly!' will hit Broadway in the near future, says Herman, who plans to be the production's guiding spirit.'

The Greatest Gift, a special family holiday playreading with music, will be presented by Westport Country Playhouse in association with Bisno Productions as part of the Playhouse's popular Script in Hand series, on Monday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's Family Festivities Series will present, "Season's Greetings," with magic, music, live animals, special effects and audience participation, celebrating the world's seasonal holidays, on Sunday, December 12, 1 and 4 p.m.

Bill Irwin, actor, director, writer and clown, whose work has been honored with Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Barrymore and Helen Hayes Awards, and Doug Skinner, musician, puppeteer and composer, who wrote and played the music for several of Mr. Irwin's shows, will appear in "The Clowns and Mr. Beckett," an evening of madcap routines, shtick and novelty songs, at Westport Country Playhouse on Saturday, December 11, 8 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse offers the holiday gift of entertainment for family and friends. Subscriptions or tickets to upcoming plays, family festivities or special events make great stocking stuffers.

Westport Country Playhouse, in partnership with Norwalk's Triangle Community Center, will present a "LGBT Night Out at the Playhouse," for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and allies, on Saturday, December 18.

From the producers who presented the critically acclaimed landmark David Cromer production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, now comes the New York premiere of the new comedy, Mistakes Were Made, by Craig Wright with direction by Dexter Bullard.

Award-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant will join previously announced Kieran Campion, Mia Dillon and Edward Herrmann for a reading of Noel Coward's bittersweet comedy, "A Song at Twilight," part of Westport Country Playhouse's popular Script in Hand Series, on Monday, November 15, 7 p.m.

Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, has announced that its 2010 Gimme A Break! benefit will honor playwright A. R. Gurney and columnist Liz Smith on Monday, December 6 at 6:30pm, at the Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street.