Thornton Wilder News

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.

Our Postmodern Town might be a more descriptive title for Will Eno's Middletown, a play that coats the Thornton Wilder standard of normal American life as it pertains to the cycle of life and death with a whitewash of Samuel Beckett absurdity.  And if even half of the play's two hours contained the vivacity of the first few minutes, where David Garrison rhythmically recites an all-inclusive list describing any possible type of audience member who might be in attendance - concluding with his pointing out the fire exits - a trip to Middletown might prove a worthy excursion.

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. The two-character play features Academy Award-nominee Michael Shannon as producer Felix Artifex and Mierka Girten as his assistant Esther, with puppetry by Sam Deutsch, and reunites the creative team of the Off-Broadway smash hit Bug Bullard, Shannon and Barrow Street. The 16-week limited engagement began performances November 5, 2010 at the Barrow Street Theatre. Opening night is Sunday evening, November 14, 2010.

Westport Country Playhouse announced today an opportunity on its Facebook page to win two five-play preview subscriptions to its 2011 Season.

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.

In association with Westport Country Playhouse's Script in Hand reading of a new play with music, "The Greatest Gift," on Monday, December 13, at 7 p.m., students are invited to participate in a writing contest on the theme, "What Is the Greatest Gift in Your Life?"

The Theatre School at DePaul University is delighted to announce that this coming December 31, 2010, will mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Merle Reskin Theatre (formerly The Blackstone Theatre). The Beaux-Arts style Blackstone Theatre, which was designed by Chicago architects Marshall and Fox, opened its doors just off of Michigan Avenue in the South Loop on New Years' Eve of 1910. In the course of the past century it has changed owners, names, addresses, audiences, and has stayed a hub of theatrical arts in a changing neighborhood and city. It faced many noteworthy changes in entertainment, including the introduction of the radio, television and film industries.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre presented their annual Benefit & Cabaret last night, November 8th. Sonnet Repertory Theatre brought together a diverse and talented group of performers and composers at Joe's Pub to honor multi Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning director Jack O'Brien. Jerry Mitchell served as the evening's host.

Westport Country Playhouse announced today an opportunity on its Facebook page to win two five-play preview subscriptions to its 2011 Season.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre announced their Ninth Annual BENEFIT & CABARET HONORING JACK O'BRIEN to be held Monday, November 8th at Joe's Pub, to be hosted by Jerry Mitchell with Musical Direction by Dan Lipton and featuring performances by John Behlmann, Kerry Butler, Michael Cerveris, Victor Garber, Ethan Hawke, Carly Jibson, Andrew Lippa, Duncan Sheik, Joe Allen Players.

WAITING FOR THE DREAM ('En Attendant le Songe') -- an adaptation of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - will be performed by La Compagnie Irina Brook for a limited engagement November 3 to 7 at La MaMa ETC (74A E. 4 St.) in Manhattan. WAITING FOR THE DREAM is performed in French and English with subtitles.

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.).

Producers Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian and Tom Wirtshafter, who presented the critically acclaimed landmark production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, will next present the New York premiere of the new comedy, Mistakes Were Made, by Craig Wright with direction by Dexter Bullard. The two-character play features Academy Award-nominee Michael Shannon as producer Felix Artifex and Mierka Girten as his assistant Esther, and reunites the creative team of the Off-Broadway smash hit Bug (Bullard, Shannon and Barrow Street). The 16- week limited engagement will begin performances Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Barrow Street Theatre. Opening night is set for Sunday evening, November 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Producers Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian and Tom Wirtshafter, who presented the critically acclaimed landmark production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, will next present the New York premiere of the new comedy, Mistakes Were Made, by Craig Wright with direction by Dexter Bullard.

WAITING FOR THE DREAM ('En Attendant le Songe') -- an adaptation of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - will be performed by La Compagnie Irina Brook for a limited engagement November 3 to 7 at La MaMa ETC (74A E. 4 St.) in Manhattan. WAITING FOR THE DREAM is performed in French and English with subtitles.

Subscriptions are now on sale to the general public for the 2011 season at Westport Country Playhouse, marking its 80th anniversary with a variety of outstanding plays and playwrights.

Producers Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian and Tom Wirtshafter, who presented the critically acclaimed landmark production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, will next present the New York premiere of the new comedy, Mistakes Were Made, by Craig Wright with direction by Dexter Bullard. The two-character play features Academy Award-nominee Michael Shannon as producer Felix Artifex and Mierka Girten as his assistant Esther, and reunites the creative team of the Off-Broadway smash hit Bug (Bullard, Shannon and Barrow Street). The 16- week limited engagement will begin performances Friday, November 5, 2010 at the Barrow Street Theatre. Opening night is set for Sunday evening, November 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Today we are talking to the legendary Broadway and Hollywood composer best known for his work with estimable lyricist Fred Ebb on legendary shows such as CABARET, CHICAGO, THE RINK, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN and THE VISIT - as well as the classic, Oscar-winning film adaptations of those first two shows - who also composed the unofficial New York anthem 'New York, New York' and yesterday premiered his newest original musical on Broadway: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - none other than thoughtful and gentle genius John Kander. We discuss his fifty-year career writing with Fred Ebb, writing for Liza Minnelli and Kristin Chenoweth, working with directors like Bob Fosse, Hal Prince and Susan Stroman, plus his thoughts on GLEE, the future of his shows written before Ebb's passing - as well as some SCOTTSBORO BOYS talk - in this comprehensive conversation on all things razzle-dazzlingly resplendent as only Kander & Ebb can claim be. Plus, Kander dissects and discusses the writing process of five of his finest compositions! Start spreadin' the news...

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.

Sydney Theatre Company presents Our Town by Thornton Wilder from 14 September - 30 October 2010 (Season Extended). Opening night 18 September at 8.00pm Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House