Todd Kreidler News

According to the Wall Street Journal, audience members seated in the orchestra of the upcoming Broadway musical, 'Holler If Ya Hear Me,' will have a movie-theatre-esque experience. The production is spending $200,000 to alter the arrangement of seats in the orchestra, with hopes of augmenting the theatre's sense of intimacy.

Rehearsals for HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new Broadway musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur begin today, Monday, April 21. Written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME will begin performances on May 29, 2014 and open June 19, 2014 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street).

Jujamcyn Theaters and True Colors Theatre Company have announced the judges for the 6th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). The event, which is free and open to the public, features high school students from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh and Seattle performing monologues by the late, legendary American playwright.

Award-winning slam poet, actor, singer, musician Saul Williams (Slam), Christopher Jackson (After Midnight), Saycon Sengbloh (Motown The Musical, Fela!), Ben Thompson(Matilda), John Earl Jelks (Radio Golf - Tony nomination), Joshua Boone (Brownsville Song [b side for Tray] at Actors Theatre of Louisville), Dyllon Burnside ('Prison Break') and Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Jelly's Last Jam, Caroline or Change, Play On!) will star in HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new Broadway musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur. Written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME will begin performances on May 29, 2014 and open June 19, 2014 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street).

Huntington Theatre Company, the 2013 recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award and Boston magazine's Best Theatre of 2013, announces that a new stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner will kick off the 2014-2015 Season with performances beginning September 5. The adaptation by August Wilson collaborator Todd Kreidler and directed by David Esbjornson (All My Sons at the Huntington) joins the previously announced six subscription titles plus a special presentation directed by the visionary David Cromer (Our Town).

Tickets go on sale this Monday, April 7 at 10am for HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new Broadway musical featuring the lyrics of Tupac Shakur. Written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME will begin performances on May 29, 2014 and open June 19, 2014 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street).

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 18 categories and one special award for the 2014 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Lortel Awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at NYU Skirball Center beginning at 7:00pm EST, and hosted by acclaimed husband and wife actors and comedians, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. This year's event will once again benefit The Actors Fund.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) has announced its 2014-2015 season of performances on the Mainstage, as well as the three productions to be performed by its Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC). The three productions to be included in the Studio Theatre season will be announced in July.

From a field of 12 local high school students, Jonah Gould, Mykaela Sterris and LeafRickard have been selected as the winners of the 2014 August Wilson Monologue Competition Los Angeles Regional finals. Contestants this year featured high school students from nine Southern California cities, who performed in the regional finals at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, Tuesday night, March 11, 2014. The top three student performers received scholarships and the opportunity to perform again in New York City. The August Wilson Monologue Competition is presented by the Center Theatre Group Affiliates, a volunteer organization that supports Center Theatre Group's education and community partnerships programs.

Center Theatre Group has announced that 12 students have been selected to participate in the August Wilson Monologue Competition Los Angeles regional finals to be held at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum today, March 11, 2014. L.A.'s AWMC, part of a larger national program, is hosted by Center Theatre Group and presented by the Center Theatre Group Affiliates.

Jujamcyn Theaters and True Colors Theatre Company have announced the 6th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition will take place on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). The event, which is free and open to the public, features high school students from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh and Seattle performing monologues by the late, legendary American playwright.

Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas will celebrate Pittsburgh Public Theater's 40th anniversary with The Season of Legends, six breathtaking works that epitomize The Public's range. Included are the first play produced by The Public 40 years ago, a heavenly world premiere comedy, a musical bouquet of brilliance, August Wilson's most personal play, William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy, and a recent New York hit about a diva's passion for design.

Center Theatre Group has announced that 12 students have been selected to participate in the August Wilson Monologue Competition Los Angeles regional finals to be held at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum on March 11, 2014. L.A.'s AWMC, part of a larger national program, is hosted by Center Theatre Group and presented by the Center Theatre Group Affiliates.

Huntington Theatre Company presents the Boston competition of Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC), celebrating the writing of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright. Over 500 high school students from eleven Boston Public Schools will compete in the Boston Final competition on Saturday, February 1 at the Huntington's Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. The competition is free and open to the public.

HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, a new musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, written by Todd Kreidler, directed by Kenny Leon, will begin performances on May 26, 2014 and open June 19, 2014 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street).

Malcolm-Jamal Warner makes his D.C.-area theater debut as Dr. John Prentice in Todd Kreidler's stage adaptation of GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER directed by David Esbjornson. Warner first rose to national prominence appearing as Theo in the television series THE COSBY SHOW. His work on the show garnered him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He is not only a seasoned actor, but an accomplished musician, director and producer. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER runs through January 5, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage. Below, check out a look back at the opening night festivities!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is a thought-provoking play that challenges us by asking pointed questions regarding equality and love in a heart-warming production at Arena Stage.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner will make his D.C.-area theater debut as Dr. John Prentice in Todd Kreidler's stage adaptation of GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER directed by Kenny Leon (Arena's every tongue confess and Stick Fly). Warner first rose to national prominence appearing as Theo in the television series THE COSBY SHOW. His work on the show garnered him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He is not only a seasoned actor, but an accomplished musician, director and producer. GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER runs tonight, November 29, 2013 - January 5, 2014 in the Fichandler Stage.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson fills in for the playwright in a captivating evening of remembrances August Wilson created for himself.

Signature Theatre presents the New York Premiere of August Wilson's How I Learned What I Learned, co-conceived with and directed by Todd Kreidler, in collaboration with and featuring Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The show opened last night, November 24 in The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues), and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big opening below!