Tony Kushner News

According to The Washington Post, Molly Smith, artistic director of Arena Stage has signed on to direct a production of Eric Coble's THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN on Broadway in the Spring of 2013, a production that'll mark Broadway debuts for both. Lead producer Larry Kaye has said that signed on to star will be Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella.

Few people know the real story of football's most legendary coach, Vince Lombardi. Through his inspirations and passions, he had an ability to drive people to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Arizona Theatre Company's "Lombardi" centers on the iconic Green Bay Packers coach during a pivotal week in 1965. This Southwest premiere production of the Broadway hit plays at the Temple of Music and Art and runs from October 20 - November 10, 2012. It continues its run in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from November 15 - December 2, 2012. "Lombardi" is supported by Opening Night Sponsor, Kate Garner. Arizona Theatre Company Season Sponsors are I. Michael and Beth Kasser.

Jeannie Berlin, Robert Foxworth, Justin Long, Robin Weigert and JoBeth Williams are set for Center Theatre Group's production of the Tony-nominated "Other Desert Cities" by Jon Robin Baitz. Robert Egan directs the West Coast premiere, which starts previews on November 28, 2012, opens December 9 and runs through January 6, 2013.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that tickets are on sale for A Civil War Christmas, written by Paula Vogel and directed by Tina Landau. Performances of this holiday-themed work begin Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at 7pm at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm. A Civil War Christmas is scheduled to run through Sunday, December 30.

It's not often we get to revisit characters and a story from a previous evening at the theatre. Luckily for Philadelphia theatre audiences, The Wilma Theater took on both parts of the epic Angels in America saga by Tony Kushner. The Wilma's Millennium Approaches was a powerful closure to the 2011/12 theatre season. Perestroika kicks off their 2012/13 season with an equally resounding force.

The Public Theater's $40 million revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place will be unveiled October 4 and celebrated through a series of events designed to engage the entire New York community and marking a rededication to its founding principles. The Public Forum - the Company's celebrated new series of lectures, debates, and discussions will mark the rededication with a special series of "Duet" programs, pairing an artist who has been important to the life of The Public and a leading voice from outside the world of theater.

THEATER TALK - Christopher Bram, co-hosted by Michael Riedel of the New York Post and producer Susan Haskins, will premiere at 1 a.m. on Friday, September 28 (2012; early Saturday morning) on Thirteen/PBS, followed in New York City on CUNY TV* Saturday at 8:30 PM, Sunday at 12:30 PM, and Monday at 7:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 7:30 PM.

The multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) presents a world premiere play, THE RED ROOM, written by former WGA President Christopher Knopf and directed by NoHo Arts Center Artistic Director James J. Mellon. THE RED ROOM opens tonight, Friday, September 28 at 8pm and will run for six weeks through Sunday, October 28 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and Columbia University are pleased to announce the establishment of significant theater award, The Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History (EMK Prize). Ambassador Smith has created the Prize to honor the life and legacy of her late brother, Senator Ted Kennedy. The first recipient of the EMK Prize will be announced on Senator Kennedy's birthday, February 22, 2013.

Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and Columbia University have just announced the establishment of significant theater award, The Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History (EMK Prize). Ambassador Smith has created the Prize to honor the life and legacy of her late brother, Senator Ted Kennedy. The first recipient of the EMK Prize will be announced on Senator Kennedy's birthday, February 22, 2013.

Philadelphia Theatre Company was the top winner of this year's Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre with seven awards, the most of any Philadelphia-area theater company. This brings PTC's total number of Barrymore Awards to 53 cumulative wins and 155 nominations.

The Public Theater's $40 million revitalization of its downtown home at Astor Place will be unveiled October 4 and celebrated through a series of events designed to engage the entire New York community and marking a rededication to its founding principles. The Public Forum - the Company's celebrated new series of lectures, debates, and discussions will mark the rededication with a special series of "Duet" programs, pairing an artist who has been important to the life of The Public and a leading voice from outside the world of theater.

Theatre of NOTE continues its 2012 season with the world premiere of POTENTIAL SPACE written by Kirsten Vangsness and directed by Bill Voorhees. POTENTIAL SPACE will preview tonight, September 21st and Saturday, September 22nd, and will open on Friday, September 28th at 8pm and run through Saturday, October 27th at Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd. (just north of Sunset) in Hollywood.

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today that LINCOLN, directed by AFI Life Achievement Award recipient and Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg, and released by DreamWorks Pictures/Twentieth Century Fox, in association with Participant Media, will have its Official World Premiere on Thursday, November 8, as the Closing Night Gala of AFI FEST 2012 presented by Audi.

TINY KUSHNER by Tony Kushner makes its Northwest premiere at New City Theater, Sept. 20 to Oct. 6. Check out new production photos below!