Tony Kushner News

Cherry Lane Theatre's award-winning MENTOR PROJECT will begin its 13th season on February 21 with a production of Elizabeth Rose's RELATIVE PITCH, the first of four new works in 2012 MENTOR PROJECT running February 21 to April 14 at Cherry Lane Studio Theatre (38 Commerce Street in Manhattan).

Theater for the New City, Crystal Field, Executive Artistic Director, proudly announces the world premiere production of Unreachable Eden, a historical drama written and directed by Barbara Kahn, co-directed by Robert Gonzales, Jr., with music by Arthur Abrams. Featuring Zina Anaplioti, Christopher Comeaux, Ben Davis, Claire Epstein, Robert Gonzales, Jr., Gusta Johnson, Franco Pedicini and Steph Van Vlack. Set design by Mark Marcante. Costume design by Carla Gant.

Signature Theatre (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) has announced that performances begin tonight for the world premiere production of Katori Hall's HURT VILLAGE, directed by Patricia McGregor.

The Old Globe's 2011 production of Tracy Letts' drama "August: Osage County" was the leading honoree at the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle's 10th annual Craig Noel Awards ceremony, held Monday at the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, in La Jolla before an audience of more than 450.

Signature Theatre (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) is pleased to announce initial casting for the world premiere production of Katori Hall's HURT VILLAGE, directed by Patricia McGregor.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that NYTW will inaugurate a new public program this season called Casebook. Each season NYTW will designate one of its productions to be a 'case study,' which will allow a general audience unprecedented access to the artists involved in the creation of a new work as it is happening.

Next up in its continuing series Dark Nights, The New Group presents Re-imagining Baal today at 4:00pm.

Powerhouse cast -- led by Greta Oglesby -- begins performance run at Syracuse Stage

Renaissance Theaterworks (RTW) celebrates the 2nd year of its 3-year Diversity Series with NEAT by Charlayne Woodard. RTW Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director Suzan Fete will direct this play featuring UPROOTED Theatre Co-Founder Marti Gobel.

Just four hours north of the great wide way theater is flourishing in central and upstate New York. Albany, Rochester, Syracuse and Ithaca all maintain professional, regional theatres that offer a wide variety of experiences for theatergoers. Here's what's on our radar (and what you can look for reviews of) in the coming months.

Caroline, or Change features a book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and is directed by Marcela Lorca. The music is by Jeanine Tesori. The show is set to run through February 26, 2012.

Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark will host "Backstage at Encores!," a Studio 5 at City Centerevent, on Monday, February 6 at 6:30 pm at City Center. Joining Clark for an informal conversation will be Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel, Tony Award-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick and composer/arranger Jeanine Tesori. Studio Five events take place in the Barbara and David Zalaznick Studio at City Center, 130 West 56th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues).

An unprecedented effort will take place on Sunday, March 11 when New York City's leading theatre companies, including Atlantic Theater Company, Lincoln Center Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop, The Play Company, Playwrights Horizons and The Public Theater, will join forces to present Shinsai: Theaters for Japan, a two performance benefit to raise funds that will go directly to Japanese theater artists devastated by last year's great earthquake (Shinsai). Shinsai: Theaters for Japan, will be performed for two performances only at 3pm and 8pm at the Great Hall at Cooper Union (Seventh Street at Third Avenue).

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, now celebrating its thirty-fourth year. The ten Finalists for the 2011-2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, chosen from over 100 submitted plays, are:

Brandon Victor Dixon had a feeling that one day he would join the ensemble of the iconoclastic musical RENT. He was only 15 years old when the play debuted in 1996, but Dixon, who plays Tom Collins, says RENT still evokes a special enthusiasm from young audiences.

Running February 1-26, Caroline, or Change will be performed in the Archbold Theatre at Syracuse Stage, 820 East Genesee Street.

Next up in its continuing series Dark Nights, The New Group presents Re-imagining Baal on Sunday, February 5 at 4:00pm. Reservations required at seats@thenewgroup.org (space is limited). Suggested donation: $20.