Tony Speciale News

Classic Stage Company has announced that Mirirai Sithole is this year's recipient of the Rosemarie Tichler Fund grant. The Fund was established in 2010 with the mission to assist young actors who have appeared at CSC and who have recently made the transition from their training into the profession. The $3,000 grant can be used by the young artist to continue training or to offset loans they may have incurred while studying their craft. With the grant, CSC hopes to make a difference in the lives of young actors at the start of their careers as well as to heighten awareness in the community to the specific needs of actors. 

Abingdon Theatre Company recently celebrated the opening night of STET, a new play which has extended its Off-Broadway performances through July 10. Written by Kim Davies and developed by Kim Davies, Jocelyn Kuritsky and Tony Speciale, STET is produced in association with The Muse Project.  Artistic Director Tony Speciale directs the world-premiere drama inspired by the Rolling Stone article 'A Rape on Campus.'

Abingdon Theatre Company, in association The Muse Project, announces a week-long extension of STET, with Off-Broadway performances now running through July 10.

Abingdon Theatre Company, in association with The Muse Project, presents STET is a new play inspired by the Rolling Stone article 'A Rape on Campus,' written by Kim Davies and developed by Kim Davies, Jocelyn Kuritsky and Artistic Director Tony Speciale. Opening is set for June 23. Tickets are now on sale through July 3. Tony Speciale is set to direct the Off-Broadway production, marking his inaugural programming as Artistic Director.

?Abingdon Theatre Company, in association with The Muse Project, announces talkbacks following the performances of STET on Sunday, June 26 at 2pm; Tuesday, June 28 at 7pm; and Thursday, June 30 at 7pm. Written by Kim Davies and developed by Kim Davies, Jocelyn Kuritsky and Tony Speciale, STET is a new play inspired by the Rolling Stone article 'A Rape on Campus.' Artistic Director Tony Speciale directs the world premiere, marking his first programming as Artistic Director.

Michael C. Hall will headline a one-night night only reading of Will Eno's play GNIT, adapted from Henrik Ibsen's PEER GYNT Monday evening, June 20 at 7 pm at CSC (136 East 13th Street) as part of the theater's FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL IBSEN, presented in conjunction with the company current production of PEER GYNT, directed by John Doyle and runs through this Sunday, June 19.

Gary DiMauro, Therese Steiner, and Showstoppers NY present a special engagement of I LOVED LUCY, Lee Tannen's loving and candid play about his friendship with Lucille Ball, on Thursday, July 21 at 8pm at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). Direct from the play's critically acclaimed London premiere at the Jermyn Street Theatre, Sandra Dickinson reprises her celebrated performance as Lucy. Jermyn Street Theatre's Artistic Director Anthony Biggs is set to direct.

Rehearsals have begun for STET, a new play inspired by true events, by Kim Davies (author of Smoke) and directed by Artistic Director Tony Speciale (director of The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey). Check out photos below!

In honor of NYC Pride 2016, 92Y presents a one-night-only performance of The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, the award-winning play written and performed by James Lecesne, directed by Tony Speciale, with original music by Spring Awakening's Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik. The play has scenic design by Jo Winiarski, lighting design by Matt Richards, sound design by Christian Frederickson, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, original animation & photography by Matthew Sandager, and costumes by Paul Marlow.

Diversionary Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow, presents the daring new musical The Boy Who Danced On Air with Book and Lyrics by Charlie Sohne, Music by Tim Rosser, featuring direction by Tony Speciale, choreography by Nejla Yatkin, and musical direction by Cris O' Bryon.  

Abingdon Theatre Company, in association with The Muse Project, will present STET, a new play inspired by true events, written by Kim Davies and developed by Kim Davies, Jocelyn Kuritsky and Artistic Director Tony Speciale. A limited Off-Broadway engagement will begin previews on June 11, as part of Abingdon's 2015-2016 Season, with an official press opening scheduled for June 23. Tickets are now on sale through July 3. Tony Speciale is set to direct the world-premiere production, which marks his inaugural programming as Artistic Director.

Diversionary Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow, presents the daring new musical The Boy Who Danced On Air with Book and Lyrics by Charlie Sohne, Music by Tim Rosser, featuring direction by Tony Speciale, choreography by Nejla Yatkin, and musical direction by Cris O' Bryon.  

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the artist lineup for Curtain Up!, Bay Street's 5th Annual Spring Benefit honoring Ana R. Daniel at Joe's Pub in New York City on Monday, May 9. Curtain Up! will be hosted by Bay Street's Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz.

Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today that Hartford Stage's 2016-17 season will include Queens for a Year by T.D. Mitchell, The Piano Lesson by August Wilson, The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare and The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by James Lecesne.

Bay Street Theater will welcome THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY as a Special Mainstage Bonus Production this summer. The one-man play will run one week only from July 18 through July 24.

Diversionary Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow, presents the daring new musical The Boy Who Danced On Air with Book and Lyrics by Charlie Sohne, Music by Tim Rosser, featuring direction by Tony Speciale, choreography by Nejla Yatkin, and musical direction by Cris O' Bryon.  

Actor/Playwright James Lecesne will be presenting a reading of his new play THE MOTHER OF INVENTION in a benefit reading to support the work of The Alzheimer's Family Support Center of Cape Cod. Directed by Tony Speciale, the reading will take place on April 25, 2016 at 7 p.m. at The Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, NYC), featuring Linda Lavin, Susie Pourfar, Alfredo Narciso, Isabella Russo and Dale Soules.

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is thrilled to announce its 2016-2017 season of shows! Comments Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, 'It's truly one of our most diverse, wildly entertaining and thrilling seasons ever. Our subscribers and audiences are going to love each of these theatrical journeys.' This summer is going to jailhouse rock as you dance to your favorite Elvis songs in ALL SHOOK UP, you can't help falling in love with this jukebox musical; followed by BILLY & RAY which tells the behind the scenes story of Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder as they nearly kill each other making 'Double Indemnity', directed by Michael Matthews; the new year starts with the unexpected love storyCHAPATTI; Hershey Felder returns as master pianist TCHAIKOVSKY; then another musical genius hits our stage with the world premiere musical KING OF THE ROAD: THE ROGER MILLER STORY, directed by Andrew Barnicle; and we complete our season with the extraordinary THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY. Add in a special engagement from Lythgoe Family Productions of SLEEPING BEAUTY and her WINTER KNIGHT Panto and you have one of the finest seasons in our nearly 100 year history!

Abingdon Theatre Company, located in Manhattan's Garment District, announces that Associate Artistic Director Kim T. Sharp is departing after a 16-year association with the company. Sharp will pursue theatre projects he has nurtured and explore further literary and management opportunities.

The women took the center stage last night at The Ladies Who Sing Sondheim- a gala benefit for Off-Broadway's esteemed Classic Stage Company. The evening was and directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, who will become the company's new Artistic Director in July.  The evening included performances from Sondheim's canon by Patti LuPone (Gypsy), Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple), Joaquina Kalukango (The Color Purple), Judy Kuhn (Fun Home, CSC's Passion), Marin Mazzie (Kiss Me, Kate) and Alexandra Silber(Fiddler on the Roof). Check out photos from the epic night below!