Trent Dawson News

For many Americans - okay, white suburban middle classers into traditional gender roles - the 1950s was an idyllic time when the country could rest easily with our post-war status as the world's super-power before the internal unrest of the 60s began exposing the ugly imperfections.  For stressed out, caffeinated 21st Century urbanites, a trip to the world depicted in period sitcoms like Father Knows Best and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet or the nostalgic recreation, Happy Days, might offer a welcome mental vacation to a less-complicated era of structured roles and lower expectations.  Or perhaps even a permanent lifestyle change.

No matter how early you enter the house for New York Theatre Workshop's production of Once, the play is already well underway.  Most of the thirteen-member ensemble, all of whom play musical instruments, seem to have long been gathered inside designer Bob Crowley's cozy Dublin pub, playing traditional folk songs, dancing a bit and singing their hearts out.  The festive mood resembles the kind of improvised jam session you might luckily stumble upon some night and never want to leave, especially since audience members are welcome to join them on stage, purchase a drink or two and linger a while.

In MAPLE AND VINE, Katha (Marin Ireland) and Ryu (Peter Kim) have become allergic to their 21st-century lives. After they meet a charismatic man from a community of 1950s re-enactors, they forsake cell phones and sushi for cigarettes and Tupperware parties. In this compulsively authentic world, Katha and Ryu are surprised by what their new neighbors - and they themselves - are willing to sacrifice for happiness. Check out production shots from the show below!

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) begins accepting entries today, Wednesday, November 9, for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to the New York premiere of MAPLE AND VINE, a new play by Jordan Harrison (Doris to Darlene at Playwrights Horizons, Amazons and Their Men, Kid-Simple), directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman (The Thugs, Stunning, Naked Angels' This Wide Night, Mr. Harrison's Act a Lady).

In MAPLE AND VINE, Katha (Marin Ireland) and Ryu (Peter Kim) have become allergic to their 21st-century lives. After they meet a charismatic man from a community of 1950s re-enactors, they forsake cell phones and sushi for cigarettes and Tupperware parties. In this compulsively authentic world, Katha and Ryu are surprised by what their new neighbors - and they themselves - are willing to sacrifice for happiness.

Three time Emmy Award nominee Colleen Zenk who played Barbara Ryan on As The World Turns for 32 years will make the New York City debut of her new one-woman cabaret show aptly titled COLLEEN ZENK: Still Sassy! The show will premiere at Feinstein's on October 30th and November 6th at 8:30PM.

Three time Emmy Award nominee Colleen Zenk who played Barbara Ryan on As The World Turns for 32 years will make the New York City debut of her new one-woman cabaret show aptly titled COLLEEN ZENK: Still Sassy! The show will premiere at Feinstein's on October 30th and November 6th at 8:30PM.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) announces complete casting for the New York premiere of MAPLE AND VINE, a new play by Jordan Harrison (Doris to Darlene at Playwrights Horizons, Amazons and Their Men, Kid-Simple).

On Monday September 19, 2011, the IT Awards (New York Innovative Theatre Awards), the organization dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, and host comedian Harrison Greenbaum, announced the 2011 recipients at the Seventh Annual IT Awards Ceremony at Cooper Union. This year's nominees represent 169 individual artists, 55 productions and 45 theatre companies. In 2011, the IT Awards had the most individual nominees than in any previous season with 169 nominees.

On Monday, August 1, 2011, The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, the organization dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, announced the 2011 nominees at its annual sold-out event at the Carmine Street Recreation Center located at 25 Carmine Street.

Durang's merciless satire on psychiatrists is still strong after 30 years.

In an effort to make theater more accessible for early-career and younger patrons, Westport Country Playhouse is introducing a $25 ticket price for patrons aged 35 and under for all Friday evening performances during its 2011 season.

Opening its 2011 season and its 80th birthday year, Westport Country Playhouse will stage comic master Christopher Durang's 'Beyond Therapy,' directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, April 26 through May 14.

Opening its 2011 season and its 80th birthday year, Westport Country Playhouse will stage comic master Christopher Durang's "Beyond Therapy," directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, April 26 through May 14.

In an effort to make theater more accessible for early-career and younger patrons, Westport Country Playhouse is introducing a $25 ticket price for patrons aged 35 and under for all Friday evening performances during its 2011 season.

Opening its 2011 season and its 80th birthday year, Westport Country Playhouse will stage comic master Christopher Durang's "Beyond Therapy," directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, April 26 through May 14.