Vineyard Theatre News

Today in 2003 Avenue Q opened at the John Golden Theatre, where it ran for 2534 performances. Avenue Q was conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who wrote the music and lyrics. The book was written by Jeff Whitty and the show was directed by Jason Moore. Avenue Q is an 'autobiographical and biographical' coming-of-age parable, addressing and satirizing the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. It opened Off-Broadway in March 2003, co-produced by The New Group and the Vineyard Theatre, and later won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and spawned Las Vegas and West End productions, two national tours, and a variety of international productions.

Casting is now complete for the world premiere of TAIL! SPIN!, a 'hilarious and heartbreaking verbatim reenactment of the preposterous sex scandals that brought down Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, Former U.S. Congressman Anthony Wiener of New York, Former U.S. Congressman Mark Foley of Florida, and Former U.S. Senator Larry Craig of Idaho.'

THE PERFORMERS -- a new comedy by David West Read (THE DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY) -- will open on Broadway this fall with a cast starring Cheyenne Jackson, Ari Graynor, Daniel Breaker, Jenni Barber and Henry Winkler, it has been announced by the play's producers Robyn Goodman, Scott M. Delman and Amanda Lipitz.

Written to honor the walking wounded following the war brought on by 9/11, Christopher Shinn's Dying City makes its Sacramento premiere at Capital Stage under the direction of the company's Producing Director, Jonathan Williams and featuring the outstanding cast of Chad Deverman and Lyndsy Kail. The final production of Capital Stage's seventh season, and its first season in its new midtown location, opens tonight, July 21, 2012, with a limited four-week run closing on August 12, 2012.

Tickets for the Broadway Premiere of Grace, the acclaimed American play written by Award-winning writer Craig Wright (Mistakes Were Made, "Six Feet Under") and directed by Dexter Bullard (Tracy Letts' BUG), are now on sale to the general public, via Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.

Heidi Blickenstaff has joined the cast of SING ALONG, alongside Remy Zaken and Patrick Page. Sam Tsui, whose album, 'The Covers' was released on Sh-K-Boom Records, has signed on to replace Levi Kreis due to scheduling conflicts.

The Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre kicks off its new season in August with the West Coast premiere of Chinglish. David Henry Hwang won three Obies and the Tony Award for Best Play with popular scripts like M. Butterfly and FOB. Now he's back with a canny comedy of cross-cultural errors. Two-time Obie-winner Leigh Silverman returns to the Roda Theatre to stage the play.

The Theatre Group at SBCC returns to performing in the beautiful, newly renovated Garvin Theatre with the irreverent musical AVENUE Q, now through July 28, 2012.

The Old Globe presents the West Coast Premiere of Divine Rivalry. Based on a real-life event, the drama about two of history's most famous artists-and one of history's most infamous statesmen-is written by Michael Kramer with D. S. Moynihan. Directed by Michael Wilson, Divine Rivalry runs now through August 5 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run through July 11. Opening night is Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, will present the East coast premiere of The North Pool by Rajiv Joseph, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Directed by Giovanna Sardelli, The North Pool will run July 26 through August 11 at BSC's St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) with an Opening performance on Sunday, July 29 at 3pm. St. Germain Stage is located on the upper level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.

The Broadway production of Nicky Silver's comedy THE LYONS will end its run at the Cort Theatre (138 W. 48 St.) following today's performance, after having played 80 performances and 21 previews. Directed by Mark Brokaw, THE LYONS began previews April 5 and had its official opening night April 23 with a cast starring Tony winners Linda Lavin and Dick Latessa.

The Old Globe today announced that Sean Lyons will play the role of Niccolò Machiavelli in the West Coast Premiere of Divine Rivalry.

The National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today the eight musicals selected to be part of the 24th Annual Festival of New Musicals at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

Since 2006 The Tony Randall Theatrical Fund has distributed over $1Million to more than 50 companies. This year the Fund has announced that it will award general operating support grants to nine exceptional theater companies with a proven track record of artistic excellence and ambitious, mission-driven theater-making. Special consideration this year was given to companies committed to the development of new audiences and the production of relevant work with a social conscience.

Written to honor the walking wounded following the war brought on by 9/11, Christopher Shinn's Dying City makes its Sacramento premiere at Capital Stage under the direction of the company's Producing Director, Jonathan Williams and featuring the outstanding cast of Chad Deverman and Lyndsy Kail. The final production of Capital Stage's seventh season, and its first season in its new midtown location, will open on Saturday, July 21, 2012 with a limited four-week run closing on August 12, 2012.

Due to popular demand, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has announced the extension of the Bay Area premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, the critically acclaimed musical based on a tragic chapter in American history. Tickets are now on sale through Sunday, July 22. Preview performances begin tomorrow, June 21, with opening night scheduled for Wednesday, June 27. Composer John Kander chatted with KGO TV about the production, and you can hear what he had to say below!

Artistic Director Les Waters and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein are have announced that Actors Theatre will present the world premiere of Will Eno's Gnit, directed by Waters, as part of the 37th annual Humana Festival of New American Plays. Performed in the Pamela Brown Auditorium,Gnit begins previews March 15 & 16, opens March 17, 2013 and runs through April 7, 2013. This announcement completes the lineup for the 2012-2013 Brown-Forman Series.