William Brown News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. All the scoop from the amazing FWD Theatre Project gala, and 'The Last Unicorn' gets some big backers. Plus concerts by Chita Rivera, Felicia P. Fields, Sierra Boggess and Donna McKechnie, 'Sweeney Todd' on PBS and 'From Here To Eternity' on movie screens, plus the Marriott announces two casts!

Eight veteran actors, directors, writers, choreographers and producers have created FWD Theatre Project ('Festival of Works in Development'), a grass-roots initiative for the discovery, development and delivery of original musical theater to the Chicago community. Artistic Director Amber Mak along with Collective Artistic Associates Justin Brill, Wade Elkins, Michael Gillis, Karen Multer, Steve Multer, Missy Greenburg and Scott Sowinski, have announced LaunchingFWD!, a one-night-only concert event at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, tonight, September 22 at 8 pm (doors open at 6 pmfor food and cocktails).

Eight veteran actors, directors, writers, choreographers and producers have created FWD Theatre Project ("Festival of Works in Development"), a grass-roots initiative for the discovery, development and delivery of original musical theater to the Chicago community. Artistic Director Amber Mak along with Collective Artistic Associates Justin Brill, Wade Elkins, Michael Gillis, Karen Multer, Steve Multer, Missy Greenburg and Scott Sowinski, have announced LaunchingFWD!, a one-night-only concert event at City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, Monday, September 22 at 8 pm (doors open at 6 pmfor food and cocktails).

Award-winning playwright Richard Bean unveils the second of his three world premieres to be staged this year, and renews his collaboration with acclaimed director Max Stafford-Clark for Pitcairn at Chichester, prior to London and a national tour.

How does someone begin to describe Tom Stoppard's triple award winning play Travesties staged at American Players Theatre this August? Spring Green's indoor Touchstone Theatre hosts the devilish, deliriously funny production directed by the renowned William Brown that rotates the ambiance of a carnival, an ordinary home or library, a political convention, an Oscar Wilde play and war zones. Where scenes quickly shift between poignant drama and an evening at Chippendale's completely at Stoppard's discretion to tantalize the audience.

This September the city will be taken back in time to 1914 for the Merseyside First World War Commemoration, a special weekend programme of events to mark the 100 year anniversary since Britain entered in to the First World War, brought by The First World War Commemoration Task Group from Fri 12 – Sun 14 September.

TimeLine Theatre Company is pleased to announce the expansion of its full-time staff with the addition of Dan McArdle as General Manager; the appointment of new Associate Artists, including Chicago-based and soon-to-be Broadway director Kimberly Senior; and the election of new leadership for its Board of Directors, including President John M. Sirek.

Award-winning playwright Richard Bean unveils the second of his three world premieres to be staged this year, and renews his collaboration with acclaimed director Max Stafford-Clark for Pitcairn at Chichester, prior to London and a national tour.

In a tribute to the quintessential wit of Oscar Wilde, Spring Green's American Players Theatre (APT) opens their 2014 season at the Up the Hill Theatre by staging The Importance of Being Earnest. A play often considered one of Wilde's great literary achievements, APT under the direction of William Brown casts the comedic farce as a classical romantic comedy touched by revisiting the affectionate humor between a vintage Laurel and Hardy routine.

Windy City Playhouse, Chicago's newest Equity theater, will premiere in March of 2015. Partnering with Chicago's own Henry Godinez, Chuck Smith, and William Brown, the Playhouse promises to combine high level artistry with highly accessible material. The mission of the new theater is to reinstate live performance as an entertaining and largely social experience. Its first season, featuring four full-length productions, will focus on contemporary, non-musical pieces that embrace a new era of theater audience.

After collaborations in 2012 and 2013 with an all-male cast, Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham's The Men Dancers: From the Horse's Mouth make their return to New York today, May 30 through June 1 in honor of ballet great Frederic Franklin (1914-2013) in what would have been his centenary year. This celebration will take place at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts (3 Spruce Street, between Park Row and Gold Street) and is presented by Pace University.

Charlotte, N.C.

After collaborations in 2012 and 2013 with an all-male cast, Tina Croll and Jamie Cunningham's The Men Dancers: From the Horse's Mouth make their return to New York May 30 through June 1 in honor of ballet great Frederic Franklin (1914-2013) in what would have been his centenary year. This celebration will take place at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts (3 Spruce Street, between Park Row and Gold Street) and is presented by Pace University.

The producers of Bikeman: A 9/11 Play have announced that the production will play its final performance on Sunday March 30 at 3PM. Bikeman will have played total of 61 performances, including 25 previews.

American Players Theatre (APT) announces its 35th Season, June 7 to November 9, 2014, a diverse lineup spanning from Shakespeare to Mamet and helmed by recently appointed Artistic Director Brenda DeVita-the company's first new artistic director in over 20 years. DeVita's season includes the first David Mamet production of the company's history, American Buffalo, and her staging of Joan Didion's memoir The Year of Magical Thinking in APT's intimate 200-seat Touchstone Theatre, alongside such classics as Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and Romeo and Juliet in APT's flagship 1148-seat outdoor amphitheater Up the Hill.

Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the 2014/15 Season, to include Isaac's Eye by Lucas Hnath, directed by Michael Halberstam; The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, directed by Kimberly Senior; and Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley, directed by William Brown.

Marc Agger and William Brown present Bikeman: A 9/11 Play by Thomas F. Flynn based on his acclaimed book. Directed by Michael Bush, Bikeman plays at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street and features Robert Cuccioli, Irungu Mutu, Angela Pierce, Elizabeth Ramos, and Richard Topol. For information, go to www.Bikeman911.com. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

Marc Agger and William Brown present Bikeman: A 9/11 Play by Thomas F. Flynn based on his acclaimed book. Flynn is an Emmy Award-winning CBS reporter who nearly lost his life when the Twin Towers fell. He lived to write about his odyssey in an epic narrative poem that soon became a best seller. Dan Rather called it 'a journey into a modern underworld, and of the escape that made it possible to tell the tale.' Now, this critically acclaimed book has been adapted for the stage directed by Michael Bush. Bikeman features Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli, Irungu Mutu, Angela Pierce, Elizabeth Ramos, and Richard Topol. Opening night is tonight, February 18 at 7PM.

Marc Agger and William Brown proudly present Bikeman: A 9/11 Play by Thomas F. Flynn based on his acclaimed book. Flynn is an Emmy® Award-winning CBS reporter who nearly lost his life when the Twin Towers fell. He lived to write about his odyssey in an epic narrative poem that soon became a best seller. Dan Rather called it 'a journey into a modern underworld, and of the escape that made it possible to tell the tale.' Now, this critically acclaimed book has been adapted for the stage directed by Michael Bush. Bikeman features Tony Award® nominee Robert Cuccioli, Irungu Mutu, Angela Pierce, Elizabeth Ramos, and Richard Topol.

Geva Theatre Center's 2014 Fielding Studio Series continues with Stranded on Earth by Eric Coble and directed by William Brown. The production begins performances on March 6 and runs in the Fielding Nextstage through March 23.