FLASH FRIDAY: A Christopher Plummer Celebration
by Pat Cerasaro - Jun 8, 2012
Today we are shining a light on one of the most respected and revered stage and screen stars of the last several decades who is known the world over for not only his stirring and commanding dramatic performances and touching and rib-tickling comedies on film, but also for his iconic roles on the stage playing Shakespeare, and, perhaps most of all, for his essaying of Captain Von Trapp in the celebrated Robert Wise film adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning THE SOUND OF MUSIC - the elegant, graceful and eminently gifted Christopher Plummer. Looking back at a career spanning nearly seven decades, today we will focus on Plummer's most important and most fondly remembered roles to date - ranging from Sidney Lumet's STAGE STRUCK in 1958 to his Shakespeare stage work, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER, TV's THE THORN BIRDS, and, of course, his Academy Award-winning turn in last year's BEGINNERS - with a look ahead to the exceptionally enticing new Fathom in-cinema presentation of Des McAnuff's Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of THE TEMPEST starring Plummer as Prospero, in movie theaters nationwide on June 14 - what the 83-year-old actor has promised will be his final Shakespeare performance onstage. So, if there were ever a time to take a look back at one of the most remarkable Broadway/Hollywood crossover stars of the last century or the current one as he reaches yet another peek in a career populated with many highs, now is certainly the time! After all, as the oldest Oscar-winner to date, a midsummer night's dream has evidently quite quickly turned to a winter's tale - but with sound and fury signifying much, as we will see.
Denis O'Hare to Play The Baker in Public Theater's INTO THE WOODS!
by Robert Diamond - May 31, 2012
The Public Theater announced today that Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare has been cast as The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS, directed by Timothy Sheader with co-direction by Liam Steel. INTO THE WOODS will be O'Hare's Shakespeare in the Park debut. Previews begin on Monday, July 23 at the Delacorte Theater and continue for five weeks through Saturday, August 25, with an official press opening on Thursday, August 9.
Tickets Go on Sale for Edward Hall's CHARIOTS OF FIRE West End Transfer
by James T Harding - May 30, 2012
Almost 17,000 stadium seats go on sale today (30 May 2012) for the West End transfer of Chariots of Fire. Following its sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, Edward Hall's production will open at the Gielgud Theatre on 23 June 2012 where it is currently booking to 10 November 2012. Inspired by Colin Welland's original screenplay, award-winning playwright Mike Bartlett's new adaptation is based on the true story of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams' inspirational tale of hope, honour and belief.
Judi Dench on the Importance of Shakespeare in Schools
by Nicole Rosky - May 24, 2012
In a recent interview with BBC, Dame Judi Dench chatted about the importance of teaching Shakespeare in schools. Dench commented: ' I would like to be doing a Shakespeare play every single night, and I do try to say a sonnet every day... Either it gives you goosebumps or it doesn't, and I heard this morning that some schools have stopped doing Shakespeare on the school curriculum.'
Stratford Shakespeare Festival to Host Shakespeare Symposium, 6/2
by Kelsey Denette - May 23, 2012
The Festival celebrates 60 years of excellence with a special symposium that will feature influential theatre artists and intellectuals in discussion about how Shakespeare's work lends itself to a broad range of media, interpretations and settings. The event will be held at the Studio Theatre on June 2.
Meryl Streep & Kevin Kline Reunite in ROMEO & JULIET for The Public Theater's 50th Anniversary Gala, 6/18
by Jessica Lewis - Apr 17, 2012
In honor and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater, The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will hold a special one-night-only gala event on Monday, June 18, featuring Kevin Kline as Romeo and Meryl Streep as Juliet in a star-studded staged reading of ROMEO AND JULIET, directed by Daniel Sullivan. For information on tickets for The Public Theater's Anniversary Gala, please call (212) 539-8547 or visit www.shakespeareinthepark.org.
Judi Dench Signs Up for John Logan Play in The West End - Bway in 2013?
by James T Harding - Apr 11, 2012
Dame Judi Dench has signed up to act in the West End once more this fall in a new play by John Logan. British actor Ben Whishaw is also slated for the cast, while Michael Grandage will direct. The show will move to Broadway if it is successful enough in London, according to today's New York Post.
First Stars Announced for INTO THE WOODS in Central Park; Additional Casting for AS YOU LIKE IT Revealed
by Jessica Lewis - Mar 28, 2012
The Public Theater has announced additional casting today for the 50th Anniversary season of free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte. David Furr (Orlando) and Stephen Spinella (Jaques) join the previously announced MacIntyre Dixon (Adam), Renee Elise Goldsberry (Celia), Omar Metwally (Oliver), and Lily Rabe (Rosalind) in Shakespeare's comedy AS YOU LIKE IT, directed by Daniel Sullivan.
Actress Judi Dench Diagnosed With Severe Eye Condition
by Jennie Mamary - Feb 19, 2012
According to the Washington Post, actress Judi Dench said that she has been diagnosed with an eye condition called macular degeneration. The condition can cause blindness. The actress said that she already had bad vision and had difficulty reading scripts.
Photo Flash: First Look at Old Globe's SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 6, 2012
The Old Globe today announced principal casting for the Globe's 2012 Shakespeare Festival. Craig Noel Award winner Jay Whittaker returns to the Festival for his third consecutive season to appear in the title role of William Shakespeare's Richard III. He will also appear as Oliver in Shakespeare's As You Like It. Also returning to the Festival are Craig Noel Award winner Robert Foxworth and Adrian Sparks, who will take to the courtroom floor as titanic lawyers Henry Drummond and Matthew Harrison Brady, respectively, in the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee classic Inherit the Wind. Foxworth, an Old Globe Associate Artist, will also play Lord Hastings in Richard III, and Sparks will play Lord Mayor of London in Richard III and Corin in As You Like It. Festival veteran Dana Green will star as Rosalind, and Dan Amboyer, new to the Festival stage, will play Orlando, the object of her affections, in As You Like It. Green will also play Queen Elizabeth in Richard III. Amboyer will also be featured as Bertram Cates in Inherit the Wind and the Earl of Richmond in Richard III. Festival newcomer Jacques C. Smith will play Jacques in As You Like It, the Duke of Buckingham in Richard III and Mr. Meeker in Inherit the Wind. Adrian Noble returns for his third outing as Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Festival and will helm As You Like It and Inherit the Wind. Renowned British director Lindsay Posner makes his debut at the Globe with his production of Richard III. Noble recently directed the World Premiere stage version of The King's Speech, which is currently touring England, and Posner's hit revival of Noises Off is currently playing at London's Old Vic and will transfer to the West End in March. The 2012 Shakespeare Festival, performed in repertory in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, runs June 3 - Sept. 30, 2012.
Official: INTO THE WOODS & AS YOU LIKE IT Set for Shakespeare in the Park; Lily Rabe Set for 'Rosalind'
by Robert Diamond - Jan 26, 2012
BroadwayWorld.com reported the news exclusively on January 9, 2012 and now the The Public Theater has officially announced the line-up for the 50th Anniversary Shakespeare in the Park season at the Delacorte. Daniel Sullivan, who directed acclaimed productions of All's Well That Ends Well, The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night in the Park, will return to direct AS YOU LIKE IT in June with Lily Rabe as Rosalind.
The second show of the 50th Anniversary summer season will be Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS, directed by Timothy Sheader with co-direction by Liam Steel. Based on the Olivier Award-winning Regent's Park Open Air Theatre London production in 2010, The Public Theater's INTO THE WOODS will be an all new production with an American cast and designers and will be staged in one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in the world-the Delacorte Theater. INTO THE WOODS will begin performances at the end of July.
Michael Keegan-Dolan and Enda Walsh Receive 2011 SMU Meadows Prize
by Gabrielle Sierra - Dec 16, 2011
The Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University has selected two Irish artists - choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan and playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh - as the recipients of the third annual Meadows Prize arts residency.
Live Theatre & Soho Theatre to Host Political Panel Debate at Soho Theatre, 11/24
by BWW
News Desk - Nov 24, 2011
Inspired by the forthcoming A WALK ON PART, the dramatisation of the critically acclaimed political diaries of former MP Chris Mullin, Live Theatre and Soho Theatre host a panel debate with MPs and artists as they discuss how to change the world; chaired by Channel 4 News Political Correspondent Michael Crick at Soho Theatre on the evening of Thursday 24 November.
La Bohème Returns to the Met in La Bohème 11/18
by BWW
News Desk - Nov 18, 2011
Puccini's La Bohème will return to the Met on November 18 under the baton of Louis Langrée, who will lead his first house performances of Puccini's extraordinarily popular romantic opera.
La Bohème Returns to the Met 11/18
by Gabrielle Sierra - Nov 4, 2011
Puccini's La Bohème will return to the Met on November 18 under the baton of Louis Langrée, who will lead his first house performances of Puccini's extraordinarily popular romantic opera.