Awake and Sing! 1939 - Articles Page 16

In what can be labeled a 'First,' the New Jewish Theatre is proud to boast that the director for the upcoming production of Clifford Odet's 1935 classic AWAKE AND SING! is Steve Woolf, Artistic Director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. While Woolf does direct outside of the Rep, he does not direct for other theatres in the St. Louis area. So this is a genuine First for both Woolf and the New Jewish Theatre. Most recently outside of the Rep, Mr. Woolf directed THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre (and then went on to direct the Rep's production of the same show). But the upcoming production at NJT was a show that he could not resist. Its realism and grittiness and the strength of the characters appealed to him.

Making its Midwest premiere in the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W. and Dr. Bob is an inspirational, gripping and timely story about the men and their wives whose relationships pioneered the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous and the creation of Al-Anon.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced plans to produce BLOOD AND GIFTS , a new play by J.T. Rogers, to be directed by Bartlett Sher, this fall in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater Previews begin Thursday, October 27. Opening night is Monday, November 21. The production's cast of 13 and design team will be announced at a later date.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues their 23rd anniversary season with Edward Kemp's adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita, directed by Louis Contey, February 24 - April 2, at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N Broadway.

The Hollywood reporter talked to fellow Barbra Streisand MusiCares performers, Kristin Chenoweth and Darren Criss about whether they felt Lea Michele could handle the part. Their answers? Darren Criss said 'Maybe one day, Lea has many years ahead of her. She's very young and has all the time in the world.'

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced principal casting for the Globe's 2011 Shakespeare Festival, performed in repertory in the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Broadway producer Bob Boyett is endeavoring to revive FUNNY GIRL on Broadway with famed director Bartlet Sher (South Pacific, Awake and Sing, Light in the Piaza) at the helm. The pair are currently planning a six week out-of-town tryout in late 2011 in preparation for a swift Broadway transfer later that season, according to the report. This would be the first revival of the show on Broadway. Boyett currently secures the rights.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues their 23rd anniversary season with Edward Kemp's adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita, directed by Louis Contey, February 24 - April 2, at the Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N Broadway.

Beginning Saturday, January 8, L.A. Theatre Works' Radio Theatre Series will air Awake and Sing! by Clifford Odets, starring Mark Ruffalo, Jane Kaczmarek, Ben Gazzara, Richard Kind, Emily Bergl, Peter Smith, Jonathan Hadary, Peter Kybart and Raphael Sbarge.

Beginning Saturday, January 8, L.A. Theatre Works' Radio Theatre Series will air Awake and Sing! by Clifford Odets, starring Mark Ruffalo, Jane Kaczmarek, Ben Gazzara, Richard Kind, Emily Bergl, Peter Smith, Jonathan Hadary, Peter Kybart and Raphael Sbarge.

The deadline is almost here! Monday, December 20, 2010, is the final date you can cast your vote for the first ever Theatre Fans' Choice Awards from BroadwayWorld Chicago. We're honoring productions which opened between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 with awards in 25 categories, all voted on by you!

Welcome to 99 AND UNDER THE RADAR: A LOOK AT INDIE THEATER'S MOVERS AND SHAKERS, BroadwayWorld's new weekly series that showcases standout productions and production companies from the independent theater scene in New York City. Each week, independent producer Michael Roderick will be discussing the latest goings on in the theatrical wings, highlighting those with potentially bright futures. This Week's Topic: Getting to the 'Source' of the Indie Theatre Community.

As The Prince of Homburg opens at the Donmar, Michael Grandage, the company's Artistic Director announces a major expansion to the run of his forthcoming production of King Lear, which will see the company tour nationally, and will be broadcast to over 22 countries worldwide in collaboration with National Theatre Live.

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, Broadway producer Bob Boyett is endeavoring to revive FUNNY GIRL on Broadway with famed director Bartlet Sher (South Pacific, Awake and Sing, Light in the Piaza) at the helm. The pair are currently planning a six week out-of-town tryout in late 2011 in preparation for a swift Broadway transfer later that season, according to the report. This would be the first revival of the show on Broadway. Boyett currently secures the rights.

MTV.com reports that Mark Ruffalo ('The Kids Are All Right,' AWAKE AND SING!) has signed on to play 'Ned Weeks' in Larry Kramer's film adaptation of his play THE NORMAL HEART. 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy is reported to be involved, though it is unclear whether he is producing or directing. A production schedule and release date have not yet been announced.

The new York Times reports today that Broadway producer Bob Boyett is endeavoring to revive FUNNY GIRL on Broadway with famed director Bartlet Sher (South Pacific, Awake and Sing, Light in the Piaza) at the helm. The pair are currently planning a six week out-of-town tryout in late 2011 in preparation for a swift Broadway transfer later that season, according to the report. This would be the first revival of the show on Broadway. Boyett currently secures the rights.

Casting is complete for Goodman Theatre's Chicago-premiere production of Tracey Scott Wilson's The Good Negro, directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith. Wilson and Smith have tapped nine actors to bring this historical drama to the Albert stage, including Karen Aldridge (Goodman's The Cook; Proof); Teagle F. Bougere (Broadway's A Raisin in the Sun; The Tempest); Tory O. Davis (Goodman's Magnolia); John Hoogenakker (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Shakespeare's Othello); Billy Eugene Jones (Broadway's Passing Strange; Radio Golf); Nambi Kelley (Goodman's Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Victory Gardens' The Lost Boys of Sudan); Demetrios Troy (Northlight's Awake and Sing; Chicago Shakespeare's Richard III); Dan Waller (Goodman's Ghostwritten; Talking Pictures) and Mick Weber (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Theatre's Shear Madness). The production will run from May 1 - June 6, 2010.

Zoe Wanamaker and David Suchet will star in the Apollo Theatre's production of ALL MY SONS. The play, by Arthur Miller, will begin May 27th, 2010 and is directed by Olivier award winner Howard Davies. Davies won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director for his work on ALL MY SONS on the West End. Wanamaker will play Kate Keller, while Suchet will play the husband, Joe Keller. Additional casting is yet to be announced.

A Noise Within (ANW) ends run of AWAKE AND SING!, an American classic by CLIFFORD ODETS, Sunday, May 23, 2010 (previews begin Saturday, March 13), directed by Andrew J. Traister. Featuring veteran actor Len Lesser (Jacob), who is well known to contemporary audiences at Seinfeld's 'Uncle Leo' and highly regarded ANW Resident Artists Deborah Strang (Bessie Berger) and Joel Swetow (Myron Berger), the play also features Alan Blumenfeld (Uncle Morty), Molly Leland (Hennie Berger), David Lengel (Sam Feinschreiber), Daniel Reichert (Moe Axelrod), Adam Silver (Ralph Berger) and Alan Waserman (Schlosser).

The Midwest premiere of Bill W. and Dr. Bob is an inspirational, gripping and timely story about the men and their wives whose relationships pioneered the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous and the creation of Al-Anon. The production will close May 2nd.

Casting is complete for Goodman Theatre's Chicago-premiere production of Tracey Scott Wilson's The Good Negro, directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith. Wilson and Smith have tapped nine actors to bring this historical drama to the Albert stage, including Karen Aldridge (Goodman's The Cook; Proof); Teagle F. Bougere (Broadway's A Raisin in the Sun; The Tempest); Tory O. Davis (Goodman's Magnolia); John Hoogenakker (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Shakespeare's Othello); Billy Eugene Jones (Broadway's Passing Strange; Radio Golf); Nambi Kelley (Goodman's Crumbs from the Table of Joy; Victory Gardens' The Lost Boys of Sudan); Demetrios Troy (Northlight's Awake and Sing; Chicago Shakespeare's Richard III); Dan Waller (Goodman's Ghostwritten; Talking Pictures) and Mick Weber (Goodman's Rock 'n' Roll; Chicago Theatre's Shear Madness). The production will run from May 1 - June 6, 2010.

The cast of The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will sing the national anthem at the Saturday, April 10, 2010 Mets game at Citi Field in Flushing, New York.

The cast of The Fantasticks, the world's longest-running musical, will sing the national anthem at the Saturday, April 10, 2010 Mets game at Citi Field in Flushing, New York. The performance, which is in recognition of the show's 50th anniversary Off Broadway, is part of Jack Lang Day, named in honor of the beloved Hall of Fame sportswriter who covered the Mets for twenty-five years and who died in 2007.

Making its Midwest premiere in the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W. and Dr. Bob is an inspirational, gripping and timely story about the men and their wives whose relationships pioneered the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous and the creation of Al-Anon.

The Public Theater has announced additional casting for the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif, and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, in repertory June 9-August 1.