Shelley Butler

Review: THE SMOKER at Contemporary American Theater Festival
by Jack L. B. Gohn - Jul 16, 2026

In the end, this is not so much of a takedown of one specific person as of a way of being a person. To shrink down to that person’s size is to lose out on life. In this good and carefully-written play, D’Amour makes that clear.

Review: THE SMOKER at Contemporary American Theater Festival
by Andrew White - Jul 15, 2026

Lisa D’Amour offers us a fascinating character study in her latest play, The Smoker, and under the empathetic eye of Director Shelley Butler we are invited into the lives of normal people we routinely pass by without a thought. As if by accident we meet our central character, a recovering alcoholic known only as The Smoker (the charming and dissembling Brad Fleischer) and for the rest of the evening we watch as he passes the time out on the sidewalk in front of his apartment building, sharing a smoke with neighbors and chatting with passers-by.

Photos: THE SMOKER, REFUGEE RHAPSODY and More at Contemporary American Theater Festival 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 15, 2026

The Contemporary American Theater Festival launched its 2026 season, featuring five new plays, including four world premieres by Lisa D'Amour, Yussef El Guindi, Beth Kander, and Aurin Squire. See photos!

Video: A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO at La Jolla Playhouse: Jess and Eric Talk
by Michael Major - Jul 2, 2026

La Jolla Playhouse posted a new video for A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, a quiet comedy about a Brooklyn birding group upended by a rare sighting, written by playwright Mat Smart.

Casts Set for New York Stage & Film's 2026 Summer Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 26, 2026

New York Stage & Film has revealed initial casting for its 2026 Summer Season at Marist University and The Bardavon, kicking off with a Benefit Reading of The Maltese Falcon.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival to Present Five New Plays, Four World Premieres, and More in 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2026

The Contemporary American Theater Festival announced full casts and creative teams for its 2026 mainstage season at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W. Va., featuring five new plays, including four world premieres.

Video: First Look at DEAR ALIEN at Alley Theatre
by Joshua Wright - May 27, 2026

Alley Theatre has released first look footage of DEAR ALIEN, the world premiere of Liz Duffy Adams' thought-provoking existential comedy, now playing through May 31, 2026 at the Neuhaus Theatre.

Review: DEAR ALIEN at Alley Theatre
by Brett Cullum - May 15, 2026

This is Sartre for the America of today, and the Alley Theatre kicks it off in grand style in its Neuhaus auditorium below their mainstage.

Photos/Video: DEAR ALIEN At Alley Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 14, 2026

Alley Theatre has released production photos and video from DEAR ALIEN by Liz Duffy Adams. Directed by Shelley Butler, the production stars Dylan Godwin, Melissa Molano, and Brandon Hearnsberger. Performances continue through May 31 in the Neuhaus Theatre.

Deaf West WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND and More Set for New York Stage & Film 2026 Summer Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 13, 2026

New York Stage & Film has unveiled its 2026 Summer Season at Marist University and Bardavon Presents, kicking off with a Benefit Reading of The Maltese Falcon at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, NY.

The South Carolina New Play Festival Will Present 2026 Lineup Featuring World Premiere Musical and New Works
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 31, 2026

The South Carolina New Play Festival will run July 29 through August 9 in Greenville, SC, showcasing new plays and musicals, including the world premiere of THE HOUSE I LIVE IN: JOSH WHITE'S AMERICA.

Full Cast and Creative Team Set for DEAR ALIEN at Alley Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2026

Alley Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team of Dear Alien, directed by Shelley Butler, Liz Duffy Adams. Performances run Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 31 in the Neuhaus Theatre. Tickets are on now sale, starting at $45. 

The South Carolina New Play Festival Reveals New Season
by Stephi Wild - Mar 30, 2026

SC New Play Festival will present its 2026 season, featuring the world premiere of THE HOUSE I LIVE IN: JOSH WHITE'S AMERICA and a staged reading of NIGHT GAME, exploring themes of identity and family. Performances will take place in July and August.

Broadway-Aimed LOCH NESS Will Make World Premiere at Two River Theater In 2027; Full Season Revealed
by Stephi Wild - Mar 25, 2026

The Broadway-aimed new musical Loch Ness will premiere as part of Two River Theater's 2026/2027 season from March 10 – April 4, 2027. Learn more about the full season here!

Photos: THE RESERVOIR Opens and Extends at Atlantic Theater Company
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2026

Atlantic Theater Company has announced an extension for the Off-Broadway debut of The Reservoir, written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler. Plus, check out photos from opening night!

Review Roundup: THE RESERVOIR Opens At Atlantic Theater Company
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 24, 2026

Critics are weighing in on The Reservoir, a play written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler, starring Caroline Aaron, Heidi Armbruster, Noah Galvin, Peter Maloney, Mary Beth Peil, Matthew Saldívar, and Chip Zien.

Video: Watch Highlights from THE RESERVOIR at Atlantic Theater Company
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 19, 2026

You can now get a first look at The Reservoir, being presented in a co-production with Atlantic Theater Company, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Watch in this video!

Photos: Noah Galvin and More in THE RESERVOIR at Atlantic Theater Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 18, 2026

You can now get a first look at production photos of The Reservoir, starring Noah Galvin and more, now playing Off-Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company.

South Carolina New Play Festival 2026 to Debut Production Featuring Drew Gehling
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 28, 2026

The South Carolina New Play Festival will premiere its first full production The House That I Live In; Josh White's America, by Donnetta Lavinia Grays, taking place as part of the fifth anniversary season of the festival.

Video: In Rehearsals with the Cast of THE RESERVOIR
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 25, 2026

Performances begin next month for the Off-Broadway debut of The Reservoir, written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler. Watch in this video as the cast and creative team chats with BroadwayWorld about what the play is all about!