Kathleen Early

Today, South Coast Repertory announced the actors cast for four new-play readings as part of SCR's Pacific Playwrights Festival, which runs April 25-27. Single and packaged tickets are available online at www.scr.org.

'Unseen' is the newest thriller in New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author Karin Slaughter's explosive Will Trent series. In an interview with Downpour.com, Slaughter talks about 'Unseen,' main character Will Trent, insights behind the storyline, her research and setting the series in Georgia. 'Unseen' is book eight in Slaughter's series and is already a New York Times bestseller within weeks of its release; with a thrilling story of fierce intensity, shifting allegiances and shocking twists. The audiobook format of 'Unseen' is narrated by Kathleen Early, published by AudioGO, and available now on Downpour.com.

British playwright Alan Ayckbourn's amusing 1972 comedy ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR--which celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year--is currently eliciting chuckles through October 7 at South Coat Repertory in Costa Mesa. Though very much a product of its era, the three-act play directed by SCR co-founding Artistic Director David Emmes still succeeds in mining genuine laughs thanks to its mixed bag of sharp one-liners, humorous (if clichéd) visual gags, and a stupendously gifted cast.

This year marks the 40th anniversary for Alan Ayckbourn's first big hit, Absurd Person Singular.

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of the Bard's most joyous comedies, and director Mark Rucker is taking that joy and running with it in South Coast Repertory's moon-drenched production, which runs Jan. 21 through Feb. 20 on the Segerstrom Stage.

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of the Bard's most joyous comedies, and director Mark Rucker is taking that joy and running with it in South Coast Repertory's moon-drenched production, which runs Jan. 21 through Feb. 20 on the Segerstrom Stage.

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is one of the Bard's most joyous comedies, and director Mark Rucker is taking that joy and running with it in South Coast Repertory's moon-drenched production, which runs Jan. 21 through Feb. 20 on the Segerstrom Stage.

Between the Southern California arrivals of Lincoln Center Theatre's impressive SOUTH PACIFIC revival and the Tony-winning NEXT TO NORMAL tour starring Alice Ripley, to the incredibly entertaining offerings from regional and smaller theaters in the area, 2010 was a banner year in musicals and plays.

Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or the vibrator play will heat up South Coast Repertory's Julianne Argyros Stage Sept. 26 through Oct. 17. The Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee is set in the Victorian era, just before its corseted women shed their inhibitions. Dr. Givings (Andrew Borba) is having tremendous success with a new electric invention designed to alleviate the symptoms of 'female hysteria.' But the noises in the adjoining room spark the curiosity of his wife, Catherine (Kathleen Early), a lonely new mother eager for intimacy. Her investigation into the doctor's work leads to friendships with a couple of patients, the high-strung Sabrina Daldry (Rebecca Mozo) and the artist Leo Irving (Ron Menzel), and ultimately to a new relationship with her husband.

Summary: Hands down one of the funniest new plays I've seen this year, IN THE NEXT ROOM, or THE VIBRATOR PLAY--with performances continuing through October 17 at the Julianne Argyros Stage--is a giddy, poignant, and often witty modern comedy that was a finalist for this year's Pulitzer Prize. Fresh off its recent Tony Award-nominated production at the Lincoln Center Theatre, this new production of Sarah Ruhl's charming play commissioned by South Coast Repertory is an intellectually satisfying comedy that's surprisingly classy and sophisticated, yet wholly sweet and approachable.

The Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY by Sarah Ruhl will heat up South Coast Repertory's Julianne Argyros Stage Sept. 26 through Oct. 17.

The Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY by Sarah Ruhl will heat up South Coast Repertory's Julianne Argyros Stage Sept. 26 through Oct. 17.

Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or the vibrator play will heat up South Coast Repertory's Julianne Argyros Stage Sept. 26 through Oct. 17. The Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee is set in the Victorian era, just before its corseted women shed their inhibitions. Dr. Givings (Andrew Borba) is having tremendous success with a new electric invention designed to alleviate the symptoms of 'female hysteria.' But the noises in the adjoining room spark the curiosity of his wife, Catherine (Kathleen Early), a lonely new mother eager for intimacy. Her investigation into the doctor's work leads to friendships with a couple of patients, the high-strung Sabrina Daldry (Rebecca Mozo) and the artist Leo Irving (Ron Menzel), and ultimately to a new relationship with her husband.

The Neighborhood Playhouse's highly anticipated revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF begins performances July 9, running through July 26. Reserved tickets are $22-28 and are available by calling 1.800.595.4849 or online at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net

The Neighborhood Playhouse offers a sneak peak at its revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF running July 9-26. Reserved tickets are $22-28 and are available by calling 1.800.595.4849 or online at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net

Kathleen Early* will step into the iconic role of Maggie the Cat' Pollitt in the Los Angeles revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at the Neighborhood Playhouse, running July 9-26.

The Neighborhood Playhouse's highly anticipated revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF begins performances July 9, running through July 26. Reserved tickets are $22-28 and are available by calling 1.800.595.4849 or online at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net

The Neighborhood Playhouse offers a sneak peak at its revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF running July 9-26. Reserved tickets are $22-28 and are available by calling 1.800.595.4849 or online at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net

Kathleen Early* will step into the iconic role of Maggie the Cat' Pollitt in the Los Angeles revival of Tennessee Williams's CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at the Neighborhood Playhouse, running July 9-26.

The national tour of the award-winning Edward Albee's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' hits San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre April 11 (opening April 13) with performances through May 12.