Actor's Playhouse News

The Book of Lambert opened on February 14 and continues through March 1, 2009 in a limited engagement at the historic La MaMa e.t.c. as part of their Black History Month celebration.

Playhouse on the Green, a 54-year-old not-for-profit theater company in residence at a beautiful 228-seat jewel-box theater in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, presents a staged reading of Quitting Time, a new dramatic play by Jack Rushen, on Sunday, February 15 at 7PM. The reading is part of the 'Page to Stage' New Play Reading Series, an ongoing Playhouse program that supports Connecticut playwrights and introduces audiences to their latest creations. An audience talkback with Rushen moderated by 'Page to Stage' Series curator Mark S. Graham takes place following the reading. The cast includes Bob Adrian of New York City, Frank Piazza of Bridgeport, Guy A. Fortte of Bridgeport, Richard Weidlich of Greenwich, and Cindy Hannah of Wilton. Mark S. Graham directs. Quitting Time is the story of Charlie Valesky, a sixty-year-old foreman in a helicopter factory. As his company waits for a stalled government contract, Charlie may lose his job. His workers don't respect him, retirement age is looming, and he is haunted by the memory of his only son who was killed in the World Trade Center. After his wife dies, Charlie's one desperate need is to hold on to his job. As intense feelings of anxiety haunt him, the play asks the question 'Will Charlie ever find peace?' Quitting Time examines the fragility of the 'American Dream', the desperate need we all have for respect, and the powerless feeling of trying in vain to make sense of tragedies we can do very little about.

Playhouse on the Green, a 54-year-old not-for-profit theater company in residence at a beautiful 228-seat jewel-box theater in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, presents a staged reading of Quitting Time, a new dramatic play by Jack Rushen, on Sunday, February 15 at 7PM. The reading is part of the 'Page to Stage' New Play Reading Series, an ongoing Playhouse program that supports Connecticut playwrights and introduces audiences to their latest creations. An audience talkback with Rushen moderated by 'Page to Stage' Series curator Mark S. Graham takes place following the reading. The cast includes Bob Adrian of New York City, Frank Piazza of Bridgeport, Guy A. Fortte of Bridgeport, Richard Weidlich of Greenwich, and Cindy Hannah of Wilton. Mark S. Graham directs. Quitting Time is the story of Charlie Valesky, a sixty-year-old foreman in a helicopter factory. As his company waits for a stalled government contract, Charlie may lose his job. His workers don't respect him, retirement age is looming, and he is haunted by the memory of his only son who was killed in the World Trade Center. After his wife dies, Charlie's one desperate need is to hold on to his job. As intense feelings of anxiety haunt him, the play asks the question 'Will Charlie ever find peace?' Quitting Time examines the fragility of the 'American Dream', the desperate need we all have for respect, and the powerless feeling of trying in vain to make sense of tragedies we can do very little about. This is a free reading, with a suggested contribution of $10. Seating is on a first come, first served basis; no reservations necessary. Playhouse on the Green is located at 177 State Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06604. Free parking is nearby. For information, please visit the newly redesigned website www.playhouseonthegreen.org.

La MaMa e.t.c. proudly presents the World Premiere of The Book of Lambert, written by Tony Award nominated and Obie/Audelco Award winning playwright Leslie Lee. The play, directed by Cyndy A. Marion, features Lucille Lortel and Obie Award winning actor Arthur French, who recently performed on Broadway in Horton Foote's Dividing The Estate. The Book of Lambert runs from February 13th to March 1st, 2009 in a limited engagement at the historic La MaMa e.t.c. as part of their Black History Month celebration. Lambert previews on February 13th and officially opens on February 14th, Valentines Day.

Playhouse on the Green, a 54-year-old not-for-profit theater company in residence at a beautiful 228-seat jewel-box theater in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, presents a staged reading of Quitting Time, a new dramatic play by Jack Rushen, on Sunday, February 15 at 7PM. The reading is part of the 'Page to Stage' New Play Reading Series, an ongoing Playhouse program that supports Connecticut playwrights and introduces audiences to their latest creations. An audience talkback with Rushen moderated by 'Page to Stage' Series curator Mark S. Graham takes place following the reading. The cast includes Bob Adrian of New York City, Frank Piazza of Bridgeport, Guy A. Fortte of Bridgeport, Richard Weidlich of Greenwich, and Cindy Hannah of Wilton. Mark S. Graham directs. Quitting Time is the story of Charlie Valesky, a sixty-year-old foreman in a helicopter factory. As his company waits for a stalled government contract, Charlie may lose his job. His workers don't respect him, retirement age is looming, and he is haunted by the memory of his only son who was killed in the World Trade Center. After his wife dies, Charlie's one desperate need is to hold on to his job. As intense feelings of anxiety haunt him, the play asks the question 'Will Charlie ever find peace?' Quitting Time examines the fragility of the 'American Dream', the desperate need we all have for respect, and the powerless feeling of trying in vain to make sense of tragedies we can do very little about.

Playhouse on the Green, a 54-year-old not-for-profit theater company in residence at a beautiful 228-seat jewel-box theater in the heart of downtown Bridgeport, presents a staged reading of Quitting Time, a new dramatic play by Jack Rushen, on Sunday, February 15 at 7PM. The reading is part of the 'Page to Stage' New Play Reading Series, an ongoing Playhouse program that supports Connecticut playwrights and introduces audiences to their latest creations. An audience talkback with Rushen moderated by 'Page to Stage' Series curator Mark S. Graham takes place following the reading. The cast includes Bob Adrian of New York City, Frank Piazza of Bridgeport, Guy A. Fortte of Bridgeport, Richard Weidlich of Greenwich, and Cindy Hannah of Wilton. Mark S. Graham directs. Quitting Time is the story of Charlie Valesky, a sixty-year-old foreman in a helicopter factory. As his company waits for a stalled government contract, Charlie may lose his job. His workers don't respect him, retirement age is looming, and he is haunted by the memory of his only son who was killed in the World Trade Center. After his wife dies, Charlie's one desperate need is to hold on to his job. As intense feelings of anxiety haunt him, the play asks the question 'Will Charlie ever find peace?' Quitting Time examines the fragility of the 'American Dream', the desperate need we all have for respect, and the powerless feeling of trying in vain to make sense of tragedies we can do very little about. This is a free reading, with a suggested contribution of $10. Seating is on a first come, first served basis; no reservations necessary. Playhouse on the Green is located at 177 State Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 06604. Free parking is nearby. For information, please visit the newly redesigned website www.playhouseonthegreen.org.

La MaMa e.t.c. proudly presents the World Premiere of The Book of Lambert, written by Tony Award nominated and Obie Award winning playwright Leslie Lee. The play, directed by Cyndy A. Marion, features Lucille Lortel and Obie Award winning actor Arthur French, who recently performed on Broadway in Horton Foote's Dividing The Estate. The Book of Lambert runs from February 13th to March 1st, 2009 in a limited engagement at the historic La MaMa e.t.c. as part of their Black History Month celebration. Lambert previews on February 13th and officially opens on February 14th, Valentines Day. Founded by the venerable Ellen Stewart, La MaMa e.t.c. is located at 74A East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue & Bowery in NYC. Performances take place in the First Floor Theatre and run Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm with an added performance on Wed 2/18 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for students and seniors and can be purchased by calling 212-475-7710 or visiting www.LaMaMa.org. The Book of Lambert depicts the lives of six lost souls hiding from society in the subterranean depths of an abandoned NYC subway tunnel. Their leader is Lambert, an African-American man who has been hurt - possibly beyond repair - by his former love, a beautiful Caucasian woman. A bright but disillusioned ex-college professor, Lambert begins writing a prophetic book on life. In an effort to guide and re-focus this wayward flock, Lambert unleashes his own identity issues while coming face to face with the demons of his past. The Book of Lambert is a telling story of how our histories can haunt us, and how we may or may not recover from them.

James Haskins, Managing Director of The Wilma Theater, has been appointed to Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter's newly formed Cultural Advisory Council. A leader in the Philadelphia theater community, Haskins was selected from over two hundred applications and recommendations from leaders in the arts and culture community. Over forty council members were selected to advise Mayor Nutter and Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer as they develop a comprehensive arts and culture strategy for the City of Philadelphia.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Managing Director) is proud to announce that Peter Bartlett (The New Century, The Drowsy Chaperone) will star opposite two-time Tony Award® nominee David Pittu (Is He Dead?, LoveMusik), in the world premiere production of WHAT'S THAT SMELL: THE MUSIC OF JACOB STERLING, featuring original music by Randy Redd.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Managing Director) is proud to announce that Peter Bartlett (The New Century, The Drowsy Chaperone) will star opposite two-time Tony Award® nominee David Pittu (Is He Dead?, LoveMusik), in the world premiere production of WHAT'S THAT SMELL: THE MUSIC OF JACOB STERLING, featuring original music by Randy Redd.

Anthony Rapp (Rent) and Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde) will head the cast of a one-night-only performance of The King Stag, written and directed by Jeremy Dobrish (adapted from the original Carlo Gozzi play) on Monday, March 24 with a 6PM reception and 7:30PM performance at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street) to benefit Resonance Ensemble's 2008 season.

Coyote REP celebrates its second season with the Rising Moon Gala and Fundraiser on November 3 at 8PM, with cocktails, reception and auction at The Players' Club. Entertainment will be provided by award-winning actor John Epperson (aka Lypsinka) and Broadway stars of In the Heights, Mandy Gonzalez and Chris Jackson, followed by a presentation of the 'Moon' Awards.

Meet each of the 10 contestants for the New York Musical Theatre Festival's 2007 'Broadway Idol' competition. 'Broadway Idol,' a talent competition seeking to find the newest musical theatre star presented by NYMF, returns this summer for its second season. Broadway veteran Andrea McArdle hosts this year's competition.

Acclaimed singer and actress Neva Small will bring her one-woman show 'Neva Small: Not Quite an Ingenue' to the Actors Temple Theatre.

The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, a new musical comedy from the creative team of the 12-time Tony Award winning smash The Producers, will open on Broadway November 8th 2007 at the Hilton Theatre (213 W 42nd St). Previews begin October 11th 2007. The production stars Roger Bart (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), Megan Mullally (Elizabeth), Sutton Foster (Inga), Shuler Hensley (The Monster), Fred Applegate (Kemp) and Christopher Fitzgerald (Igor).

Jeremy Shamos and David Turner of Gutenberg the Musical join Broaday Bullet to talk about their extended run, Swiss watches , and their audience participation.

This week on THEATER TALK, actor TONY SHALHOUB and playwright TERESA REBECK discuss Rebeck's insightful and funny new play, THE SCENE, in which Shalhoub now stars at Second Stage.

Ars Nova (voted 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine), as part of the FREE Out Loud reading series, presents THE RED BEARD OF ESAU, written by Rachel Shukert and directed by Alex Timbers. THE RED BEARD OF ESAU will be read by Jeff Binder, Elliotte Crowell, Billy Eichner, Sam Forman, Van Hansis, David Josefsberg, Julie Lake, Maggie Lauren, Austin Lysy, Reginald Veneziano and Taylor Wilcox on Monday, January 29 at 7 PM at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). A Neanderthal woman and Cro-Magnon man embark on a passionate love affair at the very dawn of time. But fate, not to mention an assortment of mystics, priestesses, dwarfs, and beautful blonde Californian twins have other things in store for them. Things that could threaten their very existence! Can love survive? Find out in THE RED BEARD OF ESAU, the world's first genocidal romantic comedy. RACHEL SHUKERT (Writer) is a playwright and author based in New York City. Her plays include Bloody Mary (NYIT Award nominee), Sequins for Satan, The Blackstone Hotel, and Soiled Linens. Her work has been developed and produced at Ars Nova, the Williamstown Theater Festival, the Culture Project, the Ontological/Hysteric, and the EVOLVE series at Galapagos. In 2003, she was the Playwright-in-Residence at e74 productions in Amsterdam, and her work was performed extensively throughout the Netherlands. As a performer, she has appeared with Richard Foreman's Ontological/Hysteric Theater, in New York and internationally; Les Freres Courbusier, the T.E.A.M., Salt Theater, e74, and with her own company, the Bushwick Hotel, which she founded in 2002 with the director Stephen Brackett. She is a regular contributor to Nerve.com (2005 ASME finalist, 2006 'Best Writing' Webby Award) and her work will be featured in their latest print anthology. She has also contributed to Heeb Magazine, McSweeney's, Babble, Culturebot, and Critical Moment. Her upcoming collection of essays, Have You No Shame? will be published by Random House/Villard. ALEX TIMBERS (Director) Recent credits include Gutenberg! The Musical! (The Actor's Playhouse and 59E59), A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant (New York Theatre Workshop; OBIE Award- NYC and Garland Award, Best Director- LA), Hell House (St. Ann's Warehouse), underground with David Dorfman Dance (BAM Next Wave and US tour), Boozy (Culture Project- 10 Best of 2005, Daily News and Time Out), Marge (Summer Play Festival), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Williamstown Theater Festival), and Heddatron (HERE). Alex is a Williamstown Directing Fellow, a Drama League Directing Fellow, and the Artistic Director of award-winning theater company Les Freres Corbusier. OUT LOUD has attracted a variety of the industry's top artists, including writers Stephen Belber, Jorge Cortinas, Daniel Goldfarb, Stephen Guirgis, Rinne Groff, Rogelio Martinez, Adam Rapp, Sarah Ruhl, Julian Sheppard, Jonathan Marc Sherman; directors Peter Askin, Jo Bonney, David Esbjornson, Moises Kaufman, Brian Kulick, James Lapine, Lisa Peterson, David Warren; and actors Jason Biggs, Kathleen Chalfant, Robert Sean Leonard, Marsha Mason, Denis O'Hare, Rosie Perez, Paul Rudd, Mercedes Reuhl, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Swoosie Kurtz, David Strathairn, Fred Weller. Ticket & Schedule Information THE RED BEARD OF ESAU will be read on Monday, January 29 at 7 PM. The Out Loud Series is FREE and open to the public. Reservations are required. Please call 212-977-1700. Ars Nova is located at 511 West 54th Street. For more information, check out www.arsnovanyc.com.