Alan Alda News

I'm sitting in a New York City cafe this morning. The necessary coffee and unnecessary blueberry muffin accompanying me. Like many theatre-makers, I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be in theatre for the rest of my life. But now I'm here, not only a graduate student getting my MFA in stage directing, but also grabbing every opportunity I can manage to find. 

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) (William Carden, Artistic Director, Sarah McLellan, Executive Director) and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Doron Weber, Vice-President, Programs) announced today a second extension for the World Premiere of Behind the Sheet, written by Charly Evon Simpson (Jump) and directed by Colette Robert (Mary's Wedding). Part of the EST/Sloan Science & Technology Project (Graeme Gillis, Program Director; Linsay Firman, Associate Director), Behind the Sheet began previews at EST's Curt Dempster Theatre (549 W. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019) on January 9, 2019, and opened January 17. Originally set to close on February 3, the play will now run through February 17, 2019.

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Broadway debut of 'Love Letters', a Play by A.R. Gurney, Theatre at the Center (TATC) will showcase one exclusive performance on Sunday afternoon, February 3, at 2:30 p.m. This production, under the guidance of artistic advisor Linda Fortunato, will star Phil Potempa, a noted newspaper columnist for the Post Tribune and Crista Zivanovic, features editor of The Times of Northwest Indiana. The performance proceeds will benefit Theatre at the Center in Munster.

Director Mark Giesser returns to Upstairs at the Gatehouse with George and Ira Gershwin's madcap musical hidden gem Strike Up The Band, written with George S. Kaufman in 1927. While the original script was rewritten by Morrie Ryskind in 1930, this production presents the original, with the dark satire on America's war-mongering over a trade deal re-established.

Alan Alda is best known for playing Hawkeye Pierce and writing many of the episodes on the classic TV series M*A*S*H, the final episode of which was seen by more than 105 million people, still a record audience.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards® presented its coveted Actor® statuettes for the outstanding motion picture and television performances of 2018 at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, hosted by Megan Mullally, held Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium Expo Hall.

The Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival's spring series is turning five. BCMF Spring 2019, three 5:00 pm concerts - Saturdays in March and May, a Sunday in April - is marking this first milestone on the heels of the 35th anniversary this past summer of BCMF, the longest-running classical music festival on Long Island.

Each year, savvy jazz fans look forward to the annual Highlights In Jazz series. For almost a half century, the Jack Kleinsinger-produced events have brought together a multitude of beloved jazz musicians spanning an eclectic mix of generations and styles. The 2019 season is no exception, with four stellar concerts featuring some of the brightest luminaries in jazz today.

This winter and spring Bucks County Playhouse offers a full slate of entertainment representing a wide variety of musical, comedy and special event performances as part of the Visiting Artists Series at the Playhouse.

The Deck Restaurant and Bar at Bucks County Playhouse made its debut on Sunday, December 9, 2018 when it opened for an extended preview period prior to an official Grand Opening on Sunday, February 10, 2019.

This year, give the gift of an experience that will last a lifetime. Bucks County Playhouse is offering the chance for local theater-lovers and aspiring thespians to join the cast of "Ebenezer Scrooge's Big Playhouse Christmas Show" as "Scene-Stealers" on the historic Playhouse stage.  

Director Mark Giesser returns to Upstairs at the Gatehouse with George and Ira Gershwin's madcap musical hidden gem Strike Up The Band, written with George S. Kaufman in 1927. While the original script was rewritten by Morrie Ryskind in 1930, this production presents the original, with the dark satire on America's war-mongering over a trade deal re-established.

In four stellar concerts featuring some of the brightest luminaries in jazz today, 2019's Highlights In Jazz series brings together a multitude of beloved jazz musicians spanning an eclectic mix of generations and styles. You'll hear unforgettable performances from jazz veterans including Warren Vaché, Houston Person, and Norman Simmons; up-and-comers like Veronica Swift, Christian Sands, and Peter and Will Anderson; and straight-ahead stalwarts such as Steve Turre, George Cables, Buster Williams, along with many more. These gifted players and others will pay tribute to a pantheon of jazz legends, including this year's featured honoree, trumpeter Randy Brecker; plus, the music of Randy Weston, Erroll Garner, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong will also be featured.

 Audiences are thoroughly enjoying themselves at Bucks County Playhouse's production of Broadway's hilarious romantic comedy "I Hate Hamlet." The production, which runs through December 1 and was hailed by The New York Times as "Unapologetically silly…hilarious!" is directed by Marc Bruni ("Beautiful: The Carol King Musical").

Ensemble Studio Theatre, along with The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Doron Weber, Vice-President, Programs), announced today the 2018 Fall Artist Cultivation Event, marking the 20th anniversary of the EST/Sloan Project, to take place on Monday, November 19 at 8pm with a reception beginning at 7:30pm.

Bucks County Playhouse's Storytelling Series continues this month and features Jamie Beth Cohan, a Washington Post writer, Rory Scholl, the producer of The Liar Show and James Braly, a two-time winner of The Moth GrandSlam. The Word of Mouth: Gifts Storytelling event will take place on November 16 with shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 for a single ticket and are available at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or (215) 862-2121.

Hans Christian Andersen's legendary tale is reimagined into a playful animated special for today's children. The classic fable gets a colorful, music-filled makeover in the whimsical THE EMPEROR'S NEWEST CLOTHES, written and produced by Sheila Nevins, directed by Simon Wilches-Castro and featuring the voices of Emmy© winner Alan Alda, Emmy© winner Jeff Daniels, and Alison Pill. The special features original songs by Tony Award-winning composer William Finn ('Falsettos, 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee').

A classic Hans Christian Andersen fable gets a colorful, music-filled makeover this November when THE EMPEROR'S NEWEST CLOTHES is reimagined as a playful animated special for today's children. Written and produced by Sheila Nevins, and featuring the voices of Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels and Alison Pill, the whimsical tale includes original songs by Tony Award winner William Finn ("Falsettos," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"). This HBO Family presentation debuts THURSDAY, NOV. 15 (6:00-6:30 p.m. ET/PT) on the main HBO channel and FRIDAY, NOV. 16 (8:45-9:15 p.m.) on HBO Family.

Save the Date! The Theatre World Awards announced today the landmark 75th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday evening, June 3, 2019 beginning at 7:00 p.m.