Alan Alda News

Let the bells peal!  Ring in the holidays with a classic tale.  Long Island's newest theatrical venue The Argyle Theatrepresents the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and songs from the Disney film originally developed by Disney Theatrical Productions, with music by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by Peter Parnell.

Tony award-winner, Elizabeth Ashley ("Take Her She's Mine") and Tony nominee Tom Hewitt ("The Rocky Horror Show") will headline a refreshed production of Paul Rudnick's witty, laugh out loud comedy, "I Hate Hamlet" at Bucks County Playhouse, November 9 - December 1. The play marks Ashley's return to the Playhouse after co-starring opposite Robert Redford in the pre-Broadway production of Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park."

Michael Thomas Holmes and Tim Rogan have joined the cast of 'The Rocky Horror Show' at Bucks County Playhouse. Holmes will play Dr. Scott/The Narrator and Rogan will play Rocky. They replaced previously announced cast members Jennifer Van Dyck and Erik Altemus, respectively.

Award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, polymath and advocate for science communication Alan Alda has been named the 55th recipient of SAG-AFTRA's highest tribute: the SAG Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. Alda will be presented the performers union's top accolade at the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®, which will be simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at 8 p.m. (ET)/ 5 p.m. (PT).

Following a 35th Anniversary Season, marked by the generous support of Emmy Award winner and great American thinker Alan Alda, Irondale announces an expansive 2018-2019 season. Irondale kicks off its 36th season October 2, with the sixth cycle of its internationally recognized 9-week To Protect, Serve and Understand workshop series. Additional 18/19 highlights include: the premiere of Brecht in Exile Part 1: Galileo, executed as a 3-part series over the next 3 seasons; the second season of She Stands Alone, solo shows by and about woman; ART Buffet, a bi-monthly thematic performance series showcasing emerging artists; and Danny Rocco's Convention, an immersive recreation of the 1944 Democratic National Convention.

Medium Marisa Liza Pell returns to Bucks County Playhouse for another riveting interactive performance of Connection Beyond *LIVE* - a theatrical experience in which select members of the audience receive messages from loved ones from beyond. Connection Beyond *LIVE* will be held on October 16, 2018 at 7:30 pm at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main Street in New Hope, PA. Presented as part of the Bucks County Playhouse Visiting Artist Series, Connection Beyond *LIVE* is Pell's fifth consecutive annual appearance at the Playhouse.

Back by popular demand, Bucks County Playhouse's Storytelling Series returns this fall with a new name and expanded opportunities to hear and see renowned storytellers live on stage. The opening performance of the new WORD OF MOUTH series features two special guests: Ophira Eisenberg (host of NPR's 'Ask Me Another') and Jeff Rudell (recent contestant on the new NBC hit show, 'Making It' with Amy Poelher and Nick Offerman). The fall series features monthly performances, two shows a night at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on September 28, October 19, November 16 and December 14. Tickets range in price from $25 for a single ticket to $80 for the four-show package and are available at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or (215) 862-2121.

Bucks County Playhouse's acclaimed production of "Million Dollar Quartet" has surpassed expectations and broken the Playhouse's box office record - becoming the theater's most attended and top grossing production. Playing off the theme of this rock n' roll musical, cast members Sky Seals (who plays Johnny Cash), Ari McKay Wilford (who plays Elvis Presley) and Ryah Nixon will perform. Cast members will join the Playhouse's Producing Director Tony Award-winning Alexander Fraser and staff to "SMASH records."

From Schubert to Strauss, Bach to Brahms, Mozart to…Billy Joel, Itzhak Perlman's violin playing transcends mere performance to evoke the celebrations and struggles of real life. Director Alison Chernick's (The Jeff Koons Show, Matthew Barney: No Restraint) new documentary provides an intimate, cinéma vérité look at the remarkable life and career of this musician, widely considered the world's greatest violinist. American Masters: Itzhak premieres nationwide Sunday, October 14 at 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/americanmasters and PBS apps.

At the 2018 Hamptons International Film Festival, Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning actor Alan Alda will receive The Dick Cavett Artistic Champion Award, celebrating his artistic achievements and contributions to the industry over the years. The festival established the award in 2017, honoring Dick Cavett himself.

BroadwayWorld is sad to report that legendary playwright Neil Simon has died at 91. 

Lively McCabe Entertainment is pleased to announce that it has signed the original classic children's property Free To Be . . . You and Me as a management client.  The company will focus primarily on securing a new music administration agreement, the development of a new regional live stage musical, and the exploration of book publishing opportunities in the lead up to Free To Be's 50th anniversary in 2022.

Tony Award nominee Amy Morton is confirmed to direct an all-female cast in the new Broadway production of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS.Tony Award nominee Amy Morton is confirmed to direct an all-female cast in the new Broadway production of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS.

The Public Theater in collaboration with the Resistance Revival Chorus announced additional casting today for the free Public Forum, WE RISE: A CELEBRATION OF RESISTANCE, on Monday, August 13 at 8:00 p.m. at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This one-night-only event puts both the music and the movement onstage with performances, speeches, and more.

Aretha Sills, daughter of The Second City's founding director Paul Sills, and granddaughter of Viola Spolin, known as the mother of improvisational theater, is launching a youth theater program in Studio City on September 15.

Audiences will relive one of the most magical nights in rock and roll history when Bucks County Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning musical "Million Dollar Quartet." Directed by original Broadway cast member Hunter Foster, the high voltage rock 'n roll musical, with book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, is inspired by the true story of a famed recording session that brought together four music icons for an infamous all-night jam session. "Million Dollar Quartet" previews August 10 with an official opening night performance on Saturday, August 11 at 7:30 pm with performances through September 15. The 2018 Bucks County Playhouse Season is sponsored by Bank of America.

According to CBSNews.com, Alan Alda has revealed he has Parkinson's disease. In an appearance on 'CBS This Morning' Tuesday, the award-winning actor said he was diagnosed with the disease three and a half years ago. See the full clip here.

The local opera company ventures "out of the box" inviting theater lovers to enjoy a lighthearted entertainment as its summer benefit.

Members of the New Hope Community, including New Hope Borough Mayor Larry Keller, joined with Bucks County Playhouse in celebrating the success of the current production of "42nd Street" - the largest production in the Playhouse's history - by ceremonially renaming Main Street in honor of the show.

The Public Theater in collaboration with the Resistance Revival Chorus announced today that a special free one-night-only Public Forum event, WE RISE: A CELEBRATION OF RESISTANCE, will take place on Monday, August 13 at 8:00 p.m. at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.