Alan Payne News

We've seen a rise in internet celebrities, or influencers, as anyone with a smart phone and a social media account can create an online personality and fanbase. But how does that online presence influence the influencer? How does our online presence influence even those of us who aren't celebrities?

Open Book Theatre has been busy presenting short plays to small, socially distant crowds all summer, but as the weather turns colder, they're rolling out a series of online performances.

After its premiere in London in 1960 and in New York in 1963, Oliver! Is still a classic and considered one of the finest musical scores in a Broadway show. Rivertown Theaters is proud to present this hit musical to start the year 2020 January 10 - 26 on the Mainstage.

'Love Jones the Musical' Playwright Timothy Allen Smith Is back with 'Choice,' an original stage drama premiering at The Beverly Hills Playhouse

Audiences are in for a special treat when the award-winning co-artistic directors of Rivertown Theaters, Kelly Fouchi and Gary Rucker are, once again, on stage together in the delightful, rarely seen local production of "Me and My Girl."

Southern Rep Theatre announces updated schedule and cast details for its fall 2018 Mainstage productions, which will kick off the company's "soft opening" in its permanent new home on historic Bayou Road, New Orleans.

Rivertown Theater will be transformed into River City, Iowa when Professor Harold Hill comes to town to form a boy's band when the all-time favorite musical, The Music Man opens the new season September 14, 2018.

As part of its Summer Theater Festival for Families, Rivertown Theaters will close out its 2017-2018 season with a lavish production of one of Disney's timeless Broadway musicals that continues to be a favorite with multi-generationsJuly 12 – 22.

As part of its Summer Theater Festival for Families, Rivertown Theaters will close out its 2017-2018 season with a lavish production of one of Disney's timeless Broadway musicals that continues to be a favorite with multi-generations July 12 - 22.

As part of its Summer Theater Festival for Families, Rivertown Theaters will close out its 2017-2018 season with a lavish production of one of Disney's timeless Broadway musicals that continues to be a favorite with multi-generations July 12 - 22.

Southern Rep Theatre announces its 2018-19 Mainstage Season, its 32nd, featuring the regional premieres of THE WOLVES by Sarah DeLappe and A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 by Lucas Hnath as well as three world premieres: AZUL by New Orleans native Christina Quintana, FLOWERS FOR HALLIE - a celebration of Mahalia Jackson written by and starring Troi Bechet - and MANDATORY MERRIMENT: AN UNTITLED HOLIDAY MUSICAL created by Leslie Castay and Ian Hoch with book by Ian Hoch.

As part of its Summer Theater Festival for Families, Rivertown Theaters will close out its 2016-2017 season with a lavish production of one of Disney's timeless Broadway musicals that continues to be a favorite with multi-generations July 13 - 23.

As part of its Summer Theater Festival for Families, Rivertown Theaters will close out its 2016-2017 season with a lavish production of one of Disney's timeless Broadway musicals that continues to be a favorite with multi-generations July 13 - 23.

Put on your poodle skirts, petticoats, ponytails and pompadours and oh yes, a happy face and join the gang at Rivertown Theaters for one of the '50s/ '60s favorite musicals - Bye Bye Birdie - running May 5 - 21.

The Ringwald Theatre is bringing to its stage a series of staged readings exploring the AIDS crisis, as seen by Broadway playwrights at the time. Talkbacks with each creative team will follow each performance.

Fans of comedian and actor Steve Martin will recognize his smart and ridiculous style in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the first play he wrote for the stage. The story goes that Martin heard a joke that began "Picasso and Einstein walk into a bar…" and turned that concept into a joyous 90 minute romp.

Fans of comedian and actor Steve Martin will recognize his smart and ridiculous style in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the first play he wrote for the stage.  The story goes that Martin heard a joke that began "Picasso and Einstein walk into a bar…" and turned that concept into a joyous 90 minute romp.  

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts presents the 1st new production and regional premiere of the award record-breaking Billy Elliot The Musical opening tonight, January 13, and running through January 29, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts very proudly presents the 1st new production and regional premiere of the award record-breaking Billy Elliot The Musical opening January 13 through January 29, 2017,  

For three weekends, January 13-28, a gripping thriller will take the stage at Open Book Theatre in Trenton. Boy Gets Girl is in the same vein as recent hit books/movies Gone Girl and Girl on the Train. Open Book Artistic Director Krista Ewbank is featured as Theresa, who goes on an awkward blind date with Tony. Theresa she sees no reason to continue the relationship-but Tony thinks otherwise. Theresa's strength and independence begin to unravel as Tony continues to refuse to take no for an answer. "This play has sparked great conversations among the actors and production staff during rehearsals," said Ewbank. "It fits right in to the larger discussion we are all having about the way women are treated and the subtle and not so subtle intimidations and sexualized assumptions that happen to us each day. We share our personal stories and talk about what's happening in the world today. We are excited to have the audience engage in these conversations with us."