Alliance Theatre News

Horizon Theatre Company is bringing back the family favorite Madeline's Christmas for the seventh year and David Sedaris' comedic gem The Santaland Diaries for its 16th Anniversary Production. While The Santaland Diaries turns "ho-ho-ho" into "ha-ha-ha" giving adults-only an antidote to the holiday blues, Madeline's Christmas is holiday fun for all while 12 girls in two straight lines navigate getting home for the holidays.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Broadway production this fall, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater mounts a new staging of Fiddler on the Roof, the iconic musical that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Helmed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, the production features choreography by Arena favorite Parker Esse, who adapts the original Jerome Robbins choreography for an in-the-round staging, and a 10-piece orchestra led by Musical Director Paul Sportelli (Arena's My Fair Lady, Light in the Piazza). The theatrical masterpiece, which garnered nine Tony Awards for its 1964 debut, weaves together a portrait of family, community and life's unexpected miracles, large and small, and showcases a jubilant and beloved score, including 'If I Were a Rich Man,' 'Sunrise, Sunset,' 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker' and 'Tradition.' Featuring a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and based on Sholem Aleichem stories, Fiddler on the Roof runs tonight, October 31, 2014-January 4, 2015 in the Fichandler Stage.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS began performances on Tuesday, October 22, 2014 and officially opens tonight, Wednesday, October 29, 2014, starring Becky Ann Baker, Beth Broderick, Mary Pat Gleason, Deirdre Lovejoy, Sarah Stiles and Zoe Winters in a strictly limited engagement at the Alliance Theatre (1280 Peachtree Street). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Alliance Theatre starry production of Robert Harling's STEEL MAGNOLIAS opens tonight, October 29, 2014. The quintessential story of family and friendship, this moving Southern classic tells the story of six complex women sharing life's ups and downs in the safe-haven created in a home beauty salon.

Atlanta professional theatres continued their commitment to developing new work with a bounty of productions written or adapted by local playwrights. There are eleven such plays in contention for this year's Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award. The award, named after the primary founder of the Suzi Awards organization, recognizes an Atlanta-based playwright whose work was produced by a professional Atlanta theatre in the preceding season. A committee of area educators, playwrights and theatre professionals read each of the plays and choose the recipient.

The South Florida Silver Palm Theatre Awards committee, founded seven years ago to honor theatrical excellence in South Florida, has announced that this year it will present the coveted award to 26 individuals and organizations.

This holiday season, get ready for more outrageously delightful songs and charmingly naughty puppets, as New Conservatory Theatre Center presents the return of its sold-out, record-breaking hit Avenue Q, with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, book by Jeff Whitty, based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE presents the world premiere of WAR by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, November 21–December 13 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). The company opening is scheduled for Friday, November 28. The official press opening will follow on Saturday, November 29.

The Alliance Theatre starry production of Robert Harling's STEEL MAGNOLIAS begins performances tonight, October 22, 2014. The quintessential story of family and friendship, this moving Southern classic tells the story of six complex women sharing life's ups and downs in the safe-haven created in a home beauty salon.

FST's Winter Cabaret season begins with four singing sirens in Dancing in the Street with The Prima Donnettes. Developed by FST Artistic Director Richard Hopkins and Jim Prosser, it will begin in the John C. Court Cabaret tonight, October 22, 2014.

SAFE HOUSE, Keith Josef Adkins' moving and surprising drama exploring a little-known chapter in our region's history, is the 71st world premiere production at the Playhouse. It will continue the Robert S. Marx Theatre season today, Oct. 18 through Nov. 15.

Previews begin tonight, October 17 at 7:30 PM for the Playwrights Horizons' world premiere production of GRAND CONCOURSE, a new play by playwright and two-time Obie Award-winning actress Heidi Schreck (author of There Are No More Big Secrets, Creature, Showtime's 'Nurse Jackie'). Directed by Kip Fagan (The Revisionist, Asuncion), the play is the second production of the acclaimed theater company's 2014/2015 Season. It follows the critically-acclaimed Bootycandy, a new play written and directed by Robert O'Hara, which concludes its extended run this Sunday evening on the Mainstage.

Previews begin tomorrow, Friday, October 17 at 7:30 PM for the Playwrights Horizons' world premiere production of GRAND CONCOURSE, a new play by playwright and two-time Obie Award-winning actress Heidi Schreck (author of There Are No More Big Secrets, Creature, Showtime's 'Nurse Jackie'). Directed by Kip Fagan (The Revisionist, Asuncion), the play is the second production of the acclaimed theater company's 2014/2015 Season. It follows the critically-acclaimed Bootycandy, a new play written and directed by Robert O'Hara, which concludes its extended run this Sunday evening on the Mainstage.

Lisa Renee Jordan, David Margolin Lawson and Betsy Heffron have joined the creative team of BIRDS, Marcina Zaccaria's provocative new play which premieres Today, October 17 at 10PM, kicking off the THIS/THAT Festival at the Brick Theater in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

As part of their 31st season, Undermain Theatre is thrilled to bring the Regional Premiere of Meg Miroshnik's The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls to their home in Deep Ellum at 3200 Main Street. Performances will run November 11th through December 6th, 2014.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Alliance Theatre's annual holiday gift to Atlanta, returns for its 25th season, November 21 - December 24, 2014. The most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic and your favorite Atlanta actors. Directed by Rosemary Newcott, the Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth, A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a tradition for many families around the southeast.

RLS Productions will present the West Coast premiere of DIRTY, written by Kennedy Center Playwright Award-winner Andrew Hinderaker and directed by Obie Award-winner Shannon Cochran (August: Osage County, Bug). DIRTY will preview on Wednesday, November 12; Thursday, November 13 & Friday, November 14 at 8pm and will open on Saturday, November 15 at 8pm and will run through Sunday, December 21 at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave., in West Hollywood.

With deep regret, the Georgia Shakespeare board of trustees voted unanimously to cease operations, given the theatre company's substantial financial deficiencies. The action includes the cancellation of the production of Holiday Panto planned for December, as well as ending the employment of remaining staff.