American Playwrights News

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced 65 new American plays in its 18-year history - concludes its 2011-2012 Season with the world premiere of LIFELINE, a new play by Frank Tangredi, winner of the 2008 Christopher Brian Wolk Award, set to begin previews March 9, prior to its official press opening March 18, at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Jules Ochoa, who recently helmed HOW I FELL IN LOVE and PHANTOM KILLER, directs. In LIFELINE, when good-hearted Pete rents his basement to depressed, unstable Ken, there seems to be potential for a wonderful friendship. But, as he delves into Ken's world, Pete uncovers problems that might not be solved with a game of poker and a six-pack.

The Denver Center Theatre Company announced today that Playwrights Horizons, located in New York City, has selected THE WHALE, by Samuel D. Hunter, as part of its 2012/13 season. THE WHALE, which originated as a reading during the 2011 Colorado New Play Summit, has received critical acclaim and audience praise leading to the extension of the run at The Ricketson Theatre through February 25. Tickets are limited and can be purchased by calling 303.893.4100 or visiting www.denvercenter.org.

According to the New York Times, Playwrights Horizons will present FAR FROM HEAVEN, a new musical with book by Tony Award winner and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out, Three Days of Rain), music by Tony Award nominee Scott Frankel (Grey Gardens) and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Michael Korie (Grey Gardens, The Grapes of Wrath), in Spring 2013. The show will also play Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer. The musical was adapted from the acclaimed, award-winning 2002 Focus Features/Vulcan Productions motion picture Far From Heaven, written and directed by Todd Haynes.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company (Carl Forsman, Artistic Director/Damon Chua, Executive Director) today announced that Kate Turnbull would join Kathleen Chalfant and Richard Easton for Tina Howe's Painting Churches, the 1983 Pulitzer Prize finalist. Keen Artistic Director Carl Forsman directs.

The Pulitzer Prize and Obie Award-winning Theatre for the New City (TNC) will hold its 9th Annual LOVE N' COURAGE benefit gala on Monday, February 13 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan), this year honoring legendary centenarian writer Bel Kaufman, author of 'Up the Down Staircase,' it has been announced by Crystal Field, co-founder and artistic director of Theater for the City. The LOVE N' COURAGE celebration will begin with cocktails at 6:30pm, Dinner at 7:00pm, and performances at 8:00pm.

Native Voices at the Autry continues its vital role as the country's only equity theatre company dedicated exclusively to developing the work of Native American playwrights with a staged reading of HUNKA by award-winning playwright Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation*) on Sunday, February 12, 2:30 pm, at the Wells Fargo Theater at The Autry National Center in Griffith Park.

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced 64 new American plays in its 18-year history - continues its 2011-2012 Season with the world premiere of LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE, a new play by Jan Buttram, Artistic Director of Abingdon Theatre Company and author of the recent hit PHANTOM KILLER, set to begin previews February 3, prior to its official press opening February 12, at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

The Pulitzer Prize and Obie Award-winning Theatre for the New City (TNC) will hold its 9th Annual LOVE N' COURAGE benefit gala on Monday, February 13 at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South in Manhattan), this year honoring legendary centenarian writer Bel Kaufman, author of 'Up the Down Staircase,' it has been announced by Crystal Field, co-founder and artistic director of Theater for the City.

At the conclusion of this final season, which begins with the world premiere of A Map of Virtue by Erin Courtney in February, the collective of American playwrights will have realized full productions by each of its 13 members.

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced 64 new American plays in its 18-year history - continues its 2011-2012 Season with the world premiere of LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE, a new play by Jan Buttram, Artistic Director of Abingdon Theatre Company and author of the recent hit PHANTOM KILLER, set to begin previews February 3, prior to its official press opening February 12, at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

Trinity Rep's Education Department will once again provide students the opportunity to spend the summer exploring a world of creativity and theater under the instruction of Rhode Island's most knowledgeable theater professionals. Enrollment is now open for both the Young Actors Summer Institute (YASI), which offers classes for grades 5-12 and for YASI Jr., a week-long program for grades 1-4. The YASI class for grades 8-9 is at capacity, but interested students can be placed on a wait list. Additionally, spaces are still available for the Young Actors Studio and Lifelong Learning spring sessions, which include classes for grades 4-12, as well as selections for adult actors and theater enthusiasts.

Marin Theatre Company Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis and Producing Director Ryan Rilette announced the sixth play of the company's expanded 45th Anniversary Season today - the West Coast premiere of A Steady Rain by Keith Huff.

Native Voices at the Autry continues its vital role as the country's only equity theatre company dedicated exclusively to developing the work of Native American playwrights with a staged reading of HUNKA by award-winning playwright Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation*) on Sunday, February 12, 2:30 pm, at the Wells Fargo Theater at The Autry National Center in Griffith Park.

Actor and teacher Algernon D'Ammassa returns to the Black Box Theatre Annex in February with two 6 week workshops in stage acting for beginners and experienced actors. The classes start on Saturday, February 4 and run every Saturday through March 10.

Playwrights Foundation (PF) today announced that Liz Duffy Adams will teach a weekend intensive, The Tao of Playwriting from January 27 - February 5, and Eugenie Chan will teach a 10-week class, Crack That Whip from February 21 - May 1, 2012 at PF's New Play Institute

At the conclusion of this final season, which begins with the world premiere of A Map of Virtue by Erin Courtney in February, the collective of American playwrights will have realized full productions by each of its 13 members.

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced 64 new American plays in its 18-year history - continues its 2011-2012 Season with the world premiere of LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE, a new play by Jan Buttram, Artistic Director of Abingdon Theatre Company and author of the recent hit PHANTOM KILLER, set to begin previews February 3, prior to its official press opening February 12, at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

Philadelphia Theatre Company will host several special events featuring expert writers, historians, playwrights, judges and members of the media in connection with its production of the hit Broadway musical The Scottsboro Boys, running January 20-February 19 at PTC's home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets)

Rehearsals are underway for the world premiere of Danai Gurira's The Convert at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ, January 13 through February 12, 2012 (press opening: January 20). Directed by Emily Mann, The Convert is produced in association with Center Theatre Group (Los Angeles) and The Goodman Theatre (Chicago). The cast features Pascale Armand, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, Zainab Jah, Kevin Mambo, LeRoy McClain, Warner Joseph Miller, and Harold Surratt.

The landmark trial of the Scottsboro Boys is brought to life in Philadelphia Theatre Company's production of the multiple Tony-nominated musical The Scottsboro Boys with music and lyrics by the legendary team of John Kander and Fred Ebb and book by David Thompson, running January 20-February 19 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).