American Playwrights News

The August Wilson Center for African American Culture -- named for one of the 20th century's most celebrated playwrights and a Pittsburgh native who garnered international recognition for his contributions to the American theater -- honors his legacy with the Grand Opening and World Premiere Tribute Ceremony & Celebration on Thursday, September 17, beginning at 5 pm. This newest contribution to Pittsburgh's cultural landscape is a long-sought-after multidisciplinary facility reflective of all aspects of African and African American culture.

Season Opens in November 2009 with World Premiere of Carbon Black, a Suspenseful Psychological Drama by Terry Gomez (Comanche)

The National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) will present a one-night-only all Asian-American performance of Terrence McNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, directed by Alan Muraoka, on Monday, September 14 with a 6:00pm cocktail reception and a 7:00pm performance at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) to benefit NAATCO.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival began on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival began on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Brian Shnipper and Attic Theatre will present STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS, a benefit reading for the Human Rights Campaign on September 12.

Five years after receiving a Drama Desk nomination for Best Revival of a Play for their production of Pullman Car Hiawatha, two short plays by Thornton Wilder, Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) kicks of their tenth anniversary season with the New York professional premiere of Such Things Only Happen in Books, an evening of short plays by Thornton Wilder directed by Carl Forsman and Jonathan Silverstein.

Emily Zacharias (JEKYLL & HYDE) and Stanley Bahorek (PUTNAM CO. SPELLING BEE) join Alix Korey (ALL SHOOK UP) for Off-Broadway's INVENTING AVI (and other theatrical maneuvers), Abingdon Theatre Company's 2009-10 season opener by Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman; directed by Mark Waldrop

The OBIE Award-winning National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), now in its 20th season, presents Anton Chekhov's classic THE SEAGULL, with previews set to begin September 26 prior to an official press opening of October 1 at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue) in Manhattan. Gia Forakis directs.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) and 92YTribeca have announced that they will present 'NEW PLAYS, TOUGH TIMES' at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson Street) on Thursday evening, September 10 at 7:30 PM. Moderated by Time Out New York's Theater editor and chief drama critic David Cote, the panel discussion will feature all eight writers from Playwrights Horizons' upcoming 2009/2010 Season.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) and 92YTribeca have announced that they will present 'NEW PLAYS, TOUGH TIMES' at 92YTribeca (200 Hudson Street) on Thursday evening, September 10 at 7:30 PM. Moderated by Time Out New York's Theater editor and chief drama critic David Cote, the panel discussion will feature all eight writers from Playwrights Horizons' upcoming 2009/2010 Season.

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust has announced that the 2nd Annual ?Mimi' Awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held Monday, October 26th, at Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont Theater at 6:30 p.m. The recipients of these ?Steinberg Playwright Awards' will be announced at a press conference on Thursday morning, September 17th.

The Donmar Warehouse presents A Streetcar Named Desire By Tennessee Williams starring Jack Ashton, Elliot Cowan, Charles Daish, Judy Hepburn, Barnaby Kay, Gary Milner, Daniela Nardini, Luke Rutherford, Rachel Weisz, Ruth Wilson

Marin Theatre Company is pleased to announce that playwright Steve Yockey has joined its artistic staff for the 2009-10 season through the National New Play Network's Emerging Playwright's Residency grant program. He is one of three NNPN Emerging Playwrights this season nationwide.

Marin Theatre Company is delighted to present the comedy BOOM by award-winning Marin native Peter Sinn Nachtrieb.

Wide Eyed Productions proudly presents their first children's play: an original commissioned work, JACK AND THE SOY BEANSTALK, as part of The 13th annual New York International Fringe Festival (a presentation of The Present Company) - FringeJR - Downtown Manhattan, August 14th - 30th, 2009.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Producing Director Richard M. Parison, Jr., will present Tennessee Williams' masterwork, A Streetcar Named Desire, as part of the theater's 15th Anniversary Season.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Producing Director Richard M. Parison, Jr., will present Tennessee Williams' masterwork, A Streetcar Named Desire, as part of the theater's 15th Anniversary Season.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Producing Director Richard M. Parison, Jr., will present Tennessee Williams' masterwork, A Streetcar Named Desire, as part of the theater's 15th Anniversary Season.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) announced today that Parker Posey has had to withdraw from the cast of THIS, a new play by Obie Award winner Melissa James Gibson (Suitcase, [sic]), due to developing a case of Lyme Disease. A replacement actress for the lead role of Jane will be announced shortly.