Amy Freed News

Berkeley Repertory Theatre will conclude its 48th season with Richard Bean's internationally acclaimed One Man, Two Guvnors, a sassy update of Carlo Goldoni's classic knee-slapper, The Servant of Two Masters. Set in 1963 Brighton, England, One Man, Two Guvnors is a brilliantly delicious mash-up of splendid comedy, British pantomime, and music-hall revues. The uproarious plot features a disarming and doltish Francis Henshall who finds himself trapped by farce into working for two bosses - who are connected in wildly improbable ways. He just has to keep them from discovering each other. Inspired insanity, high-low antics, and nimble wordplay ensue - all backed by live musicians paying homage to rockabilly and a certain Fab Four. Directed by David Ivers - artistic director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival - and with songs by Grant Olding, One Man, Two Guvnors is a riotous blast complete with a colorful cast of characters in a topsy-turvy world of love triangles and mistaken identities. It previews on Friday May 8, 2015, opens on Friday, May 15, 2015, and plays through Sunday June 21, 2015. Press night for One Man, Two Guvnors will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015. Individual tickets start at $29 and can be purchased by phone at (510) 647-2949 or online at berkeleyrep.org.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company proudly announces the lineup for its 24th season.

The Flea Theater will present the World Premiere of THE NOMAD, a new musical with book & lyrics by Tony Award nominee Elizabeth Swados and Guggenheim Fellow Erin Courtney, composed & directed by Swados. Performances begin tonight, February 19. The production runs through April 6, 2015.

The Flea Theater has announced the World Premiere of Cory Finley's comedy THE FEAST. It is directed by Flea Resident Director Courtney Ulrich (White Hot), featuring three members of The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea. Previews begin March 4 with opening slated for March 15.

The Flea Theater will present the World Premiere of THE NOMAD, a new musical with book & lyrics by Tony Award nominee Elizabeth Swados and Guggenheim Fellow Erin Courtney, composed & directed by Swados. Previews begin February 26 with opening slated for February 28.

California Shakespeare Theater Board President Jean Simpson today announced that Artistic Director Jonathan Moscone has decided to step down from his position in August 2015, after 15 years with the company. Moscone will conclude his tenure with his production of Charles Ludlam's The Mystery of Irma Vep, August 12-September 6, which will be his 22nd production for Cal Shakes. Moscone has accepted a position as the Chief of Civic Engagement with Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, and also plans to continue directing plays around the country. The Board has formed a committee to lead a nation-wide search to identify Moscone's successor, working with Gregory Kandel with Management Consultants for the Arts, Inc. as search consultants.

The Flea Theater presents Kim Davies' World Premiere Smoke, directed by Flea Resident Director Tom Costello (The Wundelsteipen (and other difficult roles for young people)) and featuring members of The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea. Says Producing Director Carol Ostrow, 'where 50 Shades of Grey dances on the surface of BDSM, Smoke cuts to the core.' Performances will now run through February 1, 2015 at The Flea, where performances started in August of 2014.

Opening at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a world premiere musical HEAD OVER HEELS, with book by Jeff Whitty and music and lyrics from the catalog of the Go-Go's.

Lucid Dramatics has announced a limited engagement of Revival, a world premiere play by Carla Neuss at the Acting Artists Theatre in West Hollywood. Directed by Neuss, Revival is set to open Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 8pm. The play will run for seven performances through February 7 only.

The Flea Theater is proud to announce yet another extension of Kim Davies' World Premiere Smoke, directed by Flea Resident Director Tom Costello (The Wundelsteipen (and other difficult roles for young people)) and featuring members of The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea. Says Producing Director Carol Ostrow, "where 50 Shades of Grey dances on the surface of BDSM, Smoke cuts to the core." Performances will now run through February 1, 2015 at The Flea, where performances started in August of 2014.

Do you believe in heaven? If so, what does it look like? That's what playwright Bekah Brunstetter explores in her new work, Going to a Place where you Already Are. It's up next for South Coast Repertory's NewSCRipts reading series on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m., on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Tickets are available online at ?www.scr.org. The play is an SCR commission.

The Flea Theater has announced another extension of Kim Davies' World Premiere SMOKE, directed by Flea Resident Director Tom Costello (The Wundelsteipen (and other difficult roles for young people)) and featuring members of The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea. Says Producing Director Carol Ostrow, "where 50 Shades of Grey dances on the surface of BDSM, Smoke cuts to the core."

The Flea presents the World Premiere of I SEE YOU by Kate Robin. This romantic comedy will be directed by Flea Artistic Director Jim Simpson. Previews of this limited run Off-Broadway engagement begin tonight, November 7 with opening slated for Sunday, November 16.

The monologues will be read at a public reading tonight, November 6, 2014 following the 8:00 p.m. performance. The writers will also receive a session with American Voices New Play Institute Dramaturg Jocelyn Clarke, a listing in the Our War program and an award certificate. The finished monologues along with video clips of the performed monologues will be posted on Arena Stage's website and shared via social media. Directed by Anita Maynard-Losh, Our War runs October 21 - November 9, 2014 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Playwrights Foundation (PF) and The New York based company, The One-Minute Play Festival are thrilled to announce the 5th Annual SF One-Minute Play Festival (#1MPF), December 15th and 16th, 2014 - an evening of more than 80 brand new one minute plays by 53 Bay Area playwrights -- a highly vaunted group, all written within the past month specifically for the event.

In a bold undertaking as part of the company's involvement with the multi-year, multi-city National Civil War Project, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has commissioned Our War, a dynamic new theatrical event and collection of short stories that explores-through diverse perspectives-the historical memory and present-day reverberations of the U.S. Civil War. The series launched on October 21 and continues through November 9, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at opening night below!

It's not an easy one, but there are ample chances to not only marvel at the work it took to put it together, but the ambition of the actors and creative team.

The Flea Theater will offer a 2nd extension of Kim Davies' World Premiere SMOKE. It is directed by Flea Resident Director Tom Costello (The Wundelsteipen) and features members of The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea. Says Producing Director Carol Ostrow, "where 50 Shades of Grey dances on the surface of BDSM, Smoke cuts to the core."