Andrei Serban News

Kumu Kahau Theatre will present the world premiere of ALL THAT REMAINS, a story of loyalty and betrayal told by ghost soldiers from the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat team who return just one night to a forest in France to recreate a single act of violence that torments both the living and the dead. Using an experimental style drawing from Japanese Noh theatre, ALL THAT REMAINS offers a challenging, provocative look at the heroism and despair of war.

Can we practice goodness and create a world to sustain it? This question, posed by Shen Tei, the good-hearted, penniless and cross-dressing prostitute of Bertolt Brecht's Good Person of Szechwan, is central to the work of The Foundry Theatre. The play's concerns, and the earmarks of the Foundry's new production, make it an ideal offering from the company, which is celebrated for creating memorable theatrical events while pursuing civic inquiry and social justice. The show, starring the singular Taylor Mac as Shen Tei, is directed by Lear deBessonet and features original live music by 'indie rock vaudevillians' (SPIN) Cesar Alvarez and The Lisps.

The Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated actress Estelle Parsons will be honored at La Mama's annual benefit fundraiser, along with longtime La MaMa board member Peter Swords on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), it has been announced by Mia Yoo, Artistic Director of La MaMa, and Frank Carucci, President of the theatre's Board of Directors.

Can we practice goodness and create a world to sustain it? This question, posed by Shen Tei, the good-hearted, penniless and cross-dressing prostitute of Bertolt Brecht's Good Person of Szechwan, is central to the work of The Foundry Theatre. The play's concerns, and the earmarks of the Foundry's new production, make it an ideal offering from the company, which is celebrated for creating memorable theatrical events while pursuing civic inquiry and social justice. The show, starring the singular Taylor Mac as Shen Tei, is directed by Lear deBessonet and features original live music by 'indie rock vaudevillians' (SPIN) César Alvarez and The Lisps.

Weddington Street Productions in association with Summerwind Productions presents Christmas My Way - A Sinatra Holiday Bash! starring Luca Ellis, Jason Graae, Heather Lee and Beth Malone; directed by David Grapes with musical direction by Vince di Mura. The holiday celebration will be tonight, December 15 - December 31, 2012, with a special New Year's Eve performance on December 31, at the historic El Portal Theatre Mainstage in the NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, CA.

La MaMa will present The Fever, a gripping play by Wallace Shawn (My Dinner With André, Vanya on 42nd Street, and Grasses of A Thousand Colors), in a new production directed by Lars Norén, one of Sweden's most prominent playwrights/directors, and featuring acclaimed French-Romanian actress Simona Maicanescu. This powerful dramatic monologue, written between 1985 and 1990 but more relevant now than ever, is a fierce, forensic examination of social inequality and the links between the affluence many take for granted and the poverty and suffering that haunt the lives of millions.

'SCARY MUSICAL… The Musical!', with Book by Richard Hochberg and Music and Lyrics by Richard Hochberg and Michael Paternostro, will be directed by Daniel Goldstein and produced by Kevin Spirtas in a workshop presentation slated for February 2013.

Weddington Street Productions in association with Summerwind Productions proudly presents Christmas My Way - A Sinatra Holiday Bash! starring Luca Ellis, Jason Graae, Heather Lee and Beth Malone; directed by David Grapes with musical direction by Vince di Mura. The holiday celebration will be December 15 - December 31, 2012, at the historic El Portal Theatre Mainstage in the NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, CA.

La MaMa E.T.C. presents the World Premiere of Triple Shadow's new theater production, 2 FROM THE SEA, composed of two solo adaptations of plays whose themes are based on stories of the sea: Holiday Memory by Dylan Thomas, performed by Seamus Maynard, and Riders to the Sea by John Millington Synge, performed by Mari Andrejco. Both are directed by Beth Skinner and feature live music composed and performed by Edward Herbst. Lighting design is by Bessie and Drama Desk-winner Paul Clay (RENT), and scenic design is by Obie Award-winner Jun Maeda. The three-week season runs tonight, October 18 through November 4 at La MaMa E.T.C., 74 East 4th Street, NYC.

La MaMa E.T.C. presents the World Premiere of Triple Shadow's new theater production, 2 FROM THE SEA, composed of two solo adaptations of plays whose themes are based on stories of the sea: Holiday Memory by Dylan Thomas, performed by Seamus Maynard, and Riders to the Sea by John Millington Synge, performed by Mari Andrejco. Both are directed by Beth Skinner and feature live music composed and performed by Edward Herbst. Lighting design is by Bessie and Drama Desk-winner Paul Clay (RENT), and scenic design is by Obie Award-winner Jun Maeda. The three-week season runs October 18 through November 4 at La MaMa E.T.C., 74 East 4th Street, NYC.

SIDEWAYS THE PLAY by Rex Pickett has extended its world premiere staging at Ruskin Group Theatre, running Fridays-Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm extended through October 28, 2012 (no performances 9/28-9/30).

AdA (Author directing Author)-an evening comprised of new one act plays by American playwright Neil LaBute and Italian playwright Marco Calvani, in which each playwright will direct the other's work-will be presented by La MaMa at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) in Manhattan, with preview performances starting tonight, September 28 prior to an official press opening Sunday, September 30. The celebrated stage and film actor Larry Pine stars in Mr. LaBute's play LOVELY HEAD, directed by Mr. Calvani. The Oscar winning actress and four-time Tony nominee Estelle Parsons stars in Mr. Calvani's play THINGS OF THIS WORLD directed by Mr. LaBute.

LUZ-a new play by Catherine Filloux (DOG AND WOLF, LEMKIN'S HOUSE)-will be given its world-premiere production this fall, with previews beginning tonight, September 28 prior to an official press opening October 4 at La MaMa's First Floor Theatre (74A E. 4 St.) in Manhattan. LUZ is a Watson Arts Project, which presents original theater with a particular emphasis on women. LUZ is scheduled to run through October 14.

La MaMa E.T.C. presents the World Premiere of Triple Shadow's new theater production, 2 FROM THE SEA, composed of two solo adaptations of plays whose themes are based on stories of the sea: Holiday Memory by Dylan Thomas, performed by Seamus Maynard, and Riders to the Sea by John Millington Synge, performed by Mari Andrejco. Both are directed by Beth Skinner and feature live music composed and performed by Edward Herbst. Lighting design is by Bessie and Drama Desk-winner Paul Clay (RENT), and scenic design is by Obie Award-winner Jun Maeda. The three-week season runs October 18 through November 4 at La MaMa E.T.C., 74 East 4th Street, NYC.

CONFESSIONS AND CONVERSATION-the newest work by the celebrated playwright, performer and longtime La MaMa artist Jean-Claude van Itallie -- will debut at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St. in Manhattan) for four performances only tonight, September 20 to September 23.

AdA (Author directing Author)-an evening comprised of new one act plays by American playwright Neil LaBute and Italian playwright Marco Calvani, in which each playwright will direct the other's work-will be presented by La MaMa at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.) in Manhattan, with preview performances starting September 28 prior to an official press opening Sunday, September 30. The celebrated stage and film actor Larry Pine stars in Mr. LaBute's play LOVELY HEAD, directed by Mr. Calvani. The Oscar winning actress and four-time Tony nominee Estelle Parsons stars in Mr. Calvani's play THINGS OF THIS WORLD directed by Mr. LaBute.

LUZ-a new play by Catherine Filloux (DOG AND WOLF, LEMKIN'S HOUSE)-will be given its world-premiere production this fall, with previews beginning September 28 prior to an official press opening October 4 at La MaMa's First Floor Theatre (74A E. 4 St.) in Manhattan. LUZ is a Watson Arts Project, which presents original theater with a particular emphasis on women. LUZ is scheduled to run through October 14.

CONFESSIONS AND CONVERSATION-the newest work by the celebrated playwright, performer and longtime La MaMa artist Jean-Claude van Itallie -- will debut at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St. in Manhattan) for four performances only September 20 to 23. Written and performed by Mr. van Itallie, CONFESSIONS AND CONVERSATION is directed by Rosemary Quinn. CONFESSIONS AND CONVERSATIONS is presented by La MaMa, one of the first productions of the internationally-renowned theatre's 51st season.

La MaMa will begin its 51st season -- the theatre's 2nd half-century as one of the world's most influential experimental theatres -- with works by Neil LaBute, Marco Calvani, Jean-Claude van Itallie, Ping Chong, Catherine Filloux, Yara Arts Group, John Jahnke and The Hotel Savant, Sheila Callaghan and foolsFURY, The Foundry Theatre featuring Taylor Mac and companies from New York, the U.S., Poland, Uganda and other countries around the world, it has been announced by Mia Yoo, La MaMa's artistic director.

Artistic Director Robert Falls announced today that he will direct a major revival and new adaptation of Measure for Measure, Shakespeare's darkly comic collision of vice and virtue, in Goodman Theatre's 2012/2013 season, March 9 - April 14, 2013. Also, director David Cromer announced partial casting for his production of Sweet Bird of Youth: Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award-nominee Diane Lane appears as Princess Kosmonopolis and Finn Wittrock, who recently appeared in Broadway's Death of a Salesman with Philip Seymour Hoffman, is cast as the young-actor-turned-gigolo Chance Wayne. Complete casting to be announced soon. The production opens the Goodman's new season, September 15 - October 21; a September 24 Season Opening Benefit will take place at The Standard Club. Tickets available only on subscription; call 312.443.3800 or visit www.GoodmanTheatre.org. Individual tickets to Sweet Bird of Youth go on sale August 10; Abbott Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP and PwC LLP are the Corporate Sponsors Partners. Call 312.443.3811, ext. 586 for more information about the Season Opening Benefit.