Andrei Serban News

La MaMa concluded its 50th anniversary season with a successful benefit evening highlighted by entertainment and tributes-the La MaMa 50 Big Bash-on Sunday, June 24 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU in Manhattan. The evening was emceed by the inimitable Tony nominee and longtime La MaMa artist Andre DeShields, who joined other performers, including Gavin Creel, Bill Irwin, David Shiner, Adrian Bailey, Everett Quinton, Lady J and Culture Hub, in entertaining the audience of 600-plus with music and dance that celebrated La MaMa's first 50 years, including an excerpt from its recent hit production of Scott Wittman's JUKEBOX JACKIE featuring Cole Escola and Bridget Everett. The evening was directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer, who appeared as an actor at La MaMa during the early days of his career. Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, also La MaMa artists, served as the anniversary celebrations' co-chairs. See below for pictures of the BIG BASH's speakers and performers!

Classic Stage Company has announced that Nick Gehlfuss, who appeared as Lysander in the company's recent production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, is this year's recipient of the Rosemarie Tichler Fund grant.

La MaMa's popular series MONDAY NIGHTS AT LA MAMA -- featuring La MaMa artists in discussions about their careers and their work at La MaMa -- will conclude tonight, Monday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. with the Tony-winning and Academy Award-nominated director Julie Taymor at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.)

La MaMa's popular series MONDAY NIGHTS AT LA MAMA -- featuring La MaMa artists in discussions about their careers and their work at La MaMa -- will conclude on Monday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. with the Tony-winning and Academy Award-nominated director Julie Taymor at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.)

La MaMa presents H.M. Koutoukas' WHEN CLOWNS PLAY HAMLET, A 1964 Bitter Camp, with music composed by Joseph Blunt, directed by Ozzie Rodriguez. As part of the "Homecomings" Anniversary Season La MaMa is honoring Ellen Stewart, Harry Koutoukas and Tom O'Horgan. The production will be performed by members of The Great Jones Repertory Company tonight, May 24 thru June 3, 2012 in La MaMa's First Floor Theatre.

Sideways The Play, adapted by Rex Pickett from his own novel, plays in its world premiere by the Ruskin Group Theatre in Los Angeles, tonight, May 18 through July 22, Fridays-Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. It is the story of two friends - Miles and Jack - and their journey across the Santa Ynez wine country, on one last blowout trip before Jack gets married. Miles and Jack must face their uncertain futures…just as soon as they figure out how to survive their chaotic present.

M-34 presents Sarah Kane's 4.48 PSYCHOSIS and Franz Kafka's LETTER TO MY FATHER, two dramatic pieces which represent very personal accounts by these two artists at their most vulnerable times. The plays will run for twelve performances each in repertory from today, May 10 through May 27, 2012 at Magic Futurebox Theatre, 55 33rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232. Both pieces, which have been presented internationally by M-34, will be directed by James Rutherford.

La MaMa presents H.M. Koutoukas' WHEN CLOWNS PLAY HAMLET, A 1964 Bitter Camp, with music composed by Joseph Blunt, directed by Ozzie Rodriguez. As part of the "Homecomings" Anniversary Season La MaMa is honoring Ellen Stewart, Harry Koutoukas and Tom O'Horgan. The production will be performed by members of The Great Jones Repertory Company May 24 thru June 3, 2012 in La MaMa's First Floor Theatre.

La MaMa will continue its MONDAY NIGHTS AT LA MAMA series, a signature program of the company's 50th anniversary Homecoming season, tonight, April 23 at 8 p.m. at the Ellen Stewart Theater (66 E. 4 St.) with an evening featuring two of La MaMa's most celebrated artists in conversation -- director Andrei Serban and actor F. Murray Abraham.

Sideways The Play, adapted by Rex Pickett from his own novel, will play in its world premiere by the Ruskin Group Theatre in Los Angeles, May 18 through July 22, Fridays-Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. It is the story of two friends - Miles and Jack - and their journey across the Santa Ynez wine country, on one last blowout trip before Jack gets married. Miles and Jack must face their uncertain futures…just as soon as they figure out how to survive their chaotic present.

La MaMa will continue its MONDAY NIGHTS AT LA MAMA series, a signature program of the company's 50th anniversary Homecoming season, on Monday, April 23 at 8 p.m. at the Ellen Stewart Theater (66 E. 4 St.) with an evening featuring two of La MaMa's most celebrated artists in conversation -- director Andrei Serban and actor F. Murray Abraham.

M-34 presents Sarah Kane's 4.48 PSYCHOSIS and Franz Kafka's LETTER TO MY FATHER, two dramatic pieces which represent very personal accounts by these two artists at their most vulnerable times. The plays will run for twelve performances each in repertory from May 10-27, 2012 at Magic Futurebox Theatre, 55 33rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232. Both pieces, which have been presented internationally by M-34, will be directed by James Rutherford.

La MaMa presents the American premiere of London's Gate Theatre's production of THE KREUTZER SONATA through March 25.

Classic Stage Company's upcoming production of Bertolt Brecht's GALILEO (translated by Charles Laughton) starring Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham closes on Sunday, March 18.

La MaMa has announced that they will present the American premiere of London's Gate Theatre's production of THE KREUTZER SONATA March 8-25.

Following its acclaimed U.S. premiere in Chicago, I KILLED MY MOTHER, a new play by celebrated Romanian playwright András Visky, will make its New York premiere at La MaMa E.T.C. this winter in a production staged by director Karin Coonrod. Performances are through March 4.

Following the success of the acclaimed premiere of Taylor Mac's THE WALK ACROSS AMERICAN FOR MOTHER EARTH last season, La MaMa in association with the Obie Award-winning theatre company The Talking Band will present Sidney Goldfarb's play HOT LUNCH APOSTLES at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), with preview performances starting Thursday, March 1 prior to an official press opening set for Thursday, March 8.

Following the success of the acclaimed premiere of Taylor Mac's THE WALK ACROSS AMERICAN FOR MOTHER EARTH last season, La MaMa in association with the Obie Award-winning theatre company The Talking Band will present Sidney Goldfarb's play HOT LUNCH APOSTLES at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), with preview performances starting Thursday, March 1 prior to an official press opening set for Thursday, March 8.

Classic Stage Company's upcoming production of Bertolt Brecht's GALILEO (translated by Charles Laughton) starring Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham, which begins previews Tuesday evening, February 1, will extend by one additional week through Sunday, March 18.

Following its U.S. premiere in Chicago, "I Killed My Mother," a new play by Romanian playwright Andras Visky, will make its New York premiere at La MaMa E.T.C. this winter in a production staged by director Karin Coonrod.