Andrew Hinderaker News

Two-time Academy Award winning actress Hilary Swank (Boys Don't Cry, Million Dollar Baby, PS I Love You) set to star as astronaut Emma Green in 10 episode drama series, Away. Swank will also serve as an executive producer on the series.

Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein today announced the appointment of Travis LeMont Ballenger as Associate Artistic Director. The Globe will have two people in this key position, as Ballenger joins Associate Artistic Director Justin Waldman, who has been at the Globe since 2011. Ballenger and Waldman will report jointly to Edelstein. Ballenger will assume his artistic duties at The Old Globe on May 1.

Broadway, TV, and film star Cheyenne Jackson is the headliner at Olney Theatre Center's annual Gala on Saturday, May 18, 2019. The Gala, which raises crucial funds for Olney Theatre Center, will also honor MedStar Montgomery Medical Center on its 100th Anniversary.

Today, Olney Theatre Center Artistic Director Jason Loewith unveiled a lineup of 16 plays, concerts, and presentations coming in 2019-2020 as part of the company's 82nd season, including the highly-anticipated DC-area premiere of Miss You Like Hell by Quiara Alegria Hudes and Erin McKeown. Included are both classic and contemporary musicals, family fare for the holidays, Tony-winning dramas and work by some of the most innovative American playwrights.

With the original run and first extension completely sold out, Steep Theatre is extending the run of Ike Holter's Red Rex through March 30. Jack Miggins, who was nominated for a Jeff Award for his work in Steep's 2014 production of The Vandal, will join the cast in the role of Adam beginning on March 13. Tickets are on sale now at steeptheatre.com/redrex, and they're expected to sell very quickly. 

With the original run completely sold out, Steep Theatre is extending the run of Ike Holter's Red Rex through March 16 and adding Wednesday evening performances to the schedule beginning February 6. Tickets are on sale now at steeptheatre.com/redrex, and they're expected to sell very quickly. 

The American Premiere of Ella Hickson's Oil directed by Tracy Brigden begins its Olney Theatre Center run in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab on February 27 and runs through March 31.  Invited Press Night is Saturday, March 2 at 7:45pm.

In January, Steep Ensemble Member Jonathan Berry returns to Steep to direct the world premiere of Ike Holter's Red Rex, the sixth play in Holter's seven-play "Rightlynd Saga" about Chicago. Since the 2012 production of his Hit the Wall, Holter's work has gained increasing national and international attention. In describing the "Rightlynd Saga," Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune opined that it "might just be one of the most significant literary achievements in modern-day Chicago." Holter's play Rightlynd, part of the seven-play saga, is currently in production at Victory Gardens Theatre, and his Lottery Day, the final play in the saga, premieres in the Spring of 2019 at the Goodman Theatre. Director Jonathan Berry has been at the helm of many of Steep's most memorable shows, including the recent smash-hit production of Simon Stephens' Birdland.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) is thrilled to announce the eighth annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series, a five-night event that includes nightly readings of new works written and directed by emerging artists, as well as post-show receptions. The Reading Series will feature new works by Aaron Carter, Emily Feldman, Dave Harris, Jonathan Spector and Sanaz Toossi.

-A small theater company moves into an abandoned Chicago storefront. Led by their adventurously thirsty artistic director, they embark on an explosive new play with the hope of finally breaking it big. When the ensemble realizes their source material might not be as original as once assumed, they are thrust into an intense confrontation with residents of their new community, who not only want them out, but will take their story back by any means necessary. Red Rex is the sixth play in Ike Holter's seven part 'Rightlynd Saga," which also includes Exit Strategy, Prowess, and The Wolf at the End of the Block.

The Gift Theatre is pleased to welcome Jennifer Glasse as its newest Ensemble member. Glasse has appeared in The Gift's world premieres of Hang Man and A Life Extra Ordinary. 

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists. Members of the 2017/2018 Playwrights Unit include Sam Collier, Ricardo Gamboa, Isaac Gomez, Kristin Idaszak and Nigel O'Hearn. Free, one-time-only readings take place July 14-18 at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn); to make a reservation call 312.443.3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org/PlaywrightsUnit. Availability is extremely limited.

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists.

Netflix has given a 10-episode series order to Away, a drama series from playwright Andrew Hinderaker, Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights, Parenthood) and Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Felicity).

Southern Rep Theatre announces its 2018-19 Mainstage Season, its 32nd, featuring the regional premieres of THE WOLVES by Sarah DeLappe and A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 by Lucas Hnath as well as three world premieres: AZUL by New Orleans native Christina Quintana, FLOWERS FOR HALLIE - a celebration of Mahalia Jackson written by and starring Troi Bechet - and MANDATORY MERRIMENT: AN UNTITLED HOLIDAY MUSICAL created by Leslie Castay and Ian Hoch with book by Ian Hoch.

With the original run and four-week extension completely sold out, Steep Theatre Company is adding three more performances of Simon Stephens' Birdland on June 10, 14, and 15. With the ensemble's next production (Penelope Skinner's Linda directed by Robin Witt) right around the corner, June 15 will be the last chance to catch this runaway hit at Steep.

Syracuse Stage concludes its season with an intriguing and mystifying production of The Magic Play. The unique production features a cast of three actors under the astute direction of Halena Kays. It is positively entrancing thanks to the brilliant cast and unique script.

Syracuse Stage concludes the 17/18 season with 'The Magic Play,' starring magician and actor Brett Schneider and written by Andrew Hinderaker. Performances start April 25 and run through May 13 at the Archbold Theatre in the Syracuse Stage/SU Drama complex at 820 E. Genesee Street. Opening night is today, April 27.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) will conclude the New York premiere of Bobbie Clearly by Alex Lubischer, directed by Will Davis, on Sunday, May 6. This is the second play in Roundabout Underground's expanded two-play season, following Too Heavy for Your Pocket by Jireh Breon Holder this fall.