Ann Brown News

When television was in its infancy, few actors were as beloved as Gertrude Berg and few shows were as popular as The Goldbergs, the gentle comedy that she created, starred in, wrote, and produced. The program began on radio in 1929, and 20 years later became one of TV's earliest sitcoms. For her portrayal of Molly Goldberg, the matriarch of a Jewish family living in the Bronx, Berg was the first recipient of an Emmy Award for Best Actress.  

Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, the Pulitzer Prize-winner that is on virtually every critic's short list of greatest American plays, opens Palm Beach Dramaworks' 2019-2020 season on Friday, October 11 (8pm) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. Performances continue through November 3, with specially priced previews on October 9 and 10 (7:30pm). J. Barry Lewis directs.

Fringe Festivals all around the world have been an essential proving ground for thousands of independent performers from a wide array of disciplines, since the very first Edinburgh Fringe in 1947.

"If nominations for the first couple of Palm Beach County music were held, vocalist Jill Switzer and multi-instrumentalist Rich Switzer would be near the top of the list of candidates," raved Florida Weekly.

The Lubben Brothers, whose dazzling musicianship delighted Palm Beach Dramaworks audiences in Woody Guthrie's American Song and The Spitfire Grill, take center stage at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre from June 21-23 as part of the Sounds of Summer concert series.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is delighted to announce that Michael Amico, the company's production manager and premier set designer, was honored by the Florida Professional Theatres Association (FPTA) with the Vic Award for being "one of Florida's most creative scenic designers" and in recognition of "his years of work in theatre production."

It's October 4, 1965, and Pope Paul VI is spending 14 hours in New York City, marking the first visit by a reigning pope to the United States. Millions line the streets to greet him and zookeeper Artie Shaughnessy, a wannabe Hollywood songwriter with big dreams and no discernible talent, joins the throngs in the hope that a papal blessing will help propel him out of Queens, away from his mentally ill wife, Bananas, and into a new life in Los Angeles with his girlfriend, Bunny Flingus. 

Palm Beach Dramaworks presents The House of Blue Leaves by John Guare. Obie Award-winning play opens May 17 at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre.

Fences, August Wilson's towering, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about an embittered black man denied his dream and the soul-searing wounds he inflicts on his family, opens at Palm Beach Dramaworks on Friday, March 29 (8pm) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. Performances continue through April 21, with specially priced previews on March 27 and 28.

Race. It's a subject that permeates the American consciousness, that finds its way into the news just about every day - and is virtually absent from the national dialogue. Few people, it seems, want to talk about race because it's such a fraught and delicate topic.

The sounds infusing the lobby of the Kravis Center's Cohen Pavilion on March 16 were voices from a bygone era, those that filled the airwaves when radio reigned and families gathered 'round to listen to all kinds of programs - not just music but mysteries, comedies, adventure stories, and police procedurals.

Fences, August Wilson's towering, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about an embittered black man denied his dream and the soul-searing wounds he inflicts on his family, opens at Palm Beach Dramaworks on Friday, March 29 (8pm) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. Performances continue through April 21, with specially priced previews on March 27 and 28.

The Chicago Inclusion Project is launching a new initiative dedicated to providing performance development training to Chicago area artists in underrepresented communities.  The new, pay- what-you-can series will consist of master classes, workshops, and mentor lectures from Chicago theater luminaries, excited to share their knowledge.

Fences, August Wilson's towering, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about an embittered black man denied his dream and the soul-searing wounds he inflicts on his family, opens at Palm Beach Dramaworks on Friday, March 29 (8pm) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre. Performances continue through April 21, with specially priced previews on March 27 and 28.

Palm Beach Dramaworks does not disappoint with their decision to add a musical to their regular subscription season. "The Spitfire Grill" by James Valcq (Book and Music) ?and Fred Alley (Book and Lyrics) and based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff, in short, is a hit. Fitting in perfectly with their mission of 'Theatre To Think About', this realistic and grounded show is so engaging that it's impossible to keep your own emotions in check.

Palm Beach Dramaworks announces One Week Extension of The Spitfire Grill by James Valcq (Book and Music) and Fred Alley (Book and Lyrics) Based on the Film by Lee David Zlotoff Must Close on March 3

Palm Beach Dramaworks is delighted to announce its newest education initiative, The Academy@pbd, a summer program for teenagers that provides them with the opportunity to appear in a musical or play and also offers rigorous training in stage management and acting in a safe, positive environment.

The Spitfire Grill, a warm and uplifting show by James Valcq (book and music) and Fred Alley (book and lyrics) about starting over and second chances, forgiveness and redemption, becomes the first musical to be produced by Palm Beach Dramaworks as part of its subscription season. This internationally beloved work opens on February 1 and runs through February 24, with specially priced previews on January 30 and 31. Bruce Linser directs.

A world premiere and four popular, critically acclaimed works make up Palm Beach Dramaworks' 2019-2020 season, it was announced today by Producing Artistic Director William Hayes.

Lyle Kessler says that most of his plays are about "family, and the extreme emotions of a family pushed to the edge." That certainly holds true for his newest work,