Anna-Deavere Smith News

Celebrating one of today's greatest raconteurs, The Moth will present acclaimed actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith with The 2009 Moth Award at its annual Moth Ball on Tuesday, November 17th in New York City.

The Kennedy Center today announced the casting of Emmy and Tony Award® winning actress Tyne Daly as Maria Callas in the production of Master Class by Terrence McNally which will run March 25 - April 18, 2010 in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.

Women's Project-the nation's number one theater producing plays written and directed by women-will be honored Tuesday (10/20) by the nation's leading club of the arts, the historic Players Club on Gramercy Park, when The Players Foundation gives its inaugural Off-Broadway Excellence Award to Women's Project at ceremonies Tuesday, October 20, at 5:30pm at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South. This is the first time The Players has granted this award.

As previously announced, Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, will arrive on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) where performances will commence on Monday, October 19 with an official opening set for Monday, November 23.

Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway?s 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O?Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23.

Tony® Award-winner Lillias White will join the cast of Fela!, the new Broadway musical based on the life and music of African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, playing the role of the iconic artist's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, will open Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre. Previews begin on Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

Fela!, the critically acclaimed musical that had audiences on their feet during its world premiere last summer at Off-Broadway's 37 Arts, will arrive on Broadway this fall where it begins performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19. The official opening is set for Monday, November 23. This new musical, based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award-winner Bill T. Jones (Spring Awakening), with a book by Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones. Sahr Ngaujah will return in the title role for which he received universal acclaim, while the world renowned Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, will again perform Kuti?s rousing music live onstage. Winner of this year?s Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, Fela! was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Steve Hendel.

Women's Project-the nation's number one theater producing plays written and directed by women-will be honored Tuesday (10/20) by the nation's leading club of the arts, the historic Players Club on Gramercy Park, when The Players Foundation gives its inaugural Off-Broadway Excellence Award to Women's Project at ceremonies Tuesday, October 20, at 5:30pm at The Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park South. This is the first time The Players has granted this award.

It's that time of year again, when the city officially turns into the NY intelligencia's playground. Yes, I am referring to the New Yorker Festival, which takes place over the October 16 - October 18 weekend. Among the highlights: panel discussions an Q & As with stage and screen stars Stanly Tucci, Christine Baranski and Tilda Swinton, among others.

The producers of Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, performer and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, have announced the policy for general rush tickets to this new musical which will begin performances at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre (230 West 49th Street) on Monday, October 19.

Second Stage Theatre is pleased to announce that the critically acclaimed production of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY, has extended four weeks, through December 6. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY opened on Wednesday, October 7 and was originally scheduled to run through November 8.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Sunday, October 11, 2009.

Dael Orlandersmith takes Chicago audiences on an electrifying journey through the spirit and soul of Harlem in her explosive solo piece Stoop Stories at Goodman Theatre. Hailed a 'triumph' (Washington City Paper) in its world premiere at Washington, D.C.'s Studio Theatre this past spring, Stoop Stories comes to Chicago directed by Obie Award-winner Jo Bonney.

Women's Project will present the world premiere production of Liz Duffy Adams's restoration-style comedy Or, directed by Wendy McClellan and featuring Kelly Hutchinson, Andy Paris and Maggie Siff.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) launched its 31st season with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY began preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7th.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) launched its 31st season with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY began preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7th.

American Express will sponsor the upcoming Second Stage Theatre production of Let Me Down Easy, conceived, written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will launch its 31st season this fall with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY will begin preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and will officially open on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:45pm.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will launch its 31st season this fall with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY will begin preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and will officially open on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:45pm.