Anne Washburn News

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sarah Benson and Executive Director Cynthia Flowers, Soho Rep. has continually produced work by bold artists who harness the intimate power of a 73-seat black box theater to create transformative experiences. Soho Rep.'s 2014-15 season, announced today, comprises three new works that each speak to the civic power of theater through their own distinctive form.

The world premiere of Alecky Blythe's new play inspired by the 2011 London riots, directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, LITTLE REVOLUTION, will play the Almeida Theatre. This is Alecky's first new London production after the success of London Road at the National Theatre.

Casting is announced for Our Town at the Almeida Theatre. Award-winning US actor-director David Cromer will direct and perform in this intimate version of Thornton Wilder's iconic American play. The cast will also include Michael Ajao, Paul Bigley, Arthur Byrne, Sidney Cole, Kate Dickie, Laura Elsworthy, Anna Francolini, Matthew Jacobs-Morgan, Daniel Kendrick, Simon Lennon, Jessica Lester, Richard Lumsden, Annette McLaughlin, Christopher Staines, Rhashan Stoneand David Walmsley.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre under the Artistic Direction of Kurt Beattie is proud to announce the Mainstage productions taking place in the 50th Anniversary Season in 2015. The mid-century mark will reflect ACT's contribution to the field throughout history and looking to the future with the theme, What Was, What is, and What Will Be. 2015 brings cause to celebrate two other milestone anniversaries: ACT will celebrate the 40th year of producing founder Gregory A. Falls' adaptation of A Christmas Carol, as well as the 90th anniversary of the 1925 Fraternal Order of Eagles building, ACT's historic landmark home since 1996. Commemorative celebrations and engagement opportunities will occur throughout the year. A brief history of ACT's founding is included following the season titles.

After a national search, Playwrights Horizons announced today the appointment of Kyle Sircus as the institution's new Director of Marketing. Beginning Monday, September 22, Mr. Sircus will join the acclaimed theater company direct from Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, CA, where he currently serves as Marketing Manager, a position created especially for him in July 2012. Mr. Sircus will lead the theater company's seven-person Marketing Department.

Casting is announced for the world premiere of Alecky Blythe's new play inspired by the 2011 London riots, directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins. This is Alecky's first new London production after the success of London Road at the National Theatre.

Playwrights Horizons has announced initial casting for its upcoming 2014/2015 Season. The announcement includes casting for the first two shows of the season: initial casting for BOOTYCANDY, the New York premiere of a new play written and directed by Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara (In the Continuum, Antebellum, Insurrection: Holding History); and initial casting for GRAND CONCOURSE, the World Premiere of a new play by playwright and two-time Obie Award-winning actress Heidi Schreck (There Are No More Big Secrets, Creature), directed by Kip Fagan (The Revisionist, Asuncion).

The local group opens its fourth season Friday with a work that juxtaposes love's timeless ideals with contemporary realities in Mat Smart's 'The 13th of Paris,' which opened last Friday in the Martin Experimental Theater at The Kentucky Center for the Arts.

The Brooklyn College Department of Theater will present its inaugural New Works Brooklyn festival today, June 25-29. The series will feature staged readings of one-act plays written by Kia Corthron, Erin Courtney, Jose Rivera, Anne Washburn, and Mac Wellman, all of whom will take part in audience talkbacks during the week. In addition, Rivera will direct his own piece, and Corthron, Courtney, Washburn, and Wellman will take part in a panel discussion on the development of new plays on the closing day of the festival.

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO, Kate Maguire have announced the Summer 2014 Theatre Season offering classic works coupled with contemporary plays.

On Monday July 14 at 7:30pm, Red Bull Theater will host its 4th Annual SHORT NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, featuring new plays by David Ives, Anne Washburn, Will Kenton, Tabia Lau, Bridgette Dutta Portman, Lynn Rosen, Tom Rowan and James Still.

The Brooklyn College Department of Theater will present its inaugural New Works Brooklyn festival on June 25-29. The series will feature staged readings of one-act plays written by Kia Corthron, Erin Courtney, Jose Rivera, Anne Washburn, and Mac Wellman, all of whom will take part in audience talkbacks during the week. In addition, Rivera will direct his own piece, and Corthron, Courtney, Washburn, and Wellman will take part in a panel discussion on the development of new plays on the closing day of the festival.

The Hangar Theatre is pleased to announce the shows for its upcoming Wedge Series. These four shows will be under the direction of the Drama League Directing Fellows, and will feature members of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company. Each year the Hangar offers free admission to Hangar patrons and all community members to its Wedge Series of cutting edge performances. These shows take place under the Hangar Tent, which is transformed into a unique performance venue for each Wedge show. Performances begin 15 minutes after the scheduled Mainstage performances tonight, June 19, and June 20, as well as July 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, and 25. Wedge performances are open to all ages; however they may contain mature language and situations that may not be suitable for all children.

The Hangar Theatre is pleased to announce the shows for its upcoming Wedge Series. These four shows will be under the direction of the Drama League Directing Fellows, and will feature members of the Hangar Theatre Lab Company. Each year the Hangar offers free admission to Hangar patrons and all community members to its Wedge Series of cutting edge performances. These shows take place under the Hangar Tent, which is transformed into a unique performance venue for each Wedge show. Performances begin 15 minutes after the scheduled Mainstage performances on June 19 and 20, and July 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, and 25. Wedge performances are open to all ages; however they may contain mature language and situations that may not be suitable for all children.

The Almeida's production of Anne Washburn's MR. BURNS opened to mixed reviews. Mr Burns asks how the stories we tell make us the people we are, explodes the boundaries between pop and high culture and, when society has crumbled, imagines the future for America's most famous family. Let's see what the critics had to say:

Anne Washburn's Mr Burns at the Almeida Theatre is one of the boldest, most intellectually complex plays to be found on a London stage - and many theatregoers will probably disdain it for celebrating 'low culture'. They are missing the point by about 150 miles.

SPACE on Ryder Farm, a nonprofit artist residency program announces its 4th season. Housed on an organic farm in picturesque Brewster, NY, SPACE will host over 150 artists as they develop 75 projects.

The Almeida Theatre today announces its body of work for the autumn: a World Premiere of a new work by Alecky Blythe will be directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins and the London Premiere of David Cromer's acclaimed production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town.

The 80th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon is being held this afternoon, May 16, at the Marriott Marquis Times Square, where winners will be announced for Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award. This year's event, which began at noon, is hosted by Broadway veteran Jesse Tyler Ferguson. BroadwayWorld is updating the winners live! Check back in to find out who took home the big awards!

Playwrights Horizons is now accepting entries for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for up to two $5 tickets each to the New York premiere of FLY BY NIGHT: A NEW MUSICAL, conceived by Kim Rosenstock (Tigers Be Still); written by Will Connolly (performer, Once), Michael Mitnick (Sex Lives of Our Parents, the upcoming film The Giver) and Ms. Rosenstock; choreographed by Sam Pinkleton (Mr. Burns at PH; Natasha, Pierre…); and directed by Carolyn Cantor (The Great God Pan and After the Revolution at PH, Pumpgirl, Orange Flower Water).