Anton Chekhov News

Last month New Brooklyn Theater concluded their seven-week run of Edward Albee's The Death of Bessie Smith at Interfaith Medical Center. Approximately 1800 people saw the show, 22 of 28 performances were sold out, and, thanks in part to renewed public pressure, the hospital has been given a new lease on life: Interfaith is expected to emerge out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on May 14, 2014.

Trinity Rep announced today that Jeffrey Osborne will be honored with the 2014 New England Pell Award for Artistic Excellence, acknowledging his artistic achievements and philanthropic work throughout Rhode Island.

The Long Beach Playhouse continues to grow its reputation for outstanding productions and season offerings that are eclectic in their range and flawless in their execution. The 2014 Studio season exemplifies this focus on play selections that are both intellectually stimulating and entertaining.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that its acclaimed production of David Ives' THE HEIR APPARENT, adapted from the play by Jean-Francois Regnard, will extend through Sunday, May 11 at CSC (136 East 13th Street). Directed by John Rando, THE HEIR APPARENT features Suzanne Bertish (Madame Argante), Carson Elrod (Crispin), Claire Karpen (Lisette), Amelia Pedlow (Isabelle), David Pittu (Scruple), Dave Quay (Eraste) and Paxton Whitehead (Geronte).

The University of Cape Town Drama Department is staging their Autumn Season at the Rosebank Theatre. Three productions, all directed by the prolific Christopher Weare, will be performed between 30 April and 17 May 2014.

Today the Donmar Warehouse announced the full cast of Fathers and Sons, by Brian Friel, after the novel by Ivan Turgenev. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Lyndsey Turner - who returns to the Donmar having previously directed Friel's Philadelphia, Here I Come! in 2012 - Turgenev's masterpiece reveals a new world in conflict with the old, the uneasiness of clashing generations and the difficulty of staying radical as you move through life.

Trinity Rep and WBRU announce their next Under35@TRC WBRU Night, Under35@Veronica Meadows, today, April 17.

PASSAJJ Productions is proud to present Once/Twice, two musical adaptations by veteran composer and lyricist Paul Dick (A For Adultery, Madame Bovary). Once is an adaptation of the short play A Sunny Morning by Serafin and Joaquin Quintero, while Twice is based on The Bear by Anton Chekhov.

Trinity Repertory Company invites the public to remember and celebrate the life of the lateMarion Simon, former executive assistant to Trinity Rep artistic director, Adrian Hall (and later Richard Jenkins), who passed away in December at the age of 90. The memorial celebration -featuring speakers and stories about Trinity Rep's longtime friend - will take place on Friday, May 7, at 2PM in Trinity Repertory Company's Dowling Theater, 201 Washington St. in Providence. The memorial service is free and open to the public - seating reservations are not necessary, but those with special seating needs should call (401) 521-1100, ext. 104.

The Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 So. 7th St. in downtown Santa Paula presents the Anton Chekhov classic masterpiece, THE SEAGULL adapted and directed by Michael Perlmutter, on its MAIN STAGE April 18 through May 25 with Friday and Saturday Performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday Matinees at 2:30 p.m.

Trinity Rep announced today that former artistic director and Academy-award nominated film, stage and TV actor Richard Jenkins and his wife Director/Choreographer Sharon Jenkins will be honored with the 2014 Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. The theater also announced that nationally known dance educator and choreographer Mary Paula Hunter will receive the 2014 Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts. The 18th annual Pell Awards will be held on Monday, June 9, 2014 at Trinity Rep with a reception to follow next door at the Providence Public Library.

Trinity Rep and WBRU announce their next Under35@TRC WBRU Night, Under35@Veronica Meadows, Thursday, April 17. Sponsored by WBRU, Under35@TRC is Trinity Rep's membership program for theater goers between 21 and 35. Membership is free and includes $25 tickets to any Trinity Rep performance and invitations to special events. Under35@Veronica Meadows includes a pre-show reception and viewing of the Dowling Theater's art gallery Cover to Cover: The Veronica Meadows Series Imagined, featuring the work of RISD illustration students. The event also provides an exclusive opportunity to meet the artists displayed in the exhibit. The reception begins at 6:00pm, gallery opens at 6:30, followed by a 7:30pm performance of Veronica Meadows. Tickets for the evening are $25 for Under35@TRC members and include the pre-show events and performance. Membership for Under35@TRC is free for those 21-35. To join, email Ted Chylack at tchylack@trinityrep.com or visit www.trinityrep.com. Tickets are available through the box office at 201 Washington St., by calling (401)351-4242 or online at www.trinityrep.com.

The Arden Theatre Company just opened the world premiere of a new translation of THREE SISTERS. Curt Columbus translates this play, originally written by Anton Chekhov. The Arden Theatre calls this new translation, "audacious, alive, and contemporary." I would have to agree with this, THREE SISTERS is a contemporary retelling of Chekhov's beloved play, but it also keeps with the tradition of Chekhov. The Arden's production is bold and honest with a strong cast.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, will present its popular First Look Festival, a series of one-night only staged readings, this year focusing on the remarkable work of playwright Caryl Churchill, whose plays have provoked, captivated and astounded audiences since she burst onto the scene in the late 1960s.

Actor Sharif Atkins ('White Collar,' 'Hawaii,' 'ER') will star as Clay in the co-production of 'Dutchman' by LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka) by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) and The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH). The two theater companies are mounting the production 50 years after the March 1964 world premiere of the play at the Cherry Lane Theatre and in tribute to the late theater great Baraka, who died on January 9. Ambien Mitchell stars opposite Atkins as Lula and Lorenzo Scott joins the cast as the Conductor. Previews of the Carl Cofield-directed show begin on April 30 and run through May 2, and performances run from May 3 through May 23 at National Black Theatre in Harlem.

The Hypocrites are pleased to announce their 2014-15 Season, beginning in August 2014 with the world premiere of ALL OUR TRAGIC, an unparalleled twelve-hour theatrical adaptation that combines all 32 surviving Greek tragedies into a single epic narrative, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney*. Audiences may experience ALL OUR TRAGIC at a single twelve-hour marathon performance (with ample breaks for food and beverage) or through shorter installments spread over multiple weekends.

Following the successful, award-winning 2013 co-production of Detroit '67 written by Dominique Morisseau, Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) and The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH) officially announce their second co-production. The famed Harlem arts institutions will produce the 50th Anniversary revival of 'Dutchman' by LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka) from April 30 to May 23, 2014. Carl Cofield will direct the revival.

Vermont's award-winning Weston Playhouse Theatre Company has announced its 2014 season of shows - a summer of Broadway blockbusters and exciting new works. Highlights include the world premiere of Paul Gordon's rock musical Analog and Vinyl directed by Michael Berresse, Christopher Lloyd and Campbell Scott in Annie Baker's Uncle Vanya, and Obie winner Dael Orlandersmith in her one-woman Stoop Stories.

Trinity Rep and The Providence Athenaeum invite the public to attend a free salon conversation inspired by Trinity Rep's world premiere Veronica Meadows. Girl Power: The Girl Detective in American Literature and Her Impact on American Culture, a conversation moderated by the Athenaeum's Christina Bevilacqua between Brown University cultural historian Susan Smulyan and playwright Stephen Thorne, takes place Monday, April 7 at 7:00PM in Trinity Rep's Dowling Theater. This event is free and open to the public.

Kate Burton, accomplished Chekhovian actress, plays onstage mother to her son Morgan Ritchie in the Huntington Theatre Company's production of THE SEAGULL, featuring an ensemble of local favorites and Broadway veterans. Director Maria Aitken leads a stellar team of designers to create magic at the BU Theatre.