Anton Chekov News

The casts and creative teams for the daytime ShortWorks operas have been announced.

Prescott Center for the Arts proudly announces its first Summer Repertory Theatre Season entitled Lunacy, Love and Laughter! opening July 8th and running through August 14th.  This season PCA's Repertory is comprised of a company of volunteer directors, actors, technical artists and visual artists who are producing three exciting comedies: The madcap lunacy of Shakespeare Abridged by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Wingfield, directed by Bruce Lanning; the poetic magical realism in love and humor of The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash directed by Catherine Miller Hahn and the funny laugh- packed American treatment of Anton Chekov's plays in The Good Doctor by Neil "Doc" Simon, directed by Paul Epoch.  The volunteer company members have been working hard for months to produce this labor of summer love of theatre.  It is PCA's hope that this Repertory Season will be a refreshing slate of light and funny fare for our beloved patrons while also serving as a reflection of the excellence in the arts that PCA has to offer Prescott tourists.

West Coast Players will present INSPIRED LAUGHTER: An Evening with Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov directed by Linda Weir as their Special Summer Production.

West Coast Players will present INSPIRED LAUGHTER: An Evening with Neil Simon and Anton Chekhov, directed by Linda Weir as their Special Summer Production on July 14-17.

Academy Award nominee and soon-to-be Broadway lead Diane Lane has committed $20,000 towards a four-year, $5,000 annual grant for NYC-based female educators vested in music in honor of composer Elizabeth Swados.

The Shaw Festival continues to launch its 2016 season with a fresh take on another classic - this time Anton Chekov's UNCLE VANYA. This moving dramedy explores family harmony and dysfunction with budding loyalties and conflicting love. Jackie Maxwell, outgoing artistic director at the Shaw Festival brings to life this new adaptation by Annie Baker. It's a crisp translation with contemporary overtones that brings this Chekov classic to the new age. Neil Barclay stars as the title role and leads a talented ensemble including Donna Belleville, Kate Besworth, James Daly, Sharry Flett, Marla McLean, Patrick McManus, Peter Millard, Moya O'Connell and David Schurmann.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) presents the fourth and final show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with DANCING AT LUGHNASA, by Brian Friel, choreography by Julie Hall and directed by Heather Chesley.

BWW Interviews: Writer Ed Taylor

ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS by Jane Martin is a satirical romp across the stage of American Theatre, that holds a hilarious mirror up to the live theatre entertainment from coast to coast. The story focuses on Holly (Gillian Shure), a wildly popular TV star, who needs to get theatrical street cred to be considered for film. On a whim she signs on to do Anton Chekov's "Three Sisters" in a small repertory theatre in Texas where she can hire directors and pull all the strings as the show's financial backer. The entire cast is portrayed by women in this ensemble piece that combines the depth of Chekov and the levity of a Bravo sitcom.

Theatre, as do all of the arts, represents the era from which it comes or is written about. For example, Lanford Wilson's TALLEY'S FOLLY places the spotlight on Missouri in 1944, the border state that, until this day, is noted for its laws and customs regarding prejudice against Jews, Catholics and Blacks (e.g. the Ferguson incidents). It also showcases many of the feelings of border Southerners regarding 'proper' etiquette, the sanctity of the roles that women are to play in society, and the power of gossip. All this is folded into a charming tale.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) presents the fourth and final show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with DANCING AT LUGHNASA, by Brian Friel, choreography by Julie Hall and directed by Heather Chesley.

SLIGHTLY SANE PRODUCTIONS announce the opening of prolific award-winning and somewhat mysterious playwright Jane Martin's, ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS, Directed by Nell Teare.  This satirical gem,  with a stellar cast opens at The Hudson MainStage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.  Tickets: www.plays411.com/anton - Opening April 9th, 2016.  There will be one preview Friday, April 8th.

SLIGHTLY SANE PRODUCTIONS, headed by the dynamo team of Nell Teare and Gillian Shure, are not trying to change history but make it an equal playing field, bringing together a power-house group of women to present the satirical comedy by gifted playwright Jane Martin, ANTON IN SHOW BUSINESS. The all-female cast and crew production opens April 9th, 2016, at The Hudson MainStage Theatre,

The Almeida Theatre announces the cast for the world premiere of Boy, a new play by Leo Butler, directed by Sacha Wares. The cast is Mohammad Amiri, Osmain Baig, Ruby Bridle, Emilio Doorgasingh, Terina Drayton, Aeran Fitzgerald, Frankie Fox, Ellie Mai Gallagher, Bayleigh Gray, Zainab Hasan, Duramaney Kamara, Asiatu Koroma, Wendy Kweh, Lev Litvinov, Georgie Lord, Angel Loren, Teann McDonnell, Eugenie-Alexia Mulumba, Sarah Niles, Demi Papaminas, Imogen Roberts, Abdul Salis, Morgane Tapia,Peter Temple and Matthew Wellard. Boy will run at the Almeida Theatre from 5 April until 28 May, with a Press Night on 12 April.

Route 66 Theatre Company, in association with the LA-based VS. Theatre Company, is pleased to announce the transfer of its hit Chicago production NO WAKE to Los Angeles. Written by William Donnelly and directed by Kimberly Senior, NO WAKE's West Coast premiere will play tonight, February 25, through March 19, 2016 at VS. Theatre Company, 5453 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. The press opening is Saturday, February 27 at 8 pm.

Due to popular demand, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.'s sell-out production of AMERICAN BUFFALO will add two additional weeks of performances, extending through March 20, 2016. The company is also pleased to announce actor Spenser Davis will join the cast in the role of Bobby beginning March 10, 2016.  

Interrobang Theatre Project is pleased to conclude its 2015-16 Season, exploring "Unnatural Disasters," with the Midwest premiere of the psychological drama THE NORTH POOL by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, directed by Co-Artistic Director James Yost*, playing May 27 - June 26, 2016 at The Athenaeum Theatre (Studio 2), 2936 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.interrobangtheatre.org, by calling (773) 935-6875 or in person at The Athenaeum Theatre Box Office. The press opening is Sunday, May 29 at 2 pm.

Wie schon im letzten West End Roundup erwahnt gab es uber den Jahreswechsel nicht all zu viele Neuigkeiten zu berichten, deswegen fasse ich in diesem Broadway Roundup die News der letzten 2 Monate zusammen. Dieses Mal berichte ich von Hollywoodstars wie Claire Danes und Cate Blanchet, Revivals von Broadway Klassikern wie FIDDLER ON TH ROOF und HELLO, DOLLY, sowie von neuen Adaptionen bekannter Inhalte, darunter FROZEN, SPONGEBOB, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD und FREAKY FRIDAY. Los gehts!

Artistic Director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company are proud to announce its production of the award winning drama AMERICAN BUFFALO by David Mamet.