Arena Stage News

The Washington Stage Guild begins its 2014-15 Season of Love and/or Marriage with the Washington area premiere of PEN by David Marshall Grant, playing October 30 through November 23. In the production directed by Kasi Campbell, a divorced couple wrangle over their college-bound son's future, and while the boy's life is about to change, he and his mother undergo perplexing changes themselves. It's 1969, the end of a turbulent decade, and the turmoil in the country is only one factor as Matt and his parents struggle to stay connected. The bonds of a family some would call broken, expressed in Grant's sharp and pointed dialogue, made this funny, touching play an off-Broadway hit.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces three projects that have been selected for the 2014/15 Kogod Cradle Series as part of the American Voices New Play Institute. Focused on the development of new and emerging work by artists from throughout Greater Washington and around the country, this series of readings and workshops invites artists and audiences to actively explore the development process.

The Welders-Washington's only playwrights' collective devoted exclusively to developing and producing new work-have launched their second production. Not Enuf Lifetimes, a new play by Caleen Sinnette Jennings, opens tonight, November 1, 2014 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Psalmayene 24 will direct.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Broadway production this fall, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater mounts a new staging of Fiddler on the Roof, the iconic musical that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Helmed by Artistic Director Molly Smith, the production features choreography by Arena favorite Parker Esse, who adapts the original Jerome Robbins choreography for an in-the-round staging, and a 10-piece orchestra led by Musical Director Paul Sportelli (Arena's My Fair Lady, Light in the Piazza). The theatrical masterpiece, which garnered nine Tony Awards for its 1964 debut, weaves together a portrait of family, community and life's unexpected miracles, large and small, and showcases a jubilant and beloved score, including 'If I Were a Rich Man,' 'Sunrise, Sunset,' 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker' and 'Tradition.' Featuring a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and based on Sholem Aleichem stories, Fiddler on the Roof runs tonight, October 31, 2014-January 4, 2015 in the Fichandler Stage.

The Washington Stage Guild begins its 2014-15 Season of Love and/or Marriage with the Washington area premiere of PEN by David Marshall Grant, playing tonight, October 30 through November 23.

Cleveland Play House (CPH) will host their 18th Hall of Fame Luncheon on Thursday, November 6th in downtown Cleveland. The 2014 honorees have impacted the success of CPH through their wide-ranging achievements. This year's recipients include Joe Garry, George Gund II, Maeve McGuire, and June Squibb. Receiving the Heritage Award for his contributions to CPH will be Nelson Isekeit. Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are long-time CPH supporters Bob Blattner and Betty Fredman.

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston's 2014-15 Season continues with THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE by Charles Busch. Directed by Larry Coen, the production will run November 21 - December 20, 2014. Press opening: November 23, 3pm.

Gulfshore Playhouse will continue their 2014-2015 season with Body Awareness by Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Annie Baker, playing November 1st through 16th, with $30 preview performances on October 29th and 30th.

Wetrock Entertainment is pleased to present performer/writer/jazz vocalist Andrea Frierson in 'me & ella,' a musical journey back to the beginnings of a young singer enamored with Ella Fitzgerald, set against a backdrop of New York City in the 1960's.

The first Globe for All free Shakespeare tour will begin today, October 28 and will culminate in three low-cost performances on November 7 - 9 in the Globe's Hattox Hall, part of the Karen and Donald Cohn Education Center in the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Folger Theatre launches its 2014/15 season in Rome with William Shakespeare's enduring political tragedy, Julius Caesar from tonight, October 28 - December 7, 2014.

Come and dance the blues away with Five Guys Named Moe! Helen Hayes Award winner Robert O'Hara (Bootcandy, director of The Mountaintop at Arena Stage) returns to Arena Stage to direct an explosive, reimagined tribute to the 'King of the Jukebox'-legendary composer and saxophonist Louis Jordan. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in costume below!

Every year, hundreds of D.C.-area military families must spend the Thanksgiving holiday away from loved ones. In gratitude for their service, Arena Stage is inviting wounded warriors, service men and women and their families to a complimentary dinner and performance of Fiddler on the Roof at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW) on Friday, November 28. Arena Stage is working primarily through the USO-Metro to distribute the tickets irrespective of rank. Additional tickets are distributed through the Washington DC-Virginia Medical Center Caregiver Support Program and the Southeast Veterans Service Center. It is anticipated that about 200 service men and women and their families will experience this special evening.

theatreWashington heats up the pre-holiday season with its popular showTunes & Cocktails on Mondays, November 3 and December 8, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Beacon Bar & Grill, 1615 Rhode Island, NW in Washington DC. Happy-hour prices and a pay-what-you-can admission policy add extra incentives for an event that's sure to make theatre lovers and Broadway aficionados start the week on a high note.

In a bold undertaking as part of the company's involvement with the multi-year, multi-city National Civil War Project, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater has commissioned Our War, a dynamic new theatrical event and collection of short stories that explores-through diverse perspectives-the historical memory and present-day reverberations of the U.S. Civil War. The series launched on October 21 and continues through November 9, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look at opening night below!

BroadwayWorld.com, the most visited theatre site on the net, presents its newest, exclusive TV series - BROADWAY QUICK CHANGE. This newly minted series follows Broadway phenom Robert Hartwell on inspirational shopping outings, then into the dressing rooms of Broadway's hottest stars, where wielding his interior design chops, and extraordinary taste, transforms their home away from home, from the Drab to the Fab, the Blah to the Ahhhh! In this latest episode, watch Robert transform the green room of one of Broadway's hottest shows- Motown!

It is my pleasure to announce that the upcoming production of Into The Woods at the Laura Pels Theatre will feature the original McCarter Theatre Center/Fiasco Theater cast. These ten extraordinary actors are Jessie Austrian (Baker's Wife), Noah Brody (Lucinda/Wolf/Cinderella's Prince), Paul L. Coffey (Mysterious Man), Andy Grotelueschen (Milky White/Florinda/Rapunzel's Prince), Liz Hayes (Cinderella's Stepmother/Jack's Mother), Claire Karpen (Cinderella/Granny),Jennifer Mudge (Witch), Patrick Mulryan (Jack/Steward), Ben Steinfeld (Baker), and Emily Young (Little Red Ridinghood/Rapunzel). As you know, Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld (co-Artistic Directors, along with Jessie Austrian, of Fiasco Theater) are also directing this thrillingly imaginative iteration of the musical.

It's not an easy one, but there are ample chances to not only marvel at the work it took to put it together, but the ambition of the actors and creative team.

The Washington Stage Guild begins its 2014-15 Season of Love and/or Marriage with the Washington area premiere of PEN by David Marshall Grant, playing October 30 through November 23. In the production directed by Kasi Campbell, a divorced couple wrangle over their college-bound son's future, and while the boy's life is about to change, he and his mother undergo perplexing changes themselves.

Levine Music's musical theater department, Act Two at Levine, is pleased to announce visiting artists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Cynthia Kortman Westhphal, and an exciting new collaboration with Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre, in addition to a continuing relationship with Arena Stage.