Arena Stage News

Victor Maog has been appointed the new Artistic Director of Second Generation (2g) Gladys Chen, Board President, announced today, and will start his new position by spearheading 2g's signature event, Instant Vaudeville.

Rep Stage, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), continues its 20th anniversary season with J.M. Barrie's stirring, lyrical tale about the tricks of time, loss of innocence and eternal youth. "Mary Rose" opens October 31, 2012, with a limited run through November 18 in the Studio Theatre of the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA) on the campus of HCC.

Following its celebrated opening at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pullman Porter Blues travels across the country to sweep D.C. audiences along for a ride in its world-premiere co-production at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by her grandfather's work on the postal trains, playwright Cheryl L. West, whose work at Arena Stage includes Jar the Floor and Play On!, returns with the tale of three Pullman train porters whose journey is underscored by Midwest blues songs, including "Sweet Home Chicago" and "This Train." Directed by Lisa Peterson (Arena's The Rainmaker and The Quality of Life), Pullman Porter Blues runs November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Producers of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? have announced that the 50th anniversary Broadway revival has been extended, and is now on sale through February 24, 2013. The production, which was originally on sale through January 27, 2013, officially opened on October 13, 2012, at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street), exactly 50 years to the day of the play's original Broadway opening on Saturday, October 13, 1962.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, kicks off its holiday season with William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Director Ethan McSweeny (Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice) takes a fresh approach to this well-loved play filled with magic and wonder. The production runs at STC's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from November 15-December 30, 2012.

Dynamic producing duo Executive Producer, Mr. Voza Rivers' New Heritage Theater and Ms. Debra Ann Byrd's Take Wing and Soar will team up to bring Pauletta Pearson Washington and Roscoe Orman to the New York stage for a revival production of Lorey Hayes' POWER PLAY, a story about politics, passion and the power of God.

The Velocity of Autumn by Eric Coble, which had its World Premiere at Boise Contemporary Theater in the spring of 2011, will play Arena Stage in spring 2013. Molly Smith, the Artistic Director of Arena Stage in Washington D.C. has signed on to direct , and Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons and Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella will star in this two-character play.

The fourth show from Jackie Goldberg and Rockin' with the Ages The Beat Goes On! is by far their BEST, most slick and vibrant and totally indicative of Goldberg's great philosophy for all seniors to 'Get Up, Get Out and Get a Life!' It really MOVES! But you don't have to be a senior to enjoy the show. There's something for everyone from hip hop to rock and roll to 'Young at Heart'.

Tonight, October 17, {YOUR NAME HERE} presents a one-night only staged reading of "Love Poems for Dead Bodies" by Martha Jane Kaufman as part of their RADICAL ACTS series. The show will be held at TADA! Theater, 15 West 28th Street at 7 pm with a talkback immediately following moderated by Pulitzer finalist Sarah Ruhl (The Clean House, In the Next Room).

Round House Theatre continues its 2012/13 season with the regional premiere of I Love to Eat by James Still, which runs tonight, October 17 thru November 4. Leon Major directs this look at the delightfully zesty life of renowned chef James Beard. Nick Olcott portrays the culinary maestro described as "the face and belly of American gastronomy." Opening night is Monday, October 22, 2012.

Dynamic producing duo Executive Producer, Mr. Voza Rivers' New Heritage Theater and Ms. Debra Ann Byrd's Take Wing and Soar will team up to bring Pauletta Pearson Washington and Roscoe Orman to the New York stage for a revival production of Lorey Hayes' POWER PLAY, a story about politics, passion and the power of God.

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL, based on the life of legendary Motown founder Berry Gordy, will open on Broadway at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46 Street) on April 14, 2013. Preview performances will begin March 11, 2013. A couple of weeks ago, the show held a launch event for the anticipated world premiere at Lunt Fontanne Theatre, and you can check out photos from inside the event below!

Now running at Arena Stage through November 4, ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is a living, breathing collage of musical theatre, time capsule, and reunion concert with the late Janis Joplin. Performer Mary Bridget Davies was born to play Janis Joplin and Johnson has given her the perfect vehicle for her talents.

The Washington Stage Guild kicks off its 27th season with one of the most beloved plays of the past century, an indelible hit by the Stage Guild's 'playwright in residence' - George Bernard Shaw. PYGMALION was written in 1912, and the story of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle, her speech lessons at the hands of the temperamental Henry Higgins, and the sparks that fly between them, has rarely left the stage since its premiere. Directed by Stage Guild Artistic Director, Bill Largess, Shaw's comedy is sharp and insightful, asking questions as valid today as a century ago. Exactly what 'makes' a lady a lady? The way she behaves, or the way she is treated?

Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opens this evening, Saturday, October 13, 2012, at the Booth Theatre (222 West 45th Street), exactly 50 years to the day of the play's original Broadway opening on Saturday, October 13, 1962.

This October, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, an ancient tale comes roaring back to life in a compelling new telling filled with contemporary wit and wisdom. The clash of swords and shields, the broken hearts and broken oaths, the bonds of friendship and family - An Iliad arises on a bare stage, told by an old man who's seen too much. Two-time Obie Award-winner Lisa Peterson directs a stunning show that stars Henry Woronicz, who masterfully captures the grief and glory of the battle for Troy.

According to The Washington Post, Molly Smith, artistic director of Arena Stage has signed on to direct a production of Eric Coble's THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN on Broadway in the Spring of 2013, a production that'll mark Broadway debuts for both. Lead producer Larry Kaye has said that signed on to star will be Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella.