Ars Nova News

Loosely inspired by Chekhov's The Seagull, Black Doves by Reynaldo Piniella follows a middle-class African-American family in present-day Brooklyn, New York. When a loved one commits an unforgivable crime, will the family deal with the generational trauma that has shaped their lives, or will they choose to ignore it, which only continues the cycle?

'The Immigrant,' a heartwarming story inspired by the real experiences of a Russian-Jewish emigrant to the United States, will be performed at George Street Playhouse from March 12 through April 7. Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Benjamin Palteson about his career and his role as Haskell Harelik in the show.

As part of the closing week of the Brenda Starr, Reporter: The Art of Dale Messick exhibit at the Society of Illustrators (128 East 63rd Street New York, NY 10065), The Waverly Writers Collective will present a staged reading of Reporter Girl, a full-length play written by Laura Rohrman (My Life As You at Studio 54/Shetler), Dale Messick's Granddaughter and co-curator of the exhibit.

Interrobang Theatre Project is pleased to conclude its ninth season, exploring'identity/crisis,' with the Midwest premiere of Emily Schwend's drama UTILITY.

Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison's first novel comes to life at the Wells Theatre. The Bluest Eye, directed by Khanisha Foster, follows the story of young Pecola in 1940's Ohio who is pregnant at her father's hands. She is taken in by a loving family and cared for by brilliant and kind sisters, Frieda and Claudia. The character-driven play, both poetic and daringly funny, illuminates the destructive powers of racism and class dynamics while exploring the power of community through exquisite storytelling. The Bluest Eye is produced in collaboration with Norfolk State University Theatre Company.

MAX VERNON - the songwriter described by The New Yorker as "equal parts Bohemia and Broadway" - will continue his first residency at Joe's Pub, Existential Life Crisis Lullaby, on Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 PM. Following three sold out shows last year, he returns with special guests Lauren Worsham, Margo Seibert, Larry Owens, Maria-Christina Oliveras, and Darius Harper. The spring shows, directed by Ellie Heyman, will continue on Tuesday, April 23. Vernon received the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical, three Drama Desk Award nominations, a Jonathan Larson Grant and the Richard Rodgers Award for his musicals The View UpStairs and KPOP, both of which had critically-acclaimed extended Off-Broadway runs last year. KPOP is planning a major new production later this year. Following a sold-out debut at the Kennedy Center in 2017, Vernon has returned to the New York nightclub stage for an exclusive engagement of high spectacle, high fashion, and high belted F sharps.

Five-time Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb (Maria Striar, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Bulger, Associate Artistic Director; Quinn Metal Corbin, Advancement Director) is proud to announce the line-up for SUMMERWORKS, its annual series of new plays. Now in its 24th season, SUMMERWORKS will run May 17 through June 29 at The Wild Project (195 E 3rd Street) in Manhattan, and will feature productions of three new plays: LUNCH BUNCH by Sarah Einspanier and directed by Tara Ahmadinejad; YOU NEVER TOUCHED THE DIRT by Zhu Yi and directed by Ken Rus Schmoll; and KING PHILIP'S HEAD IS STILL ON THAT PIKE JUST DOWN THE ROAD by Daniel Glenn and directed by Caitlin Ryan O'Connell.

Washington Ensemble Theatre has announced the cast for the Seattle premiere of Feathers and Teeth, the twisted horror comedy by Charise Castro Smith that grapples with the power of grief and the dangers of the other side. WET members Rachel Guyer-Mafune (WET: Teh Internet Is Serious Business, ACT: The Wolves, Book-It: Howl's Moving Castle) and Samie Spring Detzer (WET: Teh Internet Is Serious Business, Revolt. She said. Revolt again.) return to the WET stage to star as the creepy cool daughter/stepmother duo, Chris and Carol. Brandon J. Simmons (WET: Sextet, The Seagull Project: The Cherry Orchard, The Three Sisters) joins the cast as Arthur and James Schilling (ArtsWest: Peter and the Starcatcher, The Horse in Motion: The Great Noise) makes his WET debut as Hugo. WET's Associate Artistic Director Bobbin Ramsey directs. This is the second play by Castro Smith to be produced by WET; the world premiere of The Hunchback of Seville was the company's final play produced at The Little Theater on 19th Avenue East before moving to its current home, 12th Avenue Arts

The coffeehouse meets the cabaret in "Poetry/Cabaret: FRESH" at The Green Room 42. Join curator and host Thomas March (Aftermath) and a cast of poets, comedians, and singers as they celebrate the arrival of spring-and what it means to be FRESH, in every way. Recommended by Time Out NY, "Poetry/Cabaret" is a fast-paced, multi-genre variety show that brings together poets and performers in an evening of wild variations on a theme, keeping the audience on its toes-get ready for a heartbreaking and hilarious evening of emotional whiplash! Joining us onstage to celebrate all things 'FRESH' will be-poets Donika Kelly, Elizabeth Senja Spackman, & Melissa Lozada-Oliva; singers Jordan Ho & Xavier; and comedians Kiko Soiree and Shane O'Neill-with Drew Wutke on piano. Tickets are available online at OvationTix.com:

In honor of Stonewall's 50th Anniversary and the Wizard of Oz' 80th Anniversary, Not in Kansas Productions presents the world premiere of a new play by Randall David Cook; directed by 2x Tony-nominee, Joey McKneely; and featuring Jamison Stern: Toto Talks!

NYC theater company COLLABORATIONTOWN and FLINT REPERTORY THEATRE are proud to announce the World Premiere of RIDDLE OF THE TRILOBITES, in a co-production presented at Flint Repertory Theatre in Flint, Michigan, March 1-10, 2019, in advance of a New York Premiere in 2020.

Bid to win a pair of VIP tickets to The Mad Ones, Mrs. Murray's Menagerie, directed by Lila Neugebauer! This includes excellent reserved seats and a backstage meet and greet with any available company members.

Ma-Yi Theater Company - which previously announced that Shelley Butler will direct the world-premiere play FRUITING BODIES by Asian-American playwright Sam Chanse - proudly announces KIMIYE CORWIN (Noises Off, Henry VI), EMMA KIKUE (God Said This, Up the Hill), JEFFREY OMURA (House Rules, Hamlet) and THOM SESMA (Superhero, Sweeney Todd) will star in the Off-Broadway production, which begins previews on April 23 prior to its official press opening on April 28 at Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd Street) in Manhattan.

FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME, the critically acclaimed improv troupe founded by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Veneziale, announced today the launch of Freestyle Love Supreme Academy, the first ever freestyle school created and run directly by FLS members, including teachers and guest facilitators, in partnership with long-time FLS producers Kail, Miranda, Ars Nova founders Jenny and Jon Steingart, and Hamilton co-producer Jill Furman.

In honor of Stonewall's 50th Anniversary and the Wizard of Oz' 80th Anniversary, Not in Kansas Productions presents the world premiere of a new play by Randall David Cook; directed by 2x Tony-nominee, Joey McKneely; and featuring Jamison Stern: Toto Talks!

Ars Nova, "one of the most adventurous Off-Broadway companies" (New York Times), under the leadership of Founding Artistic Director Jason Eagan and Managing Director Renee Blinkwolt, is proud to announce that tickets are on sale for Mrs. Murray's Menagerie, created by The Mad Ones and Phillip James Brannon, Brad Heberlee, Carmen M. Herlihy and January LaVoy. Directed by Lila Neugebauer, Mrs. Murray's Menagerie kicks-off Ars Nova at Greenwich House and marks The Mad Ones' first production since their critically acclaimed play Miles For Mary.

JOE'S PUB will present the return of Justin Sayre's camp-horror-soap-opera Ravenswood Manor on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 at 9:30 PM. Ravenswood Manor will be presented episodically with episodes 7 thru 9 on Saturday, and episodes 10 through 12 on Sunday.

ACTUALLY, WE'RE F**KED, a new play by Matt Williams, will be given its world-premiere production at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St. in Manhattan), with previews starting on February 26 prior to an official opening on March 7, it has been announced by Cherry Lane founder Angelina Fiordellisi and artistic director Seri Lawrence. The play is directed by John Pasquin, with whom Mr. Williams has a long-standing collaboration, including the popular television series "Home Improvement."

In honor of Stonewall's 50th Anniversary and the Wizard of Oz' 80th Anniversary, Not in Kansas Productions presents the world premiere of a new play by Randall David Cook; directed by 2x Tony-nominee, Joey McKneely; and featuring Jamison Stern: Toto Talks!

The US Premiere of BLEACH by Dan Ireland-Reeves will extend for an additional 2 weeks. This award-winning underground hit, seen throughout the UK as well as in Paris, Stockholm and Dublin, made its US premiere in January in an intimate, immersive production performed for an audience of 10.