Ars Nova News

Gloucester Stage Company continues its 37th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with the New England premiere of Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's The Totalitarians from September 1 through September 24 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. Gloucester Stage Managing Director Jeff Zinn makes his Gloucester Stage directing debut with this off-the-wall-satire of the zany world of politics. Peter Sinn Nachtrieb has written a not-so-tall-tale of an oligarchic takeover led by a Palinesque Manchurian candidate, and possibly thwarted by a hapless one-man commando squad…in Nebraska? This raucous dark comedy about the state of modern political discourse, modern relationships, and how easy it is to believe truths without facts features a cast of GSC veterans Amanda Collins and Lewis D. Wheeler, and GSC newcomers Breean Julian and Alex Portenko. According to Director Zinn, "As we all watch, with our jaws dropped, the daily excesses of candidates and hear the commentators remark, 'you can't make this stuff up,' I am incredibly grateful to Peter Nachtreib for 'making stuff up' that rises to the occasion. Some may find the humor in The Totalitarians outrageous, but in this political moment I believe outrage is exactly what we need."

Natalie Joy Johnson, Molly Pope and Brian Nash are finally coming through on their threat to undertake their very own CABARET FILIBUSTER.

September 2016 is also known as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  According to National Vital Statistics Reports, suicide was the second leading cause of death for Asian Americans aged 15 to 34.   It is also the leading cause of death among Gay and Lesbian youth nationally.  To help build awareness around the issue of suicide and to promote prevention, Barnard College Student Life presents Marisa Marquez's new American play, Ms. Oriental, which is directed by Ilana Becker.

SPARKLE & CIRCULATE with JUSTIN SAYRE - the official monthly podcast of the International Order of Sodomites - has posted its new episode, which features an interview with Jim Colucci, author of the terrific new book Golden Girls Forever. 

Signature Theatre will host TheatreFest NYC on Tuesday, August 30, from 12pm to 4pm at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). This free open house is for students who are interested in learning more about New York's non-profit theatres.

Labyrinth Theater Company presents the world premiere of Homos, Or Everyone in American (October 20-November 27) by Jordan Seavey. Homos, Or Everyone in American, directed by Mike Donahue and featuring two-time Tony nominee Robin De Jesus (In The Heights, La Cage Aux Folles) and Drama Desk Award winner Michael Urie (Buyer and Cellar, Ugly Betty, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying), is a bitingly tender new play about trying to live and love in New York.

Producer Eva Price announced today that the critically acclaimed play Small Mouth Sounds, written by Bess Wohl and directed by Obie Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812), has been extended by popular demand.

Bucks County Playhouse, under the direction of Robyn Goodman and Alexander Fraser, is pleased to announce a newly expanded lineup of education programs being offered this fall for children, teens, and adults. New programming this fall includes a three-part Musical Theatre Writing workshop taught by "Cake Off" composer Adam Gwon, running at the Playhouse August 19 - September 10, and the Saturday Musical Theatre program for children, back by popular demand, among many others!

Theater Close-Up -- the unique collaboration between THIRTEEN and the large community of New York City area Off-Broadway theaters -- will present The Woodsman, captured live on-stage in partnership with streaming service BroadwayHD, in THIRTEEN's trademark 'up-close' style.

The Bushwick Starr is thrilled to present the world premiere of MILES FOR MARY,

Dandelion Theatre will present the Midwest premiere of Lucas Kavner's Fish Eye, directed by Bec Willett, September 29 - October 16at The Frontier, 1106 W. Thorndale Ave. A preview will be held on Thursday, Sept. 29 and Opening Night and reception is Friday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 pm.

Natalie Joy Johnson, Molly Pope and Brian Nash are finally coming through on their threat to undertake their very own CABARET FILIBUSTER.

Ars Nova, New York's incubator for boundary-pushing theater, is pleased to present Underground Railroad Game (September 13-October 15), created by Jennifer Kidwell and Scott Sheppard with Philadelphia based theater company Lightning Rod Special and directed by Taibi Magar.

China's Ministry of Culture, Asian Cultural Council, Jerome Foundation, and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council have all recently awarded grants to NYC choreographer Jessica Chen with regard to the J CHEN PROJECT's 2016-17 season and debut of The Shadow and The Like.

Artists Repertory Theatre begins its 2016/17 season with TREVOR, a tragicomedy from Orange Is the New Black writer, Nick Jones. The play features John San Nicolas as the chimp, Trevor, and Sarah Lucht as his 'mom,' Sandra. This is the first play of seven in Artists Rep's 34th season.

Ever wonder what evil lurks in the heart of suburbia? Get ready for another wild ride fromThe Echo Theater Company when Dustin Wills directs theworld premiere of a modern-day, darkly comic revenge tragedy by Mary Laws. Blueberry Toast puts the "dys" in family dysfunction beginning Sept. 17 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) presents Josh Harman's runaway NY hit Bad Jews as its 2016-2017 Season Opener. Directed by MET Associate Artistic Director, Gene Fouche fresh off her direction of METs hit production of Superior Donuts, with Assistant Director Bethanie Herman. The play will run at MET for four weeks beginning September 16.

The up-and-coming artists of The Brewing Dept. (TBD) are presenting their show Meet Murasaki Shikibu Followed by Book-Signing, and Other Things at this year's FringeNYC. This is the first full production of the show following a workshop production last fall as part of TBD's innovative development process and a presentation at the 2016 Great Plains Theatre Conference.

When Father Monroe discovers that Marcela and her Cuban-American family are struggling, he offers a warmth and kindness unlike anything Marcela has ever experienced. Small acts of generosity blossom into love as the lines between vocation and passion begin to blur. McCarter Theatre Center Artistic Director Emily Mann and playwright Nilo Cruz reunite for the first time since the Pulitzer Prize-winning Anna in the Tropics with this lyrical new play about falling in love and finding a place to call home.

Just announced, Norm Lewis will star in the iconic dual roles of Cervantes/Don Quixote in the legendary Broadway musical, Man of La Mancha at The 5th Avenue Theatre.