Ars Nova News

From royalty, to rockers; revolutionaries to refugees- check out who's new to the Tony block this year, below!

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sarah Benson and Executive Director Cynthia Flowers, Soho Rep. has continually produced work by bold artists who harness the intimate power of the organization's own 73-seat black box theater, as well as other spaces, to create transformative experiences. Soho Rep.'s 2016-17 season, announced today, comprises two ambitious new works-both characterized by inventive theatrical forms, holistic collaborations, and striking original music-along with an opportunity to get the first 'work-in-process' look at a new commission by a celebrated playwright.

On today's episode of the Maxamoo Theater & Performance Podcast, Lindsay Barenz, Liz Richards, and Jack Moore discuss what they're most excited to see in June at the theater beyond Broadway in New York City. They digress for a brief celebration of Ars Nova, the Off Broadway powerhouse in Midtown, and proper etiquette for eating a lozenge at the theater.

On June 10, Cacophony Daniels (Courter Simmons) will return 'Under the 'C',' in a fun and inspirational cabaret tribute to Grammy- and Oscar-winning playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman that celebrates the lovable misfit in us all. 

In Episode 411 of 'Something New' -- a musical theatre podcast that interviews artists and premieres original songs -- award-winning songwriter Joel B. New sat down with Tim Eliot and Lauren Sowa, a real-life couple with an enormous bag of theatrical skills between them.

Kimber Lee's drama tokyo fish story, directed by May Adrales, begins today, May 28 at The Old Globe. The production runs through June 26, 2016, in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Acclaimed performer, writer and activist JUSTIN SAYRE - hailed as one the "Funniest People in Brooklyn" by Brooklyn Magazine and among "LA's 16 Most Talented LGBT Comics" by Frontiers Magazine - has released his debut comedy album The Gay Agenda today, Friday, May 27 in digital formats.

In the wake of her solo shows called 'Best of Cabaret in NYC' by TimeOut, popular songstress Tori Scott joins a stellar cast including Tony Award winner Daisy Eagan, Gotham's Michelle Veintimilla, Eddie Cooper and more to perform the songs of Dramatist Guild Fellows and Ars Nova Residents Brandon James Gwinn and EllaRose Chary tonight at Feinstein's/54 Below.

Capital Stage completes its 2015/16 Season with the Sacramento Premiere of The Totalitarians by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by Capital Stage Co-Founder Peter Mohrmann. This 'Riotous political comedy' - Bay Area Reporter, takes the audience on the campaign trail with retired roller derby star turned candidate for Lt. Governor, Penelope Easter! A dark political satire that promises to be the perfect tonic for this election year's headaches, The Totalitarians will run from June 22 through July 24, 2016 with a Press Opening on Saturday, June 25 at 8pm.

Berkeley Rep announced today that Tony Award-winning playwright and performer Sarah Jones (Bridge & Tunnel) will return to the stage as a dazzling medley of characters in Sell/Buy/Date, an exuberant new show she has developed inspired by the real-life experiences of people affected by the commercial sex industry.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

The Drama League (Executive Artistic Director, Gabriel Shelian-Shanks) gathers today for the 82nd Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony, hosted by 2016 Tony® Award-nominees, Zachary Levi (She Loves Me) and Megan Hilty (Noises Off), in the Broadway Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). 

BAM Humanities presents MEDEA & PHAEDRA: Tragedies of Passion, Betrayal, and Revenge -- an evening of performance and dialogue featuring dramatic readings of scenes from Euripides' Medea and Seneca's Phaedra, followed by discussion about the relevance of these myths to contemporary society.

THE MEETING* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to Joe's Pub at The Public Theater to conclude its Spring 2016 season on Sunday, May 22 at 7:00 PM. The May show will honor the beloved late superstar Prince, with music director Tracy Stark leading a four-piece band and special musical guests Tony DeSare, Bridget Barkan, Michael Cavadias, Mark Aaron James and Ali Grieb.

In the wake of her solo shows called "Best of Cabaret in NYC" by TimeOut, popular songstress Tori Scott joins a stellar cast including Tony Award winner Daisy Eagan, Gotham's Michelle Veintimilla, Eddie Cooper and more to perform the songs of Dramatist Guild Fellows and Ars Nova Residents Brandon James Gwinn and EllaRose Chary.

Salty Brine announces the premiere of a new cabaret, How Strange It Is, as the latest installment in his series, Salty Brine's Spectacular Living Record Collection Cabaret. Salty Brine's Spectacular Living Record Collection Cabaret, which performs every Wednesday as part of Brine's residency at The Red Room (85 E. 4th St.), explores a different iconic album each month in a live cabaret setting.  How Strange It Is, inspired by Neutral Milk Hotel's breakthrough album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, will run on June 8, 15, 22 and 29 with an additional performance on Friday, June 24. On Wednesdays (June 8, 15, 22, 29) doors open at 7:30pm and shows begin at 8:00pm. On Friday, June 24, doors open at 7:00pm with the show beginning at 7:30pm.

Lillias White, Annie Golden, T. Oliver Reid, Lady Rizo, Vivian Reed, and Nadia Quinn & Ahna O'Reilly with the Playbillies will join the previously announced headliners Alice Ripley, Nathan Lee Graham, Gay Marshall, Carol Lipnik, Rob Maitner and Gabrielle Stravelli for the sixth annual "Night Of A Thousand Judys" - the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center presented by The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre. The event will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center (129 West 67th Street in Manhattan) on Monday, June 6.

?Pipeline Theatre Company presents PLAYING HOT as its inaugural Big Mystery Show on Saturday June 4th at 7:30pm at The Gym at Judson (243 Thompson St., NYC). Tickets ($20) are currently available for purchase online at http://www.pipelinetheatre.org.

Roundabout Theatre Company and Columbia University School of the Arts have announced the winners of Columbia@Roundabout's New Play Reading Series.

The Bushwick Starr presents IKE AT NIGHT, hosted by Ikechukwu Ufomadu with side-kick B. Brian Argotsinger and featuring Jonathan Jacobs aka The Vintage DJ, running tonight, May 18, through June 4, 2016.