Ars Nova News

Two dozen 'Jazz Heroes' -- activists of positive influence on their musical communities -- have been announced today by the Jazz Journalists Association, a non-profit organization of media professionals, in collaborations with grassroots organizations and supporters in 22 U.S. cities, launching JazzApril, the annual campaign celebrating local music people and scenes during Jazz Appreciation Month, culminating in International Jazz Day.

In Jim Neu's musical 'The Floatones,' four rather strange characters meet at their encounter group and decide the best way to get better is through show business. They form a vocal quartet on the cutting edge of a new fusion between entertainment and self-help. Their night club act shares their group insights in speech and song, interweaving their individual stories, creating a post-Chorus Line. 'The Floatones' debuted in 1995 and will be revived by La MaMa E.T.C. on the play's 20th anniversary, March 1 to 10, 2015 co-directed by Catherine Galasso and Keith McDermott. It is the first production of a Jim Neu play since his death in 2010.

I am happy to announce that casting for the world premiere of Joshua Harmon's Significant Other, directed by Trip Cullman, is complete. The play will feature Barbara Barrie, John Behlmann, Sas Goldberg, Gideon Glick, Lindsay Mendez, Carra Patterson and Luke Smith.

In Jim Neu's musical 'The Floatones,' four rather strange characters meet at their encounter group and decide the best way to get better is through show business. They form a vocal quartet on the cutting edge of a new fusion between entertainment and self-help. Their night club act shares their group insights in speech and song, interweaving their individual stories, creating a post-Chorus Line. 'The Floatones' debuted in 1995 and will be revived by La MaMa E.T.C. on the play's 20th anniversary, March 1 to 10, 2015 co-directed by Catherine Galasso and Keith McDermott. It is the first production of a Jim Neu play since his death in 2010.

MOLLY POPE - brassy belter/whiskey guzzler/benevolent lunatic - will continue the new concert series fresh off her acclaimed Off Broadway performances in Found at the Atlantic Theater Company and Horseplay, or the Fickle Mistress at La MaMa ETC / Theatre Askew.

The Archive Residency, a collaboration between New Ohio Theatre and IRT Theater (likeminded neighbors in the historic Archive Building in the West Village), is a unique incubator for the country's most promising emerging independent theater companies. This two year residency offers each company that most elusive and invaluable resource, an artistic home, including space, artistic support, and institutional continuity for the development and presentation of a new work, culminating in an exciting world premiere.

In Episode 310, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with James Ortiz (Strangemen & Co., Co-Artistic Director) and Claire Karpen, currently appearing in the Fiasco / Roundabout revival of INTO THE WOODS.

Ars Nova announces a two-week extension and added Saturday matinee performances for critically-acclaimed world premiere production of Small Mouth Sounds, a new play by Bess Wohl, directed by OBIE Award-winner Rachel Chavkin. Due to demand, Small Mouth Sounds will now play through Saturday, April 25, with newly added Saturday matinee performances on April 4, 11, 18, and 25. The production, which was originally set to play through April 11, began previews March 10 and celebrated its Official Opening Night on Monday, March 23 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street), must end April 25.

Now in the midst of their second international concert tour, Well-Strung, The Singing String Quartet, will return to New York's 54 Below with their latest production, 'POPssical' tonight, March 27 at 9:30 PM for one show only. The group had also recently been featured at the club last October in Tony-winner Joanna Gleason's critically acclaimed new show.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will return to JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater on Sunday, April 19 at 9:30 PM to continue the Winter/Spring 2015 Season. The April show will be a celebration of The Indigo Girls. Tracy Stark serves as the show's Music Director with special guests will be announced.

The Old Globe is delighted to welcome one of the true geniuses of the American theatre, Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman, who makes her long-awaited San Diego directing debut with an enchanting theatrical spectacle with live music and sumptuous visuals, The White Snake, continuing the Globe's 80th Anniversary festivities as part of the Balboa Park Centennial Celebration. The Southern California Premiere of The White Snake, written and directed by Zimmerman, will run now through April 26 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is tonight, March 26 at 8:00 p.m.

The Kindling Theater Company and Apartment 10C Productions present the World Premiere of Leave Me Green, written by Lisi DeHaas and directed by Jay Stull. Leave Me Green runs now through April 11, 2015 in a limited engagement at The Gym at Judson, located at 243 Thompson Street between Washington Square South and West 3rd Street in New York City. Previews began March 20 for a March 26 opening. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Theatre for a New Audience, Jeffrey Horowitz, Founding Artistic Director, will present as its fourth production of the season the New York premiere of Fiasco Theater's The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare, directed by Jessie Austrian and Ben Steinfeld, beginning previews at Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place, on Friday, April 24, at 7:30pm for an opening on Thursday, April 30, at 7:00pm. The Two Gentlemen of Verona runs through May 24.

Ars Nova presents the world premiere of Small Mouth Sounds, a new play by Bess Wohl, directed by OBIE Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), as part of its 2015 season. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated to run now through April 11 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). Official Opening Night is tonight, March 23. Let's see what the critics had to say...

New York City's premier development hub and acclaimed new work producer Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Renee Blinkwolt, Managing Director) presents the world premiere of Small Mouth Sounds, a new play by Bess Wohl, directed by OBIE Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812), as part of its 2015 season. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated to run now through April 11 at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street). Official Opening Night is tonight, March 23.

The American Theatre Wing recognizes the recipients of the 2015 Jonathan Larson Grants: writing team Tim Rosser (composer) & Charlie Sohne (composer) receiving $10,000, Sam Willmott (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000 and a week-long residency at the Running Deer Musical Theatre Lab, and Max Vernon (composer/lyricist) receiving $10,000.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: SMASH alumni star in SOMETHING ROTTEN!, beginning tonight, SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS opens at Ars Nova and more!

Long Wharf Theatre's inaugural Contemporary American Voices Festival, a weekend of new play readings, will take place on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, 2015.

City Theatre continues its 40th anniversary season with the comedy Oblivion, by Carly Mensch, directed by Stuart Carden, on-stage in the Hamburg Studio Theatre tonight, March 21 - April 26, 2015.

The Old Globe is delighted to welcome one of the true geniuses of the American theatre, Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman, who makes her long-awaited San Diego directing debut with an enchanting theatrical spectacle with live music and sumptuous visuals, The White Snake, continuing the Globe's 80th Anniversary festivities as part of the Balboa Park Centennial Celebration. The Southern California Premiere of The White Snake, written and directed by Zimmerman, will run tonight, March 21 through April 26 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.