Ars Nova News

Renee Blinkwolt, who will take up the post beginning February 3, 2014 takes over for Jeremy Blocker who was recently named Managing Director of New York Theatre Workshop.

Pivot goes bilingual in January with the acquisition of 'bref.' the French breakout hit with already over 3 million fans on Facebook.

STEVE: A DOCU-MUSICAL, written and performed by Colin Summers and directed by Nessa Norich, will play the 2014 Frigid New York Festival.

Five finalists have now been named in the 2014 Great Gay Play And Musical Contest sponsored by Pride Films and Plays. The works are as varied as the writers, and PFP will present enhanced staged readings of these works in May at Center on Halsted.

Washington Ensemble Theatre to Present ED, DOWNLOADED by Michael Mitnick in its reigonal premiere. Directed by Ali el-Gasseir, Ed, Downloaded will play January 31 - February 24, 2014.

Singers who want to twerk. Dancers who want to juggle daggers. Comics who dare to get serious. Perhaps some X-rated ventriloquism. The monthly variety showcase called COJONES invites performers to try something onstage they've always wanted to do but didn't have the you-know-whats to try.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will begin the three-month engagement at JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater on Thursday, January 16 at 9:30 PM with a celebration of Rock legend David Bowie. After a highly-successful season at 54 Below, the show is returning to its downtown roots this year. The January show will feature special guests Michael Musto, Molly Pope, Joseph Keckler, Bridget Barkan, Michael Cavadias and Raquel Cion.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE presents THE FAIRYTALE LIVES OF RUSSIAN GIRLS by Meg Miroshnik, directed by Rachel Chavkin, January 31-February 22 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is Thursday, February 6. The cast of THE FAIRYTALE LIVES OF RUSSIAN GIRLS is Sofiya Akilova, Celeste Arias, Stephanie Hayes, Jessica Jelliffe, Felicity Jones, and Emily Walton.

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of THE BIGGEST VALLEY by A. Zell Williams, directed by Jesse Jou. The cast includes McKinley Belcher, Kaliswa Brewster, Ronald Peet and Sarah Steele.

The producers of the hit musical CINDERELLA on Broadway announce new cast members who will join the company in the coming weeks: starting January 28, Joe Carroll begins performances as Prince Topher, taking over the role from original cast member and Tony Award nominee Santino Fontana, who concludes his year-long run in the musical. Also beginningJanuary 28, Todd Buonopane will replace original cast member Greg Hildreth as the rebel Jean-Michel; and CINDERELLA ensemble member Stephanie Gibson will replace Marla Mindelle as stepsister Gabrielle. On January 21, Tony Award winner Victoria Clark will return as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother Marie, which she originated and for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Tony nominee Rebecca Luker has performed the role of Marie since September.

MCC THEATER announced today that tickets are now on sale for the anticipated Off-Broadway premiere of Robert Askins' Hand to God starring Steven Boyer who reprises his celebrated, Obie Award-winning performance from the Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) in 2011. Boyer will be joined in this brand new production by Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch as well as Geneva Carr, Michael Oberholtzer, and Sarah Stiles. Hand to God is directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel and begins at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on February 19, 2014. An official opening night is set for March 10, 2014. For tickets and info, please visit www.mcctheater.org.

Ars Nova kicks off 2014 with Game Play, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production. An evening of original short plays and live music inspired by classic board game titles, Game Play features Peter Benson, Marcia DeBonis, Dashiell Eaves, Brandon Gill, Ben Graney, Susan Heyward, Jessica Love and Carmen Zilles. This production plays 10 performances, January 29 - February 8.

Shelby Company has announced the world premiere of Real Dead Ghosts at the 2014 FRIGID New York Festival. Graham and Amber are a young married couple who promise to spend their anniversary in a secluded cabin away from work, friends and other distractions. But disappointments, secrets and regrets bubble to the surface when they're haunted by past choices and future responsibilities. A modern day ghost story. Unfinished business kind of shit.

59E59 Theaters has announced the return of Strangemen & Co. with the premiere of THE WOODSMAN, created by James Ortiz, and directed by Mr. Ortiz and Claire Karpen. THE WOODSMAN begins performances on Thursday, January 30 for a limited engagement through Sunday, February 16. Press Opening is Wednesday, February 5 at 7:15 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:15 PM; Friday - Saturday at 8:15 PM; and Sunday at 3:15 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Single tickets are $18 ($12.60 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org.

Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) has announced that tickets to the new musical ARLINGTON by Victor Lodato and Polly Pen -- with previews set to begin Wednesday, February 12 prior to its official opening night on Sunday, March 2 - will go on sale Monday, January 6 at 1 p.m..

After a completely sold-out run last summer, internet comedy duo Jeffery Self and Cole Escola bring their smash hit live comedy show back to New York for five performances only. 'Jeffery & Cole: Older and Wiser' is the first time Jeffery and Cole have performed together since their cult favorite TV show 'Jeffery & Cole Casserole' was cancelled three years ago. Part sitcom, part sketch show, and part depressing orgy, 'Jeffery & Cole: Older and Wiser' is the kind of show that makes you feel like you're a part of something special. After this two week New York engagement, they will be taking the show to Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia where they're performing as part of Mardi Gras. Get your tickets now and see this unique and hilarious team in their element!

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's Artistic Director David Van Asselt and Managing Director Brian Long have announced that Ken Urban's The Correspondent, directed by Stephen Brackett will begin previews Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place, west of Seventh Avenue South, between West 11th and Perry Streets. The official opening night is set for Thursday, February 13, 2014. The Correspondent is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 16.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show, will celebrate a three-month engagement at JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater in 2014. After a highly-successful season at 54 Below, the show returns to its downtown roots to honor Bowie, Bernadette and Buffy this year. The run will feature tributes to Rock legend David Bowie (Thursday, January 16), stage and screen star Bernadette Peters (Sunday, February 16) and the popular TV program 'Buffy, the Vampire Slayer' (Sunday, March 16). All performances are at 9:30 PM. Special guests will be announced shortly.

Come celebrate this New Year's Eve in luxury at New York City's opulent Russian supper club, Kazino (45th Street between Times Square and 8thAvenue) with food, drink, music, dancing and Tolstoy's hottest young lovers. Enjoy a 4-course Russian feast and a performance of one of Time Magazine's Top 10 Musicals of 2013, NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, followed by a New Year's Eve party with a DJ and open bar until 2am.

Ars Nova has announced this year's New Year's Eve Spectacular, the grand finale to its 10th Anniversary year.