August Wilson News

Casting is complete for the three 'developmental productions' featured in Goodman Theatre's 13th annual New Stages festival, a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. These three plays, which are staged in repertory with modest production values following three weeks of rehearsal, include Blue Skies Process by Abe Koogler, directed by Henry Wishcamper; Support Group for Men by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior; and The King of Hell's Palace by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Tea Alagi. Full cast lists are included below.

Casting is confirmed and tickets are now on sale for the Signature Theatre production of The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz.

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for the New York Premiere of PARTY PEOPLE by UNIVERSES (Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, and William Ruiz a.k.a Ninja. Developed and directed by Liesl Tommy with choreography by Millicent Johnnie, PARTY PEOPLE begins performances on Tuesday, November 1 and runs through Sunday, December 4, with an official press opening on Tuesday, November 15.

The National Tour of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, welcomed Cory Jeacoma (Bob Gaudio) on September 15 in Syracuse, NY. He joins a company that includes Matthew Dailey (Tommy DeVito), Aaron De Jesus (Frankie Valli) and Keith Hines (Nick Massi) as The Four Seasons, with Barry Anderson and Thomas Fiscella. JERSEY BOYS will return to the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN October 25-30.

JITNEY, the first script that August Wilson wrote for what would become his trailblazing American Century Cycle of 10 plays, will run in the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Robert S. Marx Theatre Oct. 15 through Nov. 12.JITNEY beautifully explores Wilson's recurring themes of love, honor, duty and betrayal as it follows a group of men who operate an unlicensed car service in 1970s Pittsburgh.

Performances begin tonight, September 20, for the Broadway engagement of Manhattan Theatre Club's acclaimed world premiere of Heisenberg, the new play by Tony Award and two-time Olivier Award winner Simon Stephens, directed by Drama Desk Award winner Mark Brokaw, starring original cast members Denis Arndtand Tony and Emmy Award winner Mary-Louise Parker.

A friendly reminder! Performances begin tomorrow, Tuesday, September 20, for the Broadway engagement of Manhattan Theatre Club's acclaimed world premiere of Heisenberg, the new play by Tony Award and two-time Olivier Award winner Simon Stephens, directed by Drama Desk Award winner Mark Brokaw, starring original cast members Denis Arndt and Tony and Emmy Award winner Mary-Louise Parker.

'It's Love!' Goodman Theatre adds eight performances of Mary Zimmerman's revival of Wonderful Town, extending the show through October 23.

Courtney B. Vance has won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role of Johnnie Cochran in FX's AMERICAN CRIME STORY: THE PEOPLE VS. O. J. SIMPSON.

Together with Metrobank Card Corporation, Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group's (ATEG) production of Broadway and West End smash musical JERSEY BOYS will premiere at Meralco Theatre in Pasig City this Friday, September 23, at 8 p.m. JERSEY BOYS is a biographical musical based on the story of the legendary American doo-wop group Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

August Wilson's hard-hitting 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' opened September 11 and continues through October 16, 2016, at the Center Theatre Group/ Mark Taper Forum. 'Ma Rainey...' is part of Wilson's American Century Cycle of 10 plays chronicling African American experience in 20th Century USA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights of the show below, along with behind the scenes with the cast and celebrities!

Broadway Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 9/16/2016.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. for the returning New Orleans engagement of the Tony®, Grammy® and Oliver Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, JERSEY BOYS will make its Saenger Theatre debut Dec. 13 - 18, 2016, as a show option of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2016 - 2017 season.

Like all of August Wilson's plays, this one contains more dialogue than perhaps is needed, with the first act seemingly bogged down at times as you listen to four musicians (Damon Gupton as Cutler, Glynn Turman as Toledo, Keith David as Slow Dawg, Jason Dirden as Levee) stuck in a rehearsal room as they banter about life, women, music, and a much-loved pair of new shoes. It's a shame these brilliant musicians were not allowed to share their skills in more than just one song during the show as they rocked the house. Make no mistake; this play is NOT a musical but a hard-hitting drama about the inequities of life.

Two River Theater (Artistic Director John Dias, Managing Director Michael Hurst) presents August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The press opening is Today, September 16 at 8pm and performances will continue throughSunday, October 9 in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ.  Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 ortworivertheater.org.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, launches its 2016/17 Season with an extended four-week run of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Last night two-time Tony Award-winner Viola Davis made history as the first African-American to win an Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. She was recognized for her role as the brilliant attorney and professor Annalise Keating on the Shonda Rhimes drama HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. In addition to her Emmy and Tonys, Davis has won three Drama Desks and three SAG Awards. During her acceptance speech, Davis quoted Harriet Tubman and talked about breaking boundaries and redefining what Hollywood thinks of as beautiful.

On last night's AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, New York crooner Sal Valentinetti joined the cast of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical JERSEY BOYS for a performance of 'Oh What a Night.'

Two River Theater (Artistic Director John Dias, Managing Director Michael Hurst) presents August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The press opening is Friday, September 16 at 8pm and performances will continue throughSunday, October 9 in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ.  Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 ortworivertheater.org.