August Wilson News

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 10 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, now celebrating its thirty-fifth year.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 3/1/2013.

Signature Theatre and Lark Play Development Center present the Contemporary Chinese Playwriting Series, curated by David Henry Hwang.

'Should a woman sleep with a man she finds repellent if by doing so she serves a greater good?' (New York Times) is among the questions of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, at Goodman Theatre in a new production directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls. Falls sets his production of Shakespeare's dark comedy against the backdrop of New York City circa 1970s-an era in which economic challenges, urban flight and the sexual revolution transformed one of the greatest cities in the world into one of the most troubled.

The August Wilson Monologue Competition, sponsored by The League of Chicago Theatres, Goodman Theatre, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, and organized in Chicago by Derrick Sanders, will hold the Chicago Finals on March 11, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at the Goodman Theatre, 170 North Dearborn St.

Today in 1995, Smokey Joe's Cafe opened at the Virginia Theatre (now the August Wilson Theatre) where it ran for 2036 performances. Smokey Joe's Cafe is a musical revue showcasing 39 pop standards, including rock and roll, rhythm and blues songs written by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The Original Broadway cast recording, Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs Of Leiber And Stoller won a Grammy award in 1996. In revue format with no unifying theme the 39 songs are presented by various members of the cast in various combinations, with no dialogue. There are novelty songs ('Charlie Brown'), romantic ballads ('Spanish Harlem') and infectious melodies ('There Goes My Baby').

Oh what a night it will be, Tuesday, March 5 at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles! Former stars of the Tony-Award winning mega-hit musical 'Jersey Boys' will take the stage that evening with their 'Doo Wop Project' show, a presentation drawing standing ovations all over the country.

The Dramatists Guild of America held their annual awards ceremony last evening at The Lambs Club in New York. The awards ceremony was hosted by Lisa Kron and featured a performance by Kenita Miller. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

The Dramatists Guild Fund presented their Madge Evans and Sidney Kingsley Award to actress Linda Lavin and playwright Lynn Nottage this past Monday evening. The awards were presented by Dramatists Guild Fund Board Member Terrence McNally at an intimate salon with award-winning composer Charles Strouse. BroadwayWorld has a photo of the honorees below!

The Goodman Theatre just announced its 2013/2014 season. For tickets or more information, visit: http://www.goodmantheatre.org/upcoming-season/?id=&epslanguage=en

Trustus Theatre's Off-Off Lady Series is a collection of productions chosen to go out into the community and bring quality performances to unexpected venues around Columbia, and Trustus is continuing the series by partnering with The NiA Company and the Columbia Music Festival Association (CMFA). Matthew Lopez's stirring script The Whipping Man comes to life at CMFA on March 12th at 7:30pm, and runs through March 22nd, 2013.

Following his triumphant performance as Othello in the West End, Lenny Henry takes on one of the 20th century's most unforgettable characters in this New York Drama Critics', Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning drama, directed by Paulette Randall. The production opens tonight, 27th February 2013 at Theatre Royal Bath.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will present a unique orchestra of full-range Cuban music, the Afro-Cuban All Stars on March 21, 2013 at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. Lead by bandleader, producer, and arranger Juan de Marcos, the All Stars ensemble concept spans three generations of musicians, and promotes the full range of Cuban musical styles.

Chicago Children's Theatre (CCT) will close Bud, Not Buddy today.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 2/22/2013.

'Should a woman sleep with a man she finds repellent if by doing so she serves a greater good?' (New York Times) is among the questions of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, at Goodman Theatre in a new production directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls. Falls sets his production of Shakespeare's dark comedy against the backdrop of New York City circa 1970s-an era in which economic challenges, urban flight and the sexual revolution transformed one of the greatest cities in the world into one of the most troubled.

The Actors' & Entertainers' Benevolent Fund (ABF) (Qld) Inc and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will present a very special Fundraising Morning Tea with Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones, the stars of Driving Miss Daisy, currently playing at QPAC.

According to TMZ, 'Different World' star Lou Myers passed away last night, February 19, following a heart-related emergency. He was 77.

The Dramatists Guild Fund has announced this year's Madge Evans and Sidney Kingsley Award to actress Linda Lavin and playwright Lynn Nottage. The awards will be presented by Dramatists Guild Fund Board Member Terrence McNally on Monday, February 25, 2013 at an intimate salon with award-winning composer Charles Strouse. The event will also include remarks by Jeffrey Lyons, godson of Sidney Kingsley, and will be held at the home of lyricist and playwright Gretchen Cryer.

Round House Theatre today announced its first full season under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Ryan Rilette. In 2013/14, Round House will produce two modern classics, two Broadway comedies, an Off-Broadway comedy, and an Off-Broadway musical on its mainstage in Bethesda.