Ben Brantley News

The two-time Tony Award winning hilarious hit comedy 39 Steps opens tonight, April 13th at the Union Square Theatre (100 East 17th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Talking Band, the seminal downtown New York City theater collective, continue their 40th anniversary celebration with a gala evening that will bring together many of the countless artists with whom they have collaborated since Paul Zimet, Ellen Maddow and Tina Shepard founded the company in 1974. The event will take place Monday, April 27 at the Ukrainian National Home Ballroom (140 Second Ave, between St. Mark's Place and East 9th Street) in the East Village. Proceeds will support the Talking Band's artistic programs.

The Broadway transfer of The Royal Shakespeare Company's Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2 opens tonight, April 9, 2015 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Tony & Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth and Golden Globe, SAG Award winner & Tony nominee Peter Gallagher, currently starring on Broadway in On the Twentieth Century, will participate in a 92Y Talks Lecture Series at 92nd Street Y tonight, April 6, 2015 at 7:30pm.

Jeff Church directs Cock opening April 25 on the stage of the Jerome Stage in the Unicorn Theatre at 3828 Main in Kansas City, Mo. Mike Bartlett, playwright of An Intervention, Chariots of Fire, and Earthquakes in London, wrote the British comedy about identity and sexuality. Due to adult subject matter and language, Cock is suggested for mature audiences.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestra's begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven- o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Elizabeth Stanley in 'Carried Away' with Special Guest Andrew Rannells; Patti LuPone: The Lady with the Torch; Broadway Meets Classic Rock with the Hair Cast: A Benefit for Broadway Impact; Baldwin Wallace at 54 Below; Teal Wicks and Friends Sing Harold Arlen.

Curtains, written by Rupert Holmes (music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb) is a send-up of backstage murder mystery plots, set in Boston,MA, in 1959. Police Lieutenant Frank Cioffi (played by Adobe favorite Tim MacAlpine) is called to the theater to investigate the murder of the supremely untalented star of Robin' Hood of the Old West during her opening night curtain call.

Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy are currently reprising their critically acclaimed West End performances in the hit London production of David Hare's Skylight at the John GoldenTheatre, directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Stephen Daldry. SKYLIGHT, which also features Matthew Beard, opens tonight, April 2, at the John Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

The New Group announces a one-night-only benefit reading of David Rabe's Hurlyburly, reuniting director Scott Elliott and original cast members from the company's critically-acclaimed 2005 hit revival: Bobby Cannavale, Josh Hamilton, Ethan Hawke, Parker Posey and Wallace Shawn, with additional casting to be announced. This special event within The New Group's current 20th Anniversary Season takes place Sunday, April 26 at The New Group at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).

Love, incest, mental illness and murder. Zephyr producing artistic director Lee Sankowich directs a 25th anniversary revival of the wickedly entertaining, exceedingly black comedy by Wendy MacLeod that became a cult classic indie film - and still lives up to its hype. The House of Yes opens May 9 at the Zephyr Theatre for a six-week run through June 14.

Tony & Emmy Award winner Kristin Chenoweth and Golden Globe, SAG Award winner & Tony nominee Peter Gallagher, currently starring on Broadway in On the Twentieth Century, will participate in a 92Y Talks Lecture Series at 92nd Street Y on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 7:30pm. This one-night event will feature the stars in conversation, trading intimate stories of balancing their incredibly varied careers-in theater, film, TV and music-and their lives outside the limelight.

Coming off a record-setting year, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's 2015-2016 Broadway Season continues to bring some of the most sought-after Broadway shows, as well as classic musicals that continue to excite and inspire generation after generation.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its chedule for April 6-12, including Eliane Elias, Elizabeth Stanley Celebrates Comden and Green featuring Andrew Rannells, Barbara Carroll, Jazz Party with Natalie Douglas and more!

A modern melodrama of obsession, honour and revenge, CREDITORS is Strindberg's least produced play, but considered one of his most mature. With a new adaptation by Scottish playwright David Greig, CREDITORS was originally produced by Donmar Warehouse in London, 2008. The show, under the direction of Alan Rickman, transferred to New York in 2010 where Ben Brantley called it a 'thrilling new interpretation.'

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini AM and leading Australian theatre producer John Frost AM today announced that actor, comedian and impressionist Gerry Connolly would join the cast of their upcoming production of Anything Goes to play the Captain of the S.S. American during the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons. Due to his increased radio and television commitments, Alan Jones needs to remain located in Sydney so has had to withdraw from the Melbourne and Brisbane seasons, but will join the company to play the Captain during the Sydney Opera House season.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its April 2015 schedule, featuring Sheila Jordan with the Steve Kuhn Trio, Ms. Lisa Fischer, Eliane Elias, James Carter Organ Trio, Barbara Carroll, The Beegie Adair Trio with Monica Ramey, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Midway through its first season producing on two stages, Park Square Theatre shows no sign of slowing down with its 2015-2016 theatre season. In addition to a range of area and regional premieres, the company is commissioning two brand new works - one for each stage - from Joel Sass (Great Expectations) and Christina Ham and Regina Marie Williams (Nina Simone: Four Women). The line-up also includes the first Midwest licensed production of an ingenious miniature musical that will delight mystery lovers, two family-friendly holiday treats, and new productions by two of Park Square's Theatres in Residence, Sandbox Theatre and Theatre Pro Rata. The season will conclude with a flash of mature flesh as nine leading actresses bare all in Calendar Girls by Tom Firth.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY has just officially opened on Broadway and we're rounding up all the reviews as they come up! Check back for LIVE UPDATES!