Beth Newburger News

Arena Stage has named Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, as the 2026 recipient of its Beth Newburger Schwartz Award.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Whether you're gearing up for a backstage call or settling in with your morning coffee, we've got all the big Broadway headlines you need to know. Today, take a sneak peek at the electrifying new musical MEXODUS as it heads to New York City, and go backstage with Phillip Taratula from Ginger Twinsies for all his pre-show routines.

The Broadway In Memoriam Committee, composed of theatre owners in consultation with industry service organizations, has confirmed a September 9th marquee dimming to honor artists and industry members George Wendt, Beth Newburger, Edie Cowan, Mark Brokaw, Paul Libin, Richard Greenberg, Cleo Laine, Jack Batman and Lloyd Williams.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater revealed the honorees of its Annual Gala. Learn more about the annual gala and see how to purchase tickets.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is proud to partner with Nationals Park to host a free live simulcast of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of Toni Stone on Sunday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the company for A Thousand Splendid Suns, adapted for the stage by Ursula Rani Sarma and based on the 2007 New York Times bestselling novel by Khaled Hosseini (Kite Runner). Set in 1992 in war-torn Afghanistan, this gripping story centers around a friendship that develops between two Afghan women following a tragedy. While facing insurmountable odds of a brutal and oppressive way of life, the two form an unlikely bond in a heart-rending fight for survival. Directed by Carey Perloff, A Thousand Splendid Suns runs January 17 - March 1, 2020 in the Kreeger Theater.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater will host the 70th Anniversary Gala, presented by Ourisman Automotive Group, on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at The Anthem (901 Wharf Street, SW) with Tony and Grammy Award-winning actress Heather Headley headlining the event. The evening includes a cocktail reception, three-course seated dinner and a one-night-only performance featuring a variety of Headley's beloved Broadway songs and personal selections.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, in association with activist and actress Jjana Valentiner, recently held a public, nonpartisan 11-hour marathon reading of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Report. 

Actor and performer Kathleen Turner headlined the Gala, with her one-woman cabaret. Arena Stage is excited to present the Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Nina Totenberg, in recognition of her ground-breaking reporting in the broadcast world and her continual support of the arts.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to recognize Lindsey Brittain Collins as an Emerging Leader at the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth Street, SW).

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie are pleased to announce Lavern Chatman, vice president of business development at EDJ Associates and Arena Board of Trustees member as the chairwoman, and Annie Simonian Totah, Armenian Assembly of America's Board of Trustees member and recipient of their 2018 Distinguished Humanitarian Award, as the honorary chairwoman of the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala

Arena Stage announces the presentation of the fourth annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to National Public Radio's Nina Totenberg, with actor and performer Kathleen Turner headlining the 2019 Arena Stage Annual Gala. The Gala will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Mead Center for American Theater

The D.C.-area premiere of Turn Me Loose, Gretchen Law's intimate, no-holds-barred drama about the extraordinary and explosive life of Dick Gregory, will receive an additional six performances during its run at Arena Stage. Under the direction of John Gould Rubin, Turn Me Loose now plays through October 21, 2018 in the Kreeger Theater.

Arena Stage will host a silent and live wine auction on Friday, October 26, 2018 at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St., SW). The event is helmed by Arena Stage Trustees Judith N. Batty, Gene Samburg and Beth Newburger Schwartz.

The NYC premiere of 'The Originalist,' written by John Strand and directed by Molly Smith, is now on stage at 59E59 theaters. This is a vital story for our times. It contrasts political and social perspectives while still proving that people can maintain a sense of civility. This enthralling theatrical piece features the finest staging and stellar acting. See it while you can on the Upper East Side stage.

Continuing its cross-country tour, John Strand's critically-acclaimed political drama The Originalist, based on the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, is playing at 59E59 Theaters under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith July 14-August 19, 2018. The production recently celebrated opening night, check out the photos below!

Continuing its cross-country tour, John Strand's critically-acclaimed political drama The Originalist, based on the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, will play at 59E59 Theaters under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith.

59E59 Theaters announces that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will join directorMolly Smith for a special post-show conversation immediately following the matinee performance onSunday, July 29 of THE ORIGINALIST. The conversation will surround Justice Ginsburg's former colleague, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, and themes related to the production.

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) is thrilled to welcome the NYC premiere of THE ORIGINALIST written by John Strand and directed by Molly Smith. Produced by Middle Finger Production, LLC [Beth Newburger, Executive Producer] and Arena Stage and part of 59E59's Subscription Series, THE ORIGINALIST begins performances on Saturday, July 14 for a limited engagement through Sunday, August 19. 

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Director Edgar Dobie recently presented the third annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, as well as recognizing Jessica Stafford Davis as an Emerging Leader at the 2018 Arena Stage Annual Gala.