Brian Bedford News

A hilarious battle of wits plays out in one of Noel Coward's most celebrated comedies, Blithe Spirit. Directed by long-time Stratford Festival favourite Brian Bedford, the gorgeously designed production officially opens tonight, June 1, and runs until October 20 at the Avon Theatre. Watch two scenes from the production below!

A hilarious battle of wits plays out in one of Noel Coward's most celebrated comedies, Blithe Spirit. Directed by long-time Stratford Festival favourite Brian Bedford, the gorgeously designed production started previews on Thursday, May 16, at the Avon Theatre.

The national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter's timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, will make its Pittsburgh premiere April 16-21, 2013 at Heinz Hall as part of the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series.

The national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter's timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, will make its Memphis premiere tonight, February 26th-March 3rd at The Orpheum Theatre as part of the 2012-2013 Broadway Series.

The national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter's timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, will make its Memphis premiere February 26th-March 3rd at The Orpheum Theatre as part of the 2012-2013 Broadway Series.

Few plays have stood the test of time in the way that The Importance of Being Earnest has. Written in 1895, this 'Serious Comedy for Trivial People,' as playwright Oscar Wilde termed it, offers situations and comedy that remain timeless and fresh. The characters are memorable, from the careless and self-centered Jack to the innocent and impressionable Cecily. Wilde skewers Victorian society in a manner that leaves audiences laughing from start to finish.

Journey through the last one hundred years of musical theatre through the lives and music of Richard Rodgers (Oklahoma, The Sound of Music), his daughter Mary Rodgers (Once Upon A Mattress) and his grandson Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza) in The Sweetest Sounds: A Century of Song from Rodgers to Guettell, a musical retrospective of one of Broadway's most important and enduring musical families. Conceived and written by Adrian Marchuk, the show will be presented for one exclusive performance at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street- between 8th & 9th Avenues) tonight, February 3 at 5:00 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30).

Few plays have stood the test of time in the way that The Importance of Being Earnest has. Written in 1895, this 'Serious Comedy for Trivial People,' as playwright Oscar Wilde termed it, offers situations and comedy that remain timeless and fresh. The characters are memorable, from the careless and self-centered Jack to the innocent and impressionable Cecily. Wilde skewers Victorian society in a manner that leaves audiences laughing from start to finish.

Journey through the last one hundred years of musical theatre through the lives and music of Richard Rodgers (Oklahoma, The Sound of Music), his daughter Mary Rodgers (Once Upon A Mattress) and his grandson Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza) in The Sweetest Sounds: A Century of Song from Rodgers to Guettell, a musical retrospective of one of Broadway's most important and enduring musical families. Conceived and written by Adrian Marchuk, the show will be presented for one exclusive performance at Birdland Jazz Club (315 West 44th Street- between 8th & 9th Avenues) on Sunday, February 3 at 5:00 p.m.

The Stratford Festival's box office opens to the public this Saturday, January 5, at 9 a.m., with an online advance sale beginning at noon on Friday. Facebook fans, who want to use the Festival's new social ticketing app will be able to purchase tickets as of 9 a.m. today. Tickets are being offered at up to 25% off until January 31, with an opportunity to exchange dates with no added expense.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, presents Osacr Wilde's most perfect comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest" playing from November 23- December 16, 2012. This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Sara Clark, Jeremy Dubin, Jessie Wray Goodman, Jim Hopkins and Brent Vimtrup. The production design is generously sponsored by Towne Properties.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, presents Osacr Wilde's most perfect comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest" playing from November 23- December 16, 2012. This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Sara Clark, Jeremy Dubin, Jessie Wray Goodman, Jim Hopkins and Brent Vimtrup. The production design is generously sponsored by Towne Properties. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, is delighted to present Osacr Wilde's most perfect comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest" playing from November 23- December 16, 2012. This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Sara Clark, Jeremy Dubin, Jessie Wray Goodman, Jim Hopkins and Brent Vimtrup. The production design is generously sponsored by Towne Properties.

Additional casting has been announced for the upcoming national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's ANYTHING GOES, the new Broadway revival of Cole Porter's timeless classic musical theatre masterpiece, which will make its Cleveland premiere October 2, 2012 at PlayhouseSquare as part of the KeyBank Broadway Series. Previously announced actress Rachel York will star as Reno Sweeney and Fred Applegate will star as Moonface Martin. The principal cast also includes Erich Bergen as Billy Crocker, Jeff Brooks as Purser, Joyce Chittick as Erma, Alex Finke as Hope Harcourt, Dennis Kelly as Elisha Whitney, Vincent Rodriguez III as Luke, Marcus Shane as John, Sandra Shipley as Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Edward Staudenmayer as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, and Chuck Wagner as Captain.

Antoni Cimolino today announced the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's playbill for 2013, his first season as Artistic Director, and began to outline his vision for the Festival's future during his tenure.

Antoni Cimolino today announced the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's playbill for 2013, his first season as Artistic Director, and began to outline his vision for the Festival's future during his tenure.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), concluded its 25th Anniversary celebration on June 11 with Gala 2012 at its home on Navy Pier. Three hundred and fifty of Chicago's civic and cultural leaders attended the event benefiting the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's far-reaching education and civic engagement programs. Through the leadership of Gala 2012 Lead Sponsors Northern Trust, Donna Van Eekeren Foundation and Food For Thought Catering, the support of the Gala 2012 Host Committee and the advocacy of CST's Board of Directors, the Theater raised nearly $1 million for its continuing work as a partner in literacy for Chicago Public Schools.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) concludes its 25th Anniversary season with Gala 2012 tonight, June 11 at its home on Navy Pier. Funds raised will benefit the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's education and civic engagement initiatives, including Team Shakespeare, which serves over 40,000 students and teachers annually across the Midwest. Through the generosity of Gala Lead Sponsors Northern Trust, Donna Van Eekeren Foundation and Food for Thought Catering, the support of the Gala 2012 Host Committee, and the advocacy of CST's Board of Directors, the Theater anticipates raising $1 million in support of its continuing work as a partner in literacy for Chicago Public Schools.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) concludes its 25th Anniversary season with Gala 2012 on June 11 at its home on Navy Pier. Funds raised will benefit the Regional Theatre Tony Award recipient's education and civic engagement initiatives, including Team Shakespeare, which serves over 40,000 students and teachers annually across the Midwest. Through the generosity of Gala Lead Sponsors Northern Trust, Donna Van Eekeren Foundation and Food for Thought Catering, the support of the Gala 2012 Host Committee, and the advocacy of CST's Board of Directors, the Theater anticipates raising $1 million in support of its continuing work as a partner in literacy for Chicago Public Schools.

Rachel York will join Megan Hilty in the Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, opening May 9 at New York City Center. York will play the brunette, Dorothy Shaw, best friend of Lorelei, the diamond-loving blonde played by Hilty. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes will be directed by John Rando with music direction by Rob Berman and choreography by Randy Skinner and will play for seven performances, May 9 - 13, at New York City Center, 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.