Charles Mac News

During its world-premiere production of You, Nero, Berkeley Repertory Theatre invites theatre lovers to meet the real power behind the throne. Amy Freed, the local scribe who put words in the mouth of an emperor for her outrageous new comedy, is the guest of honor at Berkeley Rep's Page to Stage on Monday, June 15.

It?s like a scene from an Edward Hopper painting ? a young woman sits in a nearly-deserted café. A cell phone rings incessantly at a nearby table, but its owner, Gordon, doesn?t answer. There?s a good reason ? he?s dead. The woman, Jean, feels compelled to answer the insistent ringing, and this action starts her on an unexpected journey through the dead man?s life, as Stage West presents the area premiere of Sarah Ruhl?s Dead Man?s Cell Phone, beginning Thursday, May 21.

The West Side YMCA Writer's Voice will host a staged reading of Charlie Schulman's latest play: The Great Man, on May 11 at 4pm. Directed by acclaimed director Matt August (of How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the Broadway musical, and others), the play is loosely inspired by James Atlas's decade-long experience writing the biography of the Nobel Prize winning author Saul Bellow.

Local playwright Karen Zacarías offers Arena Stage audiences the world premiere of Legacy of Light, a funny and moving romp about the passion for truth as lived by two different women in their separate eras.

Local playwright Karen Zacarías offers Arena Stage audiences the world premiere of Legacy of Light, a funny and moving romp about the passion for truth as lived by two different women in their separate eras.

The Awards Gala The 25th Anniversary Helen Hayes Awards will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009 at the Warner Theatre and JW Marriott Hotel.

South Coast Repertory starts off the New Year with the World Premiere of You, Nero, a comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed. Commissioned by SCR, You, Nero imagines a meeting during the declining years of the Roman Empire between Scribonius, a put-upon playwright, and Emperor Nero, the all-powerful, narcissistic arbiter of art. The Roman romp stars Danny Scheie as Nero and John Vickery as Scribonius. Produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and directed by Sharon Ott,You, Nero will run from Jan. 4 through Jan. 25, 2009 on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Low-priced previews are available from Jan. 4 through Jan. 8. Opening night is Jan. 9. Press night is Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:45 p.m. Tickets to You, Nero may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

Chicago Dramatists continues its 30th anniversary season with resident playwright Will Dunne's new comedy, 'How I Became an Interesting Person.'

Chicago Dramatists continues its 30th anniversary season with resident playwright Will Dunne's new comedy, 'How I Became an Interesting Person.'

South Coast Repertory starts off the New Year with the World Premiere of You, Nero, a comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed. Commissioned by SCR, You, Nero imagines a meeting during the declining years of the Roman Empire between Scribonius, a put-upon playwright, and Emperor Nero, the all-powerful, narcissistic arbiter of art. The Roman romp stars Danny Scheie as Nero and John Vickery as Scribonius. Produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and directed by Sharon Ott,You, Nero will run from Jan. 4 through Jan. 25, 2009 on the Julianne Argyros Stage. Low-priced previews are available from Jan. 4 through Jan. 8. Opening night is Jan. 9. Press night is Saturday, Jan. 10 at 7:45 p.m. Tickets to You, Nero may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

This morning, the New York Post is reporting that Gore Vidal's WEEKEND, might be Broadway bound.

New York Theatre Workshop announces that TIM ROBBINS, JAN MAXWELL, KERRY WASHINGTON, CARRIE PRESTON, ADRIANE LENOX, AND MARGO MARTINDALE will lead the cast in a reading of Gore Vidal's WEEKEND on Monday, November 3rd, at 7PM. The reading is free to the public.

Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) will present its 2008 Pre-Election Series, a program of public readings and events timed to this year's historic presidential election.

Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) will present its 2008 Pre-Election Series, a program of public readings and events timed to this year's historic presidential election.

he Peccadillo Theater Company is pleased to announce their first production as the resident theater company at Theatre at St. Clement's - Charles MacArthur's classic screwball comedy JOHNNY ON A SPOT.

he Peccadillo Theater Company is pleased to announce their first production as the resident theater company at Theatre at St. Clement's - Charles MacArthur's classic screwball comedy JOHNNY ON A SPOT.

The recipients of The 24th Annual Helen Hayes Awards were presented tonight, Monday, April 28. Winners include Blickenstaff, Jones, Kudisch, and Irwin.

NEW THIS WEEK: LMP Fundraiser! Helen Hayes Awards Staff Announced! MET Commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day

Artistic Director Russ Tutterow announced Chicago Dramatists' 30th anniversary season, featuring three productions of world premiere plays, and the fourth annual Many Voices Project. Each year Chicago Dramatists, 'the playwrights' theatre,' produces three of the best new plays from the hundreds developed through its many developmental programs. This year, 'Ten Cent Night' by resident playwright Marisa Wegrzyn, 'How I Became an Interesting Person' by resident playwright Will Dunne, and 'Hope VI' by resident playwright Nambi E. Kelley, will make up its production season.