Christopher Durang News

'Acting is reacting,' says many a teacher of the craft, and if they're right then Christopher Durang has handed his leading lady, Laura Benanti, a career's worth of reasons to react in his surreal cavalcade, Why Torture Is Wrong And The People Who Love Them. A meta-theatrical farce disguised as a satire of America's war on terrorism (with a brief lesson about taking control of your life and a somewhat romantic conclusion for those who require such things) Why... is top-shelf Durang lunacy and Benanti, making a rare non-musical appearance, proves herself a wonderful everywoman foil.

The Alchemy Theatre, in association with LAByrinth Theater Company, presents 'Sweet Storm' by Scott Hudson, who was awarded the Daryl Roth 2009 Creative Spirit Award, Off Broadway at The Kirk Theatre (Theatre Row), 410 West 42nd Street, NYC.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, April 13, 2009.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will extend Christopher Durang?s WHY TORTURE IS WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM, directed by Nicholas Martin, through Sunday, May 3. The world premiere comedy recently opened to rave reviews.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews for Craig Lucas' THE SINGING FOREST on Friday, April 10. Directed by Mark Wing-Davey, THE SINGING FOREST will run through Sunday, May 17 with an official press opening on Tuesday, April 28 at 7 PM.

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, under the leadership of Executive Director Stacie Burgua, presents Rabbit Hole, by David Lindsay-Abaire. The production, directed by Chris Fisher, features Max Cole-Takanikos, Patricia Duff, Tom Harris, Jill Johnson, and Melissa McAlerney. Performances will begin at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Avenue, on Friday, April 10 and continue through Saturday, April 25.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced today that the first preview of Craig Lucas' THE SINGING FOREST has been moved to Friday, April 10 due to the need for additional technical rehearsals. Directed by Mark Wing-Davey, THE SINGING FOREST was scheduled to begin previews on Tuesday, April 7 and open on Monday, April 27. The show will now open on Tuesday, April 28 at 7 PM.

Country music star, CMA Winner, ACM Winner and four-time Grammy Nominee Joe Nichols has been offered the role made famous by George Strait in the Broadway production of the hit movie, Pure Country. According to producer Randall L. Wreghitt, the musical is in the process of securing the remainder of its financing and casting, and plans to open in early 2010.

It was announced that soap star Kathleen Widdoes joins the previously announced cast of the Epic Theatre Ensemble (Zak Berkman, Melissa Friedman, Ron Russell, Executive Directors) two-night benefit event: As The Epic Turns, to support its esteemed after-school 'Shakespeare Bridge Project' programs.

Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced details for a special online Auction in connection with its annual Spring Gala Benefit.

The Tony Award® -winning McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ, has announced the complete cast for the world premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's landmark trilogy The Brother/Sister Plays. Presented in two parts, the production will be presented with a single cast and performed in repertory in McCarter's Berlind Theatre. The Brother/Sister Plays is co-produced with New York's Public Theater.

Christopher Durang's comedy WHY TORTURE IS WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM opened at The Public Theater on Monday April 6. This world premiere, directed by Nicholas Martin, began previews March 24 and will run through April 26.

Laura Benanti is relishing the relish the challenge of 'being the not-crazy person in a crazy world.' Benanti stars in the new Christopher Durang comedy WHY TORTURE IS WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM, which opened on Monday.

The Tony Award® -winning McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, New Jersey, is preparing to launch the world premiere of the groundbreaking trilogy The Brother/Sister Plays, written by one of the most celebrated young playwrights of his generation: Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Columbia University School of the Arts Theatre Arts Program and Columbia Stages Present NEW VOICES NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, The final chapter of SPRING, a Series of Three Springtime Events Celebrating, Columbia's M.F.A. Playwriting Class of 2009.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) began previews on Tuesday, March 24 for Christopher Durang's comedy WHY TORTURE IS WRONG, AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM. This world premiere, directed by Nicholas Martin, will run through April 26 with an official press opening on Monday, April 6 at 7 PM.

The Alchemy Theatre, in association with LAByrinth Theater, presents 'Sweet Storm' by Scott Hudson, Off Broadway at The Kirk Theatre (Theatre Row), 410 West 42nd Street, NYC. Padraic Lillis will direct the new play that features Jamie Dunn and Eric T. Miller. Previews begin on June 11 and the opening will be Wednesday, June 17 at 7 pm. The Scenic & Costume Designer is Lea Umberger; the Lighting Designer is Sarah Sidman and the Sound Designer is Elizabeth Rhodes.

For 35 years, Pulitzer Prize winning THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY has nurtured hundreds of playwrights through its EMERGING PLAYWRIGHTS PROGRAM. In June, 2006, we launched NEW CITY , NEW BLOOD, a play reading series designed to serve our audiences and writers even better.

Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, under the leadership of Executive Director Stacie Burgua, presents Rabbit Hole, by David Lindsay-Abaire. The production, directed by Chris Fisher, features Max Cole-Takanikos, Patricia Duff, Tom Harris, Jill Johnson, and Melissa McAlerney. Performances will begin at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Avenue, on Friday, April 10 and continue through Saturday, April 25.

Variety is reporting that Aaron Eckhart is in talks to star opposite Nicole Kidman in the big screen adaptation of David Lindsay-Abaire's Broadway play 'Rabbit Hole.'