Christopher Shinn News

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a starry drama to musical revivals and family-friendly fun, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

Stratford's Square One Theatre Company concluded its twenty-seventh anniversary season recently with the annual presentation of its 2017 Subscriber Awards. The recipients were selected by the theatre's nearly 1,000 subscribers who voted for performers in various acting categories from the company's three-play 2016-17 season. This was the second year for the theatre's new space onstage at Stratford Academy.

In this week's special edition, we caught up with playwrights from Ensemble Studio Theatre's Marathon of One-Act Plays. Series A features El Grande by Maggie Diaz Bofill, How My Grandparents Fell in Love by Cary Gitter, The Fork by Emily Chadick Weiss, Showtime Blues by France-Luce Benson, and Blue Handed by David Zellnik. For more information, visit: www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org

Hugh Jackman seems to be eager to get back to the Great White Way! Michael Riedel has reported that the stage and screen leading man has been doing many invitation-only readings of serious plays to try to find the right match.

Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere of Cost of Living, the new play by Martyna Majok (Ironbound, Mouse in a Jar), directed by Jo Bonney (Father Comes Home from the Wars; By the Way, Meet Vera Stark), begins performances tonight, Tuesday May 16, at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has announced five productions as part of its complete 2017/18 Season.

Honor! Madness! Blood! Obie Award-winner Jo Bonney directs the world premiere of an edgy, intense and darkly comic new play by John Pollono (Small Engine Repair, Lost Girls) in a Latino Theater Company production presented in association with The Temblors, a unique new collective of seven Los Angeles-based playwrights. Rules of Seconds opens March 23 at The Los Angeles Theater Center, with low-priced previews beginning March 16. 

Diversionary has announced casting for the World Premiere of BALLAST by Georgette Kelly. This highly poetic play explores the waking and dream lives of two trans and cisgender couples as they come to terms with the new lives they find themselves in.

This May Diversionary asks audiences this question with the World Premiere of BALLAST by Georgette Kelly, a highly poetic exploration of the waking and dream lives of two trans and cisgender couples as they come to terms with the new lives they find themselves in.

Marin Theatre Company is honored to co-produce a staged reading of Jeff Cohen's The Soap Myth with the Marin Academy today, February 21 at 7:00pm starring the incomparable Ed Asner and Tovah Feldshuh. After last year's successful production at MTC, Marin Academy approached MTC about bringing Mr. Cohen's story to a wider community, most importantly the Academy's student body. The organizations are thrilled to join forces in re-staging this work, with playwright Cohen, Mr. Asner and Ms. Feldshuh on board.

Marin Theatre Company is honored to co-produce a staged reading of Jeff Cohen's The Soap Myth with the Marin Academy on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00pm starring the incomparable Ed Asner and Tovah Feldshuh. After last year's successful production at MTC, Marin Academy approached MTC about bringing Mr. Cohen's story to a wider community, most importantly the Academy's student body. The organizations are thrilled to join forces in re-staging this work, with playwright Cohen, Mr. Asner and Ms. Feldshuh on board.

Playwrights Horizons begins accepting entries today, Monday, February 6 at 12 Noon, for the LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to their world premiere production of THE LIGHT YEARS.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today the creative team and cast for Caryl Churchill's provocative comedy Cloud 9, directed by Elizabeth Williamson. The show plays February 23 to March 19.

What is newsworthy? What lives have value? Does ambition compromise morals? MacArthur Foundation Fellow Branden Jacobs-Jenkins explores these questions and more in Gloria. Directed by Evan Cabnet, Gloria made its Off-Broadway debut in 2015 at the Vineyard Theater. The complete cast and creative team reunite for the Chicago premiere at the Goodman.

The Comrades have announced the cast for their 2017 Inauguration Day staged reading of THE TAMING by Lauren Gunderson.

The Comrades have announced their Winter 2017 production, PRELUDE TO A KISS by Craig Lucas. This classic romantic comedy will be directed by Artistic Director Derek Bertelsen and will play the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago) from January 12 through February 4, 2017. Press opening is Today, January 14 at 8:00pm.

The Old Globe today announced it will present the fourth annual New Voices Festival-with a new moniker: the Powers New Voices Festival, a weekend of readings of new American plays by professional playwrights, playing January 13 - 15, 2017.

The Comrades have announced the cast for their 2017 Inauguration Day staged reading of THE TAMING by Lauren Gunderson.

Playwrights Horizons has announced complete casting for THE LIGHT YEARS, the world premiere of a new play written by Drama Desk Award winner Hannah Bos (The Open House, Jacuzzi, Blood Play, Buddy Cop 2) and Obie Award winner Paul Thureen (Jacuzzi, Blood Play, Buddy Cop 2), directed and developed by Obie Award winner Oliver Butler (Jacuzzi, The Open House, Blood Play), made by The Debate Society.

The Old Globe today announced it will present the fourth annual New Voices Festival-with a new moniker: the Powers New Voices Festival, a weekend of readings of new American plays by professional playwrights, playing January 13 - 15, 2017.