Christopher Shinn News

The winners in the ninth annual Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Awards, the only major UK theatre prize-giving decided by the public, were announced today (Sunday 15 February) at a glittering, star-studded evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Two of the creative forces behind the Roundabout Theater Company's Broadway production of Hedda Gabler - Tony? Award-winning actor Michael Cerveris, who stars as Jorgen Tesman, and Obie-Award-winning playwright Christopher Shinn, who adapted Henrik Ibsen's script - discuss the legendary play and the current incarnation making waves on Broadway. They are joined by the New York Post's new chief theater critic, Elisabeth Vincentelli.

Tony Award-winners Nathan Lane and Anika Noni Rose are set to participant in The Vineyard Theatre's star-studded tribute to Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes and The Union Square Partnership at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan. The Gala, which will benefit the Vineyard Theatre, one of the nation's leading theatres devoted to producing new works, will include salutations to Ms. Seldes -- who originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 at The Vineyard -- and celebrate its theme of community spirit and neighborhood involvement by also honoring The Union Square Partnership. Nathan Lane, who will host the evening, starred opposite Ms. Seldes Off-Broadway in Terrence McNally's DEDICATION, OR THE STUFF OF DREAMS. Mr. Lane is best-known for his Tony Award-winning performances in THE PRODUCERS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!. Anika Noni Rose, who received an Obie Award for her work in the musical ELI'S COMIN' at The Vineyard, won a Tony Award for her performance in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, and co-starred with Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in the film version of 'Dreamgirls,' is set to perform.

The Vineyard Theatre -- where Marian Seldes originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 -- will honor the Tony Award-winning actress at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's HEDDA GABLER, will be featured on WOR's 'Joan Hamburg Show' tomorrow Thursday, February 5th from 11:00AM-12:00PM on 710AM. Mary-Louise will also appear on WNYC's 'The Leonard Lopate Show' on Friday, February 6th from 12:00PM-12:40PM. Tune in to both shows and hear Mary-Louise discuss her role in this classic Henrik Ibsen play. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's HEDDA GABLER, will be featured on WOR's 'Joan Hamburg Show' tomorrow Thursday, February 5th from 11:00AM-12:00PM on 710AM. Mary-Louise will also appear on WNYC's 'The Leonard Lopate Show' on Friday, February 6th from 12:00PM-12:40PM. Tune in to both shows and hear Mary-Louise discuss her role in this classic Henrik Ibsen play. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work This Beautiful City, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs. Written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a provocative new play with music about the growth of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs, created by the documentary theatre troupe The Civilians. While conducting interviews with people involved with or affected by the mega-church movement, scandal broke about New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard and shook the entire city of Colorado Springs, providing the play's creators with an unprecedented opportunity to capture an important event as it was taking place, and providing the people of Colorado Springs the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns as those events unfolded. THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a fascinating and timely look at faith and how it affects the American landscape.

I don't know if Carol Burnett ever spoofed Hedda Gabler on her celebrated television variety show, but if she did I'm sure her reaction to a major plot twist late in Ibsen's 1890 drama would have been somewhat similar to Mary-Louise Parker's bug-eyed, open-mouthed, head-shaking, hands on cheeks shtick that drew appreciative howls from the audience at the press performance I attended. I suppose such an acting choice is consistent with a production that frequently has Michael Cerveris, as her bland academic husband, Jorgen Tesman, flashing goofy grins at his new bride while Paul Sparks, as her ex-lover, Eljert Lovborg, emotionlessly barks out his words of passion. Meanwhile, Peter Stormare, as the manipulative Judge Brack, appears to be playing 'Where's Waldo' with his sing-songy accent. (I lost count, but I believe this production has more accents than characters.)

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's Hedda Gabler, will be interviewed on 'Regis and Kelly,' tomorrow, January 30th between 9:00-10:00AM on channel 7. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's Hedda Gabler, will be interviewed on 'Regis and Kelly,' tomorrow, January 30th between 9:00-10:00AM on channel 7. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.

Starry Night Entertainment has announced that performances of the New York premiere of White People, written by J. T. Rogers and directed by Gus Reyes, will begin Wednesday, January 28, at 8pm, at the Atlantic Stage 2, 330 West 16 Street. The opening night is Tuesday, February 3, at 8pm.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs. Created by The Civilians, written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a provocative new play with music about the growth of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs, created by the documentary theatre company The Civilians. THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY was created from interviews by Emily Ackerman, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Brad Heberlee, Stephen Plunkett, Alison Weller and the authors with actual persons over the course of 10 weeks in Colorado Springs. Every leading church in the area participated in the project, as did numerous civic organizations, progressive activists, and individuals from all walks of life.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs. Created by The Civilians, written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a provocative new play with music about the growth of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs, created by the documentary theatre company The Civilians. While conducting interviews with people involved with or affected by the mega-church movement, scandal broke about New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard and shook the entire city of Colorado Springs, providing the play's creators with an unprecedented opportunity to capture an important event as it was taking place, and providing the people of Colorado Springs the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns as those events unfolded. THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a fascinating and timely look at faith and how it affects the American landscape.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, January 26, 2009.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Paul Sparks and Peter Stormare. Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen with a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn, is directed by Ian Rickson at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). Mary-Louise Parker stars as 'Hedda Gabler' in this new interpretation of Henrik Ibsen's modern classic. A woman of dangerous independence restrained by a conventional marriage, Hedda Gabler indulges in a cruel game, amusing herself with the misfortune she inflicts on those around her. As Hedda struggles to balance her wild desires against her chosen life, she sets into motion a manic chain of events that bring her story to a chilling end.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Paul Sparks and Peter Stormare. Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen with a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn, is directed by Ian Rickson at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld's camera caught the starry cast and crowd as they arrived for the after party for the new production! The cast also includes Lois Markle, Ana Reeder and Helen Carey. Hedda Gabler officially opened on Sunday, January 25th, 2009. This is a limited engagement through March 29th, 2009. Mary-Louise Parker stars as 'Hedda Gabler' in this new interpretation of Henrik Ibsen's modern classic. A woman of dangerous independence restrained by a conventional marriage, Hedda Gabler indulges in a cruel game, amusing herself with the misfortune she inflicts on those around her. As Hedda struggles to balance her wild desires against her chosen life, she sets into motion a manic chain of events that bring her story to a chilling end.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Paul Sparks and Peter Stormare. Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen with a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn, is directed by Ian Rickson at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). The cast also includes Lois Markle, Ana Reeder and Helen Carey. Hedda Gabler officially opened on Sunday, January 25th, 2009. This is a limited engagement through March 29th, 2009.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Paul Sparks and Peter Stormare. Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen with a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn, is directed by Ian Rickson at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). The cast also includes Lois Markle, Ana Reeder and Helen Carey. Hedda Gabler officially opened on Sunday, January 25th, 2009. This is a limited engagement through March 29th, 2009. Mary-Louise Parker stars as 'Hedda Gabler' in this new interpretation of Henrik Ibsen's modern classic. A woman of dangerous independence restrained by a conventional marriage, Hedda Gabler indulges in a cruel game, amusing herself with the misfortune she inflicts on those around her. As Hedda struggles to balance her wild desires against her chosen life, she sets into motion a manic chain of events that bring her story to a chilling end. Roundabout Theatre Company has produced a number of Henrik Ibsen's plays including Hedda Gabler (1994, Broadway), An Enemy of the People (1985), The Master Builder (1983), Hedda Gabler (1981), Little Eyolf (1979), John Gabriel Borkman (1976), Rosmersholm (1974) and The Master Builder (1971).

Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler, starring Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Paul Sparks and Peter Stormare. Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen with a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn, is directed by Ian Rickson at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street). The cast also includes Lois Markle, Ana Reeder and Helen Carey. Hedda Gabler officially opens tonight, Sunday, January 25th, 2009. This is a limited engagement through March 29th, 2009. Mary-Louise Parker stars as 'Hedda Gabler' in this new interpretation of Henrik Ibsen's modern classic. A woman of dangerous independence restrained by a conventional marriage, Hedda Gabler indulges in a cruel game, amusing herself with the misfortune she inflicts on those around her. As Hedda struggles to balance her wild desires against her chosen life, she sets into motion a manic chain of events that bring her story to a chilling end.