David Bennett News

The New Ohio Theatre + Hard Sparks present: R & J & Z, written by Melody Bates and directed by Joan Jubett, running April 1 - 18 at the New Ohio Theatre.

In a bold move, SDO premiered a production of John Adams' most frequently performed opera

What if two of literature's most famous lovers got a second chance? R & J & Z starts with Act V of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and continues on, as the young couple navigates a world in which death isn't necessarily the end. Written in verse and set against the historical backdrop of Verona's plague, R & J & Z (the 'z' stands for zombies), throws old and new characters together over the course of an apocalyptic and action-packed 24 hours. Equally inspired by Shakespeare and contemporary zombie films, R & J & Z pushes the boundaries of theatrical humor and horror. When everyone is dead and rising from the graves, the rules no longer apply.

With nearly 2000 subscribers in attendance, The 5th Avenue Theatre Executive Producer and Artistic Director David Armstrong revealed the season line-up for this celebrated theater's 8-show 2015/16 season.

La MaMa presents the World Premiere of IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN… by Mike Gorman. Directed by David Bennett, previews begin tonight, December 4 with opening night slated for Thursday, December 11, 2014.

La MaMa E.T.C. will present the World Premiere of IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN… by Mike Gorman. Directed by David Bennett, previews begin December 4 with opening night slated for Thursday, December 11.

La MaMa presents the World Premiere of IF COLORADO HAD AN OCEAN… by Mike Gorman. Directed by David Bennett, previews begin December 4 with opening night slated for Thursday, December 11, 2014.

There's something to be said for seeing a company of incredible dancers performing the classic "A Chorus Line" especially when they're doing much of the original Michael Bennett choreography as is currently being presented at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Even better when you've got an entire company of incredible singers as well. You've almost got the triple threat that the show needs to be great. Unfortunately it's that third element, the acting, where the 5th Avenue's production falls a little short and so the story of these Broadway gypsies suffers a bit.

Gotham Chamber Opera and the Jarvis & Constance Doctorow Family Foundation have announced that David Hertzberg will be the inaugural winner of the Catherine Doctorow Prize for Music, a competitive prize awarded to a composer to support the creation of a new concert work for voice and chamber ensemble. For more information on the award and its requirements, visit www.gothamchamberopera.org/registration. The Prize Jury found Mr. Hertzberg's music to offer 'an extraordinarily beautiful sound world with a unique and distinguishing vocabulary,' containing 'deeply affecting emotional content,' and felt that Mr. Hertzberg has the potential to contribute a new work of substance to the concert repertoire for voice.

Adam Szymkowicz has been carving a niche for himself among our best young crop of comedy writers, describing love affairs of many kinds with an admirable simplicity. His latest work, 'The Why Overhead,' will have its premiere run tonight, September 6 to 23, presented by Zootopia Theatre Company at Access Theater, 380 Broadway. The piece imagines what happens in the office while the boss is away. Matthew J. Nichols directs a cast of 12, which includes Susan Louise O'Connor, a Theatre World Award winner for 'Blythe Spirit' on Broadway. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

OPERA America, the national nonprofit service organization for opera, has announced that Frayda B. Lindemann, Ph.D. became the first opera company trustee in the organization's entire 42-year history to be elected Chairman of its Board of Directors. Dr. Lindemann began her term at OPERA America's recent Annual Business Meeting - held during Opera Conference 2012 in Philadelphia - where eight new members were also elected to the Board.

Adam Szymkowicz has been carving a niche for himself among our best young crop of comedy writers, describing love affairs of many kinds with an admirable simplicity. His latest work, 'The Why Overhead,' will have its premiere run September 6 to 23, presented by Zootopia Theatre Company at Access Theater, 380 Broadway. The piece imagines what happens in the office while the boss is away. Matthew J. Nichols directs a cast of 12, which includes Susan Louise O'Connor, a Theatre World Award winner for 'Blythe Spirit' on Broadway. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Printer's Devil Theater presents Torso by Keri Healey, writer of Cherry Cherry Lemon, The Ikea Cycle; Tiny Domestic Dramas, and Don't You Dare Love Me. Torso runs four weeks only, March 9 - 31, 2012, at Theatre Off Jackson.

Printer's Devil Theater presents Torso by Keri Healey, writer of Cherry Cherry Lemon, The Ikea Cycle; Tiny Domestic Dramas, and Don't You Dare Love Me. Torso runs four weeks only, March 9 - 31, 2012, at Theatre Off Jackson.

Printer's Devil Theater presents Torso, an emotional exploration of grief and revenge, by Keri Healey, writer of Cherry Cherry Lemon, The Ikea Cycle; Tiny Domestic Dramas, and Don't You Dare Love Me.Torso runs four weeks only, March 9 - 31, 2012, at Theatre Off Jackson.

Printer's Devil Theater presents Torso by Keri Healey, writer of Cherry Cherry Lemon, The Ikea Cycle; Tiny Domestic Dramas, and Don't You Dare Love Me. Torso runs four weeks only, March 9 - 31, 2012, at Theatre Off Jackson.

Printer's Devil Theater presents Torso, an emotional exploration of grief and revenge, by Keri Healey, writer of Cherry Cherry Lemon, The Ikea Cycle; Tiny Domestic Dramas, and Don't You Dare Love Me.Torso runs four weeks only, March 9 - 31, 2012, at Theatre Off Jackson.

Dark Sisters is a suspenseful, emotional, and lyrical depiction of one woman's struggle with life and faith and the universal dilemma of whether to stay or leave. The opera opens a window into the lives of Eliza and her sister wives, members of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), a polygamous sect based in the southwestern United States. Creators Muhly and Karam have drawn inspiration from the crush of media attention surrounding two of the many raids on FLDS compounds (the 2008 raid at the Yearning for Zion Ranch in Eldorado, TX and the 1953 raid at Short Creek, AZ), as well as from the stories of the more than 80 wives of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

That all-too-personal journey taken by two upper middle-class parents, grieving the accidental death of their four-year-old son, gives structure and form to Rabbit Hole, now onstage at Murfreesboro's Out Front on Main theater in a compellingly acted and tautly directed production staged by George W. Manus Jr. Thanks to the total commitment of Manus' five-member ensemble of actors, Rabbit Hole is brought searingly to life, leavened with enough humor to make its impact all the more heartfelt, while affording audiences an opportunity to see a deeply personal story acted out on stage that one day ultimately might have a greater impact on their collective psyche.

David Lindsay-Abaire's 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Rabbit Hole, opens at Murfreesboro's Out Front on Main on Thursday, July 14, for a limited two-week run.