David Cromer News

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents the second-ever production of The Commons of Pensacola by Amanda Peet, directed by Robin Witt. The production will run at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from September 12 - October 19, 2014. The press performance is Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 2:30 pm.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre will open its 50th anniversary celebration with the Kansas City premiere of David Cromer's Our Town, an enduring American story which examines the everyday lives of an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century. Our Town, one of the greatest American plays written by Thornton Wilder, the three-time Pulitzer prize-winning playwright and novelist will be directed by David Cromer, MacArthur Foundation 'genius' grant recipient and director of KC Rep's 2009 production of The Glass Menagerie which received national and local critical acclaim. This co-production with UMKC Theatre will feature redesigned seating at Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus. The show will run September 5 through 28th. High resolution photos can be found here .

Sharon Tate in Heaven has a new home in New York City for the August 8-11 run. The White Box Studio C at The Alchemical Theatre Laboratory. Sharon Tate in Heaven, presented by This American Blonde Actress and Mississippi Mud Productions, returns for a limited special New York City run this August 8th-11th, followed by two special dates in Lido Beach, New York August 16th and 17th at Theresa Academy for Performing Arts.

Eric Rosen, artistic director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre has announced the 2014-15 season, continuing its tradition of presenting stirring classics and evocative new works created by the finest local and national talent available.

The newly formed Equity Cole Theatre presents its inaugural production, Mike Leigh's Ecstasy, running August 21-September 28 in Old Town. An intensely naturalistic and darkly comic portrait of gloom and joy, violence and romance, Ecstasy is the story of six sharply drawn characters and their struggle against despair one evening in a run-down London flat. The production stars Boyd Harris, Maura Kidwell, Layne Manzer, Lauren Pizzi, Michaela Petro and Joel Reitsma. Mike Leigh connoisseur Shade Murray, who directed the Jeff Award-winning Abigail's Party for A Red Orchid in 2010, directs.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Executive Director Angela Gieras today announced the launch of the Our Town Heroes campaign in honor of the KC Rep's 50th Anniversary to identify and celebrate local heroes from the community. Our Town heroes can be from the greater Kansas City metropolitan area whose actions impact, inspire and influence our community. Nominations can be submitted online here and winners will be announced throughout the 2014-2015 season opening production, Our Town, running September 5 through the 28th. The deadline for submission is August 15, 2014.

Casting is announced for the world premiere of Alecky Blythe's new play inspired by the 2011 London riots, directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins. This is Alecky's first new London production after the success of London Road at the National Theatre.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Ben Jonson's The Alchemist, a rowdy tale of con artists and their gullible prey.

The Hypocrites are pleased to launch their 2014-15 Season with the world premiere of ALL OUR TRAGIC, an unparalleled twelve-hour theatrical adaptation that combines all 32 surviving Greek tragedies into a single epic narrative, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney*, playing August 2 - October 5, 2014 at its new home, The Den Theatre, 1329 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Writers Theatre opens its 2014/15 season with the Midwest Premiere of Isaac's Eye by Lucas Hnath, directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. The show runs September 2 - December 7, 2014 at Books on Vernon, 321 Park Ave, Glencoe. The Press Openings are Wednesday, September 10th and Thursday, September 11th at 7:30pm.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces casting for the first three productions of the 40th Anniversary Season.

Co-founders John Stoops, Tim Evans, and Marc Grapey proudly announce the second season of Three Oaks Theater Festival, a summer theater festival that brings limited-engagement runs of highly-acclaimed, professional productions to audiences in Harbor Country, Michigan. This expanded season is being performed in creative venues throughout Harbor Country, including the Acorn Theater, Vickers Theatre, and the historic Lakeside Inn. Three Oaks Theater Festival is presented with major support by The Pokagon Fund.

Broadway's critically acclaimed production of Denzel Washington in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun closes tonight at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It was directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon and originally opened on April 3 for a limited engagement.

Broadway's critically acclaimed production of Denzel Washington in Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN is celebrating a big week. Not only did it take home three 2014 Tony Awards (Best Revival of a Play, Best Director of a Play -- Kenny Leon, and Best Featured Actress in a Play -- Sophie Okonedo) on Sunday night, it has also recouped its entire capitalization. The production, which began previews Saturday, March 8, officially opened on Thursday, April 3 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47 Street), where it will end its limited engagement run this Sunday, June 15.

Mike Leigh connoisseur Shade Murray, who directed the Jeff Award-winning Abigail's Party for A Red Orchid in 2010, will direct Cole Theatre's inaugural production, Mike Leigh's Ecstasy. The production will star Boyd Harris, Maura Kidwell, Layne Manzer, Lauren Pizzi, Michaela Petro and Joel Reitsma.

Yesterday Julianne Moore hosted an afternoon tea in honor of Tony nominee LaTanya Richardson Jackson, currently starring as Lena Younger in A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Held at Lady Mendl's at the Inn at Irving Place, an impressive group of women from theatre, film and television, including LaTanya's fellow Tony nominated costars Sophie Okonedo and Anika Noni Rose, gathered to salute LaTanya. Although she was unable to attend, First Lady Michelle Obama did send a note which was read aloud by Julianne Moore after Ms. Moore made a toast to LaTanya. Samuel L. Jackson and Bart Freundlich crashed the party to enjoy the afternoon with their wives.

The Almeida Theatre today announces its body of work for the autumn: a World Premiere of a new work by Alecky Blythe will be directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins and the London Premiere of David Cromer's acclaimed production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town.

Acclaimed Chicago actors Boyd Harris and Layne Manzer announce the founding of Cole Theatre, working under an Equity contract with non-profit status. With the tagline "victory of the people" as its battle cry, Cole Theatre is an arena for underused and under-sung artists to rise up and be seen louder and clearer. The name "Cole" is Greek for "people's victory." The inaugural show will be Mike Leigh's Ecstasy, staged at A Red Orchid Theatre in Old Town, August 25-September 28.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kate Lipuma announce a two-week extension of The Dance of Death by August Strindberg, in a new version by Conor McPherson and directed by Henry Wishcamper. The production, featuring Shannon Cochran (Alice), Philip Earl Johnson (Kurt) and Larry Yando (Edgar) now runs through August 3, 2014 at 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe.

Actors Alliance of San Diego is proud to announce A Professional Scene Study with Esteban Andres Cruz: The plays of Stephen Adly Guirgis at the Academy of Performing Arts: 5120-C Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942. The workshop will take place on Tuesdays, May 27-June 24 from 7:00pm-10:00pm. There will be no class on Tuesday, June 3rd. The final class on June 24 will be from 8-10pm and will consist of a public presentation of the scenes. There are only 12 spots available.