Aurora Theatre Company presents the Bay Area Premiere of WITTENBERG, David Davalos' audacious comedy about reason versus faith. Josh Costello (San Francisco Playhouse, Marin Theatre Company, Impact Theatre) directs this smarty-pants celebration of history, language, academia, and religion, featuring Dan Hiatt (The Arsonists), Elizabeth Carter (Trouble in Mind), Jeremy Kahn, and Michael Stevenson. WITTENBERG plays April 4 through May 4 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's acclaimed educational touring company Shakespeare LIVE! will present colorful and dynamic performances of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Julius Caesar on March 8 and April 12 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, at Lancaster Road, in Madison. An engaging post-play discussion with the company of actors will follow each one-hour family performance. Tickets are $16. For tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
Aurora Theatre Company presents the Bay Area Premiere of WITTENBERG, David Davalos' hilarious mash-up about reason versus faith. It is October 1517 and the beginning of another fall semester at the University of Wittenberg finds certain members of the faculty and student body at personal and professional crossroads. Hamlet (senior, class of 1518), suffering from a sudden crisis of faith, has just returned from summer break with a revelation that threatens the very order of the universe. As the Prince who should be King laughably ping-pongs between the contrary advice of Martin Luther (Professor, theology) and Doctor John Faustus (Professor, philosophy), two of history's most stubborn intellectuals go head-to-head in comic combat for the conflicted Dane's allegiance. Will Faustus, the philosopher with a lust for life, win the confused young man's mind, or can Luther, the cleric who ignited the Protestant Reformation, win his soul?
On the heels of its critically acclaimed 2013 Season, for which The Washington Post applauded The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey as one of the few "companies with classical traditions that are not towing a conventional line," the Theatre has announced its remarkable 2014 Season. The ambitious lineup demonstrates the Theatre's unwavering dedication to all classic literature, from the familiar to the forgotten, the recognizable to the rediscovered, with works by Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, Ben Jonson, Moliere, and contemporary playwright David Davalos. The Shakespeare Theatre's varied and inspired selections demonstrate once again that "presenting great art isn't about safety-it's about commitment," as The Princeton Packet described the Theatre's dedication to both popular and lesser-known classics.
As 2013 comes to a close, we've collected the hottest theatrical productions from around the globe. From Los Angeles to Chicago, Tampa, Houston, Rhode Island and even South Africa, BroadwayWorld takes a look back at some of the most memorable shows from our Regional Editors worldwide!
Aurora Theatre Company presents Bay Area cabaret star Craig Jessup in concert with A SWELL NOËL. This special holiday engagement plays for six performances only, today, December 17-22, at Aurora Theatre Company's intimate Second Stage cabaret performance space, Harry's UpStage, located in the Nell and Jules Dashow Wing at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley.
Despite its location far, far north, and its relatively sparse population compared to cultural capitals, Maine boasts a rich regional theatre climate. There are quite a few thriving, adventurous, permanent professional companies, as well as an excellent contingent of community theatres. This year offered a wealth of exciting choices. Here is my personal list for 2013, grouped by theatre company and show:
There is something comical in the state of Denmark. Well, make that Germany. Since its first production in 2008, Wittenberg has played to rave reviews all over the world, but it has never played San Antonio, a staggering and puzzling piece of trivia considering that the author is San Antonio's own David Davalos.
Aurora Theatre Company presents Bay Area cabaret star Craig Jessup in concert with A SWELL NOËL. This special holiday engagement plays for six performances only, December 17-22, at Aurora Theatre Company's intimate second stage cabaret performance space, Harry's UpStage, located in the Nell and Jules Dashow Wing at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. Tickets ($23-32) may be purchased directly from the Aurora Theatre Company box office by calling (510) 843-4822 or online at auroratheatre.org.
Aurora Theatre Company continues its 22nd season with the Bay Area Premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's edgy and earnest A BRIGHT NEW BOISE. Aurora Artistic Director Tom Ross helms this comedy about faith, family, forgiveness, and second chances, featuring Robert Parsons, Patrick Russell, Gwen Loeb, Megan Trout, and Daniel Petzold. A BRIGHT NEW BOISE playsNovember 8 through December 8 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.
Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional 6 performances of its current hit production of Obie-winning playwright Amy Herzog's (4000 Miles, Belleville, The Great God Pan) family drama AFTER THE REVOLUTION. Joy Carlin (Body Awareness, Jack Goes Boating, Awake and Sing!) directs this drama about what we do with history and how we appropriate it for our own personal needs. Featuring Adrian Anchondo, Jessica Bates, Peter Kybart, Sarah Mitchell, Ellen Ratner, Rolf Saxon, Victor Talmadge, and Pamela Gaye Walker, AFTER THE REVOLUTION plays at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley now through October 6 (added performances: Tuesday, October 1, 7pm; Wednesday, October 2, 8pm; Thursday, October 3, 8pm; Friday, October 4, 8pm; Saturday, October 5, 8pm; Sunday, October 6, 2pm). For tickets ($32-50) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.
Aurora Theatre Company opens its 22nd season with the Bay Area Premiere of Obie-winning playwright Amy Herzog's (4000 Miles, Belleville, The Great God Pan) family drama AFTER THE REVOLUTION. Joy Carlin (Body Awareness, Jack Goes Boating,Awake and Sing!) directs this drama about what we do with history and how we appropriate it for our own personal needs. Featuring Adrian Anchondo, Jessica Bates, Peter Kybart, Sarah Mitchell, Ellen Ratner, Rolf Saxon, Victor Talmadge, and Pamela Gaye Walker, AFTER THE REVOLUTION plays tonight, August 30 through September 29 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley.
Amphibian Stage Productions opens its third main stage production of the 2013 season, The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) by Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor, next week at the company's home on South Main Street. Luke Longacre, Brandon J. Murphy, and Scott Zenreich star in this irreverent comedy, running tonight, July 11 through Sunday, August 11. Jay Duffer directs the production.
Amphibian Stage Productions opens its third main stage production of the 2013 season, The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) by Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor, next week at the company's home on South Main Street. Luke Longacre, Brandon J. Murphy, and Scott Zenreich star in this irreverent comedy, running Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, August 11. Jay Duffer directs the production.
Aurora Theatre Company opens its 22nd season with the Bay Area Premiere of Obie-winning playwright Amy Herzog's (4000 Miles, Belleville, The Great God Pan) family drama AFTER THE REVOLUTION. Joy Carlin (Body Awareness, Jack Goes Boating,Awake and Sing!) directs this drama about what we do with history and how we appropriate it for our own personal needs. Featuring Adrian Anchondo, Jessica Bates, Peter Kybart, Sarah Mitchell, Ellen Ratner, Rolf Saxon, Victor Talmadge, and Pamela Gaye Walker, AFTER THE REVOLUTION plays August 30 through September 29 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.
Critics and audiences agree that THIS IS HOW IT GOES shouldn't go anywhere anytime soon. Aurora Theatre Company announces that is will add an additional five performances of its current hit production of Neil LaBute's edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009). Tweaking perspectives of truth and interpretation to broach sharp questions about race, love, and manipulation, THIS IS HOW IT GOES plays at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeleynow through July 28 (added performances: Tuesday, July 23, 7pm, Thursday, July 25, 8pm, Friday, July 26, 8pm, Saturday, July 27, 8pm, Sunday, July 28, 2pm).
Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009).
Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company is proud to announce a call for submissions for its ninth season of the Global Age Project (GAP) festival of new works. The company will choose four new plays to be presented as staged readings with professional directors and actors during the GAP festival in February and March of 2014; the festival will coincide with the company's fully-staged Bay Area Premiere of Johnna Adams's incendiary new play GIDION'S KNOT, directed by Jon Tracy (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity). Each of the four prizewinners will receive a $1,000 award and their work will be considered for further development and production during Aurora Theatre Company's regular season; out of town artists will receive travel and accommodation expenses. The submission period opens June 3; deadline for play submission is July 31, 2013. Finalists will be announced in early December 2013.
Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009). Tweaking perspectives of truth and interpretation to broach sharp questions about race, love, and manipulation,THIS IS HOW IT GOES, about which the Chicago Tribune raved "Highly recommended! LaBute's play has a lot of sting and nothing is as it seems!" plays June 14 through July 21 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($35-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.
