David Henry Hwang News

The American Theatre Wing held its annual gala last night, September 15 at The Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), honoring Dame Angela Lansbury, who has served as Honorary Chairman of the American Theatre Wing Board of Trustees since 2010. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos from the glamorous red carpet arrivals below!

The National Alliance For Musical Theatre (NAMT) announced today the all-star lineup of directors and musical directors participating in the 26th Annual Festival of New Musicals on Thursday, October 23, 2014 and Friday, October 24, 2014 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street).

The Pasadena Playhouse announces the cast of STOP KISS, the second production of its 2014-2015 Season. Written by Diana Son and directed by Pasadena Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Seema Sueko, STOP KISS stars Sharon Leal (Bill Condon's Dreamgirls, Fox's "Boston Public," and Lionsgate's Addicted), Angela Lin (Broadway's Chinglish), John Sloan (Fox's "Happy Hour"), Brandon Scott (ABC's "Grey's Anatomy"), Amanda Carlin (Liar Liar), and Jeff De Serrano (A&E's "Longmire"). The production is performed November 4 - 30, 2014 with the official press night on Wednesday, November 9, 2014.

Palo Alto Players opens its 84th season with the West Coast premiere of the colorful and stirring musical, Big Fish (based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August). With music & lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by John August, this tender tribute to family and the magic of storytelling is a feast for the eyes, as well as the heart. Big Fish will play for 11 performances (September 12-28, 2014) at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's CultureFest will celebrate multiethnic heritage and the diverse work on the Festival's stages this weekend, September 11-14, 2014. Held every other year, among CultureFest's 2014 offerings are play readings and discussions, multicultural Green Shows and Spanish open-captioned performances of three plays.

Kevin Hart and Charlee Chiv elevated this iconic show to a whole new level!

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, opens its 50th Anniversary Season, Golden, with 'Animals Out of Paper,' by Pulitzer-nominated Rajiv Joseph and directed by Jennifer Chang. The production features CS Lee ('Dexter'), Tess Lina ('Revenge,'NCIS') and introducing Kapil Talwalkar.

Today in 2000, Aida opened at the Palace Theatre, where it ran for 1852 performances. Aida is a musical with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang. Aida was nominated for five Tony Awards and won four Tony Awards in 2000, including Best Musical Score and Best Performance by a Leading Actress. Aida was also named by Time Magazine in 2000 as one of the top ten theatre productions of the year. The First National tour was nominated for nine National Broadway Theatre awards (now 'Touring Broadway Awards') and won five awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

As the recipient of four awards, to include Westword's "Best of 2014: Specialty Theatre Group" and John Moore's "2013 True West Special Award", Theatre Esprit Asia proved a successful inaugural season with a bright future in Denver's theatre scene. Much has happened since the close of their first year with an addition to the artistic team, collaborations with other theatre groups and a change in venue.

Shakespeare/Summerfest Orange County (SOC) at The Garden Grove Amphitheater continues its innovative 2014 season of One Big Family Under The Stars by presenting Michelle Krusiec, named by Hollywood Reporter as one of its Top Ten Rising Stars, nominated for China's Golden Horse Award for Best Actress (Oscar equivalent) for the feature film SAVING FACE, in the role that made her a star: MADE IN TAIWAN.

The Lark Play Development Center named five New York City-based playwrights as Playwrights' Workshop Fellows for the 2014-15 season. The group spans a wide range of backgrounds and professional experiences and will meet regularly throughout the year to develop new plays.

The City Lights Theatre Company will be beginning its 2014/15 season with Yasmina Reza's 'Art,' followed by 'Build,' 'Exit, Pursued By A Bear,' 'West Side Story', and more.

When cons are the family business, watch your back - because it's not just about the score, it's about who you can trust! Pork Filled Productions will present the Northwest premiere of Fast Company by Carla Ching, directed by Amy Poisson (These Streets, The Clockwork Professor), at the Theatre Off Jackson (409 7th Ave. S., Seattle), November 1 to 22, 2014.

Signature Theatre presents the U.S. Premiere of And I and Silence by Naomi Wallace, directed by Caitlin McLeod. The production runs now through September 14, 2014. The show opened last night, August 25, in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big night below!

In the coming months, Broadway will welcome a fresh crop of productions- many of which will mark the Broadway debuts for a slew of talented actors. Whether they are fresh faces or established stars, these Broadway babies will soon take their very first bows on the grandest stages in the world. Meet all of the Great White Way's newest stars below, and be sure to let us know who you're most looking forward to seeing onstage!

Palo Alto Players opens its 84th season with the West Coast premiere of the colorful and stirring musical, Big Fish (based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August). With music & lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by John August, this tender tribute to family and the magic of storytelling is a feast for the eyes, as well as the heart. Big Fish will play for 11 performances (September 12-28, 2014) at the Lucie Stern Theater, located at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto.

Theater Breaking Through Barriers (TBTB) received a 2014 ADA Sapolin Award in recognition of its artistic excellence and commitment to advancing people with disabilities. The award is to be presented by Victor Calise, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, at a reception in honor of the 24th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, on Tuesday, August 19, at the New York Public Library in Manhattan.

Tonight, August 16th, East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, kicks off their Golden 50th Anniversary Season with the first of many planned celebrations with their signature 'one night only' event, featuring the new generation of Asian Pacific musical performers. Fresh Faces, Golden Voices takes place at East West Players. Celebrity Chef Katie Chin (PBS' 'Double Happiness,' 'Iron Chef America') collaborates with Food Fetish Catering on a unique Pan Asian dining experience al fresco, with special desserts donated by Majestic Caterers. Proceeds of One Night Only benefit the artistic/educational programs of East West Players.

After the dust settled from a January 2 deadline and the paper-cuts healed from over six hundred plays received from writers aged 18 or younger, eight playwrights have been named winners of the 2014 Young Playwrights Inc. National Playwriting Competition.

New York Festival of Song announces 2014-15 season. Four Great Series Return Classic: NYFOS MAINSTAGE at Merkin Concert Hall (4 concerts) Future: NYFOS NEXT at Opera America's National Opera Center (3 concerts) Cabaret: NYFOS AFTER HOURS at Henry's Restaurant (3 concerts) Mentoring: NYFOS EMERGING ARTISTS at North Fork, Juilliard, Caramoor (3 concerts)