David Henry Hwang News

Goodman Theatre opens its 2012/2013 Season in the Owen Theatre with playwright, actor and poet Dael Orlandersmith's Black n Blue Boys/Broken Men, a co-commission with Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Directed by Chay Yew, Black n Blue Boys/Broken Men is Orlandersmith's solo-performed examination of humanity's capacity for hope and survival, rendered through the eyes of five men ages 11 to 50.

On the eve of his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., cools down in a lonely Memphis hotel room after delivering the speech of a lifetime - when an unexpected visit from a feisty, young hotel maid pushes King into a confrontation with his doubts, fears and haunting premonitions. A soul-stirring hit in London and on Broadway, The Mountaintop's humorous, magical storytelling fuses theatricality with spirituality to reach a summit that will leave audiences breathless. The Mountaintop is written by playwright Katori Hall and will be directed by Rep Artistic Associate May Adrales, who returns to The Rep after directing last season's critically-acclaimed production of Yellowman. The Mountaintop runs in The Rep's Stiemke Studio from September 26 - November 4, and opens Friday, September 28.

Alexis Marnel and Artists Collective for Social Change present the New York Off-Broadway premiere of Rock WILK's BROKE WIDE OPEN, a theatrical love letter to his hometown, New York City, and the story of his adoption, his fostering, and his complex search for his biological mother. Directed by Stephen Bishop Seely ("8 Million Protagonists") preview performances of BROKE WIDE OPEN begin October 6th prior to an official press opening of Thursday, October 11th at The 45th Street Theatre (354 West 45th Street) in Manhattan.

Signature Theatre presents the New York premiere of THE TRAIN DRIVER, written and directed by Athol Fugard. THE TRAIN DRIVER is the final production in the Residency One: Athol Fugard Series. The production runs through September 23, 2012, and opened last night, September 9 in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). Check out photos from the big opening below!

Fish Out of Water Productions is set to present a Fundraising Gala/Silent Auction and Cabaret next week in support of the American premiere of the original musical by Anna Grace Carter, Rent A White Guy. The gala will also be honoring the King of Queens and theatrical expat Richard Mazda who has been an invaluable support to Fish Out of Water and Rent A White Guy.

The Lark Play Development Center named five New York City-based dramatists as Playwrights' Workshop Fellows for the 2012-13 season. The group spans a wide range of cultural backgrounds and professional experiences and will meet regularly through June to develop new plays.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre's West Coast premiere of Chinglish has been extended for two weeks. Originally scheduled to run until October 7, David Henry Hwang's popular new play has added 16 performances - but it must close on October 21.

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, opens its 47th Anniversary season, themed Spirited Away, with the critically-acclaimed dance theatre production ENCOUNTER. Previews run tonight, September 6-9, and the performance run continues through October 6, 2012.

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.

This October, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, an ancient tale comes roaring back to life in a compelling new telling filled with contemporary wit and wisdom. The clash of swords and shields, the broken hearts and broken oaths, the bonds of friendship and family - An Iliad arises on a bare stage, told by an old man who's seen too much. Two-time Obie Award-winner Lisa Peterson directs a stunning show that stars Henry Woronicz, who masterfully captures the grief and glory of the battle for Troy.

Alexis Marnel and Artists Collective for Social Change present the New York Off-Broadway premiere of Rock WILK's BROKE WIDE OPEN, a theatrical love letter to his hometown, New York City, and the story of his adoption, his fostering, and his complex search for his biological mother. Directed by Stephen Bishop Seely ('8 Million Protagonists') preview performances of BROKE WIDE OPEN begin October 4th prior to an official press opening of Thursday, October 11th at The 45th Street Theatre (354 West 45th Street) in Manhattan.

Fish Out of Water Productions is set to present a Fundraising Gala/Silent Auction and Cabaret next week in support of the American premiere of the original musical by Anna Grace Carter, Rent A White Guy. The gala will also be honoring the King of Queens and theatrical expat Richard Mazda who has been an invaluable support to Fish Out of Water and Rent A White Guy.

Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of HEARTLESS by Sam Shepard and directed by Daniel Aukin, through September 16, 2012 with an opening last night, August 27, at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld was there for the big opening and you can check out full coverage below!

David Henry Hwang won three Obies and the Tony Award for Best Play with popular scripts like M. Butterfly and FOB. Now he's back with a canny comedy of cross-cultural errors, CHINGLISH, which makes its West Coast premiere at Berkeley Rep beginning August 29th and heads to Hong Kong in March 2013. Get a first look at the cast onstage below!

Black Lab Theatre is busy putting the bang into the BOOM by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb. The cast and crew are hard at work rehearsing their upcoming production of the popular dark comedy. During Friday evening's rehearsal break Jordan Jaffe, Black Lab Theatre's Artistic Director who is playing Jules in the show, Lindsay Ehrhardt, who is playing Jo in the show, Justin Doran, who is directing the show, Aaron Garrett, who is one Assistant Director, and Luna Oliveira, Black Lab Theatre's Dramaturg and also an Assistant Director for the show, all sat down with me to talk about BOOM, the apocalypse, and Black Lab Theatre's upcoming season.

Today, as Berkeley Repertory Theatre holds its final rehearsal for the West Coast premiere of Chinglishand prepares this production for a trip to Hong Kong, the show's celebrated author has earned another honor. The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust announced this morning that David Henry Hwang will receive the Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, a biennial prize that recognizes and encourages the artistic excellence and achievement of an American playwright whose body of work has made significant contributions to the American theatre.

The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust today announced that David Henry Hwang will receive the Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award at the 5th Annual Steinberg Playwright "Mimi" Awards. The Mimi Awards promote theater as a vital part of our culture by nurturing American playwrights and encouraging the development and production of new American plays.

Signature Theatre presents the world premiere of HEARTLESS by Sam Shepard and directed by Daniel Aukin, through September 16, 2012 with an August 27 opening night in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld brings you full video highlights from the show below!

Signature Theatre Company has announced a two-week extension for Sam Shepard's HEARTLESS, directed by Daniel Aukin. The production will now play through Sunday, September 30. The production began performances on August 7 and will open August 27 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). The initial run is already completely sold out. Tickets during the extension weeks are $75 each.

Village Theatre was back this last weekend with their 12th Annual Village Originals Festival of New Musicals. A weekend packed with five new musicals presented as script in hand, staged reading workshops; the festival aids in the fostering and growth of these exciting new works. Some previous works have even gone on to Broadway success as "Next to Normal" (previous title "Feeling Electric") and "Million Dollar Quartet" had their start through the Village Originals Festival of New Musicals and went on to win multiple Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize ("Next to Normal"). And, as they did with last year's "Cloaked" Village also took a previous festival entry and gave it a larger production as "Lizzie Borden" had a three performance off book workshop of it's own at the First Stage Theatre down the street from their main stage Francis J. Gaudette Theatre.