David Henry Hwang News

Disney is set to create a live action musical adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel, HUNCHBACK, according to Deadline.

In a revival version never before staged on the West Coast, David Henry Hwang's audacious, Tony Award-winning M. BUTTERFLY - inspired by a bizarre true story of illusion, obsession and betrayal - will open at ArtsWest on January 24. Performances will run Thursday through Sunday until February 17.

The 8th ANNUAL BOSTON ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL (#1MPF) returns for its eighth year, in partnership with Boston Playwrights' Theatre. The marathon evening of one-minute plays by 60 established and emerging Boston area playwrights and directors plays three performances only. Today, January 5th at 8pm, Sunday, January 6th at 8pm, & Monday, January 7th at 8pm.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce its nominations for the 29th Annual Ovation Awards, which will be held on Monday, January 28, at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. The annual Ovation Awards "are the only peer-judged theatre awards in Los Angeles, created to recognize excellence in theatrical performance, production, and design in the Greater Los Angeles area," according to LA STAGE Alliance, which administers the awards.

As with each passing season, 2018 proved to be another exceptional year for theater not only in Souther California in general but also in Orange County---my home base. This year, the OC finally welcomed the debut of what has become this century's most awarded and most renowned stage musical ever about the Founding Father etched regally on the 10 dollar bill. Meanwhile, So. Cal. enjoyed a powerful surge of new stage works that explored Asian-American experiences, a positive step forward in the presentation of diverse voices we seldom hear from on the stage. A pair of touring musicals---both opening in the O.C. in early 2019---made such an impact in their Los Angeles engagements for me personally that I had to include them in my list, even though I have not 'officially' reviewed the productions for print. With that said, here is my 'Best of 2018' from Orange County and adjacent locales nearby---a mixture of outstanding shows and brilliant performances that made a lasting, memorable imprint in my theatergoing experience this year.

Legendary choreographer, National Medal of Arts (2013) and MacArthur "Genius" Award (1994) recipient, and artistic director of New York Live Arts, Bill T. Jones welcomes a discussion with Oskar Eustis-Artistic Director of New York's Public Theater, who has nurtured one game-changing hit after another for the Public, including the award-winning musicals Fun Home and Hamilton. As both leaders in the arts world and change-makers, Jones and Eustis delve into the responsibilities of both arts organizations and artists.

The Public Theater announced initial casting today for the world premiere of WHITE NOISE, written by Public Theater Master Writer Chair and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. 

Carole Shorenstein Hays announced today that Book Passage at the Curran will welcome Senator Kamala Harris onSaturday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. The event is part of Curran's popular SHOW & TELL series, featuring topical and entertaining one-night-only events. Guests will join Senator Harris for an inspiring discussion about the core truths that unite us and the big challenges we face together.

Theater stalwart Jamie Du Mont, Lucille Lortel Award winner Leslie Kritzer, writer and theater critic Rob Russo, and Tony Award nominee Jennifer Simard recently launched their brand-new Broadway-centric podcast, The Fabulous Invalid. The inaugural season will consist of 40 episodes, released weekly between Broadway performances on Wednesday two-show days. Select episodes will be taped from the group's 'usual table' at the famed theater restaurant Orso. Catch up on some of the latest episodes below!

The 8th ANNUAL BOSTON ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL (#1MPF) returns for its eighth year, in partnership with Boston Playwrights' Theatre. The marathon evening of one-minute plays by 60 established and emerging Boston area playwrights and directors plays three performances only. Saturday, January 5th at 8pm, Sunday, January 6th at 8pm, & Monday, January 7th at 8pm.

The 2018 Inaugural NAAP (National Asian Artists Project) Gala took place on December 2nd celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein's groundbreaking musical 'Flower Drum Song'. Cast members from numerous productions including the original 1958 Broadway company, tours, the 1961 film and the 2002 Broadway revival took over the Golden Unicorn Restaurant in the heart of Chinatown for a magical evening that included a spectacular eight course Chinese banquet and a sensational show.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Anna Moench's Man of God. Directed by Jesca Prudencio, Man of God begins performances on January 31 and runs until February 24, 2019, with opening night on February 7, 2019. 

The nominees for the 29th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were announced this week.

The New-York Historical Society held their annual History Makers Gala on November 6 at 583 Park in New York. This year's honorees included New-York Historical Trustee Dr. H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang, who received the New-York Historical Society Medal of Merit for Public Engagement; Harry Potter editor Arthur A. Levine, who received the New-York Historical Society Distinguished Service Award; and world-renowned entertainer and celebrated Harry Potter audiobook voice actor Jim Dale, who received the 2018 History Makers Award in recognition of the exhibition Harry Potter: A History of Magic, now on view at New-York Historical.

In a ceremony at the Viacom Center in New York, Providence's Wilbury Theatre Group accepted the prestigious 2018 National Theatre Company Award. Wilbury Founder and Artistic Director Josh Short accepted the award from Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, Chairman of the Board of The American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards.

In a ceremony at the Viacom Center in New York, NY, Providence's The Wilbury Theatre Group accepted the prestigious 2018 National Theatre Company Award. Wilbury Founder and Artistic Director Josh Short accepted the award from Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, Chairman of the Board of The American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards.

The American Theatre Wing announced today that, due to popular demand, their centennial book, American Theatre Wing, an Oral History: 100 Years, 100 Voices, 100 Million Miracles (Graphic Arts Books; edited by Patrick Pacheco), will receive a second printing. Copies of the book are now available at all major retailers.

Meghan Lantzy will become the new General Manager at Signature Theatre (Paige Evans, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Executive Director; James Houghton, Founder), the company announced today. Ms. Lantzy comes to Signature from Lincoln Center Theater, where she has worked for more than 12 years.  

From March 9-April 15, 2019, Carnegie Hall presents Migrations: The Making of America, a citywide festival that traces the journeys of people from different origins and backgrounds who helped to shape and influence the evolution of American culture. The five-week festival with more than 100 events will celebrate the many contributions-cultural, social, economic, and political-of the people who helped to build America's culture with musical programming at Carnegie Hall and public programming, performances, exhibitions, and events at more than 70 leading cultural and academic institutions across New York City and beyond.

The American Theatre Wing recently held its gala honoring the recipients of the 2018 National Theatre Company Grants. Check out the photos below!