David Ives News

Updated this week! Check out upcoming Non-Equity Auditions from Sunday, November 18, 2018 for productions in your area and around the country.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, will host its annual New York City Benefit, BSC/NYC, on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, to honor director and BSC Associate Artist John Rando with the William Finn Award for Innovation and Excellence in Musical Theatre. This one-night only cabaret will take place at the Friars Club (57 East 55th Street).

Ready or not, Christmas is coming.  Get yourself in the mood by taking some time to see WHITE CHRISTMAS at La Comedia Dinner Theatre.

The University of Montana's Theatre & Dance and Music schools are joining to present a holiday classic, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," to audiences throughout November and December.

If there is a musical theater moment more joyous that what occurs at the top of Act Two in Irving Berlin's White Christmas, then we must respectfully demand it be performed in front of us as quickly as possible. Certainly, we recognize there is much joy to be found in musical theater, but sitting in the audience at Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall - six years to the day we last found ourselves awash in the nostalgia and sentimentality so abundant in this particular holiday favorite - we simply couldn't recall anything more engaging or more entertaining than watching Jeremy Benton and Kelly Sheehan, backed by a cadre of 12 other fleet-footed dancers, tapping their hearts out to "I Love a Piano.'

Artists Repertory Theatre presents Everybody, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama. The production is co-directed by Jessica Wallenfels and Damaso Rodriguez, and is an inventive twist on a medieval morality play. Everybody runs from November 25 through December 30 on the Alder Stage.

Lantern Theater Company continues its 25th anniversary season with the Philadelphia premiere of The Heir Apparent by David Ives, adapted from Jean-Francois Regnard's 1708 comedy Le Legataire universel. Lantern resident director M. Craig Getting will direct a cast that includes Lantern veterans Chris Anthony, Leonard C. Haas, Adam Hammet, Dave Johnson, Mary Martello, Lee Minora, and Ruby Wolf. Theater critics and members of the press are invited to request tickets for opening night on Wednesday, November 14 at 7 p.m. by contacting Anne Shuff at ashuff@lanterntheater.org. The expanded six-week performance schedule runs Thursday, November 8 through Sunday, December 16, 2018; a full schedule of performances and special events is included in the fact sheet below.

The producers of IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS, the stage adaptation of the beloved classic film, have announced casting for the National Tour.

Directed by Christopher Annino, 'Silent Times' is a Roaring-Twenties escapade set in a small New England town. The story centers on Oliver Henry III (played by Geoff Blanchette), a small-time crook turned vaudeville theater owner. From humble beginnings in England, he immigrates to America in search of happiness and fast cash. He becomes acquainted with people from all walks of life, from burlesque performers, mimes, hobos to classy flapper girls. As his fortunes rise his life spins out of control. Much of the storyline is a reflection on current social issues that burden our society today.

'Venus in Fur' is a vivid and wonderful production that taps into themes of gender norms, sexuality, and power, and features a fantastic cast. It's certainly an experience you'll want to indulge in. Seating is extremely limited, but that's part of the charm.

Manhattan Theatre Club's American premiere of The Nap, written by Olivier Award nominee Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) and directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan (Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes; Rabbit Hole; Proof) is playing its final two weeks of performances. The play must close on Sunday, November 11th at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Manhattan Theatre Club will "Trans Visibility in the Theatre," a panel directly following the Sunday, November 4th matinee of The Nap. Come to an open discussion about increasing trans presence in the theatre, with panelists including Alexandra Billings (The Nap, "Transparent"), Kate Bornstein (Straight White Men, "I Am Cait"), Will Davis (India Pale Ale, Men On Boats), Alexa Fogel ("Pose" Casting Director), Bianca Leigh (The Nap, Transamerica), and Marquise Vilson (Charm). They will discuss how the arts industry can sustain and further the current push for greater trans presence and representation.

Barter Theatre officials announced today its 2019 season lineup during an exclusive event highlighting select excerpts from various upcoming productions. The event included the details of 16 diverse shows planned for 2019 with the theme of Love, Laughter, and Passion.

Playing On Air announced today the three winners of the inaugural James Stevenson Prize for comedic short plays. First Prize ($7,500, plus a Playing On Air recording for radio and podcast distribution) has been awarded to Hate Baby by Gracie Gardner. (Gardner is also the winner of the 2017 Relentless Award and author of the New York Times Critic's Pick Athena.) Second Prize ($2,000) has been awarded to Hedgehog Years by Lily Akerman. Third Prize ($1,000) has been awarded to Horse Latitudes (Who Wants to be an Equine Extra?) by Elizabeth Logun.

Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere of The Niceties, written by Eleanor Burgess and directed by Kimberly Senior (Disgraced), begins performances tomorrow at The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center (131 W. 55th Street). Opening night is set for Thursday, October 25.

How do you transfigure $10 into the ultimate Harry Potter Broadway experience? Playing On Air today announced the start of a Prizeo raffle for a magical prize: a pair of tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, travel to New York, and a meeting with a surprise member of the Potter cast. The digital fundraiser benefits Playing on Air's mission of bringing the best in American theater to audiences nationwide, for free and on demand. The sweepstakes is part of the acclaimed theater podcast's 'Harry Potter Month,' which celebrates all that is spooky, magical, and delightfully British, including a classic audio play whodunit starring Jim Dale, narrator of the Potter audiobooks.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center and Blanket Fort Entertainment have announced three special Halloween performances of the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival breakout hit Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. 

ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY has announced the first show of its 40th Anniversary 2018-2019 Season, the deliciously hilarious THE SCHOOL FOR LIES, written by David Ives (the playwright of ETC's wildly popular 2013 production of The Liar) and directed by Jonathan Fox. THE SCHOOL FOR LIES begins previews on Thursday, October 4, opens on Saturday, October 6, and runs through Sunday, October 21, 2018 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.

Ensemble Theatre Company Celebrates a 40-year Milestone, Kicks off Season with David Ives' 'The School for Lies.'