David Lander News

Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers and commentators for all media covering New York theatre announced today its award winners for the 2008-09 season in 23 categories.

BroadwayWorld Presents The 2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Lighting Design of a Play'

Jane Fonda, star of 33 VARIATIONS, will be featured live on WOR's 'Joan Hamburg Show' tomorrow Wednesday, April 1st from 11:00AM-11:30AM on 710AM. Jane Fonda will also appear on WNYC's 'The Leonard Lopate Show' tomorrow April 1st from 12:00PM-12:30PM. Tune in to both shows and hear Jane discuss her role in this new American play by Moisés Kaufman.

David Binder (A Raisin in the Sun) presents the Tectonic Theater Project's production of 33 VARIATIONS, currently in previews, starring Jane Fonda, Samantha Mathis, Colin Hanks, Zach Grenier, Don Amendolia, Susan Kellermann, Erik Steele and Diane Walsh, written and directed by Mois?s Kaufman.

It's perfectly understandable if years from now, or maybe fifteen minutes after leaving the theatre, the only thing you clearly remember about the Roundabout's new production of A Man For All Seasons is Frank Langella's extraordinary performance as the highly-principled Chancellor of England, Sir Thomas More, who refused to support Henry VIII's wish to separate from the Vatican and form the Church of England in order for him to divorce the aging Catherine of Aragon and wed Anne Boleyn in hopes of their union producing a son and heir.  Not that director Doug Hughes' sturdy mounting of Robert Bolt's 1960 historical drama doesn't contain fine work from the rest of the ensemble, but in a play where the central figure so dominates the proceedings - especially with this production's removal of the narrator/commenter character known as The Common Man - Langella linguistically feasts on the dense, wordy text and gracefully conveys the complexities of a family man who refuses to betray his conscious, no matter the cost to his loved ones or his own head.While Bolt leans on portraying More a bit more on the saintly side than reality dictates, Langella never strikes a false note as he spares philosophically with the self-involved king (Patrick Page), the slickly elegant Spanish ambassador (Triney Sandoval) and the arch Oliver Cromwell (an almost dastardly Zach Grenier).  His distain for the corruption of the men surrounding him is expressed by both roaring bursts and faintly exasperated glances.  To see the actor's transformation of More from a righteous lion to a fragile, quietly defiant prisoner in the Tower of London, awaiting execution, is a heartbreaking experience.  Also very touching is the work of Maryann Plunkett as his long-suffering but devoted wife.

It's perfectly understandable if years from now, or maybe fifteen minutes after leaving the theatre, the only thing you clearly remember about the Roundabout's new production of A Man For All Seasons is Frank Langella's extraordinary performance as the highly-principled Chancellor of England, Sir Thomas More, who refused to support Henry VIII's wish to separate from the Vatican and form the Church of England in order for him to divorce the aging Catherine of Aragon and wed Anne Boleyn in hopes of their union producing a son and heir. Not that director Doug Hughes' sturdy mounting of Robert Bolt's 1960 historical drama doesn't contain fine work from the rest of the ensemble, but in a play where the central figure so dominates the proceedings - especially with this production's removal of the narrator/commenter character known as The Common Man - Langella linguistically feasts on the dense, wordy text and gracefully conveys the complexities of a family man w

There's an interesting point buried beneath the innocuous entertainment of writer/director Roger Bean's The Marvelous Wonderettes, a somewhat cute little show utilizing girl group and female soloist pop hits from the 1950s and 60s. Unfortunately, that interesting point could have easily been made with out the tedium of his vapid, unfunny book and standard story. But if you can disregard everything that happens between the songs and just enjoy the singing talents of Farah Alvin (the shy, geeky one), Beth Malone (the trouble-maker), Bets Malone (the air-headed, helium voiced blonde) and Victoria Matlock (Most Likely To Become Ann-Margret) you're apt to have an enjoyable time.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that Beast, written by Michael Weller and directed by Jo Bonney, will begin performances Friday, August 29 at 8pm, at NYTW, 79 East 4th Street, between Second Avenue and Bowery. Opening night is scheduled for Monday, September 15 at 7pm. The production will run through Sunday, October 12.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full company joining 3-Time Tony Award Winner Frank Langella as 'Sir Thomas More' in a new Broadway production of Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons, directed by Tony Award Winner Doug Hughes.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that Beast, written by Michael Weller and directed by Jo Bonney, will begin performances Friday, August 29 at 8pm, at NYTW, 79 East 4th Street, between Second Avenue and Bowery. Opening night is scheduled for Monday, September 15 at 7pm. The production will run through Sunday, October 12.

Performances begin tomorrow for the final week to see Signature Theatre Company's world premiere production of EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT starring Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman.

A multitude of Broadway actors will be part of 90 YEARS OF MUNY MAGIC, an upcoming revue that celebrates the 90th season of the famed St. Louis Muny, the nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre. 90 YEARS OF MUNY MAGIC runs July 14-20 at 8:15 PM.

Signature Theatre Company announced today that their world premiere production of EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT starring Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman has been extended again by popular demand through Sunday, July 13th.

Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) world premiere production of EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT starring Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman officially opens tonight, Thursday, June 5th.

Variety reports that Frank Langella, the 2007 Tony Award winner for Best Actor in a Play for his work in Frost/Nixon, will return to the Broadway stage in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of A Man For All Seasons.

Signature Theatre Company announced that their world premiere production of EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT starring Mercedes Ruehl and Larry Bryggman sold out its initial 8-week run in three days, one month before performances are scheduled to begin. Directed by Pam MacKinnon, the limited engagement has been extended by popular demand one week from Sunday, June 29th to Sunday, July 6th.

Previews begin tomorrow, Tuesday May 6th, for Signature Theatre Company's world premiere production of Edward Albee's 'Occupant' starring Mercedes Ruehl and Larry Bryggman.

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) announced today that their world premiere production of EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT starring Tony(r) and Academy Award(r)-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy(r) winner and Tony(r) nominee Larry Bryggman sold out its initial 8-week run in three days, one month before performances are scheduled to begin. Directed by Pam MacKinnon, the limited engagement has been extended by popular demand one week from Sunday, June 29th to Sunday, July 6th.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9th for Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) world premiere production of Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman in EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT directed by Pam MacKinnon. Mr. Albee was Signature's 1993-1994 Playwright-in-Residence. EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT begins performances on May 6, 2008 and continues through June 29 at The Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues). The production will have its official opening on June 5th.

Signature Theatre Company is proud to announce that two-time Emmy winner and Tony nominee Larry Bryggman will join Tony and Academy Award-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl in the world premiere of Edward Albee's Occupant directed by Pam MacKinnon.