David Lindsay-Abaire News

Mari Marchbanks (Founder and Executive Director) announced today the 2016 recipients of the biennial Horton Foote Prize, named in honor of the late playwright, which recognizes excellence in American theater.

Manhattan Theatre Club's 2016 Fall Benefit, honoring two-time Tony Award winner Nathan Lane, will now take place on Monday evening, November 21 at 583 Park Avenue (63rd Street and Park Avenue).

The Drama League announced today that Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce will be the honoree of the 33rd Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway, to be held on Monday evening, November 7, 2016 at The Plaza (768 Fifth Avenue) in New York City.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have just announced full casting for Manhattan Theatre Club's New York premiere of Vietgone, the new play by Qui Nguyen (She Kills Monsters), directed by May Adrales (Luce).

The House Theatre of Chicago is proud to announce its 2016 - 2017 season opening production, the world premiere of Kara Davidson's A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch. Influenced by the long history of puppets, Punch and Judy, and directed by Shade Murray, the production runs September 2 - October 23 at the Chopin Theatre's Upstairs Theater, 1543 W. Division St.

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek." The fairy tales we all know and love get reinvented as this lovable ogre, sassy donkey, and spunky princess take the scene in The Atlanta Lyric Theatre's Shrek the Musical. The Tony-nominated book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori have transferred the Dreamworks film to the stage in a way that will delight fans of the movie as well as please the musical theatre crowd. Filled with bright sets and costumes, catchy tunes, and a lovable cast of miscasts, be sure to catch it before it closes September 4th!

Henry Street Settlement has named Craig Peterson as Artistic Director and Deputy Program Officer for the Abrons Arts Center/Visual and Performing Arts division. Peterson will assume his duties on September 6, 2016.

Do you know that old saying, 'beauty is in the eye of the ogre.' No? Then we suggest a trip to see Atlanta Lyric Theatre's new production of Shrek The Musical which can explain it much better than we can.

After a three-year hiatus Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) opens its 2016-2017 "Year of the Phoenix" Season in the McAninch Arts Center's intimate Playhouse Theatre with Marc Camoletti's "Don't Dress for Dinner," directed by BTE Ensemble member Kurt Naebig,* Sept. 8 - Oct. 9. This production marks the return of the professional Equity company as the MAC's resident theater company. There will be a preview performance on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m.; press opening is Friday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Performances run through Sunday, Oct. 9.

Ever wonder what evil lurks in the heart of suburbia? Get ready for another wild ride fromThe Echo Theater Company when Dustin Wills directs theworld premiere of a modern-day, darkly comic revenge tragedy by Mary Laws. Blueberry Toast puts the "dys" in family dysfunction beginning Sept. 17 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Manhattan Theatre Club's Stargate Theatre Sharon Sullivan Company will perform an original piece, Crash. Burn. Rise., this Saturday, August 20 at 3:00pm and 7:00pm at MTC - Stage II at New York City Center (131 W. 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues).

Now, Valley Performing Arts Center will kick-off the new season and its Broadway series on September 30 at 8:00pm with a one night only concert performance of Dear World, starring Tony and Emmy Award winner Tyne Daly in the role of Countess Aurelia.

Gloucester Stage Company continues its 37th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with a limited run of Jason Robert Brown's Songs For A New World from August 4 through August 27 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. Songs For A New World with music and lyrics by three time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown is a stirring musical journey examining the moments of decision and difficult choices faced in everyday life. Known for such Broadway hits as Parade, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon in Vegas, and The Last Five Years, Mr. Brown artfully blends pop, jazz and gospel in solos and ensemble styles to create this inspiring song cycle.  Directed by Gloucester Stage Artistic Director Robert Walsh, the production features five singers including Tony Award nominee Barbara Walsh, Broadway veterans Rockport's Wendy Waring and Jack Donahue, Berklee College of Music graduate Chris Pittman and  Brandeis' Nyah Macklin, all four in their Gloucester Stage debut. According to Director and GSC Artistic Director Walsh, "Songs For A New World is an enthralling evening of storytelling through song and movement reminiscent of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. We are so fortunate to have such a talented group of actor-singers to bring this work to our audience. It's a particular treat to work with my cousin Barbara again after so many years!  Wendy, Jack, Chris and Nyah are also incredibly fun, hugely talented and all working together in such a fun way - it's a thrill!'

The House Theatre of Chicago is proud to announce its 2016 - 2017 season opening production, the world premiere of Kara Davidson's A Comedical Tragedy for Mister Punch. Influenced by the long history of puppets, Punch and Judy, and directed by Shade Murray, the production runs September 2 - October 23 at the Chopin Theatre's Upstairs Theater, 1543 W. Division St.

Thought-provoking dramas, inspirational stories, heartwarming tales and comedies are all a part of Hershey Area Playhouse's 2017 season.

Do you know that old saying, "beauty is in the eye of the ogre." No? Then we suggest a trip to see Atlanta Lyric Theatre's new production of Shrek The Musical which can explain it much better than we can.

Single tickets to the Huntington Theatre Company's 2016-2017 season will go on sale to the general public at midnight on Tuesday, August 2.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) just announced full casting for the first two shows of the 2016/17 season, NAT TURNER IN JERUSALEM and OTHELLO.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, announced the creation of The Wolfson Theater Center, at 122 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. and Broadwayworld was there. The center is made possible through a generous gift from Jessie and Bernard Wolfson, and will serve as the center of BSC operations. Renovations on the building are set to begin in August 2016, with the administrative offices set to relocate in November 2016. BSC's current office space, known as Octagon House (58 Union Street), will be converted into company housing. A.J. Schnopp Jr. Construction Inc., of Dalton, MA, will be the general contractor.

The season begins with King Lear by William Shakespeare. The production will coincide with the Folger Shakespeare Library's national tour of First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare, which will bring a rare first folio to UConn's campus where it will be displayed September 1-25, 2016 in the William Benton Museum of Art. King Lear will be directed by Dale AJ Rose and play onstage in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre October 6-16, 2016.