David Lindsay-Abaire News

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer; Daniel Sullivan, Acting Artistic Director 2007-2008 Season) is pleased to announce the lineup for this spring's Ernst C. Stiefel '7@7' Reading Series, formerly known as '6@6.'

Shrek The Musical will open December 14 at the Broadway Theatre, after beginning previews on November 8, to star Sutton Foster, Christopher Sieber and Kecia Lewis-Evans.

Manhattan Theatre Club Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove announced that Jerry Patch will be joining MTC's artistic team as the company's new Director of Artistic Development.

South Coast Repertory's Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF) will celebrate its 11th annual edition with a lineup composed of seven SCR-commissioned plays from an array of writers. Since its creation in 1998, PPF has grown into one of the most important festivals of new scripts in the United States. This year's Festival will take place during the May 2 through May 4 weekend with a workshop production, four staged readings and two fully-staged World Premieres on South Coast Repertory's two major stages. Tickets to PPF may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

South Coast Repertory's Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF) will celebrate its 11th annual edition with a lineup composed of seven SCR-commissioned plays from an array of writers. Since its creation in 1998, PPF has grown into one of the most important festivals of new scripts in the United States. This year's Festival will take place during the May 2 through May 4 weekend with a workshop production, four staged readings and two fully-staged World Premieres on South Coast Repertory's two major stages. Tickets to PPF may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy (LACCTA) has announced the Theatre Academy will next present An Evening of Student Directed One-Act Plays as part of its 79th Annual Spring Season

Never one to refuse a complimentary martini or two at Sardi's (remember that the next time you spot me spreading an extra shmear of that cheddar cheese concoction over crackers at the upstairs bar), I too was invited to attend the presentation of three songs from the upcoming musical version of Shrek that Michael Riedel wrote about with his usual passion and adoration for the art of musical theatre in his column a few weeks ago and again yesterday morning.

On Monday, March 3 at 7PM, The Jewish Museum will present 'Shrek: From Book to Film to Broadway.' This panel discussion will trace the odyssey of William Steig's Shrek character from the storybook page to his adaptation for film and the Broadway stage. Panelists will explore how Shrek's unique appeal with both adults and children inspires the creative process.

Shrek The Musical will open December 14 at the Broadway Theatre, after beginning previews on November 8, to star Sutton Foster, Christopher Sieber and Kecia Lewis-Evans.

Michael Riedel of the New York Post has left a teasing footnote in his Friday column, declaring that Tony Award-winning actress and Broadway's favorite 'It Girl' Sutton Foster, has been slated to play the princessly role of Fiona in the Broadway-bound Shrek The Musical.

The 5th Avenue Theatre announces its 2008-2009 season lineup bursting with seven enormously entertaining musicals, five of which are making their 5th Avenue debuts. Includes debuts 'Shrek the Musical' and 'Memphis,' plus tours 'The Drowsy Chaperone' and 'Grease,' and classics 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Sunday in the Park with George.'

South Coast Repertory Artistic Directors David Emmes and Martin Benson have been named the recipients of the 2007-08 Margo Jones Medal. The prestigious award honors those who have demonstrated a significant impact, understanding and affirmation of the craft of playwriting, with a lifetime commitment to the encouragement of the living theater everywhere. The venerable duo has guided South Coast Repertory from a small touring company into one of the country's leading professional theaters, now approaching its 45th season and known world-wide for its development of new work for the stage. The Ohio State University Libraries and College of the Arts will present the award to Emmes and Benson on May 1 at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, California, kicking off the theater's nationally-renowned Pacific Playwrights Festival.

DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. have announced that Shrek The Musical will play an exclusive world premiere engagement at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, August 14 - September 21, prior to opening on Broadway in the Fall of 2008. Preview performances will begin in early November at a theater to be announced.

Songwriter and performer Amanda Green performs at Birdland on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 7PM with Brooks Ashmanskas and Amy Spanger

Playwrights Harrison, Eno, Groff, Gardley to receive Kesselring Awards

Montblanc presented The 24 Hour Company Production of The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway on Monday, October 22 at the American Airlines Theatre. Proceeds benefited Working Playground, an organization that brings arts education into New York City classrooms.

Montblanc presents The 24 Hour Company Production of The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway on Monday, October 22nd at the American Airlines Theatre. Proceeds benefit Working Playground, an organization that brings arts education into New York City classrooms.

Dozens of movie and Broadway stars came out Thursday, October 4 for the opening night of the Manhattan Theatre Club Broadway production of Theresa Rebeck's Mauritius at the Biltmore Theatre.

Montblanc presents The 24 Hour Company Production of The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway on Monday, October 22 at the American Airlines Theatre. Proceeds benefit Working Playground, an organization that brings arts education into New York City classrooms.

The 87th edition of 'The Best Plays Theater Yearbook' has been released by Limelight Editions ($49.95, 562 pages).