David Rasche News

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced 63 new American plays in its 18-year history - launches its 2011-2012 Season with the world premiere of BLAME IT ON BECKETT, a new comedy by John Morogiello, author of the recent Abingdon hit ENGAGING SHAW, set to begin previews October 7, prior to its official press opening October 16, at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Jackob G. Hofmann directs.

It's the BERKSHIRES! not East Hampton, and it's SUMMER not WINTER, but when Christine Ebersole sang 'Another Winter in a Summer Town' (from her hit show Grey Gardens) the MAHAIWE audience was held spellbound by her vocal and acting virtuosity.

David Rasche, a stage and screen veteran has joined the cast of HBO's comedy series 'Bored to Death,' according to Deadline.com. Rasche was cast in the recurring role of Bernard Morse. Morse is a West Coast rival for George Christopher, played by Ted Danson. Morese is a health nut who made his fortune in Silicon Valley.

Today we are talking to the current Prior Walter in Michael Grief's off-Broadway revival of Tony Kushner's Pulitzer prize-winning ANGELS IN AMERICA, and also a headliner of Monday night's SPRING AT LAST! Gala to benefit The Harvey Milk School, late of ABC's smash-hit comedy UGLY BETTY, the charmingly candid and overwhelmingly talented Michael Urie! In this exclusive conversation we tackle topics ranging from Shakespeare to Sondheim to the power and legacy of ANGELS IN AMERICA and what songs and words of hope we can expect from him at the SPRING AT LAST! Gala alongside headliners Lance Horne and Wanda Sykes. Plus, Michael gives us the first news on a number of films he has coming out in the next year and much, much more!

On March 7, 2011 at 8p.m. The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) is pleased to present their annual New Play Festival of works written and directed by women, produced by DeVida Jenkins and Rachel Reiner. Featuring star-studded casts, a diverse group of both celebrated and emerging playwrights, a team of professional directors, and an accomplished design team, this year's New Play Festival will perform for one-night-only at New World Stages (340 West 50th St., NYC). The festival is presented in honor of Support Women Artists Now Day/SWAN Day (www.SwanDay.org), an annual celebration of the diversity, beauty and power of women's creativity. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the League of Professional Theatre Women, in its mission of promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre.

On March 7, 2011 at 8p.m. The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW) is pleased to present their annual New Play Festival of works written and directed by women, produced by DeVida Jenkins and Rachel Reiner. Featuring star-studded casts, a diverse group of both celebrated and emerging playwrights, a team of professional directors, and an accomplished design team, this year's New Play Festival will perform for one-night-only at New World Stages (340 West 50th St., NYC). The festival is presented in honor of Support Women Artists Now Day/SWAN Day (www.SwanDay.org), an annual celebration of the diversity, beauty and power of women's creativity. Proceeds from the festival will benefit the League of Professional Theatre Women, in its mission of promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre.

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present Tony Award winning actor Alan Cumming in a one night only staged reading of Tennessee Williams' THE NOTEBOOK OF TRIGORIN, a free adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, on Sunday evening, February 13 at 7 pm at CSC (136 East 13th Street).

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present Tony Award winning actor Alan Cumming in a one night only staged reading of Tennessee Williams' THE NOTEBOOK OF TRIGORIN, a free adaptation of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, on Sunday evening, February 13 at 7 pm at CSC (136 East 13th Street).

The Carlyle Hotel (Erich Steinbock, Managing Director) welcomed two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole to the legendary Café Carlyle for her fourth engagement in the iconic New York venue last night, January 11th, 2011 (and playing through Saturday, January 29th), Ms. Ebersole presents an all new program -- an eclectic musical evening on the subjects of Hollywood, family...and aging. John Oddo (Musical Director) will lead a quartet. Tony Award-winner Scott Wittman directs. BroadwayWorld was on hand and brings you photo coverage below.

Helen Stenborg and Stephen McKinley Henderson have been named to receive the annual Richard Seff Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation. The award, a $1,000 check and crystal trophy for each, honors a veteran female and male character actor for the best performance in a supporting role in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production.

The Manhattan Theatre Club Broadway premiere of COLLECTED STORIES, by Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies (Time Stands Still, Dinner with Friends), directed by Lynne Meadow (The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, The Loman Family Picnic) opened last night at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). BroadwayWorld was there to capture the starry arrivals!

Rising Phoenix Repertory ends its run of AFTERCLAP on February 22, 2010.

After the critical success and sold out runs of its first two Off-Broadway productions, with Piece by Piece Productions-of Slipping at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and Too Much Memory at the New York Theatre Workshop's Fourth Street Theatre-Caffe Cino Fellowship winning company Rising Phoenix Rep has returned to the backroom pub space at the Seventh Street Small Stage to present the world premiere of Afterclap, award-winning playwright and screenwriter Daniel Reitz's new site-specific play. Directed by RPR Artistic Director Daniel Talbott, the production features Haskell King.

After the critical success and sold out runs of its first two Off-Broadway productions, with Piece by Piece Productions-of Slipping at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and Too Much Memory at the New York Theatre Workshop's Fourth Street Theatre-Caffe Cino Fellowship winning company Rising Phoenix Rep returns to the backroom pub space at the Seventh Street Small Stage to present the world premiere of Afterclap, award-winning playwright and screenwriter Daniel Reitz's new site-specific play.

Talk Show Listings Monday, February 8, 2010.

It's a highlight of every winter, a celebration of the best entertainment in New York's nightlife scene. Combining jazz, comedy and cabaret, the annual Nightlife Awards famously eschew acceptance speeches in favor of performances, becoming a sampler of numerous artforms and introducing new artists to fans of different genres. Last Monday, some of the most gifted entertainers in all of these different subsets of nightlife took to the Town Hall stage for the seventh annual Nightlife Awards, with winners both past and present (and some other assorted guests) making some amazing music.

Rising Phoenix Repertory presents the world premiere of Afterclap A new play by Daniel Reitz, Part of an ongoing acclaimed series of site-specific early evening pub theatre in the East Village. OPens next MONDAY Feb 8th at 6PM

Jenna gives a rundown of where she's been and what's coming up in the world of cabaret (and sometimes beyond!) This week's column features Aztec Two-Step at BB King Blues Club, Tom D'Angelo at The Metropolitan Room, Diane Marino at The Metropolitan Room and a look ahead to the coming week.

This week, January 25, stars celebrated the winners of the 2010 Nightlife Awards at The Town Hall. Among the winners and performers were Christine Ebersole, Cheyenne Jackson, Johnny Rodgers, Gretchen Reinhagen, Anne Steele, Eric Comstock and Barbara Fasano. Additional winners included Kurt Elling, Hank Jones, Sheila Jordan, Bad Plus, Baby Jane Dexter, Louis CK, John Mulaney, and Slovin and Allen.

'The Passion of the Betty' - In 'Ugly Betty's' first episode in its new Wednesday night timeslot as part of ABC's winning comedy bloc, Jesse Tyler Ferguson ('Modern Family') makes a cameo appearance, returning as Betty's orthodontist, Dr. Farkas. When Betty becomes concerned that she and Matt are spending too much time together, she tries to give him something else to be passionate about -- a surprise gallery showing of his art work -- with unintended results (Tony Award-winning actress Christine Ebersole guest stars as Frances, the gallery owner).