David Strathairn News

'I murdered Mozart!' rings out across Europe from Composer Antonio Salieri on his death-bed. Salieri had been the toast of Europe. He had been a devout Catholic all his life. He made a pact with God that he would be the vessel through which God's music would spring. All was good until Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrives in Vienna. In horror Salieri determines that it is Mozart instead who is his God's chosen voice. Mozart's music proves it; God had broken their pact. Salieri now makes a terrible new vow: to block God on earth and teach Him a lesson, using Mozart as the means to that end.

On July 24, the Hudson Stage Company of Croton on Hudson, New York, will host its annual gala fundraiser, 'Divas on Hudson.' The event will be hosted on a Hudson River property in Montrose. It will be tented rain or shine and will have seating available, in addition to expansive grounds for picnicking. The evening will feature a sunset concert with Broadway singers, a silent auction, wine and cheese, dessert, coffee and the view. Performers at past events have included Audra McDonald, Ann Hampton Callaway, Lauren Kennedy, Liz Callaway, Barbara Walsh, and Shoshana Bean.

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) images, has announced an original and diverse programming lineup for Outfest 2010: The 28th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The nation's leading LGBT festival and the oldest film festival in the city will be held July 8 to 18.

Vassar & New York Stage and Film is pleased to announce the cast of the world premiere play WE ARE HERE (June 29 - July 11) by Tracy Thorne, directed by Tony nominee Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall), the first of two fully-staged and designed Powerhouse Mainstage productions for the 2010 season.

Inspired by the U.S. Premiere of Leaving, by Václav Havel, The Wilma Theater will conduct two symposium sessions exploring Havel's legacy and the historical and dramatic background of Leaving, his first new play in over 20 years.

New York's OBIE Award-winning Epic Theatre Ensemble (Zak Berkman, Melissa Friedman, Ron Russell, Founding Executive Directors) today announced the cast and creative team for the New York premiere of Sarah Ruhl's Passion Play (In The Next Room… or the vibrator play) and directed by Mark Wing-Davey (The Singing Forest). The cast will include Brendan Averett, Polly Noonan, Daniel Pearce, Alex Podulke, Keith Reddin, Godfrey L. Simmons Jr., T. Ryder Smith, Felix Solis Jr., Kate Turnbull and Nicole Wiesner.

Fidelity Investments®, in partnership with Billy Elliot the Musical, the Viertel/Frankel/Baruch/Routh Group and LeAp (Learning through an Expanded Arts Program) today announced that two-time Academy Award® Winner Hilary Swank will host the 2010 Fidelity FutureStage® Finale on Monday, June 14.

The Wilma Theater concludes its 2009 - 2010 Season with the U.S. Premiere of Leaving, by Václav Havel. The first play in 20 years from playwright and former Czech President Havel, Leaving will receive its U.S. Premiere production under co-Artistic Director Jiri Zizka's direction, with Academy Award® nominee David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) starring in the role of ex-Chancellor Dr. Vil?m Rieger.

New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director), the OBIE Award-winning downtown theater company founded in 1992, and New Feet Productions will present the world premiere of Emily DeVoti's thought-provoking new play 'MILK,' directed by Jessica Bauman.

'I murdered Mozart!' rings out across Europe from Composer Antonio Salieri on his death-bed. Salieri had been the toast of Europe. He had been a devout Catholic all his life. He made a pact with God that he would be the vessel through which God's music would spring. All was good until Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrives in Vienna. In horror Salieri determines that it is Mozart instead who is his God's chosen voice.

On July 24, the Hudson Stage Company of Croton on Hudson, New York, will host its annual gala fundraiser, 'Divas on Hudson.' The event will be hosted on a Hudson River property in Montrose. It will be tented rain or shine and will have seating available, in addition to expansive grounds for picnicking. The evening will feature a sunset concert with Broadway singers, a silent auction, wine and cheese, dessert, coffee and the view. Performers at past events have included Audra McDonald, Ann Hampton Callaway, Lauren Kennedy, Liz Callaway, Barbara Walsh, and Shoshana Bean.

Powerhouse Theater, a unique collaboration between Vassar College and New York Stage and Film, will enter its second quarter-century this summer, continuing its mission to offer a haven for world-class artists to gather and explore new material in an atmosphere that is both protected and challenging.

The Wilma Theater concludes its 2009 - 2010 Season with the U.S. Premiere of Leaving, by Václav Havel. The first play in 20 years from playwright and former Czech President Havel, Leaving will receive its U.S. Premiere production under co-Artistic Director Jiri Zizka's direction, with Academy Award® nominee David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck) starring in the role of ex-Chancellor Dr. Vil?m Rieger.

Powerhouse Theater, a unique collaboration between Vassar College and New York Stage and Film, will enter its second quarter-century this summer, continuing its mission to offer a haven for world-class artists to gather and explore new material in an atmosphere that is both protected and challenging.

Everyman Theatre's Baltimore will close the 09/10 season with the premiere of Blackbird, Examines the Boundaries of Love, May 12 through June 13. Blackbird, a haunting, powerful drama that has left London and New York audiences breathless. The Baltimore premiere directed by Derek Goldman will star Everyman Resident Company member Megan Anderson and David Parkes in his Everyman debut. For tickets call the Everyman Theatre Box Office at 410.752.2208 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.

Everyman Theatre's Baltimore will close the 09/10 season with the premiere of Blackbird, Examines the Boundaries of Love, May 12 through June 13. Blackbird, a haunting, powerful drama that has left London and New York audiences breathless. The Baltimore premiere directed by Derek Goldman will star Everyman Resident Company member Megan Anderson and David Parkes in his Everyman debut. For tickets call the Everyman Theatre Box Office at 410.752.2208 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.

Inspired by the U.S. Premiere of Leaving, by Václav Havel, The Wilma Theater will conduct two symposium sessions exploring Havel's legacy and the historical and dramatic background of Leaving, his first new play in over 20 years.

Outfest, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, announced today that 'HOWL' has been selected as the Opening Night gala of the 28th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

New York's OBIE Award-winning Epic Theatre Ensemble (Zak Berkman, Melissa Friedman, Ron Russell, Founding Executive Directors) today announced the cast and creative team for the New York premiere of Sarah Ruhl's Passion Play (In The Next Room… or the vibrator play) and directed by Mark Wing-Davey (The Singing Forest). The cast will include Brendan Averett, Polly Noonan, Daniel Pearce, Alex Podulke, Keith Reddin, Godfrey L. Simmons Jr., T. Ryder Smith, Felix Solis Jr., Kate Turnbull and Nicole Wiesner.

New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Associate Director), the OBIE Award-winning downtown theater company founded in 1992, and New Feet Productions will present the world premiere of Emily DeVoti's thought-provoking new play 'MILK,' directed by Jessica Bauman.