David Weiner News

In 'Becky Shaw,' a bad date makes for a good play, with snappy writing, performances that pop, and food for thought

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.

Shakespeare is commissioned to write about current events in Bill Cain's fascinating new drama, currently running at Manhattan Theater Club.

The Huntington Theatre Company continues its 28th season - a season of American stories - with artistic director Peter DuBois' hit 2009 Off Broadway production of Becky Shaw, a wickedly funny black comedy about a blind date gone bad.

Manhattan Theatre Club's production of EQUIVOCATION by Bill Cain, (former artistic director of Boston Shakespeare Company), directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes (Translations, Beauty Queen of Leenane) opens tonight at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Previews are underway for the New York premiere of EQUIVOCATION by Bill Cain (former artistic director of Boston Shakespeare Company), and directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes (Translations, Beauty Queen of Leenane). Opening night is set for March 2 at Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center - Stage I.

The Huntington Theatre Company continues its 28th season - a season of American stories - with artistic director Peter DuBois' hit 2009 Off Broadway production of Becky Shaw, a wickedly funny black comedy about a blind date gone bad.

The Manhattan Theatre Club production of EQUIVOCATION by Bill Cain (former artistic director of Boston Shakespeare Company), directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes (Translations, Beauty Queen of Leenane) starts previews tonight at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street) in preparation for a Tuesday, March 2 opening night.

The performance of Equivocation on Tuesday February 9 has been cancelled in order to allow for an additional day of technical rehearsal. Previews will now begin on Wednesday, February 10. EQUIVOCATION's opening night remains Tuesday, March 2 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove have announced full casting for the New York premiere of EQUIVOCATION by Bill Cain (former artistic director of Boston Shakespeare Company), directed by Tony Award winner Garry Hynes (Translations, Beauty Queen of Leenane).

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Co-Artistic Director Robert LuPone will appear in the company's world premiere of Alexander Dinelaris' Still Life, directed by Will Frears for two performances only this Saturday, October 24 (2:00 & 8:00 p.m.).

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Co-Artistic Director Robert LuPone will appear in the company's world premiere of Alexander Dinelaris' Still Life, directed by Will Frears for two performances only this Saturday, October 24 (2:00 & 8:00 p.m.).

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) presents the world premiere ofAlexander Dinelaris' Still Life, directed by Will Frears. The cast features Dominic Chianese, Halley Feiffer, Ian Kahn, Adriane Lenox, Kelly McAndrew, Sarah Paulson,Matthew Rauch and Frederick Weller. Performances began at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 16 and continue through November 1, 2009. Opening night was celebrated, Monday, October 5th at 7:00 p.m. BroadwayWorld.com's cameras were there to capture all the opening night festivities.

The Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee has nominated 60 theater artists for recognition of their outstanding work in 46 productions presented during the 2008-2009 New York theater season. The awards will be presented at a luncheon to be held late this fall.

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) presents the world premiere of Alexander Dinelaris' Still Life, directed by Will Frears. The cast will feature Dominic Chianese, Halley Feiffer, Ian Kahn, Adriane Lenox, Kelly McAndrew, Sarah Paulson, Matthew Rauch and Frederick Weller. Performances began at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 16 and continue through November 1, 2009.

UK theatre site WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that pop star Lily Allen is planning to make her theatrical debut in 2010, starring in the West End production of Reasons to Be Pretty. She told journalists this weekend that her touring ends in March at which point she'll be ready to 'try something new.' The site also reports that she has started acting lessons in preparation.

THE OJAI PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE (OPC) is thrilled to announce its 2009 Season - 12th Annual program of playwrights, readings and symposiums. Features some of the most talented, established and up-and-coming playwrights writing today.

Mackinnon, the four-member cast features Jennifer Westfeldt as Emma with Raul Castillo as Alejandro, Isabel Keating as Lydia, and Christina Kirk as Tess. Performances began Tuesday, July 28, 2009 for a limited run through Saturday, September 5, 2009 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues).

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) launches its 25th anniversary season of new works celebrating the female playwright with the world premiere of A Lifetime Burning by Cusi Cram. With direction by Pam Mackinnon, the four-member cast features Jennifer Westfeldt as Emma with Raul Castillo as Alejandro, Isabel Keating as Lydia, and Christina Kirk as Tess. Performances began Tuesday, July 28, 2009 for a limited run through Saturday, September 5, 2009 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues).

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) launches its 25th anniversary season of new works celebrating the female playwright with the world premiere of A Lifetime Burning by Cusi Cram.