Dede M. Ayite News

Playwrights Horizons begins accepting entries today, Monday, May 8 at 12 Noon, for the LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to their world premiere production of BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE, a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Obie Award winner Kirsten Childs (The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin at Playwrights, Miracle Brothers).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu, directed by Danya Taymor. A hilarious and incendiary riff on Waiting for Godot, the complete cast features ensemble member Jon Michael Hill (Moses), Julian Parker (Kitch) and Ryan Hallahan (Mister). Pass Over runs June 1 - July 9, 2017 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Press performances are Saturday, June 10 at 3pm and Tuesday, June 13 at 7:30pm. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars in character below!

Four intellectuals-a doctor, an actress, a psychologist and a neurobiologist studying the human brain's response to race-search for love, acceptance and identity in Lydia R. Diamond's comedy-drama Smart People, which makes its D.C. debut at Arena Stage. Set against the backdrop of Obama's 2008 election, Diamond's fiercely funny play explores the unavoidable nature of cultural bias. Deputy Artistic Director Seema Sueko makes her Arena Stage directorial debut with this "sexy, serious and very, very funny modern-day comedy of manners" (Variety). Smart People runs April 14-May 21, 2017 in the Kreeger Theater.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival opens the world premiere of UniSon by OSF ensemble-in-residence UNIVERSES, directed by Robert O'Hara, this Sunday, April 23, in the Angus Bowmer Theatre, for a run through October 28, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival will present the world premiere of UniSon by OSF ensemble-in-residence UNIVERSES, directed by Robert O'Hara, on April 23 in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. Preview performances are April 19, 21 and 22; the production will run through October 28, 2017.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced accomplished director Danya Taymor will direct Steppenwolf's world premiere production of Pass Over by Antoinette Nwandu.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival will present the world premiere of UniSon by OSF ensemble-in-residence UNIVERSES, directed by Robert O'Hara, on April 23 in the Angus Bowmer Theatre. Preview performances are April 19, 21 and 22; the production will run through October 28, 2017.

Playwrights Horizons has announced complete casting for BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE, the co-world premiere of a new musical with book, music and lyrics by Obie Award winner Kirsten Childs (The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin at Playwrights, Miracle Brothers). 

McCarter Theatre Center closes the 2016-2017 Theater Series with a new production of Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel, a story of an African-American seamstress living in 1905 New York City pursuing her dreams of love and independence. Directed by Jade King Carroll, Intimate Apparel will run from May 5 to June 4.

Four intellectuals - a doctor, an actress, a psychologist and a neurobiologist studying the human brain's response to race - search for love, acceptance and identity in Lydia R. Diamond's comedy-drama Smart People, which makes its D.C. debut at Arena Stage.

The Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival will launch its 82nd year with preview performances beginning on February 17, and the season officially kicks off Today night, February 24, in the Angus Bowmer Theatre with Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (director, Shana Cooper).

The 2017 Helen Hayes Award nominations were announced tonight. A line-up of leading theatre artists announced nominations in 47 categories of artistic excellence. Award recipients will be announced at the Helen Hayes Awards gala event to be held at the Lincoln Theatre on Monday, May 15 with an after-party hosted at Washington's legendary 9:30 Club.

The Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival will launch its 82nd year with preview performances beginning on February 17, and the season officially kicks off Friday night, February 24, in the Angus Bowmer Theatre with Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (director, Shana Cooper).

Atlantic Theater Company has announced that the world premiere play Tell Hector I Miss Him by Paola Lazaro, directed by David Mendizabal, has been extended an additional week through February 19 in advance of officially opening January 23.

Atlantic Theater Company presents Kecia Lewis (Mother Courage, Once on This Island) and Rebecca Naomi Jones (American Idiot, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) in the world premiere production of George Brant's play with music, Marie and Rosetta, directed by Atlantic Artistic Director Neil Pepe. Marie and Rosetta will play a limited engagement through Sunday, October 2, 2016, Off Broadway at Atlantic Theater Company's Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20Street). Check out photos from opening night below!

Signature Theatre's JELLY'S LAST JAM, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's La Cage Aux Folles, West Side Story) and choreographed by Jared Grimes (Broadway's After Midnight), runs now through September 11 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre. The musical about famed and notorious jazz entertainer Jelly Roll Morton by George C. Wolfe, Susan Birkenhead, and Luther Henderson features the music of Jelly Roll Morton. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Signature Theatre's JELLY'S LAST JAM, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's La Cage Aux Folles, West Side Story) and choreographed byJared Grimes (Broadway's After Midnight), runs now through September 11 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre. The musical about famed and notorious jazz entertainer Jelly Roll Morton by George C. Wolfe, Susan Birkenhead, and Luther Henderson features the music of Jelly Roll Morton. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

Below, check out the cast of Jelly's Last Jam in the rehearsal room, plus watch Signature's talented, hardworking tech crew transform the MAX Theatre from a drag club on the French Riviera in La Cage aux Folles to the Jungle Inn, a 1920s jazz club, for Jelly's Last Jam!

Signature Theatre's JELLY'S LAST JAM, directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's La Cage Aux Folles, West Side Story) and choreographed by Jared Grimes (Broadway's After Midnight), runs August 2 - September 11 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre. The musical about famed and notorious jazz entertainer Jelly Roll Morton by George C. Wolfe, Susan Birkenhead, and Luther Henderson features the music of Jelly Roll Morton. Click below to watch a teaser for the show!

Signature Theatre has announced the cast of Jelly's Last Jam directed by Signature Associate Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner (Signature's La Cage Aux Folles, West Side Story) and choreographed by Jared Grimes (Broadway's After Midnight). The musical about famed and notorious jazz entertainer Jelly Roll Morton by George C. Wolfe, Susan Birkenhead, and Luther Henderson featuring the music of Jelly Roll Morton runs August 2 - September 11 in Signature Theatre's intimate MAX Theatre.