Deirdre O'Connell News

Following an acclaimed original sold-out run, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) proudly announces a limited return engagement of the company's recent World Premiere production of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, the new hit play by Annie Baker ('An original voice' - Daily News; 'A playwright to know' - Newsday). Directed by Sam Gold ('A magic-fingered director' - Variety; 'An uncommonly observant eye and ear' - The New York Times), the original engagement opened Tuesday, October 13 to across-the-board rave reviews and was ultimately extended twice by critical and audience demand through Saturday, November 21. The return limited engagement will begin performances Tuesday, December 15 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater with tickets on sale through Sunday, January 17, 2010.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced a two-week extension for the World Premiere of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, a new play by Annie Baker ('An original voice' - Daily News; 'A playwright to know' - Newsday) that has just opened to across-the-board rave reviews. Directed by Sam Gold ('A magic-fingered director' - Variety; 'An uncommonly observant eye and ear' - New York Times), the production opened Tuesday, October 13. Originally set to run through Sunday, November 1, the limited engagement will now play through Sunday, November 22 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The New Group has announced casting for it's revival of Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind, the second show of their 2009 - 2010 season. Directed by Ethan Hawke, the production will feature Josh Hamilton, Marin Ireland, Deirdre O'Connell, Alessandro Nivoloa, Maggie Siff and Frank Whaley. Additional casting to be announced very soon. The limited Off-Broadway engagement set to begin January 29, in advance of a February opening.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced a two-week extension for the World Premiere of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, a new play by Annie Baker ('An original voice' - Daily News; 'A playwright to know' - Newsday) that has just opened to across-the-board rave reviews. Directed by Sam Gold ('A magic-fingered director' - Variety; 'An uncommonly observant eye and ear' - New York Times), the production opened Tuesday, October 13. Originally set to run through Sunday, November 1, the limited engagement will now play through Sunday, November 22 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Michael Dale reviews Oleanna and Circle Mirror Transformation. In 1992, when David Mamet directed the premiere production of his controversial play, Oleanna, the name 'Long Dong Silver' was still fresh in the minds of Americans who followed the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas hearings. Susan Faludi's bestseller, Backlash, was urging women to stand up to 'The Undeclared War Against American Women' while Camille Paglia criticized the feminist movement for teaching women to see themselves as victims. Take Back The Night rallies on college campuses encouraged women to publicly announce the names of men who have raped them, though the definition of what exactly constituted a rape was still being publicly debated.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Monday, October 26, 2009.

On Monday, October 5th, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater (David van Asselt, Artistic Director) held its 15th Anniversary Gala Benefit at Caroline's Comedy Club. The celebratory evening was hosted by Rattlestick Benefit co-chairs Sandra Coudert, Lawrence Benenson and Colleen Jones. Guests included many of Rattlestick's distinguished alumni including playwrights Craig Wright, Lucy Thurber, Mando Alvarado and Adam Rapp, directors Lucie Tiberghien, Michael Ray Escamilla and Sam Gold, actors Thomas Sadoski, Deirdre O'Connell, Guy Boyd, Marylouise Burke, Matthew Stadelmann, Jessica Dickey and Bill Bowers, as well as many of the company's friends and longtime supporters.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) continues its 2009/2010 Season with the World Premiere of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, a new play by Annie Baker (Body Awareness at Atlantic Theater Company).

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) continues its 2009/2010 Season with the World Premiere of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, a new play by Annie Baker (Body Awareness at Atlantic Theater Company).

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, announces complete casting, as well as dates, for the first two productions of its upcoming 2009/2010 Season. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street, the previously-announced productions will feature the following casts:

Casting has just been announced for Vassar & New York Stage and Film Powerhouse Theater's three musicals of the 25th anniversary season.

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, proudly announces the sixth and final production of its upcoming 2009/2010 Season, as well as additional casting. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street, the new production will be: A COOL DIP IN THE BARREN SAHARAN CRICK - the World Premiere of a new play by Playwrights Horizons alumna Kia Corthron (Breath, Boom at Playwrights Horizons, Force Continuum), directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Durango at The Public). A co-production with The Play Company (Kate Loewald, Founding Producer) and Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director).

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce $20 Student Rush Tickets available 30 minutes prior to curtain for all performances of the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. Performances Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Regular tickets prices are $45.00; $30 for seniors. After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production began previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continued Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002. '...the play condenses five years of personal history into ... raw, emotional theatre... I don't know of a more affecting (and effective) testament to the precious human spirit than this gorgeous, compact drama.' - nytheatre.com review of the original short play

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production began previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continued Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002. '...the play condenses five years of personal history into ... raw, emotional theatre... I don't know of a more affecting (and effective) testament to the precious human spirit than this gorgeous, compact drama.' - nytheatre.com review of the original short play

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production begins previews on Wednesday, January 21st and opens on Monday, January 26th at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th. Tickets are $45.00; $30 for students and seniors (preview tickets are $35.00; $20 for students and seniors.) After its New York run, LOOKING FOR THE PONY will also be presented at SYNCHRONICITY PERFORMANCE GROUP in Atlanta in February. To purchase tickets for the New York production, please call (212) 579-0528 or visit www.vitaltheatre.org. In LOOKING FOR THE PONY, a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts OUTSTANDING NEW AMERICAN PLAY finalist, Eloisa is finally ready to leave a lifeless career in finance to pursue a childhood dream when her sister Lauren is diagnosed with breast cancer. Lauren's perfect life and Eloisa's second chance collide as the sisters join forces to cure all that ails them. As funny as it is heart-breaking, LOOKING FOR THE PONY is a rollercoaster ride through treatment, ambition, loss and acceptance. This play was originally developed and produced by Vital Theatre Company as part of its VITAL SIGNS New Works Festival in 2002.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY has announced the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production previews on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm, and opens on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY has announced the rolling world premiere of LOOKING FOR THE PONY by ANDREA LEPCIO, directed by STEPHAN GOLUX and featuring J. SMITH-CAMERON, DEIRDRE O'CONNELL, LORI FUNK and DEBARGO SANYAL. The production previews on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd at 7pm, and opens on Friday, January 23rd at 7pm. Performances continue Saturday, January 24th at 4pm and 8pm, Sunday, January 25th at 4pm, and Monday, January 26th at 7pm. From January 28th, there will be performances on Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm, Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm through February 8th.

Sundance Institute today announced the acting company for its 2008 Sundance Institute Theatre Lab, to be held July 7 to July 27 at the Sundance Resort in Utah. The 2008 ensemble company includes: Satya Bhabha, (Queens Boulevard) Reed Birney (Stuff Happens), J. Alex Brinson (The Happening), Amari Cheatom (Histoire du Soldat), Michael Chernus (Hunting and Gathering), Tracee Chimo (Water and Discarded Hair), Jennifer Dundas (Good as New), Greg Felden (Naked Will), Chinai Hardy (In the Red and Brown Water),Erin Hill (a-ha), Nicholas Hormann (The Little Foxes), Ella Joyce (Roc), Lisa Joyce (U.S. Drag), Christina Kirk (Well),David Margulies (Angels in America, 45 Seconds from Broadway, Wonderful Town), James McDaniel (Malcolm X), Kristine Nielsen (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Green Bird), Deirdre O'Connell (In the Blood, 'Tis a Pity She's a Whore), Nija Okoro (August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone), Alison Pill (The Lieutenant of Inishmore), Susan Pourfar (The Last Sunday in June), Gita Reddy (Hindustan), Heidi Schreck (Major Barbara), Jeanine Serralles (Hold, Please), Lois Smith (The Trip to Bountiful, Buried Child, The Grapes of Wrath) and Susie Sokol (The Sound and the Fury).

Evenstar Films (Jesus' Son) will present free staged readings of Des Moines, a new play by acclaimed author Denis Johnson, winner of the 2007 National Book Award for Tree of Smoke. Directed by Will Patton, it will be presented for five performances beginning February 26 at The Flea Theater.