Diedre L. Murray News

In perhaps its most ambitious season to date, Music Theater Heritage has announced bold and imaginative programming for its 2024 season. Utilizing three different venues, MTH's 22nd Season highlights stories that orbit around the power of love and the lengths we take to protect it. The season includes Tony Award winners, re-imaginings, original concert productions, and represents some of the most celebrated dramatists, composers, and songwriters of the 20th century. 

Vineyard Theatre has announced the company’s second original cast benefit reading, reuniting renowned actors Joe Morton (“Scandal”) and Sally Murphy (August: Osage County) for Oppenheimer Award-winning playwright and poet Cornelius Eady’s (Vineyard’s You Don’t Miss The Water) play, Brutal Imagination.

Vineyard Theatre has announced a series of original cast benefit readings, including Gloria, the Pulitzer Prize finalist play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Evan Cabnet, which will air on January 19 and be available for viewing through January 22;  Brutal Imagination by Cornelius Eady and directed by Joe Morton, and more.

TRT now has a marvelous musical journey on stage as a grand finale to their 20182019 Season. Oo-Bla-Dee, written by Regina Taylor, features original lyrics by Taylor and original music by composerorchestrator, Diedre L. Murray. The choreography is by Kenneth L. Roberson and the musical direction is by George Caldwell, with vocal arrangements by Carol Maillard. Ruben Santiago-Hudson expertly directs the production.

Two River Theater presents Oo-Bla-Dee, written by Regina Taylor, featuring original lyrics by Taylor and original music by composer/orchestrator Diedre L. Murray, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The choreography is by Kenneth L. Roberson and the music direction is by George Caldwell, with vocal arrangements by Carol Maillard.

Two River Theater presents Oo-Bla-Dee, written by Regina Taylor, featuring original lyrics by Taylor and original music by composer/orchestrator Diedre L. Murray, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The choreography is by Kenneth L. Roberson and the music direction is by George Caldwell, with vocal arrangements by Carol Maillard.

TRT closes their 20182019 season with 'Oo-Bla-Dee' by Regina Taylor from June 8 to June 30. The production is directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson and features original music by Diedre L. Murray with original lyrics by Regina Taylor. Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Amber Iman who is playing Luna C in the show.

Two River Theater announces the lineup of productions for its 2019/20 Season.

Two River Theater . announces the complete cast for its production of Oo-Bla-Dee, written by Golden Globe Award winner Regina Taylor (Crowns, I'll Fly Away), featuring original songs by Taylor and Obie Award winning composer Diedre L. Murray (Running Man, Eli's Comin'), directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (August Wilson's Jitney, Lackawanna Blues).

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the lineup of productions for its 25th Anniversary Season in 2018/19, which will feature eight productions including world premieres, musicals, modern classics, and theater for family audiences.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces a change in programming in its current season. The theater will present Songbird, written by Michael Kimmel (The Last Goodbye) with music and lyrics by Lauren Pritchard (Spring Awakening), directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch (The Last Match, Animal), from June 9-July 1. Songbird will be presented by special arrangement with Allison Bressi and Diana Buckhantz.

Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces An Evening on the Musical Frontier, a benefit performance featuring songs from musicals in development at Two River. Alec Baldwin is the Honorary Event Chair for the one-night special event on Friday, May 12, which will begin with a cocktail reception at 6pm.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces the lineup of productions for its 2017/18 Season.

Timothy Sheader's critically acclaimed production of Porgy and Bess which ends its strictly limited run at Regents Park Open Air Theatre on 23 August, draws on talent from both sides of the Atlantic, Rufus Bonds Jr plays Porgy and Nicola Hughes plays Bess, with Phillip Boykin as Crown, Cedric Neal as Sportin' Life and Olivier Award-winning Sharon D Clarke as Mariah. Check out highlights from the production below!

Last night, Monday 28 July, was the Opening Night of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess which runs at Regents Park Open Air Theatre until 23 August. After the show, cast, creative team and invited guests enjoyed a summer drink of Canard Duchene Champagne on the lawn of Regents Park Open Air Theatre, accompanied by Belly Pork Croquettes with Roasted Corn Cream and Lemon Cone Trees. Check out the photos below!

Celebrated as a landmark piece of American theatre with iconic songs including 'Summertime', 'I Got Plenty of Nothing', 'I Loves You Porgy' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So', Porgy and Bess will be directed by Regents Park Open Air Theatre's Artistic Director Timothy Sheader, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray. Check out a first look at the production below!

The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, ends on a high note grossing $1,030,014 for the week closing July 20, 2014, making it the highest-grossing week on the tour. More than 15,000 people attended the show in Charlotte.

Though the weather was stormy on the opening night of the MUNY's presentation of the American Repertory Theater's 2011 update of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, and believe me I drove through some heavy downpours as I made my way to Forest Park, somehow the rain held off and allowed this wonderful show to proceed. Purists have been in an uproar over the fact that the original show has been altered, and while I certainly understand what all the fuss was about, there's no denying the fact that this new interpretation is a moving and compelling production that's definitely a winning crowd-pleaser.

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess will run at Regents Park Open Air Theatre from 17 July to 23 August with Opening Night for press on 28 July. Celebrated as a landmark piece of American theatre with iconic songs including 'Summertime', 'I Got Plenty of Nothing', 'I Loves You Porgy' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So', Porgy and Bess will be directed by Regents Park Open Air Theatre's Artistic Director Timothy Sheader, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray.

Rehearsals have now started, for the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess which will run at Regents Park Open Air Theatre from 17 July to 23 August with Opening Night for press on 28 July. Celebrated as a landmark piece of American theatre with iconic songs including 'Summertime', 'I Got Plenty of Nothing', 'I Loves You Porgy' and 'It Ain't Necessarily So', Porgy and Bess will be directed by Regents Park Open Air Theatre's Artistic Director Timothy Sheader, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and a musical score adapted by Diedre L. Murray.