Edith Parker News

Outcry Theatre will present its first musical this October with Bat Boy: The Musical, story and book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, and music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe (Heathers).

Blank Canvas Theatre has announced the cast of EQUUS.

 Pride Films and Plays will again host its annual Nominee Night cabaret showcasing many of the musical theater performers nominated in the Non-Equity Jeff Awards. The nominees were announced on April 24 and the awards will be presented June 5, 2017 at the Atheneaum Theatre. This year's cabaret will for the first time be performed in the Broadway, Pride Arts Center - the new home the company acquired in summer 2016. The theater is located at 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a door prize drawing for $400.00 in airfare from Southwest Airlines.

The Jeff Awards announced, via a special video presentation, a total of 127 nominations in 26 categories for the 44th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017.  Hosting the video presentation were Alexis Roston and Lillian Castillo, who will be this year's Mistresses of Ceremonies at the Awards event on June 5 at The Athenaeum.

The Orpheum Theatre Group will host the 22nd Annual Art Sale from noon to 5pm on Sunday, April 23 at the Halloran Centre. Patrons are invited to purchase great works of art while supporting Mid-South artists. This event is free and open to the public.

The summer teen theatre programs at Raleigh Little Theatre and PlayMakers Repertory Company prepare the next generation of theatre professionals while producing outstanding performances of 'Bay Boy' and 'Violet.'

The sumptuously talented Leanne Borghesi returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko with her all-new comedic show, BDSM (Beautiful Dirty Sexy Me) for two performances only - Friday, August 5 (8 p.m.) and Saturday, August 6 (8 p.m.).

After being gone for far too long Bayou City Theatrics returned to the Houston Theater Scene with a lovely new venue and a fun production of the Off-Broadway musical comedy BAT BOY. Still renovating their new space, the performance I attended was rough around the edges. However, it is clear that Colton Berry, Jane Volke, and team are back and ready to take the Houston theatre scene by storm.

Tony Award-winning actors Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher, Spamalot) and Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, Elf), Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), and Broadway stars Heidi Blickenstaff ([title of show], The Little Mermaid) and Derek Klena (Wicked, Dogfight) are all scheduled to take part in the developmental reading. Dog and Pony will receive its World Premiere at The Old Globe next spring, running May 28 - June 29, 2014; casting for that production will be announced at a later time.

Jane Bruce is a recent graduate of The University of Michigan. Favorite roles include Jo in LITTLE WOMEN, Meredith Parker in BAT BOY, and Cathy in THE LAST FIVE YEARS. Jane is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, working on recording an album of her original music. Much love to friends and family, and thanks a million for your support! www.janebrucemusic.com 

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Broadway veteran Heidi Blickenstaff will lead Vermont's award-winning Weston Playhouse Theatre Company production of Next to Normal. Blickenstaff will play 'Diana' in the show, which is set to run July 11-27 and will be directed by Michael Berresse.

NOW. HERE. THIS. closes tonight, April 28, after playing an extended run at the Vineyard Theatre.

Due to critical praise and popular demand, Vineyard Theatre has announced a final extension - now through April 28 - for the new musical NOW. HERE. THIS., which opened to rave reviews and sold out houses at The Vineyard on March 28. This will be the second and final extension for the show, which must close on April 28 due to season and artist schedules.

NOW. HERE. THIS. which is currently receiving its world-premiere production at Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street), will extend by one-week - now through April 22 - due to popular demand and strong ticket sales, it has been announced by Artistic Director Douglas Aibel, and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

NOW.HERE.THIS. -- which last year received a Developmental Lab Production at The Vineyard - will be given a fully staged, world-premiere production with previews beginning March 7 prior to an official press opening of March 28 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street), it has been announced by Artistic Director Douglas Aibel, and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

Villanova Theatre has announced the Philadelphia premiere of Woman and Scarecrow, a fierce and funny new play by Ireland's leading female playwright, Marina Carr.