Eisa Davis News

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of THE MYSTERIES - a radical retelling of The Bible.

Urban Stages Founding Artistic Director Frances Hill and producer Peter Napolitano present the World Premiere of Character Man as part of its 30th Anniversary season. Jim Brochu's new musical memoir begins an Off-Broadway run at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street) February 28th, with opening night set for Wednesday March 5th. This limited run will continue through March 30th only. Robert Bartley directs, with musical direction by Carl Haan. Character Man will have scenic & video design by Patrick Brennan, lighting design by Meghan Santelli and sound design by Sean Hagerty.

Today, check out part two of this year's curtain call highlights 2013, and catch up on anything that you might have missed within the last 12 months!

Symphony Space, in collaboration with Hermitage Artist Retreat, presents the world premiere of The Day Before, a one-time-only multimedia event, tonight, November 8 at 7:30 pm in the Leonard Nimoy Thalia.

Symphony Space, in collaboration with Hermitage Artist Retreat, presents the world premiere of The Day Before, a one-time-only multimedia event, on Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm in the Leonard Nimoy Thalia. Conceived by the two organizations, it is produced and directed by Symphony Space's Artistic Director, Laura Kaminsky. The Day Before brings together more than 60 composers, writers, filmmakers, and visual artists to contribute original work around the theme November 21, 1963: The Day Before. Sparked by the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, this moving production reimagines the world as it was on the eve of that tragic and cataclysmic day.

After a wildly successful extended run last spring, Urban Stages will remount their production of Greg Kalleres' biting comedy HONKY. Directed by Luke Harlan, HONKY will begin its performances on October 22 and open on Sunday, October 27 through November 17, 2013 at Urban Stages (259 West 30 Street).

HERE begins its 2013-2014 producing season with the premiere of the site-specific Artistic Director production, Trade Practices, by Kristin Marting & David Evans Morris. Trade Practices, a new work exploring the notion of 'value' against the backdrop of the booms and busts of the past decade, is set to play October 18 - November 3. Official Opening Night is set for Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00pm. Trade Practices will take place at a site in lower Manhattan's Financial District; address to be announced.

Perhaps the defining characteristic of Soho Rep, under the artistic direction of Sarah Benson, is the institution's commitment to artists creating surprisingly big theatrical events in its very small space on Walker Street. Soho Rep's 2013-14 season, announced today, provides ample evidence of that commitment, comprising two shows that are among the biggest the organization has ever produced: the New York premiere of David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette, directed by Rebecca Taichman and featuring Marin Ireland (Blasted); and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' An Octoroon, directed by Benson.

Symphony Space, in collaboration with Hermitage Artist Retreat, presents the world premiere of The Day Before, a one-time-only multimedia event, on Friday, November 8 at 7:30 pm in the Leonard Nimoy Thalia. Conceived by the two organizations, it is produced and directed by Symphony Space's Artistic Director, Laura Kaminsky. The Day Before brings together more than 60 composers, writers, filmmakers, and visual artists to contribute original work around the theme November 21, 1963: The Day Before. Sparked by the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, this moving production reimagines the world as it was on the eve of that tragic and cataclysmic day.

On Sunday, September 22 New Georges held their BIG Benefit at Seamen's House, a private townhouse in Chelsea. The fundraiser featured a special performance by Eisa Davis and short plays and songs written specifically for the event by Laura Eason, Boo Killebrew, Julie Kramer, Rachel Peters and Charise Castro Smith, featuring Heidi Schreck, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Amy Wilson, Stephanie Wright Thompson, Eric Clem and others. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!

At a benefit event held for New Georges on Sunday, September 22, Producing Artistic Director Susan Bernfield and board member Michael Osso announced a new program at New Georges, The Audrey Residencies, and the artists and projects chosen for 2013-14, the program's inaugural year. Sunday's event also featured the premiere showing of a video about New Georges produced by tdf for tdfSTAGES' Meet the Theatre series and directed by Mark Blankenship, tdf's online content editor, to be released in early November.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company is pleased to announce the East Coast premiere of Appropriate, an audacious comic drama written by native Washingtonian Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Liesl Tommy (Eclipsed). Jacobs-Jenkins' brazen reimagining of the classic Southern family drama will continue Woolly's season-long excavation of the secrets that lie beneath America's sunny exterior.

HERE begins its 2013-2014 producing season with the premiere of the site-specific Artistic Director production, Trade Practices, by Kristin Marting & David Evans Morris. Trade Practices, a new work exploring the notion of "value" against the backdrop of the booms and busts of the past decade, is set to play October 18 - November 3. Official Opening Night is set for Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00pm. Trade Practices will take place at a site in lower Manhattan's Financial District; address to be announced.

Perhaps the defining characteristic of Soho Rep, under the artistic direction of Sarah Benson, is the institution's commitment to artists creating surprisingly big theatrical events in its very small space on Walker Street. Soho Rep's 2013-14 season, announced today, provides ample evidence of that commitment, comprising two shows that are among the biggest the organization has ever produced: the New York premiere of David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette, directed by Rebecca Taichman and featuring Marin Ireland (Blasted); and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' An Octoroon, directed by Benson.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Artistic Director Tony Taccone today announces the appointment of Liesl Tommy as the nonprofit's associate director. Tommy, who most recently directed Berkeley Rep's critically acclaimed production of Ruined, joins the Theatre's artistic team effective September 1. Tommy will fulfill various artistic duties including directing for Berkeley Rep's main stage; developing new work through The Ground Floor, the Center for the Creation and Development of New Work; and supporting ongoing artistic pursuits in the spirit of cultivating and producing innovative and adventurous work for the Theatre.

Sundance Institute and the LUMA Foundation previously announced that the two organizations would collaborate to host The Sundance Institute | LUMA Foundation Theatre Directors Retreat at Domaine de l'Armelliere, today, July 29 - August 9, in Arles, France. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of The Sundance Institute Theatre Program, Producing Director Christopher Hibma and Program Associate Anne Kauffman, the Retreat will be the first theatre director-centered residency at the Institute.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Broadway returns to Bryant Park, NYMF is back for 2013, PIPPIN gets a cast album, and so much more!

Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock, the inaugural show of New York City Center's new Encores! Off-Center series will play for five performances through July 13 at City Center. The production stars Danny Burstein, Eisa Davis, Raul Esparza, Peter Friedman, Aidan Gemme, Judy Kuhn, David Margulies, Martin Moran, Michael Park, Robert Petkoff, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Anika Noni Rose, Matthew Saldivar and Henry Stram. Opening was last night and you can check out photos from the celebration below!

Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock, the inaugural show of New York City Center's new Encores! Off-Center series will play for five performances, beginning tonight at City Center, and running through July 13. The production stars Danny Burstein, Eisa Davis, Raul Esparza, Peter Friedman, Aidan Gemme, Judy Kuhn, David Margulies, Martin Moran, Michael Park, Robert Petkoff, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Anika Noni Rose, Matthew Saldivar and Henry Stram. Check out a first look at the production below!

Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock, the inaugural show of New York City Center's new Encores! Off-Center series will play for five performances, July 10 - 13 at City Center. The production stars Danny Burstein, Eisa Davis, Raul Esparza, Peter Friedman, Aidan Gemme, Judy Kuhn, David Margulies, Martin Moran, Michael Park, Robert Petkoff, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Anika Noni Rose, Matthew Saldivar and Henry Stram. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released highlights below!