Eisa Davis News

Urban Stages' and Board of Trustees (Board President, Mary Churchill), Celebrating 25 Years, will honor the founder and artistic director of Urban Stages, Frances Hill with a benefit luncheon on Tuesday, February 10 at the Yale Club (50 Vanderbilt Avenue). Ms. Hill is being honored by the board as well as with a Mayoral Proclamation because of her inspiring leadership in the arts and her unwavering commitment to the understanding of diverse cultures. The event co-chairs are Marjorie Federbush and Ted Terry. Tickets are tax-deductible and range from $125 - $1500 (table) and can be purchased by calling 212 421 1380.

Urban Stages' and Board of Trustees (Board President, Mary Churchill), Celebrating 25 Years, will honor the founder and artistic director of Urban Stages, Frances Hill with a benefit luncheon on Tuesday, February 10 at the Yale Club (50 Vanderbilt Avenue). Ms. Hill is being honored by the board as well as with a Mayoral Proclamation because of her inspiring leadership in the arts and her unwavering commitment to the understanding of diverse cultures. The event co-chairs are Marjorie Federbush and Ted Terry. Tickets are tax-deductible and range from $125 - $1500 (table) and can be purchased by calling 212 421 1380.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for Tracey Scott Wilson's THE GOOD NEGRO, which runs Tuesday, March 3 to Sunday, April 5 with an official press opening on Monday, March 16. Directed by Liesl Tommy and in association with Dallas Theater Center, THE GOOD NEGRO is the first new play to transfer from the Public LAB initiative to a full main stage production at The Public. The cast for THE GOOD NEGRO will feature Joniece Abbott-Pratt (Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?), Francois Battiste (Prelude to a Kiss on Broadway), J. Bernard Calloway ('Rescue Me'), Quincy Dunn-Baker (Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare in the Park), Erik Jensen (Spain at MCC), LeRoy McClain (Cymbeline at Lincoln Center), Curtis McClarin (King Hedley II at Signature), Rachel Nicks (Life Support) and Brian Wallace (A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep).

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced casting for its production of RAGTIME in the Eisenhower Theater April 18 - May 10, 2009. Based on a 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, the production features book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and will be directed and choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge. The musical is part of the Kennedy Center's Broadway: The Third Generation, a series celebrating the current generation of Broadway musical composers. The official press night will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

On Monday Evening, February 23 at 7:00 PM, six New York theater institutions will participate in a special panel discussion featuring five current and upcoming Off-Broadway shows. Harlem Stage (150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street) will host producing companies Classical Theatre of Harlem, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater and Signature Theatre Company in an evening titled I'VE KNOWN RIVERS: A Conversation with Christina Anderson, Charles Fuller, Lynn Nottage & Liesl Tommy. The event marks a unique collaborative effort between six New York theater institutions: a panel discussion in which five gifted African-American theater artists - all of whom have projects happening almost simultaneously at five of New York's most respected non-profit theaters - will discuss their lives, work, and current projects. Moderated by actress Sabrina LeBeauf (Three Sisters, Classical Theatre of Harlem in partnership with Harlem Stage, February/March), the evening's four panelists will be Christina Anderson (author, Inked Baby, Playwrights Horizons, March/April), Charles Fuller (author, Zooman and the Sign, Signature Theatre Company, March/April), Lynn Nottage (author, Ruined, Manhattan Theater Club, January-March) and Liesl Tommy (director, The Good Negro, The Public Theater, March/April). The event title comes from a poem by Langston Hughes, 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers.'

On Monday Evening, February 23 at 7:00 PM, six New York theater institutions will participate in a special panel discussion featuring five current and upcoming Off-Broadway shows. Harlem Stage (150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street) will host producing companies Classical Theatre of Harlem, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater and Signature Theatre Company in an evening titled I'VE KNOWN RIVERS: A Conversation with Christina Anderson, Charles Fuller, Lynn Nottage & Liesl Tommy.

Urban Stages is stepping up its game as far as family productions are concerned. Dan Kitrosser is a wonderful story teller that makes kids laugh while keeping their parents entertained.

Frances Hill, Founder/Artistic Director Lauren Schmiedel, Managing Director in association with Sara Katz presents Larson & Kleban Award Winning Composer JOE ICONIS' World Premiere of ReWrite; a musical comedy triple feature, directed by John Simpkins.

The Classical Theatre of Harlem, a not-for-profit theatre dedicated to producing theatre that truly reflects the diversity of ideas and racial tapestry that is New York City, will hold a party celebrating their 10th Anniversary Season.

The Classical Theatre of Harlem, a not-for-profit theatre dedicated to producing theatre that truly reflects the diversity of ideas and racial tapestry that is New York City, will hold a party celebrating their 10th Anniversary Season.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson)officially opened TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years, on Sunday, November 23 at 7 p.m. Directed by Tony Taccone, TAKING OVER will run through Sunday, December 14.

Urban Stages is stepping up its game as far as family productions are concerned. Dan Kitrosser is a wonderful story teller that makes kids laugh while keeping their parents entertained.

Frances Hill, Founder/Artistic Director Lauren Schmiedel, Managing Director in association with Sara Katz presents Larson & Kleban Award Winning Composer JOE ICONIS' World Premiere of ReWrite; a musical comedy triple feature, directed by John Simpkins.

Urban Stages' reach extends beyond the stage, throughout the boroughs, and into the city's Public Libraries, with Urban Stages On Tour series, which brings quality free theatre reflecting the city's multiculturalism to diverse audiences across the Five Boroughs.

Oakland Opera Theater, applauded by critics and audiences for its intimately staged, professionally produced performances of 20th and 21st century operas, will present audiences with a breathtaking look at celebrated composer Igor Stravinsky's masterpieces, L'HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT and RENARD: TALE OF THE VIXEN AND THE COCK. Originally penned in 1918 with a WWI setting, L'HISTOIRE DU SOLDAT ('A Soldier's Tale') will be reset in the Iraq War, providing a thoroughly modern take on this Faustian tale of a soldier who trades his violin to the devil in exchange for riches and power.

The Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, announced the judges for the 54th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards. The Voice's chief theater critic, Michael Feingold, will again chair the Obie Awards committee. Joining him will be Voice critic Alexis Soloski and six guest judges: Eric Grode, New York Sun; Andy Probst, AmericanTheaterWeb.com (also a frequent Voice contributor); Eisa Davis, actress-playwright, Obie Award winner for her performance last year in 'Passing Strange'; Ty Jones, actor-playwright, 2003 Obie Award winner for his performance in 'The Blacks' (Classical Theatre of Harlem); Moises Kaufman, playwright-director, 2004 Obie Award winner for his direction of 'I Am My Own Wife'; Chay Yew, playwright-director, 2007 Obie Award winner for his direction of 'Durango' (Public Theater). Mr. Propst will also serve as secretary to the committee.

The Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, announced the judges for the 54th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards.

Magic Theatre, San Francisco's premiere home for new plays, announced that Mark Routhier will step down as the Director of Artistic Development in September 2008 to focus on his growing national directing career.

Magic Theatre, announced that Mark Routhier will step down as the Director of Artistic Development in September 2008 to focus on his growing national directing career. A national search for his replacement begins immediately.

Spike Lee -- the director of such memorable films as 'Inside Man,' the upcoming 'Miracle at St. Anna,' (release 9/26/08), 'Do The Right Thing,' 'Malcolm X,' and 'She's Gotta Have It,' -- will direct a film of the award-winning Broadway musical PASSING STRANGE, it has been announced by Steve Klein, who is a co-producer of PASSING STRANGE on Broadway and will produce the film with Mr. Lee.