Elaine Stritch News

After graduating from Plano West Sr. High School in 2005, Hunter received a full scholarship to Carnegie Mellon's prestigious School of Drama. Just two weeks after graduation, Hunter was cast in one of the leading roles in Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-Winning Revival of A Little Night Music on Broadway with direction by Sir Trevor Nunn.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce casting for Curtains. Directed by Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, Curtains will run at the Millburn theater from April 27 through May 22, 2011. Family Week is April 27 through May 1 and during this period, children 18 and under receive half off the regular ticket price (certain restrictions apply). Curtains is generously supported by a gift from Allen and Joan Bildner. Curtains is a co-production with Theatre Under The Stars in Houston, Texas.

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting announced today that the Sixth Annual Stella by Starlight Benefit Gala will be held on May 2nd at the home of songwriter and philanthropist, Denise Rich. This year's honorees include Liza Minnelli, Annette Bening, Muriel 'Mickey' Siebert and Donald Katz.

Tom Hanks won consecutive Oscars in 1993 and 1994 for his leading performances in 'Philadelphia' and 'Forrest Gump.' He also has been nominated for his leading roles in 'Big,' 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Cast Away.' Hanks recently lent his voice to the character Woody in the Best Picture nominee 'Toy Story 3.

The first preview of Tony Kushner's THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES has been postponed a day to provide the cast and crew with an additional dress rehearsal. The production will now begin performances on Wednesday, March 23 at The Public Theater (425 Lafayette Street). The production is presented by The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) and Signature Theatre Company (Founding Artistic Director James Houghton; Executive Director Erika Mallin) in association with the Guthrie Theater (Joe Dowling, Director). Michael Greif, who directed the world premiere at the Guthrie in April 2009, directs the New York premiere, which opens on Thursday, May 5 and runs through June 12.

Earlier today I spoke to one of America's most beloved comedians - screen, stand-up or otherwise - the Emmy-winning Wanda Sykes about her upcoming appearance headlining Monday's GayFest Spring At Last! Gala to benefit The Harvey Milk School and she shared with me her message of hope to the next generation, what she wishes for in the equal rights movement in the near future, as well as personal stories of herself being bullied and how she remained resilient in the face of adversity. Additionally, she clues us in on what her character arc will involve this season on HBO's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM - hint: it involves Cheyenne Jackson - when it makes its highly-awaited return in the Summer; plus, we take a look back at her TV specials, various series and film roles and she offers up a glimpse of what we can expect from her in 2011 and beyond. All of this is, of course, in addition to a thorough discussion of her recent essaying of the role of Miss Hannigan in ANNIE in Philadelphia and if she would consider taking on the role in the upcoming James Lapine-directed revival aimed at Broadway. Plus, news about the forthcoming big-screen MUPPET MOVIE - and much more!

The new Broadway production of Tom Stoppard's ARCADIA, directed by David Leveaux, opened last night, March 17 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). Tickets for this limited engagement are on sale through Sunday, June 19, 2011.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the U.S. premiere of Ingmar Bergman's AUTUMN SONATA, directed by Robert Woodruff, based on a literal translation by Wendy Weckwerth, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street) April 12-May 7, 2011.

Internationally renowned singer, recording artist, and humanitarian Dionne Warwick and the legendary musical theatre performer Carol Channing will be honored, along with 16 other members of the New York cabaret and jazz community, at the 26th Annual Bistro Awards, which will take place on Tuesday, April 26 at Gotham Comedy Club, located at 208 West 23rd Street (between 7th & 8th avenues).

After graduating from Plano West Sr. High School in 2005, Hunter received a full scholarship to Carnegie Mellon's prestigious School of Drama. Just two weeks after graduation, Hunter was cast in one of the leading roles in Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-Winning Revival of A Little Night Music on Broadway with direction by Sir Trevor Nunn.

92nd Street Y has announced that Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, continues his popular multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, 'Broadway Talks with Jordan Roth' with stage and screen star Daniel Radcliffe (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying) on Monday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m. and four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles) on Sunday, June 26th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $29 and are available at www.92Y.org/BroadwayTalks or by calling 212.415.5500.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater will honor legendary playwright Edward Albee with the American Artist Award at the Arena Stage Benefit for Community Engagement Monday, March 14, 2011. An Evening with Edward Albee will include cocktails, a presentation and dinner at the Mead Center (1101 Sixth St., SW).

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting announced today that Lemon Anderson will perform his show, County of Kings, at the studio for students of Adler's Outreach Division.

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present David Ives' new comedy, THE SCHOOL FOR LIES, adapted from the Moli re classic The Misanthrope, directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie, beginning performances Wednesday, April 13 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 22

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Interim Executive Director, Joey Parnes) announced today that it will present TIMON OF ATHENS as the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE, a vital new platform for The Public's ongoing exploration of the Shakespeare canon that will continue the growth of The Public's Shakespeare Initiative and expand the many ways The Public produces American interpretations of Shakespeare.

Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre, through its groundbreaking American Musical Voices Project (AMVP), announces the world premiere of the musical comedy And the Curtain Rises (formerly known as Wheatley's Folly). Beginning performances on Thursday, March 17, 2011, And the Curtain Rises marks the third production presented as part of Signature's AMVP, the largest commissioning program for new musicals in the country, following Michael John LaChiusa's Giant in 2009 and Ricky Ian Gordon's Sycamore Trees last year. The Washington Post has said that 'Signature's AMVP is the most ambitious embrace of new musical theater in the DC region.'

The Public Theater (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Joey Parnes Interim Executive Director) announced the line-up today for the second Public Forum event of 2011, "Too Rich To Fail: A Town Hall Meeting on Americans and Their Money," on Monday, February 28 at 8 p.m.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) continues its 2010/11 Season with Steven Sater and Serj Tankian's world premiere rock musical Prometheus Bound, directed by Diane Paulus.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) will offer post-show discussions following select performances of TIMON OF ATHENS, the inaugural production of Public LAB SHAKESPEARE featuring Richard Thomas in the title role.

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