Ellen Stewart News

In March, audiences will have a rare opportunity to see two live, New York debut performances of late Israeli dance composer, theorist, and textile artist Noa Eshkol's work. Four dancers from The Noa Eshkol Chamber Dance Group-ranging from their 30s to early 70s-will be coming from Israel to New York City for these special dance events: Mor Bashan, Noga Goral, Racheli Nul-Kahana, and Ruti Sela.

What happens when Oedipus is a woman and Jocasta is a man? Driven by the belief that what was traditional in 429 BC is radical today, The Faux-Real Theatre Company searches beyond the Freudian notions of "boy loves mom," and re-examines Oedipus the King with modern eyes and ancient techniques, uncovering the fearful truths and the (occasionally comedic) grotesque ironies that Sophocles presented audiences 2000 years prior to the birth of psychology.

With its production of 'Eterniday,' a new work by Charles L. Mee, Witness Relocation will apply its unique, pop-culture dance/theater style to a play that crams all of human history into one day, reflecting on the pain of life and the perennial elation of falling in love. La MaMa E.T.C. will present the work's world premiere April 4 to 21 in its Ellen Stewart Theater, directed and choreographed by Dan Safer.

The Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated actress Estelle Parsons was honored at La Mama's annual benefit fundraiser, along with longtime La MaMa board member Peter Swords on February 27, 2013 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.). Ms. Parsons, who appeared last fall at La MaMa in Marco Calvani's play THINGS OF THIS WORLD directed by Neil LaBute, and Mr. Swords, who served as a member of the La MaMa Board for 25 years, wascelebrated at the event by personal and video tributes from playwrights Warren Leight and Mr. LaBute. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out full coverage below!

Horse Trade Theater Group (Heidi Grumelot, Artistic Director, Erez Ziv, Executive Director) and Less Than Rent Theatre will present the World Premiere of WORDS, RAZORS, AND THE WOUNDED HEART by James Presson. The production will be directed by Jake Ahlquist (Fringe Excellence Award Winner '10) and star Sean Patrick Monahan (Charles Busch's Time Square Angel) and Emma March Barash (Stop the Virgins at St. Anne's Warehouse). The show will also feature Dean Acree (New York Dream at The Pearl), Cory Asinofsky (Puppet Hamlet), Amanda Brooklyn (HBO's Girls), Ben Diserens (the upcoming Wolf of Wall Street), Patrick Dooley, Jenna Grossano, Jackie Hansen, Jacob Presson, Tom Sanchez (Independents), and RJ Vaillancourt (Healthy Start by Gilad Cohen). Designs will feature sets by Grace Laubacher (Convergence at soloNOVA), lights by Gary Slootskiy (Independents), and costumes by Samantha Jacobsen.

The Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated actress Estelle Parsons was honored at La Mama's annual benefit fundraiser, along with longtime La MaMa board member Peter Swords on last night, February 27, 2013 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.). Ms. Parsons, who appeared last fall at La MaMa in Marco Calvani's play THINGS OF THIS WORLD directed by Neil LaBute, and Mr. Swords, who served as a member of the La MaMa Board for 25 years, wascelebrated at the event by personal and video tributes from playwrights Warren Leight and Mr. LaBute. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out full coverage below!

The Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated actress Estelle Parsons will be honored at La Mama's annual benefit fundraiser, along with longtime La MaMa board member Peter Swords tonight, February 27, 2013 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), it was previously announced by Mia Yoo, Artistic Director of La MaMa, and Frank Carucci, President of the theatre's Board of Directors.

John Scott's 2005 production "The White Piece" will receive its American premiere at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre, March 14-24. "The White Piece" is presented by La MaMa in association with Irish Arts Center.

The Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, announced today that esteemed critic and longtime judge of the awards will resume his former position as Obie chairman for the 58th Annual Village Voice OBIE Awards, replacing former Chairman Brian Parks who has moved on from The Village Voice.

La MaMa in association with Untitled Theater Company No. 61 presents Iphigenia in Aulis. The world premiere adaptation uses indie music, puppetry and art of a graphic novelist. Adapted from Euripides original story by director Edward Einhorn, the show features music by Aldo Perez and art by Eric Shanower.

Driven by the belief that what was traditional in 429 BC is radical today, FRTC performs Oedipus the King exactly as Sophocles intended… sort of. Men play all of the roles (including Love Interest/Mom Jocasta) just as the Greeks would have wanted it; only with Faux-Real, the role of Oedipus is played by a woman. Searching beyond the Freudian notions of "boy loves Mom," Faux-Real re-examines Oedipus with modern eyes (pun intended) and ancient techniques, to shed new light on this classic tale of sex, power, murder and the dark urges lurking inside of us all.

The Sundance Institute Theatre Program has begun the 2013 Playwrights Retreat at Ucross Foundation. The 13th annual writing colony at the 20,000-acre working cattle ranch outside of Sheridan, Wyo. takes place through February 22 and provides a supportive environment for artists to create new work and receive guidance and reactions to it at an early stage. Under the supervision of Philip Himberg, Artistic Director of the Theatre Program, and Producing Director Christopher Hibma, the Playwrights Retreat is made possible through the generosity of Ucross Foundation.

Can we practice goodness and create a world to sustain it? This question, posed by Shen Tei, the good-hearted, penniless and cross-dressing prostitute of Bertolt Brecht's Good Person of Szechwan, is central to the work of The Foundry Theatre. The play's concerns, and the earmarks of the Foundry's new production, make it an ideal offering from the company, which is celebrated for creating memorable theatrical events while pursuing civic inquiry and social justice. The show, starring the singular Taylor Mac as Shen Tei, is directed by Lear deBessonet and features original live music by 'indie rock vaudevillians' (SPIN) Cesar Alvarez and The Lisps.

In March, audiences will have a rare opportunity to see two live, New York debut performances of late Israeli dance composer, theorist, and textile artist Noa Eshkol's work. Four dancers from The Noa Eshkol Chamber Dance Group-ranging from their 30s to early 70s-will be coming from Israel to New York City for these special dance events: Mor Bashan, Noga Goral, Racheli Nul-Kahana, and Ruti Sela.

Can we practice goodness and create a world to sustain it? This question, posed by Shen Tei, the good-hearted, penniless and cross-dressing prostitute of Bertolt Brecht's Good Person of Szechwan, is central to the work ofThe Foundry Theatre. The play's concerns, and the earmarks of the Foundry's new production, make it an ideal offering from the company, which is celebrated for creating memorable theatrical events while pursuing civic inquiry and social justice. The show, starring the singular Taylor Mac as Shen Tei, is directed by Lear deBessonet and features original live music by "indie rock vaudevillians" (SPIN) Cesar Alvarez and The Lisps.

The Faux-Real Theatre Company (FRTC) who have been bringing avant-garde theatre to populist audiences since 1994, will present their newest production: the ancient play OEDIPUS REX with a gender bending twist. It's classic theatre performed exactly as Sophocles intended…sort of. Preview performances of OEDIPUS REX XX/XY will begin Thursday March 7th prior to an official press opening on March 10th at La MaMa's First Floor Theatre (74A East 4th Street) in Manhattan. Mark Greenfield, FRTC's Artistic Director, will direct.

The Oscar-winning and Tony-nominated actress Estelle Parsons will be honored at La Mama's annual benefit fundraiser, along with longtime La MaMa board member Peter Swords on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), it has been announced by Mia Yoo, Artistic Director of La MaMa, and Frank Carucci, President of the theatre's Board of Directors.

LA MAMA KIDS -- a new series of creative workshop programming for youngsters and their families -- will make its debut at La MaMa at the Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St. -- 2nd floor) on Saturday, February 9 at 11 a.m., it has been announced by La MaMa's artistic director Mia Yoo.

With humor and vision, 'Kane and Habil in the Pizza Parlor' (http://kaneandhabil.com) explores the original family sins that are still impacting our civilization. The title characters are the children of Adam and Eve. The play is a comedy, written and directed by Serge Ernandez. The production features an adept cast headed by Obie-winner Sheila Dabney as Eve, who also directs the play's chorus. Ernandez is a veteran of The Living Theatre; Dabney is a senior member of La MaMa's Great Jones Rep. La Mama E.T.C. will present the play's premiere run tonight, January 18 to 27 in its second-floor Club.

Can we practice goodness and create a world to sustain it? This question, posed by Shen Tei, the good-hearted, penniless and cross-dressing prostitute of Bertolt Brecht's Good Person of Szechwan, is central to the work of The Foundry Theatre. The play's concerns, and the earmarks of the Foundry's new production, make it an ideal offering from the company, which is celebrated for creating memorable theatrical events while pursuing civic inquiry and social justice. The show, starring the singular Taylor Mac as Shen Tei, is directed by Lear deBessonet and features original live music by 'indie rock vaudevillians' (SPIN) César Alvarez and The Lisps.