Ensemble Studio Theatre News

Flux Theatre Ensemble will present the World Premiere of August Schulenburg's (Lesser Seductions of History; DEINDE) JANE THE PLAIN, May 9-24 at the 4th Street Theatre (83 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery). The production will be directed by Kelly O'Donnell (NYIT Award nomination for Hearts Like Fists) with Assistant Director Emily Hartford (Co-founder, Rabbit Hole Ensemble) and will feature Becky Byers* (NYIT Award nomination for Hearts Like Fists), Sol Crespo (nytheatre.com 2012 Person of the Year; August Schulenburg's DEINDE), Chester Poon (Job at The Flea; Adam Szymkowicz's Hearts Like Fists), Alisha Spielmann* (Johnna Adams' Sans Merci), Isaiah Tanenbaum* (August Schulenburg's Honey Fist), and Chinaza Uche* (Indie Theatre Now 2013 Person of the Year; Ellen McLaughlin's Ajax in Iraq). The creative team will include Sound Design by Janie Bullard (2014 USITT/LDI Rising Star Award; Indie Theatre Now 2013 Person of the Year), Set Design by Will Lowry (Ajax in Iraq), Costume Design by Stephanie Levin (Hearts Like Fists), and Lighting Design by Kia Rogers (2012 nytheatre.com Person of the Year). The Production Stage Manager will be Jodi M. Witherell. *Actor appears courtesy of the Actors' Equity Association.

In today's New York Times In Performance video, actor Steven Boyer, along with puppet Tyrone, share a scene from Robert Askins's dark comedy HAND TO GOD

Carla Ching's comedy Fast Company, about a family of Asian American con artists on the trail of a million-dollar comic book, opens tonight (March 17) at 7:00pm for its New York premiere at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

The 33rd William Inge Theatre Festival kicks off with a staged reading of Kopit's comedic techno-thriller BecauseHeCan, directed by Jane Unger. The reading is to be held at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas at 7:30 p.m. March 26. The Inge Festival runs March 26-29. The cast includes Barry Bostwick, George West Carruth, John Gleeson Connolly, Nathan Darrow, and Elyse Knight.

Proud Theater is pleased to welcome playwright L. Robert Westeen back to Wisconsin for 4 showings of his hit one-person show 'Cocaine and Ethel Merman: The New Homo Guide', a humorous romp through the life of a man who spends an evening with a cocaine-addicted Ethel Merman female impersonator and ends up developing a new outlook on his own life, past and present.

Concrete Temple Theatre proudly presents the World Premiere of Alone in Triptych, written by Renee Philippi and co-directed by Eric Nightengale and Renee Philippi. Alone in Triptych runs from March 13 - 30, 2014 in a limited engagement at HERE, located at 145 6th Avenue (Enter on Dominick, 1 block south of Spring) in New York City. Previews begin March 13 for a March 16 opening.

The Deer Players (Producers Julia Piker and Peter Staley) will present the World Premiere of THE BRINK OF US by Delaney Britt Brewer (Wolves at 59e59) April 25-May 17 at South Oxford Space (138 South Oxford Street between Atlantic Ave and Hanson Place, Brooklyn). The production will be directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni (AliceGraceAnon with New Georges) and feature Daniel Cuff, Tom Kelsey, Starr Kirkland, Annelise Nielsen, Julia Piker, Peter Staley, Zachary J. Smith, and Linda Tardif. The creative team will include Set and Lighting Design by Nick Francone (Vampire Cowboys) with assistance from Rachel Schapira, and Costume Design by Ethan Berube. The production is presented with support from New Georges.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents the second installment in its new play reading series, called Play-By-Play: A Public Education by Jeff Talbott tonight and tomorrow, March 14 and 15, 2014. Guest artist Shana Gold directs the production.

After winning the FringeNYC Overall Excellence Award and Best Production at Prague Fringe Festival, HUMAN FRUIT BOWL makes the leap to Off-Broadway. This acclaimed portrait of live nude modeling is written by Andrea Kuchlewska, performed by Harmony Stempel, and directed by Jessi D. Hill. Presented by Baruch Performing Arts Center in association with terraNOVA Collective & soloNOVA Arts, performances of this limited engagement begin March 27 at the Rose Nagelberg Theater. Opening night is March 30.

The Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company (BETC) is proud to present the world premiere production of "And the Sun Stood Still" by acclaimed writer and Pulitzer-finalist Dava Sobel. This production is the second world premiere presented by BETC in the company's eight-year history and marks the culmination of a multi-year development process between Sobel and the company that began with a workshop in 2012.

Last night, Robert Askins' Hand to God opened at the MCC Theater. Hand to God stars Steven Boyer who reprises his celebrated, Obie Award-winning performance from the Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) in 2011. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Playwrights Theatre and Drew University will present a free reading of UNKEMPT by Becca Schlossberg at the Dorothy Young Arts Center at Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ. The reading will begin at 6:30pm on March 18, 2014, and will be followed by a discussion with the playwright. This reading is a joint presentation of Playwrights Theatre's FORUM new play reading series and the Drew University Theatre Arts Department Plays In Process Series. Ms. Schlossberg is a recent graduate from the Drew Theatre Arts Department. To reserve tickets, visit www.ptnj.org/freereadings.php

Last night, Robert Askins' Hand to God opened at the MCC Theater. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening- check out pictures of the cast below!

Pioneer Theatre Company presents the second installment in its new play reading series, called Play-By-Play: A Public Education by Jeff Talbott on March 14 and 15, 2014. Guest artist Shana Gold directs the production.

Written in 1978, Deathtrap still holds the record for longest-running comedy thriller on Broadway. Sidney Bruhl is a playwright desperately in need of a hit. Just in time, a former student sends him the manuscript of his first play, a murder mystery called Deathtrap. Sidney smells a hit, but he's never been that fond of sharing credit. TIME Magazine said, 'If you care to assassinate yourself with laughter, try Deathtrap.'

PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE continues its 37th Milestone Season with the New York premiere of FISHING FOR WIVES, a comic battle of the sexes written by Edward Sakamoto and directed by Ron Nakahara. The production will begin previews on April 5, 2014 and run until April 27, 2014 at the Clurman Theatre at Theatre Row (410 W 42nd Street between 9th and Dyer). The official opening is on Thursday April 10th at 7:30PM.

PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE continues its 37th Milestone Season with the New York premiere of FISHING FOR WIVES, a comic battle of the sexes written by Edward Sakamoto and directed by Ron Nakahara. The production will begin previews on April 5, 2014 and run until April 27, 2014 at the Clurman Theatre at Theatre Row (410 W 42nd Street between 9th and Dyer). The official opening is on Thursday April 10th at 7:30PM.