Ensemble Studio Theatre News

Cutting Ball Theater continues its 14th season with Eugene Ionesco's THE CHAIRS, in a new translation by Rob Melrose. This tragic farce, in the tradition of Cutting Ball's hit productions of Ionesco's The Bald Soprano (2010) and Victims of Duty (2008), is as comedic as it is heartbreaking. Annie Elias (Tenderloin) directs THE CHAIRS, featuring David Sinaiko, Tamar Cohn, and Derek Fischer, March 1 through 31 (Press opening: March 7) at the Cutting Ball Theater in residence at EXIT on Taylor (277 Taylor Street) in San Francisco. For tickets ($10-50) and more information, the public may visit cuttingball.com or call 415-525-1205.

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.

Celebrate 2013, with You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!, continuing its National Tour starring Kevin Bartini and Gabrielle Mirabella at the 14th Street Theatre at PlayhouseSquare for a limited engagement, tonight, February 5 through February 17. You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up! is a part of the U. S. Bank Star Performance Series.

Emily Walton plays the title role of Cynthia. Her Broadway credits include AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER.

The Alliance National Graduate Playwriting Competition continues to spotlight the best emerging playwrights with a full production for the competition winner and staged readings for four competition finalists. BIKE AMERICA, the ninth competition winner, will premiere on the Hertz Stage today, February 1 - 24, 2013. Opening night is February 6, 2013. BIKE AMERICA is written by Mike Lew from the Juilliard Drama Division and will be directed by Mortiz von Stuelpnagel.

Interstate 73, Page 73 Productions' writers group supporting early-career playwrights, where selected playwrights meet biweekly to share new pages with their peers and Page 73's Executive and Associate Directors, will welcome Stephen Brown, Meghan Deans, Peter Gil-Sheridan, David Jenkins, Kait Kerrigan, EM Lewis and Caroline V. McGraw (who was also selected as the 2013 P73 Playwriting Fellow) into the group this year.

This year, Roundabout Theatre Company is thrilled to celebrate the seventh successful season of Roundabout Underground and the new play initiative, which illustrates a continued commitment to the nurturing of new artists. Through myriad programs and productions, the young artists associated with Roundabout will see their work presented to a wide audience of theater goers.

The Flea goes audio with the upcoming workshop production of Tommy Smith's NECTARINE EP. A sonic reverberation of Homer's The Odyssey - filtered through the lens of downtown artist Tommy Smith - the audio-fueled 'extended play', NECTARINE EP, de-stimulates the audience's perception through visual and auditory manipulation. This experimental production is both written and directed by Tommy Smith and features The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea. (PLEASE NOTE: This production is not open for review.)

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of The Vandalby Hamish Linklater. Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Deirdre O'Connell has replaced Holly Hunterin her role. This limited Off-Broadway engagement is now in previews with an opening slated for tonight, January 31. Check out photos of the cast onstage below!

Ars Nova kicks off its 2013 season with The Netflix Plays, which begins performances January 30. This production, the newest installment from Ars Nova's Play Group, is set to play 10 performances from today, January 30 - February 9. The Netflix Plays, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production, features original short plays and live music inspired by the recommendation categories on the Netflix website.

Ars Nova kicks off its 2013 season with The Netflix Plays, which begins performances January 30. This production, the newest installment from Ars Nova's Play Group, is set to play 10 performances from today, January 30 - February 9. The Netflix Plays, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production, features original short plays and live music inspired by the recommendation categories on the Netflix website.

INTAR (Lou Moreno, Artistic Director/John McCormack, Executive Director) today announced the cast for the first of the two plays for its Winter/Spring 2013 season: Lucy Loves Me, written by Migdalia Cruz, directed by Lou Moreno, will star Annie Henk, Bertha Leal, and Gerardo Rodriguez.

USC Professor Mark Moore's one-person show, 'Crooked Roads,' plays today, January 29 and January 31 at the Village Gate Theatre at USC.

Erin Markey has announced a return to Joe's Pub. Known for her dark wit and absurdist transformations, Markey has been likened to Kristen Wiig, Kathy Acker and Eileen Brennan. Erin weaves together an exciting bill of R&B, 90's pop and grunge, standards and original music under the direction of Ben Rimalower (Leslie Kritzer is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches) with musical direction by Tony-nominated Kenny Mellman (Kiki and Herb).

USC Professor Mark Moore's one-person show, 'Crooked Roads,' plays on January 29 and January 31 at the Village Gate Theatre at USC.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds for its original Cino Nights presentations (including new plays by Gary Sunshine, Mando Alvarado, Courtney Baron, Florencia Lozano, Kristen Palmer, Emily DeVoti, Lucy Thurber, Jessica Dickey, Adam Szymkowicz, Laura Eason, Daniel Reitz, Megan Mostyn-Brown, Dael Orlandersmith, Keith Reddin, Crystal Skillman, Charlotte Miller, Brooke Berman, Cusi Cram, and Daniel Talbott), Rising Phoenix Rep continues the series with three new plays, starting tonight, January 27th with East Colfax by Diana Stahl.

The Old Globe previously announced that Joshua Elijah Reese will play the role of Ogun Henri Size in the Southern California premiere of The Brothers Size by award-winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents Paul Giamatti in HAMLET by William Shakespeare, directed by James Bundy, at the University Theatre (222 York Street), March 15-April 13. Opening Night is Thursday, March 21, at 7:30PM.

Ars Nova kicks off its 2013 season with The Netflix Plays, which begins performances January 30. This production, the newest installment from Ars Nova's Play Group, is set to play 10 performances from January 30 - February 9. The Netflix Plays, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production, features original short plays and live music inspired by the recommendation categories on the Netflix website.

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of The Vandalby Hamish Linklater. Obie and Drama Desk Award winner Deirdre O'Connell has replaced Holly Hunter in her role. This limited Off-Broadway engagement is now in previews with an opening slated for January 31. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!