Ensemble Studio Theatre News

West Coast Ensemble presents the third show of their 2009 season, the West Coast Premiere of ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS, written by Brian Christopher Williams and directed by Richard Israel (Big, Floyd Collins). ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS will preview on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20 at 8:00pm and will open on Friday, August 21 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, October 4 at West Coast Ensemble - The El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood.

Celebrated theater and film actor Jack Gilpin is signing on to the Edinburgh-bound cast of Couples Counseling in the role of Dr. Bob Melmud.

Chautauqua Theater Company Artistic Directors Vivienne Benesch and Ethan McSweeny are proud to announce the final New Play Workshop (NPW) of the 2009 season, The Further Adventures of Suzanne and Monica by Alex Lewin.

The Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre, 2252 South Kinnickinnic, opens its 24th season with the Milwaukee premiere of New York playwright Douglas Carter Beane's skewering comedy of success As Bees in Honey Drown (July 29-August 29, 2009).

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Ellen Richard, Executive Director) continues this summer's Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series with the world premiere of Lila Rose Kaplan's Wildflower. Directed by Giovanna Sardelli, Wildflower features Nadia Bowers, Ron Cephas Jones, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Jake O'Connor and Renée Felice Smith. Previews began Monday, July 13 and opening night is this evening, Monday, July 27 at 7:00pm.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Ellen Richard, Executive Director) continues this summer's Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series with the world premiere of Lila Rose Kaplan's Wildflower. Directed by Giovanna Sardelli, Wildflower features Nadia Bowers, Ron Cephas Jones, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Jake O'Connor and Renée Felice Smith. Previews begin Monday, July 13 and opening night is Monday, July 27 at 7:00pm.

Chicago Dramatists has a special block of orchestra tickets on reserve to A STEADY RAIN, the hottest upcoming Broadway show starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman and directed by Tony-Award nominee John Crowley. With stars of this caliber, tickets are in high demand, but Chicago Dramatists will be hosting a benefit performance on November 14th. A STEADY RAIN, the smash hit production by Chicago Dramatists Resident Playwright, Keith Huff, thrilled audiences during its two critically and publicly acclaimed runs in Chicago and will open in New York City this September.

New plays by Huntington Playwriting Fellows Lydia R. Diamond, Jacqui Parker, and Joyce Van Dyke and a new musical by Chay Yew and Fabian Obispo will be read this July and August as part of the Huntington Theatre Company's sixth Breaking Ground Festival, held at the Huntington's Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival will begin on Thursday, July 23 and run through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Celebrated theater and film actor Jack Gilpin is signing on to the Edinburgh-bound cast of Couples Counseling in the role of Dr. Bob Melmud.

The Playwrights Realm - under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors John Dias and Katherine Kovner and Producing Director Stephanie Ybarra - and the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts present the 2009 WRITERS JAM SESSION - a week of readings by emerging artists, featuring such acting talents as Tovah Feldshuh (IRENA'S VOW, GOLDA'S BALCONY), Michael Cumpsty (DEMOCRACY, COPENHAGEN), Mather Zickel ('Rachel Getting Married,' 'I Love You, Man'), etc. free and open to the public - at the NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program Center (113 2nd Avenue, between 6th and 7th Streets). For reservations please email jd1429@nyu.edu.

Florida Studio Theatre extends Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine into a sixth week at the Gompertz Theatre, through August 9, 2009. Shirley Valentine has been a hit with audiences and critics alike. Additional dates and times are Saturday August 1 at 8 PM, Saturday, August 8 at 8 PM & Sunday, August 9 at 3 PM.

The Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre, 2252 South Kinnickinnic, opens its 24th season with the Milwaukee premiere of New York playwright Douglas Carter Beane's skewering comedy of success As Bees in Honey Drown (July 29-August 29, 2009).

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival will begin on Thursday, July 23 and run through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

The Playwrights Realm - under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors John Dias and Katherine Kovner and Producing Director Stephanie Ybarra - and the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts present the 2009 WRITERS JAM SESSION - a week of readings by emerging artists, featuring such acting talents as Tovah Feldshuh (IRENA'S VOW, GOLDA'S BALCONY), Michael Cumpsty (DEMOCRACY, COPENHAGEN), Mather Zickel ('Rachel Getting Married,' 'I Love You, Man'), etc. free and open to the public - at the NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program Center (113 2nd Avenue, between 6th and 7th Streets). For reservations please email jd1429@nyu.edu.

FaceSpace, written by Talia Gonzales & Bisanne Massoud, will be part of the 2009 Midtown International Theatre Festival. The show, produced by Lucky Penny Productions, in Association with The 7th Sign Theatre Productions, will open on Saturday, July 18th & run for six performances at the MainStage Theatre, 312 West 36th Street. This Premiere Production will be directed by Daniel Winerman. Lighting Design is by Jana Mattioli.

MOTHER is set in an upscale resort in West Virginia where an eccentric family gathers for their annual New Year's holiday. The get-together turns out to be far from traditional when matters of infidelity, sibling rivalry, copious bottles of bubbly, and even attempted kidnapping come to call -- all in the hotel dining room.

The Midtown International Theatre Festival has announced that it will present the world premiere of How to Make an American Family, written and performed by Jeff Seabaugh and directed by Samuel Buggeln, as part of its 10th Anniversary Festival. How to Make an American Family will play the following schedule at the Jewel Box Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, Fourth Floor East: Wednesday July 15 at 9:00 PM; Friday July 17 at 6:00 PM; Saturday July 25 at 11:30 AM; Tuesday July 28 at 6:30 PM; Saturday August 1 at 6:30 PM; and Sunday August 2 at 6:00 PM.

MOTHER is set in an upscale resort in West Virginia where an eccentric family gathers for their annual New Year's holiday. The get-together turns out to be far from traditional when matters of infidelity, sibling rivalry, copious bottles of bubbly, and even attempted kidnapping come to call -- all in the hotel dining room.

Buck Henry and Holland Taylor star in Lisa Ebersole's new Off-Broadway play MOTHER, receiving its world-premiere production, with previews set to begin July 8, prior to its official press opening on July 15 at The Wild Project Theater (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan. Andrew Grosso (PERFECT HARMONY) will direct.