Ensemble Studio Theatre News

Two Obie Award-winning theater companies -- The Play Company and Ma-Yi Theater -- collaborate to present the New York premiere of Lloyd Suh's new play AMERICAN HWANGAP, previews began May 9, prior to an official press opening tonight, May 17 Off-Broadway at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan. Trip Cullman directs an ensemble cast featuring some of the country's most accomplished Asian American actors, including James Saito (TV's 'Eli Stone' and Obie winner for DURANGO), Michi Barall (Charles Mee's QUEENS BOULEVARD), Mia Katigbak (DOGEATERS), Peter Kim (THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE), and Hoon Lee (YELLOWFACE).

The soloNOVA Arts Festival presents Creating Illusion written and performed by Jeff Grow, directed by Jessi D. Hill

Among the world premieres in Ensemble Studio Theatre's upcoming 31st annual Marathon of one-act plays are works by three members of the Ensemble's Playwrights Unit. Opening on May 22, Marathon 2009 will feature world premieres of 10 one act plays and will run through June 27. Playwrights Unit members' works are For the Love of God, Saint Teresa by Christine Farrell, Daughter by Cassandra Medley, and Blood from a Stoner by Jeanne Dorsey.

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 13 at The Wild Project Theater (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan. Andrew Grosso (PERFECT HARMONY) will direct.

Ensemble Studio Theatre LA & Open Fist Theatre Company, two of Los Angeles? most respected theatre companies join together for the first time to present a world premiere play, Love Water, written by Jacqueline Wright (Eat Me, Buddy Buddette), directed by Dan Bonnell (Happy End) and produced by Isabel Storey. Love Water will preview on Saturday, May 30 at 8pm; Sunday, May 31 at 7pm; Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4 at 8pm and will open on Friday, June 5 at 8pm and run through Saturday, July 11 at The New Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor?s Gang) in Hollywood.

Ensemble Studio Theatre - LA & Open Fist Theatre Company, two of Los Angeles' most respected theatre companies join together for the first time to present a world premiere play, LOVE WATER, written by Jacqueline Wright (Eat Me, Buddy Buddette), directed by Dan Bonnell (Happy End) and produced by Isabel Storey. LOVE WATER will preview on Saturday, May 30 at 8pm; Sunday, May 31 at 7pm; Wednesday, June 3 and Thursday, June 4 at 8pm and will open on Friday, June 5 at 8pm and run through Saturday, July 11 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Through its ongoing development series for playwrights, 'Botanicum Seedlings,' The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum presents public readings of new works on June 7, 14 and 21. The plays presented are Robin Rice Lichtig's The Power of Birds on June 7, How to Shoot a Bull Moose by Jonathan A. Goldberg on June 14, and Michael David's Awake on June 21. The playreadings take place Sundays at 11 am, and admission is free.

Following a critically acclaimed season which included the Pulitzer Prize finalist Becky Shaw and the Broadway transfer of its musical hit Next to Normal, Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) has announced three of the four plays scheduled for its upcoming 31st Season.

Theatre of the Small-Eyed Bear, a new repertory theatre company formed by the union of Theatre of the Expendable, Small Pond Entertainment, and Cross-Eyed Bear Productions will present GET S.O.M.! at The Workshop Theater in midtown Manhattan, May 10-30.

RUSKIN GROUP THEATRE will continue to run BURN THIS by Landford Wilson through April 25, 2009. Lanford Wilson's 38th play first opened in Los Angeles in January 1987 and put John Malkovich on the 'international' road to stardom shortly afterwards. Garnering multiple awards in several categories, and written with a ?pas de quatre' style in mind, this contemporary and romantic story begins shortly after a funeral brings four self-distancing and comical characters together.

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater today announced that due to overwhelming popular response, the company will extend its Bay Area Premiere of Will Eno's London and Off-Broadway hit THOM PAIN (based on nothing) a second time; the company has added three weeks of shows in addition to the previously announced extension to April 19. THOM PAIN (based on nothing) plays now through May 9.

LIVING IMAGE ARTS THEATER COMPANY Celebrates 5 YEARS WITH 5 NEW PLAYS LIA'S 5TH ANNIVERSARY NEW PLAY FESTIVAL April 16th though May 9th, 2009

Two Obie Award-winning theater companies -- The Play Company and Ma-Yi Theater -- will collaborate this spring to present the New York premiere of Lloyd Suh's new play AMERICAN HWANGAP, with previews to begin May 9, prior to an official press opening May 17 Off-Broadway at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan. Trip Cullman directs an ensemble cast featuring some of the country's most accomplished Asian American actors, including James Saito (TV's 'Eli Stone' and Obie winner for DURANGO), Michi Barall (Charles Mee's QUEENS BOULEVARD), Mia Katigbak (DOGEATERS), Peter Kim (THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE), and Hoon Lee (YELLOWFACE).

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jon Steingart and Jenny Wiener Steingart, Executive Producers) presents the World Premiere of MEL & EL: SHOW AND TELL. This new comedy with original music, best described as a musical Laverne & Shirley-meets-Sex and the City, is written and performed by Melanie Adelman and Ellie Dvorkin, with music by Patrick Spencer Bodd, and developed with and directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. Previews begin May 6 at Ars Nova, with an official press opening on May 15.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jon Steingart and Jenny Wiener Steingart, Executive Producers) presents the World Premiere of MEL & EL: SHOW AND TELL. This new comedy with original music, best described as a musical Laverne & Shirley-meets-Sex and the City, is written and performed by Melanie Adelman and Ellie Dvorkin, with music by Patrick Spencer Bodd, and developed with and directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. Previews begin May 6 at Ars Nova, with an official press opening on May 15.

Tickets are available from www.intiman.org or 206.269.1900. Tickets range in price from $40 to $55, with discounts available for youth, seniors and groups. All patrons who were 12 years old in 1962 will receive $12 off the adult-ticket price, with proof of age. Patrons 25 and under can purchase tickets to any performance for $10. Pending availability, rush tickets will be sold 15 minutes before curtain for $20. Intiman will offer a pay-what-you-can performance (with a $5 suggested minimum per ticket) on Friday, May 22 at 8 pm. This production is recommended for ages 12 and up.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey kicks off its 2009 Season with a world premiere stage adaptation of Around the World in Eighty Days. Adapted for the stage by Bonnie J. Monte from the beloved novel by Jules Verne, this inventive production is an exhilarating treat for people of all ages. Around the World in Eighty Days began performances on April 29 and continues through May 24 at the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Road in Madison. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600, email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Pioneer Theatre Company presents the spectacular musical phenomenon Miss Saigon, by the same team that created Les Misérables. The show runs May 1 through May 16, 2009.

White Pines Productions, a newly formed production company, is presenting a showcase of a heartfelt new work by local playwright William di Canzio. The play, Johnny Has Gone for A Soldier, will be showcased June 4-7 at the Playground at the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street.

Tony Winner Dan Fogler premiered his directing debut at the Tribeca Film Festival last week. The movie, Hysterical Psycho, is a spoof of cabin in the woods movies, made with his theater group, Stage 13.