Ensemble Studio Theatre News

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.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2008-09 season Koret Visiting Artist Series with a conversation with Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and OBIE Award-winning playwright José Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries, Marisol, and A.C.T.'s Brainpeople), whose Boleros for the Disenchanted will take the A.C.T. stage in May.

Producer Allision Ferrier has announced the upcoming Off-Broadway production of BRANDT REITER's new drama END OF PLAY, which will begin performances on April 17th, 2009. END OF PLAY is a thirteen-character drama about Theatre, Hollywood and the cost of dreams. When industry outcast Jack Wells abandons his NYU teaching post for Los Angeles to support his young girlfriend's fledgling career, he finds himself caught between the depth of her ambition and his own tarnished soul.

Caitlin and the Swan tells the story of a frustrated SAT tutor, her animal-loving friends, and their powerful attractions to the forbidden. Inspired by the Greek myth of Leda and the Swan, this play explores feminism, bestiality, and the twisted links between pain and love.

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Wilson and Managing Director Michael Stotts, announced today that acclaimed actress Lois Smith will return to Hartford Stage in the role of matriarch Stella Gordon as she joins the Broadway cast of Horton Foote's hit comedy Dividing the Estate for the production's run at Hartford Stage May 28 - July 5.

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.

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.

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of: THE ALIENS by Annie Baker, featuring original songs and lyrics by Michael Chernus and Patch Darragh, directed by Sam Gold. The cast includes Michael Chernus, Patch Darragh, and Dane Dehaan.

Seanachaí Theatre Company Presents the Chicago premiere of OUR FATHER by M.G. Stephens Directed by Jeff Christian, MONDAYS @ 8pm, till May 25th Economy got you down? Come drown your sorrows and PAY WHAT YOU CAN!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) and LAByrinth Theater Company (Artistic Director John Ortiz; Co-Artistic Director Philip Seymour Hoffman; Co-Artistic and Executive Director John Gould Rubin) began previews on Friday, March 27 for Knives and Other Sharp Objects, the third play of the 2008-2009 Public LAB season. Written by Raúl Castillo and directed by Felix Solis, Knives and Other Sharp Objects will run through Sunday, April 19. The official press opening is tonight, Sunday, April 12. Tickets are $10 for all performances.

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

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will present Kernel of Sanity by Kermit Frazier at their home at Henry Street Settlement's Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall (466 Grand Street). Performances begin April 9th with Opening Night set for Thursday, April 16th. Performances continue through May 3rd only. Petronia Paley directs a cast that features Madeleine James, Joel Nagle*, and Chaz Reuben*.

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.

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 begins 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.

Flying Machine Productions today announced that the Off-Broadway premiere of BLOOD TYPE: RAGU, a new play written and performed by Frank Ingrasciotta, and directed by Ted Sod, will conclude its run at the newly restored Actors' Playhouse (100 Seventh Avenue South) after the matinee on Sunday April 5th. At that point it will have played thirty performances and fourteen previews.

Huntington Theatre Company Artistic Director Peter DuBois makes his Boston directorial debut with the world premiere of David Grimm's outrageous comedy, 'The Miracle at Naples.' Tony and Drama Desk Award-winner Dick Latessa ('Hairspray') returns to the Huntington to play Don Bertolino Fortunato, the leader of a troupe of commedia players who are down on their luck. Lucy DeVito, daughter of acclaimed actors/comedians Danny DeVito and Rhea Pearlman, makes her Huntington debut as La Piccola, Don Bertolino's long-suffering daughter and member of the troupe. 'The Miracle at Naples' is for mature audiences.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) and LAByrinth Theater Company (Artistic Director John Ortiz; Co-Artistic Director Philip Seymour Hoffman; Co-Artistic and Executive Director John Gould Rubin) will begin previews on Friday, March 27 for Knives and Other Sharp Objects, the third play of the 2008-2009 Public LAB season. Written by Raúl Castillo and directed by Felix Solis, Knives and Other Sharp Objects will run through Sunday, April 19 with an official press opening on Sunday, April 12. Tickets are $10 for all performances and are on-sale now.

The Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the world premiere production of Thornton Wilder's novel Heaven's My Destination, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing. The play is the centerpiece of the fourth annual FusionFest, a multidisciplinary performing arts festival.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) has announced the line-up for their spring 2009 PlayLab play readings of new plays by members of the company's Playwrights' Coalition.