Ensemble Studio Theatre News

Blood Type: RAGU is a hilarious and poignant exploration of the Sicilian immigrant experience based on the life of writer/performer Frank Ingrasciotta. This one-man show features more than 20 characters, who live, love and laugh as they struggle to thrive in a new culture, while nurturing the traditions of the old. It's not drama . . . it's just family!

ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE ((William Carden, Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Slee, Executive Director) and THE ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION (Doron Weber, Program Director) presents the Off-Broadway premiere of END DAYS, a new play by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Lisa Peterson (Shipwrecked!)*. Performances begin March 25th, and continue through April 19th at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street).

Frank Ingrasciotta, writer and star of Off-Broadway's Blood Type: RAGU, is set to do a live interview with Lou Feliciano on WVOX Radio's 'Lou's Roundtable' tomorrow, March 24th at 7 p.m. Feliciano's highly popular talk show airs every Tuesday on WVOX (1460 AM) throughout Westchester and the Bronx. New York Governor David Patterson and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo both agree that WVOX is 'the most influential radio station in New York state.'

The Barrow Group Theatre Company will present a studio theatre production of WHO YOU SEE HERE by Matt Hoverman, directed by Stacy Shane, with performances starting on Friday, March 6, 2009 (Opening is Saturday, March 7th, 2009). WHO YOU SEE HERE is a four-character comedy about a small town couple whose love is tested when a charismatic but troubled movie star stumbles into their local AA meeting.

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.

Marin Theatre Company Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis and Producing Director Ryan Rilette are pleased to announce the winners of MTC's American Play Prizes. The 2009 Sky Cooper New American Play Prize has been awarded to Sharr White for Sunlight. He will receive a $10,000 award accompanied by the world premiere of Sunlight during the MTC 2009-2010 season in the Boyer Theatre. The 2009 David Calicchio Emerging American Playwright Prize has been awarded to Emily Schwend for Carthage. Ms. Schwend will receive $2,500 and Carthage will be included in MTC's Nu Werkz staged reading series during the 2009-2010 season.

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.

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 Ra?l 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.

Simon Levy directs the West Coast premiere of the original drama about scientific intrigue and competition - and a woman's life in a man's world. Photograph 51 by Anna Ziegler opens on March 21 at The Fountain Theatre for a seven-week run through May 3.

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.

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce the lineup for its 7@7 reading series. Now in its eleventh year, this free rehearsed reading series is dedicated to the support and development of new works. The 2009 lineup features six new plays and a musical, including works by two playwrights previously produced by MTC and one MTC-commissioned playwright.

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, is proud to announce four World Premieres for its 2009/2010 Season. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street.

Drama of Works Celebrates 10th Anniversary with PUPPET KAFKA, Limited Engagement begins April 22 at HERE In celebration of its 10th Anniversary, Drama of Works will present the World Premiere of PUPPET KAFKA. Directed by Gretchen Van Lente, this new play by B. Walker Sampson is based on the life and work of Franz Kafka. Previews begin Wednesday, April 22nd at HERE Arts Center with opening slated for Sunday, April 26th.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) welcomes the return of Godlight Theatre Company with Alan Lyddiard's adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, directed by Joe Tantalo. 1984 begins previews on Friday, March 13 for a limited engagement through Sunday, April 19. Opening Night is Wednesday, March 25 at 8:30 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday at 7:30 PM, Wednesday - Friday at 8:30 PM; Saturday at 2:30 PM and 8:30 PM and Sunday at 3:30 PM.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) has announced the two plays which will be presented as part of the company's seventh annual Second Stage Theatre Uptown Series this summer: Zakiyyah Alexander's 10 Things To Do Before I Die, directed by Jackson Gay, and Lila Rose Kaplan's Wildflower, directed by 2008 Callaway Award winner Giovanna Sardelli.

Seanacha? Theatre Company Presents the Chicago premiere of OUR FATHER by M.G. Stephens Directed by Jeff Christian MONDAYS @ 8pm, March 16th - April 13th Economy got you down? Come drown your sorrows and PAY WHAT YOU CAN!' Be glad. The old man's dead.'

Seanachai Theatre Company Presents THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF OUR FATHER by M.G. Stephens, Directed by Jeff Christian MONDAYS @ 8pm, March 16th - April 13th

Simon Levy directs the West Coast premiere of the original drama about scientific intrigue and competition - and a woman's life in a man's world. Photograph 51 by Anna Ziegler opens on March 21 at The Fountain Theatre for a seven-week run through May 3. Low-priced previews begin March 14.

La Jolla Playhouse presents Pop Tour 2009, Miss Electricity. A new play for young audiences by Kathryn Walat and directed by Melissa Kievman.

The Barrow Group Theatre Company will present a studio theatre production of WHO YOU SEE HERE by Matt Hoverman, directed by Stacy Shane, with performances starting on Friday, March 6, 2009 (Opening is Saturday, March 7th, 2009). WHO YOU SEE HERE is a four-character comedy about a small town couple whose love is tested when a charismatic but troubled movie star stumbles into their local AA meeting.