Ensemble Studio Theatre News

The end of summer marks the close of the classical repertory season at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. However, the Botanicum continues its theatrical exploration by supporting new artistic voices through its ongoing development series for playwrights, 'Botanicum Seedlings.' The program's fall playreadings are Brett Webster's Lost and Found in the Underground on Sunday, November 2 and Nude and Sunflower by Reba Waters Thomas on Sunday, November 9. Readings begin at 1 pm and admission is free.

Chicago's Goodman Theatre opens its 'Strong Women, Strong Voices' Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club.

The Los Angeles premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan's By the Waters of Babylon brings two award-winning, long-time theater actors to the Geffen stage for the first time: Demián Bichir and Shannon Cochran. Bichir, who is currently starring as Mary Louise-Parker's love interest on Showtime's Weeds, will play the role of Arturo, a Cuban immigrant who is hired to (coincidentally) weed the garden of unconventional Austin widow Catherine. Cochran, who will star as Catherine, is straight from Chicago where she starred in sold out performances of The Lion in Winter at the Writers Theatre.

Youngblood, Ensemble Studio Theatre's collective of emerging playwrights under 30 (RJ Tolan/Graeme Gillis, Artistic Directors), will celebrate its fifteenth season this year with Asking For Trouble, the biggest play festival in their history. Youngblood has invited their alumni - 41 playwrights, 35 directors and 120 actors - to participate in the mammoth 5-day event, including many EST members alongside emerging talents like Johnny Pruitt ('Chappelle's Show'), Jessica Andres ('Gossip Girl'), Matt Lauria and Marguerite Stimpson (both of 'Lipstick Jungle').

The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer)world premiere production of Nick Whitby's 'To Be or Not To Be' opens on Broadway tonight, Tuesday October 14th.

George Street Playhouse continues their 35th season with the New Jersey premiere of Conor McPherson's Olivier Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated play, The Seafarer.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the opener of its new Family Series DAISY IN DISGUISE, an original musical for children and families performed by adults with music by SIMON GRAY and book and lyrics by STACIE LENTS and direction by DAVID HILDER featuring ANGIE PEREZ, ROSS HEWIT, NORMAN PAYNE, STEPHANIE TORNS, BETHANY JAMES, and REBECCA LIEB WALSH.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY is pleased to announce the opener of its new Family Series DAISY IN DISGUISE, an original musical for children and families performed by adults with music by SIMON GRAY and book and lyrics by STACIE LENTS and direction by DAVID HILDER featuring ANGIE PEREZ, ROSS HEWIT, NORMAN PAYNE, STEPHANIE TORNS, BETHANY JAMES, and REBECCA LIEB WALSH.

Flux Theatre Ensemble concludes its 2008 Season of Transformation with the world premiere of Johnna Adams' epic Angel Eaters Trilogy. The Trilogy follows three generations of a family cursed with the gift of raising people from the dead. The three plays of the Trilogy, Angel Eaters, Rattlers, and 8 Little Antichrists, will run in rep beginning November 3 at The Wings Theatre, 154 Christopher Street. The production will run through November 22. On Saturdays, intrepid audiences will be able to catch all three shows in chronological order.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers, featuring Maggie Burke as 'Kay Danley,' Natalie Gold as 'Loretta Trumble-Pinkerstone,' Michael Hayden as 'Denton Pinkerstone,' Gio Perez as 'Eben Trumble-Pinkerstone' and Michael Warner as 'Bill Clinton.' Previews begin tonight, Saturday, October 4th.

The award-winning VITAL THEATRE COMPANY, is pleased to announce that its 2008-2009 Family Programing will include 4 original musicals for children and families, performed by adults, 'DAISY IN DISGUISE,' 'THE KLEZMER NUTCRACKER,' 'THE PRINCESS OF RIVERSIDE DRIVE,' and 'THE FROG AND THE WITCH.' Public performances run Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 1:00pm, October 11, 2008 through April 26, 2009.

The Astoria Performing Arts Center (APAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Wojtunik as Artistic Director. Wojtunik, who last year directed Proof for APAC, brings a wealth of talent and experience plus an influx of humor, passion for storytelling, generosity and inspiration to the new season line-up.

On Friday, October 24, 2008 La Jolla Playhouse hosts Moon over Morocco, a gala benefit featuring the Tony-nominated star of Xanadu on Broadway, Kerry Butler. The annual gala will take place in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse.

ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE (William Carden, Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Slee, Executive Director) is proud to announce New York Premiere of Close Ties, by Elizabeth Diggs.

On Monday September 22, 2008, the IT Awards (New York Innovative Theatre Awards), the organization dedicated to celebrating Off-Off-Broadway, and host Lisa Kron, announced the 2008 recipients at the Fourth Annual IT Awards Ceremony at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

South Coast Repertory will present the Southern California premiere of Dead Man's Cell Phone, Sarah Ruhl's fantastical new play about a woman who answers a dead man's cell phone and finds her life turned upside down. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo, Dead Man's Cell Phone runs Sept. 21 - Oct. 12 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

The critically acclaimed off-Broadway production of Amy Wilson's one-woman show MOTHER LOAD is embarking on a National Tour. Originally slated for a 7 week run in New York City in May 2007, MOTHER LOAD ran for 9 weeks to sold-out houses. After seeing the show, The Road Company knew that MOTHER LOAD belonged on the road. The tour will premiere in Charlotte, NC on September 30th at 7:30 pm, as the inaugural production at the Studio Theater (101 N. College Street Charlotte, NC 28202).

'Gem of the Ocean' opens on October 11, with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through November 16. Previews are scheduled October 3 through 10. Tickets are $25.00 on Thursdays and Fridays and $28.00 on Saturdays and Sundays, except opening night (October 11), which is $30.00 and previews which are $15.00. On Thursdays and Fridays only, students with ID are $18.00 and seniors $23.00. The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. For reservations and information, call (323) 663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.

CASTRONAUTS, or How I Killed Fidel, a revolutionary new musical by Bobby Houston, Patricio Bisso and Randy Courts, will receive its world premiere as part of this year's 5th annual New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). Directed and choreographed by Will Pomerantz, Castronauts runs September 16 through 28 at the Zipper Factory.

CASTRONAUTS, or How I Killed Fidel, a revolutionary new musical by Bobby Houston, Patricio Bisso and Randy Courts, will receive its world premiere as part of this year's 5th annual New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF). Directed and choreographed by Will Pomerantz, Castronauts runs September 16 through 28 at the Zipper Factory.