Eric Rosen News

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season  with the return of David Sedaris' THE SANTALAND DIARIES, directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Eric Rosen and starring Brian Sills as Crumpet the Elf.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season  with the return of David Sedaris' THE SANTALAND DIARIES, directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Eric Rosen and starring Brian Sills as Crumpet the Elf.

Who wouldn't want to see this? BroadwayWorld has learned that Nathan Lane will read a love letter to Brian Dennehy onstage at Threatre Communications Group's gala this coming Monday, November 9, 2015 at The Edison Ballroom.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre (KC Rep) today announced that the capital campaign to renovate Spencer Theatre has exceeded its $5 million goal by $667,176.  Spencer Theatre is the main stage of Kansas City Repertory Theatre and is located in UMKC's James C. Olson Performing Arts Center. The Spencer Theatre ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Friday, Nov. 20th at 8:30am in the newly renovated lobby. Press is welcome to attend. Updated construction photos are available here. Private tours of Spencer Theatre before the ceremony are available to the media by appointment.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season and its commitment to the creation of unforgettable new plays with the WORLD PREMIERE of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, written by and starring Michael Benjamin Washington and directed by the critically acclaimed Lucie Tiberghien. This story is more than relevant. It's riveting. Those who stand up for equality in 2015 are following in the footsteps of Bayard Rustin, the lesser known but powerfully influential civil rights leader who orchestrated the March on Washington and stepped forward himself as an openly gay man at a time when few had the courage to do so. In this ode, an exiled Rustin masterminds 'a tribute to the ancestors' 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This exciting production begins tonight, Oct. 16 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 15 at KC Rep's Copaken Stage in the Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season and its commitment to the creation of unforgettable new plays with the WORLD PREMIERE of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, written by and starring Michael Benjamin Washington and directed by the critically acclaimed Lucie Tiberghien. This story is more than relevant. It's riveting. Those who stand up for equality in 2015 are following in the footsteps of Bayard Rustin, the lesser known but powerfully influential civil rights leader who orchestrated the March on Washington and stepped forward himself as an openly gay man at a time when few had the courage to do so. In this ode, an exiled Rustin masterminds 'a tribute to the ancestors' 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This exciting production begins Friday, Oct. 16 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 15 at KC Rep's Copaken Stage in the Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, welcomes five new members to its board of directors: Adrian Budhu, managing director, The Theater Offensive, Boston, MA; Christopher Acebo, associate artistic director, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, OR; Meghan Pressman, managing director, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington, DC; Nikkole Salter, actress, playwright, educator, and arts advocate, Bloomfield, NJ; Harold Wolpert, managing director, Roundabout Theatre Company, New York, NY.

La Jolla Playhouse and Kansas City Repertory Theatre is presenting the world-premiere production of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, by Michael Benjamin Washington, directed by Lucie Tiberghien (Blood and Gifts). Tiberghien replaced Phylicia Rashad, who had to depart the project due to scheduling conflicts. Check out photos from the production below!

Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in historic collaboration of theatre and art like never before!

Julian Zugazagoitia, Director of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Eric Rosen, Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, today announced a unique collaboration to kick off the Kansas City Repertory Theatre 2015-16 season. Sunday in the Park with George, the Stephen Sondheim classic musical about the neo-Impressionist painter Georges Seurat, will be jointly produced in the Nelson-Atkins' Atkins Auditorium. This production will mark a unique major production of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical produced within the context of one of the nation's great art museums. Performances run from tonight, Sept. 11, through Oct. 4, 2015.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Chase Brock has boarded the artistic team of Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Sunday in the Park with George as the production's Musical Stager.

Celebration Theatre announced today its 2015-2016 season of shows, under the artistic direction of Michael Matthews & Michael A. Shepperd.  This is the Celebration's 34th season and the first in its new home at the Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave. in Los Angeles. Comments Celebration Theatre's Executive Director Michael C. Kricfalusi 'After wandering the streets of L.A. for two years, all of us at Celebration Theatre are thrilled to have found our new home and even happier to have found it at The Lex, less than 10 blocks from where we used to be!'

Eric Rosen, Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, today announced the casting for the lead roles for Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Pulitzer-Prize winning masterpiece, Sunday in the Park with George. Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Nominee Claybourne Elder (Bonnie & Clyde, Road Show, Allegro) will lead the cast as George, reprising his critically-acclaimed performance in Signature Theatre's award-winning 2014 production. Broadway veteran Sara Jean Ford (A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Finian's Rainbow) has been cast in the legendary role of Dot. Rosen will direct the production, to be produced in a unique partnership with the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.

La Jolla Playhouse and Kansas City Repertory Theatre announce the cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, by Michael Benjamin Washington, directed by Lucie Tiberghien (Blood and Gifts).

Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, the limited 12- week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey officially opened last night, July 27, 2015, at theWestside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the much talked-about new play written and performed by James Lecesne, will have scenic design by Jo Winiarski, lighting design by Matt Richards, sound design by Christian Frederickson, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, original animation & photography by Matthew Sandager, and costumes by Paul Marlow. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos below!

About Face Theatre is pleased to announce its 20th Anniversary Season, featuring three productions new to the Chicago stage, plus a series of staged readings celebrating its two extraordinary decades in Chicago. The 2015-16 Season kicks-off with the world premiere romantic comedy LE SWITCH by Artistic Associate Philip Dawkins, directed by Stephen Brackett, presented by special arrangement with Doug Nevin. The season continues with the Chicago premiere drama after all the terrible things i do by A. Rey Pamatmat, directed by Artistic Director Andrew Volkoff. The mainstage season concludes next spring with the Chicago premiere of the dark comedy THE SECRETARIES by The Five Lesbian Brothers, directed by Bonnie Metzgar. About Face is pleased to announce all three productions will be presented at its new resident theatre, Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus, began rehearsals today (pictured, left) for the world premiere musical Waitress. Based on the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly the new musical has a book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, direction by Diane Paulus, and choreography by Chase Brock.

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus, announces the principal casting for the world premiere of Waitress. Based on the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly the new musical has a book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Sara Bareiles, direction by Diane Paulus, and choreography by Chase Brock.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre concludes its 50th anniversary season with a developmental production of Stillwater, a new rock musical staged by the Rep's Artistic Director Eric Rosen.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre concludes its 50th anniversary season with a developmental production of Stillwater, a new rock musical staged by the Rep's Artistic Director Eric Rosen. Performances run May 13th through 24th, presented in a one-of-a-kind performance space - the first ever production inside the Spencer Theatre Scene Shop. Check out a first look below!