Eric Schaeffer News

Signature Theatre presents the Washington premiere of the Tony-nominated comedy The Little Dog Laughed, an outrageous satire of Hollywood ambition, truth, and illusion in America's celebrity-obsessed culture. Three-time Helen Hayes Award-winner Holly Twyford portrays the brash, fast-talking agent Diane, whose client Mitchell (Matthew Montelongo) has a chance to make it big if he only stays in the closet. When Mitchell starts to fall for a charmingly sweet male escort (Ivan Quintanilla) with a needy girlfriend (Casie Platt), Diane's plans may unravel. But nothing derails this ?ber-agent in her pursuit of power and money as she skillfully and hilariously manipulates all within her reach. Written by Douglas Carter Beane, it's Hollywood at its juiciest. The Little Dog Laughed runs in Signature's intimate 110-seat ARK Theatre from January 13 to March 8, 2009.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company announced that during the run of Mike Daisey's HOW THEATER FAILED AMERICA, there will be free industry roundtables following three performances to discuss the many issues raised in the piece. The roundtable discussions following performances on January 9, 12, and 16 will include local theatre administrators, artists, and funders.

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

DC's Signature Theatre has announced casting for their production of the Tony Award-nominated comedy The Little Dog Laughed, Douglas Carter Beane's satire of Hollywood ambition, truth, and illusion. The Little Dog Laughed is scheduled to play Jan. 13-March 8, 2009.

Signature Theatre invites young professionals to 'Signature Scene,' special Thursday night performances of Les Mis?rables, The Little Dog Laughed, Giant, and See What I Wanna See featuring half-price tickets and festive pre-show receptions. Mix and mingle with other theater-goers at the innovative theater The New York Times calls 'positively swanky' and The Washington Post calls 'a signature space to match its reputation.'

Get into the spirit of the season when December Divas Priscilla Cuellar, Marissa Lesch, Margo Seibert, Bayla Whitten, and Rachel Zampelli belt out refreshingly different holiday offerings for six performances December 17 - 20 in Signature's ARK Theatre turned cabaret. Patrons can take a break from the shopping frenzy and enjoy an unconventional musical take on the season, Signature style, while sipping choice wine and beer and chef-prepared fare right at their tables. A sold-out success last season, December Divas will have audiences smiling all the way to New Year's Eve. Tickets for all shows are $30 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (703) 573-7328 or visiting www.signature-theatre.org. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance.

Signature Theatre invites young professionals to 'Signature Scene,' special Thursday night performances of Les Mis?rables, The Little Dog Laughed, Giant, and See What I Wanna See featuring half-price tickets and festive pre-show receptions. Mix and mingle with other theater-goers at the innovative theater The New York Times calls 'positively swanky' and The Washington Post calls 'a signature space to match its reputation.'

Signature Theatre today announced that Andrew Call will sing the role of the student revolutionary Marius in its upcoming production of Les Misérables. He will replace Doug Kreeger, who will be performing in the new off-Broadway production of Rooms. Call recently performed in Signature's world premiere production of Glory Days, playing the role of the would-be jock Andy. Call has also performed in Cry-Baby and High Fidelity on Broadway, in Altar Boyz off-Broadway, and in national tours of Saturday Night Fever and Altar Boyz.

Million Dollar Quartet, the new musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legendary rock 'n' roll icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, will move to the Apollo Theater at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through October 26, 2008; preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, October 31, 2008. The official Apollo opening is Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

Due to popular demand, the critically hailed MILLION DOLLAR will move to the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago), immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through Oct. 26. Preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, Oct. 31, with the official opening scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

Where Are You Taking Me?: What's Next in Musical Theater is a free, day-long symposium with musical theater practitioners from around the country.

Million Dollar Quartet, the new musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legendary rock 'n' roll icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, will move to the Apollo Theater at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through October 26, 2008; preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, October 31, 2008. The official Apollo opening is Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

On Sunday, October 19, Signature Theatre will audition boys and girls, ages 7 - 12, for two singing roles and one non-singing role in its innovative new production of Les Miserables, which will run December 2 through February 22. Signature is looking for six children (two boys and four girls) all under 50 inches (4' 2''), who will alternate performances in their respective roles.

Due to popular demand, the critically hailed MILLION DOLLAR will move to the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago), immediately following the conclusion of its limited engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre. Performances in the Owen continue through Oct. 26. Preview performances at the Apollo Theater begin Friday, Oct. 31, with the official opening scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the Apollo run are currently on sale through January 4, 2009.

Eric Schaeffer, the Artistic Director of Signature Theatre, tonight announced that Signature will honor Stephen Sondheim at a Gala Benefit in April and establish an annual award as a tribute to America's most influential contemporary musical theater composer. Signature will salute Mr. Sondheim at a black-tie Gala Celebration on Monday, April 27, 2009, in Washington, DC highlighted by a musical tribute, festive dinner, and dancing and inaugurate an annual honor to be known in future years as The Sondheim Award.

Signature Theatre, nationally renowned for its interpretation of Sondheim musicals, takes on the Sondheim cult favorite Anyone Can Whistle in a special one night only concert, Monday, October 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria. Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer will direct the performance, a rare opportunity to experience Sondheim's wacky, intelligent, and highly unconventional 1964 work.

On Sunday, October 19, Signature Theatre will audition boys and girls, ages 7 - 12, for two singing roles and one non-singing role in its innovative new production of Les Miserables, which will run December 2 through February 22. Signature is looking for six children (two boys and four girls) all under 50 inches (4' 2''), who will alternate performances in their respective roles.

The Signature Theatre concluded their production of ACE on Sunday, September 28th. The show opened on August 27th, 2008 With music by Richard Oberacker and book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, ACE was directed by Signature's Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer with choreography by Karma Camp. Set just after WWII, ACE is an epic story of a young boy's search to come to terms with his past and unlock his future. A tale of triumph, humor, and heart as seen through a child's eyes, ACE magically explores the heroic lives and unforeseen legacies of the men and women of America's Greatest Generation.

Take a wild ride through the eyes of a child who wants to know where he comes from

Signature Theatre, nationally renowned for its interpretation of Sondheim musicals, takes on the Sondheim cult favorite Anyone Can Whistle in a special one night only concert, Monday, October 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm at the Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria. Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer will direct the performance, a rare opportunity to experience Sondheim's wacky, intelligent, and highly unconventional 1964 work.