Eugene O'Neill News

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA (James Bundy, Dean; Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean; Paula Vogel, Chair of Playwriting; Ken Prestininzi, Associate Chair) presents the sixth annual Carlotta Festival of New Plays, May 6 to 14 at the Iseman Theater (1156 Chapel Street, New Haven).

Now gracing the cover of the latest Billboard Magazine, Beyonce reveals that her upcoming ablum, entitled 4, is largely inspired by the late Fela Kuti - subject of last season's Broadway hit Fela! produced by her husband Jay-Z. The album is set for release next month.

While the possibility had been discussed before, it's now being reported that Sonia Friedman (producer of the West End's Legally Blonde, Arcadia, La Cage Aux Folles, A Little Night Music, and many more) will take the show to London next year.

Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean will be open May 12 at Hartford Stage, the final play in the Tony Award-winning theatre's 47th season.

The ReGroup will kick of their 2nd season by presenting Paul Green's The House of Connelly at 7 PM on June 6th, 2011 at The 47th St Theatre, 304 W 47th St. For the first time, they will present both endings to the play; the ending Mr. Green had intended and the very different ending the Group Theatre had him rewrite.

To celebrate the release of her new book Rock the Audition: How to Prepare For and Get Cast in Rock Musicals (Hal Leonard Books, May 24th) Sheri will performing in concert at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street) on the evening of the book's release - May 24th at 8:00pm.

VITAL THEATRE COMPANY, the award-winning theatre company and producer of the long running family show PINKALICIOUS, THE MUSICAL, and HIT Entertainment, a leading provider of quality children's entertainment, are pleased to announce the return of ANGELINA BALLERINA™ THE MUSICAL, with book and lyrics by Susan DiLallo, music by Ben Morss and directed and choreographed by Sam Viverito, based on the famous dancing mouseling and her friends created by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig. Performances will resume June 18th, 2011 at the DICAPO OPERA THEATRE Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm.

Yesterday, May 9, The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center presented its annual Monte Cristo Award to legendary Broadway and screen actor James Earl Jones, in recognition of his monumental achievements and contributions to the American and international theater community. The award was presented to Mr. Jones at a gala dinner that included special guests and performers Tony Award-nominee Michael Berresse ([title of show], Kiss Me Kate); Chris Chalk (Fences),; Academy Award-winner Michael Douglas (Wall Street); Emmy Award-winner Charles S Dutton (The Piano Lesson, 'Roc'); Tony Award nominee Penny Fuller (Dividing the Estate, The Dinner Party); Tony Award-winner Boyd Gaines (Driving Miss Daisy, Gypsy); Oscar, Tony and Emmy Award-winner Vanessa Redgrave (Driving Miss Daisy, Long Days Journey Into Night); Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Seven Guitars); Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams (On Golden Pond, King Hedley II); and Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Executive Director Preston Whiteway.

Good People, written by David Lindsay-Abaire, today won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award (NYDCC) for Best Play of the 2010-2011 season. The award for Best Foreign Play play went to Jerusalem, written by Jez Butterworth. The Book of Mormon received the award for Best Musical. The selections were made at the 76th annual voting meeting of the organization today at the offices of Time Out New York in Manhattan.

Looking to buy last minute tickets to a Broadway show? Don't know what to see? Trying to find a theater? Welcome to one of BroadwayWorld's newest features: the Broadway Ticket Buying Guide. Inside, you will find weekly updates on full priced tickets, discounts, availability for the hottest productions, and locations for shows playing the Great White Way! Catch up on all the latest stats so that you can see your favorite productions at the best price! (And make it there on time). Spring is in the air and the announcement of the 2011 Tony Awards nominations last week is still the hottest news in the theatre community. Topping the list for the most nods was none other than God's favorite musical: THE BOOK OF MORMON, making it more impossible than ever to snag tickets to this season's big draw. London import WAR HORSE has also been enjoying weeks of sold-out houses, which is unlikely to change after earning 5 nominations last Tuesday. And though this year's Tony hype didn't effect them, Broadway staples WICKED and THE LION KING are still going strong, filling their respective theatres on a weekly basis.

The Drama League has announced the rosters of stars who will appear as presenters at The 77th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Friday, May 20, 2011 (noon) in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square (1535 Broadway at 46th Street). The ceremony will be hosted by Kathleen Turner (High).

The ReGroup will kick of their 2nd season by presenting Paul Green's The House of Connelly at 7 PM on June 6th, 2011 at The 47th St Theatre, 304 W 47th St.

Due for release next week is Sh-K-Boom's cast recording for Broadway's THE BOOK OF MORMON. Today though, the album is the first Broadway cast recording to be made available on NPR's First Listen. To tune in to preview the album for free, click here.

Jujamcyn Theaters and True Colors Theatre Company have announced the 3rd Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition, featuring high school students from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, Pittsburgh, and Seattle performing monologues by the legendary American playwright, to take place on Monday, May 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). The event is free and open to the public!

The Broadway at Birdland series is pleased to announce that MORGAN JAMES, currently appearing on Broadway in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland, will appear in concert on Monday, May 9 at 7pm.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will present its annual Monte Cristo Award to legendary Broadway and screen actor James Earl Jones, in recognition of his monumental achievements and contributions to the American and international theater community. The award will be presented to Mr. Jones at a gala dinner held in his honor at Bridgewaters - South Street Seaport in New York City on Monday, May 9th at 6:30pm.

Presented by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) and Midtown Direct Rep, RATED P makes its long-awaited premiere from Friday, May 5th to Sunday, May 8th at SOPAC.

THE BOOK OF MORMON will present an extra matinee performance, to be offered to fans of the show for free, according to Variety. This comes after the new musical by ‘South Park' creators earned 14 Tony nominations.

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced that The Old Globe will produce the World Premieres of four new plays and musicals in its 2011-12 Winter Season.

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA (James Bundy, Dean; Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean; Paula Vogel, Chair of Playwriting; Ken Prestininzi, Associate Chair) presents the sixth annual Carlotta Festival of New Plays, May 6 to 14 at the Iseman Theater (1156 Chapel Street, New Haven).