Eve Ensler News

In response to overwhelming demand and near universal critical acclaim, Symphonie Fantastique - the singular creation by designer, director, master puppeteer, and MacArthur "genius" Basil Twist - extends its 20th anniversary engagement to July 15. Set to Hector Berlioz's revolutionary 1830 score, Symphonie Fantastique, for the first time in New York, features live piano accompaniment by Christopher O'Riley. Hailed as a creative masterpiece when it debuted in 1998, the production, which opened on April 4, is a presentation from HERE's Dream Music Puppetry Program and a centerpiece of HERE's 25th anniversary season.

A who's who of film and television stars will perform Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues in an intimate theatrical setting for four benefit performances only on May 10, 11, 17, and 18 at 8pm at the Loft Ensemble in Sherman Oaks, it was announced today by producer and director Sheena Metal. All proceeds will benefit V-Day (vday.org), A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls, and various local anti-violence charities.

The 9th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony, which honours the accomplishments of women working in the American theatre, will take place on Monday, May 21st, 2018, at the Minetta Lane Theatre.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that previously announced host of the Lortel Awards Jason Jones has withdrawn due to scheduling conflicts. Now slated to co-host alongside Laura Benanti is her fellow METEOR SHOWER star Jeremy Shamos.

Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers and commentators covering New York theater for out-of-town newspapers, national publications and other media beyond Broadway, announced today (April 24, 2018) its nominees for the 2017-18 season. Broadway's "Come From Away" starJenn Colella along with "The Band's Visit" sensation Katrina Lenk presided over the (11AM) announcement ceremony in the Oak Room at New York's renowned Algonquin Hotel (59 W 44th Street). 

The Old Globe's 2017-2018 Season continues with today's announcement of the complete cast and creative team for the Southern California debut of A Thousand Splendid Suns, Ursula Rani Sarma's sweeping and deeply moving theatrical production based on the best-selling book by Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner).

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced today a two-week extension for the world premiere of MLIMA'S TALE. Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney, MLIMA'S TALE continues The Public's Astor Anniversary Season at their landmark downtown home on Lafayette Street, celebrating 50 years of new work and the 50th Anniversary of HAIR. MLIMA'S TALE will now run two additional weeks through Sunday, June 3.

The Drama League (Gabriel Stelian-Shanks, Executive Artistic Director) today announced the 2018 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. The nominations were announced this morning by Tony® Award winners Harriet Harris, Julie White and Tony® Award nominee Christopher Sieber at the official announcement event at Sardi's Restaurant, which was streamed live online right here at BroadwayWorld.com.

1979. The bitter Winter of Discontent. The whole nation is at war with itself, battling industrial strikes, severe unemployment, crippling inflation and fears over immigration and home-grown terrorism. But that's not going to cramp the style of a den of thieves in Brighton.

Ovalhouse's Summer Season 2018 celebrates innovation and experimentation with an incredible programme of six new shows plus seven FiRST BiTES. Exploring radical themes of social mobility and the violence of austerity, while inviting audiences to an eccentric bee party and a brand new human surround-sound experience, this eclectic season seeks to be accessible to all.

Actress and activist Kathy Najimy is teaming up with America's Most Produced Playwright Lauren Gunderson for a benefit reading at the Minetta Lane Theater on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 7pm. Presented by the WP Theater with Erica Rotstein and Christina Wallace, the reading of Gunderson's new play NATURAL SHOCKS is in support of the Ms. Foundation's programs and grants that address domestic violence and gun violence against women. Tickets range from $100-1000, with discounted tickets available for students ($25) and a limited number of $50 early bird tickets available through April 16. Tickets available at www.naturalshocks.com/nyc.

The 2018 theatre awards season is quickly approaching, and keeping track of all of the important dates for the many ceremonies and their corresponding nomination announcements is no easy feat. Stay up to date on all the need-to-know facts with BroadwayWorld's Awards Season Calendar below!

The Off-Broadway League today announced nominations in 19 categories for the 33rd Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. The Lortel Awards will be presented on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at NYU Skirball Center beginning at 7:00 PM EST.  This year's event will be hosted by actors Laura Benanti and Jason Jones and will once again serve as a benefit for The Actors Fund.

Today, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (LBC)made its spring announcement of 18 new shows added to the 2018-2019 season, continuing to showcase chart topping musicians, compelling dance companies, groundbreaking storytellers and authors and a wide range of holiday performances, all appealing to diverse audiences. Tickets for all shows go on sale first to LBC members on Monday, April 9 at 12 p.m. and then to the general public on Friday, April 20 at 12 p.m.

As a centerpiece of its 25th anniversary season, HERE (Kristin Marting, Founding Artistic Director, and Kim Whitener, Executive Director) is proud to present the world premiere of Assembled Identity, a new theatrical work by Kristin Marting created in collaboration with Purva Bedi and Mariana Newhard. Running April 24 - May 19, Assembled Identity is set to open on May 1 and features performances by Newhard and Lipica Shah, who play multiple characters and speak several languages. Assembled Identity is the 29th hybrid work by Marting, who co-founded HERE in 1993. Her multi-disciplinary work has been noted for its "striking unity of sound and meaning" (New York Times) and for being a "a true treat for the adventurous." (Time Out New York).

Columbia University School of the Arts presents ten new plays written by the Columbia MFA Playwriting Students of 2018. The esteemed faculty who have nurtured these students, including Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and Charles L. Mee, invite you to experience these innovative new playwrights.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) will begin previews on Tuesday, March 27 for the world premiere of MLIMA'S TALE, written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney.

Broadway's smash musical Waitress continues to celebrate Women's History Month when MSNBC TV's popular host Joy-Ann Reid speaks to Tony Award winning director Diane Paulus following the Thursday March 22 performance at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th St).

The 33rd Annual Lucille Lortel Awards celebrating achievements Off-Broadway will be handed out on Sunday, May 6, 2018. Vulture is now reporting that this year's hosts will be Laura Benanti and Jason Jones.

Made to Dance in Burning Buildings by Anya Pearson is an explosive mix of poetry, theatre, and violent and visceral contemporary dance, which poses the question: how do we heal from trauma?