Frances Sternhagen News

Cause Célèbre, a not-for-profit theater dedicated to causes and charity, proudly announces the launch of Part-Time Productions and its inaugural presentation, A Battle of Wills: Internal and External. This debut production, presented in association with The New Group, is an evening of three one-act playsfeaturing award-winning actors, writers and directors. Performances will run consecutive Sundays from May31 - June 21 at The Acorn @ Theatre Row. Complete schedule and cast line-up is listed below.

George Street Playhouse has announced full casting for New Year's Eve a world premiere from the pen of ARTHUR LAURENTS. George Street Playhouse Artistic Director DAVID SAINT will direct a starry cast comprised of WALTER BELENKY, KEITH CARRADINE, PETER FRECHETTE, MARLO THOMAS and NATASHA GREGSON WAGNER. New Year's Eve marks the ninth collaboration between Saint and Laurents at the New Brunswick Playhouse, and the return engagement of Ms. Thomas, who starred in Elaine May's Roger is Dead last season.

Finian's Rainbow, which just ended a critically acclaimed five-performance run at New York City Center's Encores! series last weekend, will move to Broadway's St. James Theatre in the fall. Producers David Richenthal and Jack Viertel announced that the show, which hasn't been seen on Broadway since 1960 (it premiered in 1947), will be adapted from the Encores! concert presentation into a full production.

Through staged readings, song, dance, panel discussions, and films, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will mark the centennial of the death of famed Irish playwright and poet J. M Synge and examine his 1904 tragedy Riders to the Sea. 'On an Anniversary': J.M. Synge, 1871 - 1909 is a free series of five programs that explore the importance and influence of this writer and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre.

Our special series for Women's History Month continues with a profile of Irish Rep's artistic director and cofounder.

Through staged readings, song, dance, panel discussions, and films, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will mark the centennial of the death of famed Irish playwright and poet J. M Synge and examine his 1904 tragedy Riders to the Sea. 'On an Anniversary': J.M. Synge, 1871 - 1909 is a free series of five programs that explore the importance and influence of this writer and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre.

George Street Playhouse has announced full casting for New Year's Eve a world premiere from the pen of ARTHUR LAURENTS. George Street Playhouse Artistic Director DAVID SAINT will direct a starry cast comprised of WALTER BELENKY, KEITH CARRADINE, PETER FRECHETTE, MARLO THOMAS and NATASHA GREGSON WAGNER. New Year's Eve marks the ninth collaboration between Saint and Laurents at the New Brunswick Playhouse, and the return engagement of Ms. Thomas, who starred in Elaine May's Roger is Dead last season.

Noted stage, screen, and television actress Frances Sternhagen, a member of the Vassar class of 1951, will give a public presentation at Vassar College on Thursday, February 26, at 5:30 pm in the Martel Theater of the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film. Admission is free; however reservations are required. For additional information and reservations, call the box office at 845-437-5584 or 5599. Sternhagen, a familiar presence on stage, television, and film, is most familiar to some audiences for her television roles as Bunny McDougal (Trey's mother) in HBO's Sex and the City or Kyra Sedgwick's mother Willa Mae Johnson on The Closer (appearing with fellow Vassar alumnus Jon Tenney '84). However Sternhagen is also a familiar presence on stage, and has received two Tony Awards (nominated for five), two Obies, and two Drama Desks, and was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame, and honored in 2007 with the Helen Hayes Tribute. At Vassar Sternhagen will perform selections from Marta G?es's play A Safe Harbor for Elizabeth Bishop, bringing to life the great modern American poet and Vassar alumna Elizabeth Bishop (class of 1934) during her years in Brazil. A question-and-answer session with Sternhagen will follow the reading. Vassar and New York Stage & Film's Powerhouse Theater, which will be celebrating its 25th season this summer, first presented A Safe Harbor in 2004. 'We are delighted that alumna Frances Sternhagen, our 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award, will be with us for a few days this semester to work and meet with students and faculty and present this reading,' noted Patricia Duane Lichtenberg, executive director of the Alumnae and Alumni of Vassar College (AAVC) and Vassar class of 1990. 'Through great symbiosis she has chosen to perform an original play first presented by Vassar and New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theater, that is based upon another noted Vassar alumna, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Elizabeth Bishop.'

Opening tonight - Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm is The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) production of ?Avow? by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews began Thursday, February 19, 2009 for the limited Off Broadway engagement. The play takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues, especially with Proposition 8. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis. Http://www.CardinalGroupNYC.com

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 8:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE for 'AVOW' OFF BROADWAY at 45th STREET THEATRE Previews begin February 19 Opening Wednesday, February 25 The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin this Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement. The play takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues, especially with Proposition 8. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE for 'AVOW' OFF BROADWAY at 45th STREET THEATRE Previews begin February 19 Opening Wednesday, February 25 The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents Avow by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

Stage and screen actress Lily Rabe talks about her life and her current role oppposite Mercedes Ruehl in The AMERICAN PLAN

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 8:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

Noted stage, screen, and television actress Frances Sternhagen, a member of the Vassar class of 1951, will give a public presentation at Vassar College on Thursday, February 26, at 5:30 pm in the Martel Theater of the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film. Admission is free; however reservations are required. For additional information and reservations, call the box office at 845-437-5584 or 5599. Sternhagen, a familiar presence on stage, television, and film, is most familiar to some audiences for her television roles as Bunny McDougal (Trey's mother) in HBO's Sex and the City or Kyra Sedgwick's mother Willa Mae Johnson on The Closer (appearing with fellow Vassar alumnus Jon Tenney '84). However Sternhagen is also a familiar presence on stage, and has received two Tony Awards (nominated for five), two Obies, and two Drama Desks, and was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame, and honored in 2007 with the Helen Hayes Tribute. At Vassar Sternhagen will perform selections from Marta G?es's play A Safe Harbor for Elizabeth Bishop, bringing to life the great modern American poet and Vassar alumna Elizabeth Bishop (class of 1934) during her years in Brazil. A question-and-answer session with Sternhagen will follow the reading. Vassar and New York Stage & Film's Powerhouse Theater, which will be celebrating its 25th season this summer, first presented A Safe Harbor in 2004. 'We are delighted that alumna Frances Sternhagen, our 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award, will be with us for a few days this semester to work and meet with students and faculty and present this reading,' noted Patricia Duane Lichtenberg, executive director of the Alumnae and Alumni of Vassar College (AAVC) and Vassar class of 1990. 'Through great symbiosis she has chosen to perform an original play first presented by Vassar and New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theater, that is based upon another noted Vassar alumna, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Elizabeth Bishop.'

George Street Playhouse begins 2009 with its production of Donald Marguiles' Sight Unseen. When first presented in 1992, the play won the OBIE Award for Best New American Play, was nominated for a Drama Desk, and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. George Street Playhouse Artistic Director will helm the production, slated to run at the New Brunswick theatre January2020 - February 15, 2009. Matthew Arkin, last seen at GSP in their production of Theresa Rebeck's The Scene, leads an ensemble including Heidi Armbruster, Christopher Curry and Kathleen McNenny.

When a writer has done the number of celebrity interviews that I have, he realizes that there are a handful of celebrities he would never want to meet again. Most, however, are genuinely nice people and enjoyable to work with. There are others who become friends-true and genuine friends. Such is the relationship that has developed between me and Nick Spangler who is currently starring as Matt in the lovely revival of The Fantasticks which is enjoying a healthy run Off Broadway.