Frances News

2Cents Theatre Group's popular 3-day festival of female playwrights is back for year FIVE! We are once again gathering around 100 artists for this one-of-a-kind event, from playwrights to directors to actors and street artists, to celebrate the FEMALE PLAYWRIGHT and ART! The Fest will take place March 9-11 at the Hudson Theatres in Hollywood, right in the heart of Theatre Row and the Los Angeles 99-seat community.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams to a new epic and a lush romance, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced that EMMA GEER will join the previously announced TATIANA MASLANY and SUSAN POURFAR in the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE, directed by LILA NEUGEBAUER.

Due to demand, The New Group has announced a three-week extension for Jerry Springer - The Opera, with Matt McGrath appearing as Jerry Springer beginning March 13.  Terrence Mann, currently appearing in the role of Jerry Springer, plays his final performance March 11 due to an existing commitment beyond that date.

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced that SUSAN POURFAR will join the previously announced TATIANA MASLANY in the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE, directed by LILA NEUGEBAUER.

The 52nd Street Project makes a difference in the lives of countless Hell's Kitchen (Clinton) kids by pairing them with theater professionals who mentor them through the creation of original theater.

The critically acclaimed Brits Off Broadway, host to the UK's most innovative and provocative theater in New York City, presented by 59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) returns from Wednesday, April 11 - Sunday, July 1. The single ticket prices range from $25 - $70 ($20 - $49 for 59E59 Members). Tickets to Brits Off Broadway go on sale on Tuesday, March 6 at Noon, with a special pre-sale for 59E59 Members beginning Tuesday, February 27 at Noon. Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, announces a new Hitchcock-style drama Belleville by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Amy Herzog.  Performances run from Wednesday, April 18 to Sunday, May 13; the press opening is April 22. 

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced that Emmy Award Winner TATIANA MASLANY, star of the hit BBC America series, "Orphan Black," will appear in the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE, directed by LILA NEUGEBAUER.

IFPI, the organization that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, has named Ed Sheeran as the world's best-selling recording artist of 2017, reflecting the unparalleled, record-breaking success of his third studio album ÷ (Divide) and its singles including the global smashes Shape of You, Castle on the Hill, Galway Girl and Perfect.

The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) tonight announced winners of its Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards in 23 categories of film, television, commercials and live theater. Winners in the film categories include "DARKEST HOUR," "PITCH PERFECT 3," "I, TONYA" and "GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Vol 2." Television winners include "GAME OF THRONES," "DANCING WITH THE STARS," "THE CROWN," "BIG LITTLE LIES," "FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN" and "AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT." Winners in the Daytime Television category were awarded to "THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.' "HENRY DANGER" wins Best Children/Teen Program. Theatrical honors go to MAMMA MIA and the Commercial/ Music Video Award was presented to AMERICAN HORROR STORY: CULT - PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN.

One of the writers of Catwoman has revealed that he thinks it's a 'shit movie' and that he's never watched it all the way through.

The epic story returns. Tony Kushner's two-part play, ANGELS IN AMERICA makes its way back to Broadway tonight! A cast led by Tony nominee Andrew Garfield and two-time Tony winner Nathan Lane will begin previews tonight at the Neil Simon Theatre with Part 1: Millennium Approaches. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Nicholas Hytner will direct the world premiere of Alan Bennett's Allejujah!, previewing at the Bridge Theatre from 11 July 2018 with opening night on 18 July and running to 28 September 2018. Designed by Bob Crowley, Allelujah! will have lighting by Natasha Chivers and music by George Fenton. Tickets will go on sale at 10am today for priority members with public booking opening on Friday 2 March 2018 at 10am. Casting for Allelujah! will be announced shortly.

AARP The Magazine is pleased to announce the nominees for the upcoming 17th Annual Movies for Grownups Awards, with Get Out, Lady Bird, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, The Shape of Water and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri contending in the Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups category.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center and The Museum of Modern Art announce the complete lineup for the 47th annual New Directors/New Films (ND/NF), March 28-April 8. Throughout its rich, nearly half-century history, the festival celebrates filmmakers who represent the present and anticipate the future of cinema, daring artists whose work pushes the envelope in unexpected ways. This year's festival will introduce 25 features and 10 short films to New York audiences.

On a Japanese beach, teenage sisters Hanako (Kirsty Rider) and Reiko (Kae Alexander) are caught up in a storm. Reiko survives while Hanako is lost to the sea. Their mother (Rosalind Chao), however, can't shake the feeling that her missing daughter is still alive, and soon family tragedy takes on a global political dimension. Set in Japan and North Korea, Francis Turnly's epic new thriller is directed by Artistic Director of the Tricycle Theatre Indhu Rubasingham in a co-production with the Tricycle Theatre.

Legendary singer and 2016 Kennedy Center Honoree Mavis Staples will headline and curate a special evening for the 2018 Kennedy Center Spring Gala on Sunday, May 6, 2018, in the Concert Hall. An Evening with Mavis Staples and Special Guests will lead guests through her 60-plus year catalog of genre-defying contributions to American music-seminal works that have woven Staples into the very fabric of gospel, soul, folk pop, R&B, Hip Hop, blues, and rock. The evening will include performances by Staples and additional talent to be announced at a later date. The event is chaired by Frances and Craig Lindner.

Soho Rep. (Sarah Benson, Artistic Director; Cynthia Flowers, Executive Director), has extended the world premiere of Aleshea Harris's Relentless Award-winning Is God Is, directed by Taibi Magar, a second time, through March 31.

Based on the short story by Isak Dinesen (and made famous by the 1987 Academy Award-winning film), Babette's Feast will begin performances Wednesday March 14th at the Theatre at Saint Clement's (423 West 46th Street, between Ninth & Tenth Avenues) for an open-ended Off-Broadway engagement.  Opening Night is set for Sunday March 25th (5pm).  The performance runs 90 minutes with no intermission.