Frances News

Center Theatre Group's production of 'Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue' by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegria Hudes opened last night, February 3. Directed by Shishir Kurup, the production will continue through February 25, 2018, at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

A very sly con-man with HUGE ideas convinces people that he can make them great again and suddenly everything runs amok. Sound familiar? Oh wait, were you thinking of politics? We would NEVER be political! We're, of course, talking about Moliere's esteemed classic Tartuffe! Silly you.

I am the Lord of Hartforth, an ancient village located aside Yorkshire Dales National Park in northern England. Not a lot goes on there. It is highly conservative, where people pride themselves on proper behavior. 42 miles to the south is Rylstone, an equally proper village. The Rylstone Women's Institute shot to fame with its 1999 society calendar because its distinguished ladies were photographed nude. Angela Baker, whose husband John, an assistant national park officer, died from non-Hodgkins lymphoma in July 1998 at age 54, inspiring the idea for the calendar. There were a lot of people riled up in Rylstone; this simply was not proper English protocol. When Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, was caught topless in August 1992, she was kicked out of Balmoral Castle and banned from the royal household for some 16 years. Likewise, the 11 women featured in the nudie calendar certainly raised eyebrows, even among the liberal folks; however, the women also raised £2million for leukaemia research and their publicity stunt spawned a hit movie starring Helen Mirren. The movie spawned a stage play, CALENDAR GIRLS.

Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the artistic ensemble announce their 2018-19 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It's another year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles.

To coincide with Geva Theatre Center's production of The Diary of Anne Frank, by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, the theatre is hosting a special exhibit and a series of post-show conversations. These events allow Geva's audiences to further understand the characters and the social context of this play. In addition, Geva has partnered with an area high school for The Stage Door Project: The Diary of Anne Frank.

Big Dance is the largest dance celebration in the world and it's hitting Australia on International Dance Day (29 April 2018) where thousands of people will dance together in some of the most iconic places in the world.

Romance de la Guitarra is a captivating concert lovingly conceived around the theme of Valentine's Day. The program features Spanish classical guitarist Daniel Salazar and his ensemble of international musicians, guest vocalists, and dancers performing exhilarating rhythms and beautiful melodies of Spain and Latin America for a special Valentine's Day concert, Wednesday, February 14 at the Hoffman Auditorium in the Bruyette Athenaeum, University of Saint Joseph at 8:00 p.m.

Building on the Blaine County School District's mission of inspiring, engaging, educating and empowering every student, Company of Fools announces the 21st year of Stages of Wonder-an in-school dramatic arts program that has served as the theatre curriculum in local elementary schools since 1997.

Urban Stages (Frances Hill, Founding Artistic Director), will close its 34th season with the New York Premiere of Sean Christopher Lewis's DOGS OF RWANDA, directed by Frances Hill and Peter Napolitano. This limited engagement at Urban Stages (259 West 30th Street), begins performances on Friday, March 9, opens on Monday, March 12 and will run through Saturday, March 31, 2018. Tickets for are $35 ($25 during previews; $50 on opening and $15 student rush) and may be purchased via OvationTix at www.urbanstages.org or by phone at 1.866.811.4111.

Award-winning actress Frances McDormand (Fargo) delivers a stunningly powerful performance in this darkly comic drama that has been hailed as one of the year's best films. A murdered girl's defiant mother (McDormand) boldly paints three local signs with a controversial message, igniting a furious battle with a volatile cop (Sam Rockwell) and the town's revered chief of police (Woody Harrelson). The film, written and directed by Martin McDonagh, is nominated for seven Academy Awards, and Winner of four Golden Globes.

The renowned Frog & Peach Theatre Company follows up their record breaking Sheen Center debut of 2017's Macbeth with A Midsummer Night's Dream. William Shakespeare's rollicking romp of romance, wizardry, and show biz runs February 1 - 25, with Opening Night slated for Saturday, February 3 at The Sheen Center Black Box Theatre.

Rehearsals have started for The Great Wave, a co-production with the Tricycle Theatre. a new play by Francis Turnly. Previews from 10 March, press night 19 March, playing until 14 April at the Dorfman theatre.

Bravo Media has greenlit a two season, straight to series order for the scripted anthology series, 'Dirty John,' from Universal Cable Productions (UCP), it was announced today by Frances Berwick, President, Lifestyle Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. From UCP, in association with Los Angeles Times Studios and Atlas Entertainment, and based on the articles and breakout true crime podcast 'Dirty John' from Los Angeles Times reporter Christopher Goffard, the series, which will be written and executive produced by Alexandra Cunningham, tells the story of how a romance with the charismatic John Meehan spiraled into secrets, denial, manipulation, and ultimately, survival - with horrific consequences for an entire family.

Former theatrical and motion picture talent agent Jeff Hunter died on Saturday, January 27, at age 91.

In response to popular demand, The Acting Company (Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) extends their acclaimed production of playwright/poet Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. the Nation through February 25, 2018. Coinciding with African Heritage Month, the Ian Belknap-directed play deepens our understanding of one of America's most complex, compelling historical figures, and explores the tumultuous landscape of ideology and activism in the 1960s. 

When playwright Ernest Thompson was growing up, he and his family summered at a lakefront cabin in Maine. That special place was the inspiration for On Golden Pond, his extraordinarily popular, bittersweet play about love and aging, recrimination and reconciliation. Since its Broadway premiere in 1979, the play has been seen in more than 40 countries, and performed in some 30 languages. On Golden Pond opens at Palm Beach Dramaworks onFebruary 2 and continues through February 25, with specially priced previews on January 31 and February 1.

The Secret Garden, adapted from the beloved children's book by author Frances Hodgson Burnett comes to life onstage next month at Young People's Theatre under the direction of YPT's Artistic Director, Allen MacInnis. This classic story will be presented on the Mainstage from February 5 to March 17, with extra performances added for March Break week.

THE GREEN ROOM 42 - Broadway's newest intimate concert venue - has announced that Tony Award nominee Craig Bierko will be special musical guest for the return of Tony Award winner Frances Ruffelle on Thursday, February 1. This show marks the continuation of the monthly residency of the solo theater piece "Frances Ruffelle LIVEs in New York." An acclaimed sold-out hit since its first appearance in the fall of 2017, the show is co-created by Frances Ruffelle and Gwyneth Herbert, with Musical arrangements by Gwyneth Herbert with additional arrangements by Jude Obermuller and David Barber.

Ernie Nolan, executive artistic director of Nashville Children's Theatre, and Norma Luther, who took over ownership of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and spearheaded its renaissance in 2017, last night claimed top honors as "Theaterati of the Year" at Midwinter's First Night at Music Valley Event Center.

The New Group has announced that Rhea Perlman will join F. Murray Abraham, Kate Buddeke, Laura Esterman, Nancy Giles, Lily Gladstone, Ed Harris, Charlotte Hope, Mark Linn-Baker, Amy Madigan, Rileigh McDonald, Kenny Mellman, Maulik Pancholy and Michael Rabe in the New York premiere of David Rabe's Good for Otto. Rhea Perlman will appear in the role of Nora, as Rosie O'Donnell, previously announced, is unable to appear due to illness. Directed by Scott Elliott, this production will play a limited Off-Broadway engagement February 20 - April 1, with Opening Night on Thursday, March 8 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).