Franz Kafka News

The Tank will present the premiere of Miranda Haymon's IN THE PENAL COLONY September 4-16th, 2018 at THE TANK 312 West 36th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues).

Haven Theatre is pleased to present its fourth DIRECTORS HAVEN, the company's ever-growing initiative annually showcasing the talents of three rising directors.

Portland Opera is pleased to announce programming for the company's 55th season, scheduled to begin in November 2018. The season will launch with the recently announced "November classic" - Verdi's heartbreaking romance La Traviata - bringing opera back to Portland in the fall months. In March, Portland Opera will present Laura Kaminsky's brave and beautiful coming-of-age story, As One, where two voices, a mezzo-soprano and a baritone, share the role of the transgender heroine Hannah. The season will continue in the spring with the company's annual Big Night concert and a bright and vibrant production of Rossini's great Il Barbiere di Siviglia. In July, the company will present Mozart's La Finta Giardiniera for the first time, followed by the company premiere of Philip Glass's exploration of the nature of justice, In the Penal Colony, based on Franz Kafka's short story.

Westport Country Playhouse announces its 2018 season, featuring five productions that are big for the soul, according to Artistic Director Mark Lamos. The Connecticut professional theater's lineup includes two comedies, one modern and one classic; a drama; a musical; and a world premiere, running from May 29 through November 17.

Lewis & Clark College in partnership with PETE, are pleased to present a four-day celebration and exploration of the many aspects of Anton Chekhov's work,  and the art of contemporary dramatic translation. A culmination of two years of research and performance, the symposium will feature readings of Št?pan Šimek's new translations of The Three Sisters, Uncle Vanya, The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard. Each piece was workshopped with PETE to collaboratively  translate not just the words, but the ACTION of the plays. Expect the distinct, energetic theatricality of PETE artists and a good show of some of Portland's most accomplished local talent.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents the World Premiere production of Lost Girl by Kimberly Belflower performed by the 2017/18 Professional Training Institute (PTI) ensemble this July 19-22, 2018 in the Stiemke Studio.  PTI is an advanced actor-training program for students in 8th-12th grade who may have an interest in pursuing a career as a professional theater artist.   The 2017/18 PTI ensemble features sixteen students hailing from fourteen different high schools who received free training from some of the top theater professionals in the world, culminating in this capstone performance  of Lost Girl where they will be employed as paid, professional actors.

After all these years, this is a hard-hitting play, perhaps even more so, now.

Sextant Productions brings Kafka's The Trial to life on the well-known Cherry Lane Theatre stage in New York City. The intimate show is brilliantly done with a talented cast of five luring the crowd into a dubious and unnerving world.

Westport Country Playhouse will host a 2018 Season Kick-off Party on Saturday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., offering a fun atmosphere with food trucks, beer tastings, exhibits, and special ticket discounts. In addition, a "Sneak Peek" of the upcoming season will be hosted by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director, at 6:30 p.m.  The "Sneak Peek" will feature guests representing all of the upcoming productions, including playwrights, directors, and designers. Admission is free and open to the public. 

I have to confess that I had two misconceptions of PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS before I entered the theatre to see it, which makes my experience of viewing this two-hour theatre a surprising yet also predictable engagement based on this year's Hong Kong Arts Festival's theme: 'What's real to me'.

Casting has been announced for The Trial, the next play in the Politics of the Absurd reading series presented by Christopher Maring/ CM Stage Productions. Joining the reading will be Krysta Rodriguez (What We're Up Against, "Trial & Error", Spring Awakening), Mamoudou Athie ("The Get Down", Patti Cake$,), Brian Wiles ("Public Morals", "Turn"), Brian D. Coats (Jitney, "Boardwalk Empire"), John Rothman (Ghostbusters, "One Mississippi") Sam Breslin Wright ("Madame Secretary", The Beaver), and Tony nominee Kristine Neilson (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, You Can't Take it With You). The Trial, adapted by Steven Berkoff from the novel by Franz Kafka, and directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt (What We're Up Against, Dry Land), will take place at the Baruch Performing Arts Center on March 5, 6, and 7.

Casting has been announced for Rhinoceros, the first play in the Politics of the Absurd reading series presented by Christopher Maring/ CM Stage Productions. Joining the reading will be Blake DeLong (Illyria; Othello; Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), Larry Owens (Gigantic, FAT CAMP, Grease at the MUNY), Colby Minife (Six Degrees of Separation, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Jessica Jones ) Daniel K. Isaac ( Billions , Search Party , Underland), Brian D. Coats (Jitney, Boardwalk Empire , The Merry Wives of Windsor), Deirdre Madigan (Sweat, Daredevil , Exit Strategy), and Natalie Walker (Puffs, Search Party , Clockwork). Rhinoceros, written by Eugene Ionesco and directed by Srda Vesiljevic (Dust Can't Kill Me, When I Started Dating Men), will take place at the Baruch Performing Arts Center on February 5, 6, and 7.

HartBeat Ensemble kicks off the New Year with the regional premiere of A Hunger Artist, adapted from Franz Kafka's short story by the award winning theater company SinkingShip Productions, based in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Bull and Bearer Theatre Company's inaugural production considers stupidity of life in the theatre. Theresa Rebeck's searing comedy The Understudy, opens on February 10th at the Art of Acting Studio in West Hollywood. Performances continue through February 18th. The Understudy reveals the inner-workings of the theatre and examines the beauty and futility of the theatre artist.

Synetic's latest work is taken from Kafka's novel THE TRIAL with elements borrowed from his other works, presented in the kinetic and bold theatrical style the 22-year old company has earned their renown. A perfect fusion of movement, stagecraft, text and performance, Synetic's THE TRIAL leaves a lasting impression long after the performance. I confess in my six years of covering theatre in the DC area, THE TRIAL is my first Synetic production. But it certainly will not be the last.

Kafka's Ape is a solo performance adaptation of Franz Kafka's 'A Report To An Academy' about a primate's struggle to overcome the confines of captivity. The play engages in an allegorical observation of the South African society through the eyes of other; the ape Red Peter. In 2015 it won a Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival. In 2018 it will tour North America by invitation and return to Africa to perform in Mozambique.

Sinking Ship Productions is thrilled to return to NYC with their production A HUNGER ARTIST, adapted from the story by Franz Kafka. Created collaboratively by performer Jonathan Levin, writer Josh Luxenberg, and director Joshua William Gelb, A HUNGER ARTIST begins performances on Wednesday, January 10th for a 7-performance limited engagement through January 16th. Performances are at the Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street, between Avenues A & B). Tickets are $25 - $35. For more information, to view a trailer, and to purchase tickets, visit www.sinkingshipproductions.com.

Sinking Ship Productions is thrilled to return to NYC with their production A HUNGER ARTIST, adapted from the story by Franz Kafka. Created collaboratively by performer Jonathan Levin, writer Josh Luxenberg, and director Joshua William Gelb, A HUNGER ARTIST begins performances on Wednesday, January 10th for a 7-performance limited engagement through January 16th. Performances are at the Connelly Theater (220 East 4th Street, between Avenues A & B). Tickets are $25 - $35. For more information, to view a trailer, and to purchase tickets, visit www.sinkingshipproductions.com.

A new reading series, Politics of the Absurd, set to launch in February, will feature three classic absurdist comedies that strikingly resonate in the current political environment.