Friedrich Durrenmatt News

The original Broadway version of Kander and Ebb's Tony-nominated musical THE VISIT closes today, June 14, 2015. The Visit began performances at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) on Thursday, March 26 and officially opened on Thursday, April 23. Below, take a look back at the show's journey to Broadway!

STARS IN THE ALLEY, presented by United Airlines, was held earlier today, May 27th in Shubert Alley, between Broadway and 8th Avenue and 44th and 45th Streets. Hosted by HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH's Darren Criss, Broadway's best turned out for the annual performance - including The Visit's Jason Danieley, who performed 'I Was the Only One'- check it out below!

Musical theatre star Betty Buckley recently spent time backstage at THE VISIT with Chita Rivera. In an Instagram post, Buckley wrote, 'Backstage at 'The Visit'with the incredible Broadway Star, Ms. Chita Rivera! My eyes are red from crying at the beauty of this special piece of Art & theater, centered around the extraordinary performance by beloved Chita! Amazing! She touched my heart & soul so deeply! You gotta see this!' Check out the pic below!

BroadwayWorld recently kicked off a brand new feature series spotlighting the best and brightest songwriters on Broadway and beyond with their own personally chosen quintet of songs that hold special meaning to them, titled 5 SONGS BY... .

BroadwayWorld has learned that Roger Rees is currently on leave from The Visit, and in his place, Tom Nelis is temporarily stepping in as Anton Schell. No word yet on the duration of the hiatus. Of note, the star has also been swapped out for Nelis on the show's official web site. According to audience member reports, Nelis is giving a stellar performance in the role opposite the legendary Chita Rivera. Keep checking BroadwayWorld as we learn more!

Kander and Ebb's final musical provides a thrilling Broadway exit for Chita Rivera.

First The Visit, a haunting musical drama, based on the 1958 play by Friedrich Durrenmatt, which originally starred the legendary acting team of Lynn Fontanne as the world's wealthiest woman and Alfred Lunt as the disloyal former lover on whom she seeks revenge. Broadway favorites Chita Rivera and Roger Rees star in this stirring adaptation and appear on THEATER TALK to discuss their roles in it. Joining them are The Visit's innovative director, John Doyle, and composer, John Kander, who wrote the score with lyricist Fred Ebb (the pair's last collaboration before Ebb's death).

According to the New York Post, Wallace Shawn's murder mystery EVENING AT THE TALK HOUSE is among one of the new plays set for the National Theatre this fall. Not only that, but producer Scott Rudin has the rights, which means we'll likely be seeing the production on Broadway next spring.

According to the New York Post, Chita Rivera wasn't the only star vying to bring The Visit to Broadway this season. Oprah Winfrey has reportedly been waiting for Tony Kushner to finish a new translation of Friedrich Durrenmatt's satirical 1956 play.

As a finale to their award-winning year of free theatre, Oracle Productions has announced the opening of ROMULUS by Friedrich Durrenmatt, adapted by Gore Vidal. Kasey Foster makes her directorial debut with Kevin Cox playing the title role in this absurd satire that uses loose history to comment on a complicated present. ROMULUS opens today, October 11, 2014, and runs through November 22, 2014, at Oracle Theatre (3809 N. Broadway in Chicago). Performances are Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8PM; Sundays at 7PM.

As a finale to their award-winning year of free theatre, Oracle Productions has announced the opening of ROMULUS by Friedrich Durrenmatt, adapted by Gore Vidal. Kasey Foster makes her directorial debut with Kevin Cox playing the title role in this absurd satire that uses loose history to comment on a complicated present. ROMULUS opens October 11, 2014, and runs through November 22, 2014, at Oracle Theatre (3809 N. Broadway in Chicago). Performances are Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8PM; Sundays at 7PM. Press are invited to attend on October 11 - or any night during the run.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, one of the nation's leading classic theatres, will present a staged reading of The Physicists by Friedrich Durrenmatt, translated by James Kirkup, and directed by Brian B. Crowe as part of the Lend Us Your Ears Reading Series on September 22 at 7 p.m. The play explores the notion that the quest for new discoveries and knowledge often comes at a dear cost, with high stake responsibilities and consequences. The Reading Series offers audiences the opportunity to join Shakespeare Theatre directors, actors, and artistic staff as they explore diverse and compelling plays. Single tickets to each reading are $18 for adults and $10 for students. For more information about Lend Us Your Ears, visit ShakespeareNJ.org or call the Box Office at 973-408-5600.

Broadway legend Chita Rivera makes her Williamstown Theatre Festival debut opposite Festival favorite and former Artistic Director Roger Rees in the newest incarnation of Kander and Ebb's THE VISIT, the musical based on the 1956 tragicomedy by Swiss playwright Friedrich Durrenmatt, with book by Terrence McNally. Director John Doyle has reimagined it as a one-act with a focus on the love story, and his collaboration with Choreographer Graciela Daniele results in a show that makes movement a vital component to convey elements of the narrative without words.

Multi-award-winning stage and screen composer John Kander discusses the latest edition of his long-aborning musical adaptation of the classic Friedrich Durrenmatt play THE VISIT as part of a new interview.

The Ustinov Studio, Bath is delighted to announce its Autumn 2014 season, which will comprise three black comedies from some of the greatest names in European drama: Friedrich Durrenmatt's Play Strindberg, Florian Zeller's The Father and Eugene Ionesco's Exit the King.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, one of the nation's leading classic theatres, is proud to announce this year's exciting lineup of play titles for their Lend Us Your Ears Reading Series which offers audiences the opportunity to join Shakespeare Theatre directors, actors, and artistic staff as they explore diverse and compelling plays.

Back by popular demand! The Intelligent Theatre Festival, which premiered in April 2013, is expanding to TWO weekends of provocative scripts and screenplays. Each reading is professionally directed by members of the NHTP resident company. Designed to expand awareness of NHTP's mission of collaborative theatre, Festival readers are a team of professional actors, students and community members - all of them donating their time and talent. The ITF offers audiences a chance to hear and discuss interesting, thought-provoking plays that might not otherwise be produced in the seacoast area. The 2014 Intelligent Theatre Festival is dedicated to the late Frank Aguilar, NHTP supporter and frequent audience member. Frank's wife Gillian will be reading in The Deadly Game, one of Frank's favorite scripts.

Columbia University School of the Arts is proud to announce the 2014 Columbia Stages season of director and playwright Thesis Productions at Cloud City, The Connelly Theater, and The Pershing Square Signature Center. Columbia Stages has expanded its season to a variety of venues throughout the city in order to provide third-year students with high-quality presentation spaces that meet the needs of their individual visions.