George C. Wolfe News

Old Globe Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Sammy, a new musical based on the life of Sammy Davis, Jr. with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, and additional songs by Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Directed by Keith Glover with choreography by Keith Young and music supervision by Ian Fraser, Sammy will run in the Old Globe Theatre Sept. 19 - Nov. 8. Previews run from Sept. 19 - Oct. 1. Opening night is Oct. 2 at 8:00 p.m.

THE HAPPY EMBALMER -- a World-Premiere new musical with book, music and lyrics by Mark Noonan and Nick Oddy, directed and choreographed by Kelly Devine -- is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival, starting October 6, 2009 at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, btw 9th and 10th Avenues) in New York City.

The Public Theater, Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori will produce COURAGE IN CONCERT, a one-night-only benefit concert reuniting Kevin Kline, Jenifer Lewis, Austin Pendleton, Meryl Streep and Frederick Weller for an evening of songs from the Public Theater?s 2006 Shakespeare in the Park production of Brecht?s masterpiece, Mother Courage and Her Children. Translated by Tony Kushner with music by Jeanine Tesori and originally directed by George C. Wolfe, COURAGE IN CONCERT will be performed at the Public Theater on Monday, October 19 at 8:00 PM with all proceeds benefiting American Jewish World Service and Partners In Health. The cast of HAIR along with special guests will complete the evening. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, September 17.

Variety.com is reporting that Tony, Emmy, Drama Desk and Pulitzer Prize celebrated playwright Tony Kushner is hard at work on Steven Spielberg's much anticipated epic about Abraham Lincoln. This Lincoln project has been on the DreamWorks roster for several years, delays being caused by budget constraints and location complications. This is the second collaboration for Kushner and Spielberg: Spielberg produced and directed Kushner's 'Munich' in 2005.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival began on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival began on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

FLY is a vivid play that brings to life the famed African-American Army Air Corp fighters known as the Tuskegee Airmen who flew over the skies of Europe during World War II

THE HAPPY EMBALMER -- a World-Premiere new musical with book, music and lyrics by Mark Noonan and Nick Oddy, directed and choreographed by Kelly Devine -- is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival, starting October 6, 2009 at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre (410 West 42nd Street, btw 9th and 10th Avenues) in New York City.

Tonya Pinkins and Erika Rolfsrud to Star in Black Pearl Sings! at Ford's Theatre

Profiles Theatre opens its 21st Anniversary Season with the Midwest premiere of the drama The Mercy Seat by Neil LaBute, directed by Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs September 25- November 15, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The press opening is Thursday, October 1, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall. Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) will play the lead role of Pentheus joining George Bartenieff as Cadmus; André De Shields as Teiresias; Jonathan Groff as Dionysus; Karen Kandel as Chorus Leader; Joan MacIntosh as Agave; Steven Rishard as Cowherd; and Rocco Sisto as Messenger.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced casting for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall. THE BACCHAE will run August 11-August 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park with an official press opening on Monday, August 24 at 8 p.m. Bank of America returns as lead sponsor of Shakespeare in the Park 2009.

A new musical about a runaway slave who becomes one of America's first Black Cowboys will debut this fall when CROSS THAT RIVER is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Patricia Harris, starting October 12, 2009 at TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street - 3rd Floor) in New York City.

On Sunday, Aug 9 at 5pm - The City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division kicks off the 4th annual free 'Jazz on the Lawn' series at City Hall with a free concert from L.A.'s renowned Upright Cabaret featuring Tony Award-nominee Valarie Pettiford, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Leslie Odom, Jr, and Brenna Whitaker, and Music Director Brett Ryback.

Vickilyn Reynolds, playwright, composer, lyricist and star of the acclaimed musical 'Hattie...What I Need You To Know!' based on the life of Academy-Award winning actress Hattie McDaniel of 'Gone With the Wind' fame, presents 'Hattie & Me' one night only on Saturday, August 22 at the Triad Theater in New York. Tyrone Patrick will accompany Reynolds on piano.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents their First Ever, FIRST LOOK FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS, with new works written by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Steven Haworth, Karen Hartman, Julie Hebert, Neil LaBute, Rick Pagano and directed by Bjorn Johnson, Neil LaBute, Marya Mazor, Charles Otte and Randee Trabitz. The Festival began on Thursday, July 23 and runs through Sunday, September 13 at The NEW Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. (former home of The Actor's Gang) in Hollywood.

Old Globe Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Sammy, a new musical based on the life of Sammy Davis, Jr. with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, and additional songs by Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Directed by Keith Glover with choreography by Keith Young and music supervision by Ian Fraser, Sammy will run in the Old Globe Theatre Sept. 19 - Nov. 8. Previews run from Sept. 19 - Oct. 1. Opening night is Oct. 2 at 8:00 p.m.

Danielle Karliner is proud to announce casting for the FringeNYC debut of Ether Steeds, a new play by Jason Williamson. Directed by Niegel Smith (Rainy Days and Mondays, Fringe Encores 2008), Ether Steeds features performances by 2009 OBIE-winners Birgit Huppuch* (Telephone, Foundry Theatre), and Sahr Ngaujah, * star of the upcoming Broadway transfer of FELA! The Musical.

Danielle Karliner is proud to announce casting for the FringeNYC debut of Ether Steeds, a new play by Jason Williamson. Directed by Niegel Smith (Rainy Days and Mondays, Fringe Encores 2008), Ether Steeds features performances by 2009 OBIE-winners Birgit Huppuch* (Telephone, Foundry Theatre), and Sahr Ngaujah, * star of the upcoming Broadway transfer of FELA! The Musical.

Danielle Karliner proudly presents the FringeNYC debut of Ether Steeds, a new play by Jason Williamson. Directed by Niegel Smith (Rainy Days and Mondays, Fringe Encores 2008), Ether Steeds debuts its limited five-show engagement at the historic Actors Playhouse Friday, August 14 at 7pm.