George S. Kaufman News

John A. MacKinnon and Harsha Murthy we're gala co-chairs of RIOULT Dance NY's Winter Gala, "Centered on the Future" and there was much to celebrate.  The company will soon break ground on a new home in Queens.

The Village Players of Birmingham opens its 4th production of its 95th season with James Lapine's tribute to a life in the theatre; Act One. The play is based on playwright Moss Hart's autobiography of the same title.

Audiences are invited to take a sentimental journey when the 1940s musical revue "In The Mood" returns to Bucks County Playhouse for a limited engagement, March 21-25. "In the Mood" is being presented as part of the Playhouse's Visiting Artist Series.

Sedos presents a revival of the award-winning 1930s comedy You Can't Take it With You at the Bridewell Theatre, off Fleet Street, from 10 - 14 April 2018. Written by popular comedy writing duo, Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, the play won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and was then adapted for the screen, winning the 1938 Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director. The play had a Tony award-winning revival on Broadway in 2014 starring James Earl Jones and Rose Byrne.

Ahead of the opening of priority booking for Friends of the Festival on Saturday, 24 March, details of the full programme for the 67th Wexford Festival Opera are announced. Continuing its tradition of presenting the 'best operas rarely seen', this year's Festival includes a verismo double-bill, a European premiere and a classic Wexford offering involving kidnapping, murder, arson and a posh New York dinner party that doesn't quite go to plan! All this plus three daytime ShortWorks operas, concerts, recitals, theatre and talks. 62 public events over the autumn 17-day period.

Even before Sound Theatre Company's current production of "You Can't Take It With You" began, it showed promise with a stunning, well-appointed set by Robin Macartney. Then the effervescent Shermona Mitchell walked on stage to begin the show with tons of energy, conviction and intent to her character of Penny, the matriarch of the Sycamore clan and I thought, "Excellent! Let's do this! I'm in for a good night." Unfortunately, that excitement continued to ebb and flow all night long as others would enter the stage. Some with the same level of exuberance as Mitchell, while others weren't quite there yet, and while others still had much work to do as they never were quite able to convey their intent or character or in some cases even remember their lines. What resulted was a roller coaster of energy, pace, intent and commitment that didn't leave me joyful over the quirky family winning out, but just left me tired.

"America's Got Talent" 2016 Finalist Brian Justin Crum has been added to the cast of "Dance to the Movies" for its upcoming engagement at Bucks County Playhouse. Crum joins Tony Dovolani, a Mirror Ball Trophy Winner and celebrity pro from "Dancing with the Stars," and Anna Trebunskaya, also a "Dancing with the Stars" celebrity pro and fan favorite, in this high-powered cast. "Dance to the Movies" is being presented as part of the Playhouse's Visiting Artists Series. The show will take over the playhouse stage March 7 - 11. 

The comic genius of Charlie Chaplin will be on full display as Philadelphia-based "Not So Silent Cinema" provides live accompaniment to three Chaplin shorts in a special one-night event at Bucks County Playhouse, Friday, March 2 at 8 p.m. The presentation is part of the Playhouse's Visiting Artist Series.

Three television icons will take the stage in two different shows announced today by Bucks County Playhouse as part of their winter Visiting Artist Series. 

Porchlight Music Theatre announces Merrily We Roll Along, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, with direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, associate direction and musical staging by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham has been extended through March 17 at Porchlght's home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Merrily We Roll Along is based on the play by the same name written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. 

Sierra Stages kicks-off its 2018 season with the inspired and zany musical comedy "A New Brain" by William Finn and James Lapine for a three-weekend run from March 1 -17 at the historic Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City.

The quick-witted American actor and icon, Groucho Marx was a frequent visitor to New Hope and Bucks County. Now nearly 41 years after his death, Groucho makes a hilarious return to Bucks - this time in the form of award-winning actor Frank Ferrante in the global comedy hit, "An Evening with Groucho." The show is presented February 14 - 25 at Bucks County Playhouse as part of the 2018 Visiting Artists Series.

Join Mark Frank, owner of The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, and Frank Ferrante, preeminent Groucho Marx performer, as they give you a tour of this historic former home of Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright, George S. Kaufman. The duo will provide insight into the farm's significance and highlight Groucho's role in Bucks County's rich cultural history.

Capsule judgment: It may have been a flop on Broadway, but ""Merrily We Roll Along" is a hit at Lakeland Civic Theatre. It's definitely a must see!!!

Dear Evan Hansen's Will Roland will premiere a never before heard Dear Evan Hansen song at 54 Celebrates The Music Box Theater at Feinstein's/54 Below on Monday, February 19th, 2018. Mr. Roland will be appearing in the 9:30pm concert only.

New Heritage Theatre Festival Artistic Director Jenny Wales will mark her official return to her alma mater with a season that celebrates American stories, delivers entertaining and engaging professional theatre, and reflects on our uniquely challenging times.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the next mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Merrily We Roll Along, January 26 - March 11, 2018, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, with direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, associate direction and musical staging by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham at Porchlght's home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Merrily We Roll Along is based on the play by the same name written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.

For more than thirty years, Turtle Island Quartet has reinvented the role of the modern string quartet through its Grammy-winning albums and arrangements. This spring, the Quartet honors the impact of legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker with a new album, Bird's Eye View, out February 9, 2018 from Azica. The Quartet will celebrate with a CD release concert at Buck's County Playhouse (70 S. Main Street, New Hope PA 18938) on February 10, 2018 at 8 pm. The genius of Parker's improvisations almost single-handedly catapulted jazz from pop style into art music, indelibly altering the musical landscape of America. Tickets are $35-$45; purchase at www.bcptheater.org or call 215-862-2121.

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce the next mainstage production it its 2017 - 2018 season Merrily We Roll Along, January 26 - March 11,  2018, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, with direction by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Weber, associate direction and musical staging by Porchlight Music Theatre Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by Aaron Benham at Porchlght's home, the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Merrily We Roll Along is based on the play by the same name written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. (March 4 and March 11) and 6 p.m. (February 4, February 11, February 18 and February 25) with a weekday matinee Thursday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. There is no 4 p.m. performance Saturday, Feb. 3 and no 7:30 p.m. performance on Thursday, March 8. Tickets are $33 - $60 and are available at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884.

Lakeland's 2017-18 season concludes with the passionate and oft-misunderstood musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth Merrily We Roll Along which opens on February 2, 2018 and runs for three weeks at Lakeland Community College's Rodehorst Performing Arts Center. Merrily. Merrily is directed by Martin Friedman and under the Musical Direction of by Jordan Cooper.