George Street News

Flying Machine Productions cordially invites you to the Off-Broadway premiere of Blood Type: RAGU, a new play written and performed by Frank Ingrasciotta, and directed by Ted Sod. Performances will begin February 20th. Blood Type: RAGU is a hilarious and poignant exploration of the Sicilian immigrant experience based on the life of writer/performer Frank Ingrasciotta. This one-man show features more than 20 characters, who live, love and laugh as they struggle to thrive in a new culture, while nurturing the traditions of the old. It's not drama . . . it's just family! And we all have one. You don't have to be Italian to enjoy Blood Type: RAGU.

The newly renovated Actors' Playhouse will reopen next month with 'Blood Type: RAGU', Frank Ingrasciotta's single-actor, multicharacter show about four decades of a Sicilian family's experiences in the U.S. Actors' Playhouse is located at 100 Seventh Avenue South (between Bleecker & Christopher Streets). Preview peformances begin on February 20th, with an official opening night scheduled for March 5th, 2009. The production is the first to play the downtown space since filmmaker Lawrence Page bought it last year.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE for 'AVOW' OFF BROADWAY at 45th STREET THEATRE Previews begin February 19 Opening Wednesday, February 25 The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 8:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

Frank Ingrasciotta, writer and star of the upcoming Off-Broadway production Blood Type: RAGU, will be this week's guest on the Dolce Channel's 'Giambotta Dolce' this Wednesday, February 18 at 8 p.m. Hosted by comedian, singer/songwriter MaryAnn Maisano, 'Giambotta Dolce' was recently launched in January 2009 on the Dolce Channel, the premier source for new and quality entertainment for those who love all things Italian. The broadcast can be seen at www.DolceChannel.com

Frank Ingrasciotta, writer and star of the upcoming Off-Broadway production Blood Type: RAGU, will be this week's guest on the Dolce Channel's 'Giambotta Dolce' this Wednesday, February 18 at 8 p.m. Hosted by comedian, singer/songwriter MaryAnn Maisano, 'Giambotta Dolce' was recently launched in January 2009 on the Dolce Channel, the premier source for new and quality entertainment for those who love all things Italian. The broadcast can be seen at www.DolceChannel.com

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin this Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement. The play takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues, especially with Proposition 8. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

Frank Ingrasciotta, writer and star of the upcoming Off-Broadway production Blood Type: RAGU, will be this week's guest on WGHT Radio's 'Curtain Call' Wednesday, February 11 at 9:30 a.m. 'Curtain Call' covers the NY & NJ theater scene every Wednesday morning on WGHT Radio (1500AM), North Jersey's oldies station. Morning host Teisha Bader interviews stars of Broadway, Off-Broadway and local theaters (including Paper Mill). Recent guests on 'Curtain Call' include Brandi Burkhardt, Jim Caruso, and Marcy Heisler & Zina Goldrich. The interviews can be heard live at www.ghtradio.com.

Flying Machine Productions cordially invites you to the Off-Broadway premiere of Blood Type: RAGU, a new play written and performed by Frank Ingrasciotta, and directed by Ted Sod. Performances will begin February 20th. Blood Type: RAGU is a hilarious and poignant exploration of the Sicilian immigrant experience based on the life of writer/performer Frank Ingrasciotta. This one-man show features more than 20 characters, who live, love and laugh as they struggle to thrive in a new culture, while nurturing the traditions of the old. It's not drama . . . it's just family! And we all have one. You don't have to be Italian to enjoy Blood Type: RAGU.

The Toxic Avenger will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages. Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th. BWW TV's STAGE TUBE brings you the AMC feature on The Toxic Avenger's World Premiere at the George Street Playhouse to get you ready as 'Toxie' prepares to invade New York City!

Jean Cheever and Tom Polum, producers of The Toxic Avenger, announced today that casting is complete for the upcoming new musical about New Jersey's first superhero. Joining the previously announced Nancy Opel are Sara Chase, Nick Cordero, Demond Green and Matt Saldivar. Ms. Opel, Mr. Cordero and Mr. Green all starred in the George Street Playhouse production of the show, while Ms. Chase appeared in the initial workshop production. Tony Award-winner John Rando directs. Featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and music by David Bryan (Bon Jovi), The Toxic Avenger will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE for 'AVOW' OFF BROADWAY at 45th STREET THEATRE Previews begin February 19 Opening Wednesday, February 25 The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents Avow by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

Emmy-nominated Paul Anthony Stewart stars as Raskolnikov in a gripping 90-minute adaptation of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment at The Cleveland Play House. In addition to numerous New York and regional theatre roles, Stewart, who was nominated for his recurring role on 'Guiding Light,' recently appeared on Broadway in the revivals of Fiddler on the Roof and Cyrano - The Musical. Performed with only three actors, the adaptation of Crime and Punishment by Marilyn Campbell and Cut Columbus is being helmed by the acclaimed director of the 2005 Play House production of I Am My Own Wife, Anders Cato. Crime and Punishment begins in the Drury Theatre at The Cleveland Play House on Friday, February 27 and runs through Sunday, March 22, 2009. Tickets are on sale now at The Cleveland Play House box office by calling 216.795.7000 ext 4 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Crime and Punishment is presented in promotional partnership with National City and Baker & Hostetler.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) and Druid will reteam in presenting Academy Award? winner and four-time Tony Award? nominee Martin McDonagh's play THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, directed by Tony Award? winner Garry Hynes, following an acclaimed UK tour.

The Cardinal Group (D.H. Johnson & Richard Pepenella) presents 'Avow' by Bill C. Davis, Off Broadway at the 45th Street Theatre, 354 West 45 Street. Previews begin Thursday, February 19, 2009 and the opening is Wednesday, February 25 at 8:00pm for the limited Off Broadway engagement which takes a timely and poignant look at contemporary religion's role in shaping social issues. The cast for this warm, insightful and balanced meditation about who we are in relationship to the vows we make to the people and institutions in our lives includes Joy Franz, Elizabeth Bove, Jaron Farnham, Christopher Graham, Kate Middleton, Timothy Sekk and Jeremiah Wiggins. It is directed by Jerry Less and the set design is by Stephanie Tucci, costumes by Emily Lippolis, lighting design by Chris Weston. The production is supervised by Mr. Davis.

Marin Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere of Magic Forest Farm by Zayd Dohrn, winner of the first annual Sky Cooper New American Play Prize in 2008. The production will be staged in MTC's 99-seat Lieberman Theatre. From one of America's hottest young playwrights comes a riveting story of a young woman's desperate search for her past. Seventeen year-old Allegra is beginning to piece together the swirling memories of her early years in the beautiful woods of Northern California on a mystical commune called Magic Forest Farm. Mixing with joyous recollections of waterfalls and wildflowers are darker revelations and startling images of the people she thinks she trusts most. A journey begins that takes Allegra back to the commune, back to the past, to confront the truth.

The newly renovated Actors' Playhouse will reopen next month with 'Blood Type: RAGU', Frank Ingrasciotta's single-actor, multicharacter show about four decades of a Sicilian family's experiences in the U.S. Actors' Playhouse is located at 100 Seventh Avenue South (between Bleecker & Christopher Streets). Preview peformances begin on February 20th, with an official opening night scheduled for March 5th, 2009. The production is the first to play the downtown space since filmmaker Lawrence Page bought it last year.

On Monday Evening, February 23 at 7:00 PM, six New York theater institutions will participate in a special panel discussion featuring five current and upcoming Off-Broadway shows. Harlem Stage (150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street) will host producing companies Classical Theatre of Harlem, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater and Signature Theatre Company in an evening titled I'VE KNOWN RIVERS: A Conversation with Christina Anderson, Charles Fuller, Lynn Nottage & Liesl Tommy. The event marks a unique collaborative effort between six New York theater institutions: a panel discussion in which five gifted African-American theater artists - all of whom have projects happening almost simultaneously at five of New York's most respected non-profit theaters - will discuss their lives, work, and current projects. Moderated by actress Sabrina LeBeauf (Three Sisters, Classical Theatre of Harlem in partnership with Harlem Stage, February/March), the evening's four panelists will be Christina Anderson (author, Inked Baby, Playwrights Horizons, March/April), Charles Fuller (author, Zooman and the Sign, Signature Theatre Company, March/April), Lynn Nottage (author, Ruined, Manhattan Theater Club, January-March) and Liesl Tommy (director, The Good Negro, The Public Theater, March/April). The event title comes from a poem by Langston Hughes, 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers.'

On Monday Evening, February 23 at 7:00 PM, six New York theater institutions will participate in a special panel discussion featuring five current and upcoming Off-Broadway shows. Harlem Stage (150 Convent Avenue at West 135th Street) will host producing companies Classical Theatre of Harlem, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theater and Signature Theatre Company in an evening titled I'VE KNOWN RIVERS: A Conversation with Christina Anderson, Charles Fuller, Lynn Nottage & Liesl Tommy.