Helen Hayes News

Chicago Shakespeare Theater  (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the theatrical event of the season: Macbeth, adapted and directed by Teller (of Penn & Teller) and Aaron Posner-the celebrated creative duo behind CST's The Tempest, winner of the Jeff Award for Best Production in 2015. Starring Ian Merrill Peakesas Macbeth and Chaon Cross as Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare's psychological thriller immerses audiences in a world of dark magic and ambition, delving into the twisted psyches of the ultimate power-hungry couple.

As BroadwayWorld sadly reported yesterday, Broadway star Jan Maxwell passed away at 61 years of age after a battle with cancer. The star is survived by her husband, actor/playwright Robert Emmet Lunney, and their son William Maxwell-Lunney.

The Broadway community took to social media to share memories and condolences. See some of the tributes to Maxwell below.

As BroadwayWorld sadly reported yesterday, Broadway star Jan Maxwellhas passed away at 61 years of age after a battle with cancer. The star is survived by her husband, actor/playwright Robert Emmet Lunney, and their son William Maxwell-Lunney.

Audible Inc., the world's largest producer and provider of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment, today announced the first class of theater commissions selected to receive support from its fund dedicated to the commission and development of innovative English-language works from playwrights around the globe. Announced earlier this year, the $5 million fund will enable the creation of one- and two-person audio plays driven by language and voice, in keeping with Audible's core commitment to elevating listening experiences through powerful performances of brilliantly composed words.

Marquis and Tru, both 14 and black, meet one evening in the holding cell of a police station. Marquis is a Nietzsche-loving prep-schooler, adopted by white people and living in the affluent suburb of AchievementHeights; while Tru is a super smart, Tupac loving, kid from central Baltimore. Tru decides Marquis has lost his blackness and pens a how-to manual for him entitled 'Being Black for Dummies.' They navigate through both Marquis' world of cheerleaders, jocks, headmasters and Tru's world in Baltimore all while they debate, struggle and ultimately develop a friendship that reveals that maybe Tupac and Nietzsche were saying the same thing all along. 'Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies' is a comedic and truthful examination of growing up black in America by rising-star playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm.

According to multiple reports on social media by both friends and former castmates, Broadway star Jan Maxwell has passed away at 61 years of age after a battle with cancer.

The story and music of America's Composer come to life on stage with Seattle Repertory Theatre's presentation of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, a play-with-music written and performed by award-winning actor and musician Hershey Felder (Broadway's George Gershwin Alone, Off-Broadway's Maestro; Our Great Tchaikovsky, and others). Directed by Trevor Hay, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will play the Bagley Wright stage February 23-March 18, 2018 (opening night is February 28, 2018), and tickets are on sale now through the Seattle Rep Box Office at 206.443.2222 and online at SeattleRep.org.  

Freelance Scenic Designer Paige Hathaway will receive USITT's 2018 Rising Star Award.

Luis Salgado (In The Heights) will direct a one-night-only free reading of "Checo, Albany" by Hadasa Mercado Cortes on Feb 15th. The reading will be presented by THE BLUESTONE PROJECT, as part of the first season presenting never-produced plays that address the shifting socio-political American landscape.

Today we celebrate Tony Award-nominee and Broadway favorite, Sherie Rene Scott, as she celebrates her birthday!

Fifth Estate Entertainment is proud to announce the mind-blowing, face melting, nothin' but a good time, audience favorite ROCK OF AGES will return to the stage with a tenth anniversary tour beginning this fall. The five-time Tony®-nominated musical will hit the road starting October 2018 with an all new production.

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 49th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is Tony Award-nominated actor/singer and 2016 Rosie Award-winner Norm Lewis. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Brad Oscar will be Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Princess Cruises today revealed the artwork for "The Secret Silk," the third production created in collaboration with Oscar-, Tony- and Grammy award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked", "Pippin", "Godspell").  Created by Katie Rodgers of Paper Fashion, the "The Secret Silk" artwork was commissioned specifically to reflect the whimsical nature of the production. 

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced complete casting today for the world premiere of MLIMA'S TALE, written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. Directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney, MLIMA'S TALE continues The Public's Astor Anniversary Season at their landmark downtown home on Lafayette Street, celebrating 50 years of new work and the 50th Anniversary of HAIR. MLIMA'S TALE begins performances on Tuesday, March 27 and runs through Sunday, May 20 in The Public's Martinson Hall, with an official press opening on Sunday, April 15.

HERSHEY FELDER PRESENTS the Midwest Premiere of Our Great Tchaikovsky, a new play-with-music featuring the compositions of Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Directed by Trevor Hay with a book and performance by Hershey Felder. Following critically acclaimed and record breaking productions at San Diego Rep, Hartford Stage, Los Angeles' Wallis Annenberg, Theatreworks Silicon Valley and London's West End, Felder's newest work takes on Russia's most celebrated and perhaps most mysterious composer, Tchaikovsky.

The McCallum Theatre presents the Walnut Street Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, an adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles, on Tuesday, February 27, at 8:00pm. Baskerville features Ian Merrill Peakes as Sherlock Holmes and Bill Van Horn as Doctor Watson. Additional cast members are Sarah Glicko, Dan Hodge and Jered McLenigan.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, announces the 2018 Associate Artists - director Joe Calarco, costume designer Jennifer Caprio, music director Vadim Feichtner, and actress Elizabeth Stanley.

Well-known gospel recording artist Kenton Rogers has joined the cast of Avant Bard's revival of The Gospel at Colonus, a critical and audience hit last season. Rogers--an actor, singer, and ordained preacher--will headline The Gospel at Colonus in the role of Singer Oedipus along with local civic legend William T. Newman Jr., who returns as Preacher Oedipus.

THE GREEN ROOM 42 - Broadway's newest intimate concert venue - will celebrate 'National Single Appreciation Day' with 'undie rock' sensation THE SKIVVIES and their new show 'Hit Singles' on Thursday, February 15.