Helen Hayes News

The American Theatre Wing announced today that the 2017 Jonathan Larson Grants recipients are Ben Bonnema (book, music and lyrics), Maggie-Kate Coleman & Erato A. Kremmyda (music and lyrics), Ty Defoe & Tidtaya Sinutoke (book, music and lyrics), and Michael R. Jackson (book, music and lyrics).

The assassinations of Rome's great ruler of the Republic and revolutionary leader Malcolm X take to the stage when Tony Award-winning The Acting Company couples Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation, a compelling new play by lauded playwright Marcus Gardley (The House that Will Not Stand, The Gospel of Lovingkindness, Every Tongue Confess, On The Levee). These two gripping dramas make their Off-Broadway debut at The New Victory Theater from March 17 - 26, 2017.

George Street Playhouse today announced the cast of American Son, an award-winning, ripped-from-the-headlines drama, on stage February 7-26, 2017, at the New Brunswick theatre.

This winter, Tony- and Oscar Award-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl returns to the faculty at HB Studio, one of New York's most venerable institutions for theater training and practice, to teach an advanced scene study class for professional performers.

The 2017 Helen Hayes Award nominations were announced tonight. A line-up of leading theatre artists announced nominations in 47 categories of artistic excellence. Award recipients will be announced at the Helen Hayes Awards gala event to be held at the Lincoln Theatre on Monday, May 15 with an after-party hosted at Washington's legendary 9:30 Club.

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham is thrilled to announce the fourth show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, Hershey Felder as OUR GREAT TCHAIKOVSKY, written  by Hershey Felder, music by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and directed by Trevor Hay. "This might be the most powerful piece of work that Hershey and Trevor have ever brought to the Playhouse. Tchaikovsky's story is as relevant and important today as it was in the 1800s," says Wareham.  OUR GREAT TCHAIKOVSKY will begin previews on Wednesday, March 1; will open on Sunday, March 5 at 5:30pm and will run through Sunday, March 26, 2017 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

American Theater Company (ATC) continues its Season 32 with William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning Picnic.

New American Folk Theatre is pleased to present the Midwest premiere of DEEP IN THE HEART OF TUNA, the newest installment of the comedic 'Tuna' series, which has entertained audiences across the U.S for over 25 years (Greater Tuna, "A Tuna Christmas, "Red, White and Tuna" and Tuna Does Vegas). Written by Ed Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston Williams and directed by Derek Van Barham, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TUNA will play February 4 - March 5, 2017 at the new Pride Arts Center (The Buena Theatre), 4147 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets go on-sale Friday, December 9, 2016 at newamericanfolktheatre.org or by calling (872) 588-5760. 

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for its revival of Steve Martin's clever and crowd-pleasing comedy hit Picasso at the Lapin Agile.

New Repertory Theatre presents Brecht on Brecht, February 4-March 5, 2017 in the Black Box Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA.

Producers Stuart Thompson and Louise Gund have announced the full cast for the Broadway production of the searing new play Sweat. Alison Wright ('The Americans') joins the previously announced cast from the critically acclaimed Public Theater engagement.

Arena Stage presents Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine, winner of the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play.

The historic Cape Playhouse, American's oldest continually operating summer theatre, is thrilled to announce our creative teams for our upcoming 2017 Summer Season.

La Jolla Playhouse presents Freaky Friday, book by Bridget Carpenter (TV's 'Friday Night Lights,' 'Parenthood'), music and lyrics by the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning team of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then), based on the novel 'Freaky Friday' by Mary Rodgers and the Walt Disney motion pictures, to be directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, running tonight, January 31 , through March 12, 2017 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre.

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin has announced that the 1978 Pulitzer Prize winning play The Gin Game, by D. L. Coburn, and directed by Thomas W. Jones II, will be in performance at MetroStage February 2-March 12 and feature Roz White and Doug Brown.

Windy City Playhouse (3014 N. Irving Park Road) announces casting for Robert O'Hara's 'Bootycandy,' the 'searing and sensationally funny' (The New York Times) semi-autobiographical play about growing up gay and black.

As previously announced, MasterVoices (formerly The Collegiate Chorale), closes its 75th anniversary season with Victor Herbert's Babes in Toyland on April 27, 2017 at 7pm at Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall (57th Street and 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10019).

On March 10, 2017 at 8:00PM, The New York Pops, led by Music Director Steven Reineke, will continue its 34th season at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, by bringing to life the iconic partnership of Fred Ebb and John Kander, who celebrates his 90th birthday this year.

The New York premiere of the critically acclaimed Signature Theatre production of Georgie: My Adventures with George Rose, the new play written by and starring Ed Dixon (Sunset Boulevard, LES MISERABLES) with direction by Eric Schaeffer (Follies, Million Dollar Quartet), opens tonight, February 1, 2017, for a limited engagement through April 15, 2017 at The Loft at The Davenport Theatre (354 West 45th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues).

The 2017 Helen Hayes Awards nominations will be announced during a festive gathering beginning at 7pm on Monday, February 6 in the Helen Hayes Gallery of Washington's historic National Theatre.