Horton Foote News

Signature Theatre Company has unveiled the models for the Signature Center, a new permanent home for the company, currently under construction as part of Related Companies' mixed-use development on 42nd Street and 10th Avenue. Signature Center is designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry and will open in 2012.

The New York Philharmonic will present SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert on March 15 and Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. This celebration of the 80th birthday of the great Broadway and film composer/lyricist will include his most enduring orchestral music and songs - performed, in some cases, by the stars of the original Broadway cast productions - in addition to rarely-heard material. Joining the celebration will be (in alphabetical order) Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jason Danieley, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and others to be announced, including surprise guests. Paul Gemignani, Mr. Sondheim's longtime collaborator, will conduct the New York Philharmonic; Lonny Price is the director; and Mr. Price and Matt Cowart are the producers.

The critically acclaimed THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE plays its 200th performance tonight since the run began in September, 2009 at Hartford Stage. THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE has been extended by popular demand through Saturday, May 8th at Signature Theatre Company.

Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the 2010-11 Season lineup - the final one at the historic venue on 85th and Euclid Avenue before relocating to downtown Cleveland's Theater District in the fall of 2011. A re-imagining of an American classic by Horton Foote, Midwest premieres of acclaimed literary adaptations, modern musicals and clever comedies are all contributing to the wide variety of entertainment Bloom has designed for The Play House's 95th consecutive season.

Cesear's Forum, the small Cleveland professional theatre company housed at PlayhouseSquare, has abruptly halted production on an announced May/June offering of two short one-act plays; Horton Foote's THE ACTOR and Arthur Miller's ELEGY FOR A LADY

Advanced On-Camera Scene Study Class at JTA Talent, Inc. taught by Martin Thompson begins 3/8. JTA is now interviewing actors for the Monday evening Advanced On-Camera Scene Study Class, taught by professional actor Martin Thompson at JTA Talent. Class registration is limited to qualified students, and will be accepted one week prior to the first class. Instructor's permission is required to take this class.

The Open Fist Theatre Company presents the third show in their 2010 season, the Los Angeles Premiere of GETTING FRANKIE MARRIED - AND AFTERWARDS, written by acclaimed playwright Horton Foote (The Orphans Home Cycle) and directed by Scott Paulin (The Roads to Home, Harrison, Texas). GETTING FRANKIE MARRIED - AND AFTERWARDS will preview on Friday, March 26 at 8pm; Saturday, March 27at 8pm; Sunday, March 28 at 2pm and will open on Friday, April 2 at 8pm and run through Saturday, May 15 at The Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood.

Acclaimed stage, screen and television actress, Nan Martin, passed away Thursday morning (March 4) due to complications from emphysema. She was 82.

The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) has selected six finalists for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, recognizing the best scripts which premiered professionally outside New York City during 2009.

Marin Hinkle, David Gelles Hurwitz, Brian Kerwin, Polly Lee and Matt McGrath will be featured in LCT3's upcoming production of GRACELAND, a new play by Ellen Fairey, directed by Henry Wishcamper. This New York premiere will begin performances, Monday, May 3, open on Monday, May 17 at 6:45pm and run through Saturday, May 29 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street® project (229 West 42 Street).

The Ensemble Studio Theatre will present a world premiere dark comedy based on a true story, LENIN'S EMBALMERS, by Canadian playwright Vern Thiessen and directed by William Carden. LENIN'S EMBALMERS, part of the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project, begins previews March 3 for an opening March 8 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) celebrated the construction of the theatre's future home, The Signature Center, at its 2010 annual gala on Monday, March 1 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street). Guest of honor was Frank Gehry, architect of the Signature Center. The evening alsod include the presentation of Signature's Playwrights' Award to actress Hallie Foote, daughter of the late playwright Horton Foote, who is currently starring at Signature in her father's critically acclaimed world premiere trilogy, The Orphans' Home Cycle.

Signature Theatre Company will celebrate the construction of the theatre's future home, The Signature Center, at its 2010 annual gala on Monday, March 1 at Espace. Guest of honor will be Frank Gehry, architect of the Signature Center. The evening will also include the presentation of Signature's Playwrights' Award to actress Hallie Foote, daughter of the late playwright Horton Foote, who is currently starring at Signature in her father's critically acclaimed world premiere trilogy, The Orphans' Home Cycle.

Different Stages Presents THE CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN at the Austin Playhouse from March 19 to April 10, 2010.

The Pollard Theatre's The Trip to Bountiful will play its final show on February 27, 2010.

Signature Theatre Company will celebrate the construction of the theatre's future home, The Signature Center, at its 2010 annual gala on Monday, March 1 at Espace. Guest of honor will be Frank Gehry, architect of the Signature Center. The evening will also include the presentation of Signature's Playwrights' Award to actress Hallie Foote, daughter of the late playwright Horton Foote, who is currently starring at Signature in her father's critically acclaimed world premiere trilogy, The Orphans' Home Cycle.

The Play That Changed My Life contributing playwrights, including Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife), David Ives (Venus in Fur), Diana Son (Stop Kiss) book editor Ben Hodges and Howard Sherman, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing were at a book signing at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes and Noble Wednesday, February 24th. The event was moderated by Howard Sherman, about the American Theatre Wing's new book, The Play That Changed My Life: America's Foremost Playwrights on the Plays that Influenced Them.

The Ensemble Studio Theatre will present a world premiere dark comedy based on a true story, LENIN'S EMBALMERS, by Canadian playwright Vern Thiessen and directed by William Carden. LENIN'S EMBALMERS, part of the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project, begins previews March 3 for an opening March 8 at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

Rehearsals began the first week of February for Goodman Theatre's world premiere of A True History of the Johnstown Flood by Rebecca Gilman, whose work was most recently included in Time magazine's 'Best Theatre Productions of the Decade.' Commissioned by the Goodman and directed by Robert Falls, A True History of the Johnstown Flood runs March 13 – April 18, 2010 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater continues its 15th anniversary season with the world premiere of Blind, by Craig Wright (The Pavilion, Lady). Directed by Lucie Tiberghein (The Pavilion, Geometry of Fire), performances began Wednesday, February 17th, 2010. Opening night is Thursday, February 25th at 7pm. The show is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 21st, 2010.