Ian Rickson News

I don't know if Carol Burnett ever spoofed Hedda Gabler on her celebrated television variety show, but if she did I'm sure her reaction to a major plot twist late in Ibsen's 1890 drama would have been somewhat similar to Mary-Louise Parker's bug-eyed, open-mouthed, head-shaking, hands on cheeks shtick that drew appreciative howls from the audience at the press performance I attended. I suppose such an acting choice is consistent with a production that frequently has Michael Cerveris, as her bland academic husband, Jorgen Tesman, flashing goofy grins at his new bride while Paul Sparks, as her ex-lover, Eljert Lovborg, emotionlessly barks out his words of passion. Meanwhile, Peter Stormare, as the manipulative Judge Brack, appears to be playing 'Where's Waldo' with his sing-songy accent. (I lost count, but I believe this production has more accents than characters.)

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) limited engagement of Hedda Gabler will play its final performance on Sunday, March 29th at 2:00 PM. Mary Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Paul Sparks and Peter Stormare star in this revival directed by Ian Rickson, featuring a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn, at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St).

Ian Rickson will direct the European premiere of Jez Butterworth's Parlour Song which runs at the Almeida from 19 March - 9 May 2009 with press night on 26 March. Designs are by Jeremy Herbert, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Groothuis and music by Stephen Warbeck. Casting for Parlour Song will be announced shortly. Parlour Song is sponsored by Aspen Re.

Ian Rickson will direct Amanda Drew, Andrew Lincoln and Toby Jones in the European premiere of Jez Butterworth's Parlour Song which runs at the Almeida from 19 March - 9 May 2009 with press night on 26 March. Designs are by Jeremy Herbert, lighting is by Peter Mumford and music is by Stephen Warbeck. Parlour Song is sponsored by Aspen Re.

On Sunday, March 8 at 5:00 p.m., Lisa Loomer (Distracted) and Christopher Shinn (Hedda Gabler) will be featured on American Theatre Wing's 'Working in the Theatre' playwright panel alongside Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw), Stephen Adly Guirgis (Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train), & Tina Howe (Chasing Manet). The program, moderated by American Theatre Wing Executive Director Howard Sherman, will air on CUNY TV beginning Sunday, March 8, 2009 (with additional airings March 13, 14 and 15 - check local listings). It will be also be available for viewing and for download as a podcast at www.americantheatrewing.org beginning March 11, 2009.

On Sunday, March 8 at 5:00 p.m., Lisa Loomer (Distracted) and Christopher Shinn (Hedda Gabler) will be featured on American Theatre Wing's 'Working in the Theatre' playwright panel alongside Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw), Stephen Adly Guirgis (Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train), & Tina Howe (Chasing Manet). The program, moderated by American Theatre Wing Executive Director Howard Sherman, will air on CUNY TV beginning Sunday, March 8, 2009 (with additional airings March 13, 14 and 15 - check local listings). It will be also be available for viewing and for download as a podcast at www.americantheatrewing.org beginning March 11, 2009.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's HEDDA GABLER, will be featured on WNYC's 'The Leonard Lopate Show' on Friday, March 6th from 12:00PM-12:30PM on 93.9FM and AM 820. Mary-Louise will also appear on NY1's 'On Stage' this weekend beginning Saturday, March 7th on channel 1.

Two of the creative forces behind the Roundabout Theater Company's Broadway production of Hedda Gabler - Tony? Award-winning actor Michael Cerveris, who stars as Jorgen Tesman, and Obie-Award-winning playwright Christopher Shinn, who adapted Henrik Ibsen's script - discuss the legendary play and the current incarnation making waves on Broadway. They are joined by the New York Post's new chief theater critic, Elisabeth Vincentelli.

Two of the creative forces behind the Roundabout Theater Company's Broadway production of Hedda Gabler - Tony? Award-winning actor Michael Cerveris, who stars as Jorgen Tesman, and Obie-Award-winning playwright Christopher Shinn, who adapted Henrik Ibsen's script - discuss the legendary play and the current incarnation making waves on Broadway. They are joined by the New York Post's new chief theater critic, Elisabeth Vincentelli.

Ian Rickson will direct the European premiere of Jez Butterworth's Parlour Song which runs at the Almeida from 19 March - 9 May 2009 with press night on 26 March. Designs are by Jeremy Herbert, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Groothuis and music by Stephen Warbeck. Casting for Parlour Song will be announced shortly. Parlour Song is sponsored by Aspen Re.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in association with Sonia Friedman Productions and Ostar Productions announces the dates and theatre for the American premiere of playwright Patrick Marber's drama After Miss Julie, directed by Mark Brokaw. Making her Broadway debut, Sienna Miller will star as 'Miss Julie.'

Two of the creative forces behind the Roundabout Theater Company's Broadway production of Hedda Gabler - Tony? Award-winning actor Michael Cerveris, who stars as Jorgen Tesman, and Obie-Award-winning playwright Christopher Shinn, who adapted Henrik Ibsen's script - discuss the legendary play and the current incarnation making waves on Broadway. They are joined by the New York Post's new chief theater critic, Elisabeth Vincentelli.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce the full cast for the upcoming New York premiere of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted will begin previews on Saturday, February 7th and open officially on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's HEDDA GABLER, will be featured on WOR's 'Joan Hamburg Show' tomorrow Thursday, February 5th from 11:00AM-12:00PM on 710AM. Mary-Louise will also appear on WNYC's 'The Leonard Lopate Show' on Friday, February 6th from 12:00PM-12:40PM. Tune in to both shows and hear Mary-Louise discuss her role in this classic Henrik Ibsen play. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's HEDDA GABLER, will be featured on WOR's 'Joan Hamburg Show' tomorrow Thursday, February 5th from 11:00AM-12:00PM on 710AM. Mary-Louise will also appear on WNYC's 'The Leonard Lopate Show' on Friday, February 6th from 12:00PM-12:40PM. Tune in to both shows and hear Mary-Louise discuss her role in this classic Henrik Ibsen play. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Artistic Director, Todd Haimes) is proud to announce plans to establish a permanent archive, generously funded by a major grant from the Leon Levy Foundation. Roundabout's archive will permanently document the company's illustrious 43-year production history as well as provide a resource for the theatre community, Roundabout's audience and the general public.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Tuesday, February 3, 2009.

Directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie will begin performances in the fall of 2009. After 48 years, Bye Bye Birdie returns to Broadway in a new production at Roundabout Theatre Company. The good news of 'Birdie's' return has brought up the usual discussions of casting Conrad Birdie himself, Newsday reached out to the original Broadway 'Birdie', Dick Gautier, who was a 1961 Tony nominee for his hip-swiveling to see what his thoughts on the subject were.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's Hedda Gabler, will be interviewed on 'Regis and Kelly,' tomorrow, January 30th between 9:00-10:00AM on channel 7. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Roundabout Theatre Company's Hedda Gabler, will be interviewed on 'Regis and Kelly,' tomorrow, January 30th between 9:00-10:00AM on channel 7. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Tony? award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler), Tony? award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman), Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) and Peter Stormare (Judge Brack) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and is directed by Ian Rickson.