James J. Fenton News

This week's New York Times 'In Performance' video features Everett Quinton currently starring in Erasmus Finn's DROP DEAD PERFECT, a humorous melodrama set in 1952 at a Florida Keys cottage.

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents Penguin Rep's production of DROP DEAD PERFECT, a new comedy starring the legendary Everett Quinton at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 W 46th St - between 9th and 10th Avenue), which began previews Tuesday, July 15th. The comedy will open tonight, July 20th at 7PM.

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents Penguin Rep's production of DROP DEAD PERFECT, a new comedy starring the legendary Everett Quinton at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 W 46th St - between 9th and 10th Avenue) beginning tonight, July 15th, with opening set for Sunday, July 20th at 7PM.

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents Penguin Rep's production of DROP DEAD PERFECT, a new comedy starring the legendary Everett Quinton at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 W 46th St - between 9th and 10th Avenue), which begins previews Tuesday, July 15th. The comedy will open Sunday, July 20th at 7PM. Written by Erasmus Fenn and directed by Joe Brancato, DROP DEAD PERFECT is laced with double-entendres and allusions to 1950s television and Hollywood melodramas. With adult language and situations, this outlandish production is recommended for adults only -- particularly those with a slightly twisted sense of humor.

The hysterical new musical Academia Nuts has been selected to kick off the first week of the celebrated New York Musical Theatre Festival with performances from July 9-13, 2014 at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street). Academia Nuts has book and lyrics by Becca Anderson & Dan Marshall, and music by Julian Blackmore, with direction by Thomas Caruso, musical direction by Martyn Axe, and choreography by Ryan Kasprzak. It is produced by Charissa Bertels in association with CAP21 Theatre Company. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

The hysterical new musical Academia Nuts has been selected to kick off the first week of the celebrated New York Musical Theatre Festival with performances from July 9-13, 2014 at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street). Academia Nuts has book and lyrics by Becca Anderson & Dan Marshall, and music by Julian Blackmore, with direction by Thomas Caruso, musical direction by Martyn Axe, and choreography by Ryan Kasprzak. It is produced by Charissa Bertels in association with CAP21 Theatre Company.

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents Penguin Rep's production of DROP DEAD PERFECT, a new comedy starring the legendary Everett Quinton at the Theatre at St. Clements (423 W 46th St - between 9th and 10th Avenue) beginning Tuesday, July 15th, with opening set for Sunday, July 20th at 7PM.

Waterwell, one of the Village Voice's Best Arguments for Devised Theater and creators of GOODBAR and #9, continues its annual series of new play workshops at the Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) in Manhattan with Salome of the Moon, a new play by Nick Jones and directed by Knud Adams. The production opens tonight and continues through Saturday, May 10th at 7p, with an additional Saturday matinee at 2p.

The award winning CAP21 Theatre Company will kick off its 2014 season on February 4th with the new musical by Jonathan Larson Award winning writers Dan Collins (book) and Julianne Wick Davis (music and lyrics). The story was conceived in collaboration by Julianne Wick Davis, Sally Wilfert & Michael Winther. The production will be directed by Eric Hoff with musical direction by Charity Wicks and will star Broadway veterans Sally Wilfert (Broadway: Disney's King David, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Assassins; Off-Broadway: See Rock City and Make Me a Song), and Michael Winther (Broadway: 33 Variations, Mamma Mia!, 1776, Damn Yankees; Drama Desk nomination: Songs From An Unmade Bed).

The blues may be cool, but Miche Braden and the music are hot in this lively production of playwright Angelo Parra's THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIVE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell. Even if you don't know much about Smith, you'll walk out of the show feeling as though you've just spent the evening in her company. A trio of outstanding musicians joins the actress on the richly-rendered set by James J. Fenton. Don't miss this!

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) presents The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra and directed by Joe Brancato, January 9- February 2, continuing the theater's 35th season with the soulful blues. The play will be performed in the recently-renovated Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Tickets range from $60 - $20 and are on sale now through www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

Penguin Rep Theatre presents the world premiere of Drop Dead Perfect, a new comedy by Erasmus Fenn, directed by Penguin Rep founder and Artistic Director Joe Brancato, and starring Drama Desk Award winner and legendary Ridiculous Theatrical Company veteran Everett Quinton, beginning tonight, August 9 in Stony Point (Rockland County), New York.

In one of the most unusual musical stories since Sweeney Todd, we enter into the world of transgendered people living in the rural south and the lives they lead in a hostile environment. With country and bluegrass music the difficulties and challenges of becoming who you are is explored with both brutal honesty and tender understanding.

Penguin Rep Theatre presents How the World Began, Catherine Trieschmann's thought-provoking new play examining contemporary America where religion, science and irreconcilable beliefs collide, beginning last night, June 28 in Stony Point (Rockland County), New York, directed by Penguin Rep founder and Artistic Director Joe Brancato will direct. Click below to watch interviews with the cast and creative team!

Penguin Rep Theatre will present How the World Began, Catherine Trieschmann's thought-provoking new play examining contemporary America where religion, science and irreconcilable beliefs collide, beginning Friday, June 28 in Stony Point (Rockland County), New York.

GOD STEELING was a super interesting play. Couching this relationship story within the social and political climate of the early 1980s is not something that I frankly see enough. How race, social standing and culture plays into the lives of these union 'brothers' is a bottomless pool of material. Overall, I would like to have seen a bit more subtlety in the performances, but I do have to say that James Fenton's set is worth the price of admission.

Wave Productions in association with Shetler Studios & Theatres will present the World Premiere of Charles Cissel's GOD STEELING, a revealing look at the lives of New York City ironworkers. Directed by Robin A. Paterson, previews began March 8 at Theater 54. Opening is slated for tonight, March 14.

Wave Productions in association with Shetler Studios & Theatres will present the World Premiere of Charles Cissel's GOD STEELING, a revealing look at the lives of New York City ironworkers. Directed by Robin A. Paterson, previews begin March 8 at Theater 54. Opening is slated for March 14.

Australian Made Entertainment presents Andrew Bovell's Speaking in Tongues, winner of the Australian Writer's Guild award for Best Play, directed by Bryn Boice. The two-week limited engagement at Theatre 54 (at Shelter Studios, 254 West 54th St. 12th Floor) began Friday, November 30 and continues through Sunday, December 16. Opening Night is tonight, December 2 at 2PM.

Australian Made Entertainment will present Andrew Bovell's Speaking in Tongues, winner of the Australian Writer's Guild award for Best Play, directed by Bryn Boice. The two-week limited engagement at Theatre 54 (at Shelter Studios, 254 West 54th St. 12th Floor) begins tonight, November 30 and continues through Sunday, December 16. Opening Night is Sunday, December 2 at 2PM.