Jane Austen News

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF will hold its 6th Annual Mock Trial tonight, February 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park.

R. Erin Craig / La Vie Productions and Kevin Connor in association with Antoinette DiPietropolo and BoCo Student Government present a reading ACADEMY, conceived and developed by Andrew Kato, and written by John Mercurio, on Monday, February 24, 2014 at Boston Conservatory in Boston, MA.

Danceworks 2014: 'HOT BUTTONS,' a rich tapestry of contemporary and modern dance forms, will be presented at Northwestern University from Feb. 28 through March 9.

The Utah Shakespeare Festival recently announced the casting of the first nine actors for the 2014 season. All are familiar faces, having appeared at the Festival in the past. Actors slated to appear thus far are Henry Woronicz, Aaron Galligan-Stierle, Sara J. Griffin, Steve Wojtas, Roderick Peeples, Melinda Pfundstein, Quinn Mattfeld, Grant Goodman, and Brian Vaughn. A complete casting list will be available soon at www.bard.org.

Sparking Fuse is proud to present the New York debut of Katharine McLeod's solo play My High-Heeled Life: Or, How I Learned to Keep Worrying and Love My Stilettos as part of the 2014 FRIGID New York Festival, running today, February 19-March 9, 2014.

Romance is in the air at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as Jane Austen's masterpiece PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, adapted for the stage by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan, comes to life on the Robert S. Marx Theatre stage March 8 to April 5.

Stage 773 has announced the line-up for their second annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival, running from March 19 through March 22. Nerd Fest stems from the popularity of HEY, I'M A BIG FAN, a series of fun, free monthly fan fiction events produced by Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. The Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival celebrates all that is the Chicago nerd comedy scene; from Stand Up to Improv to one-woman puppet shows, nerds will unite for one glorious weekend in Chicago to laugh, pay homage, and perhaps worship their favorite genres of nerd-ness.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF will hold its 6th Annual Mock Trial on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Presented by the Bard's Board Barristers, this year's mock trial is based on Charles Dickens' The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I and II (adapted for the stage by David Edgar). Ticket holders will watch as the Margeson Theater is transformed into an interactive courtroom and Nicholas Nickleby is put on the stand, charged with the assault and battery of Headmaster Wackford Squeers.. Tickets, priced at $25 (regular) and $15 (students), are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins Street.

Amazon.com, Inc. today announced 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime, a new editorially-curated list of essential books. This list was hand-selected by the Amazon Books editorial team. The 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime are available at www.amazon.com/100books.

The acclaimed actress, gearing up for a brief spring run in the New York Philharmonic's production of SWEENEY TODD, has signed on to star in 'comic thriller' THE LONG MIDNIGHT OF BARNEY THOMSON. The film, based on Douglas Lindsay's novels, was written by Richard Cowan and Colin McLaren, and marks Robert Carlyle's directorial debut.

People's Light & Theatre presents Pride & Prejudice running February 26-March 30, 2014 on the Leonard C. Haas Stage. Samantha Bellomo directs. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355. For tickets call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org.

The award-winning Impro Theatre presents its critically acclaimed show Tennessee Williams UnScripted as part of South Coast Repertory's Studio SCR series, for five performances from February 27 to March 2. Directed by Impro's Associate Artistic Director Brian Lohmann, each performance of Tennessee Williams UnScripted presents a new, completely improvised play in the style of Tennessee Williams. The show has received Critic's Picks from the LA Times and LA Weekly.

I heard recently that pie was poised to become the new cupcake; for many of us, pie has always been the new cupcake. When I was a child, I used to see semis on the highway with the logo 'P.I.E.' I didn't know it stood for Pacific Intermountain Express; I thought the cargo was pie, and dreamed about truckers unloading pies at cafes along the highway: blackberry, cherry or my grandfather's favorite, apple.

Sparking Fuse is proud to present the New York debut of Katharine McLeod's solo play My High-Heeled Life: Or, How I Learned to Keep Worrying and Love My Stilettos as part of the 2014 FRIGID New York Festival, running February 19-March 9, 2014.

Old Well Productions presents a staged reading of the romantic musical comedy I Love You Because today, January 18th-January 21st at Pearl Studios.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2013-2014 Season with Tom Jones, adapted by Jon Jory from the novel by Henry Fielding and directed by William Brown. The production will run at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from today, January 17 - February 23, 2014. The Press Opening is Friday, January 24, at 7:30 pm.

The exceptional young Concert Artists Guild Competition winners violinist Hye-Jin Kim and guitarist and member of the noted Brasil Guitar Duo Joao Luiz will perform this evening, January 15th at 7:30 p.m. at Renee Weiler Concert Hall at Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow St., New York, NY as part of the New York City Classical Guitar Society's Salon Series.

Muny Executive Producer Mike Isaacson announced today the directors, choreographers and music directors for the Muny's 2014 Season, which opens on June 16 with Billy Elliot The Musical. "We're so happy these exciting artists are creating our 2014 season," said Isaacson. "This is a challenging season, one with incredible variety and power. We're fortunate that such extraordinary talents will be creating our 'Muny Magic.'"

Old Well Productions presents a staged reading of the romantic musical comedy I Love You Because January 18th-January 21st at Pearl Studios. A modern twist on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice told through the eyes of six twenty-something New Yorkers, I Love You Because explores what it really means to love someone... flaws, quirks and all. This charming and romantic musical will warm your heart this winter.