Jane Kaczmarek News

BroadwayHD announces today that Thom Pain, the Geffen Playhouse's filmed adaptation of its stage production of Will Eno's lauded play Thom Pain (based on nothing) starring Rainn Wilson ('The Office,' founder of Soul Pancake), will be available on BroadwayHD beginning January 11, 2018.

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced its 2017-18 Artists in Residence. 'I started the Artists in Residence program about 25 years ago to provide artistic and financial support to early-career artists, giving them a theatre to call home and to provide peace of mind for a sustainable career,' says Roundabout Artistic Director Todd Haimes. 'Over the years, this program has evolved to include playwrights, mid-career directors and even an entire young company. And while these residencies have allowed us to help cultivate the next generations of theatre leaders, these artists have also become invaluable to me and our audiences, invigorating this institution with fresh voices.'

The last time Jane Kaczmarek acted on the Los Angeles stage, she transformed into the morphine-addicted Mary Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT at the Geffen Playhouse. Jane returns to the L.A. boards, this time in the traditionally-male role of Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN, just opened at The Pasadena Playhouse, in a co-production with Deaf West Theatre.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California and Deaf West Theatre, the performing arts organization behind the Tony Award-winning and Ovation Award-winning revival of Spring Awakening, present a new production of Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN. Directed by Tony Award-nominated Sheryl Kaller (Broadway's Next Fall, Mothers and Sons), this groundbreaking new co-production by Pasadena Playhouse and Deaf West Theatre is being performed in both American Sign Language and spoken English through October 22, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a first look a the cast in action below!

OUR TOWN is Wilder's most well-known work, a classic of the American theatre that presents the cyclical nature of life in three acts and a town called Grover's Corners, where birth, death, love, and marriage, are shown in their most mundane glory. The brilliant simplicity of the work cannot be overstated.

On the docket for L.A. Theatre Works in 2017-18: a season of seven audio theater productions, including an original commission of a 19th century novel about Zionism, a new docudrama about the BP oil spill, two recent Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, the revival of a cautionary tale against fascism, a romantic comedy, and a tribute to I Love Lucy - each featuring a star-studded cast. In addition, LATW will honor Woman in Gold attorney E. Randol Schoenberg and launch the company's 14th national tour.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California and Deaf West Theatre, the performing arts organization behind the Tony Award-winning and Ovation Award-winning revival of Spring Awakening, have announced the cast and creative team for a new production of Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN.

What's coming this month to Broadway HD? New selections are coming to Broadway's favorite streaming service in August!

On the docket for L.A. Theatre Works in 2017-18: a season of seven audio theater productions, including an original commission of a 19th century novel about Zionism, a new docudrama about the BP oil spill, two recent Pulitzer Prize-winning plays, the revival of a cautionary tale against fascism, a romantic comedy, and a tribute to I Love Lucy - each featuring a star-studded cast. In addition, LATW will honor Woman in Gold attorney E. Randol Schoenberg and launch the company's 14th national tour.

Williamstown Theatre Festival announces the start of their 2017 Season with performances of their first two shows tonight, June 27, and tomorrow, June 28. First up on the Main Stage is Jen Silverman's new play The Roommate (June 27 -July 16). Mike Donahue directs Golden Globe and Emmy award winner S. Epatha Merkerson and Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee Jane Kaczmarek in this absorbing comedy that celebrates unexpected re-invention later in life.

Pasadena Playhouse announces its 2017/18 season, the first under new Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman, which includes bold, new takes on beloved classics, an exciting new Olivier award-winning political thriller, and an irreverent look at one of America's most hot-button issues.

Williamstown Theatre Festival has announced additional details in special programming and events for the 2017 summer season.

The bad news first: the 2016/2017 Boston theater season is coming to a close. Now that we got that out of the way let's spin this into a positive because it doesn't mean our theater options suddenly run dry for the next few months! Right now, companies located in a Western Massachusetts region called the Berkshires are preparing to deliver full-length seasons of theater compacted into just a few months.

Williamstown Theatre Festival (Mandy Greenfield, Artistic Director) has announced additional details in casting for the 2017 summer season including, Cristin Milioti, Thomas Sadoski, Steven Pasquale, Cynthia Erivo, Alexandra Socha and many more to join.  Additional details on the popular Fridays@3 Reading Series have also been announced.  

Written by James Lapine from Moss Hart's best-selling autobiography, Act One celebrates Broadway and the life of the playwright whose wit and wisdom charmed the American stage for decades. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the stars of L.A. Theatre Works' upcoming production below!

Three-time Emmy and Tony Award nominee Kate Burton will be joining the faculty of the USC School of Dramatic Arts as professor and master artist, beginning in fall 2017. Burton, who is currently starring with Kevin Kline in the Broadway revival of Noel Coward's backstage comedy, Present Laughter, is recognized as one of the industry's most versatile actresses.

The acclaimed Fiasco Theater production of 'Into the Woods' opened April 5, 2017, at Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and plays through May 14, 2017. The celebrated new production of the Tony Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, is directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

The West Coast Premiere of Mike Donahue's latest directorial project THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE arrives at The Geffen Playhouse April 4, 2017. Mike took some time out of rehearsals to chat with BroadwayWorld and myself.

L.A. Theatre Works is set to record a stage adaptation of Moss Hart's 'Act One' for radio broadcast and online download, featuring Jane Kaczmarek as Aunt Kate. Performances run April 27-30 at UCLA's James Bridges Theater.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) announces the stars of the Broadway premiere of Marvin's Room, by Scott McPherson, directed by Obie Award-winning director, Anne Kauffman (Detroit) making her Broadway debut.