Jean-Paul Sartre News

The Flea Theater presents Horizon Theatre Rep's production of the rarely-seen play BENITO CERENO - written by the late Robert Lowell and based on the Herman Melville novel of the same name -- Off-Broadway at the Flea Theatre (41 White St.) in Manhattan, with previews set to start September 22 prior to an official press opening on September 25.

The Flea Theater presents Horizon Theatre Rep's production of the rarely-seen play BENITO CERENO - written by the late Robert Lowell and based on the Herman Melville novel of the same name -- Off-Broadway at the Flea Theatre (41 White St.) in Manhattan, with previews set to start September 22 prior to an official press opening on September 25.

Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company of Detroit is thrilled to announce its third full season of productions and projects, anchored at 1515 Broadway in downtown Detroit.

Rarely-seen, 1965 Obie-winning play BENITO CERENO by Robert Lowell to be presented Off-Broadway by Horizon Theatre Rep

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater proudly announces the lineup for its 12th season. The ambitious season opens in October with Maurice Maeterlinck's PELLEAS AND MELISANDE in a new translation by Cutting Ball Artistic Director Rob Melrose, who will also direct. The company is also poised to present the World Premiere of Eugenie Chan's evocative take on an ancient Estonian folk tale, TONTLAWLAD, directed by Paige Rogers and Annie Paladino, in February.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) brings another acclaimed international hit to the Bay Area with the U.S. premiere of The Virtual Stage and Electric Company Theatre's production of Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit. Adapted from the French by Paul Bowles and conceived and directed by Kim Collier, this production arrives fresh from sold-out performances across Canada. When a mysterious valet ushers three people into a shabby hotel room, they soon discover that hell isn't fire and brimstone at all-it's other people. Sartre's existential masterpiece, skillfully reimagined through the perspective of a series of hidden cameras, turns the stage into a cinema, and the audience into voyeurs, as a thrillingly staged 'live film' takes place before your eyes. Described as 'epic, voyeuristic, theater-as-film staging . . . spectacularly brilliant' by the Calgary Herald and 'diabolically inventive . . . a riveting theatrical event' by the Georgia Straight (Vancouver), No Exit plays April 7-May 1, 2011, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at 8 p.m. Tickets (starting at $10) are available by calling the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or at www.act-sf.org. Collier, who recently received the prestigious Siminovitch Prize, Canada's largest theater award, explains the impulses behind her vision for Sartre's oft-visited play: 'In this new vision for No Exit, the sense of entrapment and alienation is more complete and palpable. By creating a theatrical space around the hotel room that traditionally defined the perimeter, we are 'widening the frame' on Sartre's play. This gives us a platform to continue our investigations of the intersection of live theater and film, and to investigate how a silent, physical narrative can reframe an existing, well-known piece.' Electric Company Theatre, a leading force in Canada's flourishing experimental theater scene, has made a name for itself since 1996 for pieces that are rich in spectacle and adventurous in form. As in No Exit, the audience is at the center of the company's creative process, and the act of watching usually becomes a theme of their work. In this production of No Exit, the Valet ushers each of the three visitors into a bunker onstage, where they are locked in with multiple cameras that feed their actions to three oversized screens. The audience experiences their interactions closeup and in real time, while the Valet's outside world creates an illuminating juxtaposition and framework for the action captured on film. With such shows as Brief Encounter and The Black Rider, A.C.T. has received recognition for presenting the American premieres of many groundbreaking theatrical works. Beginning with 2005's The Overcoat, Artistic Director Carey Perloff has formed strong connections with such acclaimed Canadian artists as Peter Anderson (who starred in The Overcoat as well as A.C.T's The Tosca Project) and Morris Panych (who wrote and directed last season's Vigil). Collier says: 'This U.S. premiere is a product of a few years of great conversations and visits with Carey Perloff and the tremendous staff at A.C.T. Over time we discovered not only a shared vision for theater, but also a fantastic, supportive, and inspiring partner.' The original cast of this new interpretation of No Exit will be performing at A.C.T. for the U.S. premiere: Lucia Frangione as Estelle; Laara Sadiq as Inez; Andy Thompson, who is the founding artistic and managing director of The Virtual Stage and designed the video projections, as Cradeau; and Jonathon Young as the Valet. The creative team, also from the premiere production and the Canadian tour, include sound designer Brian Linds, costume designer Kirsten McGhie, scenic designer Jay Gower Taylor, and lighting designer John Webber. A.C.T. will offer numerous InterACT events-many of which are offered free of charge-in association with No Exit that will give patrons opportunities to get closer to the action while making a whole night out of their evening at the theater: * 10UP: World-Class Theater at Happy-Hour Prices: Apr. 7-17 Live it up with 10UP! Enjoy the Bay Area's best theater for only $10 a ticket for Balcony seats during select performances. The third-floor Sky Bar opens one hour before curtain-show up early and mingle with other theatergoers while you enjoy happy-hour drinks and soak up the historic charm of one of the most beautiful theaters in the country. * Audience Prologue, featuring director Kim Collier: Tue., Apr. 12, at 5:30 p.m. Get inside the artistic process with a free half-hour preshow discussion with Kim Collier. FREE and open to the public (no tickets required). * Bring What You Can/Pay What You Wish: Thu., Apr. 14, at 8 p.m. Pay any amount for your tickets when you bring nonperishable food donations for the San Francisco Food Bank (sffoodbank.org). Patrons are limited to two tickets per donated item, two tickets per person. Tickets go on sale at 6 p.m. the day of the performance. Sponsored by Bank of the West. * Theater on the Couch: Fri., Apr. 15, at 8 p.m. Join members of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis for an exciting postperformance discussion that explores the psychological aspects of the show and addresses audience questions. * Audience Exchanges: Tue., Apr. 19, at 7 p.m. / Sun. Apr. 24, at 2 p.m. / Wed., Apr. 27, at 2 p.m. After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors and artists who create the work onstage. * OUT with A.C.T.: Wed., Apr. 20, at 8 p.m. Ten-year anniversary! Meet the cast and enjoy free cocktails and treats at these popular LGBT parties. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for more information about OUT night. A.C.T.'s presentation of No Exit is made possible by executive producers Mrs. Albert Moorman and Mary and Steven Swig; producers Jeffrey W. and Jeri Lynn Johnson; and associate producers Nancy and Joachim Bechtle, Ronald Casassa, Myrkle and Madeline Deaton, Joan Eckart, Roberta and David Elliott, Vicki and David Fleishhacker, Dorothy A. Hyde, Charlie and Ann Johnson, Mr. Joel Krauska and Ms. Patricia Fox, Tim Mott, and Gary E. Roof and Douglas L. Light. A.C.T. would also like to acknowledge its 2010-11 season company sponsors: Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Ambassador James C. Hormel and Mr. Michael P. Nguyen; Nancy Livingston and Fred Levin, The Shenson Foundation; Burt and Deedee McMurtry; Patti and Rusty Rueff; Kathleen Scutchfield; Mary and Steven Swig; Jeff and Laurie Ubben; and Susan A. Van Wagner.

The Homecoming closes March 27, 2011, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco).

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2010-11 season with a revival of Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter's most provocative play, The Homecoming, directed by A.C.T. Artistic Director and longtime Pinter collaborator Carey Perloff.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) brings another acclaimed international hit to the Bay Area with the U.S. premiere of The Virtual Stage and Electric Company Theatre's production of Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit. Adapted from the French by Paul Bowles and conceived and directed by Kim Collier, this production arrives fresh from sold-out performances across Canada. When a mysterious valet ushers three people into a shabby hotel room, they soon discover that hell isn't fire and brimstone at all-it's other people. Sartre's existential masterpiece, skillfully reimagined through the perspective of a series of hidden cameras, turns the stage into a cinema, and the audience into voyeurs, as a thrillingly staged 'live film' takes place before your eyes. Described as 'epic, voyeuristic, theater-as-film staging . . . spectacularly brilliant' by the Calgary Herald and 'diabolically inventive . . . a riveting theatrical event' by the Georgia Straight (Vancouver), No Exit plays April 7-May 1, 2011, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at 8 p.m. Tickets (starting at $10) are available by calling the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or at www.act-sf.org. Collier, who recently received the prestigious Siminovitch Prize, Canada's largest theater award, explains the impulses behind her vision for Sartre's oft-visited play: 'In this new vision for No Exit, the sense of entrapment and alienation is more complete and palpable. By creating a theatrical space around the hotel room that traditionally defined the perimeter, we are 'widening the frame' on Sartre's play. This gives us a platform to continue our investigations of the intersection of live theater and film, and to investigate how a silent, physical narrative can reframe an existing, well-known piece.' Electric Company Theatre, a leading force in Canada's flourishing experimental theater scene, has made a name for itself since 1996 for pieces that are rich in spectacle and adventurous in form. As in No Exit, the audience is at the center of the company's creative process, and the act of watching usually becomes a theme of their work. In this production of No Exit, the Valet ushers each of the three visitors into a bunker onstage, where they are locked in with multiple cameras that feed their actions to three oversized screens. The audience experiences their interactions closeup and in real time, while the Valet's outside world creates an illuminating juxtaposition and framework for the action captured on film. With such shows as Brief Encounter and The Black Rider, A.C.T. has received recognition for presenting the American premieres of many groundbreaking theatrical works. Beginning with 2005's The Overcoat, Artistic Director Carey Perloff has formed strong connections with such acclaimed Canadian artists as Peter Anderson (who starred in The Overcoat as well as A.C.T's The Tosca Project) and Morris Panych (who wrote and directed last season's Vigil). Collier says: 'This U.S. premiere is a product of a few years of great conversations and visits with Carey Perloff and the tremendous staff at A.C.T. Over time we discovered not only a shared vision for theater, but also a fantastic, supportive, and inspiring partner.' The original cast of this new interpretation of No Exit will be performing at A.C.T. for the U.S. premiere: Lucia Frangione as Estelle; Laara Sadiq as Inez; Andy Thompson, who is the founding artistic and managing director of The Virtual Stage and designed the video projections, as Cradeau; and Jonathon Young as the Valet. The creative team, also from the premiere production and the Canadian tour, include sound designer Brian Linds, costume designer Kirsten McGhie, scenic designer Jay Gower Taylor, and lighting designer John Webber. A.C.T. will offer numerous InterACT events-many of which are offered free of charge-in association with No Exit that will give patrons opportunities to get closer to the action while making a whole night out of their evening at the theater: * 10UP: World-Class Theater at Happy-Hour Prices: Apr. 7-17 Live it up with 10UP! Enjoy the Bay Area's best theater for only $10 a ticket for Balcony seats during select performances. The third-floor Sky Bar opens one hour before curtain-show up early and mingle with other theatergoers while you enjoy happy-hour drinks and soak up the historic charm of one of the most beautiful theaters in the country. * Audience Prologue, featuring director Kim Collier: Tue., Apr. 12, at 5:30 p.m. Get inside the artistic process with a free half-hour preshow discussion with Kim Collier. FREE and open to the public (no tickets required). * Bring What You Can/Pay What You Wish: Thu., Apr. 14, at 8 p.m. Pay any amount for your tickets when you bring nonperishable food donations for the San Francisco Food Bank (sffoodbank.org). Patrons are limited to two tickets per donated item, two tickets per person. Tickets go on sale at 6 p.m. the day of the performance. Sponsored by Bank of the West. * Theater on the Couch: Fri., Apr. 15, at 8 p.m. Join members of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis for an exciting postperformance discussion that explores the psychological aspects of the show and addresses audience questions. * Audience Exchanges: Tue., Apr. 19, at 7 p.m. / Sun. Apr. 24, at 2 p.m. / Wed., Apr. 27, at 2 p.m. After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors and artists who create the work onstage. * OUT with A.C.T.: Wed., Apr. 20, at 8 p.m. Ten-year anniversary! Meet the cast and enjoy free cocktails and treats at these popular LGBT parties. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for more information about OUT night. A.C.T.'s presentation of No Exit is made possible by executive producers Mrs. Albert Moorman and Mary and Steven Swig; producers Jeffrey W. and Jeri Lynn Johnson; and associate producers Nancy and Joachim Bechtle, Ronald Casassa, Myrkle and Madeline Deaton, Joan Eckart, Roberta and David Elliott, Vicki and David Fleishhacker, Dorothy A. Hyde, Charlie and Ann Johnson, Mr. Joel Krauska and Ms. Patricia Fox, Tim Mott, and Gary E. Roof and Douglas L. Light. A.C.T. would also like to acknowledge its 2010-11 season company sponsors: Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Ambassador James C. Hormel and Mr. Michael P. Nguyen; Nancy Livingston and Fred Levin, The Shenson Foundation; Burt and Deedee McMurtry; Patti and Rusty Rueff; Kathleen Scutchfield; Mary and Steven Swig; Jeff and Laurie Ubben; and Susan A. Van Wagner.

The French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents a special performance by one of France's most acclaimed actors, Francis Huster.

The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents special performances by two of France's iconic actors, Carole Bouquet and Francis Huster. On February 24, two-time César winner Carole Bouquet will perform Lettres à Génica, a reading of letters by the French poet and playwright Antonin Artaud to his love, Romanian actress Génica Athanasiou. And on March 3, renowned actor and former member of La Comédie Française Francis Huster will present his award-winning adaptation of Nobel Laureate Albert Camus' La Peste. Both performances are New York premieres.

The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents special performances by two of France's iconic actors, Carole Bouquet and Francis Huster. On February 24, two-time César winner Carole Bouquet will perform Lettres à Génica, a reading of letters by the French poet and playwright Antonin Artaud to his love, Romanian actress Génica Athanasiou. And on March 3, renowned actor and former member of La Comédie Française Francis Huster will present his award-winning adaptation of Nobel Laureate Albert Camus' La Peste. Both performances are New York premieres.

A family of four drive 2,000 miles across country to see a dying relative one last time. Who and what they encounter along the way is the stuff of 'Approaching Zanzibar,' now at the Spotlighters Theatre.

The French Institute Alliance Fran aise (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents special performances by two of France's iconic actors, Carole Bouquet and Francis Huster. On February 24, two-time C sar winner Carole Bouquet will perform Lettres G nica, a reading of letters by the French poet and playwright Antonin Artaud to his love, Romanian actress G nica Athanasiou. And on March 3, renowned actor and former member of La Com die Fran aise Francis Huster will present his award-winning adaptation of Nobel Laureate Albert Camus' La Peste. Both performances are New York premieres.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced Bruce Norris's critically-acclaimed Clybourne Park as the final play of the company's 44th subscription season. Home is where the heart-and history-is in Clybourne Park, a 'spiky and damningly insightful new comedy' (The New York Times).

The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York's premiere French cultural center, presents special performances by two of France's iconic actors, Carole Bouquet and Francis Huster. On February 24, two-time César winner Carole Bouquet will perform Lettres à Génica, a reading of letters by the French poet and playwright Antonin Artaud to his love, Romanian actress Génica Athanasiou. And on March 3, renowned actor and former member of La Comédie Française Francis Huster will present his award-winning adaptation of Nobel Laureate Albert Camus' La Peste. Both performances are New York premieres.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2010-11 season with a revival of Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter's most provocative play, The Homecoming, directed by A.C.T. Artistic Director and longtime Pinter collaborator Carey Perloff.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2010-11 season with the West Coast premiere of adamant provocateur Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park, winner of the prestigious London Evening Standard Award for Best New Play in 2010.

The Wilma Theater will continue its 2010 - 2011 Season with The Understudy, the latest comedy from Pulitzer Prize nominee Theresa Rebeck, directed by David Kennedy.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2010-11 season with the West Coast premiere of adamant provocateur Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park, winner of the prestigious London Evening Standard Award for Best New Play in 2010.