The Public Theater announced today that Shakespeare in the Park alumni F. Murray Abraham, Christine Baranski, John Cullum, David Harbour, Bill Irwin, Sandra Oh, Phylicia Rashad, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Sharon Washington will join Kevin Kline as Romeo and Meryl Streep as Juliet in a one-night-only benefit reading of ROMEO AND JULIET on Monday, June 18 - the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Over the past five decades, more than five million people have enjoyed over 150 productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte.
Yesterday, June 4, Broadway veterans united for a fundraiser with President Barack Obama and special guest President Bill Clinton at the New Amsterdam Theater, titled- BARACK ON BROADWAY. Featuring direction by George C. Wolfe, the event was hosted by Margo Lion, Thomas Schumacher, Michael David, Lauren Mitchell, Roger Berlind, and Paul Boskin. Rob Berman was music director and John Guare acted as script consultant.
When I reviewed New Line Theatre's production of HIGH FIDELITY in 2008, I decided to start off in the spirit of Nick Hornby by giving my readers the top five reasons they should see this wonderful musical. Well, here are the Top Five reasons you should see High Fidelity, either for the very first time, or again, in 2012 (in reverse order, naturally). Number Five: because the cast members that remain the same are still superb in their roles, and the new additions make it even more entertaining. Number Four: because the music of Tom Kitt and the lyrics of Amanda Green are pure ear candy that cribs cool bits from classic rock and soul. Number Three: because this time it's in a different venue that allows for a grander scenic design, as well as a larger area for the fun choreography. Number Two: because seeing the musical still beats sitting through the movie, which didn't really capture Hornby's novel completely. And the Number One reason to see this revival production of HIGH FIDELITY: IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!
On June 4, Broadway veterans will unite for a fundraiser with President Barack Obama and special guest President Bill Clinton at the New Amsterdam Theater, titled- BARACK ON BROADWAY. Featuring direction by George C. Wolfe, the event will be hosted by Margo Lion, Thomas Schumacher, Michael David, Lauren Mitchell, Roger Berlind, and Paul Boskin.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that Shakespeare in the Park alumni Raul Esparza, Jesse L. Martin, Jerry Stiller, Christopher Walken, Sam Waterston and Jeffrey Wright will join Kevin Kline as Romeo and Meryl Streep as Juliet in a one-night-only benefit reading of ROMEO AND JULIET on Monday, June 18-- the 50th Anniversary of the opening of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Kevin Kline and Dianne Wiest will perform I take your hand in mine ... the love letters of Anton Chekhov to Olga Knipper, a play by Carol Rocamora, in a staged reading benefiting The Acting Company on Monday, June 25, 7pm at The Kaye Playhouse, East 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com or 1-800-838-3006. Benefit tickets, including cast dinner, from 212-258-3111.
Olivier Award-winning director Maria Aitken (39 Steps) will direct John Glover (Death of a Salesman), Marthe Keller (Judgment at Nuremberg) and Lisa Banes (Present Laughter) in a staged reading of Noel Coward's A Song at Twilight on Monday, April 16 at 7 pm at the Mainstage Theater (Playwrights Horizons). The performance, sponsored by the Noel Coward Foundation, is presented in conjunction with The Noel Coward-New York Festival 2012. A reception with the cast and director will be held following the performance. Ms. Aitken serves on the Artists Advisory Board of The Acting Company; Ms. Banes is an Alumna of the Company. Tickets @ $35 are available from 212-258-3111.
The Broadway production of Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN opened officially last night, March 15, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the starry arrivals. Check out the photos below!
The Guthrie Theater and The Acting Company have reunited to present Julius Caesar, a contemporary spin on Shakespeare's conspiratorial political tragedy. Now in its fourth year, this burgeoning partnership between the Guthrie and The Acting Company is a productive training ground that showcases the talents of up-and-coming actors. Directed by Rob Melrose, this production of Julius Caesar boasts an intentionally contemporary look and feel and features graduates of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program, A Guthrie Experience for Actors in Training and alumni of The Acting Company.
Patti LuPone will be celebrated in an all-star evening of song and memories on Monday, March 12. The Acting Company will salute a founding member and board director with the help of two other founding members, Kevin Kline and David Schramm, joined by Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster, Harvey Fierstein, Zoe Caldwell, Laura Benanti, Boyd Gaines, Michael Urie, Melissa Errico, Howard McGillin, Steven Pasquale, Anthony Dean Griffey, Manoel Feliciano, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Tickets range from $75 to $175 from http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/226559 or at The Kaye Playhouse Box Office 212-772-4448. Benefit tickets, which include dinner with Patti LuPone and the cast, are available from 212-258-3111.
CHICO & RITA, set in the jazz worlds of Havana, New York, and Europe, opens its US theatrical run on February 10 at NYC's Angelika Film Center (18 W. Houston St., 212-995-2570) before expanding nationally. The film by Academy Award® winning director Fernando Trueba (Belle Epoque) won Best Animated Feature at the 2011 European Film Awards as well as Spain's Goya Awards, has been nominated for an Annie Award, and is vying for an Academy Award® in the Best Animated Feature category. CHICO & RITA has been released internationally to wide critical acclaim and is currently 95% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest rated film in the current Animated Oscar® race.
URINETOWN is a satirical musical based on the idea that an ecological disaster could create a situation whereby individuals have to pay for the opportunity to eliminate their wastes in public amenities. If that sounds like an odd concept, you're right, it is. And, with it's grungy atmosphere and grimy costuming, it might seem unappealing. But, Urinetown works because it makes fun of itself, and the conventions of musical theatre, while actually managing to communicate a potent message about conserving our resources and being socially responsible. There's also the clever, dense lyrics and engaging melodies of Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann. Stray Dog Theatre's current production is excellent and because of it drawing sell-out crowds the run has been extended.
This February, FOX ignites with major television events, all-new episodes and big guest stars, including the exclusive world preview of the video for Madonna's new single on AMERICAN IDOL Feb. 2; Ricky Martin shaking his bon-bon on GLEE Feb. 7; an all-new MOBBED special Feb. 8;
The Guthrie Theater and The Acting Company reunite to present Julius Caesar, a contemporary spin on Shakespeare's conspiratorial political tragedy, from January 14 - February 5 in the Dowling Studio.
This February, FOX ignites with major television events, all-new episodes and big guest stars, including the exclusive world preview of the video for Madonna's new single on AMERICAN IDOL Feb. 2; Ricky Martin shaking his bon-bon on GLEE Feb. 7; an all-new MOBBED special Feb. 8;
Brandon Victor Dixon had a feeling that one day he would join the ensemble of the iconoclastic musical RENT. He was only 15 years old when the play debuted in 1996, but Dixon, who plays Tom Collins, says RENT still evokes a special enthusiasm from young audiences.
The Acting Company will present a benefit staged reading of Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer at 7 pm on Monday, February 13 at the Mainstage Theater (Playwrights Horizons). The performance, starring Dana Ivey (The Help, Importance of Being Earnest), Rebecca Brooksher (The Good Wife), Betsy Aidem (Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling), Chad Hoeppner (Come Back Little Sheba, Butley) Neal Huff (When I Come to Die, The Little Dog Laughed) and Pamela Nyberg (Doubt tour) will be followed by a reception with the cast and director, Jodie Markell (The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond). Ms. Ivey serves on the Board of The Acting Company; Chad Hoeppner and Pamela Nyberg are both Acting Company Alumni Members. Tickets @ $35 are available from 212-258-3111.
