Jenny Smith News

The LABUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL is now onstage at 59E59 Theaters through February 7th. Six fascinating one-act plays are receiving their New York Premiere.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents Colony Collapse, by Stefanie Zadravec, directed by Jessica Kubzansky. This world premiere production opens Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 8pm on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue in Pasadena.

59E59 Theaters will welcome the St. Louis Actors' Studio?with the NYC premiere of their acclaimed LaBUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL, an evening of one-act plays featuring new plays by Neil LaBute, Lexi Wolfe, Peter Grandbois & Nancy Bell, G.D. Kimble, JJ Strong, and John Doble. Directed by Milton Zoth and John Pierson, the LaBUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL begins performances on Wednesday, January 13 for a limited engagement through Sunday, February 7.  Press opening is Sunday, January 17 at 7:30 PM.  The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:30 PM; Friday at 8:30 PM; Saturday at 2:30 PM & 8:30 PM; and Sunday at 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Tickets are $30 ($21 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or go to www.59e59.org. 

59E59 Theaters  has announced the line-up of shows for Winter 2016.  All performances take place at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park & Madison Avenues). Ticket prices and performance schedules vary. For tickets, call Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or visit www.59e59.org. 

Birmingham Hippodrome was built in 1899 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne and has become one of the city's most famous landmarks helping to make and shape memorable theatre moments for generations of visitors.

The St. Louis Actors' Studio is presenting the first part of their annual LABUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL, where a group of one act plays are chosen from a group of submissions, and includes a new work by Neil Labute himself. I wish I could say they were all exciting pieces, and maybe the second part will showcase some real gems, but the first group is a mixed bag. But despite this, I think it's an important festival our town should be very proud to be hosting. And, I think there are moments that definitely make this worthy of your time and attention, particularly if you like seeing fresh new works.

Art is something that can be entirely subjective. Everyone can have their own opinion, with different people viewing a particular work and coming away with distinctly unique perspectives on its merit, or lack thereof. That's part of what makes SIGHT UNSEEN, by playwright Donald Margulies so intriguing. We're presented with a modern artist whose pieces are often categorized as obscene or shocking, although we're only allowed to glimpse an early canvas, so it's up to us to envision in our mind's eye the kind of product he has been creating that has presented him with such fame and success. And, like all people who work in the cultural arts fields, a muse is often instrumental in providing inspiration. When that muse is gone, does the work continue, and does it change? These elements are all examined quite thoughtfully in this play, and with an excellent cast and expert direction they come together in truly compelling fashion in The New Jewish Theatre's current production.

STAGE RAW is pleased to announce the FIRST ANNUAL STAGE RAW LOS ANGELES THEATER AWARDS, championing the best work of 2014 in L.A.'s now embattled theaters of up to 99-seats. (STAGE RAW is using the same jury that was assembled through 2014 for the now dearly departed LA WEEKLY Theater Awards.) Check out the full list of nominees below!

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents The Missing Pages of Lewis Carroll by Lily Blau, developed in collaboration with Sydney Gallas, directed by Abigail Deser. Opening night is tonight, January 31, 2015 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

There's no doubt in my mind that people who are familiar with the despicable actions of Bernie Madoff will never find it in their hearts to forgive the way he bilked so many trusting and innocent victims out of their life savings with his nefarious Ponzi schemes. And yet, with playwright Deborah Margolin's work, IMAGINING MADOFF, we're given an opportunity to examine in detail the man who concocted this plan. It's not that you feel any empathy or understanding for his motives, but that you see him as a real person, and not just another criminal elevated by the media due to his notorious actions. It's a really engaging and thought-provoking piece of theatre that exemplifies the kind of material that the New Jewish Theatre has become so well known for, and it's one that should not be missed at all costs.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents The Missing Pages of Lewis Carroll by Lily Blau, developed in collaboration with Sydney Gallas, directed by Abigail Deser. Opening night is Saturday, January 31, 2015 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

St. Louis should feel honored that the St. Louis Actors' Studio has established a new summer tradition with their LABUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL which began last week. It is an opportunity for all theater-goers to see fresh one act plays that are both thought-provoking and engaging. As a special treat playwright/screenwriter/director Neil LaBute also contributes a piece each year. This event is truly special and one that should not be missed.

The Theatre @ Boston Court and Circle X Theatre Co. present Stupid f**king Bird, by Aaron Posner, directed by Michael Michetti. Opening night is Today, June 28, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

The Theatre @ Boston Court and Circle X Theatre Co. present Stupid f**king Bird, by Aaron Posner, directed by Michael Michetti. Opening night is Saturday, June 28, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

The Theatre @ Boston Court and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater present Everything You Touch, by Shelia Callaghan, directed by Jessica Kubzansky. Opening night is Saturday, April 12, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

Writer Arthur Miller's THE PRICE is a powerful and engaging work that uses a simple set up to discuss the "price" everyone pays for the decisions they make in life. Each choice we make makes an impact on those around us, often deeper than we're aware of. Though emotionally charged and dramatic, this is also a play that is quite funny at times. The current production by The New Jewish Theatre crackles with the kind of bristling energy we've come to associate with Miller's work, and with exceptional theatre. The Price is definitely worth checking out.

The Theatre @ Boston Court and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater present Everything You Touch, by Shelia Callaghan, directed by Jessica Kubzansky. Opening night is Saturday, April 12, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents Se Llama Cristina, by Octavio Solis, directed by Robert Castro. This production is the final stop on the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, which included productions at The Magic Theater in San Francisco and Kitchen Dog in Dallas. Opening night is Saturday, January 25, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents Se Llama Cristina, by Octavio Solis, directed by Robert Castro. This production is the final stop on the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, which included productions at The Magic Theater in San Francisco and Kitchen Dog in Dallas. Opening night is Saturday, January 25, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.