Jerry Frankel News

The critically acclaimed Broadway production of DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS by Eugene O'Neill heads into final performances as it will close this weekend on May 24, 2009 after 16 previews and 32 performances.

Following the recent number of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty welcomed a bevy of celebrity guests, including actor Andrew McCarthy and Tony Award nominee Raul Esparza. The production sent along some pictures of the star filled meet and greets that we are excited to share with you here on BroadwayWorld!

Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Bobby Cannavale will appear following Sunday's (5/24 at 3:00 p.m.) performance and actor Steven Weber will appear following Monday's (5/25 at 8:00 p.m.) performance.

RACE, the new play written and directed by David Mamet, is proud to announce that RICHARD THOMAS will co-star with previously announced James Spader in this world premiere production on Broadway. THOMAS, who was recently seen on Broadway in Democracy directed by Michael Blakemore and who is beloved for his role as John-Boy Walton in 'The Walton's' will be celebrating his 50th year as a stage actor.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce its new American play Superior Donuts, by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning ensemble member Tracy Letts and directed by ensemble member Tina Landau, will open on Broadway October 1, 2009 (at a Shubert Theatre to be announced). Superior Donuts makes its Broadway debut direct from its sold-out world premiere at Steppenwolf last summer. Casting for the Broadway engagement will be announced shortly.

Multiple Drama Desk and Tony Award winning actor/writer Harvey Fierstein was host for the 54th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony. BroadwayWorld's cameras were there for the post-awards celebration in the press room.

Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Raúl Esparza will appear following tomorrow, Tuesday's (5/19 at 7:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast of the Tony Award-nominated Neil LaBute play, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Julianna Margulies will appear following this Sunday's (5/17 at 3:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast of the Tony Award-nominated Neil LaBute play, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

The New York Times reports that producer Jeffrey Richards has announced that the current revival Eugene O'Neill DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS starring two-time Tony Award winner Brian Dennehy, stage and screen star Carla Gugino, and Tony nominee Pablo Schreiber, under the direction of Tony Award Winner Robert Falls will close May 24 at the St. James Theatre after a run of 32 performances.

Following a spate of successful post-show talkbacks, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Julianna Margulies will appear following this Sunday's (5/17 at 3:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast of the Tony Award-nominated Neil LaBute play, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

CBS RADIO has launched Hair Radio, a new custom streaming internet radio station, celebrating the smash Broadway revival of the musical HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical. The channel features hit songs from the 1960's and 70's, tunes from the original cast recording of HAIR, along with various recordings of the show's most popular songs from all different eras, interviews with the cast and creative team of the new Broadway revival and an extensive arsenal of show-related content.

Following a successful weekend of post-show events with Andrew McCarthy, Christopher Meloni and playwright Neil LaBute, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty welcomed actor Paul Rudd who appeared following the Tuesday, May 12th performance.

The Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones is reporting in his 'Theater Loop', that production talks and negotiations are in an advanced stage to bring Tracy Letts' 'Superior Donuts' to Broadway in the fall, the Steppenwolf Theatre confirmed Tuesday, while insisting that no final contractual deal had been made.

James Spader star of the big screen hits 'Pretty in Pink' and 'Less Than Zero' and the small screen Emmy winning favorites 'The Practice' and 'Boston Legal.' will make his Broadway debut this fall in the new play David Mamet play, RACE.

Diane Paulus grew up feeling bad she had missed the 1960s. By age 10, she knew all the songs in Hair by heart, including 'Sodomy.' Having never seen the show, she had an active fantasy life about what Hair must have been like when it was first created. Her vibrant and emotional work in bringing 'her' Hair to life earned her a 2009 Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of A Musical.

The new Broadway Cast Recording of the hit musical HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, featuring never-before-released tracks from the show's iconic score, will be available in stores beginning on Tuesday, June 23rd.

Following a successful weekend of post-show events with Andrew McCarthy, Christopher Meloni and playwright Neil LaBute, the best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty has announced that actor Paul Rudd will appear following tomorrow's (Tuesday, 5/12 at 7:00 p.m.) performance in a talkback with the entire cast, including Tony-nominated Marin Ireland and Thomas Sadoski.

The Broadway run of DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS would appear to be ending earlier than planned if Telecharge is any indication, the ticket service is now only selling seats for the production through May 24th, 2009.

The best new Broadway play of the season* Reasons To Be Pretty welcomes its playwright Neil LaBute to New York City this weekend for an unprecedented series of rare public appearances. Intimate post-show discussions with LaBute will take place on stage immediately following the Saturday, 5/9 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 5/10 3:00 p.m. performances.

RACE, the new play written and directed by David Mamet will make its world premiere at the ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATRE (located at 243 West 47th St.) beginning on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 with the official opening night on Thursday, December 6, 2009. Rehearsals are set to begin on Monday, October 19, 2009.