Jesse L. Martin News

Various companies will be presenting free outdoor Shakespeare productions this summer, the New York Times has reported.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that reps for TNT have squashed rumors that they may be picking up a 21st season of 'Law & Order.' After announcing its cancellation from NBC a few weeks rumors began to swirl that the show might be picked up by cable network, TNT, which already airs re-runs of the 20 season show. 'Law & Order' creator, Dick Wolf was interested in airing the show's 21st season on TNT, thereby setting the record for the longest-running television series ('Law and Order' is currerntly tied with 'Gunsmoke.')

On Sunday, May 23, the Drama Desk Association hosted the 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Former Drama Desk Award winner Patti LuPone hosted the ceremony, which honored the best of Broadway and off in the 2009-2010 season. BroadwayWorld.com provided live coverage on the site throughout the ceremony and was also present in the audience to capture the best of the evening.

Last night, May 23, the Drama Desk Association hosted the 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards ceremony at the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center. Former Drama Desk Award winner Patti LuPone hosted the ceremony, which honored the best of Broadway and off in the 2009-2010 season. BroadwayWorld.com provided live coverage on the site throughout the ceremony and was on hand at the event to capture the starry arrivals.

USA Today's Martha T. Moore has published a piece discussing the effects that the cancellation of Law & Order will have on New York-based actors and actresses, many of whom appeared on the series while performing in plays on and off-Broadway, as well as on the economy of the city itself. The end of the long-running series will have an undoubtable impact on the New York theater community, as Moore discusses in her examination of the inevitable outcomes of the cancellation.

The Irish Classical Theatre Company will end its run of Engaged May 23. The month-long run featured direction by Fortunato Pezzimenti.

After announcing its cancellation last week, NBC's 'Law & Order' might be picked up by cable network, TNT, according to Deadline.com. TNT already airs re-runs of the 20 season show. According to the report, 'Law & Order' creator, Dick Wolf plans to air the show's 21st season on TNT.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, running in repertory June 9-August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Tickets are free and distributed the day of the performance.

A new NY Times piece discusses the impact the show has had on local businesses and performers.

The Public Theater will present THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. Rehearsals began today for THE WINTER'S TALE and BroadwayWorld has the production photos!

According to The New York Times NBC has confirmed that 'Law & Order' has been canceled. The epic crime drama has been in production in New York City since 1990. 'Law & Order' will finish its 20th season on May 24.

The Public Theater will present THE MERCHANT OF VENICE starring Al Pacino in rep with THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. Rehearsals began today for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and BroadwayWorld has the first production photos!

Kevin McKeon's Snow Falling on Cedars has just been announced as the sixth production of Hartford Stages's 2010-11 season. Cast and creative members will be announced at a later date.

Alan Ball's FIVE ONE ACTS will be presented for the first time together on a New York stage as a special event for New Patrons of The Acting Company - young professionals aged 20 to 40 interested in the theater - on Monday, May 10, 7pm at the Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director of MetroStage, is pleased to announce that Paul Scott Goodman will be performing his show Son of a Stand Up Comedian, directed by Michael Baron, at MetroStage beginning April 15 through May 9, 2010.

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Broadway Producer Jeffrey Richards will be producing a Broadway transfer of The Public's Merchant of Venice, which will play Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte this summer starring Al Pacino. Richards has suffered a mostly disappointing 2010 so far, being the leading force behind this season's All About Me and Enron, both of which only lasted a mere few weeks on Broadway. Richards and his producing partner, Jerry Frankel are, however, also behind the successful Race, which has already recouped on Broadway.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who will be appearing in both THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and THE WINTER'S TALE at Shakespeare in the Park shows this summer at the Delacorte Theatre sat down alongside costar Lily Rabe to discuss the shows and their experiences working on them.

On Saturday, May 1st, join the fight against women's cancers by participating in the 13th Annual Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women featuring New York artist Eileen Hickey Hulme

Alan Ball's FIVE ONE ACTS will be presented for the first time together on a New York stage as a special event for New Patrons of The Acting Company - young professionals aged 20 to 40 interested in the theater - on Monday, May 10, 7pm at the Baruch Performing Arts Center.