Jesse Lenat News

I guess when you're are a writer of Stephen King's stature you can't help be subject to expectations that are often simply too hard to live up to. Most of the criticism directed at THE GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY centers around the book he's cooked up for the show. He and composer (and rock icon) John Mellencamp had been kicking around this idea for about a dozen years, and when it was finally staged it was savaged in a number of ways, with most of the vitriol centered on King's narrative. I wonder if those critics felt the same way a few days after they'd posted their reviews. For me, I've found that the haunting mix of music and imagery has lingered in my memory long after I'd thought it would abate. Charged acting, a terrific roots rock and blues-inflected score, and a story that plays upon simmering tensions that threaten to boil over for the McCandless family, combine to produce something truly special and worthy of appreciation.

AEG Live has just announced the touring cast for the southern gothic, supernatural musical Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, libretto by Stephen King, with music and lyrics by John Mellencamp and musical direction by T Bone Burnett. The show will be appearing in 19 cities throughout the Midwest and Southeast beginning October 10 in Bloomington, IN, and ending November 6 in Grand Rapids, MI. Tickets are on sale now at aeglive.com.

AS YOU LIKE IT, the first of Shakespeare in the Park's season offerings, concludes its run tonight. It will be followed by INTO THE WOODS, which begins July 23.

The Public Theater's AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte, officially opened last night, June 21 and continues through Saturday, June 30.

Last night, The Public Theater opened AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park--home of free Shakespeare in the Park. Previews began June 5. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the exciting opening night and brings you photo coverage below!

Last night, The Public Theater opened AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park--home of free Shakespeare in the Park. Previews began June 5. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the arrivals and brings you photo coverage below!

The Public Theater presents AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte, which officially opens tonight, June 21 and continues through Saturday, June 30. BroadwayWorld brings you performance highlights below!

The Public Theater will present an additional free performance of AS YOU LIKE IT, directed by Daniel Sullivan, tonight (Tuesday, June 19) at 8 p.m. AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte, will officially open on Thursday, June 21 and continue through Saturday, June 30.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) began previews on Tuesday, June 5, for AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park--home of free Shakespeare in the Park. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30, with an official press opening on Thursday, June 21. Check out photos of Paul Taylor, Andre Braugher, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Lily Rabe, David Furr, Donna Lynne Champlin, Oliver Platt, Jordan Tice, Stephen Spinella, Susannah Flood and Will Rogers in the production below!

The Public Theater announced today that Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare has been cast as The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS, directed by Timothy Sheader with co-direction by Liam Steel. INTO THE WOODS will be O'Hare's Shakespeare in the Park debut. Previews begin on Monday, July 23 at the Delacorte Theater and continue for five weeks through Saturday, August 25, with an official press opening on Thursday, August 9.

The Public Theater will begin previews on Tuesday, June 5 for AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of The Public's 50th Anniversary season at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park--home of free Shakespeare in the Park. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30, with an official press opening on Thursday, June 21.

The 57th Annual Obie Awards were given out at a ceremony last night at Webster Hall in Greenwich Village. The awards were presented by acclaimed stage actors Eric McCormack, Grace Gummer, Hugh Dancy, Jonathan Pryce, Justin Bartha, Leslie Odom Jr., Lily Rabe, Michael McKean, Tonya Pinkins, Topher Grace, and Tracee Chimo.

The Public Theater yesterday announced complete casting today for AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of the 50th Anniversary season of free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will begin previews on Tuesday, June 5 and continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30, with an official press opening on Thursday, June 21. Check out photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for AS YOU LIKE IT, the first show of the 50th Anniversary season of free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, AS YOU LIKE IT will begin previews on Tuesday, June 5 and continue for four weeks through Saturday, June 30, opening on Thursday, June 21.

At the conclusion of this final season, which begins with the world premiere of A Map of Virtue by Erin Courtney in February, the collective of American playwrights will have realized full productions by each of its 13 members.

At the conclusion of this final season, which begins with the world premiere of A Map of Virtue by Erin Courtney in February, the collective of American playwrights will have realized full productions by each of its 13 members.

Performances of A Map of Virtue will take place February 6-25 at the 4th Street Theatre. The 4th Street Theatre is located at 83 East 4th Street in New York City.

Artistic Director Nicholas Martin has announced the casting for The Last Goodbye, the final production of the Williamstown Theatre Festival's 2010 season, which will play the Nikos Stage. Shakespeare's classic verse meets the driving passionate rock of iconic singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley in this world premiere musical.