Joan Marcus News

Did somebody decide when I wasn't listening that this would be the season where all translations of classic plays must contain occasional forays into anachronistic contemporary language?  First came An Enemy of the People and Cyrano de Bergerac, and now Carol Rocamora's adaptation of Chekhov's Ivanov, being used in CSC's schizophrenically handsome/punkish production, would have us believing the playwright had his characters uttering the 19th Century Russian equivalents of “harangue,” “He's a real operator” and “Hope you choke.”

The Public Theater announced today that it will extend the acclaimed epic musical Giant two additional weeks. The production must close on Sunday, December 16.

The Off Broadway Musical Giant will perform in Cabaret Cares on December 3rd at 7:00 PM. Cabaret Cares is the the monthly fundraising event for Help Is On The Way Today. Help Is On The Way Today was founded by Cabaret Producer Joseph Macchia and is a non for profit that helps children and teens living with HIV and AIDS In New York City living with HIV and AIDS. Since its start 7 years ago Cabaret Cares had raised over $74,000. The series was also honored with Three MAC Awards and a Bistro Award.

My Name Is Asher Lev, one boy's struggle between Tradition and Art, a new play by Aaron Posner, adapted from Chaim Potok's best-selling novel, is currently playing the Westside Theatre (407 W. 43rd Street). Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

Hallmark Movie Channel announced today that it will host the cable television premiere of ANNIE'S SEARCH FOR SANDY as part of a special two-hour, commercial-free dog-themed programming event sponsored by PEDIGREE(R) Food for Dogs. This program will also include a feature presentation of the true-life-inspired film, 'Hachi: A Dog's Tale.'

The Public Theater's acclaimed production of Wild With Happy, written by Colman Domingo and directed by Robert O'Hara, closes today, Sunday, November 18.

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that Murder Ballad, the new musical by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash, directed by Trip Cullman, that opened to glowing reviews last night is extending by two weeks through Sunday, December 16 at MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

MARY POPPINS celebrates its sixth anniversary today, November 16, 2012. It began previews at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 West 42nd Street) on October 14, 2006 before officially opening on November 16, 2006.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Broadway welcomes three new shows, MATILDA picks its leading leadies, Rob McClure gets a place on the wall at Sardi's, and so much more!

ELF returns to Broadway this holiday season at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street). Performances began on Friday, November 9, 2012. The production plays a limited engagement of 9 weeks for the holiday season through Sunday, January 6, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

DEAD ACCOUNTS, the new comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Theresa Rebeck, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien stars two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz and Katie Holmes. Dead Accountsalso stars Judy Greer, Josh Hamilton, and two-time Tony Award nominee Jayne Houdyshell. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

The Public Theater began previews for the world premiere production of THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN, by Nathan Englander, on Thursday, November 8. Directed by Barry Edelstein, THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MAN runs through Sunday, December 9 in The Public's Martinson Theater at its Astor Place home, with an official press opening on Sunday, November 18. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Playwright Richard Nelson first introduced audiences to the family of Apple siblings with That Hopey Changey Thing, which took place on election night 2010 and, by design, opened on that same night.  He pulled the same trick last year with Sweet and Sad, which opened and was set on the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre plays host to Disney's 'The Lion King' now through January 13, 2013. I put that out there right away because if you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left' then this show is surely one for the list.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is a 'tale as old as time' and while the story and music are wonderful and as good as the audience may remember, the new NETworks touring production - currently playing at PlayhouseSquare - is a far cry from the magic of the original Broadway and touring productions.

The talented actor spoke with BWW about what makes the exciting, new musical, MURDER BALLAD a 'super unique theatrical experience'

You know those people who can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound?  Charlie, the central character of Samuel D. Hunter's touching drama The Whale, isn't one of them.  Charlie's dietary habits declined in a sharp downward spiral after losing his lover under tragic circumstances.  He lives a reclusive existence in his Idaho home, teaching how to write basic essays from his laptop while spread across his couch, with his students able to hear his voice, but never see his face.  When he last used a scale, Charlie weighed in at 550 pounds.  He suspects to be close to 600 now.

Television and movie legend William Shatner will bring his one man show SHATNER'S WORLD: WE JUST LIVE IN IT to the State Theatre in Easton tonight, November 11, 7 PM.

I daresay that playwright Jon Kern probably found a previously untried twist in the old staple of “meeting cute” in a romantic comedy by having the central couple of his play be a suicide bomber on a mission to sacrifice himself, and take as many lives as possible with him, on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, and a fellow terrorist helping to achieve his goal as revenge against an American drone attack that killed her husband on her wedding day when the celebration was mistaken for a Taliban gathering.

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) Broadway production ofThe Mystery of Edwin Drood began previews on October 19th. The show opens officially on Tuesday, November 13th, 2012 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th St.). This is a limited engagement through February 10th, 2013. BroadwayWorld brings you just-released production shots below!