Joe A. Callaway News

John Douglas Thompson, described by the New York Times as one of the most compelling classical stage actors of his generation, will make his Long Wharf Theatre debut in Satchmo at the Waldorf, by Terry Teachout, directed by Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein. The one-man show will take place Wednesday, October 3 through Sunday, November 4 on Stage II.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, kicks off the Ensemble's 27th season with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, tonight, August 31 - September 30 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Press opening for Illegal Use of Hands is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $39. Complete ticket information including ticket on-sale date and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.

BSC is proud to present a fall return of DR. RUTH, ALL THE WAY, by Mark St. Germain, directed by Julianne Boyd. Starring stage, film and television actress Debra Jo Rupp.

The devilishly sexy Damn Yankees (the new Boston Red Sox version) is on stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse from July 25 - August 18. A bewitching seductress, America's favorite pastime and Satan himself mix it up in this popular Adler and Ross musical comedy starring Carson Kressley (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) as Applegate-one stylishly sassy devil!

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, will present the East coast premiere of The North Pool by Rajiv Joseph, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Directed by Giovanna Sardelli, The North Pool will run July 26 through August 11 at BSC's St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) with an Opening performance on Sunday, July 29 at 3pm. St. Germain Stage is located on the upper level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.

Tony Award® winner Judith Ivey joins Academy Award® nominee Jessica Chastain, Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner David Strathairn and the leading man of "Downton Abbey" Dan Stevens in a new production of the unforgettable drama and Tony Award® winning play The Heiress. Written by Ruth & Augustus Goetz, The Heiress will be directed by Tony Award® nominated playwright and director Moises Kaufman. The Heiress will be produced by Paula Wagner, Roy Furman and Stephanie P. McClelland.

The award-winning Vineyard Theatre will celebrate its 30th anniversary season after its enormously successful 2011-12 season - which included the acclaimed debuts of THE LYONS, OUTSIDE PEOPLE, NOW. HERE. THIS. and the developmental lab of THE LANDING - with new works by Douglas McGrath, Rajiv Joseph and Jenny Schwartz, to be produced during 2012-13, it was announced by Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director, and Sarah Stern, Co-Artistic Director.

American Blues Theater (ABT), Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, kicks off the Ensemble's 27th season with the world premiere of Illegal Use of Hands by Emmy Award-winner, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and ABT Artistic Affiliate James Still, directed by Sandy Shinner, August 31 - September 30 at Victory Gardens' Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Press opening for Illegal Use of Hands is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $10 - $39. Complete ticket information including ticket on-sale date and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning regional theatre in downtown Pittsfield, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, has extended the run of the world premiere of Dr. Ruth, All The Way by Mark St. Germain, directed by Julianne Boyd. Starring stage, film and television actress Debra Jo Rupp (That 70s Show), Dr. Ruth, All the Way will now run from June 19 through July 21 at St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield. Opening Night is Saturday, June 30 at 8pm.

Downton Abbey meets Broadway! BWW can report that Dan Stevens, star of the Golden Globe-winning series "Downton Abbey," will play the role of "Morris Townsend" opposite Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain (Catherine Sloper) and Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner David Strathairn (Dr. Austin Sloper) in the Tony Award-winning play The Heiress. Written by Ruth Goetz & Augustus Goetz, The Heiress will be directed by Tony Award nominated playwright and director Moises Kaufman. Performances will begin October 2012 at a theatre to be announced.

The Off-Broadway League today announced the confirmed performers for the 2012 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway. Additionally, the remaining tickets to the show have been released for sale to the public at a discounted rate of $35 each. The 27th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards will be handed out this Sunday, May 6, 2012 at NYU Skirball Center, beginning at 7:00pm EST, in a ceremony that will once again benefit the Actors Fund.

Keigwin + Company (K+C) returns to The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, NYC, for its annual weeklong season including the World Premieres of two new dances on June 12- 17, 2012. Performances: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm; Thursday through Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm. Tickets are $10-$49 and can be purchased at JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or joyce.org. Prices subject to change.

Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner David Strathairn (Dr. Austin Sloper) will join Academy Award® nominee Jessica Chastain (Catherine Sloper) in the Tony Award®-winning play The Heiress. Written by Ruth Goetz & Augustus Goetz, The Heiress will be directed by Tony Award® nominated playwright and director Moisés Kaufman and will open in the Fall of 2012 at a theatre to be announced.

Philadelphia Theatre Company announces BILL CAIN as the first recipient of the Terrence McNally New Play Award for the research and development of his newest play about Philadelphia artist Thomas Eakins which has the working title Unvarnished. The Terrence McNally New Play Award is a $10,000 cash prize given annually to recognize a new play that celebrates the transformative power of art. The Award will also include a year of development support at PTC, including readings as well as administrative support and networking to help manage the future of the play beyond its time at PTC.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) will conclude its 33rd season with the World Premiere of the new musical, DOGFIGHT, featuring music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, a book by Peter Duchan and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. Winner of the prestigious 2011 Richards Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre, DOGFIGHT will be performed at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street) this summer. Exact dates, casting, and complete creative team will be announced shortly. For more information, please visit www.2ST.com.

Acclaimed actress Jessica Chastain, winner of 2011 New York, Los Angeles and Chicago Film Critics and National Board of Review Awards and recently nominated for Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, will make her Broadway debut starring in the Tony Award®-winning play The Heiress.

Hugh Jackman will return to Broadway during the 2013/2014 season starring as America's greatest showman in HOUDINI, an original musical. Making his Broadway debut as librettist, Academy Award and six-time Emmy Award winner Aaron Sorkin will collaborate with three-time Academy Award and four-time Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz. Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, HOUDINI is presented by film and theatre producer Scott Sanders and David Rockwell. Mr. Rockwell will also design the sets for HOUDINI. Additional HOUDINI casting, creative team and design team to be announced at a later date.

MusicalFare Theatre is set to present a special holiday event for two performances only: THE HOLIDAY GUYS starring Broadway actors Jeffry Denman and Marc Kudisch. Mr. Kudisch is a three-time Tony Award Nominee, three-time Drama Desk Nominee and two-time Outer Critics Circle Award Nominee.

MusicalFare Theatre presents an exclusive holiday event: THE HOLIDAY GUYS, for two performances only- Dec. 21st and 22nd at 7pm.

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced a new Off-Broadway production of Simon Gray's comedy-drama The Common Pursuit directed by Moises Kaufman. The Common Pursuit will begin performances May 4, 2012 and officially open on May 24, 2012 at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre / Laura Pels Theatre (111 West 46th Street). This is a limited engagement through July 29, 2012.