Joe Mantello News

With new Artistic Director Thom Weaver taking the reigns, Flashpoint Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its seventh season, featuring a premiere by one of America's hottest young playwrights, a Philadelphia premiere by a Philadelphia native and two one man shows including Philadelphia's favorite holiday adventure.

The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), a non-profit organization committed to promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre, is pleased to recognize the talents of two outstanding women: the Ruth Morley Design Award will be given to Tony Award-winning costume designer Susan Hilferty, and the LPTW Lucille Lortel Award and accompanying grant will be presented to director and actor Rebecca Patterson.

Beginning performances on Tuesday, June 29, KATHY FITZGERALD will assume the role of Madame Morrible in the musical blockbuster WICKED. Kathy joins a cast which includes Mandy Gonzalez as Elphaba, Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda, P.J. Benjamin as The Wizard, Andy Karl as Fiyero, Alex Brightman as Boq, Jenny Fellner as Nessarose, and Timothy Britten Parker as Dr. Dillamond. Tony Award-winner Rondi Reed will play her final performance as Madame Morrible on Sunday, June 27 at 3:00pm.

A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held daily for WICKED, which will be performing from June 16-July 11 at the Fox Theatre

DirectorsLabChicago, founded in 2005 by Chicago-based directors Elizabeth Margolius and Karin Shook, has grown into an international yearly event at the Chicago Cultural Center. Directors from around the world gather to exchange ideas and discuss what it means to be a director.

The New York Times reports today that Jon Robin Baitz's THE OTHER DESERT CITIES, to be directed by Joe Mantello, will be produced at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center off-Broadway in the 2010-2011 season. The production had been aiming for a Broadway run next year, however, the Baitz has now decided that show show is better suited for a smaller production at the moment, and will open at the Newhouse on January 13, 2011. Previews will begin on December 16, 2010.

Vassar & New York Stage and Film is pleased to announce the cast of the world premiere play WE ARE HERE (June 29 - July 11) by Tracy Thorne, directed by Tony nominee Sheryl Kaller (Next Fall), the first of two fully-staged and designed Powerhouse Mainstage productions for the 2010 season.

Today, Seth deconstructs endings in FOLLIES, MAME and HOW NOW DOW JONES. Seth writes' These are three songs that end on the third! Brava high notes!'

New York's OBIE Award-winning Epic Theatre Ensemble (Zak Berkman, Melissa Friedman, Ron Russell, Founding Executive Directors) today announced that Dominic Fumusa (Fault Lines, Take Me Out, 'Nurse Jackie') has joined the cast of the New York premiere of Sarah Ruhl's Passion Play (In The Next Room... or the vibrator play) and directed by Mark Wing-Davey (The Singing Forest).

Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Long Wharf Theatre is pleased to announce the full company for Tennessee Williams' play The Glass Menagerie, directed by Gordon Edelstein with Patch Darragh (Tom Wingfield), two-time Tony® Award winner Judith Ivey (Amanda Wingfield), Keira Keeley (Laura Wingfield), Michael Mosley (Jim O'Connor).

Today, Seth deconstructs WICKED's Julia Murney in HAIR. Seth writes 'This is from the Actors Fund production of HAIR. Available on Amazon and iTunes. She's a great singer and actress. Brava!'

The New School for Drama has announced that the award-winning director Joe Mantello will be the distinguished artist-in-residence for the 2010-2011 academic year. Mantello's directing credits include the wildly popular Wicked, as well as Assassins and Take Me Out, each of which earned him a Tony Award for directing.

Today, Seth deconstructs MEMPHIS! Seth writes 'Tony nominated show and Tony nominated stars!!!! Listen to the sass!'

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Little Doc, written by award-winning filmmaker Dan Klores and directed by John Gould Rubin. Opening the company's 16th Season, performances of Little Doc will begin Friday, June 11 at Rattlestick Theatre (224 Waverly Place). The official opening night is set for Thursday, June 17. The production is scheduled to run through July 18.

Today, Seth deconstructs Barbara Cook singing 'Quiet' from CANDIDE. Seth writes 'I'm obsessed with this bizarre song!!!!'

Today, Seth deconstructs Cheyenne Jackson in XANADU. Seth writes 'What a great, fluid voice!!!!!'

Liev Schreiber is this year's recipient of the Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Today, Seth deconstructs DREAMGIRLS on the Rosie O'Donnell Show! Seth writes ' This is from the Actors Fund Concert I put together in 2001. It starred Audra McDonald, Heather Headley and Lillias White. Lillias SASSES it!'

The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW), a non-profit organization committed to promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre, is pleased to recognize the talents of two outstanding women: the Ruth Morley Design Award will be given to Tony Award-winning costume designer Susan Hilferty, and the LPTW Lucille Lortel Award and accompanying grant will be presented to director and actor Rebecca Patterson.

After breaking box office records and selling out in record time in 2007, the smash-hit musical WICKED will return to the Ohio Theatre for five weeks only July 28-August 29. Tickets for the return engagement will go on sale to the public Thursday, May 20.