Joe Orton News

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the British farce, 'Loot,' a wickedly funny send-up of larcenous, lascivious behavior among the English middle classes, written by Joe Orton and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, playing from tonight, July 16 through August 3. The play won the coveted Evening Standard Award for Best Play in 1967.

To kick off its third production of the season, 'Loot' by Joe Orton, Westport Country Playhouse will host a free film screening of 'Prick Up Your Ears,' the 1987 film adaptation of Orton's biography, starring Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, and Vanessa Redgrave, and directed by Stephen Frears, today, July 14, 4 p.m., in The Playhouse's Sheffer Studio.

Westport Country Playhouse hosted an unveiling of a portrait of the late actor Jason Robards, for whom the theater is named, on Tuesday, July 9. The portrait depicts Robards in the role of Cornelius Melody in 'A Touch of the Poet' by Eugene O'Neill. Donated to the Playhouse by Robards's children, Jake and Shannon, it is displayed in the Playhouse lobby. The portrait artist is Clyde Smith of Silvermine Arts Center. Click below to watch a video clip (taken by Chad Kinsman) from the unveiling!

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium with guest speaker Francesca Coppa, foremost American expert on the British playwright Joe Orton, following the Sunday, July 21, 3 p.m. matinee performance of Orton's "Loot," a wickedly funny send-up of larcenous, lascivious behavior among the English middle classes.

Graham Linehan's hilarious adaptation of the classic Ealing comedy The Ladykillers returns to London at The Vaudeville Theatre this summer following its record breaking debut West End season at the Gielgud Theatre in 2011/12 and subsequent UK tour. The Ladykillers will preview from tonight 29 June 2013 and Press Night will be 9 July 2013. Casting is to be announced.

To kick off its third production of the season, 'Loot' by Joe Orton, Westport Country Playhouse will host a free film screening of 'Prick Up Your Ears,' the 1987 film adaptation of Orton's biography, starring Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, and Vanessa Redgrave, and directed by Stephen Frears, on Sunday, July 14, 4 p.m., in the Playhouse's Sheffer Studio. The screening is free-of-charge by reservation through the Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177. Free popcorn and beverages will be available.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the British farce, "Loot," a wickedly funny send-up of larcenous, lascivious behavior among the English middle classes, written by Joe Orton and directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, playing from July 16 through August 3. The play won the coveted Evening Standard Award for Best Play in 1967.

Mint Theater (Jonathan Bank, Artistic Director) today announced a two week extension for for the American Premiere of A Picture of Autumn by N.C. Hunter, directed by Gus Kaikkonen. The Mint production will now run until July 27th at its home (311 West 43rd Street).

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium about the classic comedy, 'The Show-Off,' and the work and life of playwright George Kelly, following today's June 16, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the funny and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009).

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Sunday Symposium about the classic comedy, 'The Show-Off,' and the work and life of playwright George Kelly, following the Sunday, June 16, 3 p.m. matinee performance of the funny and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth.

He's back (with a splash!) - following on from a hugely successful run in the West-End, Omid has announced a thirteen nights of Omid Djalili Live at the Edinburgh Festival this year at The Assembly Rooms, Music Hall. Tickets are on sale now.

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the classic comedy, "The Show-Off," described as a funny, surprising, and moving story of a family in upheaval when their youngest daughter becomes engaged to a brash loudmouth, playing from June 11 through June 29. Cast in principal roles are 2013 Drama Desk Award winner Jayne Houdyshell as the imperious Mrs. Fisher, and Drama Desk nominee Will Rogers as Aubrey Piper, the show-off of the title.

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has today announced that Conrad Lynch is joining ATG's producing team.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009). Tweaking perspectives of truth and interpretation to broach sharp questions about race, love, and manipulation,THIS IS HOW IT GOES, about which the Chicago Tribune raved "Highly recommended! LaBute's play has a lot of sting and nothing is as it seems!" plays June 14 through July 21 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($35-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009).

Westport Country Playhouse announces that due to ticket demand for its current production of A. R. Gurney's 'The Dining Room,' an extra performance has been added on Sunday, May 19, at 3 p.m. The witty and heartfelt story of the American family and its vanishing traditions is directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.

Psychiatry, religion, marriage, government, definitions of gender and even language are all targets of British playwright Joe Orton's poison pen in his wild and bawdy farce WHAT THE BUTLER SAW. His sly jokes and hilarious slashes at the follies and foibles of human conduct will have you shaking with laughter from start to finish.

Mint Theater (Jonathan Bank, Artistic Director) today announced the cast for the American Premiere of A Picture of Autumn by N.C. Hunter, directed by Gus Kaikkonen. The Mint production will run from May 23rd until July 14th at its home (311 West 43rd Street). Opening Night is set for Monday, June 10 th.

According to The New York Times, a deal with Baldwin to join the the network is in the 'initial stages,' a source confirmed to the publication. Should Baldwin sign a deal, he would reportedly bump Last Call with Carson Daly from the airwaves, and his half-hour talk show would take Daly's spot.