John Barrymore News

The Grand 1894 Opera House welcomes keyboard marvel and Galveston favorite Rob Landes at the organ, performing his specially created, improvised musical score for the showing of John Barrymore's 1920 silent film classic, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, tonight, October 30 at 8 pm.

Barter Theatre unveils the 2016 production schedule with a behind-the-scenes preview of what the next season has in store. Producing Artistic Director Richard Rose announces an exciting season filled with comedy, drama and many world-famous shows patrons will recognize from their silver-screen adaptations.

Legends about Hollywood stars are often difficult to prove or disprove. Such is the case about what happened to famous Shakespearean actor John Barrymore after his death. What can be substantiated is that on May 19, 1942, while recording a line from Romeo and Juliet for the show, Barrymore collapsed. He was taken to the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and died there on May 29 from cirrhosis of the liver and kidney failure, complicated by pneumonia. It is at this point the legend begins and turns into something truly monstrous.

Broadway In Chicago presents the Chicago premiere of UNSPEAKABLE, a dramatic fantasia inspired by the life of comedic legend Richard Pryor. UNSPEAKABLE features a cast of many prominent Chicago performers and will play the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E. Chestnut St.) for a limited five-week engagement tonight, Oct. 6 through Nov. 8, 2015.

The cast and designers have been set for The Blank Theatre's world premiere production of Something Truly Monstrous by Jeff Tabnick, directed by Daniel Henning. Preview performances begin September 26 with opening night set for Today, October 3, and the engagement will run through November 8.

Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. announces the seven plays and musicals that will comprise the 2015-16 Main Stage Season at Playhouse on Park. The award winning theatre continues its mission to ensure every performance in the Main Stage Season educates, entertains, and most importantly, challenges our audiences. Paramount to this mission is our diverse programming, which challenges our patrons to consider theatre in all forms.

Broadway In Chicago has announced full casting for the Chicago premiere of UNSPEAKABLE, a dramatic fantasia inspired by the life of comedic legend Richard Pryor. 

Rubicon Theatre Company welcomes stage and screen veterans Linda Purl, Brett Rickaby and Peter Van Norden in the company's mainstage production of the Tony-Award winning play COPENHAGEN, directed by international artist Judy Hegarty Lovett.

Dorset Theatre Festival will stage I Hate Hamlet, a hilarious play by Obie Award winning playwright and pre-eminent humorist Paul Rudnick. The production will be directed by Carl Andress and will run from August 20th to September 5th.

Rubicon Theatre Company welcomes stage and screen veterans Linda Purl, Brett Rickaby and Peter Van Norden to star in the company's mainstage production of the Tony-Award winning play COPENHAGEN, directed by international artist Judy Hegarty Lovett.

The Grand 1894 Opera House welcomes keyboard marvel and Galveston favorite Rob Landes at the organ, performing his specially created, improvised musical score for the showing of John Barrymore's 1920 silent film classic, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Friday, October 30 at 8 pm. Tickets may be purchased at The Grand's Box Office, 2020 Postoffice Street, by calling 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or online at www.thegrand.com.

Rubicon Theatre Company just announced stage and screen veterans Linda Purl, Brett Rickaby and Peter Van Norden will star in the company's mainstage production of the Tony-Award winning play COPENHAGEN, directed by international artist Judy Hegarty Lovett.

Dorset Theatre Festival will stage I Hate Hamlet, a hilarious play by Obie Award winning playwright and pre-eminent humorist Paul Rudnick. The production will be directed by Carl Andress and will run from tonight, August 20th to September 5th.

The cast and designers have been set for The Blank Theatre's world premiere production of Something Truly Monstrous by Jeff Tabnick, directed by Daniel Henning. Preview performances begin September 26 with opening night set for Saturday, October 3, and the engagement will run through November 8.

Dorset Theatre Festival will stage I Hate Hamlet, a hilarious play by Obie Award winning playwright and pre-eminent humorist Paul Rudnick. The production will be directed by Carl Andress and will run from August 20th to September 5th.

Yet more theatre lore from the crazy world of Mrs. Smith! Here she recounts her first encounter as a young girl with legendary stage actor John Barrymore. After reading the letter she wrote him, he wisked her off for drinks at Sardi's and then up to Harlem to hear James Baldwin recite poetry - to a bongo beat. Therefore, she is saddened that the theater bearing his name has gone to the dogs. How curious. Check out the video below!

I HATE HAMLET by Paul Rudnick is a very funny play being given an excellent production at 2nd Story Theater in Warren. 2nd Story is on a roll of comedies this summer, mostly of the dark variety, but this one has no dark shadows (Well, one shade--the ghost of John Barrymore, but he is a friendly ghost) and is just plain hilarious. Got twenty-fie bucks? Get over to see it.

Perseverance Theatre is taking two new plays from script to stage this year with Summerfest Unplugged. This weekend, July 11th and 12th the event features a reading on the PT Mainstage of two new works: House of Dreams and Into the Wild, and the audience will get a chance to talk about the work with the authors, composers, and creators in special discussions and receptions after the shows.

Perseverance Theatre is taking two new plays from script to stage this year with Summerfest Unplugged. On July 11th and 12th the event features a reading on the PT Mainstage of two new works: House of Dreams and Into the Wild, and the audience will get a chance to talk about the work with the authors, composers, and creators in special discussions and receptions after the shows.

The Grand 1894 Opera House has just announced it new 2015-16 Performing Arts Season - A World of Entertainment and new subscriptions ( a minimum of four performances) may now be purchased on line. Single tickets for each performance - if available - will go on sale Monday, July 13th.  To view the entire new Performing Art Season and to order tickets online, visit www.thegrand.com.  For phone inquiries, please call the Box Office at 409.765.1894 or 800.821.1894.