John Dias News

Play On Shakespeare today announces an expansive list of compelling actors and dynamic directors confirmed to participate in the Play on! Festival, presented in association with Classic Stage Company (CSC) and Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). Play on! features 39 readings of new, work-in-progress translations of Shakespeare's plays into contemporary modern English by some of today's most exciting playwrights-May 29-June 30 at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater at CSC (136 E. 13th Street). In 2015, Oregon Shakespeare Festival launched an ambitious 39-play, three-year commissioning project, Play on!, tasking 36 playwrights-more than half of whom were women and playwrights of color, each paired with a dramaturg-to translate Shakespeare's canon in celebration of the enduring impact of the Bard's work. Supported by a generous grant from the Hitz Foundation and inspired by long-time patron Dave Hitz's passion for Shakespeare, the project was and continues to be led by Lue Morgan Douthit. For more information, visit playonfestival.org.

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, Shane Peterman, today announced details for the Southwest Regional Premiere of The Ballad of Little Jo.

Two River Theater announces the lineup of productions for its 2019/20 Season.

Two River Theater (Artistic Director John Dias, Managing Director Michael Hurst) presents The Belle of Amherst, written by William Luce and directed by Robert Rechnitz. The production opens to the press on Thursday, April 18 at 7pm and continues through Sunday, May 5. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. 

Play On Shakespeare in association with Classic Stage Company (CSC) and Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) presents the Play on! festival-featuring 39 readings of new, work-in-progress translations of Shakespeare's plays into contemporary modern English by some of today's most exciting playwrights-May 29-June 30 at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater at CSC (136 E. 13th Street).In 2015, Oregon Shakespeare Festival launched an ambitious 39-play, three-year commissioning project, Play on!, tasking 36 playwrights-more than half of whom were women and playwrights of color, each paired with a dramaturg-to translate Shakespeare's canon in celebration of the enduring impact of the Bard's work. Supported by a generous grant from the Hitz Foundation and inspired by long-time patron Dave Hitz's passion for Shakespeare, the project was and continues to be led by Lue Morgan Douthit. For more information, visit playonfestival.org.

Two River Theater announces the spring schedule of guest artists for First Monday Masters, its popular series of master classes. All of the classes are taught by actors, directors, playwrights and designers affiliated with Two River Theater's 25th Anniversary Season.

Over the past decade, Two River Theater has presented the world premieres of 15 original plays and musicals-13 of them since the theater's 2011/12 Season, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, continues its 25th Anniversary Season with Michael Frayn's 'Noises Off,' directed by Sarna Lapine. Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Kathleen Choe who plays Belinda Blair in the show.

Marking the halfway point in its commitment to present all 10 plays of August Wilson's American Century Cycle, Two River Theater's critically-acclaimed production of Wilson's drama King Hedley II, directed by Brandon J. Dirden, ended its extended run on December 16. Scroll down for photos of the all-access pass to the closing performance.

Marking the halfway point in its commitment to present all 10 plays of August Wilson's American Century Cycle, Two River Theater announces the complete cast and creative team for its production of Wilson's "exhilarating" (The New York Times) and incendiary drama King Hedley II, directed by Brandon J. Dirden. For the first time, the theater will be presenting one of Wilson's plays in its intimate 110-seat Marion Huber Theater, with performances beginning on November 10 and continuing for an extended five-week run through Sunday, December 16. The opening night performance is Today, November 16 at 7pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The production sponsors are Monmouth University and Collex Collision Experts.

Two River Theater (Artistic Director John Dias, Managing Director Michael Hurst) presents August Wilson's King Hedley II, directed by Brandon J. Dirden. The extended five-week run opens to the press on Friday, November 16 at 7pm and continues through Sunday, December 16 in Two River's Marion Huber Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ.  Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org.

Marking the halfway point in its commitment to present all 10 plays of August Wilson's American Century Cycle, Two River Theater announces the complete cast and creative team for its production of Wilson's "exhilarating" (The New York Times) and incendiary drama King Hedley II, directed by Brandon J. Dirden. For the first time, the theater will be presenting one of Wilson's plays in its intimate 110-seat Marion Huber Theater, with performances beginning on November 10 and continuing for an extended five-week run through Sunday, December 16. The opening night performance is Friday, November 16 at 7pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The production sponsors are Monmouth University and Collex Collision Experts.

Yesterday, October 15th at The Lotos Club (5 East 66th Street, New York City), the 2018 recipients of the biennial Horton Foote Prize, were celebrated for excellence in American theater. The 2018 Prize for Outstanding New American Play, presented to a work produced in the 2016-17 or 2017-18 seasons, was awarded to Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee. The 2018 Prize for Promising New American Play, presented to a previously unproduced work, was awarded to India Pale Ale by Jaclyn Backhaus.

Marking the halfway point in its commitment to present all 10 plays of August Wilson's American Century Cycle, Two River Theater announces the complete cast and creative team for its production of Wilson's "exhilarating" (The New York Times) and incendiary drama King Hedley II, directed by Brandon J. Dirden. For the first time, the theater will be presenting one of Wilson's plays in its intimate 110-seat Marion Huber Theater, with performances beginning on November 10 and continuing for an extended five-week run through Sunday, December 16. The opening night performance is Friday, November 16 at 7pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org. The production sponsors are Monmouth University and Collex Collision Experts.

The exciting world premiere of 'Pamela's First Musical' is now on stage at Two River Theater through October 7 and as they say in the show, it's 'splendiferous.' This is a show that will surely be enjoyed by a broad audience of theatergoers including families with youngsters.

Go behind the scenes with Carolee Carmello this Saturday, September 7th as she takes over the BroadwayWorld Instagram to give a behind the scenes look of a two-show performance day. Carmello is currently starring in 'Pamela's First Musical' at Two River Theater.

Mari Marchbanks announced today the 2018 recipients of the biennial Horton Foote Prize, named in honor of the late playwright, which recognizes excellence in American theater. The 2018 Prize for Outstanding New American Play, presented to a work produced in the 2016-17 or 2017-18 seasons, is awarded to Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee. The 2018 Prize for Promising New American Play, presented to a previously unproduced work, is awarded to India Pale Ale by Jaclyn Backhaus.

Indie Street Film Festival, Detour Gallery and Two River Theater are proud to announce that they will partner for Red Bank's third annual Community Mural Project, which will take place the weekend of July 13-15.

Not to be missed! Two River Theater is now presenting 'Songbird.' Set in Nashville, Tennessee, it is an intriguing story based on Anton Chekhov's 'The Seagull' that deals with the complexities of human relationships. Written by Michael Kimmel, with music and lyrics by Lauren Pritchard, the show features the finest direction by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, choreography by Marc Kimelman, and musical direction by Kris Kukul.

Two River Theater (Artistic Director John Dias, Managing Director Michael Hurst) presents Songbird, based on Chekhov's The Seagull, written by Michael Kimmel, with music and lyrics by Lauren Pritchard, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch. The choreography is by Marc Kimelman. Music direction and arrangements and orchestrations are by Kristopher Kukul. The press opening is Friday, June 15 at 7pmand performances will continue through Sunday, July 1 in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ.  Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or tworivertheater.org.