On October 30, 1938, just before 8:00 pm, Americans gathered around the radio to listen to Mercury Theatre On The Air, an anthology series produced and hosted by Orson Welles. That evening's program, scripted by Howard Koch, was a modern-day adaptation of H.G. Well's The War of the Worlds, one of the first tales of alien invasion, in which Martians emerged from meteors to lay waste to all of the Earth's civilizations. Except that Koch, with help from producers John Houseman, Paul Stewart and Welles himself, structured the program to play, at least in the first moments, as special news bulletins interrupting a normal performance by a dance orchestra. The ruse seems thin even for the time, but Hitler had 'annexed' Austria a few months earlier, and was threatening to do more, so the program struck a chord and the resulting panic in the area in close proximity - Welles' Martians landed in a New Jersey pasture, sent East Coast residents scurrying across bridges and clogging highways.
Westport Country Playhouse stages "Man of La Mancha," the Tony Award-winning musical about Don Quixote's quest for "The Impossible Dream," now playing through October 14. Directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director, the story of Quixote's battle for good and the love of his fair maiden is written by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion.
The finest radio dramas of the 1930's was The Mercury Theater On The Air, founded by Orson Welles and John Houseman. Together, they presented many classic pieces of literature, and shook the country with it's terrifying staging of "War of the Worlds." Main Street Theatre Works (MSTW) is re-creating one of these literary classic radio plays, The 39 Steps, complete with live sound effects. This limited-engagement fundraiser will have two matinee performances ~ Saturday & Sunday, October 20th & 21st, and one evening performance on that Saturday night, at the Native Sons Hall in Sutter Creek. Tickets are $25 and include a dessert bar, coffee or tea, and the show. A no-host wine bar will be available Saturday.
The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) a production of The Present Company presents Stranger Than A Rhino, a contemporary reimagining of Ionesco's Rhinoceros with themes of race, culture and xenophobia, written by Robert Siegel. William Roudebush directs a cast of eight, including Vick Krishna, Jeremy Lister, Barbara Matovu, Amanda McCallum, Leslie Lynn Meeker, Charles Rubey, David Shakopi and Scott Zimmerman.
Due to popular demand, an additional performance of Stephen Dolginoff's Panic: The Story Behind The War of the Worlds Broadcast has been added. The benefit concert, presented by New York Theatre Barn, will now play Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 7:00pm at The Cell in New York City
The Acting Company (Ian Belknap, Artistic Director; Elisa Spencer-Kaplan, Executive Director) will honor director and artistic leader Bill Rauch and the married civic leaders Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel and Ambassador Carl Spielvogel- individuals whose exemplary work aligns with the artistic and educational ideals of the storied repertory company that produces nationally recognized theater productions and arts education programs-at the Company's 2018 Fall Gala, on November 12. Held at the historic Metropolitan Club (One East 60th Street), the event will bring together awards, live entertainment, silent and live auctions, dinner, and cocktails in celebration of theater and its contribution to American society.
Westport Country Playhouse will stage "Man of La Mancha," the Tony Award-winning musical about Don Quixote's quest for "The Impossible Dream," from September 25 through October 13. Directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director, the story of Quixote's battle for good and the love of his fair maiden is written by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion.
Producers John Lant and Cornell Christianson with ICFB Productions are pleased to announce the East Coast Off-Broadway premiere of IT CAME FROM BEYOND, a 1950's sci-fi, musical comedy with book by writer / producer Cornell Christianson, music and lyrics by Stephen M. Schwartz and Norman E. Thalheimer and directed by Jim Blanchette.
On Monday, October 29, 2018 at 7:00pm, New York Theatre Barn will present a benefit concert of Stephen Dolginoff's musical Panic: The Story Behind The War of the Worlds Broadcast at The Cell in New York City.
THE COLLECTIVE NY announces complete casting for the world premiere production of David Thigpen's THE HURRICANE PARTY, directed by Tony Award Nominee Maria Dizzia (In the Next Room). Previews begin on Wednesday, August 29 at the Studio Stage at the Cherry Lane Theatre. Opening night is set for Tuesday, September 11, with a limited engagement through Sunday, October 7, 2018.
Westport Country Playhouse stages the lavish, large-cast comedy, "A Flea in Her Ear," newly adapted by David Ives from the original by Georges Feydeau, and directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. Fresh from a sold-out run by Delaware's Resident Ensemble Players (REP), a professional theater located at the University of Delaware, the co-production with the REP runs in Westport July 10 - 28.
Just over a month ago, Orin Wolf was celebrating a whooping ten Tony wins for his little musical that could- The Band's Visit. As the big winner at the 72nd Annual Tony Awards on June 10, the new show not only swept the ceremony, but it found a place in history with some of Broadway's most awarded musicals- a producer's dream.
Westport Country Playhouse will stage the lavish, large-cast comedy, "A Flea in Her Ear," newly adapted by David Ives from the original by Georges Feydeau, and directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. Fresh from a sold-out run by Delaware's Resident Ensemble Players (REP), a professional theater located at the University of Delaware, the co-production with the REP will run in Westport July 10 - 28.
Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Today, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.
A Book Event on The School of Doing, featuring author Isaac Klein and moderated by Ashley Gates Jansen, will take place on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 1pm at Town Stages, 221 West Broadway, NYC. The event is free, and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
A Book Event on The School of Doing, featuring author Isaac Klein and moderated by Ashley Gates Jansen, will take place on today, July 12, 2018 at 1pm at Town Stages, 221 West Broadway, NYC. The event is free, and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Wonderfully informative and beautifully written. All lovers of theatre will love this book. -Stacy Keach Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Chita Rivera, Olympia Dukakis, Sam Waterston, and many more lend their voices to The School of Doing, a comprehensive guide to the craft and teachings of internationally renowned stage director and educator Gerald Freedman, including lessons on acting, directing, text analysis, comedy technique, camera technique, Shakespeare, musical theater, design, pedagogy, and the business itself. Foreword by Mandy Patinkin.
Westport Country Playhouse will stage the lavish, large-cast comedy, 'A Flea in Her Ear,' newly adapted by David Ives from the original by Georges Feydeau, and directed by Mark Lamos, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. Fresh from a sold-out run by Delaware's Resident Ensemble Players (REP), a professional theater located at the University of Delaware, the co-production with the REP will run in Westport July 10 - 28.
