John Langs News

If ever there were a play to illuminate the theater's power to relate human truth, this could be An Iliad. If ever there were an actor to relate Homer's ancient story through poetry, this surely could be James DeVita. Place this pair in The Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse where An Iliad opened this past weekend, and in 60 years of The Rep's illustrious legacy, almost 42 which has been seen by this ticket holder every season, this stunning production ranks of as one of the top ten.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its 2013/14 60th Anniversary Season with a production of An Iliad, a modern adaptation of Homer's classic. Described as 'pure theater: shocking, glorious, primal, and deeply satisfying,' by Time Out New York, An Iliad features Wisconsin-based actor James DeVita and cellist Alicia Storin, a native of Mequon, Wisconsin. Written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, An Iliad will be directed by John Langs, who returns to The Rep after directing I Am My Own Wife during the 2010/11 Season.

Alley Theatre presents the world premiere of a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck, Fool. In Rebeck's new comedy, two kings get together and place a wager on their fools - a jester competition, and the funniest one gets to keep his head. Two evil minions have a lot to say about this, but not as much as the kitchen wench. And what's the queen been up to all night? A dramatical comical farcical tragical play about power, love and laughter, set in a medieval kitchen. Adult Language, Adult Situations, Beheadings.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its 2013/14 60th Anniversary Season with a production of An Iliad, a modern adaptation of Homer's classic. Described as 'pure theater: shocking, glorious, primal, and deeply satisfying,' by Time Out New York, An Iliad features Wisconsin-based actor James DeVita and cellist Alicia Storin, a native of Mequon, Wisconsin. Written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, An Iliad will be directed by John Langs, who returns to The Rep after directing I Am My Own Wife during the 2010/11 Season.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere of a new comedy by Theresa Rebeck, Fool. In Rebeck's new comedy, two kings get together and place a wager on their fools - a jester competition, and the funniest one gets to keep his head. Two evil minions have a lot to say about this, but not as much as the kitchen wench. And what's the queen been up to all night? A dramatical comical farcical tragical play about power, love and laughter, set in a medieval kitchen. Adult Language, Adult Situations, Beheadings.

A Contemporary Theatre single tickets go on sale to the public for all 2014 Mainstage shows February 12, 2014. ACT is offering 50% off of adult price tickets for previews of Bethany one-week only February 12-18.

Holiday theatrical traditions are alive and well at ACT but the two shows playing couldn't be more different from each other. First off with their 38th annual production, ACT presents the classic “A Christmas Carol” with all the polish and flash that you've come to expect. And then with their 13th installment, Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch (AKA Dos Fallopia) present their irreverent sketch comedy show “Ham for the Holidays: Close Encounters of the Pork Rind”. I managed to see both in one night (it's possible but it's tight) and I went from sobbing to belly laughs that amounted to a lovely evening of holiday treats.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents its 38th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is directed by John Langs with Artistic Director Kurt Beattie returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with first timer Peter Crook making his first appearance in the role. Also new to the cast, G. Valmont Thomas, who's performance in 'Master Harold and the Boys,' just earned him the 2013 Gregory Award for Outstanding Actor. Mr. Thomas recently returned to Seattle after a long stint at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and will take on the charismatic role of Spirit 2 (Ghost of Christmas Present).

The Honorable Lance A. Ito, Honorable Lance A. Ito, Curtis Silver of United Negro College Fund, Daniel Mayeda, Co-Chair of Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, Dr. Jorge Huerta, UC-San Diego Professor of Theatre Emeritus California, and Twelve Angry Men cast member Jason George, Chair of the National Diversity Advisory Committee for SAG/AFTRA lead the list of community members discussing the play as part of the new Talkback Tuesdays series at The Pasadena Playhouse. Ito, Mayeda, Huerta and George will join six other esteemed panel members for these post-performance discussions tonight, November 12 and November 19 and 26. The Pasadena Playhouse artistic director Sheldon Epps, who is the director of Twelve Angry Men will participate in all three Talkback Tuesday events.

The Honorable Lance A. Ito, Honorable Lance A. Ito, Curtis Silver of United Negro College Fund, Daniel Mayeda, Co-Chair of Asian Pacific American Media Coalition, Dr. Jorge Huerta, UC-San Diego Professor of Theatre Emeritus California, and Twelve Angry Men cast member Jason George, Chair of the National Diversity Advisory Committee for SAG/AFTRA lead the list of community members discussing the play as part of the new Talkback Tuesdays series at The Pasadena Playhouse. Ito, Mayeda, Huerta and George will join six other esteemed panel members for these post-performance discussions on November 12, 19 and 26. The Pasadena Playhouse artistic director Sheldon Epps, who is the director of Twelve Angry Men will participate in all three Talkback Tuesday events.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents its 38th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is directed by John Langs with Artistic Director Kurt Beattie returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with first timer Peter Crook making his first appearance in the role. Also new to the cast, G. Valmont Thomas, who's performance in "Master Harold and the Boys," just earned him the 2013 Gregory Award for Outstanding Actor. Mr. Thomas recently returned to Seattle after a long stint at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and will take on the charismatic role of Spirit 2 (Ghost of Christmas Present).

We don't live in Grover's Corners anymore and a lot has changed in the century since that time. So it stands to reason that a slice of life play like 'Middletown', currently playing at ACT would be a darker and grittier ride than its 'Our Town' predecessor. And while at times it seems like just a series of platitudes on how to live your life, what makes this production what it is are the stirring and heartfelt performances from the ensemble cast.

ACT Theatre has announced the Seattle premiere of Will Eno's whimsical and poetic comedy drama, Middletown. In his contemporary take on Thornton Wilder's classic Our Town, Will Eno (2012 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award) digs acutely into American life, bringing the deeply human journeys of neighbor and stranger together in an 'Everytown USA.' Eno's critically acclaimed new play explores how the imponderable mysteries of the universe reveal themselves through the apparently everyday lives and relationships of ordinary people in an ordinary place.

ACT Theatre has announced the Seattle premiere of Will Eno's whimsical and poetic comedy drama, Middletown. In his contemporary take on Thornton Wilder's classic Our Town, Will Eno (2012 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award) digs acutely into American life, bringing the deeply human journeys of neighbor and stranger together in an 'Everytown USA.' Eno's critically acclaimed new play explores how the imponderable mysteries of the universe reveal themselves through the apparently everyday lives and relationships of ordinary people in an ordinary place.

ACT Theatre is thrilled to announce the Seattle premiere of Will Eno's whimsical and poetic comedy drama, Middletown, beginning August 30. In his contemporary take on Thornton Wilder's classic Our Town, Will Eno (2012 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award) digs acutely into American life, bringing the deeply human journeys of neighbor and stranger together in an "Everytown USA." Eno's critically acclaimed new play explores how the imponderable mysteries of the universe reveal themselves through the apparently everyday lives and relationships of ordinary people in an ordinary place.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater has announced the dynamic directors and creative teams selected for the 2013/14 Season, The Rep's 60th Anniversary. These talented directors and creative teams will help The Rep continue in its commitment to offer brave, challenging, entertaining, stimulating, thought-provoking and vital works with a distinctive aesthetic.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre announces a jam packed summer and fall with shows that cover a broad range of theatre. Finishing out the Mainstage season with three powerhouse Seattle Premieres, ACT presents Gina Gionfriddo's Pulitzer Prize finalist Rapture, Blister, Burn; followed by Will Eno's Middletown; and closing with Sir Alan Ayckbourn's American Premiere of Sugar Daddies - where the theatre legend himself will travel to Seattle to direct. In our Central Heating Lab, where ACT partners with other groups to produce new and exciting alternative theatre, AZEOTROPE returns with a double-header performed in repertory, and Das Fallopia makes their ACT debut with Ham for the Holidays. Fans of new works who love to delve into the developmental process will have plenty to see with ACT's New Play Award, The Construction Zone, and Icicle Creek Theater Festival.

The critically acclaimed New Century Theatre Company (NCTC) enters a new era as their Board of Directors announces their plan to hire employee #1; Kayti Barnett, as NCTC's managing director. She takes over this role from founding member Jamie Herlich who has served as acting managing director since 2011.

American Players Theatre (APT) announces its 2013 Season, which runs tonight, June 8 to October 20, 2013, and includes the first indoor Shakespeare production of the company's history: an intimate adaptation of Antony and Cleopatra by heralded off-Broadway actor and playwright James DeVita and director Kate Buckley, presented in the 200-seat Touchstone Theatre. DeVita, one of APT's Core Company members, recently completed a critically acclaimed run of his solo show In Acting Shakespeare at the Pearl Theater in New York.