Josh Short News

The Wilbury Theatre Group closes its 2013-14 season with the acclaimed legendary musical Cabaret, the multiple award-winning masterpiece by Joe Masteroff, with Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, Directed by Tom Gleadow May 15-June 7 at the Wilbury Theatre Group, 393 Broad Street, Providence RI.

As an art form, theater is many things. It is entertaining. It is inspiring. It is thought-provoking. It can also be disturbing, challenging, provocative and divisive. Some might argue that this is exactly what theater should be and is meant to be. Something that elicits powerful emotions, both positive and negative, from an audience. Something that causes them to discuss, engage, and even argue with each other over what it all means. Love it or hate it, it's power to grab the audience and make them face a difficult reality cannot and will not be denied. This is exactly the kind of theater The Wilbury Group has created with their production of Sarah Kane's Blasted.

Josh Short, Founding Artistic Director of Providence's Wilbury Theatre Group, has announced the group's 2014-15 season. Bookended by two very different but equally exciting musicals and featuring a bold blende of new works and reimagined classics from the most cutting-edge playwrights, Season 5 promises to be The Wilbury Group's most ambitious season yet.

The Wilbury Theatre Group announces the New England premiere of Sarah Kane's highly-acclaimed landmark play, Blasted. Directed by Wilbury Group Artistic Director Josh Short and featuring Amber Kelly (Gruesome Playground Injuries), Jo-an Peralta (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), and Boston-based actor Alexander Cook, Sarah Kane's darkly humorous and controversial work is an unparalleled examination of how the crimes of a destructive society at home echo into the horrors of wars abroad.

The Wilbury Theatre Group's New Works program announces a workshop production of resident artist Cyrus Leddy's new play The Teller directed by Susie Schutt, February 20-22, 2014.

The Wilbury Theatre Group presents the Rhode Island premiere of Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare's highly acclaimed Obie award-winning adaptation of Homer's epic poem, An Iliad. Directed by Clara Weishahn (Sharon in DETROIT at the Wilbury Group) and featuring Rhode Island native Matthew Fraza as 'The Poet', this re-telling brings to life the ancient tale of gods, goddesses, warriors and their families, and the endless battles of human history with a gripping, modern voice. An Iliad runs January 23-February 8 at The Wilbury Theatre Group, 393 Broad Street, Providence RI. Tickets are just $15-$20, with discounts available for subscribers, seniors, and students. Tickets at 401-400-7100 or thewilburygroup.org.

The Wilbury Theatre Group announces the Rhode Island premiere of the Obie award-winning musical, A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant. Written by Kyle Jarrow based on a concept by Alex Timbers, and directed by David Tessier (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) with music by Kerry Callery (Body Awareness), this production of the cult-hit telling of the life L. Ron Hubbard and the founding of Scientology marks the tenth anniversary of the ground-breaking cult-hit's original New York premiere. A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant runs tonight, December 5-22 at The Wilbury Theatre Group, 393 Broad Street, Providence RI.

The Wilbury Theatre Group announces the Rhode Island premiere of the Obie award-winning musical, A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant. Written by Kyle Jarrow based on a concept by Alex Timbers, and directed by David Tessier (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) with music by Kerry Callery (Body Awareness), this production of the cult-hit telling of the life L. Ron Hubbard and the founding of Scientology marks the tenth anniversary of the ground-breaking cult-hit's original New York premiere. A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant runs December 5-22 at The Wilbury Theatre Group, 393 Broad Street, Providence RI.

In terms of longevity and legacy, The Wilbury Group is still one of the newest kids on the block in the Rhode Island theater community. Founded only three years ago, in 2010, they have been growing quickly, moving last season into a new space where they have settled in very nicely. Along with finding their home as far as the physical space is concerned, they also have begun to find their groove, artistically and technically. If the first play of this season is any indication, they are ready for another big growth spurt and area audiences are in for some exciting, riveting works of theater. Detroit is a play that begins with a simple enough premise. A couple living in an upper middle-class suburb have invited their new neighbors over for a barbecue. The suburb could be just outside of the titular city or it could be anywhere in the United States. Middle-aged and seemingly well-off, the first couple are either the picture of suburban harmony or they are trying very hard to fake it. The other couple, younger and definitely lower in class, are just recently out of rehab and everything about them indicates a struggle and desire to make their lives work, if they can only figure out how.

From Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre comes a new x-ray of the embattled American psyche. In a 'first ring' suburb outside a mid-sized American city, Ben and Mary fire up the grill to welcome the new neighbors who've moved into the long-empty house next door. The fledgling friendship soon veers out of control, shattering the fragile hold Ben and Mary have on their way of life. Winner of the 2013 Obie Award for Best New American Play and a finalist for the 2012 Pulitizer Prize, DETROIT is a fresh, off-beat look at what happens when we dare to open ourselves up to something new. DETROIT runs tonight, September 19-October 5, 2013.

From Chicago's Steppenwolf theatre comes a new x-ray of the embattled American psyche. In a "first ring" suburb outside a mid-sized American city, Ben and Mary fire up the grill to welcome the new neighbors who've moved into the long-empty house next door. The fledgling friendship soon veers out of control, shattering the fragile hold Ben and Mary have on their way of life. Winner of the 2013 Obie Award for Best New American Play and a finalist for the 2012 Pulitizer Prize, DETROIT is a fresh, off-beat look at what happens when we dare to open ourselves up to something new. DETROIT runs September 19-October 5, 2013.

For many, if not most, plays and musicals are an escape. It is a way for audience members to lose themselves in the dark of the theater and in the lives of the people on stage. Plays are, for them, just entertainment, a way to connect with other human beings and feel what they feel, laugh or cry along with them. Then go home and forget all about it. That is not the case with the plays of German dramatist Bertolt Brecht, whose play The Threepenny Opera is currently running at The Wilbury Theatre Group.

Rhode Island theatergoers can expect an exciting season of comedy, drama, and music as local venues announce their summertime schedules. From downcity Providence to the sea breezes at Matunuck, here's a look ahead at summer theater highlights in the Ocean State.

The Rhode Island performance community-at-large has announced the formation of The Rhode Island Performance Exchange (RIPE). The community-based organization aims to create greater awareness about all activity in the Rhode Island performance community, while connecting people working in the sector to each other in hopes of encouraging new collaborations and resource-sharing, all with the ultimate goal of building better performance through a stronger community, and a stronger community through better performance.

The Wilbury Group announces the RI premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's Pulitzer Price nominated play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity tonight, January 23-February 9, 2013. Winner of the 2011 Obie Award for Best New American Play, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity slams together thrilling spectacle, incredible characters, and geopolitical allegory into a uniquely invigorating theatrical experience.

The Wilbury Group announces the RI premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's Pulitzer Price nominated play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity January 23-February 9, 2013. Winner of the 2011 Obie Award for Best New American Play, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity slams together thrilling spectacle, incredible characters, and geopolitical allegory into a uniquely invigorating theatrical experience.

The Wilbury Group presents the RI premiere of the award-winning rock musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and a book by Alex Timbers, tonight, July 12 through July 28 2012 in a new performance space at the beautifully restored Butcher Block Mill Building, 25 Eagle Street, Providence.

The Wilbury Group will present the RI premiere of the award-winning rock musical, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, and a book by Alex Timbers, July 12-28 2012 in a new performance space at the beautifully restored Butcher Block Mill Building, 25 Eagle Street, Providence.