Katori Hall News

In celebration of its 35th anniversary landmark year, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced a global celebration where theatres across the English-speaking world will produce 75 plays by past winners and finalists.

From the Lark Play Development Center's BareBones® workshop program that supported Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP, Rajiv Joseph's BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, and Kristoffer Diaz's WELCOME TO ARROYOS, the Lark announces a BareBones® workshop of THE WAY WEST by Mona Mansour, directed by Linsay Firman. The workshop runs at Lark's BareBones® Studio from November 2 - 11 at 311 West 43rd Street in New York City. Tickets are $10, $12, and $15 and are available at www.larktheatre.org.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith has announced eight productions on subscription for the company's third year in its new home, the Mead Center for American Theater.

Spring 2013 sees multi Olivier Award-winner Zoe Wanamaker make her return to the West End in Passion Play, Peter Nichols' celebrated black comedy about love and infidelity. Directed by David Leveaux, Passion Play opens on 7 May at the Duke of York's Theatre with previews from 1 May.

The Clive Barnes Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2012 Clive Barnes Awards, a distinguished annual honor recognizing the work of young actors and dancers in New York City.

From the Lark Play Development Center's BareBones® workshop program that supported Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP, Rajiv Joseph's BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, and Kristoffer Diaz's WELCOME TO ARROYOS, the Lark announces a BareBones® workshop of THE WAY WEST by Mona Mansour, directed by Linsay Firman. The workshop runs at Lark's BareBones® Studio from November 2 - 11 at 311 West 43rd Street in New York City. Tickets are $10, $12, and $15 and are available at www.larktheatre.org.

Due to popular demand the Castillo Theatre is extending to November 4th the American premiere of Children of Killers by award-wining playwright, Katori Hall.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Equity Jeffs, 'Sunday' at Chicago Shakes, 'Hoodoo Love,' the new musicals 'Clear' and 'The Verona Project,' concerts of operetta and cabaret, a Chicago original cast album and more!

The Castillo Theatre is opening its 29th season with the American premiere of Children of Killers by award-wining playwright, Katori Hall. Ms. Hall comes to Castillo fresh from the London and Broadway triumphs of The Mountaintop, her play about the last night of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and from the premiere at the Signature Theatre of Hurt Village, a play set in the projects of her hometown of Memphis. The Mountaintop won the Olivier Award for best play in 2010. Hurt Village won the 2011 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Ms. Hall is pleased that Children of Killers is being presented to Castillo's diverse audience.

Theatre Communications Group has just realeased a list of the most-produced playwrights of the upcoming 2012-13 season, and topping the list is David Lindsay-Abaire, with 19 productions. Also on the list were: Matthew Lopez (15), David Mamet (15), Donald Margulies (15), Bruce Norris (15), August Wilson (14), Katori Hall (13), Brian Yorkey/Tom Kitt (13), David Ives (11), John Logan (11), Ken Ludwig (11).

On the eve of his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., cools down in a lonely Memphis hotel room after delivering the speech of a lifetime - when an unexpected visit from a feisty, young hotel maid pushes King into a confrontation with his doubts, fears and haunting premonitions. A soul-stirring hit in London and on Broadway, The Mountaintop's humorous, magical storytelling fuses theatricality with spirituality to reach a summit that will leave audiences breathless. The Mountaintop is written by playwright Katori Hall and will be directed by Rep Artistic Associate May Adrales, who returns to The Rep after directing last season's critically-acclaimed production of Yellowman. The Mountaintop opens tonight, September 28 and runs in The Rep's Stiemke Studio through November 4.

Philadelphia Theatre Company was the top winner of this year's Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre with seven awards, the most of any Philadelphia-area theater company. This brings PTC's total number of Barrymore Awards to 53 cumulative wins and 155 nominations.

From tonight, September 27 through October 21, The Nora Theatre Company will proudly present the New England Premiere of Sarah Treem's THE HOW AND THE WHY at Central Square Theater. The Press Performance is Monday, October 1 at 7:30PM.

The Collective Theatre presents its inaugural production: the Chicago premiere of HooDoo Love by Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall, directed by Nelsan Ellis, star of HBO's hit series True Blood. HooDoo Love plays now through October 21, 2012 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago. The production features Toni Lynice Fountain, LaRoyce Hawkins, Mark Smith and Lynn Wactor with Sam Bailey, Mark Hood, Opal Demetria Staples and Greg Williams. Musicians include Leon Q. Allen, Giles Corey and Thomas Lowery. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!