Lanford Wilson News

For four decades, Sidney Berger helped aspiring stage stars rise from the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance and ascend to professional heights. Some headed to Hollywood while others made their way to regional stages and classrooms. No matter where they went, Berger viewed each of his students as shining products of theater education at its finest.

Artist Bob Rauschenberg presented new ways of looking at life, the world and the United States through groundbreaking collages - 'Combines' - that incorporated everyday objects and assorted images of people, places and things. Random at times, and deliberate at others, each collection of items told a host of stories within a single canvas. Thanks to playwright Charles L. Mee, the artist's spirited, yet unconventional, vision was transplanted to a theater setting by New York's SITI Company in 'bobrauschenbergamerica' in 2001. Soon, Houstonians will have the opportunity to experience this unique stage production when it is presented by the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance.

Dick Enberg's play, McGuire, about legendary Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire will be presented on the historic El Portal Theatre's Mainstage in North Hollywood, April 9-12, 2009. McGuire stars award-winning Broadway and television actor Cotter Smith. Heidi Mueller-Smith directs. McGuire at the El Portal Theatre is positioned to immediately follow the NCAA Final Four weekend in Detroit. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of McGuire's triumphant NCAA championship in Atlanta as head coach at Marquette. The show debuted on the Marquette campus in Milwaukee, Wis. in 2005 to sell-out audiences. It also has played at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Hofstra University, and North Coast Rep in Solana Beach, California.

Passion, piety, and the enticement of power sparks a once in a lifetime historic event. Based on the enduring account of a young scholar's rise to the papacy, and brought to life by the original producer of HAIR on Broadway, this musical extravaganza unleashes one of the most controversial stories in the history of mankind. A cast of 26 professionals, an award winning team, and live music create this stunning premiere, for a limited run at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood.

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING THEATRE TRIBE IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF A SKULL IN CONNEMARA

THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE, a world premiere production of nine plays by Horton Foote that have been newly adapted by the Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award-winning playwright into a three-part theatrical event, will be co-produced in the 2009-2010 season by Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) and Hartford Stage (Michael Wilson, Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Managing Director). The productions will be directed by Michael Wilson and performed at Hartford Stage from August 27, 2009 to October 17, 2009 and at Signature Theatre Company, from October 29, 2009 to April 11, 2010. Each part of the three part cycle will be staged individually as well as in repertory and one-day marathons. Audiences may choose to see the individual parts or the entire trilogy. THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE encompasses nine newly adapted plays by Mr. Foote, together for the first time. Mr. Foote, 92, is actively adapting each of the full-length plays, some previously produced and others never before seen, into one epic cycle.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) continues its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will continue its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.

Veteran Broadway General Managers Richard Frankel and Laura Green have announced the formation of FRANKEL GREEN THEATRICAL MANAGEMENT.

'Lillian Hellmania!',a festival celebrating the playwrights' work, will run in Chicago at Eclipse ('The Autumn Garden'), Shattered Globe ('The Little Foxes,' 1/8-3/8/09), and City Lit ('Scoundrel Time,' 1/30-3/8/09).

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING THEATRE TRIBE IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF A SKULL IN CONNEMARA

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will continue its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.

Ripe Time and New Dramatists will present "Shape Shifting: Antigone In Action," an evening of new work created in response to what makes Antigone necessary today. The event is on Monday, November 10 at 7 pm at New Dramatists. Admission is free.

Hollywood…Baum/Lebenzon Productions presents a world premiere comedy, SHOCK THERAPY, written by Tom Baum ('The Manhattan Project,' 'Carny'), produced by Diantha Lebenzon and directed by Jenny O'Hara. SHOCK THERAPY will preview on Saturday, November 1 at 8pm; Sunday, November 2 at 7pm; Thursday, November 6 at 8:00 p.m. and Friday, November 7 at 8p.m. and will open on Saturday, November 8 at 8:00 pm and is scheduled to run for six weeks through Saturday, December 14th, 2008 at The Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way in Hollywood.

Hollywood…Baum/Lebenzon Productions presents a world premiere comedy, SHOCK THERAPY, written by Tom Baum ('The Manhattan Project,' 'Carny'), produced by Diantha Lebenzon and directed by Jenny O'Hara. SHOCK THERAPY will preview on Saturday, November 1 at 8pm; Sunday, November 2 at 7pm; Thursday, November 6 at 8:00 p.m. and Friday, November 7 at 8p.m. and will open on Saturday, November 8 at 8:00 pm and is scheduled to run for six weeks through Saturday, December 14th, 2008 at The Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way in Hollywood.

The producers of WEST SIDE STORY have confirmed full casting for the new Broadway production.

Stage 13 (Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg, Bjorn Thorstad; artistic directors) presents the New York Premiere of THE RISE AND FALL OF ANNIE HALL at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row for three weeks only, October 24-November 9.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director)kicks off its 30th Anniversary Season with a new production of Howard Korder's comedy, BOYS' LIFE, directed by Michael Greif.

The American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio proudly present an interview with Playwright Lanford Wilson, on their weekly theatrical interview show, 'Downstage Center,' on XM's On Broadway (XM Channel 28).

The American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio proudly present an interview with Playwright Lanford Wilson, on their weekly theatrical interview show, 'Downstage Center,' on XM's On Broadway (XM Channel 28).