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BWW Reviews: Playhouse's GOSPEL AT COLONUS Finds Sophocles 'Holy Rollin'

While watching THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, the African-American version of Sophocles' OEDIPUS AT COLONUS as created by Lee Breuer (with music by Bob Telson), I was reminded of the reimagining of the Old Testament by Marc Connelly in the 1930 Pulitzer Prize-winning THE GREEN PASTURES. Like GOSPEL, THE GREEN PASTURES serves up time-honored material by transposing it to a religious setting;. PASTURES relates the Old Testament as envisioned by a young Afro-American boy; thus, Heaven is one big fish fry. When I first saw the 1936 film version (which Connelly, a white man, scripted for Warners' director William Keighley), I found it a special experience -- a wonderful all-black cast was an anomaly for a young viewer in the late 1950's and early i60's; now, with the passage of time (and legislation), I can understand why modern audiences would find it politically incorrect (though that cast is still peopled with some amazing talent). Interestingly, Mr. Breuer eschews following Connelly's suit, and though he utilizes a Black minister and church service to tell his tale, he focuses instead on an ancient Greek tragedy rather than the Old -- or New -- Testament.

Ebony Repertory Theatre Presents THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, Now thru 7/19

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that they will present the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and Tony Award-nominated production of THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS starring Tony Award-winner Roger Robinson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone) as Oedpius. The acclaimed production, conceived and adapted by Lee Breuer (Mabou Mines' Trilogy) and music by Bob Telson (Lincoln Center Theater's Chronicle of a Death Foretold), is a soul stirring dramatic-musical which takes place within the framework of a Pentecostal church service set against the tragic Greek background of the story of Oedipus at Colonus, in which the exiled king Oedipus seeks a place where he may be properly buried. ERT's production, directed by Andi Chapman (Actors Co-op's Steel Magnolias - Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Director), will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Premiere. Performances will run tonight, June 18 - July 19, 2015 with an official press opening on Saturday, June 20 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

Rattlestick's AFGHANISTAN, ZIMBABWE, AMERICA, KUWAIT Hosts Panel Tonight

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and piece by piece productions have announced that the The Reverend Micah Bucey will moderate a post-show panel discussion following the performance of the world premiere play Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, America, Kuwait, written and directed by Daniel Talbott, tonight, June 16, at The Gym at Judson, 243 Thompson Street. The panelists will include Greg Grandin, Morgan Jenness, and Michael Ratner.

Noche Flamenca to Present ANTIGONA, 7/13-8/8

Soledad Barrio, Noche Flamenca's celebrated lead dancer and choreographer, brings her usual fire to the role of Antigone, the classical Greek heroine. Daughter of Oedipus and sister of the shunned Polyneices, Antigone follows her heart and defies Creon by burying her brother. Sentenced to death, Antigone then kills herself. Director George C. Wolfe in The New York Times has declared the company "brilliant," and said that "Soledad is a once-in-a-lifetime performer who combines overwhelming physicality and spirituality."

Rattlestick's AFGHANISTAN, ZIMBABWE, AMERICA, KUWAIT to Host Panel, 6/16

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and piece by piece productions have announced that the The Reverend Micah Bucey will moderate a post-show panel discussion following the performance of the world premiere play Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, America, Kuwait, written and directed by Daniel Talbott, on Tuesday, June 16, at The Gym at Judson, 243 Thompson Street. The panelists will include Greg Grandin, Morgan Jenness, and Michael Ratner.

Rattestick & piece by piece to Bring 'AFGHANISTAN, ZIMBABWE' to Gym at Judson

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and piece by piece productions have announced that Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, America, Kuwait, written and directed by Daniel Talbott, will begin performances Thursday, May 21 at 7pm at The Gym at Judson, 243 Thompson Street. The opening night is set for Tuesday, June 9 at 7pm. The production is scheduled to run through Saturday, June 27.

Ebony Repertory Theatre to Present THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, 6/18-7/19

Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Founder/Producer Wren T. Brown) announced today that they will present the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and Tony Award-nominated production of THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS starring Tony Award-winner Roger Robinson (Joe Turner's Come and Gone) as Oedpius. The acclaimed production, conceived and adapted by Lee Breuer (Mabou Mines' Trilogy) and music by Bob Telson (Lincoln Center Theater's Chronicle of a Death Foretold), is a soul stirring dramatic-musical which takes place within the framework of a Pentecostal church service set against the tragic Greek background of the story of Oedipus at Colonus, in which the exiled king Oedipus seeks a place where he may be properly buried. ERT's production, directed by Andi Chapman (Actors Co-op's Steel Magnolias - Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Director), will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Premiere. Performances will run June 18 - July 19, 2015 with an official press opening on Saturday, June 20 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 West Washington Boulevard) in Los Angeles.

Metropolitan Playhouse's EAST SIDE STORIES Begins Tonight

OBIE Award-winning theater company Metropolitan Playhouse will present the eleventh annual East Side Stories, a three-week celebration of the life and lore of the East Village featuring twelve new plays and solo performances chronicling such timely topics as real estate, rising development and the loss of old neighbors as well as historical events like the Astor Place and Tompkins Square Riots.

Metropolitan Playhouse's EAST SIDE STORIES Begins 4/14

OBIE Award-winning theater company Metropolitan Playhouse will present the eleventh annual East Side Stories, a three-week celebration of the life and lore of the East Village featuring twelve new plays and solo performances chronicling such timely topics as real estate, rising development and the loss of old neighbors as well as historical events like the Astor Place and Tompkins Square Riots.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson to Lead THE TEMPEST, Lily Rabe & Hamish Linklater Set for CYMBELINE This Summer at SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK

The Public Theater announced additional casting today for the 2015 Free Shakespeare in the Park season, beginning Wednesday, May 27 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. This summer will feature Shakespeare's late romances with THE TEMPEST, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and CYMBELINE, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. Jesse Tyler Ferguson will return to the Park this summer as Trinculo in THE TEMPEST, along with Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe teaming up again with Daniel Sullivan on CYMBELINE to play Posthumus Leonatus/Cloten and Imogen, respectively.

Takeshi Kawamura, Lee Breuer, PEN World Voices Festival and More Set for Segal Center's 2015 Spring Season

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at the CUNY Graduate Center announces its Spring 2015 season of public programs. The Segal Center's 2015 Spring season offers ten new public events beginning on March 9 -- featuring contemporary theatre and performing artists from around the world -- including the annual three-day PEN World Voices International Play Festival, and retrospectives of the work of formidable American artists Lee Breur and Richard Foreman. All free.

Breaking News: THE TEMPEST with Sam Waterston & CYMBELINE Set for The Public's 2015 Shakespeare in the Park Season; Michael Greif, Daniel Sullivan to Direct!

The Public Theater announced the line-up today for the 2015 FREE Shakespeare in the Park season, continuing a 53-year tradition of free theater in Central Park. Since 1962, over five million people have enjoyed more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte Theater. Conceived by founder Joe Papp as a way to make great theater accessible to all, The Public's free Shakespeare in the Park continues to be the bedrock of the Company's mission to increase access and engage the community. This summer, free Shakespeare in the Park will feature Shakespeare's late romances with THE TEMPEST (May 27-July 5), directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and CYMBELINE (July 27-August 23), directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan.

Immigration Drama TALA Continues thru 1/23 at Performance Project @ University Settlement

The Performance Project @ University Settlement will present the World Premiere of TALA, a multicultural play about the immigrant experience written and directed by Kyoung H. Park. Produced by Kyoung's Pacific Beat, previews began January 8 at University Settlement with opening set for January 10. The show runs through January 23, 2015.

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