Leigh Silverman News

The Dramatists Guild Fund welcomes a slew of stars for their 2015 Gala tonight! As previously announced, actor, musician and Emmy-nominated composer, Darren Criss will host and perform at DGF's annual gala GREAT WRITERS THANK THEIR LUCKY STARS at Gotham Hall (1356 Broadway at 36th Street) this evening, October 26 (cocktail reception at 6:30pm, dinner and celebration at 7:30pm).

The Dramatists Guild Fund will welcome a slew of stars for their 2015 Gala next week!

Edie Brickell and Carmen Cusak have been added to the roster of performers for The Lilly Awards Broadway Cabaret, an evening of musical showstoppers written by women and performed by Broadway's best to benefit The Lilly Awards Foundation (Marsha Norman, President) whose mission is to promote gender parity at all levels of theatrical production, and develop and celebrate the work of women in the theater.

Acclaimed Director James Lapine was honored with the 2015 'Mr. Abbott' Award for the outstanding artistry and creativity of his forty-year (and counting) career last night, October 19th.

Acclaimed Director James Lapine was honored with the 2015 "Mr. Abbott" Award for the outstanding artistry and creativity of his forty-year (and counting) career on Monday October 19th.

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announce that actor, musician and Emmy-nominated composer, Darren Criss will host and perform at the annual gala Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars on October 26. Joining the previously announced line up are Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth honoring Stephen Schwartz and Mo Rocca honoring Laurence O'Keefe & Nell Benjamin.

Women's Project Theater, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Lisa McNulty and Managing Director Maureen Moynihan, has announced the rotating casts for the New York premiere of DEAR ELIZABETH, the inaugural production at the WP's new theatrical home the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway (at 76th Street).

The playwright discusses the unique friendship between two celebrated American poets.

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announce the lineup for the nonprofit's Gala, Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars being held on October 26 at Gotham Hall. The Gala is the most critical fundraising event for the Dramatists Guild Fund, the public charity arm of the Dramatists Guild of America. This very special evening pays tribute to legendary writers and recognizes their significant contributions to American theater.

The Lilly Awards Foundation (Marsha Norman, President) proudly presents The Lilly Awards Broadway Cabaret, an evening of musical showstoppers written by women and performed by Broadway's best to benefit The Lilly Awards Foundation whose mission is to promote gender parity at all levels of theatrical production, and develop and celebrate the work of women in the theater.

DC Foundation is pleased to announce that Andrew Rannells will host the "Mr. Abbott" Award Gala honoring James Lapine on Monday, October 19, 2015. The event will include special performances by Bernadette Peters, Christine Ebersole, Christian Borle, and Marin Mazzie with appearances by Stephen Sondheim, William Finn, and others. Directed by Leigh Silverman, the "Mr. Abbott" Award Gala will take place at Stage 48 (605 West 48th Street). The event will begin at 6:30 p.m.

 Winners of the 2014 FringeNYC Overall Excellence Awards were announced by festival Producing Artistic Director Elena K. Holy during a brief ceremony at Drom in New York. As selected by an independent panel of over 30 theater professionals, the winners are as follows:

The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) announces the productions selected for its newest program: FringeFAVE. On August 30th, one final performance slot in each of the 17 theaters hosting the festival has been given to the best-selling show in that venue. Tickets for all of these 'favorite' shows are now on sale at www.FringeNYC.org.

Women's Project Theater, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Lisa McNulty and Managing Director Maureen Moynihan, just announced the 2015-2016 Season and the beginning of its three-year residency at the McGinn/Cazale Theater (2162 Broadway, at 76th Street), creating an artistic home for women in theater.

The New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) is now accepting submissions for new musicals for its 2016 Festival. Also announced was the selection of panelists for the 2016 Grand Jury who will help to choose shows for acceptance into the Next Link Project, NYMF's primary writer-service program.

The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multi-arts festival in North America, kicks off its 19th Annual Festival tomorrow, August 14, running through August 30, 2015. This year, festival productions including SHAKE THE EARTH, ELEPHANTS AND OTHER WORLDLY DILEMMAS and THE GAP among other rang the NASDAQ closing bell today to commemorate the festival's August 14th opening. Scroll down for photos!

The 24 Hour Company (producers of The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway and around the world, as well as The 24 Hour Musicals) and their longtime collaborator The New School College of Performing Arts, School of Drama will present The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals in New York City this summer.

Dramatists Guild Fund President Andrew Lippa and Executive Director Rachel Routh announced today that the Fund will honor two patrons of the arts and philanthropists Lynne Greene, Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., and Louise Camuto, Chief Creative Officer of Camuto Group, at the nonprofit's Gala, Great Writers Thank Their Lucky Stars. Leigh Silverman (Violet, The Wild Party, Chinglish) will direct this year's gala held on October 26 at Gotham Hall.

The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multi-arts festival in North America, will present the 19th Annual Festival from August 14 - 30, 2015. This year the festival will present programming by 185 of the world's best emerging theatre troupes and dance companies in 16 venues in downtown Manhattan. With attendance topping 75,000 people, FringeNYC is New York City's fifth largest event (just behind New York International Auto Show, Tribeca Film Festival, New York City Marathon, and New York Comic Con). Tickets go on sale today -- Friday, July 17, 2015.

Andrew Lippa's substantially revised version of his adaptation of Joseph Moncure March's Jazz Age narrative poem features an outstanding cast.