Lindsay Jones News

Playwright Julia Brownell's Smart Cookie is a wickedly funny comedy about how a shocking surprise helps a wealthy Manhattan socialite become the woman she never realized she wanted to be. The clear favorite of the 2008 Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition judges, this World Premiere play combines laugh-out-loud humor with a provocative story about social image and the powers that can change a person's attitudes.

THE QUIET MAN TALES, a riveting new play presented by Smock Alley Theater Co., in conjunction with Mavin Productions II and Pullinsi & D'Angelo Productions, will make its world premiere at The Chicago Theatre Downstairs, 175 N. State Street, previewing March 6 and opening Sunday, March 22 at 2:30 p.m. and running through May 24. Susan Felder will direct.

THE QUIET MAN TALES, a riveting new play presented by Smock Alley Theater Co., in conjunction with Mavin Productions II and Pullinsi & D'Angelo Productions, will make its world premiere at The Chicago Theatre Downstairs, 175 N. State Street, previewing March 6 and opening Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m. Susan Felder will direct. Adapted for the stage by Frank Mahon and Milissa Pacelli, THE QUIET MAN TALES is based on Green Rushes, the classic book of short stories by Maurice Walsh. Published in 1935, the book was the inspiration for the legendary 1952 Academy Award-winning film The Quiet Man, which was directed by John Ford and starred Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne. Set in the sweeping Irish countryside in the midst of the country's battle for freedom from England in 1921 and the years that follow, THE QUIET MAN TALES is a humorous and poignant story of the interconnected lives of the men and women who fought in the Irish War of Independence. The production features beautiful new and traditional Irish music performed by Chicago-area Irish musicians. For the first time ever, this beloved Irish story is told on stage in the rich context of Walsh's other stories, and offers plenty of laughs, plenty of drama, and plenty of action - entertainment in the grand style. Of THE QUIET MAN TALES, Maureen O'Hara says: 'A wonderful script both sensitive and honest to its time frame...You have managed to give uniqueness to the story and its characters that will make it stand on its own...I'm sure Maurice Walsh would approve of this story based on Green Rushes being scripted in such a delightful way.'

Playwright Julia Brownell's Smart Cookie is a wickedly funny comedy about how a shocking surprise helps a wealthy Manhattan socialite become the woman she never realized she wanted to be. The clear favorite of the 2008 Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition judges, this World Premiere play combines laugh-out-loud humor with a provocative story about social image and the powers that can change a person's attitudes.

Jeffrey A. Katz, presents the world premiere of 'Slaphappy,' a romantic comedy of lost lovers and tormented ducks, by Chicago playwright Gary Slezak. Set in a Paris hotel, the play explores the idea of happiness through the eyes of four Americans, a loopy bellboy, an astute concierge, and a society of pâté lovers. Battling couples, exploding rockets, mistaken medications and a taste of foie gras come together in a delirious confection. This Equity show runs about two hours plus two intermissions. The poster illustration is by New Yorker cartoonist Pat Byrnes (copy below; more info at www.patbyrnes.com).

Jeffrey A. Katz, presents the world premiere of 'Slaphappy,' a romantic comedy of lost lovers and tormented ducks, by Chicago playwright Gary Slezak. Set in a Paris hotel, the play explores the idea of happiness through the eyes of four Americans, a loopy bellboy, an astute concierge, and a society of pâté lovers. Battling couples, exploding rockets, mistaken medications and a taste of foie gras come together in a delirious confection. This Equity show runs about two hours plus two intermissions. The poster illustration is by New Yorker cartoonist Pat Byrnes (copy below; more info at www.patbyrnes.com).

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-wining Mint Theater Company will kick off their 2008-2009 season with the American Premiere of J. B. Priestley's The Glass Cage, opening September 21st. Performances will continue through November 2nd

Today, the Jefferson Awards announced the 150 nominations in 35 categories for Chicago Equity theatrical productions which opened between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2008. Beginning with this season, the Jeff Awards is acknowledging the work of Large and Midsize theatres in separate categories for productions and technical elements.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-wining Mint Theater Company today announced their upcoming season.

Perry Street Theatre Company today announced that the World Premiere of 'A Dangerous Personality', the new play by Sallie Bingham, will play its final performance on Sunday June 29th.

Perry Street Theatre Company today announced that the World Premiere of 'A Dangerous Personality', the new play by Sallie Bingham, will play its final performance on Sunday June 29th.

Perry Street Theatre Company (David Elliott/Martin Platt, Co-Directors) is proud to present the World Premiere of A Dangerous Personality, a new play by Sallie Bingham.

Primary Stages officially opened 'Something You Did' on April 1st, 2008. The five-member cast features Tony Award-winner Joanna Gleason (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into the Woods) as Alison, a sixties radical, with Jordan Charney (Hearts) as Arthur, Alison's attorney, Tony Award-winner Adriane Lenox (Doubt) as Lenora, Portia (McReele) as Uneeq and Victor Slezak (Sabina) as Gene.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director), in association with Nancy Cooperstein and Betty Ann Besch Solinger, present the New York premiere of Something You Did by Willy Holtzman (Sabina). The five-member cast features Tony Award-winner Joanna Gleason (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into the Woods) as Alison, a sixties radical, with Jordan Charney (Hearts) as Arthur, Alison's attorney, Tony Award-winner Adriane Lenox (Doubt) as Lenora, Portia (McReele) as Uneeq and Victor Slezak (Sabina) as Gene. Carolyn Cantor (Pumpgirl) directs the final production of this current 23rd Primary Stages season of new works by American playwrights. Performances begin March 18 for a limited run through April 26, 2008, at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Opening night is Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Willy Holtzman returns to Primary Stages with his latest work, the story of a notorious Sixties radical that has served nearly 30 years in prison for her part in the accidental killing of an African-American police officer during an explosive war protest. Now she is eligible for parole in a post 9/11 world where bombing is terrorism and dissent, treason. How much can she be faulted for having a conscience? Is she guilty of bringing the war home? Something You Did is a powerfully topical and provocative drama that examines the responsibility of citizens for the actions of their government. The creative team includes Eugene Lee (sets), Jenny Mannis (costumes), Jeff Croiter (lighting), and Lindsay Jones (sound). The Production Stage Manager is Samone B. Weissman. Single tickets are priced at $60 with a specially priced $20 ticket is available to patrons 35 and under for all performances. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or online at www.ticketcentral.com. For group sales inquires, please email Kara Hennessey at kara@primarystages.com. Earlier this season, Primary Stages presented the New York premieres of Opus by Michael Hollinger, and Dividing The Estate by Horton Foote, and the world premiere of Hunting and Gathering by Brooke Berman. Primary Stages recently announced the schedule of new plays for its 24th season. The 2008-2009 season will have three New York premieres: Buffalo Gal by A.R. Gurney, A Body of Water by Lee Blessing, and Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told By Himself) by Donald Margulies, and the world premiere of Chasing Manet by Tina Howe at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street). 4-play subscription packages are now available by calling TicketCentral at (212) 279-4200 or online at www.TicketCentral.com. For additional information about Primary Stages, please visit the website at www.primarystages.com.

The 39th annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards will be handed out on March 17 at North Hollywood's El Portal Theatre. The awards, recognizing excellence in Southern California theatre, including Los Angeles and Orange County, will be hosted by Jason Graae.

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company presents Polly Teale's inventive drama 'Brontë' running March 20th through May 4th in the Upstairs Mainstage of the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater.

Primary Stages has announced the full cast to the New York premiere of Something You Did by Willy Holtzman (Sabina). The five-member cast features the previously announced Tony Award-winning Joanna Gleason (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into the Woods) as Alison, a sixties radical, and Jordan Charney (Hearts) as Arthur, Alison's attorney. They will be joined by Tony Award-winner Adriane Lenox (Doubt) as Lenora, Portia as Uneeq and Victor Slezak as Gene.

Page 73 Productions has announced that the New York premiere of 1001, written by Jason Grote and directed by Ethan McSweeny, will begin performances Monday, October 22 at the Nagelberg Theatre at Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), 55 Lexington Avenue. The opening is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31 at 8PM.