Lisa Kron News

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) will present the world premiere of POP!, a new musical with book and lyrics by Maggie-Kate Coleman and music by Anna K. Jacobs, directed by Mark Brokaw, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street), November 27-December 19, 2009. Opening Night is December 3.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), in association with Sonia Friedman Productions and Ostar Productions presents Sienna Miller as 'Miss Julie', Jonny Lee Miller as 'John' and Marin Ireland as 'Christine' in the American premiere of playwright Patrick Marber's drama After Miss Julie, a version of Strindberg's Miss Julie, directed by Mark Brokaw.

Today Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced that 16 emerging leaders from across the nation - including six Northern California natives - have been awarded fellowships for the upcoming season. This year's fellowships will be supported by a generous $50,000 grant from American Express, complementing a similar gift received earlier from the Koret Foundation.

The 2009-2010 season at the Douglas was announced today by CTG's Artistic Director Michael Ritchie and it will include a world premiere, an American premiere and a West Coast premiere plus expanded DouglasPlus programming that includes an eclectic mix of theatre choices ranging from fully-staged productions to bare-bones workshops and readings. Limited-run, special events will also be a part of DouglasPlus.

THE OJAI PLAYWRIGHTS CONFERENCE (OPC) is thrilled to announce its 2009 Season - 12th Annual program of playwrights, readings and symposiums. Features some of the most talented, established and up-and-coming playwrights writing today.

This month, at the annual meeting for Berkeley Repertory Theatre, influential leaders from the Bay Area's top firms signed on to guide the Tony Award-winning nonprofit through its 42nd season. The board of trustees elected new members and a slate of officers to steer the Theatre during a year of daring shows, which includes the latest work from the nation's top artists.

Colman Domingo will replace Orlando Jones in the title role of The Wiz for the final six performances, June 29 - July 5 at New York City Center. Mr. Jones is leaving the show early in order to shoot his new series 'Crash Course' for ABC-TV. The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz stars Ashanti, LaChanze, Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced the addition of two esteemed professionals to its staff: Chad Jones, the respected local journalist, joins the Theatre as its new communications manager, and Tom Pearl, an experienced theatre leader, takes over the position of production manager.

Fern Kershon and Orange Thought Productions today announced that 2009 Academy Award nominee Melissa Leo would head the cast of their new production, Heart of the City, a new play by Eric Lane, directed by Martha Banta. Performances will begin June 11th at the Theatre at 30th Street, for a limited engagement. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Fern Kershon and Orange Thought Productions will present Heart of the City, a new play by Eric Lane, directed by Martha Banta, featuring Eliza Foss, Scott Kerns, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Martin LaPlatney, Melissa Miller and Mark Setlock. Performances will begin Thursday June 11th at the Theatre at 30th Street, for a limited engagement.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), in association with Sonia Friedman Productions and Ostar Productions presents Sienna Miller as 'Miss Julie' and Jonny Lee Miller as 'John', both of whom will be making their Broadway debuts, in the American premiere of playwright Patrick Marber's drama After Miss Julie, a version of Strindberg's Miss Julie, directed by Mark Brokaw.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre, which has earned a national reputation for developing provocative new plays, has received two prestigious grants of $50,000 each to fund upcoming world premieres.

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA (James Bundy, Dean) and YALE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (Robert Blocker, Dean) announce the YALE INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC THEATRE.

Colman Domingo will replace Orlando Jones in the title role of The Wiz for the final six performances, June 29 - July 5 at New York City Center. Mr. Jones is leaving the show early in order to shoot his new series 'Crash Course' for ABC-TV. The Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz stars Ashanti, LaChanze, Joshua Henry, James Monroe Iglehart, Christian Dante White, Tichina Arnold and Dawnn Lewis.

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, proudly announces the sixth and final production of its upcoming 2009/2010 Season, as well as additional casting. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street, the new production will be: A COOL DIP IN THE BARREN SAHARAN CRICK - the World Premiere of a new play by Playwrights Horizons alumna Kia Corthron (Breath, Boom at Playwrights Horizons, Force Continuum), directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew (Durango at The Public). A co-production with The Play Company (Kate Loewald, Founding Producer) and Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director).

Just in time for Gay Pride Month, 92YTribeca presents Queer/Art/Film, a new series of all things hybrid and poly-sexual. Curated by Butt Magazine contributing editor Adam Baran and filmmaker Ira Sachs, the series invites some of the most exciting, innovative (and homosexual) artists from the dance/performance/film/visual and literary arts to present and discuss their favorite films, in rare prints, on the big screen.

The American Theatre Wing has announced its newest episode of its popular 'Working in the Theater' series, titled 'Fluidity & Change: Directors 2009.' This episode features Thomas Kail (In the Heights), Moisés Kaufman (33 Variations) Bartlett Sher (Joe Turner's Come and Gone), Leigh Silverman (Coraline), and Kate Whoriskey (Ruined). The program, moderated by Variety reporter Gordon Cox, will air on CUNY Television beginning Sunday, May 31, at 5:00 pm, with additional airings Friday, June 5 at 9:00 am, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 am, and Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 pm.

Fern Kershon and Orange Thought Productions today announced that Eliza Foss, Scott Kerns, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Martin LaPlatney, Melissa Miller and Mark Setlock would comprise the cast of their new production, Heart of the City, a new play by Eric Lane, directed by Martha Banta.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Artistic Director Bill Rauch has put the finishing touches on the design teams for OSF's 75th anniversary year. The 2010 season was announced in March, but a few directors had not yet been announced.

13P, the OBIE-winning company comprising 13 playwrights presented its spring benefit The First (and Last) Annual 'THIRTINI AWARDS' at Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, for one performance only on Monday, May 11.