It's not based on a book or a movie or (God forbid) a TV show. It isn't the dusted off classics from some forgotten pop icon. What Balagan Theatre has brought us with the world premiere of "Ernest Shackleton Loves Me" is a quirky, fresh and completely original new musical and one of the most exciting things I've seen in musical theater in years. It's the whole package!
Guthrie Director Joe Dowling today announced ten mainstage productions in his final season at the helm of the world renowned theater, culminating 20 years of remarkable leadership. The 2014-2015 lineup includes first-time Guthrie productions of plays by A.R. Gurney, Anne Washburn and Sarah Ruhl, three productions directed by Dowling, including a beloved Shakespeare comedy and iconic masterpieces by Arthur Miller and Sean O'Casey, the Guthrie debut of visionary writer and director Mary Zimmerman, as well as an all-American musical slated for summer.
Balagan Theatre is bringing one of the oddest topics for a musical to the Seattle Rep with the world premiere of "Ernest Shackleton Loves Me". From anyone else this might seem like a stretch but from the minds of Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn, who brought us the likes of Striking 12 and Sleeping Beauty Wakes, along with book writer Joe DiPietro, a story about a single mother/musician who begins a Skype conversation with Ernest Shackleton as he journeys across the Antarctic is just a jumping off point for something magical. I recently sat down with co-author and one of the leads of the show Valerie Vigoda along with fellow cast mate Wade McCollum to discuss this odd pairing.
San Jose Stage Company presents the captivating epic tale, An Iliad, adapted by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, opening April 9 and running through May 4.
San Jose Stage Company presents the captivating epic tale, An Iliad, adapted by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, opening April 9 and running through May 4.
In a tour-de-force performance, Teagle F. Bougere brings to life the entire Trojan War with only the power of storytelling- but channeling such a story has its price.
Court Theatre announces its 60th season under the continuing leadership of Artistic Director Charles Newell, Executive Director Stephen J. Albert, and Board Chair Marilyn Fatt Vitale. The company's ambitious 2014/15 season will feature the World Premiere of Native Son adapted from Richard Wright's classic novel by Nambi E. Kelley and co-produced with American Blues Theater; Euripides' Iphigenia in Aulis translated by Nicholas Rudall and directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell; Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson; and the World Premiere of Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare's The Good Book, directed by Lisa Peterson. Closing out the anniversary season is Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon's The Secret Garden, based on the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett and directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell with music direction by Doug Peck.
Cherry Lane Theatre's award-winning MENTOR PROJECT for emerging playwrights continues its 16th season on March 12 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St. in Greenwich Village) with SONNETS ON TAP - an evening of Shakespeare sonnets performed to tap dancing - conceived and directed by Awoye Timpo. Mentored by Lisa Peterson, SONNETS ON TAP marks the very first Mentor Project directing mentorship.
This is the sort of theatre that keeps one going back, often sitting through nights of dross, just waiting for something like this to make it all worthwhile.
If ever there were a play to illuminate the theater's power to relate human truth, this could be An Iliad. If ever there were an actor to relate Homer's ancient story through poetry, this surely could be James DeVita. Place this pair in The Milwaukee Rep's Quadracci Powerhouse where An Iliad opened this past weekend, and in 60 years of The Rep's illustrious legacy, almost 42 which has been seen by this ticket holder every season, this stunning production ranks of as one of the top ten.
Due to the overwhelming response to last season's reading of AN ILIAD, directed by Julie Ritchie and performed by Matthew Cameron Clark, Boise Contemporary Theater will have an encore performance on February 25, 2014 at BCT. The play, by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, is adapted from Homer.
Recognizable Broadway and Hollywood star Denis O'Hare displays his dexterous wit and way with a word byway of his uniquely fascinating play AN ILIAD, co-written with Lisa Peterson and now available for pre-order in a published edition.
Seattle Repertory Theatre announced today six commissions that are in development as part of the New Play Program, including an adaptation of Kirsten Grind's bestseller The Lost Bank: The Story of Washington Mutual - The Biggest Bank Failure in American History.
Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) has announced that the next production in its 2013-2014 10th Anniversary season, An Iliad, by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, has received sponsorship support from Nichols School, a nationally recognized co-educational college preparatory school in Buffalo, NY.
The winner of 2012 Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards, An Iliad runs March 6 - April 6, 2014 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org.
Up next for Road Less Traveled Productions during its 10th Anniversary 2013-14 season is An Iliad by Denis O'Hare & Lisa Peterson, a contemporary retelling of the epic poem depicting the Trojan War. The script, rife with commentary on what it means to be a nation at war, will have its Western New York premiere (including new original score by Al Kryszak) at the Road Less Traveled Theater in early March.
Milwaukee Repertory Theater continues its 2013/14 60th Anniversary Season with a production of An Iliad, a modern adaptation of Homer's classic. Described as 'pure theater: shocking, glorious, primal, and deeply satisfying,' by Time Out New York, An Iliad features Wisconsin-based actor James DeVita and cellist Alicia Storin, a native of Mequon, Wisconsin. Written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, An Iliad will be directed by John Langs, who returns to The Rep after directing I Am My Own Wife during the 2010/11 Season.
Playwrights Horizons will present the World Premiere production of THE PATRON SAINT OF SEA MONSTERS, a new play by Blackburn Prize winner Marlane Meyer (The Chemistry of Change and Moe's Lucky Seven for PH; Etta Jenks). Directed by two-time Obie Award winner Lisa Peterson (The Chemistry of Change for PH; An Iliad, Slavs!), the production will begin previews Friday evening, October 18 at 7:30 PM with an Opening Night set for Tuesday, November 12 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday evening, December 1 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street). Check out photos from inside the first rehearsal below!
America's most beautiful play. A drama that demolishes the stage. The musical heartbeat of Manhattan. An intimate encounter with an epic tale. Wit as dazzling as diamonds. The funniest farce of the last 50 years. Welcome to 'The Masterpiece Season,' six essential and lasting theatrical works specially chosen by Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas to create a unique year of theatergoing in Pittsburgh Public Theater's 2013-14 season.
Although I wish the script was as exceptional as the source material, the acting, and the presentational elements (including the music), I give kudos to Studio for taking a chance on this one.
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