Long Wharf Theatre News

BroadwayWorld Congratulates Geoffrey Rush, 2009 Tony Award Winner, 'Best Leading Actor in a Play'

BroadwayWorld Congratulates Matthew Warchus, 2009 Tony Award Winner, 'Best Direction of a Play'

Ten actors, 24 performances, five sets of personalities and creative interpretations. It's almost as if the Willows Theatre Company were bringing in a different cast every night.

Launched in 2006, the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Awards have a growing track record for success, with 24 out of 46 plays living on in subsequent productions, many of which are nominated for prestigious awards. ?That?s a remarkable outcome,? said Teresa Eyring, Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group (TCG). ?Dr. Brad Edgerton and his wife Louise are clearly making a contribution to play development that has an impact on the continuing life of new plays.?

wo-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey will portray that great woman of American letters -- letters from readers seeking advice, that is -- when she plays the legendary, trailblazing columnist Ann Landers in David Rambo's play THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS Off-Broadway this fall, starting performances October 7, 2009 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in New York City. B.J. Jones directs. The production will run through November 29. Opening night TBA.

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.

Variety reports that Al Pacino is set to star in the upcoming HBO film, 'Kervorkian' about right-to-die champion Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Barry Levinson is set to direct the film, which will revolve around Kervorkian's construction of his infamous 'Mercy Machine,' his first assisted suicide in the early 1990s and the resulting media frenzy.

Ensemble Studio Theatre (William Carden, Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Slee, Executive Director) will present Marathon 2009, E.S.T.?s 31st annual festival of new one-act plays, at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street). Performances begin Friday, May 22nd, and continue through Saturday, June 27th.

Among the world premieres in Ensemble Studio Theatre's upcoming 31st annual Marathon of one-act plays are works by three members of the Ensemble's Playwrights Unit. Opening on May 22, Marathon 2009 will feature world premieres of 10 one act plays and will run through June 27. Playwrights Unit members' works are For the Love of God, Saint Teresa by Christine Farrell, Daughter by Cassandra Medley, and Blood from a Stoner by Jeanne Dorsey.

The New York Times is reporting that Tony winner Bartlett Sher's next project will be a musical version of the film 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,' written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce its new American play Superior Donuts, by Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning ensemble member Tracy Letts and directed by ensemble member Tina Landau, will open on Broadway October 1, 2009 (at a Shubert Theatre to be announced). Superior Donuts makes its Broadway debut direct from its sold-out world premiere at Steppenwolf last summer. Casting for the Broadway engagement will be announced shortly.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce the final production of its 2008-2009 season - the world premiere of Leslie Ayvazian's play MAKE ME, directed by Atlantic associate artistic director Christian Parker. Casting will be announced shortly.

Among the world premieres in Ensemble Studio Theatre's upcoming 31st annual Marathon of one-act plays are works by three members of the Ensemble's Playwrights Unit. Opening on May 22, Marathon 2009 will feature world premieres of 10 one act plays and will run through June 27. Playwrights Unit members' works are For the Love of God, Saint Teresa by Christine Farrell, Daughter by Cassandra Medley, and Blood from a Stoner by Jeanne Dorsey.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 'Brave New World' Season with the charming and eccentric one-woman play SPIT LIKE A BIG GIRL. The play will begin previews Thursday, May 14, open on Saturday, May 16 and run through Sunday, June 7, 2009 at the Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main Street in Ventura.

BroadwayWorld Presents The 2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Direction of a Play'

BroadwayWorld Presents The 2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play'

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Roundabout is proud to welcome back three artists who have previously worked at the theatrical institution: John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin.

South Coast Repertory has announced the lineup of actors and directors who will participate in the 12th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF). Since its creation in 1998, PPF has grown into one of the most important festivals of new scripts in the United States. This year?s Festival will take place during the May 1 through May 3 weekend and will feature five staged readings and two fully-produced World Premieres on South Coast Repertory?s Segerstrom and Julianne Argryos Stages. Tickets to PPF may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

South Coast Repertory's 12th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival (PPF) will shine the spotlight on seven new plays written by America's finest writers. Since its creation in 1998, PPF has grown into one of the most important festivals of new scripts in the United States. This year's Festival will take place during the May 1 through May 3 weekend and will feature five staged readings and two fully-produced World Premieres on South Coast Repertory's Segerstrom and Julianne Argryos Stages. Tickets to PPF may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey kicks off its 2009 Season with a world premiere stage adaptation of Around the World in Eighty Days. Adapted for the stage by Bonnie J. Monte from the beloved novel by Jules Verne, this inventive production is an exhilarating treat for people of all ages. Around the World in Eighty Days began performances on April 29 and continues through May 24 at the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Road in Madison. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600, email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.