Long Wharf Theatre News

59E59 Theaters presents the New York premiere of SMART BLONDE written by Willy Holtzman and directed by Peter Flynn.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced the line-up today for the 2019 Free Shakespeare in the Park season, continuing a 57-year tradition of free theater in Central Park. Since 1962, over five million people have enjoyed more than 150 free productions of Shakespeare and other classical works and musicals at the Delacorte Theater. Conceived by founder Joseph Papp as a way to make great theater accessible to all, The Public's Free Shakespeare in the Park continues to be the bedrock of the Company's mission to increase access and engage the community.

J's Cultural Arts Theatre/JCAT Pro will present A.R. Gurney's LOVE LETTERS, the third production of the inaugural season of the new Alan & Diane Lieberman Theater & the JCAT's 12th season, at the Feldenkreis/Hanono Cultural Center at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC/Sanford L. Ziff Campus in North Miami Beach, Florida. Running from February 6-17, 2019, LOVE LETTERS is directed by JCAT's Artistic Director, Michael Andron. Lighting Design is by Zachary Pitchman, with Costume Design by Carole Barou-Mootoo. The production is presented through the MARJCC's Cultural Arts Department.

After his hit production of King Charles III, David Muse returns to Shakespeare Theatre Company to direct Shakespeare's Richard the Third, a mesmerizing chronicle of the megalomaniac's rampage to the throne. The production will play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from February 5-March 10, 2019.

What is Black theater? How is it defined and by whom? What is the relationship between the Black dramatist, their creation and the Black community at large? 'Looking for Leroy' by Larry Muhammad explores these questions through the legacy of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, who was one of the most important dramatists the 20th century and who defined the role of the Black playwright for our age. This two-character play imagines five encounters between Baraka, a literary lion now in his 60s, and an intern in his 20s who idolizes him, challenges him and aims to be like him.

After his hit production of King Charles III, David Muse returns to Shakespeare Theatre Company to direct Shakespeare's Richard the Third, a mesmerizing chronicle of the megalomaniac's rampage to the throne. The production will play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from February 5-March 10, 2019.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Jacob G. Padr n and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by Cheryl Strayed; adapted for the Stage by Nia Vardalos; co-conceived by Marshall Heyman, Thomas Kail and Nia Vardalos; and directed by Ken Rus Schmoll, from February 13 through March 10, 2019.

Keep Miller, Mississippi on your theatre radar.

For one night only, Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti will appear at Long Wharf Theatre in her cabaret show, TALES FROM SOPRANO ISLE featuring songs from her career along with humorous anecdotes and experiences that she has encountered on and off the stage and screen. The presenting sponsor for the gala event is KeyBank.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley announces a special post-show political forum for its production of the Tony and Olivier Award-nominated drama Frost/Nixon. Following the 2pm performance of Frost/Nixon on Saturday, February 2 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, audiences are invited to discuss the history and current relevance of the Watergate scandal with Dr. Theodore Glasser of Stanford University and Dr. Terri Bimes of University of California Berkeley in a conversation moderated by Cameron Wells, the assistant director of Frost/Nixon. Glasser, a professor emeritus of Communication whose research specializes in media practices and press accountability, and Bimes, a lecturer and Assistant Director of Research for the Institute of Governmental Studies who teaches about the presidency, will bring their unique perspectives to this free political forum, open to audience members and community members.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Metamorphoses. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman.

Hartford Stage announced today the cast and creative team for Dominique Morisseau's Detroit '67. The powerful drama, produced in association with the McCarter Theatre Center, will perform at Hartford Stage Thursday, February 14, through Sunday, March 10.

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Act(s) of God, by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy, directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Act(s) of God runs February 13 April 7, 2019 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The press performances are February 22 and February 23 at 7:30 p.m.

J's Cultural Arts Theatre/JCAT Pro will present A.R. Gurney's LOVE LETTERS, the third production of the inaugural season of the new Alan & Diane Lieberman Theater & the JCAT's 12th season, at the Feldenkreis/Hanono Cultural Center at the Michael-Ann Russell JCC/Sanford L. Ziff Campus in North Miami Beach, Florida. Running from February 6-17, 2019, LOVE LETTERS is directed by JCAT's Artistic Director, Michael Andron. Lighting Design is by Zachary Pitchman, with Costume Design by Carole Barou-Mootoo. The production is presented through the MARJCC's Cultural Arts Department.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will kick off the new year with the Tony and Olivier Award nominated drama Frost/Nixon. Written by Golden Globe winner Peter Morgan (creator of Netflix's The Crown), Frost/Nixon is a riveting political prizefight where the cameras roll, the truth spins, and it becomes clear that he who controls the medium controls the message. With America caught in the riptides of Watergate and Vietnam, the former leader of the free world and a lightweight British talk-show host clash in a legendary series of TV interviews that will determine the President's legacy forever. Directed by Leslie Martinson, Frost/Nixon will be presented January 16 - February 10, 2019 (press opening: January 19, 2019) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Jacob G. Padron and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents Miller, Mississippi, by Boo Killebrew, directed by Lee Sunday Evans, from January 9 through February 2, 2019.

David R. Jimenez, President of the Board of Directors of Hartford Stage, announces that OBIE Award-winning director Melia Bensussen has been named the next Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning theatre. She will assume the role in June.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Jacob G. Padron and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents Miller, Mississippi, by Boo Killebrew, directed by Lee Sunday Evans, from January 9 through February 2, 2019.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of The Children written by Lucy Kirkwood and helmed by celebrated Chicago director Jonathan Berry. The cast includes previously announced ensemble members Ora Jones (Rose) and Yasen Peyankov (Robin), with acclaimed actress Janet Ulrich Brooks (Hazel) rounding out the cast. Following sold out runs in London and New York, Steppenwolf is proud to present this brave, humane and beautifully written play that confronts the responsibility each generation must face for the way it leaves the world.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will kick off the new year with the Tony and Olivier Award nominated drama Frost/Nixon. Written by Golden Globe winner Peter Morgan (creator of Netflix's The Crown), Frost/Nixon is a riveting political prizefight where the cameras roll, the truth spins, and it becomes clear that he who controls the medium controls the message. With America caught in the riptides of Watergate and Vietnam, the former leader of the free world and a lightweight British talk-show host clash in a legendary series of TV interviews that will determine the President's legacy forever. Directed by Leslie Martinson, Frost/Nixon will be presented January 16 February 10, 2019 (press opening: January 19, 2019) at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.