Lucille Lortel News

The Irish Repertory Theatre begins the eighth season of its Reading Series with a staged reading of RoseMary Jenkinson's play PLANET BELFAST today, September 20 at 3 p.m. (EDT) at the Irish Repertory Theatre's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). The reading is free and open to the public.

Primary Stages has announced that Richard Topol (Broadway's The Normal Heart, The Merchant of Venice) will assume the role of Yogi Berra in their World Premiere production of Bronx Bombers, written and directed by Tony Award nominee Eric Simonson (Broadway's Lombardi). Due to artistic differences, Joe Pantoliano, initially announced to play the role of Yogi Berra, will not continue with the production. The production has delayed its first performance to tonight, September 20. Opening night remains scheduled for October 8 at 7pm. Bronx Bombers runs through October 19 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street.

Aurora Theatre Company continues its 22nd season with the Bay Area Premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's edgy and earnest A BRIGHT NEW BOISE. Aurora Artistic Director Tom Ross helms this comedy about faith, family, forgiveness, and second chances, featuring Robert Parsons, Patrick Russell, Gwen Loeb, Megan Trout, and Daniel Petzold. A BRIGHT NEW BOISE playsNovember 8 through December 8 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Signature Theatre will present an evening of cocktails and a special one-night-only concert starring one of Broadway's living legends, Betty Buckley, on Monday, September 30 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd Street) to support the Legacy Program in honor of Horton Foote. Buckley will be singing some of musical theatre's most iconic songs, including songs she's sung in her sold-out national concert appearances. Tickets start at $150 for both the pre-show cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. and the concert at 7:30 p.m. A limited number of $75 concert only tickets are now available. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 646-388-8118 or email sjohnson@signaturetheatre.org (for the $75 ticket offer, mention code BB75).

On the heels of their record breaking production of LES MISERABLES, a new comedy with a very intriguing title opens Aurora Theatre's 2013-2014 Harvel Lab Series. Walter Cronkite is Dead which runs tonight, September 19 - October 6, 2013.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, announced today that its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet starring Elizabeth Olsen as Juliet and Julian Cihi as Romeo, directed by Tea Alagi? will extend for one additional week through Sunday, November 10. Previews begin Friday, September 27 prior to an official press opening Wednesday, October 16. The cast also features McKinley Belcher III (Benvolio), Daniel Davis (Friar Laurence), Stan Demidoff (Paris/Sampson), Harry Ford (Gregory, Friar John, Watchman), David Garrison(Capulet), T. R. Knight (Mercutio), Anthony Michael Martinez (Prince), Kathryn Meisle (Lady Capulet), Dion Mucciacito (Tybalt), John Rothman(Montague/Apothecary) and Daphne Rubin-Vega (Nurse). Set design is by Marsha Ginsberg; costumes by Clint Ramos, lighting by Jason Lyons, and original music and sound by Ryan Rumery.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that single tickets have gone on sale for the New York Premiere of John Pollono's celebrated Small Engine Repair, the comic thriller that premiered to rave reviews and sold-out audiences at L.A.'s Rogue Machine Theatre, where it won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for Playwriting, among many other honors. Keegan Allen, James Badge Dale, playwright/actor John Pollono, and James Ransone star in the production directed by longtime MCC collaborator Jo Bonney (MCC's The Break of Noon, Some Girl(s), Fat Pig). Small Engine Repair begins at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on October 30, 2013. An official opening night is set for November 20, 2013.

The Irish Repertory Theatre begins the eighth season of its Reading Series with a staged reading of Rosemary Jenkinson's play PLANET BELFAST on Friday, September 20 at 3 p.m. (EDT) at the Irish Repertory Theatre's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). The reading is free and open to the public.

"Humor Abuse," the hilarious and heartfelt story of growing up in the circus, opens September 21 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. Performances of the Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Award-winning play continue through November 3, 2013. (Previews are September 17 through 20.)

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced a one week extension today for the world premiere of Elevator Repair Service's ARGUENDO, directed by John Collins. ARGUENDO began performances on Tuesday, September 10, and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, October 6. It will now run an additional week through Sunday, October 13 with an official press opening on Tuesday, September 24.

On the heels of their record breaking production of LES MISERABLES, a new comedy with a very intriguing title opens Aurora Theatre's 2013-2014 Harvel Lab Series. Walter Cronkite is Dead, which runs September 19 - October 6, 2013. Get a first look at the cast below!

Primary Stages has announced that Richard Topol (Broadway's The Normal Heart, The Merchant of Venice) will assume the role of Yogi Berra in their World Premiere production of Bronx Bombers, written and directed by Tony Award nominee Eric Simonson (Broadway's Lombardi). Due to artistic differences, Joe Pantoliano, initially announced to play the role of Yogi Berra, will not continue with the production. The production has delayed its first performance to Friday, September 20. Opening night remains scheduled for October 8 at 7pm. Bronx Bombers runs through October 19 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street.

TACT/The Actors Company Theatre presents Natural Affection by William Inge, the first production of the company's 21st Season. Directed by TACT Co-Artistic Director Jenn Thompson, performances begin at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre (410 West 42nd Street - between 9th & 10th Avenues) tonight, September 17, 2013. Opening night is set for Thursday, September 26 at 7:30pm. Performances will continue through October 26, 2013.

'Humor Abuse,' the hilarious and heartfelt story of growing up in a circus, created by Lorenzo Pisoni and Erica Schmidt, directed by Schmidt and featuring a tour de force performance by Pisoni, will be presented at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, today, September 17 through November 3, 2013. The opening is set for September 21. Get a first look at Pisoni onstage below!

Pittsburgh International Children's Theater, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, presents Theatreworks USA in the Pittsburgh premiere of Peter Pan October 20-27, 2013 at six performance locations throughout the area. Performance locations include: City: Byham Theater, October 20 at 2:00 p.m.; East: Penn Hills High School, October 23 at 7:00 p.m.; North: Marshall Middle School, October 24 at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m.; West: Hopewell High School, October 25 at 7:00 p.m.; South: Mt. Lebanon High School, October 26 at 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.; and Butler: Seneca Valley Intermediate School, October 27 at 2:00 p.m. Citizens Bank is the season sponsor of Pittsburgh International Children's Theater.

Mary-Louise Parker, star of Manhattan Theatre Club and MCC Theater's world premiere of Sharr White's The Snow Geese, will appear on Fox 5's 'Good Day New York,' as a live guest today, Monday, September 16 at approximately 9:30AM. Locally, the program can be found from 7-10AM on Fox 5. This strictly limited 11 week engagement will begin performances Tuesday, October 1, in preparation for aThursday, October 24 opening at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).