Lyle Kessler News

Durango PlayFest, set for June 23-28, 2026, will present its eighth season, showcasing new American plays through staged readings and audience-engaged discussions.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 18, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

The American Theatre of Actors will mark its 50th anniversary with a special gala event, honoring playwright Lyle Kessler and Tony-winning actor Len Cariou with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The celebration is set to take place in New York City, highlighting the contributions of these prominent figures to the theater industry. This milestone event will gather industry professionals and enthusiasts to reflect on the theater's impact over the past five decades.

The American Theatre of Actors will present ATA 50, a golden anniversary celebration and awards ceremony. The black-tie evening will honor playwright and director Lyle Kessler and Tony-winning actor, Len Cariou.

Theater Breaking Through Barriers will present Transcendency Rising: Short Plays About Defying Limitation, a new evening of original short works by some of the most celebrated voices in American theatre.

Frayed Knot Collective's Apartment Series will present a triptych of modern coming-of-age narratives, which will run from February 26- March 1 at IATI Theater located in Manhattan's Downtown Theater District.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the complete cast and design team for the upcoming production of Fallen Angels by Noël Coward. Learn more about the full cast here!

The 2026 Chain Winter One-Act Festival will feature Jesse Eisenberg, Jose Rivera, Christopher Goutman, and Lyle Kessler, with performances by Ralph Macchio, Cady McClain, and Carol Kane from February 5 to March 1.

On Burnside Mountain, a play by Kendra Jones, is set to return to New York City this winter. Directed by Derek Dahmann, the production will be presented as part of the Chain Theatre's Winter One-Act Festival at the Chain Theatre.

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 9, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Lyle Kessler’s Orphans was first performed in 1983, but you wouldn’t know that from this production. The tiny stage feels overcome by Sarah Beaton’s design, retro but not too retro, a space immune to the passing decades.

Jermyn Street Theatre will present Orphans by Lyle Kessler in January 2026, starring Forbes Masson, Chris Walley, and Fred Woodley Evans. See photos of the production.

This season, three plays are receiving Broadway debuts which already made significant noise off-Broadway in their original productions, years ago. Becky Shaw, Bug, and Marjorie Prime will all be opening on Broadway in early 2026 in brand new productions. The first and last are spending time on Broadway at the Hayes under the auspices of Second Stage while Bug is being presented by Manhattan Theatre Club at their home, the Friedman. 

Chain Theatre in New York City has opened submissions for its 2026 Winter One-Act Festival, running February 6–March 1, 2026. The acclaimed festival, which showcases new work from artists across the tri-state area, will continue the company’s mission of presenting bold, original voices in a dynamic mix of short plays.

Calling all playwrights, actors, directors, and producers! Submissions are now open for the 2026 Chain Winter One-Act Festival, a true celebration of bold voices and original storytelling.

With rehearsals currently underway for Katherine Moar’s world premiere Ragdoll, Jermyn Street Theatre revealed the first two productions in its 2026 Season. Learn more here!

Misty and Rover had its first look performance for a sold-out theatre at the Chain venue for Spark Festival. Check out photos from the show and learn more here!

Joanna Pickering's play Misty and Rover has been selected for The Spark Theater Festival, with a special performance on Sunday, September 21st at 5:00 PM at the Chain Theater in New York City.

Post-performance talkback hosts have been announced for the remaining eight performances of Committed? A Ritual for Robbie, written and performed by Lisa Robins and directed by Mitch Levine.

Moonlight, magic, and timeless romance comes to Santa Monica as The Fantasticks takes center stage for a limited run. This multi-award-winning musical is the longest-running in the world.