Marc Connelly News

While watching THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS, the African-American version of Sophocles' OEDIPUS AT COLONUS as created by Lee Breuer (with music by Bob Telson), I was reminded of the reimagining of the Old Testament by Marc Connelly in the 1930 Pulitzer Prize-winning THE GREEN PASTURES. Like GOSPEL, THE GREEN PASTURES serves up time-honored material by transposing it to a religious setting;. PASTURES relates the Old Testament as envisioned by a young Afro-American boy; thus, Heaven is one big fish fry. When I first saw the 1936 film version (which Connelly, a white man, scripted for Warners' director William Keighley), I found it a special experience -- a wonderful all-black cast was an anomaly for a young viewer in the late 1950's and early i60's; now, with the passage of time (and legislation), I can understand why modern audiences would find it politically incorrect (though that cast is still peopled with some amazing talent). Interestingly, Mr. Breuer eschews following Connelly's suit, and though he utilizes a Black minister and church service to tell his tale, he focuses instead on an ancient Greek tragedy rather than the Old -- or New -- Testament.

The Theatre Group at SBCC will present the hilarious comedy by Moss Hart, LIGHT UP THE SKY, directed by R. Michael Gros, in the Garvin Theatre, tonight, March 4-21, 2015.

The Theatre Group at SBCC will present the hilarious comedy by Moss Hart, LIGHT UP THE SKY, directed by R. Michael Gros, in the Garvin Theatre, March 4-21, 2015.

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, is excited to announce the return of the 'lost' classic Broadway musical, Helen of Troy, New York. Medicine Show has reconstructed the lost 1923 show to bring it back to New York audiences. The production will run for just five weeks, opening tonight, January 16, 2015 and closing Sunday, February, 15, 2015.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week or you're just in the mood for a recap, BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end-of-the-week fix! Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to The West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more. Highlights this week include coverage of James Snyder at 54 Below, the cast recording for SIDE SHOW, opening night of THE ILLUSIONISTS, and more!

Roundabout Theatre Company just welcomed four-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons ('The Big Bang Theory,' Roundabout's Harvey) and Tony Award winner and four-time Emmy Award nominee Jane Krakowski ('30 Rock,' Roundabout's Nine) in a reading of George S. Kaufmanand Marc Connelly's hilarious Merton of the Movies.

Roundabout Theatre Company welcomes four-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons ('The Big Bang Theory,' Roundabout's Harvey) and Tony Award winner and four-time Emmy Award nominee Jane Krakowski ('30 Rock,' Roundabout's Nine) in tonight's reading of George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly's hilarious Merton of the Movies.

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced that four-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons ('The Big Bang Theory,' Roundabout's Harvey) will be joined by Tony Award winner and four-time Emmy Award nominee Jane Krakowski ('30 Rock,' Roundabout's Nine) in a one-night-only reading of George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly's hilarious Merton of the Movies. This rollicking evening will be helmed by Roundabout's Adams Associate Artistic Director, six-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis (Roundabout's Harvey, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), currently represented on Broadway with The Elephant Man and You Can't Take It With You. Final casting to be announced.

Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, is excited to announce the return of the 'lost' classic Broadway musical, Helen of Troy, New York. Medicine Show has reconstructed the lost 1923 show to bring it back to New York audiences. The production will run for just five weeks, opening Friday, January 16, 2015 and closing Sunday, February, 15, 2015.

This rollicking evening will be helmed by Roundabout's Adams Associate Artistic Director, six-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis (Roundabout's Harvey, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), currently represented on Broadway with The Elephant Man and You Can't Take It With You. Final casting to be announced.

Abingdon Theatre Company presents a concert reading of MERTON OF THE MOVIES -- an uproarious new musical comedy set in the rollicking age of Keystone Cops, Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, and Buster Keaton -- with book by Donald Brenner, music and lyrics by Doug Katsaros, on Monday, December 8 at 7pm at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street) in Manhattan. Donald Brenner, whose directorial credits include MARCH MADNESS and the upcoming MALLORCA at Abingdon, will direct.

Roundabout Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome back four-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory," Roundabout's Harvey) in a hilarious one-night-only reading of George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly's Merton of the Movies. This rollicking evening will be helmed by Roundabout's Adams Associate Artistic Director, six-time Tony nominee Scott Ellis (Roundabout's Harvey, The Mystery of Edwin Drood), currently represented on Broadway with You Can't Take It With You.

East Lynne Theater Company presents a screwball comedy, Dulcy. 'This is probably the first weekend party on record that ended on Friday night,' says Dulcy's brother William to his brother-in-law Gordon.

On Friday, October 14 at 8:00p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of DULCY produced by the award winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company has announced that Anne Kaufman, the daughter of playwright George S. Kaufman, is attending 'Dulcy' on Wednesday, October 12, and will be available for an after-show Q&A with the audience.

On Friday, October 14 at 8:00p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of DULCY produced by the award winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

Audience members have the opportunity to ask questions of the talented cast and the artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth (who also has a small role in the play) on Friday, September 30, immediately after seeing the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's production of 'Dulcy.'

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company has announced that Anne Kaufman, the daughter of playwright George S. Kaufman, is attending 'Dulcy' on Wednesday, October 12, and will be available for an after-show Q&A with the audience.

East Lynne Theater Company presents a screwball comedy, Dulcy. 'This is probably the first weekend party on record that ended on Friday night,' says Dulcy's brother William to his brother-in-law Gordon.