Mark Spencer News

Today, May 13, Signature Sounds will release Blood Test, the latest LP from acclaimed singer-songwriter Kris Delmhorst.

On May 13, Signature Sounds will release Blood Test, the latest LP from acclaimed singer-songwriter Kris Delmhorst. The release marks Delmhorst's first album of original material since 2008's Shotgun Singer, which Performing Songwriter described as 'a tour de force of singing, writing and production that gains in richness with each repetition,' and the Boston Herald called 'a work of lo-fi beauty, and evidence of an artist taking flight.' In between, the versatile performer recorded and released Cars, a covers album of songs by the seminal new wave/proto-punk band of the same name, which PopMatters called a 'victory' and noted, 'Cars has the potential to bring a brilliant young songwriter to a wider audience.'

The beloved classic musical Meredith Wilson's THE MUSIC MAN just opened at the John W. Engeman Theater on March 29. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the after party below!

Michael Mendelson plays the lead role of Felix Artifex in Artists Rep's production of MISTAKES WERE MADE. Artistic Director Damaso Rodriguez directs Mendelson and guides the show to opening as the production's Associate Director. Preview performances begin tonight, September 24 and the play will open on September 28.

Artists Rep announces Michael Mendelson will step in to play the lead role of Felix Artifex, as Todd Van Voris must leave the production due to a family emergency. Artistic Director Dámaso Rodriguez will now direct Mendelson and guide the show to opening as the production's Associate Director. Originally slated to begin preview performances next Tuesday, September 17, the run dates for Mistakes Were Made will now be pushed back one week. Preview performances will begin September 24 and the play will open on September 28.

Artists Rep will present The Gin Game by D.L. Coburn, starring Allen Nause and Vana O'Brien, directed by JoAnn Johnson. This two-person, two-act play is a 1978 Pulitzer Prize winner and garnered multiple Tony Award nominations both with its original 1977 production and the Broadway revival in 1997. This play replaces the originally planned production of The Invisible Hand by Ayad Akhtar.

Artists Rep will present The Gin Game by D.L. Coburn, starring Allen Nause and Vana O'Brien, directed by JoAnn Johnson. This two-person, two-act play is a 1978 Pulitzer Prize winner and garnered multiple Tony Award nominations both with its original 1977 production and the Broadway revival in 1997. This play replaces the originally planned production of The Invisible Hand by Ayad Akhtar.

After directing 50 productions in almost 20 years Jon Kretzu leaves his post as Associate Artistic Director at Artists Repertory Theatre. Working side-by-side with Artistic Director Allen Nause, who retires at the end of this season, Kretzu has made great contributions to the mission of Artists Rep both as a play director and in his artistic administrative role.

In early 2011, two longtime supporters of Artists Repertory Theatre approached Producing Artistic Director Allen Nause with a proposal to commission a new script to be produced and performed at Artists Rep. In January 2011, Artists Repertory Theatre invited playwrights from across the county to submit their ideas for the now-named Fowler/Levin Prize. Of the 14 playwrights who submitted proposals, Andrea Stolowitz's play concept was the unanimous choice by the artistic leadership at the theater."We are grateful to Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin for supporting Artists Rep's longstanding commitment to new work with their tremendously generous gift," said Allen Nause, Producing Artistic Director. 'Andrea Stolowitz is an amazingly gifted playwright whose work I have long admired and I look forward to this new play with great excitement and anticipation!'

In Race, two lawyers (one black, one white) take on a case that gets under their skin and exposes a minefield of deep divisions, resentments and bigotry. Mamet's 'rapid-fire dialogue, gripping plot and blunt language, thoroughly stripped of polite social convention and rife with provocative humor, is a searing portrait of American discrimination.' Playwright David Mamet is a Pulitzer Prize-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer. Nationally respected Director Tamara Fisch will make her Artists Rep debut with this production.

Portland Center Stage welcomes veteran screen and stage actor Daniel Benzali to the Gerding Theater to star in the upcoming production of Red. Written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter (Hugo) and playwright John Logan, Red will be directed by PCS Associate Artistic Director Rose Riordan. The production begins preview performances on Tuesday, February 21, opens on Friday, February 24 and runs Tuesday through Sunday through March 18, 2012. Tickets start at $34, with student and under-30 discounted tickets available for $20. Rush tickets are $20.

In Race, two lawyers (one black, one white) take on a case that gets under their skin and exposes a minefield of deep divisions, resentments and bigotry. Mamet's 'rapid-fire dialogue, gripping plot and blunt language, thoroughly stripped of polite social convention and rife with provocative humor, is a searing portrait of American discrimination.' Playwright David Mamet is a Pulitzer Prize-winning and Academy Award-nominated writer. Nationally respected Director Tamara Fisch will make her Artists Rep debut with this production.

Casting has been completed and rehearsals have begun for Portland Center Stage's world premiere production of Shakespeare's Amazing Cymbeline, adapted and directed by PCS Artistic Director Chris Coleman.

The last two shows of Artists Rep's 2011/12 season, Race by David Mamet and Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey, music by Tom Kitt, will switch start dates. This change will allow Associate Artistic Director Jon Kretzu to direct the Broadway-bound It Shoulda Been You by Brian Hargrove, music by Barbara Anselmi, at the Village Theatre near Seattle, where it has its final production before its Broadway premiere this Fall. The show was produced at the George Street Playhouse in New Jersey last Fall and was directed by David Hyde Pierce.

Portland Center Stage welcomes veteran screen and stage actor Daniel Benzali to the Gerding Theater to star in the upcoming production of Red. Written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter (Hugo) and playwright John Logan, Red will be directed by PCS Associate Artistic Director Rose Riordan. The production begins preview performances on Tuesday, February 21, opens on Friday, February 24 and runs Tuesday through Sunday through March 18, 2012. Tickets start at $34, with student and under-30 discounted tickets available for $20. Rush tickets are $20.

Casting has been completed and rehearsals have begun for Portland Center Stage's world premiere production of Shakespeare's Amazing Cymbeline, adapted and directed by PCS Artistic Director Chris Coleman.