Mark St. Germain News

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, has announced it has received a $10,000 National Fund grant from the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), for its Musical Theatre Lab world premiere production of the musical, Southern Comfort, July 19 - August 10.

Guthrie Director Joe Dowling today announced 12 mainstage productions of the theater's 2013-2014 season. The theater's 51st season includes first-time Guthrie productions of playwrights Beth Henley and Nina Raine, classics on the Wurtele Thrust Stage directed by Dowling and Marion McClinton, WorldStage Series presentations of returning companies Kneehigh Theatre and Out of Joint, as well as a summertime slate of a beloved musical and a Christopher Durang comedy that is currently a Broadway hit.

Goodspeed Musicals, the first two-time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, is happy to announce the cast of The Fabulous Lipitones, a new musical about a not-so-traditional barbershop quartet. This engaging musical comedy will run from May 9 to June 2 at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., Goodspeed's home for developing new works.

The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University has announced the five-play repertory for its 23rd season of producing and developing new American theater. The four-week festival, consisting of 94 performances and other programming, will be held July 5 - 28 on the Shepherd University campus in Shepherdstown, WV.

A case could easily be made that John Markus, the creator and Executive Producer of Destination America's docu-reality series 'BBQ Pitmasters' has done more for 'The Art of Barbecue' than anyone in recent memory. In addition to filming the series' 13-episode fifth season, Markus is traveling the country's film festival circuit with his documentary 'The Kings of BBQ Barbecue Kuwait,' which chronicles a seven-day trip to Kuwait City in 2010 in which he and five all-star Pitmasters served 5,000 troops a taste of home.

A case could easily be made that John Markus, the creator and Executive Producer of Destination America's docu-reality series 'BBQ Pitmasters' has done more for 'The Art of Barbecue' than anyone in recent memory. In addition to filming the series' 13-episode fifth season, Markus is traveling the country's film festival circuit with his documentary 'The Kings of BBQ Barbecue Kuwait,' which chronicles a seven-day trip to Kuwait City in 2010 in which he and five all-star Pitmasters served 5,000 troops a taste of home.

Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning Alley Theatre, announces its thrilling new season of plays created by playwrights that include a Pulitzer-Prize winning comedy, a new play that was the Outer Critics Circle's Outstanding, New Play winner, the first play by a Tony Award winner, a 2011 Tony Award nominee for Best Play, plus an ingenious comedy from acclaimed, award-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn and an intriguing epic by Bertolt Brecht.

If you haven't had the chance to catch up on your theater news, look no further than today's recap of all things theater - exclusive features, interviews, reviews and more! - around the Broadway World for the week of April 1!

There are few things that are as quintessentially American as the music of a barber shop quartet. The tight harmonies, the classic songs, and the styrofoam red, white, and blue hats conjure visions of small-town Main Streets and smells of popcorn and apple pie. In the world premiere of John Markus (Emmy-winner for 'The Cosby Show') and Mark St. Germain's ('Freud's Last Session') play with music, 'The Fabulous Lipitones', this slice of nostalgic Americana contrasts with a very modern issue. Directed by Justin Anderson, this delightfully witty play runs through April 21st at Atlanta's Theatrical Outfit, and is a must-see for all theatre fans interested in highly entertaining new work.

Since Tom Key became the Executive Artistic Director of Theatrical Outfit in 1995, the theatre company has grown to one of the most respected in the region, regularly premiering new works from acclaimed writers. Under Key's direction, a renowned playwright in his own right ('Cotton Patch Gospel', 'Confederency of Dunces'), T.O. has striven to present 'stories that stir the soul,' which according to St. Germain made it an ideal home for the world premiere of 'The Fabulous Lipitones.' The play tells the heart-warming story of a small-town barber shop quartet that reluctantly replaces its deceased leader with a pitch-perfect Indian Sikh.

As the cast and crew took a break before their final dress rehearsal, I was fortunate enough to sit down with the director and co-playwrights of the world premiere play with music, 'The Fabulous Lipitones,' now playing at Theatrical Outfit through April 21st. While director Justin Anderson is one of the most in-demand talents in the Atlanta theatre community, even he would admit that his vitae doesn't quite compare to those of co-playwrights Mark St. Germain and John Markus. Since Markus hired St. Germain to join the writing team on 'The Cosby Show' in the 80's, both have achieved a great deal of professional success individually, and if their new comedy is half as insightful and funny as they are, Atlanta theatre fans are in for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Theatrical Outfit presents the world premiere of The Fabulous Lipitones, written by Mark St. Germain (playwright, Freud's Last Session) and John Markus (writer/producer of The Cosby Show). The show runs tonight, March 27 - April 21 at the Balzer Theater at Herren's, 84 Luckie Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia.

Theatrical Outfit has announced the world premiere of The Fabulous Lipitones, written by Mark St. Germain (playwright, Freud's Last Session) and John Markus (writer/producer of The Cosby Show). The show runs March 27 - April 21 at the Balzer Theater at Herren's, 84 Luckie Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia.

Spring has sprung and whether it means April showers or May flowers, one thing is certain - opportunities abound for some great theatre in Atlanta. In this, our first spring preview story we aim to highlight some of the most anticipated shows this season. From regional premiere musicals to emotional drama, there is certainly plenty to choose from for Atlanta theatre fans of all ages! Check out just a few of the great productions playing the Atlanta area this spring!

Goodspeed's 2013 Norma Terris Theatre Season will feature three musicals: a not-so-traditional barbershop quartet entertains in The Fabulous Lipitones; a marvelous summer musical yet to be announced; and Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook, an original tuner about trusting your heart and believing in your memories which features well-known tunes from Wicked, Godspell,Pippin and many more. Tickets go on sale for the upcoming season Sunday, March 24th. The Box Office will open at 10 a.m. and audience members are encouraged to call early for the best choice of seats.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION is must-see, fascinating theatre for anyone who is interested in a philosophical, thought laced drama, with laughter and fine acting.

What happened when C.S. Lewis met Sigmund Freud? Australian audiences will soon find out when Freud's Last Session opens at Sydney's Theatre Royal on August 15, 2013. Winner of the 2011 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play, Freud's Last Session tells of an exquisite intellectual duel between two great minds of last century.

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and TriStan Wilson, Managing Director, presents the 10×10 New Play Festival, today, February 14 through March 3, part of the 2013 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival.

FREUD'S LAST SESSION, the runaway hit play by Mark St. Germain, will end its triumphant limited engagement tonight, February 10th at The Broad Stage in Los Angeles. Starring Judd Hirsch as Sigmund Freud and Tom Cavanagh as C. S. Lewis, FREUD'S LAST SESSION is directed by Tyler Marchant, who helmed the original New York production. The show's west coast premiere is presented by The Broad Stage & Carolyn Rossi Copeland, Robert Stillman and Jack Thomas.

The Colony Theatre will present the fifth production of its 'Season of Premieres' with the Los Angeles Premiere of I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT, written and directed by Peter Colley. I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT will preview tonight, February 6; Thursday, February 7; and Friday, February 8 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, February 9 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, March 3 at The Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center.