Mark Twain News

As part of its educational offerings, Sea Tea Improv will be teaching two levels of improv courses to the public this fall. For the first time, this swift-growing professional theater company will be offering an Intro to Improv workshop, a Foundation-Level course called 'The Character,' and a Focus-Level course about 'Second Beats.' The courses will each be taught by a founding member of the acclaimed Hartford-based improvisational theater company. All classes will be held at Sea Tea Improv's brand-new studio space: 75 Pratt St, 5th floor, Room 512, in Hartford, Conn.

Beginning in 2007, Hal Holbrook performed his acclaimed one-man show 'Mark Twain Tonight!' in each of the Gallo Center for the Arts' first two seasons. Now he returns for a third engagement on Friday, October 5, at 8 pm.

People's Light & Theatre presents Mark Twain: Sacred Cows Make the Best Hamburgers, running October 10-November 4, 2012 on the Steinbright Stage. David Bradley directs.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents a family treat for the holidays, the Tony Award-winning musical BIG RIVER directed by Robert Kelley. Hilarious and heartwarming, Mark Twain's story The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn comes alive in this musical adaptation.

Mark Twain's play "Is He Dead?", adapted by David Ives, is an uproarious hysterical romp. Or it can be. Unfortunately the current production from Theater Schmeater, while still funny, lacks a cohesiveness that could take it to the realm of "seriously funny".

Margot Harley, co-founder and Producer of The Acting Company has announced the appointment of Ian Belknap to the position of Artistic Director. "We're a Company of young actors - founded forty years ago with the young Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, David Schramm and David Ogden Stiers right out of Juilliard - and it is appropriate that we begin our next 40 years with a vibrant young talent as our artistic leader," said Ms. Harley, who moves from Producing Artistic Director to Producer. John Houseman, Alan Schneider, Jack O'Brien, Michael Kahn, Gerry Gutierrez, Zelda Fichandler, Ms. Harley and now Mr. Belknap complete the list of impressive talents to serve as Artistic Director of The Acting Company founded in 1972 and oft-considered the leading nationally touring repertory theater in the country.

At the top of the show for Village Theatre's production of "Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" we are greeted with a quote from Mark Twain and the original book. "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot." And while clever, showing that quote at the top of the show doesn't excuse the fact that there is little through line or story arc to this production. There's a ton of talent performing throughout the evening but at times they felt like they were in different shows.

The Arvada Center will host the critically acclaimed Creede Repertory Theatre's presentation of Is He Dead? adapted by David Ives from an unpublished story by Mark Twain in the intimate Black Box Theater. Previews are September 28 through September 30 at 7:30 p.m. nightly, opening Tuesday, October 2 through October 28. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. For ticket pricing and additional information or to order tickets, call 720-898-7200 or go online to www.arvadacenter.org.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's October lineup dazzles audiences of all ages with a Boldt Arts Alive! Series that includes world-famous performers, timeless music and the local talent of some of the Fox Cities most promising high school choirs.

People's Light & Theatre presents August Wilson's Seven Guitars, running tonight, September 12-October 7, 2012 on the Main Stage. Jade King Carroll directs.

The Workshop Theater Company has announced Play-in-Progress production of Philip Hall's LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI, A Musical Play, musical directed by Fran Minarik and directed by SusannA Frazer. LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI will play a limited engagement at The Jewel Box Theater (312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor). Performances begin tonight, September 12 and continue through Sunday, September 22.

Asolo Repertory Theatre is pleased to announce that Venus in Fur by David Ives will complete the line-up for its 2012-2013 season. The production will be staged in the Historic Asolo Theater April 5-28, 2013 with preview performances April 3th and 4th.

The historic Fulton Theatre in downtown Lancaster launches its 2012/2013 season with Gypsy, often held up by critics as the best book musical written in the 20th century. Gypsy is loosely based on the memoirs of vaudeville and burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee, with music by Jule Styne, lyrics Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. It features some of the best-known and loved musical songs, such as 'Everything's Coming up Roses,' 'Some People,' 'Let Me Entertain You' and 'Rose's Turn.'

author and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Martha Stewart makes sure of that in the premiere episode of her new series MARTHA STEWART'S COOKING SCHOOL, debuting on PBS stations the weekend of October 6th and 7th (check local listings).

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

Friday, September 28, 2012 at 7:00pm in the historic Players Club, Salon/Sanctuary Concerts-the series that presents early music in intimate alternative venues-opens its fourth season with a unique collaborative event featuring three renowned artists who share a love of baroque music. The performance will include songs of Henry Purcell, arias of Handel, and cantatas of Vivaldi. Program details will be announced shortly. A post-performance dinner with the artists follows at the club.

Artists Rep begins its 30th Anniversary season with the World Premiere of Aaron Posner's And So It Goes…, directed by Posner. This quirky love letter to the human race flows from Kurt Vonnegut's first collection of short stories, Welcome to the Monkey House. The play runs now through October 7 on the Alder Stage in Portland, Oregon. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

From September 7 through October 7, The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood will be roaring with 1920s melodies sure to have you on your feet and dancing out the door with STAGES final production of the 2012 season, My One and Only. Meet the cast in the photos below!

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, longtime purveyors, custodians and distillers of a modern big band swing sound, are back and newly signed with Savoy Jazz. In celebration of twenty years bringing an irrepressible groove to the adoring masses, the band has recorded 'RATTLE THEM BONES'-their eighth studio album which is available today.

Assassins will be directed at The Milwaukee Rep by Artistic Director Mark Clements. This will be the third musical he has directed since he began his tenure at The Rep following last season's hit Next to Normal and Cabaret from his first season. With the selection of Assassins for the 2012/13 Season, Milwaukee Repertory Theater shows its commitment to continuing to produce full-scale musicals as part of its repertoire. Clements has assembled a top-notch cast for this production featuring many performers with extensive Broadway credits. Assassins runs in the Quadracci Powerhouse from tonight, September 4 - October 7, and opens on Friday, September 7.