Mark Twain News

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.'

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 September 4 - October 7, and opens on Friday, September 7.

Bill Cosby, who has been making audiences laugh for decades with his keen insight into everyday existence, brings his signature comedy to the Treasure Island Theatre September 28 at 8 p.m.

3 world premiere adaptations of classic horror literature will receive full theatrical productions at Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery.

The Ruckus Theater has announced its fourth season in Chicago, following a successful year of performances at The Side Project Theatre in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker and Associate Artistic Director Joshua Davis released today a season of four new plays, and workshops, including two productions penned by Chicago playwright Scott T. Barsotti.

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

WorkShop Theater Company, the Innovative Theatre Award-winning and Drama Desk Award-nominated theater company focused on developing new work, has announced its 19th season, featuring Gary Giovannetti's Tarragona, Scott C. Sickles' Lightning from Heaven, and Daniel Damiano's The Golden Year. Additionally, WorkShop Theater will present at least four Plays-in-Process (PIP) productions, several staged readings, two short-play festivals, and some very special events.

George Street Playhouse has announced that VENUS IN FUR by David Ives will complete the line-up for the 2012-13 season. The theatre's spring production, which had previously been unannounced, will run from April 23 through May 18. Opening Night will be on Friday, April 26.

The Ruckus Theater has announced its fourth season in Chicago, following a successful year of performances at The Side Project Theatre in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker and Associate Artistic Director Joshua Davis released today a season of four new plays, and workshops, including two productions penned by Chicago playwright Scott T. Barsotti.

Four of Herman Charles Bosman's stories are dramatised in The Pink Couch's MAFEKING ROAD and Tara Notcutt, Andrew Laubscher and Mathew Lewis succeed in serving Bosman's vision, even as they deconstruct everything that is traditionally accepted about his work and the way it has hitherto been performed.

Theatre Jacksonville has announced its theatrical offerings for the 2012-2013 season.

The Workshop Theater Company is pleased to announce 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 Wednesday, September 12 and continue through Sunday, September 22.

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, announced six new and two returning members have been elected to the Tony Award-winning theatre's Board of Directors. Joining the Board for an initial two year term are Lois Anderson of Avon, Sonya D. Dockett of Avon, Judith E. Meyers of North Haven, Eric D. Ort of Farmington, Charlie Ortiz of Hartford, Esther A. Pryor of West Hartford, Judith E. Thompson of West Hartford, and John H. P. Wheat of Bloomfield.

Following two successful Off-Off Broadway runs this past year (2011), SIREN'S HEART - Norma Jean & Marilyn in Purgatory ~ Norma Jean Sings Songs Marilyn Never Sang, will begin performances today, August 5th at 2pm at Actors Temple Theatre. The producer, ASCOLS, LLC, have set the opening for 7pm, August 5th (that same night), 50 years to the day, that Marilyn Monroe died.

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.

Following two successful Off-Off Broadway runs this past year (2011), SIREN'S HEART - Norma Jean & Marilyn in Purgatory ~ Norma Jean Sings Songs Marilyn Never Sang, will begin performances on Sunday, August 5th at 2pm at Actors Temple Theatre. The producer, ASCOLS, LLC, have set the opening for 7pm, August 5th (that same night), 50 years to the day, that Marilyn Monroe died.

The new musical Foreverman, with book, music, and lyrics by Brett M. Boles, will be presented as an official selection of the New York Musical Theatre Festival's (NYMF's) 2012 Next Link Project, beginning performances tonight, July 20 and running through Sunday, July 28, at the PTC Performance Space, 555 West 42 Street (between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues).

Iconic funny man Bill Cosby, who has been making audiences laugh for decades with his keen insight into everyday existence, brings his signature comedy to the Treasure Island Theatre tonight, July 20 at 8 p.m.

Robert Dubac brings his new one-man show FREE RANGE THINKINGto Act II Playhouse in Ambler this summer, from tonight, July 18-Aug 12. Dubac's previous show, THE MALE INTELLECT: AN OXYMORON?, was a sold-out hit when it played at Act II last summer. Described as 'channeling Jon Stewart, Bill Maher and Mark Twain, FREE RANGE THINKING is fast-paced and loaded with thought-provoking humor.'

Narrated by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, and produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, the five episode, one-hour unscripted series will explore modern gender roles and find out what happens when all of the women leave town, leaving the remaining men to run their households, businesses and community on their own.