Melissa James News

FX has picked up its critically-acclaimed drama The Americans for a 13-episode second season, it was announced today by John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks. The most recent drama to join the network's coveted roster of hit original series, the renewal comes just four episodes into The Americans' freshman season. There are nine all-new episodes remaining in the current season airing Wednesdays at 10:00 PM E/P with the season finale schedule to air on May 1.

Round House Theatre today announced its first full season under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Ryan Rilette. In 2013/14, Round House will produce two modern classics, two Broadway comedies, an Off-Broadway comedy, and an Off-Broadway musical on its mainstage in Bethesda.

Atlantic Theater Company has announced The Strand Series, a new partnership with the legendary Strand Book Store. Presented with each Atlantic Mainstage production, the conversation series expands the discussion between Atlantic's playwrights, directors, actors and other artists. The upcoming installment will be held today, February 11 at 7pm and feature playwright Craig Lucas and director Pam MacKinnon of THE LYING LESSON, which begins previews at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater on February 20.

Atlantic Theater Company has announced The Strand Series, a new partnership with the legendary Strand Book Store. Presented with each Atlantic Mainstage production, the conversation series expands the discussion between Atlantic's playwrights, directors, actors and other artists. The upcoming installment will be held on Monday, February 11 at 7pm and feature playwright Craig Lucas and director Pam MacKinnon of THE LYING LESSON, which begins previews at Atlantic's Linda Gross Theater on February 20.

Manhattan Theatre Club announces the guests for the upcoming Sloan panel discussing Sharr White's The Other Place. The panel will focus on the role of science in the play and will feature novelist Stefan Merrill Block, author of The Story of Forgetting; playwright Sharr White; neuroscientist Heather Berlin; and genetic counselor Jill Goldman. The panel will be moderated by NPR's Robert Krulwich. The panel will follow the 2 PM matinee performance today, January 27 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Manhattan Theatre Club announces the guests for the upcoming Sloan panel discussing Sharr White's THE OTHER PLACE. The panel will focus on the role of science in the play and will feature novelist Stefan Merrill Block, author of The Story of Forgetting; playwright Sharr White; neuroscientist Heather Berlin; and genetic counselor Jill Goldman. The panel will be moderated by NPR's Robert Krulwich. The panel will follow the 2 PM matinee performance on Sunday January 27 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

The Public Theater announced that it will present the Soho Rep production of the American premiere of the Nature Theater of Oklahoma's LIFE AND TIMES: Episodes 1-4 as a special engagement of the 2013 Under the Radar Festival. Conceived and directed by Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper, the epic serial saga LIFE AND TIMES will run tonight, January 16 through February 2, 2013. The 2013 Under the Radar Festival will run January 9 through 20, 2013 at The Public Theater at Astor Place, 425 Lafayette Street.

The Playwrights Foundation announces the 2013 Winter Rough Readings Series, running today, January 14 - March 12, 2013 at Stanford University and in San Francisco.

Modern romance is more complex than any scientific problem ever in Itamar Moses's smart, sexy new comedy Completeness, receiving its Midwest premiere in a Theater Wit production at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Previews begin Feb. 7, 2013. Press opening is Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7 pm. Performances run through March 24. Regular show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm; and Sunday at 2 pm. No show Thursday, Feb. 21. Tickets are $18-$36. For tickets and information, visit TheaterWit.org or call 773.975.8150.

The Playwrights Foundation announces the 2013 Winter Rough Readings Series, January 14 - March 12, 2013 at Stanford University and in San Francisco. The winter readings series features: Chiori Miyagawa's This Lingering Life, January 14 & 15; Jonathan Spector's In From the Cold February 11 & 12 and Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's The World of Extreme Happiness March 11 & 12.

Beat those post holiday blues with special $25 tickets to Atlantic Theater Company's critically acclaimed world premiere production of Melissa James Gibson's play What Rhymes With America through this Sunday, December 30 only.

Atlantic Theater Company presents the New York premiere of Rolin Jones' play THE JAMMER, featuring Patch Darragh, Dan Domingues, Christopher Jackson, Billy Eugene Jones, Keira Naughton, Kate Rigg, Jeanine Serralles, Greg Stuhr and Todd Weeks directed by Jackson Gay. Check out photos of the cast in rehearsal below!

Atlantic Theater Company presents the world premiere of Melissa James Gibson's WHAT RYHMES WITH AMERICA, starring Atlantic ensemble member Chris Bauer leading a cast featuring Aimee Carrero, Seana Kofoed and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, directed by Daniel Aukin. WHAT RHYMES WITH AMERICA began previews Monday, November 19; officially opened last night, December 12; and will play a limited engagement through Sunday, December 30, 2012 off-Broadway at Atlantic's main stage Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street). Check out photos from opening night below!

Atlantic Theater Company will present the New York premiere of Rolin Jones' play THE JAMMER, featuring Patch Darragh, Dan Domingues, Christopher Jackson, Billy Eugene Jones, Keira Naughton, Kate Rigg, Jeanine Serralles, Greg Stuhr and Todd Weeks directed by Jackson Gay.

Soho Rep has again extended the New York premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury's We Are Proud to Present a Presentation …, directed by Eric Ting, this time to December 16. Tickets to the American premiere of Nature Theater of Oklahoma's epic serial Life and Times: Episodes 1-4-a Soho Rep production presented by The Public Theater as a special engagement of the Under the Radar Festival 2013-are now on sale. And Soho Rep announces the production that will conclude its 2012-13 season: the world premiere of Lucas Hnath's A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay About the Death of Walt Disney, directed by Soho Rep Artistic Director Sarah Benson (April 30 - May 26, 2013).

Atlantic Theater Company presents the world premiere of Melissa James Gibson's WHAT RYHMES WITH AMERICA, starring Atlantic ensemble member Chris Bauer leading a cast featuring Aimee Carrero, Seana Kofoed and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, directed by Daniel Aukin. Get a first look at the cast onstage in the photos below!

Chicago's Theater Wit has announced that The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince has awarded the company a three-year, $60,000 grant for general operating support.

Soho Rep's Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Cynthia Flowers as Executive Director. Ms. Flowers officially starts the position this week.

In celebration of its 35th anniversary landmark year, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced a global celebration where theatres across the English-speaking world will produce 75 plays by past winners and finalists.

Soho Rep presents the New York premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury's We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915, directed by Eric Ting. The 13-time OBIE-winning theater presents We Are Proud to Present a Presentation…,in association with John Adrian Selzer, from tonight, November 7 to December 2, 2012. Soho Rep will also offer FEED companion programming throughout the run; see details below.