Michael Alden News

Producers Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess announced today that Becoming Dr. Ruth, a warmhearted, candid and inspiring comedy starring Debra Jo Rupp, ("That 70's Show") written by Mark St. Germain and directed by Julianne Boyd will play its final performance at off-Broadway's Westside Theatre (407 W. 43rd Street) on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 3PM.

Producers Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess have announced that Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer will host a special book signing session at off-Broadway's Westside Theatre (407 W. 43rd Street), home of Becoming Dr. Ruth, today, November 27 following 2:00PM performance (3:45 - 4:30PM) and prior to the 7:00PM performance (5:30 - 6:15PM).

Producers Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess have announced that Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer will host a special book signing session at off-Broadway's Westside Theatre (407 W. 43rd Street), home of Becoming Dr. Ruth, on Wednesday, November 27 following 2:00PM performance (3:45 - 4:30PM) and prior to the 7:00PM performance (5:30 - 6:15PM).

Primary Stages held their annual Gala last night, November 11, at The Edison Ballroom (240 W. 47th Street). The event honored Tony Award-winning playwright Christopher Durang and President of the General Counsel at Dramatists Play Service, Stephen Sultan. The evening featured performances by Rachel deBenedet (Catch Me If You Can, Addams Family), Alan Paul (Grease, Oliver!, Manhattan Transfer), Michele Ragusa (Urinetown, Ragtime, A Class Act, Adrift in Macao), and Alton F. White (The Color Purple, The Lion King, Ragtime). BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos below!

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning regional theatre in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, celebrated BSC's New Works Initiative with a BSC in NYC at a benefit last night at the American Airlines Theatre Penthouse. The event was co-chaired by Heather Nolin, Mary Ann Quinson, Rosita Sarnoff and Eda Sorokoff. Among the attendees were Tommy Tune, Julie Budd, and Producers Michael Alden and Jamie deRoy.

The New York premiere of Becoming Dr. Ruth, a warmhearted, candid and inspiring comedy starring Debra Jo Rupp, ('That 70's Show') written by Mark St. Germain and directed by Julianne Boyd opened off-Broadway last night, October 29. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos from the after party below!

On October 21, 2013, the Dramatists Guild Fund will host their Annual Gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York. This year's event will honor legendary playwrights, composers, and lyricists who have greatly impacted the American theater.

Producers Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess have announced a special talkback series at Becoming Dr. Ruth, featuring America's favorite sex therapist, Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, following select Wednesday evening performances. These special talkbacks will take place October 30, November 6, 13, 20 and December 18, and are complimentary to ticketholders for these performances.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces a preliminary lineup of star performers, and a luminous array of theater notables including Andre Bishop, Terrence McNally and James Naughton, who will help celebrate three extraordinary people at the annual TRU Love Benefit, Honoring Friendship, Remembering Friends. The trio of TRU friends who will be remembered and honored are producer Randall Wreghitt (Little Women, Beauty Queen of Leenane, Grey Gardens, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Golda's Balcony, As Bees in Honey Drown, The Food Chain) who died unexpectedly at the age of 55 in May 2011, and will be posthumously remembered with the 2013 TRU Spirit of Theater Award; Michael Feingold, former critic with the Village Voice, who will receive the TRU Humanitarian Award for educating generations of theatergoers about the historical, social and cultural context of the shows he reviews; and TRU member and program director Patricia R. Klausner, who will be recognized and applauded with the TRU Entrepreneur Award for her ongoing dedication in both the not-for-profit and commercial producing arenas.

The New York premiere of Becoming Dr. Ruth, a warmhearted, candid and inspiring comedy starring Debra Jo Rupp, ("That 70's Show") written byMark St. Germain and directed by Julianne Boyd begins previews tonight, Friday, October 11 at 8:00PM.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) celebrated the season's first meeting of the TRU Producer Development & Mentorship Program on Monday, September 23 at Langham Place, 400 Fifth Avenue in midtown New York City. The evening was an opportunity for 53 mentee members to meet and mingle with the program directors, producers Michael Alden (Becoming Dr. Ruth, The King's Speech on stage, Grey Gardens, Sarah Jones' Bridge & Tunnel, Bat Boy), Patrick Blake (The Exonerated, In the Continuum, Play Dead) and Patricia Klausner producing manager of Shotgun Productions and commercial producer (Pippin, The Trip to Bountiful, Stick Fly, The Scottsboro Boys), plus prospective mentors for the coming year who will guide and advise them on their producing goals.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces that instead of the usual September panel they are hosting a free and friendly Introduction to TRU: Free-for-Everyone Seasonal Kick-off plus Networking Meet-and-Greet tonight, September 17, 2013 at 7:30pm at The Players Theatre's Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre, 3rd floor, 115 MacDougal Street, NYC. Doors open at 7pm for networking and refreshments, presentations and roundtable introductions start at 7:30pm.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces that instead of the usual September panel they are hosting a free and friendly Introduction to TRU: Free-for-Everyone Seasonal Kick-off plus Networking Meet-and-Greet on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 7:30pm at The Players Theatre's Steve & Marie Sgouros Theatre, 3rd floor, 115 MacDougal Street, NYC. Doors open at 7pm for networking and refreshments, presentations and roundtable introductions start at 7:30pm.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) will celebrate its 22nd year as a not-for-profit service organization with a celebration of three extraordinary people at the annual TRU Love Benefit, Honoring Friendship, Remembering Friends. The 2013 TRU Spirit of Theater Award, presented to a member of the producing community who has demonstrated exceptional generosity, support and kindness to others in the business, will be posthumously awarded to producer Randall Wreghitt (Little Women, Beauty Queen of Leenane, Grey Gardens, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Golda's Balcony, As Bees in Honey Drown, The Food Chain) who died unexpectedly at the age of 55 in May 2011. The event will take place Sunday, November 17th at Caroline's on Broadway at 47th Street.

On October 21, 2013, the Dramatists Guild Fund will host their Annual Gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York. This year's event will honor legendary playwrights, composers, and lyricists who have greatly impacted the American theater.

Producers Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess have announced the New York premiere of Becoming Dr. Ruth, a warmhearted, candid and inspiring comedy starring Debra Jo Rupp, ('That 70's Show') written by Mark St. Germain and directed by Julianne Boyd.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) is accepting applications for the Producer Mentorship and Development Program for 2013-14, a program designed to guide anyone producing a project through the steps of putting together an effective business plan, as well as help you to set and achieve attainable goals. Led by industry veterans and insiders, this year-long program encompasses the full scope of both the commercial and not-for-profit theatrical producer's process, using a hands-on approach, on-site training, and a focus on practical application. In order to be eligible for the program you must join TRU as a member; to apply send an email inquiry to TRUMentor@gmail.com and TRU will send you detailed information and an application. If accepted into the program, the cost for the year is $100 (plus a $75 TRU membership fee). For more detailed information on the program visitwww.truonline.org/PDMP2.htm

Shirley Herz, a legendary theatrical press agent, died on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. The cause was complications from a stroke suffered on July 18, said Sam Altman, a longtime friend. Below, photographer Walter McBride presents a look back at some of his photos from recent events.