Michael Cristofer News

The Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards recognize the extraordinary wealth of talent in the Boston theatre community, and this year's nominations have just been announced. IRNE Reviewers include among others David Brooks Andrews, Sheila Barth, Jules Becker, Kay Bourne, Beverly Creasey, Shirley Esthimer, Richard Fahey, Guy Giampapa, Norm Gross, Nancy Grossman, Bryce Lambert, Beatrice Lee, Kilian Melloy and Larry Stark.

"Baby, I would catch a grenade for you," as Bruno Mars wrote in his international smash hit song "Grenade", recently nominated for a Grammy, and, so, too, would Joe DiMaggio catch a grenade for Marilyn Monroe, and, maybe - just maybe - married Broadway star Michael Swift (Will Chase) will cross the line into the danger zone and rekindle his romance with former flame (similarly, married with children) Julia (Debra Messing), half of the songwriting team responsible for the spectacular musical-within-the-show on NBC's SMASH. Yes, the third episode of the new musical drama series was a much different experience from the first two shows, with Karen (Katharine McPhee)'s journey back home to Iowa - complete with down-home karaoke baby shower and Gretchen Wilson's "Redneck Woman" - and the introduction of Broadway star Will Chase's character and the subsequent exploration of his prior trysts with Julia, as well as detailing more of Ivy (Megan Hilty) and Derek (Jack Davenport)'s hot and heavy romance. So, too, did the dissolving marriage between the Marilyn musical's lead producer, Eileen (Anjelica Huston) and her ex (Michael Cristofer) see further shading, as did the trusting and caring coupling of Karen and Dev (Raza Jaffrey). Along with recurring guest stars Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker as Karen's supportive but speculative parents, "Enter Mr. DiMaggio" was a relationship-themed episode that reached its thematic, dramatic and musical apotheosis in the stunning new Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman Marilyn musical composition, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith", ending the episode on a stylish and all-too-apropos note. A hard rock rendering of the aforementioned Bruno Mars pop hit "Grenade", as well as Karen's spirited country karaoke "Redneck Woman" were the other musical entertainments in an episode that showed that SMASH does, indeed, have legs - a Rockette-worthy line of them, actually - and this story can sustain more than a handful of episodes or, even, a season or two. Sure, this episode had a different feel than the first two, more Broadway-based shows, yet the series seems to be finding a rhythm that is particularly appreciable at this very, very early stage of the game. After all, the first two episodes of an hour-long adult drama such as SMASH usually set the scene for the series as a whole, if they even succeed at accomplishing that. So far, SMASH has already gone far beyond that, and, I promise, next week will be more along the lines of the first two entries, showcasing the simple fact that this tree has many, many branches and exceptionally deep roots supporting the strong core of central and supporting performers that make up its trunk. Episode Three was a gamble that largely paid off dramatically and thematically, and, wow, that final number was a home run hit truly worthy of a show billing itself as SMASH.

NBC has announced that select songs from tonight's third episode of NBC's new critically acclaimed musical drama series SMASH (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET), will be available today from NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products and Columbia Records on the iTunes store.

On the Monday, February 20th episode of NBC's SMASH entitled 'Enter Mr. DiMaggio', the search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn-but everyone's first choice, Michael (guest star Will Chase), has a secret. Karen (Katharine McPhee) returns to Iowa for a baby shower and must decide what she wants for her future. Eileen (Anjelica Huston) begins rounding up investors-but ex-husband Jerry (guest star Michael Cristofer) may already have poisoned the well. Check out three scenes from the upcoming episode below!

Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, has cancelled its premiere production of SOPHIE'S CHOICE based on the novel of the same name.

OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, has announced that it has awarded nearly $200,000 in Audience Development grants, as part of The Opera Fund, to 16 U.S. opera companies.

Michael Cristofer and Louis Cancelmi give captivating performances as Adolph Eichmann and Israeli Mossad agent Peter Malkin respectively in Evan M. Weiner's play receiving its world premiere at Huntington Theatre Company.

It's official, NBC's new Broadway-filled series SMASH will premiere on February 6 at 10pm, and Grace Gummer has joined a long list of theatre veterans who willl guest star onthe show, according to Variety. Gummer will play the daughter of Angelica Huston and Michael Cristofer's characters.

The annual Primary Stages November Night to Remember Gala, a fundraiser benefiting the extensive artistic development programs offered by the company, was just held at the Edison Ballroom, last night, November 9, 2011. Each year at their annual Gala, Primary Stages honors an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the American theater. This year's gala honored the writers, lyricists, and composers who have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Honorary Committee of Pulitzer Prize Winners includes Edward Albee, David Auburn, Michael Cristofer, Nilo Cruz, Charles Fuller, Frank Gilroy, Sheldon Harnick, Beth Henley, Tom Kitt, James Lapine, Tracy Letts, David Lindsay-Abaire, Donald Margulies, Marsha Norman, Bruce Norris, Lynn Nottage, Robert Schenkkan, Stephen Sondheim, Alfred Uhry, Paula Vogel, Doug Wright, and Brian Yorkey.

The New York Times reports today that Michael Cristofer will lead the Huntington Theatre Company's new production of Captors as Adolf Eichmann. The play, according to the Times, is already slated for a Broadway transfer next season.

The annual Primary Stages November Night to Remember Gala, a fundraiser benefiting the extensive artistic development programs offered by the company, will be held at the Edison Ballroom (240 west 47th Street, between Broadway & 8th Avenue) on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction begin at 6:30 p.m. Broadway producer David Richenthal (Pulitzer winners The Kentucky Cycle, The Young Man from Atlanta, I am my Own Wife) serves as the Event Chair.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announces casting for the second week of the popular reading series, NEW WORK NOW!, running thru Sunday, September 18 in The Public's Martinson Theater (425 Lafayette Street). Casting for the free readings includes Donald Moffat, Richard Thomas, Michael Cristofer, Veanne Cox, Peter Francis James, Bill Heck, and S. Epatha Merkerson. All readings are free and open to the public and may be reserved by contacting the box office at (212) 967-7555.

Single tickets are now on sale for Long Wharf Theatre's 2011-12 season, one replete with innovative new plays, classic dramas and great musicals.

Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason and Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee Paxton Whitehead will head the cast of Westport Country Playhouse's scintillating comedy of manners, 'The Circle,' written by W. Somerset Maugham and directed by Nicholas Martin, playing June 7 - 25. 'The Circle,' the second production in The Playhouse's 80th birthday year, is considered Maugham's wittiest play, a seamless blend of romance and repartee.

Tony Kushner's THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES presented by The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) and Signature Theatre Company (Founding Artistic Director James Houghton; Executive Director Erika Mallin) in association with the Guthrie Theater (Joe Dowling, Director) will begin its final week of performances on Tuesday, June 7.

Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason and Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee Paxton Whitehead will head the cast of Westport Country Playhouse's scintillating comedy of manners, "The Circle," written by W. Somerset Maugham and directed by Nicholas Martin, playing June 7 - 25.

Golden Globe Award winner and Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason and Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee Paxton Whitehead will head the cast of Westport Country Playhouse's scintillating comedy of manners, "The Circle," written by W. Somerset Maugham and directed by Nicholas Martin, playing June 7 - 25.

A woman facing a life changing decision. Two men dealing with the aftermath of combat. A man searching for the value of his life. A group of friends trying to find creativity and love. These are just some of the characters on stage in Long Wharf Theatre's 2011-12 season, one replete with innovative new plays, classic dramas and great musicals.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) and Signature Theatre Company (Founding Artistic Director James Houghton; Executive Director Erika Mallin) in association with the Guthrie Theater (Joe Dowling, Director) present the New York premiere of Tony Kushner's THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES. Michael Greif, who directed the world premiere at the Guthrie in April, 2009, directs the New York premiere which opened last night!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) and Signature Theatre Company (Founding Artistic Director James Houghton; Executive Director Erika Mallin) in association with the Guthrie Theater (Joe Dowling, Director) present the New York premiere of Tony Kushner's THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES. Michael Greif, who directed the world premiere at the Guthrie in April, 2009, directs the New York premiere which opened last night!