Michael Frayn News

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, by Richard Bean, based on Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters, with songs by Grant Olding, directed by Nicolas Hynter, began preview performances on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on Friday, April 6, and opened tonight, April 18.

TheatreSquared announced today the TheatreSquared Season 7, the 2012/13 lineup. The four-play season includes the Olivier Award-winning comedy NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn, PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT, a comedy by Tennessee Williams, Stephen Karam's SONS OF THE PROPHET, and the 2010 Pulitzer- and three-time Tony Award-winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL.

This sounds like an exaggeration, but I promise that it's not: Noises Off at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill is, honest-to-goodness, the funniest thing I have seen in quite some time. It reminded me that live theater is magical - I cannot think of a single movie which is as funny as this live-action comedy. Michael Frayn's writing is brilliant - how any human is able to write something so tight and fast-paced is beyond me. It's not a popular piece for nothing. Under the skillful direction of Michael Michetti, the cast is able to capture the blissful comedy of the piece, beat by beat.

The Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor esteemed stage actress Patti LuPone with the company's third Stephen Sondheim Award. The award, established in 2009 in honor of America's most influential contemporary musical theater writer and composer, will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit on April 16, 2012 at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC. Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer said, 'I am thrilled that Patti LuPone will be this year's recipient of the Stephen Sondheim Award. With her wonderful performances in Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Company, Passion, and more - she has had an amazing connection to Steve's words and music. It's wonderful to add her name to the distinguished honorees Angela Lansbury and Bernadette Peters. We look forward to saluting Patti and her extraordinary talents in April.'

Full casting announced for STEP 9 (OF 12) - joining Blake Harrison in his West End debut as Keith will be Wendy Nottingham, Barry McCarthy and Benjamin Dilloway. The show opens at Trafalgar Studios in a new production directed by Tom Attenborough.

The Flea will present the World Premiere of three new plays with its NEW PLAY FESTIVAL: The Electric Lighthouse by Ed Hime, The Wundelsteipen (And Other Difficult Roles for Young People) by Nick Jones and A Letter from Omdurman by Jeffrey M. Jones. The Festival's cast will be comprised of The Bats, the resident acting company of The Flea. Previews begin April 20th at The Flea Theater.

The Rose Theatre announces upcoming productions.

The Rose Theatre announces upcoming productions.

Zawe Ashton and Alex Beckett join Alison Steadman in Rose Theatre Kingston's revival of Michael Frayn's HERE from 19 April to 12 May. In an exciting change at the Rose, HERE will be performed on a new stage built out into the auditorium bringing the intimacy of Here even closer to the audience.

Retro Productions and The Bleecker Company, in association with The Arclight Theatre, present Milan Stitt's drama THE RUNNER STUMBLES, with an Off-Broadway run set to open Thursday, May 3 at The Arclight Theatre (152 West 71st Street). Peter Zinn, who helmed Retro Productions' revivals Michael Frayn's BENEFACTORS and Sally Nemeth's HOLY DAYS, directs.

Patti LuPone won her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, for her performance as Rose in the most recent Broadway production of Gypsy, and created the title role in Evita on Broadway with her now legendary performance, for which she won her first Tony and Drama Desk Awards. On July 4th and 5th she will make her Provincetown debut at The Art House, with Sirius/Radio star Seth Rudetsky at the piano, for 3 shows only. The Art House is thrilled to welcome this Broadway legend to Provincetown this summer, when she opens the Broadway at the Art House series which will feature 10 different artists including Betty Buckley, Charles Busch, Ana Gasteyer, and Marilyn Maye among others, from July 4 - September 23. For tickets please visit www.ptownarthouse.com or call 508-487-9222.

Broadway Theatre of Pitman presents NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn through April 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The Rose Theatre announces upcoming productions.

The Old Vic's production of Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off will transfer to the Novello Theatre from March 24. Lindsay Posner directs a cast currently including Celia Imrie, Janie Dee and Robert Glenister

The Rose Theatre announces upcoming productions.

BroadwayWorld has highlights of HENRY V, part of Rose Theatre Kingston's season lineup, at the south west London venue.

The Rose Theatre announces upcoming productions.

Rose Theatre Kingston today announced the full cast for its revival of Michael Frayn's Here for a limited run, Thursday 19 April - Saturday 12 May, starring Alison Steadman, Zawe Ashton and Alex Beckett.

Rose Theatre Kingston has announced the next season of work that will be appearing at the southwest London venue. Highlights of the new season include the Rose productions, THE LADY FROM THE SEA starring Joely Richardson and HERE, a comedy about love and living together by one of Britain's greatest playwrights, Michael Frayn.

The Rose Theatre announces upcoming productions.