Michael Gene Sullivan News

San Francisco Playhouse presents the Bay Area premiere of Groundhog Day the Musical, the hit Broadway comedy adapted from the timeless Bill Murray film. Danny Rubin, co-writer of the 1993 film, wrote the book, with music and lyrics supplied by Tony-winner Tim Minchin (Matilda). Susi Damilano will direct the Playhouse production, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer.

Based on the iconic novel by George Orwell, a?oe1984a?? is the story of Winston Smith, who has come to the attention of the state of Oceania, the authoritarian state. Initially written in 1949, meaning that it was projecting 35 years into the future at that time, it is uncanny, that, 35 years later, it is being presented yet once again, and, terrifyingly, it is probably more relevant than ever before. With the brutal soul-searching, diary-exposing help of four Party Members of a?oeThe Ministry of Truth,a?? and a maiming stun gun, Winston is forced to confess his Thoughtcrimes before an unseen questioner, and the audience (surrounding the square stage in the middle on all four sides; it's almost as if they are secretly witnesses and jury) is up close and personal witnessing the torture and depredation being dealt to Mr. Smith.

The Center for the Arts at George Mason University continues the 2019/20 season this November and December with an array of dance, theater, opera, and music from around the world through programs from Great Performances at Mason, the Family Series, as well as signature events from Mason's College of Visual and Performing Arts.

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for the Bay Area premiere of Groundhog Day the Musical, the hit Broadway comedy adapted from the timeless Bill Murray film. Danny Rubin, co-writer of the 1993 film, wrote the book, with music and lyrics supplied by Tony-winner Tim Minchin (Matilda). Susi Damilano will direct the Playhouse production, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer.

The Actors' Gang Artistic Director Tim Robbins to join the cast of The Actors' Gang Theater's new production of 1984, written by George Orwell and adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan. In addition to Robbins portraying the show's antagonist a?oeO'Brien,a?? he will be serving as director, as previously announced. This marks Robbins' first time on stage since The Guys in 2005. 1984 began previews Thursday, October 10th and runs through Saturday, December 7th, with an official press opening on Saturday, October 19th.

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts is proud to present the second play in its Live Edition education program, Aquila Theatre's national touring production of George Orwell's 1984, on Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. The Live Edition program invites schools from across Long Island to see live productions of material studied in schools along with informative talkbacks.

Theatre Bay Area, one of the largest regional performing arts service organizations in North America, has announced the finalists of the 2019 TBA Awards. The sixth-annual TBA Awards Celebration will take place on Monday, Nov. 4 at the Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco).

The Actors' Gang Theater, home to over 38 years of provocative stories, opens its 2019-20 season with a new production of 1984, written by George Orwell, adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan, and directed by The Actors' Gang Artistic Director Tim Robbins. The play will begin previews Thursday, October 10th and run through Saturday, December 7th, with an official press opening on Saturday, October 19th.

Single tickets for most individual shows performing at Popejoy Hall this season will go on sale Friday, September 27, 2019 at 10am. Tickets will be available for all Ovation Series productions, except The Book of Mormon. Currently, tickets are available to Swan Lake and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor's professional theatre with an exclusive focus on new plays and playwrights, presents the Michigan premiere of a?oeAdmissionsa?? by Joshua Harmon.

Monument Theatre Company is celebrating its inaugural season with a play that encapsulates so much of its mission. They have entered the Indianapolis theater world to challenge and trouble some of the fixed mindsets that the average theater-goer may have developed. 1984 is the perfect vehicle to bring that goal to life and to create a strong impression on its audiences, leaving more questions than answers.

Theatre NOVA, Ann Arbor's professional theatre with an exclusive focus on new plays and playwrights, presents the Michigan premiere of "Stargazers" by Reina Hardy.

BWW Review: JAZZ at Marin Theatre Company is Nambi E. Kelley's ambitious adaptation of Toni Morrison's tribute to the musical genre and African-American culture.

TheatreFIRST announces a new production to start off 2019. Debuting in February will be THE LAST SERMON OF SISTER IMANI, written by Cleavon Smith. Smith penned TheatreFIRST's 2016 production of VS. and 2018's JUST ONE DAY: A story of Martin Luther King's legacy, a one act play from BETWEEN US. He was also one of the co-facilitators for TheatreFIRST's most recent production of THE PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF NEXT. Michael Gene Sullivan is slated to direct THE LAST SERMON OF SISTER IMANI. He is a recent teacher of the T1U Playwright track and this will be his first turn as director for TheatreFIRST.

TheatreFIRST announces a new production to start off 2019. Debuting in February will be THE LAST SERMON OF SISTER IMANI, written by Cleavon Smith. Smith penned TheatreFIRST's 2016 production of VS. and 2018's JUST ONE DAY: A story of Martin Luther King's legacy, a one act play from BETWEEN US. He was also one of the co-facilitators for TheatreFIRST's most recent production of THE PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF NEXT. Michael Gene Sullivan is slated to direct THE LAST SERMON OF SISTER IMANI. He is a recent teacher of the T1U Playwright track and this will be his first turn as director for TheatreFIRST.

In a production where the whole is certainly equal to the sum of its parts, Tuck Everlasting could emerge as a pleasing and long-lasting alternative to splashier or too familiar seasonal holiday fare.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley brings an enchanted bestseller to life for the holidays with the regional premiere of Tuck Everlasting. Set in the 1890s, free-spirited Winnie Foster searches for adventure, finding the Tucks, a close-knit family that has discovered the secret to everlasting life. Winnie faces the choice of a lifetime: return to everyday life, or join the Tucks on their infinite, irreversible voyage through time. Directed by TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley, Tuck Everlasting will be presented November 28 - December 30 (press opening: December 1) at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. For tickets ($40-$100) and more information the public may visit TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

California Shakespeare Theater announced today the cast of the return engagement of its record-breaking hit play black odyssey, playing September 25 through October 7, 2018 at the Bruns Amphitheater.

King of Cuba, a new comedy by award-winning writer Cristina Garcia, has extended through August 26th at the historic Berkeley City Club (originally scheduled to close August 19). In King of Cuba, two aging Cubanos hilariously have a go at each other. Opening night Marga was described as 'dethroning machismo,' while the house erupted as El Comandante (Marga Gomez) remarked "Nobody has bigger cojones than I do." The night then roiled with laughter as the two silver haired Cubanos 'knock each other down' verbally and otherwise.

King of Cuba, a new comedy by award-winning writer Cristina Garcia, opens with a press night on Saturday, July 21, and runs through August 19 (previews July 19 & 20) at the historic Berkeley City Club. The summer adventure of the Central Works 2018 season King of Cuba, is developed by Ms. Garcia in the Central Works Writers Workshop featuring the lesbian-gender-bending comedian Marga Gomez, and the Grammy-winning "bongocero" Carlos Caro. All are Cubanx celebrities living in the Bay Area. Directed by Gary Graves, the full cast includes Marco Aponte, Leticia Duarte, Elena Garrity, Marga Gomez, Ben Ortega and Steve Ortiz.