Michael Weller News

Ah, there's nothing like watching the marriage of a pair of tortured intellectuals crumble before our eyes from the safe distance of an auditorium seat to happily send audience members to the nearest nightcap retreat with that special glow that comes from a satisfying night at the theatre. And actors Elizabeth Marvel and Norbert Leo Butz, along with director Austin Pendleton, do their darndest to whip up a frenzied evening of dangerous, verbally (and a bit physically) violent theatre. If playwright Michael Weller's Fifty Words were a complete enough piece to match its stellar production we might be close to having one of the must-see events of the season, but for now the two-character evening plays more like watching a pair of skilled actors doing exceptional scene work.

There's an interesting point buried beneath the innocuous entertainment of writer/director Roger Bean's The Marvelous Wonderettes, a somewhat cute little show utilizing girl group and female soloist pop hits from the 1950s and 60s. Unfortunately, that interesting point could have easily been made with out the tedium of his vapid, unfunny book and standard story. But if you can disregard everything that happens between the songs and just enjoy the singing talents of Farah Alvin (the shy, geeky one), Beth Malone (the trouble-maker), Bets Malone (the air-headed, helium voiced blonde) and Victoria Matlock (Most Likely To Become Ann-Margret) you're apt to have an enjoyable time.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) opened their production of Tony Award-winner Michael Weller's new play Fifty Words on October 1st, 2008.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will kick off its 30th Anniversary Season with a new production of Howard Korder's comedy, BOYS' LIFE, directed by Michael Greif starting tonight, October 2nd. The official opening will be Monday, October 20th. This 20th Anniversary production of BOYS' LIFE will feature Jason Biggs, Rhys Coiro, and Peter Scanavino as 'the boys' as well as Dan Colman, Michelle Federer, Betty Gilpin, Paloma Guzman, Laura-Leigh, and Stephanie March.

New York Theatre Workshop will host a pre-performance event showcasing the influence of documentary photographer Nina Berman's work on the origin of Michael Weller's play Beast on Friday, Oct. 10, at 6:30pm

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) presents their first preview performance of Tony Award-winner Michael Weller's new play Fifty Words tonight, October 1st, 2008. The opening night, originally scheduled for Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m., has been rescheduled to Wednesday (10/1) at 7 p.m.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that, due to injuries sustained this week by the two stars, a preview performance of Tony Award-winner Michael Weller's new play Fifty Words, was cancelled (Wednesday night) and the opening night has been moved.

MCC THEATER will present the World Premiere Production of Michael Weller's Fifty Words, under the direction of Austin Pendleton. The two-character play stars Elizabeth Marvel and Norbert Leo Butz. Performance began on September 10 and continues through October 25, with an opening night set for Sunday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is excited to present Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. From the acclaimed playwright of The Clean House comes this beautiful and devastating story about love and choice.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo presented the opening night of Michael Weller's play 'Beast' on Monday, September 15th, 2008. 'Beast' is directed by Jo Bonney.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that Beast, written by Michael Weller and directed by Jo Bonney, will begin performances Friday, August 29 at 8pm, at NYTW, 79 East 4th Street, between Second Avenue and Bowery. Opening night is scheduled for Monday, September 15 at 7pm. The production will run through Sunday, October 12.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Elizabeth Marvel will star in the World Premiere Production of Michael Weller's new play Fifty Words, which will begin performances at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 10 and continue through October 25, with an opening night set for Sunday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m. Fifty Words marks Ms. Marvel's first appearance on the New York stage following her critically acclaimed turn in Manhattan Theatre Club's 2008 revival of Top Girls.

Hypothetical Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Jennifer Maisel's THERE OR HERE.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that Dan Butler has joined the cast of Beast, written by Michael Weller and directed by Jo Bonney.

The New School for Drama has announced that award-winning actor John Turturro will be the distinguished Artist-in-Residence for the 2008-09 academic year. Turturro is the recipient of a multitude of awards and accolades for his extensive acting work in theater, film and television.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will kick off its 30th Anniversary Season with a new production of Howard Korder's comedy, BOYS' LIFE, directed by Michael Greif.

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is excited to present Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. From the acclaimed playwright of The Clean House comes this beautiful and devastating story about love and choice.

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre launches their 32nd season with SHOGUN MACBETH, an adaptation by John R. Briggs from the play by William Shakespeare.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz has been signed to star opposite Elizabeth Marvel in the World Premiere Production of Michael Weller's Fifty Words, under the direction of Austin Pendleton. The two-character play begins performances at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 10 and continues through October 25, with an opening night set for Sunday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Hypothetical Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Jennifer Maisel's THERE OR HERE.