Michael Yeargan News

Forgive me if it has become too old a cliché, and perhaps even an unintentional racial stereotype, to point out the enrapturing musicality of language the late August Wilson displayed in his landmark decade-by-decade cycle of plays about African-American experiences in the 20th Century. That trait is especially evident in pieces set in the earlier decades (i.e. Gem of the Ocean, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) and seems to decrease as the years go on, demonstrating an assimilation into the established (Eurocentric) culture of the country.

Intiman Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Bartlett Sher and Managing Director Brian Colburn, continues its 2009 Season with The Year of Magical Thinking, adapted by Joan Didion from her memoir, directed by Sarna Lapine and starring Judith Roberts. Performances will begin at Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, on Friday, August 21 and continue through Sunday, September 20. The opening night performance is Wednesday, August 26 at 7:30 pm.

New York City Opera today released full casting details for the 2009-2010 season, its first under the new leadership of General Manager and Artistic Director George Steel. The company will present five operas in 2009-2010, in fall and spring seasons, in the newly renovated David H. Koch Theater (formerly the New York State Theater).

The Metropolitan Opera has reason to celebrate; $2.5 million worth of tickets were sold on Sunday, the first day of sales, through its box office, telephone call center and Web site, up from $2 million on the first day of sales last year, according to the Associated press.

Intiman Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Bartlett Sher and Managing Director Brian Colburn, continues its 2009 Season with The Year of Magical Thinking, adapted by Joan Didion from her memoir, directed by Sarna Lapine and starring Judith Roberts. Performances will begin at Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, on Friday, August 21 and continue through Sunday, September 20. The opening night performance is Wednesday, August 26 at 7:30 pm.

The National Touring Company of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC will be led by Rod Gilfry (Emile de Becque) and Carmen Cusack (Nellie Forbush), with Anderson Davis (Lt. Cable), Matthew Saldivar (Luther Billis), Keala Settle (Bloody Mary), Gerry Becker (Capt. Brackett), Peter Rini (Cmdr. Harbison), Sumie Maeda (Liat), Rusty Ross (Professor) and original 2008 Broadway cast member Genson Blimline (Stewpot).

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in association with Long Wharf Theatre presents Tennessee Williams' play The Glass Menagerie, directed by Gordon Edelstein with Patch Darragh (Tom Wingfield), two-time Tony® Award winner Judith Ivey (Amanda Wingfield), Keira Keeley (Laura Wingfield).

It's a boy for Kelli O'Hara, three-time Tony nominee who is currently on maternity leave from Lincoln Center Theater's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific. On Saturday (June 27) Kelli and her husband, Greg Naughton, welcomed Owen James weighing in at 7 lbs 3 ounces. He is the couple's first child.

BroadwayWorld Congratulates Derek McLane, 2009 Tony Award Winner, 'Best Scenic Design of a Play'

BroadwayWorld brings you the 2009 Tony Award winners as part of our complete Tony Award coverage!

Nominations in 27 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced by Tony Award Winners Cynthia Nixon and Lin-Manuel Miranda from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

SHN will present the all-new production of the Lincoln Center Theater prize-winning musical classic Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC at the Golden Gate Theatre beginning Friday, September 18 through Sunday, October 25, 2009.

The New York Times is reporting that President Obama and his wife, Michelle, plan to visit New York City tomorrow, Saturday, May 30th and take in a Broadway show, the August Wilson play 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' at the Belasco Theater on West 44th Street. The news of the First Couple's visit was revealed to The Times by three theater executives who had been informed of the First Family's plans.

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

BroadwayWorld Presents The 2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Scenic Design of a Play'

Nominations in 27 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing's 63rd Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were announced today by Tony Award Winners Cynthia Nixon and Lin-Manuel Miranda from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Plácido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Washington National Opera, under the leadership of General Director Placido Domingo, opens its monumental production of Siegfried, running for five performances, May 2 to 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. In this new production, a company premiere conducted by Michael Gittler, acclaimed director Francesca Zambello sets Wagner's tale within the context of the American experience.

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) continues its 54 th season with Verdi's hauntingand tragic tale Rigoletto. Rigoletto, which was last performed at HGO in 2001, returns to the Wortham Theater Centerwith a powerful new staging of Michael Yeargan's classic production that was inspired by Italianpainter Giorgio di Chirico.