Mimi Lien News

Perhaps the defining characteristic of Soho Rep, under the artistic direction of Sarah Benson, is the institution's commitment to artists creating surprisingly big theatrical events in its very small space on Walker Street. Soho Rep's 2013-14 season, announced today, provides ample evidence of that commitment, comprising two shows that are among the biggest the organization has ever produced: the New York premiere of David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette, directed by Rebecca Taichman and featuring Marin Ireland (Blasted); and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' An Octoroon, directed by Benson.

Red Speedo shows promise despite its flaws.

The Incubator Arts Project presents Blue Wizard / Black Wizard, written by Eliza Bent and Dave Malloy, with Music by Dave Malloy and Eliza Bent. Directed by Dan Safer, the play will run Dec 5 - 22, Tuesdays, Thursdays - Sundays at 8pm.

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 will stand with the Russian LGBT community and to support one of the great advocates for human rights, Human Rights Watch, in their work to end discrimination and abuse against the LGBT community in Russia. The producers of The Great Comet will make a donation of $10,000 plus all food and beverage sales from the show's first performance in the Theater District. In addition, they will contribute all proceeds from a special first night after-party beginning 11pm this Friday, September 27, which is open to the public with or without a ticket to The Great Comet. Attendance at the party is free of charge and will feature live entertainment and an opportunity for guests to show their support for the Russian LGBT community.

THE GREAT COMET will now land in Times Square on Friday, September 27th, just a few days later than the intended first performance date of Tuesday, September 24th. NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, which concluded a hit summer engagement downtown on September 2nd, will take up residence in the Theater District, on West 45th Street between Times Square and 8thAvenue, for a 14-week limited run. The delay is due to minor complications in the physical transfer of the show's pop-up supper club venue to midtown. Those issues are now resolved and the production is on-track to begin performances this Friday, September 27th at 8pm. Ticketholders for the cancelled performances on September 24-26 can contact their point of purchase to reschedule for a different performance or receive a refund.

Producers Howard & Janet Kagan have confirmed that the complete cast from the hit downtown production of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, will join the show for its Times Square transfer, beginning next Tuesday, September 24th. THE GREAT COMET which concluded a hit summer engagement downtown on September 2nd, will take up residence in the Theater District, on West 45th Street between Times Square and 8thAvenue, for a 14-week limited run. Since its first production at Ars Nova in the fall of 2012, the show has become a sensation, meriting expansion this summer to a 199 seat pop-up supper club built specifically for the production in the Meatpacking District. After playing to packed houses since May, producers Howard & Janet Kagan will bring Dave Malloy's acclaimed electopop opera and its opulent custom venue - Kazino - to the heart of the theater district.

Four theater artists will be honored by the Henry Hewes Design Awards Committee during the presentation of its 2013 Awards in a luncheon ceremony scheduled for October 21. Mimi Lien(Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), Ann Roth (The Nance), Jane Cox (The Flick) andPeter Nigrini (Here Lies Love) will be honored with 2013 Henry Hewes Design Awards. Each of the four is receiving his or her first Henry Hewes Design Award. For the 2013 honors, 84 theater artists were nominated for outstanding artistry in 55 productions presented during the 2012-2013 New York theater season. (A complete list of 2013 nominees follows this awards announcement.)

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, which concluded a hit summer engagement downtown on September 2nd, will take up residence in the Theater District, on West 45th Street between Times Square and 8thAvenue, for a 14-week limited run beginning September 24th. Since its first production at Ars Nova in the fall of 2012, the show has become a sensation, meriting expansion this summer to a 199 seat pop-up supper club built specifically for the production in the Meatpacking District. After playing to packed houses since May, producers Howard & Janet Kagan will bring Dave Malloy's acclaimed electopop opera and its opulent custom venue - Kazino - to the heart of the theater district.

Ghostlight Records will release the original cast recording of the hit downtown production of Dave Malloy's electropop opera NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 later in 2013. The album was recorded Monday, August 26th at MSR Studios in New York City. The recording - which preserves the entire score on two discs - was produced by Dean Sharenow, Howard and Janet Kagan and Kurt Deutsch. Sign up to pre-order at www.sh-k-boom.com/greatcomet.

Perhaps the defining characteristic of Soho Rep, under the artistic direction of Sarah Benson, is the institution's commitment to artists creating surprisingly big theatrical events in its very small space on Walker Street. Soho Rep's 2013-14 season, announced today, provides ample evidence of that commitment, comprising two shows that are among the biggest the organization has ever produced: the New York premiere of David Adjmi's Marie Antoinette, directed by Rebecca Taichman and featuring Marin Ireland (Blasted); and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' An Octoroon, directed by Benson.

Experiments in Opera (www.ExperimentsInOpera.com) announces their 2013-14 Season and yearlong residency at Abrons Arts Center on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The residency will feature three performance programs of new works of experimental opera including an evening of opera choruses in partnership with VisionIntoArt (Chorus of All Souls, November 2, 2013), a showcase of opera shorts for the radio (Radio Operas, February 28 – March 1, 2014), and the premiere of an evening length opera that has been in development with EiO for the past two seasons (Brother Brother, May 2-3, 2014). A $60 three event subscription (savings of $15) will be available starting August 12 at www.AbronsArtsCenter.org.

Experiments in Opera (ExperimentsInOpera.com) announces their 2013-14 Season and yearlong residency at Abrons Arts Center on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The residency will feature three performance programs of new works of experimental opera including an evening of opera choruses in partnership with VisionIntoArt (CHORUS OF ALL SOULS, November 2, 2013), a showcase of opera shorts for the radio (RADIO OPERAS, February 28 - March 1, 2014), and the premiere of an evening length opera that has been in development with EiO for the past two seasons (BROTHER BROTHER, May 2-3, 2014).

In Japanese tradition, kanreki, one's 60th birthday, is a special celebration of longevity and rebirth, honoring a lifetime of accomplishments, taking stock of achievements, and diving into the future with renewed drive and reinvigorated purpose.

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 has announced its new rush ticketing policy, available for select performances, beginning immediately. Beginning this week, there will be $49 tickets available for Wednesday matinees, Saturday early evening performances, and Sunday matinees. Rush tickets can be purchased at the box office of Kazino (West 13th Street and Washington Street) beginning 2 hours prior to the posted curtain time, as well as online at www.thegreatcometof1812.com beginning the day of the performance at 10am by using the code RUSH at check-out. Food and drink is not included with the purchase of a rush ticket.

David Abeles (Once, Original Cast Member) will take over the role of 'Pierre' in the hit downtown production of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 beginning tonight, July 9th. Dave Malloy, the show's creator, played his final performance as 'Pierre' on June 21st, as he leaves to work on several new projects including commissions from LCT3, San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, and the Youth Musical Theater Company in Berkeley, as well as upcoming shows at the Incubator Arts Project and The Bushwick Starr.

The Civilians present the world premiere of BE THE DEATH OF ME.

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the longest operating performance venue in lower Manhattan, in partnership with Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), presents blessing the boats: the remix, a re-imagining of an original play written and performed by Sekou Sundiata, performing today, June 27-29 at 8pm and June 30 at 3pm at TPAC, Theater 2 (199 Chambers Street). This performance has been co-commissioned by LMCC and BMCC, presented as part ofBlink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited, a citywide retrospective produced by MAPP International Productions, and as part of the River To River Festival 2013.Tickets are FREE, but first come, first served - box office opens 45 min. prior to curtain.

The Civilians have announced complete casting of their world premiere of BE THE DEATH OF ME.

First come, first served - box office opens 45 min. prior to curtain blessing the boats: the remix is a re-imagining of Sekou Sundiata's acclaimed solo theater work, blessing the boats. Director Rhodessa Jones revisits Sundiata's story of life-threatening illness and recovery as told through the unique interplay of three poet/performers: Will Power, Carl Hancock Rux, and Mike Ladd. These compelling voices revive Sundiata's incisive writing, finding the universal in the particular and exploring the ritual, humor and compassion of his play. This remix encompasses language, music, and visual projections of healing and hope.

David Abeles (Once, Original Cast Member) will take over the role of 'Pierre' in the hit downtown production ofNATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 beginning Tuesday, July 9th. Dave Malloy, the show's creator, will play his final performance as 'Pierre' Friday, June 21st, as he leaves to work on several new projects including commissions from LCT3, San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, and the Youth Musical Theater Company in Berkeley, as well as upcoming shows at the Incubator Arts Project and The Bushwick Starr. From June 22nd through July 7th, the role of 'Pierre' will be played by Luke Holloway.