Naked Angels News

Thomas Sadoski, a Tony nominee for his work in reasons to be pretty and who currently stars in HBO's The Newsroom, is set to appear in the world premiere production of Michael Golamco's Build in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse.

Native Voices at the Autry continues its vital role as the country's only equity theatre company dedicated exclusively to developing the work of Native American playwrights with a free staged reading of THE DAY WE WERE BORN, a new play by Jaisey Bates (Long House Huron, Algonquin*) on Thursday, September 20, 2012, 7:30 pm, at the Wells Fargo Theater at The Autry National Center in Griffith Park.

Betsy Aidem, Clea Alsip and Olga Merediz join Kathleen Turner in Long Wharf Theatre's production of The Killing of Sister George, by Frank Marcus and adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher.

Today we are focusing a super-special spotlight on one of the Fall's most intriguing musical entries trying out in New York, the York Theatre Company's lab mounting of the new Paul Jabara jukebox musical LAST DANCE, by talking to the show's lead, recognizable TV and film star Rob Morrow, and the show's lead producer, noted comedic shepherd and filmmaker Robert D. Wachs, whom filled me in on all aspects of the show in a comprehensive chat late last week just prior to this week's start of rehearsals. In this all-encompassing conversation, Morrow, Wachs and I discuss the genesis of the new disco-themed musical celebrating the life and career of Jabara, the accomplished Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Broadway shows (RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM… AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT), movie songs ("Last Dance" from THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY; the titular "The Main Event") and numerous pop/rock/disco hits, such as "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's epic disco duet "Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)" and his many solo hits, as well as the finer points of the story, concept, casting and the ultimate goals of the new Philip William McKinley-directed production, which features a book by Shaun McKenna. Additionally, Morrow and Wachs each generously share showbiz tales from their storied careers involving such big names as Eddie Murphy, Michael Bennett, Jonathan Larson, Tony Scott and many more and both copiously convey their infectious enthusiasm for the forthcoming fully-produced lab presentation of the new musical that will play for five performances beginning September 20 as they prepare for its first viewing before a paying audience. All of that and much, much more awaits!

Scott Adsit, Chris Bauer, Edie Falco, Dayle Reyfel, and Kyra Sedgwick all starred in a benefit staged reading of Drama Desk Award winner and Emmy nominee Eugene Pack's new comedy, Columbus and Amsterdam, on August 17 at 8pm at East Hampton's Guild Hall. The evening benefited Guild Hall and The Felix Organization/Adoptees For Children whose mission is to enrich the lives of children growing up in the foster care system.

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced additional casting for its 2012/2013 Season, with initial casting for THE GREAT GOD PAN, the World Premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Amy Herzog (After the Revolution at PH, 4000 Miles), directed by Carolyn Cantor (After the Revolution and Essential Self-Defense at PH, Pumpgirl, Orange Water Flower).

Previews began August 24 for the Playwrights Horizons production of DETROIT, the New York premiere of the much-heralded new play by Obie Award winner Lisa D'Amour.

New Georges (Susan Bernfield, Producing Artistic Director; Sarah Cameron Sunde, Deputy Artistic Director; Jaynie Saunders Tiller, Managing Director) in association with Irondale Center (85 Oxford Street between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn) will present the World Premiere of Kara Lee Corthron's ALICEGRACEANON, October 18-November 9.

Abingdon Theatre Company-which has produced 77 new American plays in its 20-year history-celebrates its 2012-2013 Season with the inaugural ABINGDON BAY RIDGE ONE-ACT FESTIVAL, an evening of three world-premiere short plays, commissioned by Abingdon Theatre Company, by Kevin Armento, Bo List, and Jen Silverman, tonight, August 25 at 7:00pm at Christ Church Bay Ridge (7301 Ridge Boulevard) in Brooklyn.

Previews begin tonight, August 24 for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) production of DETROIT, the New York premiere of the much-heralded new play by Obie Award winner Lisa D'Amour.

Celebration presents the Houston premiere of the award-winning play NEXT FALL by Geoffrey Nauffts, directed by Ron Jones, from tonight, August 22 to September 15, 2012, atObsidian Art Space, located at 3522 White Oak Drive, Houston, Texas.

Previews begin this Friday, August 24 for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) production of DETROIT, the New York premiere of the much-heralded new play by Obie Award winner Lisa D'Amour.

Winning the prestigious Woodward/Newman Award for best play, while being developed at Rogue Machine for their 2012 season, brought with it a fully funded production mounted at the Bloomington Play Project in Indiana. It turned out to be one of their most successful projects to date. A Holland New Voices Award came shortly afterwards, and now playwright Henry Murray is ready for its close-up at Rogue Machine, known for staging new works. This will be a West Coast Premiere in one of the country's most vibrant cities for new plays, Los Angeles, opening September 15, 2012.

Scott Adsit, Chris Bauer, Edie Falco, Dayle Reyfel, and Kyra Sedgwick will star in a benefit staged reading of Drama Desk Award winner and Emmy nominee Eugene Pack's new comedy, Columbus and Amsterdam, which will take place today, August 17 at 8pm at East Hampton's Guild Hall, 158 Main Street. Bob Balaban directs.

Playwrights Horizons begins accepting entries today, Wednesday, August 15, for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to DETROIT, the New York premiere of the much-heralded new play by Obie Award winner Lisa D'Amour. Ms. D'Amour is both a 2011 Pulitzer Prize finalist for this play and a 2011 Steinberg Playwright Award winner for her body of work. Directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman (Maple and Vine at Playwrights Horizons, Slowgirl, Stunning, Naked Angels' This Wide Night) in a completely new production, DETROITis being presented as the first production of the theater company's 2012/2013 Season.

Scott Adsit, Chris Bauer, Edie Falco, Dayle Reyfel, and Kyra Sedgwick will star in a benefit staged reading of Drama Desk Award winner and Emmy nominee Eugene Pack's new comedy, Columbus and Amsterdam, which will take place Friday, August 17 at 8pm at East Hampton's Guild Hall, 158 Main Street. Bob Balaban directs.

Mike Bartlett's hit play COCK plays its 100th performance today, August 11 at 8pm.

LiveWire Chicago Theatre kicks off its 2012-13 season with the Chicago premiere of THE MISTAKES MADELINE MADE, a savagely funny story of love and dirty people by Elizabeth Meriwether, creator and writer of the hit FOX sitcom New Girl and Heddatron, and directed by LiveWire Collective member Krista D'Agostino. This quirky dark comedy plays October 3 - November 3, 2012 at the Greenhouse Theater Center Upstairs Studio, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The production features LiveWire Artistic Director Joel Ewing and LiveWire Associate Artistic Director Chris Zdenek with Kristin Collins, Fred Geyer and Hilary Williams. Tickets are currently on sale at www.greenhousetheater.com. The press performance is Friday, October 5 at 8 pm.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has launched The Saturday Arts Program (SAP), a training ground for passionate young performers. Classes will take place weekly from September 22nd - November 17th at the Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope Solebury High School, and the Solebury School.

Mike Bartlett's hit play COCK will play its 100th performance this Saturday, August 11 at 8pm.