Naked Angels News

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) announces complete casting for the New York premiere of MAPLE AND VINE, a new play by Jordan Harrison (Doris to Darlene at Playwrights Horizons, Amazons and Their Men, Kid-Simple).

Signature Theatre Company (Founding Artistic Director James Houghton; Executive Director Erika Mallin), announced today seven productions for its inaugural 2012 season at Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street near 10th Avenue), the company's new Frank Gehry-designed permanent home opening in February 2012. Signature Center will allow the Company to expand its programming, introduce new initiatives, and build audiences. Featuring three intimate theatres, a studio theatre, rehearsal studio and a shared lobby with café and bookstore, Signature Center will be both a theatre community hub and a neighborhood destination.

The Civilians (Steve Cosson, Artistic Director), the award-winning New York-based theatre company known for projects investigating real-life topics, announces the members of its 2011-2012 R&D writer's group, comprised of theater artists interested in creating investigative theater.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will present its 7th annual First Look Repertory of New Work - three developmental productions of new plays presented in repertory playing October 26 - November 20, 2011 in The Steppenwolf Garage, 1624 N. Halsted St. The 2011 festival will also include three free readings by emerging playwrights presented November 3 - 5, 2011.

Geoffrey Nauffts' new play Next Fall makes its West Coast debut at the Geffen Playhouse with original director Sheryl Kaller and a completely new cast featuring the playwright himself in a leading role. Next Fall chronicles the relationship of Adam - portrayed by playwright Nauffts whose acting credits include Broadway productions of A Few Good Men and Caine Mutiny Court Martial, and Luke - played by James Wolk, who is most recognizable for his starring role in television's Lonestar and the film You Again.

Final Casting is announced for the Common Tongue Theatre's 1st New York reading of Neil Wechsler's Yale Drama Award Winning play, GRENADINE.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to present Betsy Aidem, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Reed Birney, Christine Lahti, Shane McRae, Cotter Smith, and Katherine Waterston in the world premiere of Adam Rapp's DREAMS OF FLYING DREAMS OF FALLING, directed by Neil Pepe.

Rebecca Creskoff, Meredith Forlenza, Brock Harris, Sarah Steele, C.J. Wilson and Harry Zittel will be featured in the LCT3 world premiere production of ALL-AMERICAN, a new play by Julia Brownell, directed by Evan Cabnet.

Signature Theatre Company has just announced the playwrights participating in the Theatre's new Residency Five initiative, part of the expanded programming that will be presented at Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street, near 10th Avenue), the Company's new Frank Gehry-designed home. Annie Baker, Will Eno, Katori Hall, Kenneth Lonergan and Regina Taylor will be the program's inaugural playwrights.

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of: OPEN HEART MEDITATION by Jonathan Caren, directed by Laura Savia. The cast includes Michael Chernus, Diane Davis, Crystal Finn and Jeffrey Hawkins.

Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban; acclaimed 'White Collar' television star Matt Bomer; Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown; celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer; two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow; Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O'Malley; and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford will appear in the world premiere of '8' on Broadway, joining the previously announced Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei. The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of: OPEN HEART MEDITATION by Jonathan Caren, directed by Laura Savia. The cast includes Michael Chernus, Diane Davis, Crystal Finn and Jeffrey Hawkins.

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly announces Fall Into the Nova, a benefit to support emerging artists. The concert features the music of emerging composers Justin Levine (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Shaina Taub (The Daughters), and Daniel Zaitchik (Picnic at Hanging Rock), and will be hosted by The Book of Mormon's Andrew Rannells. The music will be performed by a host of Broadway and Off-Broadway stars, including Jeannette Bayardelle, Matt Doyle, Demon Green, Grace McLean, Kathy Voytko, Teal Wicks and Betsy Wolfe. The concert will take place in the Ars Nova theater on Monday, October 3 at 7:00pm. Proceeds from the evening will help support Ars Nova?s extensive artistic development initiatives and programming. Tickets to the concert are scaled at $250 general admission, and $500 reserved admission, and both tickets include an invitation to an exclusive artist cocktail party in the Ars Nova Loft immediately following the performance. Tickets are available at www.arsnovanyc.com or by calling (212) 352-3101 .

Knife Edge Productions, in association with Swinestars Productions, proudly present a revival of Stephen Belber's acclaimed play, Tape, directed by Sam Helfrich.

Woodshed Collective has announced that because of strong notices and capacity crowds its production of the world premiere of The Tenant, which is performed free of charge at West-Park Presbyterian Church on the northeast corner of 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, will extend through Saturday, October 1.

Knife Edge Productions, in association with Swinestars Productions, will present a revival of Stephen Belber's acclaimed play, Tape, directed by Sam Helfrich.

Academy, Tony and four-time Emmy Award nominee Bob Balaban; acclaimed 'White Collar' television star Matt Bomer; Emmy Award-winning journalist Campbell Brown; celebrated playwright and gay rights activist Larry Kramer; two-time Academy Award-nominated, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning, two-time Tony Award-winning actor John Lithgow; Tony Award nominee and Broadway Impact Co-Founder Rory O'Malley; and Emmy Award winner and three-time Golden Globe Award nominee Bradley Whitford will appear in the world premiere of '8' on Broadway, joining the previously announced Anthony Edwards, Morgan Freeman, Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Yeardley Smith and Marisa Tomei. The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.

NOW. HERE. THIS. -- the newest work from the creators and cast of the hit musical [title of show] -- will be given its world-premiere production at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) in 2012, it has been announced by the theatre's artistic director Douglas Aibel and co-artistic director Sarah Stern. Following its developmental lab production at The Vineyard earlier this year, NOW. HERE. THIS. returns for a full production this spring, running in March and April.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce that Betsy Aidem, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Reed Birney, Christine Lahti, Shane McRae, Cotter Smith, and Katherine Waterston will star in the world premiere of Adam Rapp's DREAMS OF FLYING DREAMS OF FALLING, directed by Neil Pepe. Check out photos of the cast below!

The Blank Theatre (Daniel Henning, Founding Artistic Director) kicks off its 21st season with the West Coast premiere of Dusk Rings A Bell by Stephen Belber, directed by Daniel Henning, with previews beginning on October 1 and opening night set for Saturday, October 8 at 8:00. The engagement will run through Sunday, November 13.