National Theatre Company News

Tonight, May 25, Watts Village Theater Company will open its first mainstage production since Ochre & Onyx in 2009, "Simply Maria, Or The American Dream" by Josefina Lopez. The production involves collaboration between WVTC and Green Dot Public Schools, in which WVTC is professionally directing, designing and managing the production and 30 Ánimo Watts Charter High School students are participating as cast and crew. This is the first theatre production for Ánimo Watts students, who have seen their arts programs cut during these difficult economic times and have persevered through this unique partnership.

In a recent interview with BBC, Dame Judi Dench chatted about the importance of teaching Shakespeare in schools. Dench commented: ' I would like to be doing a Shakespeare play every single night, and I do try to say a sonnet every day... Either it gives you goosebumps or it doesn't, and I heard this morning that some schools have stopped doing Shakespeare on the school curriculum.'

Jujamcyn Theaters (Jordan Roth, President) and True Colors Theatre Company (Kenny Leon, Co-Founding Artistic Director) have announced the judges and guest performers for the 4th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition on Monday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). The event, which is free and open to the public, features high school students from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh and Seattle performing monologues by the late, legendary American playwright.

Dame Judi Dench has signed up to act in the West End once more this fall in a new play by John Logan. British actor Ben Whishaw is also slated for the cast, while Michael Grandage will direct. The show will move to Broadway if it is successful enough in London, according to today's New York Post.

TheatreSquared today announced the casting and creative team for Tigers Be Still.

Michael Attenborough directs Eduardo De Filippo's Filumena in a new English version by Tanya Ronder running at the Almeida from 15 March - 12 May 2012, with press night on 22 March at 7pm. Designs are by Robert Jones, with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by John Leonard. Filumena is sponsored by Pinsent Masons.

James Corden will soon lead the Broadway production of the National Theatre of Great Britain's acclaimed comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, but before opening on the Great White Way, Corden hosted the 2012 Brit Awards. Go behind the scenes of the festivities with Corden in the videos below!

According to the Washington Post, actress Judi Dench said that she has been diagnosed with an eye condition called macular degeneration. The condition can cause blindness. The actress said that she already had bad vision and had difficulty reading scripts.

TheatreSquared today announced the casting and creative team for Tigers Be Still opening in Fayetteville on February 10, 2012.

TheatreSquared today announced the casting and creative team for Tigers Be Still opening in Fayetteville on February 10, 2012.

TheatreSquared today announced the casting and creative team for Tigers Be Still opening in Fayetteville on February 10, 2012.

TheatreSquared today announced the casting and creative team for Tigers Be Still opening in Fayetteville on February 10, 2012.

The 1950s marked a shift in British culture; the early ‘50s laid the groundwork for this watershed period, but these changes in society were not evident until the end of the decade.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow Tuesday, December 20th for the Broadway production of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s acclaimed comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, by Richard Bean. One Man, Two Guvnors, directed by Nicholas Hytner, is based on Carlo Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters and features songs by Grant Olding. One Man, Two Guvnors will open at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on Broadway on April 18, 2012. James Corden will lead the National Theatre company on Broadway. For tickets, visit Telecharge.com or call 212-239-6200.

Seven actors will portray 64 characters and 45 scenes in TheatreSquared's new stage adaptation of Frank Capra's classic film It's a Wonderful Life, starting December 8 in Fayetteville.

The National Theatre of Great Britain's acclaimed production of ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS, a comedy by Richard Bean, based on Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters, with songs by Grant Olding, directed by Nicholas Hytner, will open at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) on Broadway on April 18, 2012. Preview performances will begin Friday, April 6, 2012.

Seven actors will portray 64 characters and 45 scenes in TheatreSquared's new stage adaptation of Frank Capra's classic film It's a Wonderful Life, starting December 8 in Fayetteville.

On Monday, October 24, the American Theatre Wing awarded Watts Village Theater Company (WVTC) a 2011 National Theatre Company Grant. WVTC was one of 10 theater companies from across the nation selected for this honor.

The American Theatre Wing has announced the recipients of its 2011 National Theatre Company Grants. This year's recipients are: Buntport Theater Company (Denver, CO), FUSION (Albuquerque, NM), Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company (San Diego, CA), Pig Iron Theatre Company (Philadephia, PA), Rude Mechanicals (Austin, TX), Synchronicity Theatre (Atlanta, GA), TheatreSquared (Fayetteville, AR), TimeLine Theatre (Chicago, IL), Transport Group (New York, NY), Watts Village Theater Company (Los Angeles, CA). The companies will be celebrated at a private luncheon on October 24th, 2011 in Manhattan.

The American Theatre Wing raised more than $550,000 at their annual Gala last night. All of the proceeds will go towards The Wing's education and outreach programs. The event was held at New York's legendary Plaza Hotel in honor of Sir Howard Stringer (Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sony Corporation and longtime American Theatre Wing Board Member), and included a special tribute to Douglas B. Leeds (Former President and dear friend of The Wing).