Noah Haidle News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: Debra Messing returns to Broadway, first look at the West Side Story cast, and more!

Roundabout Theatre Company just announced the New York premiere of Birthday Candles, marking the Broadway debut of playwright Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch.

Heritage Theatre Festival is celebrating the 30th anniversary of one of America's most beloved movies by producing the play that started it all - Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias.

The Queens Theatre may cause a stir when it premieres Relic, or, I Was Bubbie's Favorite by Joel Feinman (as told to Lojo Simon), an outrageous new comedy by playwright Lojo Simon and directed by Will Pomerantz, that explores the cult of celebrity, religion and idolatry in modern times. The play, set in the Queens neighborhood of Rego Park, revolves around an out-of-work actor who finds what purports to be the world's greatest relic in his grandmother's attic, offering him the fame and fortune he always sought. He discovers, however, that it may not be all he wants! Performances will be held Friday, May 10th through Sunday, May 19th (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays).

"Cambodian Rock Band" by Lauren Yee has been named the winner of the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award, recognizing playwrights for the best scripts that premiered professionally outside New York City during 2018.

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce Title Wave at Bay Street: The 6th Annual New Works Festival, May 3 - 5. All readings are free, but tickets are required, as these events typically sell out. Tickets are available now at baystreet.org or by calling the Bay Street Theater Box Office at 631-725-9500, open Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 5 pm, or until show time.

The Goodman Theatre announces the new 2019/2020 Season of 'Theater That Moves'-three world premiere productions (including a new musical), four Chicago premieres and a major revival of a beloved contemporary classic-on the theater's two stages (the 856-seat Albert Theatre and 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre).

The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) has selected six finalists for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg / American Theatre Critics Association 2019 New Play Award, recognizing playwrights for the best scripts that premiered professionally outside New York City during 2018.

Beginning fall 2019, Texas Wesleyan University's theatre department will introduce a new Bachelor of Fine Arts program, in addition to a re-conceived Bachelor of Arts program.

Center Theatre Group has selected participants for the 2018-2019 L.A. Writers' Workshop, where local playwrights are invited to spend eight months in residence at the company researching and writing new works with the feedback from artistic staff and their fellow writers. The workshop, administrated by Center Theatre Group's Artistic Department, is designed to foster new voices, inspire playwrights to create their best work, encourage bold writing and build relationships among local playwrights, Center Theatre Group and the Los Angeles theatre community.

Casting is complete for the three "developmental productions" featured in Goodman Theatre's 15th annual New Stages Festival-a free celebration of new works by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. These three plays, which are staged in repertory following two weeks of rehearsal, include There's Always the Hudson by Paola Lazaro-Muñoz, directed by Jess McLeod; Felons and Familias by Sandra Delgado, directed by Marcela Muñoz; and Graveyard Shift by Korde Arrington Tuttle, directed by Danya Taymor. Developmental productions are designed by Kevin Depinet (Set), Noel Huntzinger (Costumes for There's Always the Hudson and Graveyard Shift), Birgit Rattenborg Wise (Costumes for Felons and Familias), Jesse Klug (Lights) and Richard Woodbury (Sound).

SMOKEFALL, by Backyard Renaissance and playing through September 16th is a dark comedy that is looking to explore some weighty topics.

National New Play Network (NNPN), the country's alliance of professional theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays, has added three new Core Members: Silk Road Rising (Chicago), Company One (Boston), and City Theatre Company (Pittsburgh). As of the date of this release, NNPN has 114 Members Theaters, comprised of 32 Cores and 82 Associates.

After serving as Artistic Director of the company since 2008, Christine Louise Marshall is stepping down from the position before the 2018-19 season.

The Public Theater announces complete for the New York premiere of MOTHER OF THE MAID, written by Emmy Award winner Jane Anderson.

This fall, Goodman Theatre presents its New Stages Festival-a free annual celebration and discovery of new plays by some of the country's finest established and emerging playwrights. Audiences experience a first look at seven new works-including three fully staged developmental productions (performed in repertory) There's Always the Hudson by Paola Lazaro-Muñoz; Felons and Familias by Sandra Delgado; Graveyard Shift by Korde Arrington Tuttle. In addition, four staged readings appear during the last weekend of the festival (October 4-7) including The Wizards by Ricardo Gamboa; Between Covers by Sarah Schulman; Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle; and Cressida on Top by Paula Vogel.

After serving as Artistic Director of the company since 2008, Christine Louise Marshall is stepping down from the position before the 2018-19 season.

Bay Street Theater and Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce EVITA begins July 31 with a "Pay What You Can" performance with a limited amount of tickets available at the box office beginning at 11 am. The play will run through August 26. The play features lyrics written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, music by Tim Rice and is directed by Bay Street Theater's Associate Artistic Director, Will Pomerantz. To purchase tickets call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or purchase online at www.baystreet.org.

Bay Street Theater and Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce that rehearsals have begun for EVITA, a revival of the revolutionary musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber; directed by Will Pomerantz; and choreographed by Marcos Santana. The production will run from July 31 - August 26, 2018. Single tickets are on sale now. To purchase, call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or purchase online at www.baystreet.org.

La Jolla Playhouse is proud to announce Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company as its 2018/2019 Resident Theatre.