Norman Lear News

Parson's Nose Theater (PNT), the acclaimed classical comedic theater company led by Artistic Director, Lance Davis, presents their first full production of the 2013-14 Season, Moliere's The Middle Class Nobleman, opening this Friday, November 8th.

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today that prolific producer Chuck Lorre will be honored with the 2014 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television.

Parson's Nose Theater (PNT), the acclaimed classical comedic theater company led by Artistic Director, Lance Davis, presents their first full production of the 2013-14 Season,Moliere's The Middle Class Nobleman, opening Friday, November 8th.

Four of New York's most sought-after stand-up comedians present SHUT UP, SIT DOWN & EAT, the hit comedy making its Off-Broadway debut after sold-out performances at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Eve Brandstein directs Eric Tartaglione (Othello, That Championship Season, NBC's 'Last Comic Standing'), Joe Moffa (Blue Bloods, Carlito's Way), Tina Giorgi (Falling Up, 'The Late Late Show,' 'Comics Unleashed,' 'Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn') and Chris Monty (PBS's 'The Business of Comedy,' Biloxi Blues). Eight performances will be held at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street in the West Village, NYC from October 3-23, 2013.

Producer Daryl Roth, in association with Harbor Entertainment, has announced plans for a limited 5-week engagement concert presentation of the new show Stars of David, based on the highly acclaimed book, Stars of David by Abigail Pogrebin, from November 13 - December 15, 2013 at the DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th Street, at Union Square). Featuring songs by some of the top composers and lyricist of the theater, Stars of David was conceived by Aaron Harnickand Abigail Pogrebin and is directed by Gordon Greenberg. All tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at www.telecharge.com, or by calling 212-239-6200, or in-person at the DR2 Theatre box office (103 East 15th Street, Union Square). For more information, please visit www.StarsOfDavidSongs.com.

Calling up-and-coming filmmakers; film, communications and food studies students - and anyone hungry for a deeper understanding of the nation's food system. A new film competition seeking short films about sustainable food and farming - the Real Food Media Contest - opens for entries today at http://www.realfoodmedia.org.

The Skylight Theatre Company honored multi-award winning playwright Terrence McNally with four days of star-studded events. Scroll down for new photos from the festivities!

The 2013 Marian Anderson Award has announced the guest artists for the 15th anniversary award gala, honoring iconic star-maker and founder of Motown, Berry Gordy, at the Kimmel Center Nov. 19.

Four of New York's most sought-after stand-up comedians present SHUT UP, SIT DOWN & EAT, the hit comedy making its Off-Broadway debut after sold-out performances at The Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. Eve Brandstein directs Eric Tartaglione (Othello, That Championship Season, NBC's "Last Comic Standing"), Joe Moffa (Blue Bloods, Carlito's Way), Tina Giorgi (Falling Up, "The Late Late Show," "Comics Unleashed," "Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn") and Chris Monty (PBS's "The Business of Comedy," Biloxi Blues). Eight performances will be held at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street in the West Village, NYC from October 3-23, 2013.

The legendary, awarding winning Negro Ensemble Company celebrates 45 years of excellence with the benefit production The Monkey on My Back! (An Intimate Evening with Debbi Morgan) on the Irene Diamond Stage at The Perishing Square Theater, 480 West 42nd Street, New York. Debbi Morgan, best known for her 30 year tenure in the role of Angie Hubbard in the daytime soap opera 'All My Children,' writes and stars in this hard hitting dramedy. 'We are ecstatic to have our friend Debbi at the NEC.' exclaims Charles Weldon, NEC Artistic Director. 'We have watched her meteoric rise to stardom and this dynamite production is as equally stellar.'

The legendary, awarding winning Negro Ensemble Company celebrates 45 years of excellence with the benefit production The Monkey on My Back! (An Intimate Evening with Debbi Morgan) on the Irene Diamond Stage at The Perishing Square Theater, 480 West 42nd Street, New York. Debbi Morgan, best known for her 30 year tenure in the role of Angie Hubbard in the daytime soap opera 'All My Children,' writes and stars in this hard hitting dramedy. 'We are ecstatic to have our friend Debbi at the NEC.' exclaims Charles Weldon, NEC Artistic Director. 'We have watched her meteoric rise to stardom and this dynamite production is as equally stellar.'

The Environmental Media Association (EMA) has announced the Screen Actors Guild Awards as an honoree for the EMA Green Production Award at the 23rd Annual Environmental Media Awards.

The Producers Guild of America announced today the opening of submissions and key deadlines for consideration for the 25th Annual Producers Guild Awards that will take place on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The Doc Mobile, a 27-foot Airstream trailer custom-made to reach young kids (age 2-7) and families with fun and empowering experiences relating to health and nutrition will embark on a multi-city tour TODAY, AUGUST 18 in Boston. 

The Doc Mobile, a 27-foot Airstream trailer custom-made to reach young kids (age 2-7) and families with fun and empowering experiences relating to health and nutrition will embark on a multi-city tour SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 in Boston. 

The Ojai Playwrights Conference (OPC), one of the most acclaimed new play developmental programs in the country, announces its 16th season with an extraordinary program of playwrights, new play workshops and special performance events from August 7 through 11, 2013 in Ojai, California. The OPC Summer New Works Festival will feature eleven events over five days with established and up-and-coming playwrights. Participating in this year's conference with new works are Luis Alfaro (winner of the National Hispanic Playwriting Prize), Lucy Alibar, Richard Cabral, Samuel D. Hunter, Sean Lewis, Jiehae Park, Laura Schellhardt and David Wiener. Alice Tuan will be this year's "Writer-In-Residence," and as always, there will be two unforgettable "Intersection Series" events: one featuring a first-ever musical theatre collaboration Walt Disney Imagineering, Creative Entertainment, and the other showcasing the talents of actors, writers, songwriters and storytellers in an evening of profound solo performances.

Geri Jewell joined the list of participants at the United Nations on Friday, July 19 at the U.N's North Lawn Building, for 'The Art of Engagement' for an entertaining approach to building awareness about persons with disabilities.

Award-winning executive producer Mark Burnett ('The Voice,' 'Celebrity Apprentice') will continue his relationship with the peacock network by bringing 'A.D.: BEYOND THE BIBLE,'

'White Noise' is the first play by Washington, DC artist Tom Block (www.tomblock.com). It depicts a philosophical artist who travels to Detroit for an exhibit, where he is hosted by an aging, bickering couple who are wealthy, stingy and tormented. The play painstakingly explores Block's own thought process. Its set is a 25 foot long mural by Block which is based on a 13th century Sufi tract, 'The Conference of the Birds' by Attar, which also represents the psyche of the main character. The play raises questions of mysticism and the application of spirituality in our lives. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., NYC, will present the work's New York debut now through July 14. Moema Umann directs. Block is a well-known painter, human right activist and author of two books, 'Shalom/Salaam: A Story of a Mystical Fraternity' and 'A Fatal Addiction: War in the Name of God.'

Undercover Productions will present the WORLD PREMIERE of ETHEL SINGS: Espionage in High C, written by Joan Beber. ETHEL SINGS begins previews on June 27th, with tonight's June 28th opening at Walker Space. Directed by Jules Aaron, ETHEL SINGS has set design by Gary Guidinger, lighting design by John Eckert Original Music by Max Kinberg & costume design by Michele Young. Sarah Brown stages manages & Sherry Netherland assistant directs. Ethel Sings is produced by Linda Toliver & Gary Guidinger for Undercover Productions.