Orson Welles News

Classic Stage Company presents Marc Blitzstein's allegorical play in music The Cradle Will Rock, directed by John Doyle, March 21 - May 19, 2019.

This year, Pleasance Theatre Trust will be supporting a record number of artists and companies at all stages of their careers through the investment of over £140,000 (both in-kind and direct financial support) through its Pleasance Futures programme. Recognising how important it is to help open the door for talent, Pleasance's major investment reflects its core beliefs in creating opportunities, supporting ambition, encouraging excellence and building reputations. These 20 productions go on-sale today exclusively via The Pleasance.

This year, Goldstein will embark on a national tour posing this question across the land, in his acclaimed theatre show Truth to Power Cafe.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Get over the hump today by catching up on the latest Broadway news!

He has appeared in 250 movies and over 100 theatrical productions. His resume ranges from the original production of Fiddler on the Roof to the most recent Choir Boy, his scene partners have included E.G. Marshall, George C. Scott, Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Barbra Streisand, and he is the author of the acclaimed Orson's Shadow. He is Austin Pendleton and he is one of the more respected artists working in the entertainment industry. 

King Lear is making its triumphant return to Broadway, starring Glenda Jackson in a gender-swapped version of the title role. As we gear up for this revival, let's take a look back on some notable Lears past...

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago presents a special production of MOBY DICK-REHEARSED, Orson Welles's adaption of Herman Melville's novel, for two performances: March 15 at the Niles-Maine District Library and March 16 at the Newberry Library. The theatrical reading is part of the Newberry's special exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of Melville's birth - 'Melville: Finding America at Sea.' Admission is free and registration is required at both venues.

American Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, announces the lineup for its 2019 - 2020 Season, "Then & Now".

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts presents Rita Hayworth - The Heat is On: A Life in Concert on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range between $29 - $58, plus applicable fees, and are available online, by phone or at the box office. For more information, visit PatchogueTheatre.org, call the Patchogue Theatre Box Office at 631-207-1313, or stop by 71 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY.

In the spirit of Classic Stage Company's new production of The Cradle Will Rock, Marc Blitzstein's historic pro-labor American play in music (March 21 - May 19), CSC is implementing a policy through which members of any union will receive $25 rush tickets to the show. In order to redeem these tickets, patrons must show their union ID at the box office the day of the performance they would like to attend, pending availability. This will be in addition to CSC's regular and student rush policies.

The Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla International Film Festival (GIFF) is proud to announce the dynamic 2019 Feature Film Competition Lineup. The festival includes U.S., international and documentary features, as well as other programming, to kick-off its 13th year! The 2019 Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla Int'l Film Festival will take place from March 19th - 24th in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Had Lucy's family stayed in Trenton, history might have been very different, but the Garden State stayed peripherally involved the Queen of Comedy's life and work.

On a TV kids show, Pat McMahon played everything from a brat to a superhero. Then one of his biggest fans, #OrsonWelles, combined the two and created Marvin Fassbender, a wannabe Welles. This is one of the best backstories behind THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND. #Netflix

Classic Stage Company presents Marc Blitzstein's allegorical play in music The Cradle Will Rock, directed by John Doyle, March 21 - May 19, 2019. A Depression-era indictment of rampant capitalism told almost entirely in song, The Cradle Will Rock maintains a twinkle in its eye while bearing sharp fangs. The 1937 premiere of this story of American class tensions-directed by Orson Welles-was famously shut down on the eve of opening night by federal authorities over so-called 'budget cuts,' commonly considered a thin veil for fears of the play's pro-labor stance. The artists involved rebelliously circumvented its cancellation, making for one of the most memorable stories in 20th century theater history. While Blitzstein's libretto is very much a product of its own 1930s political context, The Cradle Will Rock pulses with immediacy in an era of expanding economic inequality and policy for purchase. CSC's 2018-2019 season began with The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Bertolt Brecht's allegory about the rise of fascism via a charismatic tyrant; this spring, it closes with an all-American Brecht-and-Weill-inspired work, which carries a message of defiance built into its very title.

NEWPORT HARBOR DRAMA DEPARTMENT presents three very special benefit performances for the Robert S. Wentz Theatre at Newport Harbor High School of ED ASNER starring as God in GOD HELP US!, written by Samuel Warren Joseph & Phil Proctor and directed by Mitch Levine and also starring Stewart J. Zully and Pamela Guest. GOD HELP US! will perform for three performances only, Friday, February 22 at 7pm and Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2pm & 7pm at the Robert S. Wentz Theater, 600 Irvine Ave. in Newport Beach.   

The El Capitan Theatre puts a spotlight on its historic Mighty Wurlitzer Organ and its award winning house organist with a special concert by Rob Richards, TO DISNEY WITH LOVE, celebrating his twentieth anniversary as the El Capitan Theatre's house organist.  Richards has played this spectacular instrument at the landmark Hollywood movie palace since its installation in 1999.

Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre presents a special engagement of five HAPPILY EVER AFTER DISNEY CLASSICS,January 18 to March 3, exclusively at The El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood 90028.

Following the success of her Sense and Sensibility at the Folger Theatre in 2016, Wall Street Journal's Playwright of the Year 2017 Kate Hamill, returns to D.C. with her adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's classic novel Vanity Fair. Hamill's vibrant and colorful tale about society's foibles is a co-production with San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater. Directed by Jessica Stone and featuring Rebekah Brockman as Becky Sharp, the production will run at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street, NW) from February 26 through March 31, 2019.

The Tragedy of King Richard the Second marks the Almeida's first National Theatre Live, broadcasting to audiences around the world on 15 January. We spoke to actor Leo Bill and caught up with Camera Director Tony Grech-Smith, to find out how those onstage and those behind the scenes (and screens) prepare.

Executive Producers Pam Carter and The Cliplight Theater, in conjunction with Amanda Cooper/ALC Management, are pleased to announce the world premiere of Maverick, co-authored by Frank Beacham and George Demas. A dramatization of co-author Beacham's real-life experience collaborating with Orson Welles in the months leading up to his death, Maverick begins previews at The Connelly Theater (220 E. 4th St., between Ave. A & Ave. B) on February 6, with opening night set for February 13 for a limited run through March 2. Tickets, priced $30-$50, are available at www.mavericktheplay.com.