Paul Newman News

Happy Medium Theatre, Inc. (HMT) is proud to kick off its second season with, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, directed by Lizette Marie Morris.

The Greatest Gift, a special family holiday playreading with music, will be presented by Westport Country Playhouse in association with Bisno Productions as part of the Playhouse's popular Script in Hand series, on Monday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's Family Festivities Series will present, "Season's Greetings," with magic, music, live animals, special effects and audience participation, celebrating the world's seasonal holidays, on Sunday, December 12, 1 and 4 p.m.

Bill Irwin, actor, director, writer and clown, whose work has been honored with Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Barrymore and Helen Hayes Awards, and Doug Skinner, musician, puppeteer and composer, who wrote and played the music for several of Mr. Irwin's shows, will appear in "The Clowns and Mr. Beckett," an evening of madcap routines, shtick and novelty songs, at Westport Country Playhouse on Saturday, December 11, 8 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's Young Professionals Network will present a post-performance party with actress and vocalist Tracie Thoms, following her "Seasons" concert on Friday, December 10, 8 p.m.

UnsungMusicalsCo. Inc. (www.UnsungMusicals.org) will present a special exploratory reading of the 1947 musical comedy Barefoot Boy With Cheek on January 14 at 3pm as the launch of its new initiative: The Archival Project.

Off-Broadway's acclaimed Irish Repertory Theatre begins its 23rd Season with the world premiere of BANISHED CHILDREN OF EVE - a play by Kelly Younger, adapted from Peter Quinn's bestselling novel - set to begin previews October 13, prior to its official press opening October 24, at The Irish Repertory Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). Ciarán O'Reilly, who helmed last season's celebrated revival of THE EMPEROR JONES, directs.

Teatro101, producer of last year's critically acclaimed production of Side Show, is pleased to announce auditions for the remaining shows of the season.

In celebration of the holiday season, Westport Country Playhouse announces six special events, including comedy, concerts, dance and theater, beginning December 4 and continuing on selected days through December 19.

Westport/Weston Natives Justin Paul, Dan Asher, Drew McKeon and Jeremy Goldsmith in Band: The Broadway Boys' Holiday Concert at Westport Country Playhouse

The Greatest Gift, a special family holiday playreading with music, will be presented by Westport Country Playhouse in association with Bisno Productions as part of the Playhouse's popular Script in Hand series, on Monday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's Family Festivities Series will present, "Season's Greetings," with magic, music, live animals, special effects and audience participation, celebrating the world's seasonal holidays, on Sunday, December 12, 1 and 4 p.m.

James Franco, who was just announced as a 2011 Oscar co-host yesterday, is reportedly in talks to join Oscar winner Nicole Kidman in the upcoming Broadway revival of SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH, according to Showbiz411.com. Franco would appear as Chance Wayne, in the Fall 2011 production.

Bill Irwin, actor, director, writer and clown, whose work has been honored with Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Barrymore and Helen Hayes Awards, and Doug Skinner, musician, puppeteer and composer, who wrote and played the music for several of Mr. Irwin's shows, will appear in "The Clowns and Mr. Beckett," an evening of madcap routines, shtick and novelty songs, at Westport Country Playhouse on Saturday, December 11, 8 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse offers the holiday gift of entertainment for family and friends. Subscriptions or tickets to upcoming plays, family festivities or special events make great stocking stuffers.

The New National Theatre of Japan presents CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF this November 9 - 28. The play is written by Tennessee Williams and translated by Tsuneda Keiko, with direction by Matsumoto Yuko. The cast includes Terajima Shinobu, Kitamura Yukiya, Hirooka Yuriko, Ginpuncho, Kiba Katsumi, Ichikawa Isamu, and Mikami Ichiro.

Today we are talking to one of the top-tier talents in her field of producing theatre for television, the estimable Ellen Krass who is largely responsible for many of the greatest television captures of theatrical events in the last thirty years, starting with the filming of SWEENEY TODD and continuing with FOLLIES: IN CONCERT in the early 1980s, through to SWEENEY TODD: IN CONCERT, CANDIDE: IN CONCERT, COMPANY and last year's CYRANO starring Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner. Tonight marks the PBS debut of SONHDEIM! The Birthday Concert and in honor of that momentous occasion, Ms. Krass joined me for a look back at her career that began backstage at the Dick Cavett show and will continue on into next year with COMPANY: IN CONCERT and far, far beyond to be sure!

Teatro101, producer of last year's critically acclaimed production of Side Show, is pleased to announce auditions for the remaining shows of the season.

Westport Country Playhouse, in partnership with Norwalk's Triangle Community Center, will present a "LGBT Night Out at the Playhouse," for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and allies, on Saturday, December 18.

Academy Award nominee Shirley Knight, Rufus Collins and Heidi Schreck complete the cast of The Old Masters, directed by Michael Rudman.