Paula Vogel News

Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly welcomes MacArthur "Genius" Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney for the West Coast premiere of Head of Passes, a poignant and poetic story about the journey of family and faith, trial and tribulation. In a dilapidated house near the ever-shifting mouth of the Mississippi, Shelah's family gathers on a stormy night for her birthday -- bringing ghosts and secrets of the past with them. As her roof buckles under the weight of the rain, Shelah's convictions begin to wash away, leaving her to excavate the truths buried below. Directed by Tina Landau, the riveting Head of Passes comes to the Bay Area straight from its critically lauded world premiere in Chicago. Head of Passes is a co-production with the Public Theater in New York. It begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on Friday, April 10, opens on Friday, April 17, and runs through Sunday, May 24, 2015. Press night for Head of Passes will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, and Blue Star Families, the country's largest chapter-based military families non-profit organization, are pleased to announce the inaugural round of the Blue Star Theatres Grant Program.

The Gala performance will be directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Hedwig, Spring Awakening, Brooklynite).

Four-time Helen Hayes Award winner and acclaimed D.C. actor Edward Gero stars as one of America's most brilliant and polarizing figures-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia-in the world-premiere political drama The Originalist, by Charles MacArthur Award winner and Arena Stage resident playwright John Strand. When a bright, liberal law school graduate embarks on a nerve-wracking clerkship with Justice Scalia, she discovers him to be both an infuriating sparring partner and unexpected mentor. How will their relationship affect one of the most incendiary cases ever to reach the nation's highest court? Artistic Director Molly Smith directs this daring new play, which offers a rare portrayal of a sitting Supreme Court justice, and for the first time the intimate Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle will be configured into a three-quarter thrust configuration. The Originalist runs March 6-April 26, 2015.

Theatre Club has announced the lineup for this spring's Ernst C. Stiefel Reading Series.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize previously announced 12 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, the oldest and largest prize awarded to women playwrights. The winner of the 2014-2015 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize will be named at the Awards Presentation today, March 2 in New York City.

The Vineyard Theatre announced today that due to demand the world premiere of the original musical BROOKLYNITE will extend its limited engagement by one week and will now run through Sunday, March 29. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, SPRING AWAKENING), BROOKLYNITE opened on Wednesday, February 25.

The story itself begins to unfold as two people sit side by side in an imagined car. Not looking at one another at first, but they begin to interact intimately. It isn't until Liz Angle, as Li'l Bit, halts the physicality that Edric Johnson, as her Uncle Peck, will actually make eye contact.

A fresh montage of clips from THE WORLD OF EXTREME HAPPINESS!

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness, the new play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Eric Ting, began performances on February 3 at MTC's New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The production opened last night, February 24 - and as always, BroadwayWorld was on hand to capture the big night! Check out photos below!

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness, the new play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Eric Ting, began performances on February 3 at MTC's New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Opening night for this co-production with Chicago's Goodman Theatre is tonight, February 24, 2015.

Manhattan Theatre Club presents The World of Extreme Happiness, the new play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Eric Ting. The World of Extreme Happiness opens tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 24 at MTC's New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Check out highlights from the play below!

The National Theater Institute is committed to diverse theatrical and educational experiences. Therefore, two weeks of each semester are spent in-residence in one of the world's most prominent theater capitals -- the NTI Semester and NTI-Advanced Programs study in London -- while the National Music Theater Institute train in New York City. In both cities, students met with alumni of the National Theater Institute who shared their theatrical experience, NTI stories, professional advice, and insight into the various ways to make a life in the theater. Today, RISK AGAIN! introduces them to you!

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) Theatre Company announced today that Colorado playwriting group Rough Draught Playwrights will curate the inaugural Local Playwrights' Slam during the local weekend of the 2015 Colorado New Play Summit. The Slam will take place in the Jones Theatre at 7:30 p.m. tonight, February 14.

Yolo! Productions and The Great Griffon will present a rare revival of Animals Out of Paper, by Rajiv Joseph (2010 Pulitzer Prize Finalist - Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), directed by Merri Milwe, at McAlphin Hall at West Park Presbyterian Church. Starring David Beck, Nairoby Otero, and Maneesh Sasikumar, this limited Off-Broadway engagement opens tonight, February 12. Performances continue through February 28th, 2015 only.

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness, the new play by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Eric Ting, is now in previews for a Tuesday, February 24 opening night at MTC's New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action!

The Joust Theatre Company is proud to introduce their production of The Rules by Dipika Guha. Directed by Cynthia Silver, the show will run from February 12-14 and 18-21 at 8pm, with a 2pm matinee on the 21st at The Alchemical Theatre Laboratory located at 104 W 14th St.

Four-time Helen Hayes Award winner and acclaimed D.C. actor Edward Gero stars as one of America's most brilliant and polarizing figures-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia-in the world-premiere political drama The Originalist, by Charles MacArthur Award winner and Arena Stage resident playwright John Strand. When a bright, liberal law school graduate embarks on a nerve-wracking clerkship with Justice Scalia, she discovers him to be both an infuriating sparring partner and unexpected mentor. How will their relationship affect one of the most incendiary cases ever to reach the nation's highest court? Artistic Director Molly Smith directs this daring new play, which offers a rare portrayal of a sitting Supreme Court justice, and for the first time the intimate Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle will be configured into a three-quarter thrust configuration. The Originalist runs March 6-April 26, 2015.

The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced 12 Finalists for its prestigious playwriting award, the oldest and largest prize awarded to women playwrights. Chosen from over 150 nominated plays, the Finalists are:

Yolo! Productions and The Great Griffon will present a rare revival of Animals Out of Paper, by Rajiv Joseph (2010 Pulitzer Prize Finalist - Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), directed by Merri Milwe, at McAlphin Hall at West Park Presbyterian Church.