Paula Vogel News

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING THEATRE TRIBE IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF A SKULL IN CONNEMARA

This February, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia is celebrating the theatre community's commitment to the development of new works. The month of February will be the perfect time to check out a Premiere in America's First Great Theatre City! There are a number of fully staged productions running throughout the month, as well as readings, workshops and discussions. On Monday, February 23, starting at 6:00 PM, the Theatre Alliance is hosting a celebration party, sponsored by Philadelphia Weekly, to honor the new works being developed and premiered right here. While the Theatre Alliance has devoted February to new play development, this commitment to producing new works is not limited to any one month of the year. This past December, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia commissioned a Theatre Snapshot report, with funding, guidance and support from The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage through the Philadelphia Theatre Initiative and additional funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. This Theatre Snapshot report, based upon data in the Pennsylvania Cultural Data Project (PACDP), found that, in 2006, 81 world premieres were presented in Philadelphia; a total that accounts for 26% of all productions. This total is significantly higher than the 12% proportion of world premieres-to-total productions from a comparative set of TCG theatres. In addition, 2006 boasted 63 workshops or readings of new works and Philadelphia Theatres also commissioned 17 new works.

THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE, a world premiere production of nine plays by Horton Foote that have been newly adapted by the Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award-winning playwright into a three-part theatrical event, will be co-produced in the 2009-2010 season by Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) and Hartford Stage (Michael Wilson, Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Managing Director). The productions will be directed by Michael Wilson and performed at Hartford Stage from August 27, 2009 to October 17, 2009 and at Signature Theatre Company, from October 29, 2009 to April 11, 2010. Each part of the three part cycle will be staged individually as well as in repertory and one-day marathons. Audiences may choose to see the individual parts or the entire trilogy. THE ORPHANS' HOME CYCLE encompasses nine newly adapted plays by Mr. Foote, together for the first time. Mr. Foote, 92, is actively adapting each of the full-length plays, some previously produced and others never before seen, into one epic cycle.

Magic Theatre announced today that contributions totaling nearly $355,000 have been generated by its emergency fundraising appeal launched this past month. An additional $100,000 will be donated by a leading national supporter of the arts, which offered a matching grant to help secure the Magic's season. The campaign has thus far raised more than $450,000. 'The breadth and depth of support is incredible,' said Missy Kirchner, chairman of the Magic's board of directors. 'We've received more than 1,100 contributions from 23 states, ranging from $5.00 to $20,000. We needed $350,000 by January 12th to move forward with this season's productions and we made it.'

Tony Award-winners Nathan Lane and Anika Noni Rose are set to participant in The Vineyard Theatre's star-studded tribute to Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes and The Union Square Partnership at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan. The Gala, which will benefit the Vineyard Theatre, one of the nation's leading theatres devoted to producing new works, will include salutations to Ms. Seldes -- who originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 at The Vineyard -- and celebrate its theme of community spirit and neighborhood involvement by also honoring The Union Square Partnership. Nathan Lane, who will host the evening, starred opposite Ms. Seldes Off-Broadway in Terrence McNally's DEDICATION, OR THE STUFF OF DREAMS. Mr. Lane is best-known for his Tony Award-winning performances in THE PRODUCERS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!. Anika Noni Rose, who received an Obie Award for her work in the musical ELI'S COMIN' at The Vineyard, won a Tony Award for her performance in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, and co-starred with Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in the film version of 'Dreamgirls,' is set to perform.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are pleased to announce About Face Theatre's second show of its 2008/2009 season, a dynamic, multimedia adaptation of 'Stupid Kids' by the late John C. Russell. The production, directed by Metzgar and Youth Theatre Program co- founder Megan Carney, will be presented at the Center on Halsted. 'Though set in the late '80s, our production incorporates very contemporary, interactive elements that kids are using today to express who they are- blogging, social networks, texting, personal video,' says co-director Metzgar. 'In fact, we will encourage audience members to leave cell phones on during the show and become a part of the action. We wanted to create a live collage of images and impressions from both eras to build a mash-up of these two generations.' To celebrate stupid stories about high school, About Face has launched the Stupid Kids Stuff Blog (http://stupidkidstuff.blogspot.com/), providing an opportunity for visitors to share their personal stories about being a 'stupid kid' and to participate in the Stupid Kids Multimedia Art Contest. Winning submissions will be featured in performances of the show and artists will receive complimentary tickets.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs. Written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a provocative new play with music about the growth of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs, created by the documentary theatre troupe The Civilians. While conducting interviews with people involved with or affected by the mega-church movement, scandal broke about New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard and shook the entire city of Colorado Springs, providing the play's creators with an unprecedented opportunity to capture an important event as it was taking place, and providing the people of Colorado Springs the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns as those events unfolded. THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a fascinating and timely look at faith and how it affects the American landscape.

The Magic Theatre website has reported it has reached the needed fundraising goal, it will survive to bring theatre to the local San Francisco audience. Magic Theatre raised $450,000 in a little over a week due to the support of the many people who heard the theatre and its pleas for help.

Broadway's most talked about new musical and the biggest Tony Award?-winner in years is coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Spring Awakening, the 8-time Tony Award? winning Broadway musical, will play a two-week engagement from February 10-22, 2009. Curtain times for the U.S. Bank Broadway Series presentation are Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 15 at 2 & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 22 at 2 p.m. There is also a weekday matinee on Thursday, February 19 at 1 p.m.

The Magic Theater in San Francisco, a 42-year-old institution that has staged the premieres of works by Sam Shepard, David Mamet, Nilo Cruz and many others, may be on the verge of closing unless the company can raise $350,000 by Midnight, Monday January 12th. The theater's Web site, magictheatre.org is urging audience members to help it survive.

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is proud to present Kander and Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical Cabaret. Cabaret opens for the press on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 and plays through February 1, 2009 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in the Charles Mosesian Theater.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work This Beautiful City, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs.

The New York Times is reporting that The Magic Theater in San Francisco, a 42-year-old institution that has staged the premieres of works by Sam Shepard, David Mamet, Nilo Cruz and others, may be on the verge of closing unless the company can raise $350,000 by Friday. The theater's Web site, magictheatre.org is urging audience members to help it survive.

New Repertory Theatre, in residence at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, is proud to present Kander and Ebb's Tony Award-winning musical Cabaret. Cabaret opens for the press on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 and plays through February 1, 2009 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in the Charles Mosesian Theater.

Due to critical acclaim and popular demand, Magic Theatre Company's Evie's Waltz extended the run through Dec 21. The play is a provocative look at parenting today's American teen.

Atlantis Productions, a bi-continental, multi-media Production Company has announced they will create a bold new production of the Tony Winning hit musical Spring Awakening for a Philippines based mounting in September 2009.

Babel Theatre Project (Geordie Broadwater, Artistic Director, Jeremy Blocker, Producing Director) is excited to present readings by six of New York's finest up-and-coming playwrights in their festival of readings entitled GROUNDWORK The readings will take place at the 78th Street Theatre Lab, Saturday, January 24th and Sunday, January 25th beginning at 1PM.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce the full cast for the upcoming New York premiere of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted will begin previews on Saturday, February 7th and open officially on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

The Vineyard Theatre -- where Marian Seldes originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 -- will honor the Tony Award-winning actress at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan.