Peter Brook News

Michael Pennington, two-time Olivier Award nominee, an artist of international stature and one of England's greatest classical actors, will play the title role in William Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear directed by Arin Arbus. For the second production in Theatre for a New Audience's inaugural season at its first permanent home, the new Polonsky Shakespeare Center, 262 Ashland Place in Brooklyn, Mr. Pennington leads a company of 22 actors. King Lear begins previews March 14 for an opening March 27 and a run through May 4.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, TRUE BLOOD's Jim Parrack is the latest to join the all-star cast, including Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester and Tony Award winner Jim Norton. Parrack will take on the role of 'Slim' in the revival, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro.

Patrick Stewart, who stars in the Broadway repertory season of Harold Pinter's NO MAN'S LAND and Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT, will be featured on tonight's episode of 'Late Show with David Letterman.' Locally the program can be found on WCBS2 at 11:35PM EST.

From legendary theatrical innovators Peter Brook, Marie-Helene Estienne, and Franck Krawczyk comes the internationally acclaimed music-infused production, The Suit. Fresh from sold-out runs in New York, Paris, and London, The Suit is a tragic tale of betrayal and resentment adapted from the short story of the same name by South African writer, Can Themba. When a husband catches his beautiful wife in the arms of her lover, the lover flees-but leaves his suit behind. As her penance, the husband makes his wife 'treat the suit as an honored guest,' to accompany her wherever she goes. From the dinner table to walks around the neighborhood, the suit becomes a whimsical yet cruel reminder of her infidelity. Traditional African melodies interweave with jazz standards to underscore this simple yet surprising tale, set in Apartheid-era Johannesburg. Reminiscent of The Scarlet Letter and overflowing with the same inventiveness as The Overcoat and Brief Encounter, The Suit features innovative staging that integrates virtuosic musicians directly into the action, making Brook's haunting production of this heartbreaking fable sing. The Suit will perform at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco) April 23-May 18, 2014. Press night is Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Tickets ($20 -$120) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.

Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Broadway World have partnered for an filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the union actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. The most recent conversation featured stage and screen titans Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, moderated by BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge. Check out Part 1 of the conversation HERE and Part 2 below!

Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced today that American Conservatory Theater will present the exclusive California screening of Peter Brook: The Tightrope, a new and definitive documentary on the creative process of legendary theater director Peter Brook, on Monday, March 24 at 7 p.m. at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco).

Screen Actors Guild Foundation and Broadway World have partnered for an filmed Conversations Q&A series to recognize and celebrate the vibrant theatre community in New York City and the union actors who aspire to have a career on the stage and screen. The most recent conversation featured stage and screen titans Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, moderated by Broadway World's Richard Ridge. Check out Part 1 of the conversation below!

It's not every day you can get a free hot chocolate from a knight, but this Super Bowl Sunday, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Billy Crudup and Shuler Hensley will hand out free hot chocolate to ticket holders before the matinee of Waiting for Godot at the Cort Theatre on Sunday, February 2. To get the Super Bowl Sunday started early, the matinee will begin at 2pm, and to offer relief from the predicted cold temperatures, the four stars will be serving hot chocolate from 12:45pm to 1:15pm sharp. Sports fans will still have plenty of time to see the Super Bowl after the matinee.

Patrick Stewart, who stars in the Broadway repertory season of Harold Pinter's NO MAN'S LAND and Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT, will be featured today's episode of 'Live with Kelly and Michael.' Locally the program can be found on WABC7 at 9AM EST.

Patrick Stewart, who stars in the Broadway repertory season of Harold Pinter's NO MAN'S LAND and Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT, will be featured on Friday's episode of "Live with Kelly and Michael." Locally the program can be found on WABC7 at 9AM EST.

New York City Center's 2013-14 season continues with a lineup of dance, theater and music, featuring Tony Award-winning actors, world-class dance, and world premiere theater.

The University Musical Society (UMS) presents 13 performances by nine different performing arts groups this February, including intimate recitals, powerful orchestras, incredible world music, inspiring dance, and world-class theater.

Jean-Guy Lecat-scenic designer and architectural consultant for Peter Brook's Theatre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris, BAM Harvey Theater, and consultant to Jeffrey Horowitz -will be interviewed by Randy Gener, award-winning editor, writer, critic, and artist.

WSP presents Little Black Book by Jean-Claude Carriere, translated by Solvene Tiffou and directed by Kate Fahy at the Park Theatre, running today, December 17, 2013 through January 19, 2014. Jenny Rainsford stars as 'She' and Gerald Kyd stars as 'He' in what Fahy told the Daily Mail is a 'romantic, sexy, funny and absurd story' rarely seen in the UK.

The Ustinov Studio announced today that Laurence Boswell has extended his role as Artistic Director until Spring 2017.

Tune in to see Ian McKellen who stars in Harold Pinter's NO MAN'S LAND and Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT, on "Talk Stoop" this Saturday night December 14 (actually Sunday morning) at 1:30AM on WNBC-4. Check local listings for times outside the New York metro area.

WSP presents Little Black Book by Jean-Claude Carriere, translated by Solvene Tiffou and directed by Kate Fahy at the Park Theatre, running December 17, 2013 through January 19, 2014. Jenny Rainsford stars as 'She' and Gerald Kyd stars as 'He' in what Fahy told the Daily Mail is a 'romantic, sexy, funny and absurd story' rarely seen in the UK.

Listen to see Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, who star in Harold Pinter's NO MAN'S LAND and Samuel Beckett's WAITING FOR GODOT, on WNYC Radio's 'Leonard Lopate Show.' McKellen and Stewart talk with Lopate about performing in the two plays in rep on Broadway. Click below to listen!

The Hobbit' star Ian McKellen stopped by Comedy Central's THE DAILY SHOW this week and spoke about growing up in England during World War II and his mother's early support for his acting career.