Peter Francis News

Signature Theatre has announced that the Signature Center Opening Gala Celebration will take place on Monday, January 30th and will be a first look at the Company's new home, the Frank Gehry-designed Signature Center.

Signature Theatre has just announced the full cast joining previously announced star Tony Award-winner Jane Alexander in EDWARD ALBEE'S THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE, directed by David Esbjornson. The production runs February 14 - March 25, 2012 with a March 5 opening night and is the inaugural production in The End Stage Theatre at the Company's new Frank Gehry-designed home Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between Dyer and 10th Avenues).

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announces casting for the second week of the popular reading series, NEW WORK NOW!, running thru Sunday, September 18 in The Public's Martinson Theater (425 Lafayette Street). Casting for the free readings includes Donald Moffat, Richard Thomas, Michael Cristofer, Veanne Cox, Peter Francis James, Bill Heck, and S. Epatha Merkerson. All readings are free and open to the public and may be reserved by contacting the box office at (212) 967-7555.

According to Black Star News, Nicole Ari Parker will star opposite Blair Underwood in the upcoming Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Emily Mann. Parker will play Blanche Du Bois in the production, which is set to open in the spring of 2012.

Front Row Productions has announced that the world-renowned film composer and trumpet player Terence Blanchard will compose the original musical soundscape for the upcoming Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Emily Mann, starring Blair Underwood and opening in the spring of 2012.

Actors' Equity Association (Equity) announced today that The Public Theater's acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is the recipient of its Extraordinary Excellence in Diversity on Broadway Award for the 2010-2011 Season. The Award will be presented at a reception at the Equity headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. In addition, Equity will receive a Mayoral Proclamation, presented by Commissioner Katherine Oliver, designating June 7th as Diversity on Broadway Day.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) will welcome 35 students from 30 states for this year's SpringboardNYC summer program, being held June 6 - 17 in New York City for its seventh consecutive year.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman, Board of Trustees; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) will welcome 35 students from 30 states for this year's SpringboardNYC summer program, being held June 6 - 17 in New York City for its seventh consecutive year.

The Public Theater's acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia, will conclude its successful Broadway run on Sunday, February 20 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The critically lauded production began at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park last summer and officially opened on Broadway on November 13. It recouped its capitalization after only 10 weeks and will be making its first profit distribution to investors next week. Tickets are on sale now at Tele-Charge at 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.

The Public Theater's acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia, will resume performances on Tuesday, February 1 at the Broadhurst Theatre for a final three week extension through Sunday, February 20.

The Public Theater's acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia, will conclude its successful Broadway run on Sunday, February 20 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The critically lauded production began at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park last summer and officially opened on Broadway on November 13. It recouped its capitalization after only 10 weeks and will be making its first profit distribution to investors next week. Tickets are on sale now at Tele-Charge at 212-239-6200 or www.telecharge.com.

The Public Theater's acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia, will resume performances on Tuesday, February 1 at the Broadhurst Theatre for a final three week extension through Sunday, February 20.

The Public Theater's acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia, will resume performances on Tuesday, February 1 at the Broadhurst Theatre for a final three week extension through Sunday, February 20.

Rob Gorden's True Stories Monday, January 31, 2011; 7:00 pm - $10

According to an article by Baz Bamigboye for UK Daily Mail, stage and screen star Patrick Stewart is set to join the Royal Shakespeare Company production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Stewart will star as Shylock in the production, which is set to be directed by Rupert Goold. Though an agreement has been made between Stewart and RSC, he has not yet signed the contract. Rehearsals will begin in late March.

Rob Gorden's True Stories Monday, January 31, 2011; 7:00 pm - $10

The cast of Broadway's MERCHANT OF VENICE has swept the Actors' Equity Awards for classical theatre, which were announced earlier today.

According to an article by Baz Bamigboye for UK Daily Mail, Al Pacinoin currently in talks to bring the Public ­Theater's The ­Merchant Of Venice to the West End.

The New York Times is reporting that talks are underway to potentially extend the run of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE past its originally scheduled January 9 closing date if a deal can be worked out with the show's stars - Al Pacino and Lily Rabe. No specific information is available as to how long of an extension may be possible.