Peter Shaffer News

Manoa Valley Theatre presents a stunningly dramatic psychological drama by Peter Shaffer about a psychiatrist's efforts to treat a young boy who has developed a pathological religious fascination with horses, and the disturbingly sensational confrontation that results. It is a multi-layered psychological puzzle that is enigmatic, moving, and dazzlingly theatrical.

This summer, Jeremy Seghers will direct Peter Shaffer's psychological drama 'Equus." Inspired by actual events, the play tells the story of Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist, who attempts to treat a young man named Alan Strang. While wrestling with his own sense of purpose, Dysart must discover why Strang suddenly and horrifically blinded six horses.

The power struggle between two musical geniuses in 18th century Vienna is at the center of Peter Shaffer's play "Amadeus" that will be presented by Spinning Tree Theatre, April 28 through May 15 at the Arts Asylum, 1000 E. 9th St., Kansas City, Missouri.

Epic Theatre Company has announced its 2016 - 2017 Season while celebrating its new home at the Park Theater in Cranston.

Angela Lansbury and Dana Ivey will head an all-star cast in the staged reading of the beloved British comedy, Lettice and Lovage, a benefit for The Acting Company, to be held one night only, Monday, June 13, at 7 PM, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, it was announced this afternoon.

This is a community theatre that pulls off a spectacular English show by keeping things simple. They give EQUUS soul by playing it in their own voices, and they mine the depths of the emotions often missed in the wordy script and dream sequences.

I am currently in the final stages of presenting a one weekend performance of Peter Shaffer's award winning play, "Amadeus". Researching the Sam French website, I notice yet again that few high schools attempt to take on this intricate and thought-provoking piece of art. And in this instance, although this is my second time directing this play for high school, this is now a new, revised script, due to the author's constant amendments.  I've spent the last six months designing and the last three months directing this award winning classic for our school community here in North Adams. With three dress rehearsals next week, we open April 28th at Drury High School for a three-night run. 

The power struggle between two musical geniuses in 18th century Vienna is at the center of Peter Shaffer's play "Amadeus" that will be presented by Spinning Tree Theatre, April 28 through May 15 at the Arts Asylum, 1000 E. 9th St., Kansas City, Missouri.

Longtime Fundamental Theater Project supporter Alec Baldwin has purchased a significant number of tickets to FTP's annual fundraising event, which this year features Aidan Quinn, Patrick Breen, Julia Murney, Valorie Curry and FTP's artistic director Sam Underwood in two back-to-back staged readings at Symphony Space this Sunday, March 6th, starting at 3 pm.

Gloucester Stage Company Artistic Director, Robert Walsh, recently announced the six-play lineup for Gloucester Stage's 37th Season of professional theater in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

The musical '13' is a delightful story that everyone can relate to having lived through those awkward teen years. Spinning Tree Theatre presents the Kansas City professional premiere of '13' with music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown and book by Dan Elish and Robert Horn.

New work by Lee Hall, David Hare, Bryony Kimmings, Lucy Kirkwood, Nina Raine, Gillian Slovo and Alexander Zeldin, and contemporary revivals of two of the NT's most celebrated 20th century premieres - Amadeus and Angels in America - are among the forthcoming productions at the National Theatre announced today by Rufus Norris.

Peter Shaffer's stirring play "Amadeus" can move you to the point of tears, but only when it's done well. It is by no means a bulletproof play. Unfortunately the current production at Seattle Public Theater, while managing a few interesting performances, really just stands out as having an unfocused concept and is about as engaging as a history lecture.

For the first ten minutes of Peter Shaffer's knockabout farce, Black Comedy, the stage is dark, as engaged Londoneers Brindsley Miller and Carol Melkett get ready to receive wealthy German art collector Georg Bamberger, who they hope will purchase Brindlsey's latest modern sculpture. But a blown fuse plunges their home into darkness, and that's when the lights on the stage finally go up. Confused? Well, the story of the anticipated sale of Brindsley's work is merely the MacGuffin in Black Comedy, something only the characters care about. What's important to the audience is the show's topsy-turvy lighting gimmick, one that gives Black Comedy its name: a riotous jumble of mistaken identities, complex blocking, and side-splitting slapstick. If everyone in the cast stays healthy, the show will run through February 14 at the Ojai Art Center Theater.

Brighten the gloom and cold of February by going to see two of the funniest one-act comedies ever written! Middlebury Community Players presents Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy and Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound at the Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, Vermont from February 11 to 14. Thursday through Saturday shows are at 8:00, with a 2:00 matinee on Sunday the 14th. Tickets are $ $12 Thursday and $17 Fri-Sun and can be purchased at the THT box office Mon-Sat, noon-5pm in person, by calling (802) 382-9222, or online at www.townhalltheater.org.

The tale of the naughty puppet hoping to become a real boy gets an infusion of music, clowning and fun when South Coast Repertory's Theatre for Young Audiences series presents Pinocchio by Greg Banks, based on the classic story by Carlo Collodi. Pinocchio runs Feb. 5-21 on the Julianne Argyros Stage and is directed by Jeremy Aluma. Tickets are on sale at www.scr.org.

As a society, we often view extreme acts of 'passion,' whether it be motivated by anger, lust, or sadness, as negative, resulting in pain, or as something to be 'fixed.' Instead, we strive for normalcy and balance, obliterating any despair and following our established routine of life. What we often don't realize is that 'normal' can lead to an emptiness in connection, desire, and motivation that those who feel exceptional passion do not suffer. Is it possible for the 'normal' to make room for the extreme in their own lives?

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has announced that a major new production of Shakespeare's greatest tragedy, King Lear, will embark on a UK tour to nine regional venues from April to July in association with the Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton. 

The beloved English actor was a very frequent visitor to the New York stage.

Seattle Public Theater (SPT) is proud to present Amadeus, Peter Shaffer's magnificent story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, directed by Shana Bestock at the historic Green Lake Bathhouse Theater from January 29 through February 21, 2016. Tickets are $34 for adults, $32 for seniors, $17 for youth under 25, and $5 for youth under 12. Tickets are available by calling the SPT Box Office at 206-524-1300 or visiting www.seattlepublictheater.org.