Philadelphia Theatre Company News

Following its celebrated opening at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pullman Porter Blues travels across the country to sweep D.C. audiences along for a ride in its world-premiere co-production at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by her grandfather's work on the postal trains, playwright Cheryl L. West, whose work at Arena Stage includes Jar the Floor and Play On!, returns with the tale of three Pullman train porters whose journey is underscored by Midwest blues songs, including "Sweet Home Chicago" and "This Train." Directed by Lisa Peterson (Arena's The Rainmaker and The Quality of Life), Pullman Porter Blues runs November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Passage Theatre Company will produce its first main stage play of the 2012-2013 season at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton tonight, October 18 - November 4.

Round House Theatre continues its 2012/13 season with the regional premiere of I Love to Eat by James Still, which runs tonight, October 17 thru November 4. Leon Major directs this look at the delightfully zesty life of renowned chef James Beard. Nick Olcott portrays the culinary maestro described as "the face and belly of American gastronomy." Opening night is Monday, October 22, 2012.

Philadelphia Theatre Company opens its 2012-2013 season with the world premiere of the new musical song cycle Stars of David tonight, October 17 - November 18 at Philadelphia Theatre Company's home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

New York's newest theater company Breaking Bread Theatre, under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Joe Calarco and Jen Waldman, with Third Coast Creative, present a developmental lab of the new musical Ella Minnow Pea by Larson Award-winning writers Scott Burkell and Paul Loesel. The invitation-only presentations will be held October 25 - 26.

Janet Brenner and Michael Coco will present Fiction in Photographs, a new musical featuring the music and lyrics of Dan Mills, conceived and directed by Randy Redd, and featuring the photography of Sasha Israel. Three free presentations, open to the public, will be offered at the New World Stages/Stage 1 (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) on Wednesday October 10th (4pm), Thursday October 11th (7pm) and Friday October 12th (7pm).

The William & Eva Fox Foundation and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, are pleased to announce the seventh round of Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship recipients. The program is designed to support actors' professional and artistic development, to enrich relationships between actors and nonprofit theatres and to ensure continued professional commitment to live theatre. Funded by the Fox Foundation and administered by TCG, the fellowship is one of only a few programs of its kind for actors in the country.

Philadelphia Theatre Company was the top winner of this year's Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre with seven awards, the most of any Philadelphia-area theater company. This brings PTC's total number of Barrymore Awards to 53 cumulative wins and 155 nominations.

Passage Theatre Company will produce its first main stage play of the 2012-2013 season at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton October 18 - November 4.

The 2012 Barrymore Winners were announced today, September 25, 2012 with the Philadelphia Theatre Company and the Wilma Theater on top. Below is a complete list of the 2012 winners:

Bristol Riverside Theatre opens its 2012-2013 mainstage season with Oleanna by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet tonight, September 25-October 14, 2012. Directed by BRT's Artistic Director Keith Baker, the play features actors Blair Baker and David Barlow.

Round House Theatre continues its 2012/13 season with the regional premiere of I Love to Eat by James Still, which runs October 17 thru November 4. Leon Major directs this look at the delightfully zesty life of renowned chef James Beard. Nick Olcott portrays the culinary maestro described as "the face and belly of American gastronomy." Opening night is Monday, October 22, 2012.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and Michael Bush jointly announced today that, after eight years, Mr. Bush is moving on from his position as the artistic director of the O'Neill's Cabaret & Performance Conference due to increased professional obligations directing in New York and regionally. These obligations include the further development of the new musicals STORMY WEATHER, THE PIPER, and his recently acclaimed NYMF production of HIMSELF AND NORA. He will also be a founding partner in a new company, Tritone Productions, which is dedicated to the development of new work.

Philadelphia Theatre Company opens its 2012-2013 season with the world premiere of the new musical song cycle Stars of David October 17 - November 18 at Philadelphia Theatre Company's home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

The Development Wing which has dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters will hold an exclusive, intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from three new musicals at the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing.

People's Light & Theatre presents August Wilson's Seven Guitars, running tonight, September 12-October 7, 2012 on the Main Stage. Jade King Carroll directs.

Bristol Riverside Theatre opens its 2012-2013 mainstage season with Oleanna by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet onSeptember 25-October 14, 2012. Directed by BRT's Artistic Director Keith Baker, the play features actors Blair Baker and David Barlow.

As previously announced, RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA will arrive on Broadway this season with previews set for January 21, 2013 prior to Opening Night on February 21 at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street).

The Development Wing which has dedicated itself to nurturing new musicals via partnerships with regional, not for profit theaters will hold an exclusive, intimate one-night-only benefit concert featuring Broadway stars singing songs from three new musicals at the historic Tewksbury, New Jersey home of Cherie King and her husband composer, lyricist and book writer, Jonathan Brielle, Artistic Director of The Development Wing.

Put succinctly, Turner is a marvel to watch as she takes on character of the sharp-tongued political journalist Molly Ivins.