Polly Pen News

Andrew Bovell's When the Rain Stops Falling continues the Wilma Theater's 2016-17 season. A fish falls from the sky in the year 2039. A man named Gabriel prepares to meet his adult son after being estranged for twenty years. He wonders why his son is coming and what he wants: to know who he is? Where he comes from? Where he belongs? Gabriel knows nothing; his own past escapes him. As the story of Gabriel's family unfolds onstage, his ancestors come alive around him to fill in the gaps. With its web of intricately overlapping connections, When the Rain Stops Falling follows four generations of a family from 1959 to 2039, and from London to Australia. As this family and their world evolve over time, one question remains: in the face of climate change, can we break our habits and change the way we live?

PREMIERES, the New York based music theater organization whose mission is 'to bring new music theater to light,' has announced the complete cast and creative teams for this season's Inner Voices, the biannual series of solo works featuring new teams of playwrights and composers.

Three days after its opening in Chicago, we take a look at Black Button Eyes Production' latest musical, AMOUR. Adapted from the short story "Le Passe-Muraille" by beloved French author Marcel Ayme, AMOUR tells the story of Dusoleil, a shy clerk working in a dreary office in post-World War II Paris. One day he discovers he has the ability to walk through walls, and embraces a life of romance and adventure.

Black Button Eyes Productions presents the Chicago Premiere of the musical AMOUR, with music by Michel Legrand, at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, at 2936 N. Southport Avenue, September 2 - October 8.

Black Button Eyes Productions presents the Chicago Premiere of the musical AMOUR, with music by Michel Legrand, at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, at 2936 N. Southport Avenue, September 2 - October 8.

Vineyard Theatre, one of the nation's leading nonprofit theatre companies has announced today that Executive Producer/CEO Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell, who has been a key member of the company's leadership team for almost 20 years, has decided to depart at the end of September 2016 to pursue new career opportunities.

After a nationwide search, Sarasota Opera is proud to announce that composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters has been commissioned to compose Sarasota Youth Opera's next world premiere. Ms. Peter's opera, Rootabaga Country, which is being written now and will have its premiere in November 2017, was selected over 12 other submissions. This will be the sixth opera commissioned by the Sarasota Youth Opera program.

After a nationwide search, Sarasota Opera is proud to announce that composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters has been commissioned to compose Sarasota Youth Opera's next world premiere. Ms. Peter's opera, Rootabaga Country, which is being written now and will have its premiere in November 2017, was selected over 12 other submissions. This will be the sixth opera commissioned by the Sarasota Youth Opera program.

Berkeley Rep's Michael Leibert Artistic Director Tony Taccone today announced the appointment of Lisa Peterson as the artistic director.

Idle Muse Theatre Company will produce the Chicago premiere of The Woman Who Amuses Herself, by Victor Lodato, directed by Idle Muse ensemble member Nathan Pease. The Woman Who Amuses Herself will run June 23rd through July 24th, 2016 with previews June 23rd and 24th and will be presented at Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway Ave, Chicago, IL 60640. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Run time is approximately 2 hrs including 1 ten-minute intermission. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors. Tickets for previews are $10. Every Thursday is Industry Night with $10 tickets for industry members with headshot/resume. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.idlemuse.org or by calling 773-340-9438.

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Al(exandra) Silber's Casual Monday, The Broadway Princess Party feat. Laura Osnes, Barbara Cook, Lorna Luft Celebrates Pride Week, and Anything But Love the Musical in Concert.

On Monday, June 20 at 7pm, Grammy nominee Alexandra Silber (currently starring as Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway) will celebrate the release of the world premiere recording of Arlington, by Victor Lodato and Polly Pen, with a special concert at Birdland titled, "Al(exandra) Silber's Casual Monday."

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for June 20-26, featuring Alexandra Silber, Freddy Cole, Pucci Amanda Jhones and more!

?Broadway Records has announced that Arlington: World Premiere Recording will be released digitally and in stores on June 17, 2016. The album is currently available for pre-order at www.BroadwayRecords.com and Amazon.com

Just last night Vineyard Theatre presented its 2016 Gala honoring award-winning actress and Vineyard Board President Kathleen Chalfant and New York theatrical press agent Sam Rudy, hosted by Michael Urie and Ryan Spahn. BroadwayWorld was on hand at the Edison Ballroom for the special event and you can check out photos from the reception below!

Just last night Vineyard Theatre presented its 2016 Gala honoring award-winning actress and Vineyard Board President Kathleen Chalfant and New York theatrical press agent Sam Rudy, hosted by Michael Urie and Ryan Spahn. BroadwayWorld was on hand at the Edison Ballroom for the special event and you can check out photos from inside gala below!

Atlantic Theater Company presents the world premiere of Academy Award nominee and Pulitzer Prize finalist Kenneth Lonergan's latest play HOLD ON TO ME DARLING, directed by Atlantic Artistic Director Neil Pepe.

The Dramatists Guild of America presents their annual awards at their 2016 meeting today, February 22, at The American Airlines Theatre Penthouse Lobby in New York.

Analise Langford-Clark and Jonathan Blum will shine in California Stage's production of Arlington. A favorite with audiences in San Francisco and New York, California Stage now brings this provocative new chamber musical to Sacramento starting April 1st.  Bob Irvin also makes his California Stage directorial debut.

Black Button Eyes Productions presents the Chicago Premiere of the musical AMOUR, with music by Michel Legrand, at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago, at 2936 N. Southport Avenue, September 2 - October 8.