Portia News

Baltimore Shakespeare Factory (BSF), working closely with world-renowned dialect and original pronunciation (OP) expert Paul Meier, will open its 2017 season with an historic production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, March 31 through April 23 at The Great Hall at St. Mary's Community Center.

The Acting Company celebrated the opening of X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation in rep with Julius Caesar at The New Victory Theater on Friday night at Red Rooster on Malcolm X Blvd. in Harlem. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!

The assassinations of Rome's great ruler of the Republic and revolutionary leader Malcolm X take to the stage when Tony Award-winning The Acting Company couples Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation, a compelling new play by lauded playwright Marcus Gardley (The House that Will Not Stand, The Gospel of Lovingkindness, Every Tongue Confess, On The Levee). These two gripping dramas make their Off-Broadway debut at The New Victory Theater from March 17 - 26, 2017. Scroll down for a sneak peek at both productions!

Intertwining themes of money, power, and love weave through the plays of Seattle Shakespeare Company's upcoming season just announced by Artistic Director George Mount. Plans for the company's 2017-2018 season include Julius Caesar, The Government Inspector, Timon of Athens, The Merchant of Venice, and Shakespeare in Love.

Kentucky Shakespeare has announced the fourth annual SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS tour.  Their 6-actor, 85-minute production of JULIUS CAESAR will tour to 23 area locations this spring, bringing free Shakespeare to local neighborhoods March 25-May 19, 2017. 

?Led by Founding Artistic Director Katherine Kovner and Producing Director Roberta Pereira, and following the success of Sarah DeLappe's critically acclaimed The Wolves, The Playwrights Realm continues their female-centric 10th Anniversary season with the New York Premiere of Jen Silverman'sThe Moors (February 27 - March 25) at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project. Directed by Mike Donahue and riffing on the lives and works of certain 19th-century novel-writing sisters, The Moors is a dark comic examination of the ways in which women fight for visibility.

Victoria Playhouse Petrolia (VPP) is once again a recipient of The Government of Ontario's Celebrate Ontario grant and has been named a Success Story on their online release. The very name of the grant, Celebrate Ontario 2017, ties directly in with the mandate of the 2017 VPP season, which celebrates Canada during the year it turns 150.

A moving gay love story set in World War Two is the latest collaboration between a leading London-based theatre production company and one of Manchester's newest arts venues.

As a special presentation of The Abbey's Monday Night Cabaret Series, stage and on-screen star Linda Purl presents her solo concert Midnight Caravan: Celebrating the Great Ladies of the Glamorous Nightclub Era on March 13 at 8 p.m.

The Artistic Home Artistic Director Kathy Scambiatterra announced today that the company's production of By the Bog of Cats, by Marina Carr, will extend its run by an additional three weeks to meet the overwhelming demand for seats. The Chicago Tribune's Kerry Reid said of it 'Mossman and his cast dig into the textures of Carr's script with gusto and sensitivity. Collins gives a bravura performance.' The Artistic Home's production, which opened to the press on February 13,  is directed by Jeff Award winner and ensemble member John Mossman.

Artistic and Executive Director, Paul Hart today announces the company for his new production of Twelfth Night continuing The Watermill Theatre's bold, ensemble driven approach to Shakespeare. Twelfth Night runs from 6 April to 6 May and in repertoire with Hart's 2016 production of Romeo + Juliet from 18 to 22 July. Both productions will tour nationally from Tuesday 16 May to Thursday 3 August

OBERON, the American Repertory Theater's (A.R.T.) second stage and club theater venue, presents A Ride on the Irish Cream, written and created by Erin Markey and directed by Jordan Fein. Performances begin today, February 28 and run through Saturday, March 4 at OBERON, 2 Arrow St, Cambridge.

Antaeus Theatre Company inaugurates the newly completed Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center, the company's new home in the City of Glendale, with a fully partner-cast production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams. Opening nights (one for each cast) are set for March 23 and March 24, with low-priced previews beginning March 16. Cameron Watson directs Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that was the playwright's personal favorite.

Below, check out the promo for the next episode of SCANDAL,  airing Thursday March 9th on ABC. 

The Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival will launch its 82nd year with preview performances beginning on February 17, and the season officially kicks off Today night, February 24, in the Angus Bowmer Theatre with Shakespeare's Julius Caesar (director, Shana Cooper).

A memorial service for Margaret Whitton, longtime Public Theater actress and director, who was also a loyal and generous donor to the theater, will be held today, February 14 at 3:00 p.m. at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).

I know that some critics will probably refer to Monty Python's Flying Circus or the work of Mel Brooks when they try to explain the appeal of SOMETHING ROTTEN!. There are some similarities to both, but the fact is, this show (book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell with Music and Lyrics by Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick) is actually something uniquely original. Sure a lot of contemporary musicals have taken the opportunity to crack wise while parodying musical theatre tropes before, but never as thoroughly and hilariously. The current touring show at The Fox Theatre is just great fun, and I highly recommend that you attend!

VIM VIGOR DANCE COMPANY presents the New York Premiere of FUTURE PERFECT at the Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue, NYC 10010 (25th Street between 3rd & Lexington Aves).

ABC's hit TGIT series - "Grey's Anatomy, "Scandal," and "How to Get Away with Murder" - have each been picked up for another season. It was announced today by Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment.

On the next episode of SCANDAL on ABC titled "The Belt", Cyrus faces his ultimate challenge but continues to stop at nothing to prove his innocence.