Portia News

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

Rising Phoenix Repertory announces the FOURTH PLAY IN THE CINO NIGHTS SERIES BUSTED a new play by FLORENCIA LOZANO / directed by PORTIA KRIEGER featuring Maggie Bofill, Audrey Esparza, Nate Miller, Puy Navarro, Ana Reeder, and Jeanine Serralles

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson), Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and Yale Repertory Theatre announced complete casting today for the world premiere production of Rinne Groff's COMPULSION, directed by Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis.

Talk Show Listings for Tuesday, December 7, 2010.

Talk Show Listings for Tuesday, December 7, 2010.

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.

FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed "Best of New York" by New York Magazine, and "an invaluable New York institution" by The New York Post, will present the debut of television and stage star LINDA PURL on January 26 and 27, 2011.

Henry Horatio Hobson's three bossy daughters are driving him to drink, and the end result is comedy in the PICT production of Harold Brighouse's 1914 classic, Hobson's Choice.

Rising Phoenix Repertory announces the FOURTH PLAY IN THE CINO NIGHTS SERIES BUSTED a new play by FLORENCIA LOZANO / directed by PORTIA KRIEGER featuring Maggie Bofill, Audrey Esparza, Nate Miller, Puy Navarro, Ana Reeder, and Jeanine Serralles

While there's certainly plenty to enjoy in the new musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's 1988 film, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown - David Yazbek's jaunty Latin-based score, the winning performances of a star-studded cast (three Tony winners and four other nominees) and the kinetic flashiness of Bartlett Sher's kicky production - the show is also a prime example of how the sum of the pieces can add up to more than the whole when the missing ingredient is a strong book.  Not that the talented Jeffrey Lane doesn't make a game try at it.  Sticking closely to the source, his work is frequently clever and he and Yazbek concoct some quirkily fun musical scenes, but the odds are working against him in this one.

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.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is one of Shakespeare's most thrilling and controversial plays, rich with love and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge. The Jewish moneylender Shylock makes a loan to Antonio, a Christian merchant. Their loan contract, steeped in prejudice and centered on the play's infamous 'pound of flesh,' sweeps the two men and everyone in their worlds into chaos. Only the insightful Portia can imagine a way forward, but for her and those she loves, even 'the quality of mercy' has its limits. Al Pacino (Shylock), Lily Rabe (Portia), Byron Jennings (Antonio), Jesse L. Martin (Gratiano), Gerry Bamman (Duke of Venice), Heather Lind (Jessica), Matthew Rauch (Solanio), and Richard Topol (Tubal) reprise their roles in this acclaimed production. New cast members who have joined the Broadway company include Marsha Stephanie Blake (Nerissa), Christopher Fitzgerald (Launcelot Gobbo), David Harbour (Bassanio), Peter Francis James (Salerio), Isaiah Johnson (Prince of Morocco), Charles Kimbrough (Prince of Arragon), and Seth Numrich (Lorenzo).

The Public Theater holds the press opening for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Saturday, November 13. So as not to conflict with the Broadway opening of Elf on Sunday, November 14, the producers respectfully request that Merchant reviews be embargoed until Tuesday, November 16.

Henry Horatio Hobson's three bossy daughters are driving him to drink, and the end result is comedy in the PICT production of Harold Brighouse's 1914 classic, Hobson's Choice.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson), Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel announced today that the new press opening for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will be Saturday, November 13. So as not to conflict with the Broadway opening of Elf on Sunday, November 14, the producers respectfully request that Merchant reviews be embargoed until Tuesday, November 16.

Following the sold out performances and overflow crowds at its first two Cino Nights presentations (of Gary Sunshine's BEST SEX EVER and Mando Alvarado's (O)N THE 5:31), Rising Phoenix Rep continued the series November 7th with Courtney Baron's HERE I LIE which was performed by Denis Butkus and Samantha Soule to a sold out house. In this two-character play, 'Maris and Joseph have made their beds and now have to lie in them. Two people connected by illness, loneliness, and the need to be understood, they navigate the murky waters of subjective truth. If you believe it, can you make it true?' The production was directed by Rising Phoenix Rep artistic director Daniel Talbott.

The Public Theater, with Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel present THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia at the Broadhurst Theatre this fall. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will play 78 performances only through Sunday, January 9. See below for a look at MERCHANT on stage!

It was an emotional evening last night as THE MERCHANT OF VENICE celebrated its official opening night on Broadway. On Friday, the show announced that it would push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe whose mother, actress sadly Jill Clayburgh passed away at 66 on November 5. Rabe returned to the show on Saturday night. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the after party and brings you photo coverage below.

It was an emotional evening last night as THE MERCHANT OF VENICE celebrated its official opening night on Broadway. On Friday, the show announced that it would push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe whose mother, actress Jill Clayburgh sadly passed away at 66 on November 5. Rabe returned to the show on Saturday night. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage of the evening's starry performance arrivals.

It was an emotional evening last night as THE MERCHANT OF VENICE celebrated its official opening night on Broadway. On Friday, the show announced that it would push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe whose mother, actress sadly Jill Clayburgh passed away at 66 on November 5. Rabe returned to the show on Saturday night.