Portia News

It would certainly be an interesting experience for modern playgoers to travel back in time and see how The Merchant of Venice was first received by Shakespeare's audiences.  Those only familiar with the play's famous, 'Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions...' speech, spoken by the moneylender Shylock, might just assume the author meant it to be a drama attacking anti-Semitic tendencies of the day.

A big thank you to the folks at New Line Theatre for bringing this entry from Jason Robert Brown's blog to my attention.  It seems the Tony-winning composer/lyricist was involved in a lengthy email exchange with a young fan who didn't understand why it was wrong for her to be offering free Internet sheet music downloads of his songs.  If you've seen Sherie Rene Scott's Everyday Rapture, prepare for some déjà vu.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast for its upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, playing in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre July 20 - August 22, 2010 (press opening: July 27 at 7:00 pm).

The Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (June Lindenmayer, Executive Director; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director) has announced casting for the line-up of new works for the 2010 summer festival of theatre and dance at the venerable performing arts school in Steamboat Springs, CO.

The Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (June Lindenmayer, Executive Director; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director), with sponsorship from The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, has announced the line-up for the 2010 summer season of theatre and dance at the venerable performing arts camp and school in Steamboat Springs, CO.

The Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (June Lindenmayer, Executive Director; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director) has announced casting for the line-up of new works for the 2010 summer festival of theatre and dance at the venerable performing arts school in Steamboat Springs, CO.

The Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (June Lindenmayer, Executive Director; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director), with sponsorship from The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, has announced the line-up for the 2010 summer season of theatre and dance at the venerable performing arts camp and school in Steamboat Springs, CO.

Luck of the Draw 9: The Musical! The 2010 DiverseWorks Summer Auction held Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 6:30pm

The American Theatre Wing's 64th Annual Antoinette Perry 'Tony' Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 13, 2010 and broadcast on the CBS Television Network. For more information visit tonyawards.com.

Lynn Nottage's Ruined, a powerful portrayal of the triumph of the human spirit in a war-torn country, will be co-produced this season by Intiman Theatre (opening July 9, 2010) and the Geffen Playhouse (opening September 15, 2010), the only two theatres in the country to host original cast members and the design team of director Kate Whoriskey's acclaimed world-premiere production.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

The Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival (June Lindenmayer, Executive Director; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director) has announced casting for the line-up of new works for the 2010 summer festival of theatre and dance at the venerable performing arts school in Steamboat Springs, CO.

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, will outline ABC's plans for next season and unveil the network's 2010-11 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities this afternoon at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, will outline ABC's plans for next season and unveil the network's 2010-11 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities this afternoon at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, running in repertory June 9-August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Tickets are free and distributed the day of the performance.

The American Repertory Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston have joined forces for the first time to create Emerging America - an annual festival devoted to supporting and launching new voices in American theatre. From May 14 through 16, Emerging America brings some of the country's most promising performers, writers, companies and directors to Boston for a weekend filled with energy, imagination, creativity and drama.

The American Repertory Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston have joined forces for the first time to create Emerging America - an annual festival devoted to supporting and launching new voices in American theatre. From May 14 through 16, Emerging America brings some of the country's most promising performers, writers, companies and directors to Boston for a weekend filled with energy, imagination, creativity and drama.

The Public Theater will present THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. Rehearsals began today for THE WINTER'S TALE and BroadwayWorld has the production photos!

The American Repertory Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston have joined forces for the first time to create Emerging America - an annual festival devoted to supporting and launching new voices in American theater.

The Public Theater will present THE MERCHANT OF VENICE starring Al Pacino in rep with THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. Rehearsals began today for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and BroadwayWorld has the first production photos!