Queens Theatre News

Following an extensive tour of the UK and a season in London's West End in Out Of My Head - his first stand up show for over 12 years - Paul Merton will be setting out on a brand new tour this autumn with his world renowned Impro Chums and some special guests.

Rehearsals are underway for Titan Theatre Company's daring new take on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, where, for each night of the show's limited New York City run, audience members will pick which actors from the acclaimed nine-actor ensemble will play each of the 16 roles in Shakespeare's infectious comedy of sly sprites, rude mechanicals and confused lovers. The production is set to open at The Secret Theatre in Long Island City on October 18, 2013 with performances through November 3, 2013. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

THEATRE 167 has announced the world premiere production of J. Stephen Brantley's PIRIRA, directed by Artistic Director Ari Laura Kreith (The Jackson Heights Trilogy). PIRIRA will play a limited engagement at The Chain (21-28 45th Road, Long Island City, NY 11101). Performances begin Thursday, October 17 and continue through Sunday, November 10. Opening Night is Friday, October 18 (8 p.m.).

RIOULT Dance NY, a leading American modern dance company with a classic sensibility, will perform on Saturday, October 5 at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday, October 6 at 3pm at Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Avenue South in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Critically acclaimed theatre company The Playwrights Realm presents the New York premiere of Lauren Yee's new play The Hatmaker's Wife, directed by recent OBIE Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812). The Hatmaker's Wife marks the first Playwrights Realm production at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street) in midtown Manhattan, following previous engagements in several downtown Off-Broadway venues. Previews begin tonight, August 27, for an opening Thursday, September 5.

As the political races throughout New York City reach their peak, candidates, thought leaders, businesses, organizations, and prominent New Yorkers are showing their support for the One Percent for Culture campaign that seeks to increase funding to the city's 1,300-plus non-profit cultural organizations.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Christina Gorman's Far From the Trees, directed by Tim Raphael, tonight, August 21 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

The London Premiere of Broadway musical [title of show] will play at the Landor Theatre from tonight 7 August (press night Monday 12 August) to Saturday 14 September 2013. The cast will feature Simon Bailey as 'Jeff', Scott Garnham as 'Hunter', Sarah Galbraith as 'Susan' and Sophia Ragavelas as 'Heidi'.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Richard Dresser's The Handyman, directed by Joe Cacaci, today, August 7 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.).

This whirl round the jukebox of one of the most dynamic musical decades stars musical legend Mark Wynter - fresh from his celebrated run in the show at London's Wyndham's Theatre last winter - who is set to perform classic hits Venus In Blue Jeans, Go Away Little Girl and It's Almost Tomorrow for the first time on tour in 50 years.

Critically acclaimed theatre company The Playwrights Realm has announced the cast and creative team for the New York premiere of Lauren Yee's new play The Hatmaker's Wife, directed by recent OBIE Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812). The Hatmaker's Wife marks the first Playwrights Realm production at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street) in midtown Manhattan, following previous engagements in several downtown Off-Broadway venues. Previews begin Tuesday, August 27, for an opening Thursday, September 5.

Los Angeles and Salvador, Bahia intersect with an evening of jubilant Afro-Brazilian dance, live percussion and lilting vocals under the stars at the Ford. Viver Brasil celebrates its 15th anniversary with Intersections/Aje, a program of exuberant sambas, pulsing maracatus and forros, and exotic orixa tales of love and intrigue at the Ford Theatres tonight, July 27 at 8:30 pm.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Richard Dresser's The Handyman, directed by Joe Cacaci, on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). The cast will include Wendie Malick, currently co-starring in TV Land's Hot in Cleveland, Berkshire Playwrights Lab Co-Artistic Director Jim Frangione, and two other actors TBA. There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Following their extended run during the summer of 2012, The Golden Dragon Acrobats will return to Queens Theatre more thrilling and daring than before for a limited engagement running tonight, July 17 through July 28. Featuring daring feats of balance, spine-tingling contortionists and towers of jugglers, these renowned Chinese acrobats will dazzle audiences of all ages in this return engagement.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Michael Brady's Titles, directed by Giovanna Sardelli, on Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Performances will be held Wednesdays through Saturdays at 1pm and 7pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $32, with a Family 4-Pack available for $99.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of John Cariani's Love/Sick, directed by Daniel Winerman, tonight, July 10 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Full casting is announced today for the London Premiere of Broadway musical [title of show], which will play at the Landor Theatre from Wednesday 7 August (press night Monday 12 August) to Saturday 14 September 2013. The cast will feature Simon Bailey as 'Jeff', Scott Garnham as 'Hunter', Sarah Galbraith as 'Susan' and Sophia Ragavelas as 'Heidi'.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of John Cariani's Love/Sick, directed by Daniel Winerman, on Wednesday, July 10 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.). There is no charge for admission, however, Berkshire Playwrights Lab suggests a $10.00 donation to help offset its programming costs. For reservations, call 413.528.0100 or visit the Mahaiwe box office in person.

Los Angeles and Salvador, Bahia intersect with an evening of jubilant Afro-Brazilian dance, live percussion and lilting vocals under the stars at the Ford. Viver Brasil celebrates its 15th anniversary with Intersections/Aje, a program of exuberant sambas, pulsing maracatus and forros, and exotic orixa tales of love and intrigue at the Ford Theatres on Saturday, July 27 at 8:30 pm.