Rachel Chavkin News

MCC Theater presents the second show of its 2017-18 season: the World Premiere of School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play, written by 2017-18 Tow Playwright-in-Residence Jocelyn Bioh, and directed by Tony winner Rebecca Taichman. A friendly reminder that School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play begins previews at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) tonight, November 1, 2017.

The 2016 Off-Broadway hit, Hadestown is in the thick of rehearsals and set-up in preparation for its Canadian premiere at the Citadel Theatre November 11 to December 3, 2017, and anticipated Broadway run in 2018.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Michael Larsen, beloved teacher at popular theatre summer camp Stagedoor Manor, has passed away.

Broadway star Patrick Page, known for his roles in shows such as The Lion King and Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, has been with HADESTOWN since it was at the workshop stage. Page played Hades in the New York Theatre Workshop production Off-Broadway, and is continuing in the role here at the Citadel. Below, the acclaimed actor spoke with Citadel Theatre's Sydnee Bryant about how he pursued the role and why Hades isn't a typical villain.

New York Theatre Workshop's production of MARY JANE, written by NYTW Usual Suspect and Pulitzer Prize Finalist Amy Herzog (4000 Miles, Belleville) and directed by two-time Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman (Sundown, Yellow Moon; A Life), will conclude its run later this week.

The Drama League has announced the roster of special guest performers for the 34th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway and the launch of the Benefit Gala Auction.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has just announced the full cast and creative team for HUNDRED DAYS, with a book by The Bengsons (Iphigenia in Aulis) and Sarah Gancher (The Place We Built), music and lyrics by The Bengsons, direction by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman, and movement direction by Obie Award winner Sonya Tayeh (you'll still call me by name).

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announces that acclaimed Director Julie Taymor will be honored with the distinguished 2018 Mr. Abbott Award for outstanding artistry and creativity over the course of her career. The Award will be presented at the Foundation's annual gala event on April 2, 2018 in New York City, venue to be announced. Chairing the Mr. Abbott Award Committee are Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions, producer Nelle Nugent of The Foxboro Company (currently represented on Broadway with Taymor's production of M. BUTTERFLY), and SDCF Executive Board Members Rachel Chavkin and Michael Wilson. Honorary Co-Chairs include actress Helen Mirren and playwright David Henry Hwang. Proceeds from the gala benefit the early-career programs of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation.

So much time and effort goes into presenting any sort of play... from the written word, direction, set design, lighting, sound, and especially the actors. And here in I'LL GET YOU BACK AGAIN, it's the play that needs a little work and tweaking.

Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Laura Michelle Kelly in 'Both Sides Now' on November 7, 2017.

The Bushwick Starr and West Yorkshire Playhouse present ANIMAL WISDOM, created by Heather Christian, directed by Mark Rosenblatt & Andrew Schneider, and featuring and made in collaboration with Sasha Brown, Heather Christian, Fred Epstein, Eric Farber & Maya Sharpe.

Just announced, the pre-Broadway production of Anais Mitchell's musical Hadestown will star original cast members Patrick Page and Amber Gray, reprising their roles as Hades and Persephone, respectively.

With its emphasis on both 1960s psychedelic rock music and the Three Stooges, it would seem the latest offering at the Round House Theatre was tailored precisely for my taste.

Abrons Arts Center will present the world premiere of The Power of Emotion: The Apartment (October 11-21), directed by Katherine Brook for her female-centered company, Tele-Violet.

The Bushwick Starr and West Yorkshire Playhouse present ANIMAL WISDOM, created by Heather Christian, directed by Mark Rosenblatt & Andrew Schneider, and featuring and made in collaboration with Sasha Brown, Heather Christian, Fred Epstein, Eric Farber & Maya Sharpe.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2017-18 season with Bess Wohl's fresh, perceptive comedy Small Mouth Sounds (October 11­-December 10, 2017).

The new Citadel Theatre season, starting in less than two weeks, is literally stellar for the many accomplished artists, local, national, and international, who will appear on Citadel stages in the coming months.

The Bushwick Starr and West Yorkshire Playhouse present ANIMAL WISDOM, created by Heather Christian and directed by Mark Rosenblatt, featuring and made in collaboration with Sasha Brown, Heather Christian, Fred Epstein, Eric Farber and Maya Sharpe.

The pre-Broadway Canadian engagement of HADESTOWN will star three Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark alumni: Patrick Page, Reeve Carney, and T.V. Carpio. Rachel Chavkin, who directed the original Off-Broadway production, will helm the show in Canada.

A post-apocalyptic Depression-era retelling of an ancient Greek myth may not seem like obvious subject matter for a musical. But Hadestown, which ran at New York Theatre Workshop in the summer of 2016, took this bizarre concept and ran with it. Written by Anais Mitchell, Hadestown weaves together an industrial allegory and sweeping romance with the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice and Hades and Persephone. The bluesy score sweeps listeners away on this epic journey, thanks to the new live cast album, released by Warner Music Group/Ghost Light Records.