Rajiv Joseph News

CENTERSTAGE announces its electrifying, one-of-a-kind artistic initiative, My America-50 new monologues by 50 of America's leading and emerging playwrights, all filmed by award-winning filmmaker Hal Hartley. The films will debut at the theater today, September 28, and begin a staggered release online at www.centerstage.org/MyAmerica, culminating on Election Day, November 6.

Sunday, September 23rd marked the 60th anniversary of Richard Nixon's political game-changing 'Checkers speech,' and today, September 24th at 10 a.m. tickets go on sale for the Vineyard Theatre's world-premiere production of CHECKERS, a play by Douglas McGrath about Nixon, his wife Pat and that historic speech. CHECKERS is directed by Terry Kinney. Preview performances begin at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.) on October 12; October 31 is opening night. Tickets can be purchased by calling The Vineyard box office at 212 353 0303 or online at

Sunday, September 23rd marks the 60th anniversary of Richard Nixon's political game-changing 'Checkers speech,' and on Monday, September 24th at 10 a.m. tickets go on sale for the Vineyard Theatre's world-premiere production of CHECKERS, a play by Douglas McGrath about Nixon, his wife Pat and that historic speech. CHECKERS is directed by Terry Kinney. Preview performances begin at The Vineyard (108 E. 15 St.) on October 12; October 31 is opening night. Tickets can be purchased by calling The Vineyard box office at 212 353 0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.

Vineyard Theatre will celebrate its 30th anniversary season with a host of special events, in addition to its mainstage productions. These events include developmental readings and workshops, and one-night-only readings of acclaimed productions from the company's history.

Round House Theatre has produced the area premiere of Rajiv Joseph's haunting and powerful BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO. Jeremy Skidmore's production is monumental and the acting ensemble is superb.

Vineyard Theatre will open its 30th Anniversary season with the world premiere production of Douglas McGrath's play CHECKERS. Preview performances begin on October 12th, and opening night is set for October 28th. The production will be directed by Terry Kinney, it has been announced by The Vineyard's Artistic Director Douglas Aibel and Co-Artistic Director Sarah Stern.

CENTERSTAGE announces its electrifying, one-of-a-kind artistic initiative, My America-50 new monologues by 50 of America's leading and emerging playwrights, all filmed by award-winning filmmaker Hal Hartley. The films will debut at the theater on September 28, and begin a staggered release online at www.centerstage.org/MyAmerica, culminating on Election Day, November 6.

The Lark Play Development Center named five New York City-based dramatists as Playwrights' Workshop Fellows for the 2012-13 season. The group spans a wide range of cultural backgrounds and professional experiences and will meet regularly through June to develop new plays.

Check out photos of the show's opening night guests on the red carpet!

Round House Theatre launches its 2012/13 season with the regional premiere of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo by Rajiv Joseph, which runs from September 5 - 30. Jeremy Skidmore directs this 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist, which the Los Angeles Times called, "the most original play about the Iraq war." Opening night is Monday, September 10, 2012.

The creators and cast of the musical NOW. HERE. THIS. and Vineyard Theatre, where the musical debuted Off-Broadway in March, have launched a campaign on Kickstarter.com to raise funds for an original cast recording of the album, it has been announced. The fundraising goal is $75,000 by August 30, 2012 and a mere three days after the effort was begun on Friday, August 3, the campaign has already met 50 percent of its goal.

Second Stage Theatre Uptown extends its 10th anniversary season with the world premiere of Warrior Class, written by Kenneth Lin and directed by Evan Cabnet through August 18th. Warrior Class is presented at Second Stage Theatre's uptown home, the McGinn/Cazale Theatre on Broadway at 76th Street, for tickets or more information; please visit www.2st.com or call 212-246-4422.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, under the leadership of Artistic Director, Julianne Boyd, and Managing Director, TriStan Wilson, presents Arthur Miller's landmark American drama ALL MY SONS, now playing through August 4 at the BSC Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street, Pittsfield). Opening night was Sunday, July 22, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the big night below!

The Playwrights Foundation's now legendary Indie New Play Festival begins the 35th Annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival (BAPF) tonight, July 20 -July 29 2012 at the Thick House Theater in San Francisco.

The Playwrights Foundation's now legendary Indie New Play Festival begins the 35th Annual Bay Area Playwrights Festival (BAPF) on July 20 -29 2012 at the Thick House Theater in San Francisco.

TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, launches its 43rd season with the world premiere of UPRIGHT GRAND, a play with live music by acclaimed playwright Laura Schellhardt (Auctioning the Ainsleys). A hit at last year's New Works Festival, this tender and intelligent portrait of the complex relationship between a father and daughter will be helmed by TheatreWorks New Works Director Meredith McDonough. Dan Hiatt will star as aging songwriter "Pops," with Renata Friedman as "Kiddo" and Brett Ryback as "The Accompanist." UPRIGHT GRAND plays tonight, July 11 - August 10, 2011 (press opening July 14) at TheatreWorks at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. For tickets ($24-$73) and information the public may call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Tristan Wilson, Managing Director, will present the East coast premiere of The North Pool by Rajiv Joseph, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Directed by Giovanna Sardelli, The North Pool will run July 26 through August 11 at BSC's St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) with an Opening performance on Sunday, July 29 at 3pm. St. Germain Stage is located on the upper level of the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.

The cast of Rasaka's production features Chicago actors Mouzam Makkar and Tim Martin. Makkar, a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf, just finished a run in Sarah Ruhl's Melancholy Play with Grey Ghost Theatre. Recent Chicago credits include The Fever Chart: Four Visions of the Middle East (Eclipse Theatre), 1001 (Collaboraction), Here Where It's Safe (Stage Left Theatre, where she is an Ensemble Member), Twelfth Night (First Folio Theatre), Yoni Ki Baat (Rasaka Theatre), Cut to the Quick: Atom Smashers (the side project), and Seven (Silk Road Theatre). Martin, also a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf, was most recently seen in the touring production of Letters Home with Griffin Theatre. Other recent Chicago credits include Motion (Signal Ensemble), Lighthousekeeping (New Leaf Theatre), and Wreckage(Caffeine Theatre). In February 2013, he will be understudying the Chicago premiere of another Rajiv Joseph play, Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo, at Lookingglass.