Richard Strand News

Michigan's longest running, non profit, professional theatre is proud to announce the 2014/2015 Season - a Season of World Premiere plays. The Detroit Repertory Theatre will kick off its 58th Season on November 6, 2014 with a Champagne Celebration and toast to the four new plays never before produced on a professional stage. Four stories: BUZZ by Richard Strand is a biting comedy about a CEO trying to outsmart his stock clerk; SWEET PEA'S MAMA by Robert Lawrence Nelson, a story about racial dignity centers around a maid and the developmentally challenged son of her employer on the eve of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death; THE KISS OF THE SUN FOR PARDON by Lans Traverse is a life affirming tale of unusual friendship, a barefoot waif and a wheel-chair bound curmudgeon, and the explosive relationship that ensues; and finally, WHITE ASH FALLING 9/11 by Thom Molyneaux is a gripping story of three actors whose personal stories intertwine with the characters they play in a play about the tragedy of September 11th, 2001.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, and Artistic Director Tara Mallen are proud to announce the extension of the Chicago premiere of Courtney Baron's Eat Your Heart Out, directed by Hallie Gordon, through July 12 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. The performance schedule is Today - Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. Please note: there are no performances Friday, July 4 or Saturday, July 5. The running time is approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Tickets for the extension go on sale Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by phone, 773.334.7728.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, and Artistic Director Tara Mallen are proud to announce the extension of the Chicago premiere of Courtney Baron's Eat Your Heart Out, directed by Hallie Gordon, through July 12 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. The performance schedule is Wednesday - Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m. Please note: there are no performances Friday, July 4 or Saturday, July 5. The running time is approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Tickets for the extension go on sale Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at www.RivendellTheatre.org or by phone, 773.334.7728.

See 'Butler,' now on stage at New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch through July 13th. This play is totally entertaining while exposing an important piece American history, the fate of runaway slaves.

New Jersey Repertory Company presents the World Premiere of Butler by Richard Strand, directed by Joseph Discher and starring Ames Adamson, David Sitler, Benjamin Sterling and John G. Williams. Butler is a recipient of a prestigious Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award and is based on real life events that changed the lives of more than 10,000 slaves.

'Butler,' the World Premiere play by Richard W. Strand will be on stage at New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch from June 12th through July 13th. BWW had an opportunity to interview playwright Richard W. Strand.

New Jersey features wonderful theater and music for the summer season. We have selected some of our favorites to share with BWW readers.

Butler begins preview performances on Thursday, June 12 and celebrates its opening night on Saturday, June 14 at New Jersey Repertory Company (179 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ), and runs through Sunday, July 13. Tickets may be purchased by calling 732-229-3166 or online at www.njrep.org.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards. The awards, totaling $1,108,000, allow 39 productions extra time in the development and rehearsal of new plays with the entire creative team, helping to extend the life of the play after its first run.

Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon, announces its 79th season, running June 17 through October 19, 2014. Nestled along Door County Wisconsin's scenic shore, the Peninsula Players has been enthralling generations of audiences in its 600-plus seat, all-weather pavilion since 1935, presenting hundreds of pre-Broadway tryouts, world premieres, classic dramas, comedies and musicals.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, announces the world premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking, directed by Sandy Shinner. Rasheeda Speaking features RTE Artistic Director Tara Mallen and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Ora Jones and runs today, January 9 - February 15, 2014 at Rivendell's performance venue, 5779 N. Ridge.

The Echo Theater Company has found a permanent space for 2014, taking up residency at Atwater Village Theatre for a year-long season of three world premieres and the revival of an acclaimed holiday show.

New Jersey Repertory Company has announced its 2014 Season, featuring a new slate of world premieres.

New Jersey Repertory Company has been awarded a $14,000 grant from the prestigious Edgerton Foundation in support of its world premiere production of "Butler" to be presented June 12 through July 13, 2014.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, is proud to announce Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, now through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, has announced Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, tonight, May 16 through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, is proud to announce Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, May 16 through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre devoted to the work of women theatre artists, has announced Stefanie Zadravec's The Electric Baby as the third and final production of its 2012-2013 Season of Reinvention. RTE Artistic Director and founder Tara Mallen directs the Chicago premiere, May 16 through June 22 at the new Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge.

The Echo Theater Company is proud to announce its fourth annual ECHO ONE ACT FESTIVAL featuring original commissioned one-acts by some of the nation's top playwrights. THE ECHO ONE ACTS 2009 will open on Friday, January 16 at 8:00pm and run Fri-Sun for five weeks closing Sunday, February 15 at Stage 52, 5299 W. Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016.

Producers Emily Miller and New York Theatre Barn have announced that Tony Award-Winner Cady Huffman (The Producers, The Will Rogers Follies) will star in WOOD, which is an official selection of the upcoming 2008 New York Musical Theatre Festival.