Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director David Mamet tackles America's most controversial topic in a provocative tale of sex, guilt, and bold accusations. Two lawyers find themselves defending a wealthy white executive charged with raping a black woman. When a female legal assistant gets involved in the case, the opinions that boil beneath explode to the surface. When David Mamet (Pulitzer Prize winning author of Glengarry Glenn Ross), turns the spotlight on what we think but can't say, dangerous truths are revealed, and no punches are pulled.
On this episode, writer/composer Richard Thomas visits with actors Terrence Mann and Will Swenson from Thomas' controversial work Jerry Springer -The Opera, which created a sensation in the UK 13 years ago, but was considered so outrageous that it only now premieres in NYC. They discuss the spectacular production by The New Group at The Pershing Square Signature Center, with Michael Musto of NewNowNext.com and Susan Haskins. Next, playwright Jordan Harrison, director Oliver Butler and actor Michael Cyril Creighton talk about their production of Harrison's highly-original and thought-provoking play, The Amateurs, at the Vineyard Theatre, about a theater troop fleeing The Black Death in the Middle Ages and how these actors contributed to the modern dramatic concepts of character and individuality.
'Dip me in chocolate and throw me to the lesbians,' sings a young lady feeling the bright television lights on her face as cameras capture her every move for a national audience in Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee's outrageous, endearing and perceptive social commentary, JERRY SPRINGER -- THE OPERA.
Due to demand, The New Group has announced a three-week extension for Jerry Springer - The Opera, with Matt McGrath appearing as Jerry Springer beginning March 13. Terrence Mann, currently appearing in the role of Jerry Springer, plays his final performance March 11 due to an existing commitment beyond that date.
Jerry Springer: The Opera opened on Thursday, February 22 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld attended the event adn you can check out photo coverage below!
Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! It's 'The Jerry Springer Show' as you've never seen it before, with passionate arias, soaring ballads, and giant production numbers. While the studio audience cheers, a parade of bickering guests fight and curse, until violence breaks out and Jerry (Terrence Mann) must face his trickiest guest ever, the devil himself (Will Swenson).
The New Group is presenting the Off-Broadway premiere Jerry Springer - The Opera with Jennifer Allen, Florrie Bagel, Brandon Contreras, Sean Patrick Doyle, Bradley Greer, Luke Grooms, Nathaniel Hackmann, Billy Hepfinger, Justin Keyes, Beth Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth Loyacano, Tiffany Mann, Jill Paice, Kim Steele, Nichole Turner, Terrence Mann and Will Swenson. Jerry Springer - The Opera features Music by Richard Thomas and Book & Additional Lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas, with Choreography by Chris Bailey. John Rando directs.
Due to demand, The New Group has announced a one-week extension for the New York premiere production of David Rabe's Good for Otto. Previews begin tonight, February 20, in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, March 8. Originally set to play a limited Off-Broadway engagement through April 1, this production now plays through Sunday, April 8 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).
THE HUMANS plays at Minneapolis' Orpheum through Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018. This Tony Award-winning show about a family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner in modern-day New York City provides a lot of food for thought.
I'll admit it. Before I was a theater geek, I was a TV geek. I grew up watching TV, and my best friends were characters on TV shows. I'm still a TV geek, and I still consider TV characters* my friends. So when I heard that an actor from two of my favorite current shows was doing a play in Minneapolis, I didn't even care what or where the play was. I was going to see Rebecca Bunch's mother / Deanna (who's Deanna?) no matter what. As it turns out, Tovah Feldshuh has some ties to the #TCTheater community, having studied and worked at the University of Minnesota and the Guthrie back in the day. Her brother, playwright/director David Feldshuh, has an even deeper connection, specifically with Illusion Theater, which is premiering his new play DANCING WITH GIANTS. I'm happy to report that not only is Tovah a delight live on stage, but this is also an entertaining, educational, funny, and sobering play. It's obviously a labor of love for the Feldshuh family, and Minneapolis/St. Paul theater-goers are lucky to be able to experience it first.
As I left the theatre on opening night of Stephen Karem's Tony Award-winning play, THE HUMANS, I heard a patron say, 'Wow, that reminded me of my own family holidays.'
The nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center and producers Scott Rudin and Barry Diller announce casting for The Humans. The first national tour will feature Richard Thomas as Erik, Pamela Reed as Deirdre, Daisy Eagan as Brigid, Lauren Klein as Momo, Therese Plaehn as Aimee, and Luis Vega as Richard.
The New Group is presenting the Off-Broadway premiere Jerry Springer - The Opera with Jennifer Allen, Florrie Bagel, Brandon Contreras, Sean Patrick Doyle, Bradley Greer, Luke Grooms, Nathaniel Hackmann, Billy Hepfinger, Justin Keyes, Beth Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth Loyacano, Tiffany Mann, Jill Paice, Kim Steele, Nichole Turner, Terrence Mann and Will Swenson. Jerry Springer - The Opera features Music by Richard Thomas and Book & Additional Lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas, with Choreography by Chris Bailey. John Rando directs.
The New Group has announced that Rhea Perlman will join F. Murray Abraham, Kate Buddeke, Laura Esterman, Nancy Giles, Lily Gladstone, Ed Harris, Charlotte Hope, Mark Linn-Baker, Amy Madigan, Rileigh McDonald, Kenny Mellman, Maulik Pancholy and Michael Rabe in the New York premiere of David Rabe's Good for Otto. Rhea Perlman will appear in the role of Nora, as Rosie O'Donnell, previously announced, is unable to appear due to illness. Directed by Scott Elliott, this production will play a limited Off-Broadway engagement February 20 - April 1, with Opening Night on Thursday, March 8 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).
The New Group has announced full casting and creative team for David Rabe's Good for Otto, with Kate Buddeke, Laura Esterman, Nancy Giles, Lily Gladstone, Charlotte Hope, Mark Linn-Baker, Kenny Mellman and Maulik Pancholy joining, as previously announced, F. Murray Abraham, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, Rileigh McDonald, Rosie O'Donnell and Michael Rabe in this New York premiere directed by Scott Elliott.
The New Group has announced full casting for the Off-Broadway premiere JERRY SPRINGER - THE OPERA with Jennifer Allen, Florrie Bagel, Brandon Contreras, Sean Patrick Doyle, Bradley Greer, Luke Grooms, Nathaniel Hackmann, Billy Hepfinger, Justin Keyes, Beth Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth Loyacano, Tiffany Mann, Jill Paice, Kim Steele and Nichole Turner joining, as previously announced, Terrence Mann and Will Swenson. Jerry Springer The Opera features Music by Richard Thomas and Book & Additional Lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas, with Choreography by Chris Bailey. John Rando directs. This production includes Set Design by Derek McLane, Costume Design by Sarah Laux, Lighting Design by Jeff Croiter, Sound Design by John Shivers, Projection Design by Olivia Sebesky, Orchestrations by Greg Anthony Rassen and Music Direction by Michael Brennan. Previews begin January 23 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, February 22. A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through March 11 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).
The New Group has announced full casting for the Off-Broadway premiere Jerry Springer The Opera with Jennifer Allen, Florrie Bagel, Brandon Contreras, Sean Patrick Doyle, Bradley Greer, Luke Grooms, Nathaniel Hackmann, Billy Hepfinger, Justin Keyes, Beth Kirkpatrick, Elizabeth Loyacano, Tiffany Mann, Jill Paice, Kim Steele and Nichole Turner joining, as previously announced, Terrence Mann and Will Swenson.
As 2017 comes to a close, BroadwayWorld takes you back through this year's top curtain call moments. From the opening nights of every new show this year, to the anniversary performance of The Lion King which featured a performance by Elton John, check out photos of these curtain call moments to remember!
Prior to the Off-Broadway premiere of Jerry Springer-The Opera, co-creator Richard Thomas (Music, Book, Lyrics; Book & Additional Lyrics by Stewart Lee) and director John Rando discuss the process behind this gleefully profane musical that outrageously celebrates the ritual of public humiliation and redemption. Cast members perform highlights, illuminating the chaos and unrestrained id of our times.