Robert Askins News

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) opens its 2019 Stage III Series with Hand to God by Robert Askins, a dark comedy exploring the shockingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us. An Obie Award winner and five-time Tony Award nominee, including Best New Play, Hand to God was the most produced play in the 2016-17 theatrical season. Called "A darkly delightful play" by The New York Times, Hand to God is a ribald and irreverent comedy that dramatizes the fine line between good and evil.

The 8th ANNUAL BOSTON ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL (#1MPF) returns for its eighth year, in partnership with Boston Playwrights' Theatre. The marathon evening of one-minute plays by 60 established and emerging Boston area playwrights and directors plays three performances only. Saturday, January 5th at 8pm, Sunday, January 6th at 8pm, & Monday, January 7th at 8pm.

Scott Chaloff has joined Seller Suarez Productions as Head of Development for Television and Film. In his new position, Chaloff will develop new material for Seller Suarez's first look deal at Universal Television and build out a feature slate.

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce the lineup for its 2019 Stage III Series, dedicated to presenting edgy new plays that are challenging in both content and form. FST's 2019 Stage III season offers one of the most varied lineups to date, with an irreverent puppet comedy, a crackling drama about hatred, and a charming exploration of the nature of celebrity.

Ensemble Studio Theatre, along with The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Doron Weber, Vice-President, Programs), announced today the 2018 Fall Artist Cultivation Event, marking the 20th anniversary of the EST/Sloan Project, to take place on Monday, November 19 at 8pm with a reception beginning at 7:30pm.

THE WONDER PAGEANT, this year's Coal Mine Theatre commission, is a hilarious world premiere every night.

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) along with EST's Youngblood announce new EST/Youngblood members for the 2018-2019 season.

The Alley Theatre announces the line-up for the 2019 Alley All New Festival, January 18 - January 27, 2019. The fourth annual Festival will feature a world premiere production, readings and workshop performances of five new plays, as well as an Early Draft Preview of a new musical. Festival playwrights include Robert Askins, Hilary Bettis, Glen Berger, Chisa Hutchinson, Claire Kiechel, Don Nguyen, and Lawrence Wright. Special packages are available for the final weekend of the Festival and include prime seating at all presentations, exclusive artist access, and meals between performances. Packages can be booked now at alleytheatre.org/allnew or by calling the Box Office at 713-220-5700. Advance reservations for individual events are recommended and can be made on November 26 at alleytheatre.org. All readings and workshop performances are free and open to the public.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to present Hand to God by Robert Askins. After his father's death, Jason seeks solace at the Christian Puppet Ministry. His quiet life is thrown into upheaval when his puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and irreverent personality of his own. Darkly delightful, Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind.

Coal Mine Theatre and Studio 180 Theatre join forces to produce Jennifer Haley's electric and groundbreaking play THE NETHER, directed by Coal Mine alumni Peter Pasyk (Killer Joe, Poison), October 7 - November 4, 2018.

TheaterWorks - Rob Ruggiero, Producing Artistic Director announced today that TheaterWorks will present HAND TO GOD by Robert Askins as the fifth and final show of the 2017-2018 Season. Directed by Tracy Brigden, the Broadway smash hit and Tony Award nominated play begins previews July 20 and runs through August 26, 2018.

The wild and raunchy Tony Nominated comedy by Robert Askins makes it's Louisville premiere with Wayward Actors!

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to present Hand to God by Robert Askins. After his father's death, Jason seeks solace at the Christian Puppet Ministry. His quiet life is thrown into upheaval when his puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and irreverent personality of his own. Darkly delightful, Hand to God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind.

The Victory Theatre Center is proud to present the World Premiere of SHOWPONY, a new comedy by Judith Leora and directed by Tom Ormeny.

From WTT's hilarious PR over the last month I knew what I would find in the space: a catholic schoolchurch basement filled with debaucherous puppetry.  What I didn't know, however, was how compellingly performed and joyously inquisitive Joanie Schultz's staging would be.

Audiences who want to be thoroughly entertained should get down to The Basement to see a sidesplitting production of Robert Askins' HAND TO GOD. Boasting one of the strongest ensembles of the summer, TheatreLAB and 5th Wall Theatre's co-production is certainly not for children or those easily offended. It is provocative and deliciously funny. It's the puppetry of AVENUE Q and the irreverence of THE BOOK OF MORMON-without song and dance numbers.

Grief can be a very strange thing and people react to traumatic events in very different ways. Some may become reserved and avoid contact with people. Some may turn to their faith for support during trying times. Others, like the young man in TheaterWorks' HAND TO GOD, channel anger, fear and confusion into a demonic and controlling puppet. Yes, you read that right. In Robert Askins' Tony Award nominated play, young Jason and his evil puppet alter ego, Tyrone, wreak havoc on a small Texas church and raunchy, rude, unhinged hilarity ensues.

HAND TO GOD is a little like AVENUE Q, but with less singing, more frequent cursing, and more graphic simulated puppet sex. The 2015 Tony nominee for best play is having its regional premiere in a fantastic production at Jungle Theater, and if you don't mind being a little uncomfortable at the theater (you shouldn't, it's good for you), it's well worth braving the construction, traffic, and parking headaches that come with a trip to Uptown to see this funny, irreverent, and sad little play.

San Francisco Playhouse (Artistic Director Bill English; Producing Director Susi Damilano) announced casting for the final show of its 2017-18 Sandbox Series-the world premiere of Washed Up on the Potomac, written by Lynn Rosen. Jose Zayas will direct.

FRIGID New York @ Horse Trade/New York Madness present the third play in their MadLab Reading Series on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at 8pm: Painting with Lulu by Judith Leora at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery), directed by Michele Travis.