Robert LuPone News

The producers of the upcoming Broadway production of Neil LaBute's reasons to be pretty are looking for real people with real bodies (all shapes and sizes) to be models who will be photographed for the play's advertising campaign (no professional models, please).

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) seeks submissions for the 11th Annual TRU VOICES New Plays Reading Series (deadline December 29, 2008). The TRU VOICES New Plays Reading Series is a unique series geared towards producers who have an interest in developing new plays. Shows selected will receive staged readings to be presented in the spring of 2009. Each reading will be followed by a 'Dollars and Sense' panel discussion with prominent New York producers, general managers and artistic directors focusing on potential venues, marketing and budgeting of the work. The series was created to help develop new plays and to help producers develop the skills needed to produce new works.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Jennifer Van Dyck, Scott Parkinson, Sarah Rafferty and Jonathan Walker will complete the cast for their production of Charles Busch's The Third Story, directed by Carl Andress. As previously announced Kathleen Turner and Mr. Busch will appear as dueling divas.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) seeks submissions for the 11th Annual TRU VOICES New Plays Reading Series (deadline December 29, 2008). The TRU VOICES New Plays Reading Series is a unique series geared towards producers who have an interest in developing new plays. Shows selected will receive staged readings to be presented in the spring of 2009. Each reading will be followed by a 'Dollars and Sense' panel discussion with prominent New York producers, general managers and artistic directors focusing on potential venues, marketing and budgeting of the work. The series was created to help develop new plays and to help producers develop the skills needed to produce new works.

The New School for Drama has announced that two award-winning artists, playwright Jon Robin Baitz and director Jo Bonney, will be joining the faculty for the Spring 2009 semester. Baitz will be teaching Playwriting and Bonney will be instructing a course on Directing Short Plays. Baitz will be teaching while faculty member Michael Weller is on leave.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Kathleen Turner has been confirmed to star in their production of Charles Busch's The Third Story, directed by Carl Andress. Ms. Turner will appear opposite Mr. Busch, who was previously announced to play the other leading female role.

As the oldest, continuously running Off-Broadway theatre in New York, the Cherry Lane Theatre is one of the many businesses in the city that are beginning to feel the pressure of a collapsing economy. James Sims reports...

On October 30, 2008, Studio 42 will host The Starving Artists Halloween Ball, a celebration of emerging artists, featuring the designation of the Starving Artist Award, a cash grant given to a New York City-based artist of exceptional merit.

New School Drama is partnering with the Drama League to have talented directors in its prestigious fellow program participate in its fall series of workshop productions of classic and contemporary works. It has been announced that famed director Hal Brooks is currently working with acting and directing students to prepare for a production of Stage Door (November 5-8).

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that the second offering of their 2008-09 season will be Charles Busch's The Third Story, directed by Carl Andress.

The 'Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award' was presented to Tony Kushner at a ceremony on Tuesday, October 21, at 620 Loft & Garden at Rockefeller Center. The honor comes with a cash prize of $200,000, making this by far the largest award ever created to honor and encourage artistic achievement in the American theater. Mr. Kushner was also presented with 'The Mimi,' a statue designed by Tony Award-nominated scenic designer and architect David Rockwell.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that their heretofore private PlayLab new play readings by members of the company's Playwrights' Coalition are going public.

Michael Martinez will present An Evening of Music and Comedy IV at Don't Tell Mama on Tuesday October 14 at 7:00 pm. This showcase and variety show will feature singer Adam Kee, singer/songwriter Katelyn Nudo, recording artsist Kristin Trotta, and singer / songwriter Andrea Dee. Comedian Matt Florio will be the Special Guest Host for the evening.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that their World Premiere Production of Michael Weller's Fifty Words, under the direction of Austin Pendleton, has been extended Off Broadway. Performances of the two-character play began at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on September 10 and the show's stars Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel were showered with rave reviews following its October 1 opening. The show is now scheduled to run through Saturday, November 8.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) opened their production of Tony Award-winner Michael Weller's new play Fifty Words on October 1st, 2008.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) presents their first preview performance of Tony Award-winner Michael Weller's new play Fifty Words tonight, October 1st, 2008. The opening night, originally scheduled for Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m., has been rescheduled to Wednesday (10/1) at 7 p.m.

'Auditions can be hell.' says Paul Russell, of New York, an award-winning casting director, director, former actor, and author, who will be at the Barnes & Noble DePaul University Bookstore, East Jackson Boulevard, October 15th at 5:30 PM as he continues his national book tour discussing his new, blunt, often hilarious, entertainment-industry insider book ACTING-Make It Your Business: How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor.

'Auditions can be hell.' says Paul Russell, an award-winning casting director, director, former actor, and author, as he launches his Fall '08 national book tour discussing his new, blunt, often hilarious, entertainment-industry insider book ACTING-Make It Your Business: How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a Working Actor.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that, due to injuries sustained this week by the two stars, a preview performance of Tony Award-winner Michael Weller's new play Fifty Words, was cancelled (Wednesday night) and the opening night has been moved.

The New School for Drama is pleased to present FIRST LOOK, a performance series featuring workshop presentations of classical and contemporary works. This year's FIRST LOOK performances will be directed by 3 Drama League Directing Fellows and include The Pillars of Society (October 15-18), written by Henrik Ibsen, Stage Door (November 5-8), written by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman and All's Well that End's Well (December 10-13) written by William Shakespeare. All are free and open to the public.