Roger L. Stevens News

South Ark Stage (Rhoda Herrick, Producing Artistic Director) has announced that it will present the world premiere of the new chamber musical The Black Monk, with book, lyrics and music by Wendy Kesselman. Under the direction of Kevin Newbury, the four-member cast features Austin Pendleton as the Monk, Scott Robertson as Igor, Elon Rutberg as Andrei, and Sarah Ziegler as Tanya.

Philadelphia wants to build its new American Museum of Liberty on the grounds of George Washington's home and slave quarters. Soon a conservative academic star and a liberal political activist are confronting each other with polarizing questions of African-American identity and legacy. Elegantly juxtaposed with this contemporary conflict is the true story of one of Washington's slaves as she contemplates escape. The result is a thought-provoking drama that asks vital questions about race in America, both where we've been and where we go next.

Philadelphia wants to build its new American Museum of Liberty on the grounds of George Washington's home and slave quarters. Soon a conservative academic star and a liberal political activist are confronting each other with polarizing questions of African-American identity and legacy. Elegantly juxtaposed with this contemporary conflict is the true story of one of Washington's slaves as she contemplates escape. The result is a thought-provoking drama that asks vital questions about race in America, both where we've been and where we go next.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present a one-night-only reading of THE BREACH, a new play by Catherine Filloux, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Joe Sutton. THE BREACH will be performed at The Public Theater on Monday, September 22 at 7 p.m. The reading is free and open to the public.

Hypothetical Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Jennifer Maisel's THERE OR HERE.

the stageFARM (Alex Kilgore, Artistic Director and Carrie Shaltz, Founder / Executive Director) has announced the line-up of plays that will comprise the world premiere of SPIN, a series of new short plays (commissioned on the timely topic) by Adam Rapp, Gina Gionfriddo, Judith Thompson, Elizabeth Meriwether, and Mark Schultz. With direction by Alex Kilgore and Evan Cabnet, SPIN begins performances Friday evening, October 3, 2008, for a limited engagement through Saturday evening, November 8, at The Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street between Barrow & Bedford Streets).

Hypothetical Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Jennifer Maisel's THERE OR HERE.

Hypothetical Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Jennifer Maisel's THERE OR HERE. Workshopped at PlayPenn in Philadelphia, the play was selected as a finalist for the 2007 Sundance Theatre Lab, the 2008 O'Neil Theatre Conference, and the 2008 STAGE International Script Competition for the best new play about science and technology. Directed by Amy Feinberg, previews begin September 6th at the 14th Street Theater. Opening night is slated for Tuesday, September 9th.

In the spirit of last season's acclaimed VENGEANCE, the Off-Broadway theatre company the stageFARM (Carrie Shaltz, Founder / Executive Director and Alex Kilgore, Artistic Director) will present the world premiere of SPIN, a series of new short plays commissioned on the timely topic by Adam Rapp, Gina Gionfriddo, Judith Thompson, Elizabeth Meriwether, and Mark Schultz. With direction by Alex Kilgore and Special Guest Director (TBD), SPIN begins performances Friday evening, October 3, 2008 for a limited engagement through Saturday evening, November 8, 2008 at The Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street between Barrow & Bedford Streets). Opening night is Saturday evening, October 11, 2008 at 8:00PM.

On Monday, January 21, at 8PM, the 92nd Street Y Unterberg Poetry Center will present the world premiere of Seven, a documentary theater piece based on the real-life stories of seven extraordinary women from around the world who overcame adversity to make their voices heard as advocates for change.

The North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA), one of the premier arts conservatories in the United States, will present a new production of West Side Story to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the work

Abingdon Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Jan Buttram's The President and Her Mistress on April 25, 2007

A new production of the Bernstein classic will open in May

The North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA), one of the premier arts conservatories in the United States, will present a new production of West Side Story to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the work.

The American Theatre Wing's upcoming 'Working in the Theatre' will feature five contemporary playwrights - Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Douglas Carter Beane, Kia Corthron, Daisy Foote, and Adam Rapp -on CUNY TV

John Cullum celebrates almost 46 years since his Broadway theatre debut by playing Max the dog in the upcoming Broadway musical Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) is pleased to announce full casting for the upcoming the world premiere production of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's BASED ON A TOTALLY TRUE STORY. Directed by Michael Bush, the production begins previews on March 23 and opens on April 11 at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

The cast includes Jill Clayburgh (Bess), Richard Thomas (Jeffrey), Matthew Morrison (Thad), Susan Kelechi Watson (Juliet), James Yaegashi (Bill), Leslie Ayvazian (Elaine) and Ann Guilbert (Sadie).

GOLDEN AGE - a hilarious and thought-provoking new play by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (fresh from his Second Stage Theater hit The Mystery Plays) - will receive its New York Premiere at The Kraine Theater on March 29.

Abingdon Theatre Company's production of TEXAS HOMOS by Jan Buttram, award-winning playwright of The Parker Family Circus, will begin previews Friday, January 28 at the June Havoc Theatre, Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex.