Roslyn Ruff News

Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, continues its 2012-2013 Season with August Wilson's Two Trains Running, directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. A one-week extension has been added to the run prior to the start of performances, which will begin in Two River's Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Saturday, February 2 and continue through Sunday, March 3. The new press opening is Friday, February 15 at 8pm. Tickets are available from 732.345.1400 or www.trtc.org. This production is sponsored by a grant from the Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation. The lead production sponsor is Wells Fargo and the co-sponsors are Brookdale Community College and NJ Transit.

Signature Theatre is pleased to announce a final one-week extension for THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson, which has already been named to Best of 2012 lists by The New York Times, The New Yorker and Time Out New York. The production, directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, was originally scheduled to conclude its run on December 9 and already extended three times through January 13. It will now play through Sunday, January 20. The production opened on Sunday, November 18 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues) to critical praise. Tickets during the extension weeks are $75 each.

The Acting Company's 40th Anniversary Ruby Ball was held on December 3, 2012 at Capitale, and James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director of the Signature Theatre and the Richard Rodgers Director of Juilliard's Drama Division, accepted the John Houseman Award recognizing his profound commitment to the development of American actors and an audience for the theater. Earl Weiner, Board Chairman of both The Acting Company and the Theater Development Fund (TDF) received the Warburg Humanitarian Award for his outstanding philanthropic endeavor and leadership. Check out photos from the event below!

At The Acting Company's 40th Anniversary Ruby Ball tonight, December 3, 2012 at Capitale, James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director of the Signature Theatre and the Richard Rodgers Director of Juilliard's Drama Division, will accept the John Houseman Award recognizing his profound commitment to the development of American actors and an audience for the theater.

Signature Theatre has announced an additional three-week extension for THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Signature Theatre has announced a second one-week extension for THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The production, originally scheduled to conclude its run on December 9 and already extended once through December 16, will now play through Sunday, December 23. The production opened on Sunday, November 18 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues) to unanimous critical praise. Tickets during the extension weeks are $75 each.

Signature Theatre presents The Piano Lesson by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The production runs through December 16 and opens November 18 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the production below!

Signature Theatre presents THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The production, which has already announced a 1-week extension, runs through December 16 and opens November 18 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). Check out production shots below!

Signature Theatre (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) has announced that performances begin tonight at 7:30 p.m. for THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The production, which has already announced a 1-week extension, runs from October 31 through December 16 and opens November 18 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). Very limited availability remains for the production's initial run. Tickets during the extension week are $75 each.

Signature Theatre has announced a one-week extension for THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The production will now play through Sunday, December 16. The production will begin performances on October 30 and open on November 18 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). Very limited availability remains for the production's initial run. Tickets during the extension week are $75 each.

The Flea Theater in association with Four Arts Media will present a groundbreaking new dramatic series comprised of original plays for radio and mobile media. Each of the 13 one-hour-long episodes will explore American life decade by decade from the early 20th century to the present. Says series creator, Arthur Yorinks, 'Each stand-alone play will be modern, edgy, raw and compelling.'

Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) production of THE PIANO LESSON by August Wilson and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson is now in rehearsal. The production runs October 30 through December 9, 2012, with a November 18 opening night in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). Check out photos from the first rehearsal below!

The Flea Theater in association with Four Arts Media will present a groundbreaking new dramatic series comprised of original plays for radio and mobile media. Each of the 13 one-hour-long episodes will explore American life decade by decade from the early 20th century to the present. Says series creator, Arthur Yorinks, 'Each stand-alone play will be modern, edgy, raw and compelling.'

It's quite a shame when a well-written, absorbing play has three strikes against it from the onset. Such is the case with The Exorcist by John Pielmeier. The best-selling novel by William Peter Blatty and the 1973 boxoffice blockbuster film of the same name were so powerfully gripping and unforgettable that, with the play coming along 40 years later, for those of us that lived through the nightmare to end all nightmares, we've been there, seen that. For those of a newer, unfamiliar generation, it won't have enough special effects. Wisely, for my generation, the spinning head and green vomit in the original film are not recreated onstage. But, as a result, many may tune out or turn off preferring a midnight screening of the film on Netflix. As I already said, a shame, as Pielmeieir's script is psychologically thrilling on its own, so apt for the mature, questioning adult mind, and the production is extremely well directed by John Doyle and superbly acted by a first-rate ensemble headed by Brooke Shields in her best and most remarkable performance to date. But is all of this enough? Probably not.

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The Geffen Playhouse's world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist features Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain in the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin, respectively, as well as Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener takes on the role of Chris' charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter plays the young Regan MacNeil.

The Exorcist opened last night, July 11, in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse and runs through August, 12, 2012, starring Brooke Shields, Richard Chamberlain, David Wilson Barnes, Emily Yetter, and more. Check out the opening night party in the photos below!

The Geffen Playhouse's world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist features Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain in the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin, respectively, as well as Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee Harry Groener takes on the role of Chris' charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter plays the young Regan MacNeil. The world premiere cast also includes Stephen Bogardus, Manoel Felciano, Tom Nelis and Roslyn Ruff. The play is written by John Pielmeier adapted from the novel by William Peter Blatty, and is directed by John Doyle. The Exorcist just began previews and opens in the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse on July 11, 2012 and runs through August, 12, 2012. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Producers Ben Sprecher and Sonia Friedman may bring their production of THE EXCORCIST, adapted from the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty by John Pielmeier, to the John Golden Theatre on Broadway this fall, according to the New York Post.

The Geffen Playhouse's world premiere stage adaptation of The Exorcist showcases an award-winning design team - including world-renowned creative consultant Teller and internationally acclaimed spiritual composer Sir John Tavener - to bring playwright John Pielmeier's script and Tony Award winning director John Doyle's vision to life on stage. The team also includes Tony Award winning scenic/costume designer Scott Pask, lighting designer Jane Cox and sound designer Dan Moses Schreir. Working with Doyle, the design team will be tasked with creating a theatrical experience that engages the senses in a way that is unique to live performance.