S. Epatha Merkerson News

INTERNment is the first play to take an in-depth examination of the chaotic, hilarious, and riveting world of primetime television casting, while asking the question: how much are you willing to sacrifice to pursue your dream? The office of DRW Casting is seen through the eyes of up-and-coming casting director Jack Dempsey and two of his interns-Brooklyn-born Riddick and RADA-trained Charles, from London. Individually, these three disparate men lead the audience on an unpredictable and unforgettable training day in the office mailroom. INTERNment opens June 11th at the Elephant Theatre and runs through June 24th.

The Contradictions of Fair Hope, the directorial debut of S. Epatha Merkerson and Rockell Metcalf, is a powerful portrait of one of the nation's last surviving benevolent societies-a self-help group formed after Emancipation to help freed slaves take care of the sick, feed the hungry and bury the dead.

After completing their 40th anniversary year, highlighted by an all-star gala in May, New Federal Theatre will announce its 2011-'12 season.

In honor of National Mentoring Month, the hosts of ABC's THE VIEW will recognize its importance with a one-hour 'special edition' theme show, Friday, January 27th (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET), featuring Matilda Raffa Cuomo (author, The Person Who Changed My Life: Prominent People Recall Their Mentors) and the co-hosts' mentors, Gloria Steinem, Mike Nichols, Barbara Walters, Bill Geddie, Pastor Phillip Wagner and Pastor Holly Wagner.

NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products has partnered with VIP Fan Auctions to offer props and wardrobe from the popular television franchise "Law & Order." The official 'Law & Order' Auctions commenced earlier this month and will run weekly, beginning on Tuesdays and ending on Sundays - with new items added every Tuesday. Fans can find the auctions at www.nbcuauctions.com.

LAByrinth Theater Company (Co-Artistic Directors Stephen Adly Guirgis, Mimi O'Donnell, Yul Vázquez, and Managing Director Danny Feldman) presented its annual signature benefit Celebrity Charades 2011: Down and Derby last night, November 14th. Four celebrity teams jockeyed their way to the Winner's Circle in a fearsome and hilarious speed charades competition to support LAByrinth Theater Company's 2011/12 season. Celebrity Charades, LAByrinth Theater Company's annual star-studded fundraising event, remains one of the most popular ‘happenings' of the year in New York City.

The 40th Anniversary production and first-ever Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz's rock musical GODSPELL officially opened at the Circle in the Square Theater on November 7, 2011. Before the show, the celebrities walked the red carpet and we were there!

Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), just honored acclaimed director George C. Wolfe with the 2011 'Mr. Abbott' Award for his incredible breadth and depth of work in the American Theatre.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Interim Executive Director Joey Parnes) announces casting for the second week of the popular reading series, NEW WORK NOW!, running thru Sunday, September 18 in The Public's Martinson Theater (425 Lafayette Street). Casting for the free readings includes Donald Moffat, Richard Thomas, Michael Cristofer, Veanne Cox, Peter Francis James, Bill Heck, and S. Epatha Merkerson. All readings are free and open to the public and may be reserved by contacting the box office at (212) 967-7555.

After completing their 40th anniversary year, highlighted by an all-star gala in May, New Federal Theatre will announce its 2011-'12 season.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) last night, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, was co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event were Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair was Dr. Maya Angelou. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities, and brings you coverage of the starry arrivals below!

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) last night, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, was co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event were Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair was Dr. Maya Angelou. BroadwayWorld was there for the festivities, and brings you coverage of the event below!

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) on Sunday evening, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, will be co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Emmy Award-winner Lynn Whitfield.

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) on Sunday evening, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, will be co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event are Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair is Dr. Maya Angelou

Woodie King, Jr.'s New Federal Theatre (NFT) will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a special Gala at the historic Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street) on Sunday evening, May 22nd. This special event saluting NFT, for 40 years a seminal force in Black Theater, will be co-hosted by Randall Pinkston (CBS News) and Lynn Whitfield. Chairmen for the event are Laurence Fishburne, John Morning and Susan Taylor. The Honorary Chair is Dr. Maya Angelou.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more!

The 56th Annual Obie Awards were given out at a ceremony last night at Webster Hall in Greenwich Village. The event was co-hosted by S. Epatha Merkerson and David Hyde Pierce, and the awards were presented by Alec Baldwin, Andrew Rannells, Arian Moayad, Frank Wood, Jim Parsons, John Larroquette, Liev Schreiber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mamie Gummer, Margaret Colin, Nina Arianda, Patina Miller, and Rose Hemingway. Anthony Rapp, of the original cast of the Obie Award-winning musical RENT and his band from the musical WITHOUT YOU performed at the ceremony.

The 56th Annual Obie Awards were given out at a ceremony last night at Webster Hall in Greenwich Village. The event was co-hosted by S. Epatha Merkerson and David Hyde Pierce, and the awards were presented by Alec Baldwin, Andrew Rannells, Arian Moayad, Frank Wood, Jim Parsons, John Larroquette, Liev Schreiber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mamie Gummer, Margaret Colin,Nina Arianda, Patina Miller, and Rose Hemingway. Anthony Rapp, of the original cast of the Obie Award-winning musical RENT and his band from the musical WITHOUT YOU performed at the ceremony.

David Hyde Pierce and S. Epatha Merkerson are set to co-host the 56th annual Obie Awards. The ceremony will be held at Webster Hall May 16. Additionally, Nina Arianda, Alec Baldwin, Margaret Colin, Mamie Gummer, Rose Hemingway, John Larroquette, Robert Sean Leonard, Patina Miller, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Arian Moayed, Lee Pace, Jim Parsons, and Andrew Ranells are set to present.