S. Epatha Merkerson News

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre will kick off its 40th season by presenting the Off-Broadway premiere of Cool Blues by Bill Harris at their home at Henry Street Settlement's Abrons Arts Center/Recital Hall (466 Grand Street).

The Lincoln Center Theater production of John Guare's new play, A FREE MAN OF COLOR, directed by George C. Wolfe, opened last night Thursday, November 18 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. The cast features Yao Ababio, Peter Bartlett, Nicole Beharie, Arnie Burton, Rosal Colón,Veanne Cox, Paul Dano, Sara Gettelfinger, Derric Harris, Justina Machado, Joseph Marcell, John McMartin, Nick Mennell, Mos, Teyonnah Parris, Postell Pringle, Esau Pritchett, Brian Reddy, Reg Rogers, Triney Sandoval, Robert Stanton, Wendy Rich Stetson, Jerome Stigler, Senfaub Stoney,David Emerson Toney and Jeffrey Wright.

Film and television icon Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) brings his signature brand of hilarious mayhem to Broadway for a special limited engagement of the acclaimed stage play, The Pee-Wee Herman Show. The production began previews October 26 at the Sondheim Theatre and opened last night, November 11. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage of the after party!

Film and television icon Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) brings his signature brand of hilarious mayhem to Broadway for a special limited engagement of the acclaimed stage play, The Pee-Wee Herman Show. The production began previews October 26 at the Sondheim Theatre and opened last night, November 11.

The BLUE Scholarship Gala to benefit Spelman College at The Plaza Hotel on October 4 2010 in New York City.

After selling out its initial performances in June, two encore performances in September and adding a 3rd performance, a fourth (and final) performance has been added to DINA MARTINA: SITTING OVATIONS at The Laurie Beechman Theater on Sunday, September 26 at 9:30pm

Cult sensation DINA MARTINA returns to New York with an encore engagement of DINA MARTINA: SITTING OVATIONS. After quickly selling out a two performance run in June, Martina brings this unique night of performance back to The Laurie Beechman Theater for three nights only beginning Thursday, September 23. After attaining cult status in her native town of Seattle and touring nationally, Martina's official New York debut in 2005 sold out in minutes. Her follow-up shows have left jaded audiences (including Whoopi Goldberg, John Waters, S. Epatha Merkerson, John Cameron Mitchell, Margaret Cho, Rue McClanahan, Bruce Vilanch, Joyce Dewitt, and Jeff Stryker -- a list as strange has her shows) stunned and clamoring for more.

Cult sensation DINA MARTINA returns to New York with an encore engagement of DINA MARTINA: SITTING OVATIONS. After quickly selling out a two performance run in June, Martina brings this unique night of performance back to The Laurie Beechman Theater for three nights only beginning Thursday, September 23. After attaining cult status in her native town of Seattle and touring nationally, Martina's official New York debut in 2005 sold out in minutes. Her follow-up shows have left jaded audiences (including Whoopi Goldberg, John Waters, S. Epatha Merkerson, John Cameron Mitchell, Margaret Cho, Rue McClanahan, Bruce Vilanch, Joyce Dewitt, and Jeff Stryker -- a list as strange has her shows) stunned and clamoring for more.

After selling out its initial performances in June, two encore performances in September and adding a 3rd performance, a fourth (and final) performance has been added to DINA MARTINA: SITTING OVATIONS at The Laurie Beechman Theater on Sunday, September 26 at 9:30pm

Cult sensation DINA MARTINA returns to New York with an encore engagement of DINA MARTINA: SITTING OVATIONS. After quickly selling out a two performance run in June, Martina brings this unique night of performance back to The Laurie Beechman Theater for three nights only beginning Thursday, September 23. After attaining cult status in her native town of Seattle and touring nationally, Martina's official New York debut in 2005 sold out in minutes. Her follow-up shows have left jaded audiences (including Whoopi Goldberg, John Waters, S. Epatha Merkerson, John Cameron Mitchell, Margaret Cho, Rue McClanahan, Bruce Vilanch, Joyce Dewitt, and Jeff Stryker -- a list as strange has her shows) stunned and clamoring for more.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that reps for TNT have squashed rumors that they may be picking up a 21st season of 'Law & Order.' After announcing its cancellation from NBC a few weeks rumors began to swirl that the show might be picked up by cable network, TNT, which already airs re-runs of the 20 season show. 'Law & Order' creator, Dick Wolf was interested in airing the show's 21st season on TNT, thereby setting the record for the longest-running television series ('Law and Order' is currerntly tied with 'Gunsmoke.')

USA Today's Martha T. Moore has published a piece discussing the effects that the cancellation of Law & Order will have on New York-based actors and actresses, many of whom appeared on the series while performing in plays on and off-Broadway, as well as on the economy of the city itself. The end of the long-running series will have an undoubtable impact on the New York theater community, as Moore discusses in her examination of the inevitable outcomes of the cancellation.

After announcing its cancellation last week, NBC's 'Law & Order' might be picked up by cable network, TNT, according to Deadline.com. TNT already airs re-runs of the 20 season show. According to the report, 'Law & Order' creator, Dick Wolf plans to air the show's 21st season on TNT.

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will honor their board member Rosemarie Tichler, the highly-respected producer, casting director, teacher and author, at this year's annual benefit gala Monday evening, May 17 at Twenty Four Fifth. The Honorary Chair for the evening is Mike Nichols and Honorary Co-Chairs are Olympia Dukakis, Dianne Wiest, Walter Bobbie and James Lapine. Honorary Artists include F. Murray Abraham, Christopher Durang, Michael Greif, John Guare, Bill Irwin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn and Michael Stuhlbarg.

A new NY Times piece discusses the impact the show has had on local businesses and performers.

Tony Award nominee Montego Glover (Broadway's Memphis), George Faison (renowned director & choreographer), 3 Mo' Divas (singing group), Dr. George Francois (composer and pianist) and Theatre of the Oppressed (performance theater group) will be among the performers at Small Steps, Great Leaps - An Evening of Inspiration-a benefit event being presented by the Ministry of Education at The Riverside Church and The Power of One on Sunday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m. at The Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120th & 122nd St.), Morningside Heights.

According to The New York Times NBC has confirmed that 'Law & Order' has been canceled. The epic crime drama has been in production in New York City since 1990. 'Law & Order' will finish its 20th season on May 24.

Tony Award nominee Montego Glover (Broadway's Memphis), George Faison (renowned director & choreographer), 3 Mo' Divas (singing group), Dr. George Francois (composer and pianist) and Theatre of the Oppressed (performance theater group) will be among the performers at Small Steps, Great Leaps - An Evening of Inspiration-a benefit event being presented by the Ministry of Education at The Riverside Church and The Power of One on Sunday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m. at The Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (bet. 120th & 122nd St.), Morningside Heights.

Lortel Statues for 14 categories and 2 special awards were handed out by celebrity presenters at the 2010 Lucille Lortel Awards at a live awards ceremony last night, May 2, at Terminal 5. Hosted by the Off-Broadway League, the live show was co-hosted by Bryan Batt and Bebe Neuwirth and featured performances by Alan Menken, STOMP, Seth Rudetsky, Edward Watts of The Fanasticks and LaChanze. BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet to capture the evening's starry arrivals!

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will honor their board member Rosemarie Tichler, the highly-respected producer, casting director, teacher and author, at this year's annual benefit gala Monday evening, May 17 at Twenty Four Fifth. The Honorary Chair for the evening is Mike Nichols and Honorary Co-Chairs are Olympia Dukakis, Dianne Wiest, Walter Bobbie and James Lapine. Honorary Artists include F. Murray Abraham, Christopher Durang, Michael Greif, John Guare, Bill Irwin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn and Michael Stuhlbarg.