Sam Shepard News

Founded in 1967, Magic Theatre is one of the most prominent theatres in the nation solely dedicated to development and production of new plays.

Boxcar Theatre delivers a visually stunning gem with an adaptation of Shel Silverstein's quirky and often bizarre poetry and short stories.

The SF Playhouse (Bill English, Artistic Director; Susi Damilano, Producing Director) and Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (Stanley Williams, Artistic Director; Quentin Easter, Executive Director) are pleased to announce casting for their co-production of The West Coast Premiere of The Story. 'A riveting drama about race, reporting and the truth'-Associated Press

American Idol runner-up, Justin Guarini, will star in the industry only Equity staged reading of the new musical THE AWAKENING OF ANGEL DeLUNA - with book & lyrics by Judylynn Schmidt, and music & lyrics by Lee Ellis - produced by Kate Griffler on Monday, March 23rd at Theater 80 (80 St. Mark's Place) at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Tracy Bersley directs and Barbara Anselmi acts as music director.

Theater News from Broadway and the Baltimore/Washington Area

New Village Arts (NVA) continues its 2008-2009 season with Be Aggressive by award-winning playwright, Annie Weisman. NVA Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner directs this edgy comedy centered in San Diego around the world of cheerleading. Be Aggressive runs April 4 through 26 at the New Village Arts Theatre, located at 2787 State Street in Carlsbad Village. Tickets range from $25 - $30 and are available by calling the box office at 760-433-3245 or by visiting www.NewVillageArts.org.

Ian Rickson will direct the European premiere of Jez Butterworth's Parlour Song which runs at the Almeida from 19 March - 9 May 2009 with press night on 26 March. Designs are by Jeremy Herbert, with lighting by Peter Mumford, sound by Paul Groothuis and music by Stephen Warbeck. Casting for Parlour Song will be announced shortly. Parlour Song is sponsored by Aspen Re.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present post-show discussions following every Tuesday evening performance of TALES OF AN URBAN INDIAN, the second play of the 2008-2009 Public LAB season. The Public LAB Speaker Series, held every Tuesday following Public LAB shows, will consist of engaging conversations with the artists and notable panelists.

Columbia Stages presents Big Love, written by Charles L. Mee and directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh, running February 18th - 21st, 2009, at The Riverside Theatre, located in the historic Riverside Church at 91 Claremont Avenue between 120th and 122nd Streets.

The American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) presents the fifth production of its 2008-09 Season: Samuel Beckett?s iconic masterpiece Endgame, directed by Marcus Stern, at the A.R.T.?s Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. The production begins performances on Saturday, February 14 and runs through Sunday, March 15; it will be available for press viewing from Wednesday, February 18 at 7:30pm.

Delta Boys, a small theatre company in Raleigh, NC, will be teaming up with Burning Coal Theatre's Wait 'Til You See This! series to present Anton Chekov's classic The Cherry Orchard, directed by Kathryn Milliken. The production runs March 19-29, 2009 at Meymandi Theatre at the Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, NC. All performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. All tickets are $18 or $12 (students, seniors 65+ and active military personnel). For tickets and information, please contact Delta Boy's Artistic Director, Lucius Robinson at 919.259.0812 or visit Burning Coal Theatre's website at www.burningcoal.org.

12 Miles West Theatre Company's season is about to move into high gear with its upcoming production of Sam Shepard's funniest and most brutal play True West. A classic of the contemporary American stage, True West will be on stage at 12 Miles West Theatre Company, in residence at Playwrights Theatre in Madison, February 26th through March 22nd with an opening night 'Meet the Artists' reception on Friday, February 27th.

The Elephant Theatre Company presents it's annual short play festival, LOVE BITES - VOLUME 8.0 beginning performances at The Elephant Theater (6322 Santa Monica Boulevard) on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 8 p.m. and runs Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. through March 14, 2009.

Williamstown Theatre Festival (Nicholas Martin, Artistic Director), announced the programming today for its 55th season.

Paul Adams, Artistic Director and Derek Jamison, Associate Artistic Director, present Emerging Artists Theatre's world premiere of THE CHISELERS by Mark Finley at TADA Theatre, beginning February 26, featuring Marie Wallace in the role of 'Beverley.' The production is directed by EAT member Melissa Attebery.

The Tony Award-winning actress Elaine Stritch was honored for her 'achievements and humanity' at Theater for the New City's 6th annual LOVE 'N' COURAGE benefit for the theater's Emerging Playwrights Program. BroadwayWorld was there to cheer on the beloved icon on her special night.

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the east coast premiere of Lydia by Octavio Solis, directed by Juliette Carrillo at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street, at York Street) beginning February 6 through February 28. Opening Night is Thursday, February 12. Lydia features music composed by Chris Webb; sets by Andrew Boyce; costumes by Amanda Seymour; lighting by Jesse Belsky; sound design, additional music, and arrangements by David Molina; voice and dialect by Beth McGuire; fight direction by Rick Sordelet; dramaturgy by Matt Cornish; and stage management by Donald E. Claxon.

Paul Adams, Artistic Director and Derek Jamison, Associate Artistic Director, present Emerging Artists Theatre's world premiere of THE CHISELERS by Mark Finley at TADA Theatre, beginning February 26, featuring Marie Wallace in the role of 'Beverley.' The production is directed by EAT member Melissa Attebery. She's a famous ice sculptress and scion of the Sacramento Carstairs dynasty and everyone wants to know what really happened the night Margo Carstairs' husband was stabbed to death in a meat locker. Mark Finley's sequined, big-haired, padded shouldered comedy points fingers and names names!

Tony- and Emmy- winner Elaine Stritch will be honored for her 'many achievements and humanity' on Monday, February 9 at the 6th annual pre-Valentine's gala, LOVE 'N' COURAGE hosted by Betsy Von Furstenberg at The National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) with cocktails at 6:30pm, dinner at 7:00pm. Proceeds benefit the emerging playwrights' program at Theater for the New City, one of the last bastions for experimental and political theater in 21st century New York in the East Village. Joining the list of previously announced list of celebrities who will turn out to salute Ms. Stritch on Feb. 9 are Barbara Barrie, Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, along with Hal and Judy Prince.

The Tony Award-winning actress ELAINE STRITCH will honored for her 'achievements and humanity' at Theater for the New City's 6th annual LOVE 'N' COURAGE benefit for the theater's Emerging Playwrights Program, it has been announced by Crystal Field, Executive Artistic Director of Theater for the New City. Co-hosted by playwright and actor CHARLES BUSCH and actress JULIE HALSTON, this year's benefit will take place at the beautiful National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South), on Monday, February 9, with cocktails beginning at 6:30pm, followed by dinner and performances.