Seattle Rep News

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the Alley Theatre's production of the 2010 Best Play Tony Award Winner, Red.

Theatrically the questions of "What is art?" and "Can art be commercialized" are not new ones. But that is precisely what John Logan's Tony Award winning play "Red", currently playing at the Seattle Rep, is putting out there. And while not a new issue, the play still results in an interesting look into the mind of two artists, one established and one fledgling, and above all turns in some stellar performances from the actors involved.

Intiman Theatre's Board of Trustees has named Keri Kellerman as managing director. Kellerman's appointment was confirmed by unanimous vote at a special session of the Board of Trustees, held last Friday.

Philadelphia Theatre Company will present PTC@Play, a two-week festival of new work on February 2-March 11 at PTC's home at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Ah, Wilderness!, Eugene O'Neill's joyous and truthful depiction of American family life at the turn of the 20thcentury, will kick off the two-month citywide Eugene O'Neill Festival at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. From a playwright better known for his darker stories comes the brilliant Ah, Wilderness!, O'Neill's singular comedy that represents a fantasy of what his own childhood might have been. Helen Hayes Award winner and former Arena Stage Associate Artistic Director Kyle Donnelly returns to direct her 21st show at Arena Stage, which features an almost entirely local cast led by Rick Foucheux, Nancy Robinette and June Schreiner. Ah, Wilderness! runs March 9-April 8, 2012 in the Fichandler Stage.

Acclaimed playwright Danai Gurira (In The Continuum) returns to Chicago with her newest work, The Convert, directed by Emily Mann.

ACT -A Contemporary Theatre rings in 2012 with new and continuing efforts that recognize achievements in outstanding playwriting and create the atmosphere for the development of new work. Playwright Angus MacLachlan (author of the highly acclaimed film Junebug) is named the 2012 ACT New Play Award winner for Abundant Acreage Available. Two FREE staged readings will be presented in ACT's Bullitt Cabaret February 25-26, 2012. Immediately following each reading are post-play discussions with the playwright and the director, Anita Montgomery.

Will Act For Food will present the Midwest premiere (and second production ever) of Jack's Precious Moment, by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Azar Kazemi, opening Thursday, February 2 and running through February 25 at Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) announces the third world premiere production of its 2011-2012 season: GOOD GOODS by Christina Anderson, selected by American Theatre magazine as an up-and-coming artist 'whose work will be transforming America's stages for decades to come.'

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that two time Drama Desk Award nominee Margaret Colin ("Gossip Girl," MTC's Defiance) and four time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines (Gypsy, Contact) will join Tony and Emmy Award winner John Lithgow in the cast of the world premiere of THE COLUMNIST by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan.

Arden Theatre Company today announced Wendy MacLeod as the first playwright to take up residence in The Writers' Room, an innovative new play program funded by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative and the Independence Foundation through its New Theatre Works Initiative. McLeod's unique residency will begin in April 2012 and over a four month period, she will write and rehearse a new play which will run on the Arden's stage July 5-15, 2012.

TWO THINGS YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT AT DINNER, by Lisa Loomer, will play The Space Theatre January 20 - February 19 (opening night Thursday, January 26).

Tokio Confidential, a new musical with words and music by Eric Schorr, will play Atlantic Theater Stage 2 through February 19th.

Seattle Repertory Theatre has announced the first three titles confirmed for its upcoming 50th Anniversary season, which runs September 2012-May 2013. The theatre will produce Seattle playwright Cheryl L. West's new work Pullman Porter Blues, the Tennessee Williams classic The Glass Menagerie in an intimate and imaginative new staging, and will partner with Seattle Theatre Group to present the Broadway hit War Horse.

Village Theatre announced today the casting for IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, the second new musical production in its 2011-2012 Mainstage Season, written by Brian Hargrove and Barbara Anselmi. Actors include Seattle stalwarts including Leslie Law, John Patrick Lowrie, and Jayne Muirhead; John Dewar, member of the original Broadway cast of Les Misérables; and up-and-coming local actors Joshua Carter, Aaron Finley and Diana Huey. The musical previews on Wednesday, March 14; opening night (media night) is Thursday, March 15.

According to Deadline.com, HOW TO SUCCEED star Michael Urie has signed on to star on CBS' 'Partners' pilot. Directed by James Burrows, the pilot is about 'two lifelong friends and business partners - one straight and one gay.'

The Denver Center Theatre Company announced today that Playwrights Horizons, located in New York City, has selected THE WHALE, by Samuel D. Hunter, as part of its 2012/13 season. THE WHALE, which originated as a reading during the 2011 Colorado New Play Summit, has received critical acclaim and audience praise leading to the extension of the run at The Ricketson Theatre through February 25. Tickets are limited and can be purchased by calling 303.893.4100 or visiting www.denvercenter.org.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith has announced eight productions on subscription for the company's third year in its new home, the Mead Center for American Theater.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Patrick Willingham) will present the world premiere of THE TOTAL BENT, with book and lyrics by Stew and music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, beginning on Tuesday, February 14.

The Broken Heart, a 1629 tragic-comic play written by John Ford (Tis Pity She's a Whore), directed by Selina Cartmell in her American debut is Theatre for a New Audience's fourth production of the 2011 - 2012 theatre season.