Second Stage Theatre News

Next month, Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns to Berkeley Repertory Theatre with an alluring adaptation of The Arabian Nights. This is Zimmerman's sixth trip to Berkeley Rep, and for the first time she works her magic on the intimate Thrust Stage. The Arabian Nights runs from November 13 through January 4 with the official press night on November 19.

Four Time Emmy Award winning actress Valerie Harper stars as Tallulah Bankhead in the Pre-Broadway Engagement of Looped , a new comedy by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Rob Ruggiero. The production (direct from its sold out World Premiere at The Pasadena Playhouse) arrives at The Cuillo Centre for the Arts, prior to a Broadway bow in Summer 2009. Tony Award winning actor Jarrod Emick co-stars.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) is proud to announce the return of the Native Theater Festival, a four day festival dedicated to presenting extraordinary theatrical work by Native theater artists from the U.S. and Canada. Now in its second year, the Native Theater Festival will run November 12 to November 15 at The Public Theater and will feature three free readings of new works by Native playwrights followed by post-show discussions; a concert by Native and African-American singer Martha Redbone; topical field discussions on issues of particular concern to artists in the Native theater community; and a conversation with Oskar Eustis and other artists on politics and performance that will be open to the general public.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) will continue its 30th Anniversary Season with the New York premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's play, BECKY SHAW, directed by Peter DuBois.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin its second Native Theater Festival on Wednesday, November 12. This

Chicago's Goodman Theatre opens its 'Strong Women, Strong Voices' Owen Theatre Series with the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, directed by Kate Whoriskey and co-produced with Manhattan Theatre Club.

The New York Musical Theater Festival honored producer Robyn Goodman at its Fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala on Sunday, November 2nd at The Hudson Theatre.

The New York Musical Theater Festival will honor producer Robyn Goodman at its fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala on Sunday, November 2nd at The Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). The winners of The NYMF 2008 Awards for Excellence, which will be announced later this month, will also be honored at the gala.

The New York Musical Theater Festival today announced that Raul Esparza, currently starring in Speed the Plow, will perform at the Fifth Season Awards Gala honoring Robyn Goodman; Goodman produced tick...tick...BOOM which launched Esparza's career in New York.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced casting today for the second year of the Native Theater Festival, a four day festival dedicated to presenting extraordinary theatrical work by Native theater artists from the U.S. and Canada.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents the American premiere of HAPPY NOW? by Lucinda Coxon, directed by Liz Diamond, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is October 30 with performances running through November 15th.

Passage Theatre, Trenton's premiere professional theater company, will open its new season with the world premiere of The Summer House, written by Amber Kain, October 30 through November 23 (press opening: Saturday, November 1). The production, directed by Jade King Carroll, will be performed in Trenton's historic Mill Hill Playhouse (Front and Montgomery Streets).

On Friday, October 31 at 6:00PM, free tickets will be handed out to the first 25 guests who arrive dressed in their best 80's fashion to the BOYS' LIFE box office. Performance begins at 7:00PM. Line forms at 6:00PM. Second Stage Theatre is located at 307 W. 43rd Street, just west of 8th Avenue.

Parsons Dance presents the World Premiere of an all-new, as-yet-untitled collaboration with the lead vocalists of East Village Opera Company (EVOC), featuring the music of the acclaimed rock opera band.

NYMF will make available a limited number of $125 dessert tickets for the Fifth Anniversary Season Awards Gala honoring Robyn Goodman.

Nice People Theatre Company is celebrating the Halloween season by presenting the Philadelphia premiere of Marisa Wegrzyn's Psalms of a Questionable Nature. This eerie sibling drama runs October 25-November 9 at Walnut Street Theatre's Studio 5, 825 Walnut Street. It marks the Philadelphia directorial debut of Pirronne Yousefzadeh. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and $15 for students and seniors. For more information go to www.nicepeopletheatre.org

Victory Gardens Theater will welcome playwright Sarah Ruhl back to her hometown Chicago with a special public event - Ruhl Makers - a panel of leading women theater artists in Chicago who have helped Ruhl escape 'reading hell' to become arguably the top contemporary playwright in America today.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) kicked off its 30th Anniversary Season with a new production of Howard Korder's comedy, BOYS' LIFE, directed by Michael Greif, with an official opening on Monday, October 20 at Second Stage Theatre (307 West 43rd Street) in New York, followed by an after party at Junior's Restaurant.

Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Ellen Richard, Executive Director) kicked off its 30th Anniversary Season with a new production of Howard Korder's comedy, BOYS' LIFE, directed by Michael Greif, with an official opening on Monday, October 20 at Second Stage Theatre (307 West 43rd Street) in New York.

Passage Theatre, Trenton's premiere professional theater company, will open its new season with the world premiere of The Summer House, written by Amber Kain, October 30 through November 23 (press opening: Saturday, November 1). The production, directed by Jade King Carroll, will be performed in Trenton's historic Mill Hill Playhouse (Front and Montgomery Streets).