Shakespeare & Company News

As reported by The Telegraph, Sir Trevor Nunn, former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre, warned that cuts to arts funding, especially for regional theatre companies, would have a far-reaching effect on the West End talent pool and Britain's tourism industry.

The Unicorn Theatre's Christmas show, The Prince and The Pauper is a lively adaptation by Jemma Kennedy of Mark Twain's classic story of confused identities. Set in a Tudor London, a young street urchin Tom Canty has a chance meeting with the heir to the throne, Prince Edward VI and by pure coincidence they find they look almost identical.

The F.U.D.G.E. (FRIENDS UNITED DEVELOPING GENUINE ENTERTAINMENT) Theatre Company will present their 12th Anniversary Season's production of "AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN," 'Douglas Carter Beane's Award-winning comedy about deception, fraud, embezzlement, sexual politics, elusive fame, amoral women, sitting-duck men and revenge, which will open on Friday, January 25 at The Factory Theatre (791 Tremont Street, Boston, MA - between Camden Street and Northampton Street) where it will play through Sunday, January 27.

After directing 50 productions in almost 20 years Jon Kretzu leaves his post as Associate Artistic Director at Artists Repertory Theatre. Working side-by-side with Artistic Director Allen Nause, who retires at the end of this season, Kretzu has made great contributions to the mission of Artists Rep both as a play director and in his artistic administrative role.

Lindsay Posner returns to the Almeida to direct Rebecca Lenkiewicz' new stage adaptation of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw from 18 January - 16 March 2013, with press night on 24 January. The cast comprises Caroline Bartleet (a woman), Laurence Belcher (Miles), Eoin Geoghegan (a man), Gemma Jones (Mrs. Grose), Anna Madeley (The Governess), Orlando Wells (Sackville) and Isabella Blake, Emilia Jones and Lucy Morton who will alternate the role of Flora. The Turn of the Screw is sponsored by Pinsent Masons LLP.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, presents Osacr Wilde's most perfect comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest" playing from November 23- December 16, 2012. This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Sara Clark, Jeremy Dubin, Jessie Wray Goodman, Jim Hopkins and Brent Vimtrup. The production design is generously sponsored by Towne Properties.

Centenary Stage Company features singing and dancing throughout the chilly December month. Opening up with the beloved family classic The Wizard of Oz, welcoming the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet performing The Nutcracker, and ending with the Young Performers Workshop Winter Festival of Shows featuring musical favorites Hello, Dolly!, A Chorus Line, and The Boy Friend

NVA presents the heartwarming and hilarious holiday show PLAID TIDINGS. A Special Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid, PLAID TIDINGS marks the return of Sparky, Jinx, Smudge, and Frankie, a teenage singing group who've been sent down to earth by the heavenly Rosemary Clooney to put a little harmony into a discordant world.

Marin Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 Season with a family friendly production of It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, which runs during the holiday season from November 23 to December 16. Jon Tracy directs Joe Landry's live radio play adaptation of Frank Capra's film It's a Wonderful Life. Opening night is on Tuesday, November 27.

Audiences can begin the holiday season with a family classic at the Sitnik Theatre in the David and Carol Lackland Center starting Thanksgiving weekend. The Wizard of Oz is a musical tradition following the story of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Lion and Toto, too.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, presents Osacr Wilde's most perfect comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest" playing from November 23- December 16, 2012. This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Sara Clark, Jeremy Dubin, Jessie Wray Goodman, Jim Hopkins and Brent Vimtrup. The production design is generously sponsored by Towne Properties. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

Centenary Stage Company will present The Wizard of Oz for their Holiday Musical Spectacular. Opening this Friday the 23rd at 8 p.m., shows are already filling up fast. Audiences can begin the holiday season with a family classic brought to life at the Sitnik Theatre in the David and Carol Lackland Center. Featuring a cast of 50 actors on the stage, The Wizard of Oz is a musical tradition following the story of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion and Toto, too. These beloved characters visit Hackettstown on their way to the Emerald City, as CSC presents the ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY'S (RSC) adaptation by Frank Gabrielson and John Kane, with Music and Lyrics from the MGM motion picture score by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg. The RSC said this adaptation came about when the Artistic Director of the company asked for a show that could be performed annually over the Christmas season, so this show is especially made for families to celebrate the holiday season.

According to the Daily Mail, Oliver Ford Davies is set to star in David Wood's adaptation of Michelle Magorian's Goodnight Mr. Tom at the West End's Phoenix Theatre, opening tonight, Nov. 22, 2012.

Dixon Place will present the music of Greencard Wedding and La Lucha Art Group's production of PORNING THE PLANET - THE DE-SENSITIZATION OF A NATION, A Works in Progress Solo Showing, Written/Performed by Raquel Almazan, Directed by Penny Arcade. It will take place on Saturday December 8th at 7:30 pm at Dixon Place at 161A Chyrstie Street. Lounge bar is open before and after the show.

Lyric Opera of Chicago announced today that the respected stage, film and television actor Patrick Stewart will co-host The Second City Guide to the Opera on Saturday, January 5 with internationally renowned soprano and Lyric Opera creative consultant Renée Fleming. The opera-themed comedy-variety show will take place at 8 p.m. in the Ardis Krainik Theatre of the Civic Opera House, N. Wacker Drive and Madison Street.

The Humber River Shakespeare Company presents its annual original production of the Dickens holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. This December, gather with friends and family as five enormously talented actors (Claire Frances Muir, Kevin Hammond, Mark Huisman, Christopher Kelk, and Sara Moyle), armed with exquisite costumes designed by multiple Dora Award nominee Nina Okens and a trunk full of story-telling treasures, bring to life the timeless tale of greed, ghosts and salvation. This year's tour of A Christmas Carol has expanded to include 11 venues including the addition of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Belfountain Community Centre and Casa Loma.

I have to admit, it's hard for me to get exited about stage adaptations of the Cinderella story. Growing up, I had Rogers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA starring Julie Andrews crammed down my throat. The 1997 version starring Brandy promised to be a fresh and relevant take on the material, but I was not impressed. Now, the New York Theatre Scene is about to welcome Rogers and Hammerstein's version on Broadway. But, maybe they need to reexamine things because at Houston's Ensemble Theatre the African-American Shakespeare Company and Carlton Leake version of CINDERELLA is captivating, powerful, and beautiful! This well-liked and exhilarating piece of theatre is back by popular demand and being presented for its third time at Ensemble Theatre.

Trevor Nunn will direct the Old Vic and Chichester Festival Theatre's production of KISS ME, KATE, with Music and lyrics by Cole Porter and Book by Sam and Bella Spewack, which is scheduled for London performances from tonight, the 20th of November and a Chichester premiere in June.