Shakespeare & Company News

Canadian Stage presents the Toronto premiere of Catalyst Theatre's Frankenstein, an award-winning adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic gothic novel integrating poetic verse, song, original music, stylized movement and fantastical costumes and sets made entirely of paper.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati is pleased to announce its fourth and fifth production of the season, Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, written by Tony Kushner. Angels in America will open with the first of the two part play, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, on Know Theatre's mainstage April 3 and play through May 8, 2010. The second half of the production, Angels in America: Perestroika, will open April 23 and play through May 8, 2010.

The Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center announced an expanded season of productions, artists, local discoveries, and new film and performance series. The summer pre-season begins on June 17 with the new musical, DADDY LONG LEGS. The official season kicks off October 7- 9, with an opening weekend of performances and events featuring jazz star, Esperanza Spalding; classical cellist, Lynn Harrell; and folk singer, Judy Collins.

The U.K. Critics' Circle has honored playwright and director Sir Alan Ayckbourn with their award for Distinguished Service to the Arts.

A Celebration of the Bard's Birthday with Special Guests: B. H. Barry, Barry Edelstein and Tina Packer; with an Exhibition of a Unique Copy of the First Edition of the First Shakespeare Concordance.

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company Ensemble is pleased to announce its newest member, playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. Among his many accomplishments, McCraney is the author of the critically-acclaimed The Brother/Sister Plays, currently playing at Steppenwolf through May 23, 2010. As a playwright, he has collaborated with Steppenwolf ensemble member Tina Landau on seven productions and readings nationally. He also appeared on stage at Steppenwolf in Landau's 2004 production of Theatrical Essays. Additionally, McCraney was recently commissioned by Steppenwolf, through support from the Joyce Foundation Awards, to write a new play for the Steppenwolf ensemble based on the biblical book of Job. The Steppenwolf ensemble, the longest-existing theater ensemble in the U.S., now totals 43 members.

The Hypocrites, in association with Chicago DCA Theater, present the Broadway classic Cabaret. The production, directed by Matt Hawkins, comes to Chicago DCA Theater's Storefront Theater at 66 E. Randolph Street, through May 23, 2010.

The Southwest Shakespeare Company presents Richard III, by William Shakespeare, from April 22 - May 8, 2010 at the Nesbitt/Elliot Playhouse Theater - Mesa Arts Center.

Just in time to celebrate Shakespeare's 446th birthday on April 23, founding Artistic Director Terrence O'Brien has announced the line up for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival's 2010 season (hvshakespeare.org).

Executive Producer Lou Spisto today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe's 2010 Shakespeare Festival performed in repertory in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.

In a magical tour-de-force, Simon Callow tracks down the real William Shakespeare in the world premiere of 'SHAKESPEARE - THE MAN FROM STRATFORD', a new comedy by Shakespeare scholar Jonathan Bate, which brings to life both the man and the unforgettable characters, who have since conquered the world's stages.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 18th season is the Bay Area Premiere of Stephen Karam's fiercely funny SPEECH & DEBATE. Robin Stanton (Betrayed, The Busy World is Hushed, and Permanent Collection) directs this distinctive new play Entertainment Weekly called 'One of the top ten plays of the year...Even if you're not fluent in IM, you'll LOL at this subversive comedy.' Featuring Jayne Deely, Jason Frank, Maro Guevara, and Holly Hornlien, SPEECH & DEBATE plays June 11 through July 18 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($34-55) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org. Contains mature themes and subject matters.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 2009-2010 Season with a revival of BETH HENLEY's Pulitzer Prize-winning play CRIMES OF THE HEART. Set in Mississippi in 1974 (five years after Hurricane Camille), this sweet, sexy comedy follows the travails of the three Magrath sisters, who come together at the family home in Hazelhurst when the youngest Babe is charged with shooting her husband 'cause she didn't like his looks.'

Anna Mackmin returns to The Old Vic to direct a cast led by Toby Stephens in Tom Stoppard's multi-award winning modern classic, The Real Thing , opening on Wednesday 21 April 2010, with previews from 10 April.

Streamlined, gender-bending versions of classic plays are the name of the game in a five-week summer theater festival from the Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company. Longtime fans of the company's all-female explorations of classic texts will be intrigued to discover this festival's inclusion of male actors - although not always in the roles one might expect.

Michael Attenborough will direct Dimitri Leonidas, Ian McElhinney, Justin Salinger and Ruth Wilson in the world premiere of a new stage adaptation of Ingmar Bergman's Through A Glass Darkly. Previewing from June 10 with press night on June 16 and booking until July 31, Jenny Worton's new adaptation of Through A Glass Darkly has designs by Tom Scutt, lighting by Colin Grenfell and sound and music by Dan Jones.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company continues its 30 th Season (2009/10) with a four-week run of Gruesome Playground Injuries, created by the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-nominated Rajiv Joseph (playwright of Animals Out of Paper and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo ) and directed by John Vreeke. Gruesome Playground Injuries stars Gabriela Fernandez-Coffey and Tim Getman.

The Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble, presenters of the "Naked Shakespeare" series, announces that the company's abridged version of The Tempest, which will be performed on Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19 at Luther Bonny Talbot Hall on the USM Portland campus, will also be performed twice at the St. Lawrence Arts Center on Monday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 20. These added shows will take place on "dark nights" during the upcoming Maine Playwrights Festival. Naked Shakespeare's production of The Tempest features 9 actors from the Naked Shakespeare company and is directed by company member Harlan Baker, who has given the piece a Caribbean flair to evoke the island on which the action of the play takes place. All four performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public, with a $5 suggested donation.

'TalkOut Mondays' (after the performance) continues April 19th with David McReynolds (American historian and literary critic) & Matthew Scheck (cast member) at the critically acclaimed hit show 'The Temperamentals' by Jon Marans at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Daryl Roth, Stacy Shane and Martian Entertainment are presenting the new American play.

The Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble, presenters of the "Naked Shakespeare" series, announces that the company's abridged version of The Tempest, which will be performed on Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19 at Luther Bonny Talbot Hall on the USM Portland campus, will also be performed twice at the St. Lawrence Arts Center on Monday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 20. These added shows will take place on "dark nights" during the upcoming Maine Playwrights Festival. Naked Shakespeare's production of The Tempest features 9 actors from the Naked Shakespeare company and is directed by company member Harlan Baker, who has given the piece a Caribbean flair to evoke the island on which the action of the play takes place. All four performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public, with a $5 suggested donation.