Shakespeare & Company News

The Minnesota Shakespeare Company's celebrated production manquee, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, opens at the Lowry Lab, Thursday, June 3rd. Nick James--playing the title role--again has two working legs, after breaking one during a rehearsal of the swordfight scene last December.

Anna Mackmin returns to The Old Vic to direct a stellar 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.

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.

Lyric Hammersmith Artistic Director Sean Holmes directs an A THOUSAND STARS EXPLODE IN THE SKY a new play by three of the UK's finest playwrights David Eldridge, Robert Holman and Simon Stephens.

American Stage Theatre Company's new Cabaret Series performed in the Susan R. Hough performance space in the Raymond James Theatre continues with four new productions in April, TOO LEGIT TO QUIT, SHAKESPEARE OPEN MIC, ROMANTIC JAZZ JAM, HAVING FLASHBACKS and the return of THE DUMB SHOW.

Making its Midwest premiere in the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, Bill W. and Dr. Bob is an inspirational, gripping and timely story about the men and their wives whose relationships pioneered the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous and the creation of Al-Anon.

In April 2010, the Overtime Theater will proudly present the world premiere production of The Happy Couple, a new drama by playwright James Venhaus.

Magic Theatre, San Francisco's home for new plays, announces its 2010-2011 Season: the west coast premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's The Brothers Size, an unforgettable tale of brotherhood directed by Octavio Solis; the world premiere of Theresa Rebeck's What We're Up Against, a subversive comedy about men, women, and survival in the workplace directed by Loretta Greco; the west coast premiere of Liz Duffy Adams' Or, a cross-dressing contemporary restoration comedy directed by Loretta Greco; and the rolling world premiere of The Lily's Revenge, a fantastical 5-hour cornucopia of theatre, party, and circus, written by and starring playwright and burlesque performer Taylor Mac.

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at The New American Shakespeare Tavern presents The Taming of the Shrew, directed by Jeffrey Watkins. The production will run April 8-May 9, 2010.

The Bay Area's award-winning Rough and Tumble proudly presents the World Premiere of A HISTORY OF HUMAN STUPIDITY, the company's first commission for the stage, and second collaboration with acclaimed playwright and former Neo-Futurist Andy Bayiates (43 Plays for 43 Presidents). Rough and Tumble founding Artistic Director Cliff Mayotte helms this hilarious journey through stupid human behavior, featuring Louise Chegwidden, Eowyn Mader, Carolyn Doyle, Charisse Loriaux, and Betsy Picart, with original music composed and performed by renowned Bay Area jazz composer Phillip Greenlief. A HISTORY OF HUMAN STUPIDITY plays April 8-25 (press openings: Friday, April 9 and Saturday, April 10) at LaVals Subterranean Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($16/20) and information, the public may call 510-499-0356 or visit www.randt.org or brownpapertickets.com.

Aurora Theatre Company continues its 18th season with Henrik Ibsen's rarely-produced masterwork JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN, in a new version by David Eldridge. Aurora Theatre Company founding Artistic Director Barbara Oliver, who directed the company's hit production of Ibsen's The Master Builder, returns to helm this fiercely relevant drama, featuring Bay Area stage veteran James Carpenter (The Master Builder) in the title role, and stage and television actress Karen Grassle (Little House on the Prairie) in her Aurora debut.

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by David Cromer. The production runs May 4-July 11, 2010, at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

California Institute of the Arts' Coffeehouse Theater presents the Pulitzer Prize nominated play In the Blood, written by Suzan Lori-Parks and directed by Fran Bennett. In this modern day drama, Hester, a homeless mother of five fatherless children, struggles to create a home on the streets for her family. Despite Hester's fierce love for her children, poverty and desperation lead to a tragic end.

Tamzin Outhwaite is joined by Mark Umbers in the West End transfer of the Tony Award-winning musical, Sweet Charity. Matthew White's production of Sweet Charity, which completed its sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory last month, will open at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 23 April 2010 with press night on 4 May and is currently booking until 8 January 2011.

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents: A classic and gripping theatrical event not to be missed...GHOSTS.

?Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) on Navy Pier closes the 2010/11 Subscription Series with The Taming of the Shrew, Shakespeare's spark-filled comedy of an unconventional courtship. Returning to CST to direct the production is London's Bush Theatre Artistic Director Josie Rourke following her celebrated production of Twelfth Night last season. Rourke has assembled a top-notch ensemble, including some of Chicago's most highly regarded comedic actors and a world-class creative team for the production.

Following the recent death of the legendary songwriter and creator of the internationally-renowned Alan Parsons Project, Eric Woolfson, the late composer's musical POE -- about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe -- is being introduced in the U.S. with the release of the CD, 'POE' (subtitled 'More Tales of Mystery and Imagination') and DVD, 'POE, The World Premiere Showcase Performance at Abbey Road Studios' on April 6, 2010.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) begins the 2010/11 World's Stage Series with Itsoseng written and performed by Omphile Molusi who won a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2008.

Casting has been announced for the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of THE LIAR. The comedy, originally by Corneille, has been adapted by David Ives and will play the Lansburgh Theatre from April 6, 2010 through May 23, 2010.

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS. This 2 time Tony and Drama Desk Award winner railroads its way into the DuPont Theatre for an exclusive area run Tuesday, April 6 - Sunday, April 11, 2010.