Shakespeare & Company News

Based on the original TV comedy series by Raymond Allen, the stage adaptation of SOME MOTHERS DO 'AVE 'EM is written and directed by Guy Unsworth and stars Joe Pasquale as the loveable but accident-prone Frank Spencer, Sarah Earnshaw as Betty, Susie Blake as Mrs Fisher, Moray Treadwell as Mr Luscombe/Mr Worthington, David Shaw-Parker as Father O'Hara and Chris Kiely as Desmond/Constable.

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical will return to the West Midlands in Summer 2018 at Birmingham Hippodrome (3 July - 8 September) as part of its major 2018/19 UK and Ireland Tour and accompanied by a specially devised education programme, Change My Story, for schools.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) announced the titles for its 25th Anniversary at The Otto M. Budig Theater in an event on February 21. CSC's 2018-2019 Season is generously sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and all productions will feature Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Resident Company of Actors.

Soho Rep. (Sarah Benson, Artistic Director; Cynthia Flowers, Executive Director), has extended the world premiere of Aleshea Harris's Relentless Award-winning Is God Is, directed by Taibi Magar, a second time, through March 31.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for August Wilson's quintessential epic drama Two Trains Running. Confronted with a rapidly changing world in the wake of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the looming demolition of Memphis Lee's diner, Memphis and his regular customers struggle to maintain their solidarity and sense of pride.

The Mountain Play - Casting is complete for the Mountain Play's production of Mamma Mia! which will inject the San Francisco Bay Area with a dose of Abba elation this May.

Aurora Theatre Company presents the world premiere of EUREKA DAY by Jonathan Spector with Josh Costello to direct. Set in a Berkeley private school, a debate over child vaccinations hits home in this comedy of liberal manners, as the school community confronts the central question of our era: how do you find consensus when you can't agree on the facts?

Talking Band are currently presenting the world premiere of Fusiform Gyrus - A Septet for Two Scientists and Five Horns, written and composed by OBIE Award winner Ellen Maddow, and directed by Ellie Heyman, running through February 25 at HERE, located at 145 6th Avenue (Enter on Dominick, 1 block south of Spring) in New York City.

With great excitement, Onward Ho! Productions today announces the World Premiere production of local playwright Sonya Schneider's new play Big Rockas well as its full ensemble casting. Big Rock will run at West of Lenin in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood March 16-31, and tickets are now on sale online at http://bit.ly/BIGROCKplay.

The Lyric Hammersmith and Filter's critically acclaimed production of A Midsummer Night's Dream today announces the casting for the UK tour, which opens at the Lyric Hammersmith on Friday 13 April 2018. The cast and band includes Allyson Ava-Brown, George Fouracres, Daniel Fraser, David Ganly, Harry Jardine, Matt King Smith, Amy Marchant, Kayla Meikle, Alan Pagan, Michael Palmer and Dharmesh Patel.

Thalia's Umbrella announces their fifth production: The Impossibility of Now by Y York.  The Impossibility of Now will be performed March 8-31, 2018, at 12th Avenue Arts on Capital Hill. 

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Liz Diamond, March 16-April 7, at the University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 22. Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 is a co-production with San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, where it will play April 25-May 20.

Asolo Rep will host Inside Asolo Rep: RHINOCEROS and ROE on Wednesday, February 28 at 11am, with refreshments at 10:30am. This insightful behind-the-scenes panel will feature Frank Galati (Director, RHINOCEROS), Lavina Jadhwani (Director, ROE), Peggy Roeder (Queen Elizabeth, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE; Mrs. Boeuf, RHINOCEROS); and Terri Weagant (Norma McCorvey, ROE). The discussion will be moderated by Asolo Rep Dramaturg and Literary Manager Paul Adolphsen.

February 19, 2018 - Based on Roundabout Theatre Company's Tony Award-winning production, Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall's (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) CABARET will play The Playhouse on Rodney Square in Wilmington for eight performances, March 13-19. This is the first time the Broadway revival has toured the historic Wilmington theater.

The European Premiere of The Gulf by Audrey Cefaly is an honest representation of the challenges all relationships can endure, no matter the sexuality. It looks at two women on a small fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico and what makes their relationship tick.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Greater Boston Stage Company at The Irish and How They Got That Way, created by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes). This musical revue is a celebration of a heritage that confronts adversity with determination, good humor, and a love of life. McCourt's wit, insight and boundless love for the Irish are underscored by music extending from the auld Irish folk ballads to World War II standards, and beyond. Directed by Dawn Simmons, performances run March 8 - 25, 2018. The Press Opening is Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 3:00pm.

Updated this week! Check out upcoming Equity Auditions from Sunday, February 18, 2018 for both productions in your area and around the country including what/when/where and how to audition!

Following two sold-out, off-Broadway runs in New York, Out of My Comfort Zone, a new rock musical about self-identity, gender, love, stereotypes, cyber-bullying, and friendship, will premier in London at The Redbridge Drama Centre. Written by husband-and-wife team Ivy Vale (book, lyrics and music) and Rick Reil (music), Out of My Comfort Zone will be presented and staged by The Redbridge Musical Theatre Company for three performances at Redbridge Drama Centre, Churchfields, South Woodford, London, E18 2RB, from March 1-3, 2018.

How did some of your favorite songs come to be? BroadwayWorld is getting the story behind the song in exclusive interviews from your favorite Broadway composers. Below, watch as Lucy Simon explains how she came to write one of the hauntingly powerful duet from The Secret Garden, 'Lily's Eyes.'