Shakespeare & Company News

ImprovBoston and the Chicago-based nationally acclaimed Improvised Shakespeare Company join forces for one night only to create a fully improvised, fully comedic Shakespearean masterpiece. Starting from a single audience suggestion, the Company uses Shakespeare's themes and language to bring an unforgettable evening of off-the-cuff comedy. Nothing has been planned out, rehearsed, or written. All of the dialogue is spoken for the first (and last) time, the characters are created on spot, and nobody - not even the actors themselves - know where the show is headed. The night could reveal a tragedy, comedy, or history. Each play is completely improvised; each play is entirely new.

The Prague Shakespeare Company will present Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Main Street Theater will host the production at its Rice Village location. MST and PSC have co-produced Shakespeare's Henry V and Richard III during the past two seasons and both productions were critically acclaimed in Houston and in Prague.

The first ever production in more than fifty years of Terence Rattigan's Variation on a Themeopens at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre in a strictly limited four-week season fromTuesday, 25 February 2014, starring twice Olivier Award nominated Rachael Stirling.

The first ever production in more than fifty years of Terence Rattigan's Variation on a Theme opens at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre in a strictly limited four-week season from Tuesday, 25 February 2014, starring twice Olivier Award nominated Rachael Stirling.

For Illusion Theater's Ninth Annual Lights Up! series, Transatlantic Love Affair, the creators of Minnesota Fringe Festival hit Red Resurrected (2011 Encore Slot Winner) and Ivey Award-winning Ballad of the Pale Fisherman (2010), offers ASH LAND, a tale inspired by economic hardships past and present and scored by old American spirituals and new slide guitar compositions. Opening today, January 31, the dynamic and spirited Ash Land runs through February 22 at the downtown Minneapolis theater, located on the eighth floor of The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave.

Plummer recreated his Tony Award-winning role of legendary actor John Barrymore in the film adaptation of William Luce's Broadway play of the same name. Barrymore will air on Great Performances, tonight, January 31 at 9 p.m., ET on PBS

Shining East Productions presents The Sun Shines East, based on a true story written by Corinne Chateau* about an adoptive mother's struggle to break through deep personal barriers and international politics to bring home her daughter. Pat Golden directs a cast of 5 including Karen Christie-Ward*, Tara Gadomski*, Mary Francina Golden*, Bristol Pomeroy, and Amy Staats*. Fourteen performances will be held at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre, 10 West 64th Street, in New York City from tonight, January 31-February 16, 2014.

Washington Ensemble Theatre to Present ED, DOWNLOADED by Michael Mitnick in its reigonal premiere. Directed by Ali el-Gasseir, Ed, Downloaded will play today, January 31 - February 24, 2014, running Thursdays through Mondays at 7:30. The Opening Night Reception is set for tonight, January 31st after the show.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announces the world premiere of The House that will not Stand, a historical comedic drama commissioned from award-winning poet-playwright and Oakland native Marcus Gardley. Sensuous, witty, heartbreaking, and uplifting - The House that will not Stand unearths a story about free women of color in 1836 New Orleans, where black Creole women entered into common-law marriages with affluent white men. When her wealthy lover mysteriously dies, Beartrice Albans' foundation of security hangs precariously by a thread. She is left to fend for her three unwed daughters in a world where freedom must be carefully negotiated. Told in a rich and lyrical river of words, this new play was developed through The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep's Center for the Creation and Development of New Work. It's helmed by Patricia McGregor, whose many credits include the celebrated production of Spunk at California Shakespeare Theater. The House that will not Stand begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage today, January 31, opens on Wednesday, February 5 and runs through Sunday, March 16, 2014.

Celebrating its 13th season, the Ensemble of the Romantic Century (ERC) presents Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart at The Fishman Space in the new BAM Fisher. A fully staged theatrical concert blending striking music, powerful language and biography, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart delves into the unconventional 16-year long relationship between one of the great composers of the 19th century and his patroness, Madame von Meck. Written by Eve Wolf and directed by Donald T. Sanders, this evening-length production seamlessly interweaves a dramatic script performed by actor Simon Fortin (Tchaikovsky) and actress Ariel Bock (Madame von Meck) of Shakespeare & Company with live chamber and vocal music performed by violinist Rachel Lee Priday, cellist Adrian Daurov, pianist Eve Wolf and tenor Blake Friedman. Featuring some of Tchaikovsky's epic pieces including Piano Trio in A Minor, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart represents some of the composer's balletic works through dance both choreographed and performed by American Ballet Theatre dancer Daniel Mantei.

Adjmi claims that his work does not infringe on THREE'S COMPANY's copyright, with his lawyers 'citing the First Amendment and the legal doctrine of fair use, argue that '3C' is an original parody that only borrows some elements from the sitcom to examine its premise, character types, and homophobia and sexism in that era.' The compaint includes support from Tony Kushner, Stephen Sondheim and others.

Celebrating its 13th season, the Ensemble of the Romantic Century (ERC) presents Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart at The Fishman Space in the new BAM Fisher. A fully staged theatrical concert blending striking music, powerful language and biography, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart delves into the unconventional 16-year long relationship between one of the great composers of the 19th century and his patroness, Madame von Meck. Written by Eve Wolf and directed by Donald T. Sanders, this evening-length production seamlessly interweaves a dramatic script performed by actor Simon Fortin (Tchaikovsky) and actress Ariel Bock (Madame von Meck) of Shakespeare & Company with live chamber and vocal music performed by violinist Rachel Lee Priday, cellist Adrian Daurov, pianist Eve Wolf and tenor Blake Friedman. Featuring some of Tchaikovsky's epic pieces including Piano Trio in A Minor, Tchaikovsky: None But the Lonely Heart represents some of the composer's balletic works through dance both choreographed and performed by American Ballet Theatre dancer Daniel Mantei.

Angela Lansbury discusses her illustrious career and her hopes for her latest project.

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston presents DEATH OF A SALESMAN, running February 14 - March 15, 2014. The play, by Arthur Miller, will be directed by Spiro Veloudos.

Saskia Reeves and Danny Webb are set to star in THE MISTRESS CONTRACT in the Vicky Featherstone-helmed production of Abi Morgan's play at the Royal Court's Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. The show begins tonight, January 30, 2014.

Riley Productions presents Tom Stoppard's THE REAL THING directed by Linda Alznauer at the Two Roads Theatre in Studio City. In this witty take on love and marriage, Henry, a famous playwright, finds himself the star of his own real-life drama. He discovers that what he has written in his latest play seems to be happening in real life and is turning his world upside down.

Newbury Productions (UK) Limited present REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY in THE BIBLE: THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD (abridged), written by Adam Long, Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor in a UK tour, Spring 2014. From Fig Leaves to Final Judgment!

Starting with Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of "Richard II" and continuing on with the company's Spring production of "The Importance of Being Earnest," Seattle Shakespeare Company (SSC) and Shakespeare Walla Walla are embarking on a partnership to bring professional classical theatre productions to Eastern Washington.