Signature Theatre News

Following weeks of high demand and critical acclaim, Signature Theatre is proud to announce that Girlfriend will play for an additional 6 performances between June 12 and June 17.

The Muny announced today its full cast, design and production team for the theatre's centennial season production of The Wiz, June 19 - 25. 

Last week, I introduced you to ten performers in Signature Theatre's current production of Kander and Ebb's final, complete collaboration, The Scottsboro Boys, which runs through July 1st. This included eight of the nine gentlemen who play the African American men who were falsely accused of raping two Caucasian women, as well as two others who play the minstrel characters known as Mr. Bones and Mr. Tambo.

Get a first look at Signature Theatre's D.C. premiere of The Scottsboro Boys, directed by Signature Theatre's Director of New Works Joe Calarco (Signature's Jesus Christ Superstar, Gypsy) and choreographed by Jared Grimes (Signature's Jelly's Last Jam). John Kander and Fred Ebb's final musical collaboration premiered on Broadway in 2010 and was heralded as 'an absolute marvel' by The Associated Press.

Previews begin this Friday, June 1 for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) world premiere production of LOG CABIN, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist Jordan Harrison (Marjorie Prime, Maple and Vine, Doris to Darlene at Playwrights; "Orange Is the New Black").  Directed by Tony Award and Obie Award winner Pam MacKinnon (Clybourne Park, The Qualms at Playwrights; Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Parisian Woman), LOG CABIN is the sixth and final production of the theater company's current 2017/2018 Season.  

Soho Rep. (Sarah Benson, Artistic Director; Cynthia Flowers, Executive Director) today announced that actor Charles Browning will take over for Lance Coadie Williams in the world premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury's Fairview, which Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson directs, and which the downtown Manhattan theater presents in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, Williams is unable to continue.The production now runs at Soho Rep. June 2 - July 8, with opening now set for Sunday, June 17. 

Rebel Theatrical Management, LLC (Harvey Butler, producer), in association with The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture, have announced, today, the cast and the creative team for the New York premiere of the new play Little Rock, written and directed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. Performances are set to begin Today, May 30, 2018 for a limited run through September 8, 2018 at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture (18 Bleecker Street). Opening Night is set for Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 7:00PM.

Broadway Dance Lab (BDL), a non-profit arts service organization supporting new works of dance-driven theatre, has announced the launch of its 2018 Summer Cycle. Two-time Tony award nominee John Carrafa, Kristen Carcone, and Helen Simoneau have each received creation grants to experiment with the development of new work. The Cycle will run June 4-29.

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) is thrilled to welcome the NYC premiere of THE ORIGINALIST written by John Strand and directed by Molly Smith. Produced by Middle Finger Production, LLC [Beth Newburger, Executive Producer] and Arena Stage and part of 59E59's Subscription Series, THE ORIGINALIST begins performances on Saturday, July 14 for a limited engagement through Sunday, August 19. 

Broadway Dance Lab (BDL), a non-profit arts service organization supporting new works of dance-driven theatre, has announced the launch of its 2018 Summer Cycle. Two-time Tony award nominee John Carrafa, Kristen Carcone, and Helen Simoneau have each received creation grants to experiment with the development of new work. The Cycle will run June 4-29. BDL 2018 Summer Cycle grantees Helen Simoneau, John Carrafa, and Kristen Carcone.

Washington, DC is hardly the country's most bustling metropolitan hub, but for a small district carved into the Virginia/Maryland border, the region boasts one of the liveliest and engaging arts scenes.

The Encore Musical Theatre Company presents West Side Story, running June 21st through August 12th, 2018. West Side Story is directed by Daniel C. Cooney, music directed by Tyler Driskill, and choreographed by Matthew Brennan.

Deidrie Henry returns to The Armory to star as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Lanie Robertson's riveting portrait of Holiday's life told through an imagined final performance in a small bar in South Philadelphia in 1959. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill begins preview performances on May 26, opens on June 1, and runs through July 1 on the U.S. Bank Main Stage. Bill Fennelly returns to The Armory to direct after previously directing Gypsy, Black Pearl Sings and, most recently, Little Shop of Horrors. Deidrie Henry, who most recently played Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire at The Armory, will be joined on stage by Abdul Hamid Royal, the production's music director who also plays the role of Jimmy Powers, along with local musicians Charles Neal (drums) and Andre St. James (bass).

Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson announced that the company's 2018 Summer Festival will feature new productions of four operas at The Spa Little Theatre in Spa State Park, along with a wide variety of free and ticketed concert events from May 26 through July 15 at venues throughout the region.

Pittsburgh CLO is proud to open the 2018 Summer Season with the Pittsburgh premiere of Broadway sensation, ON YOUR FEET!, June 12-17 at the Benedum Center. Pittsburgh CLO remains steadfastly dedicated to the creation of new work, and co-produced the Broadway production of ON YOUR FEET! as part of this ongoing commitment. Pittsburgh CLO has brought over 20 new shows to their "Feet" on the Broadway stage, including the recent productions of An American in Paris, Kinky Boots, Matilda The Musical and many others.

Cherry Lane Theatre (Seri Lawrence, Janio Marrero, Co-Artistic Directors) is proud to announce that Academy Award nominee Michael O'Keefe and Angelina Fiordellisi will star in its upcoming Founder's Project presentation of Charles Mee's FIRST LOVE, directed by Kim Weild. Performances will begin on June 7, the production will open on June 14 and run through July 8 at Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street). Tickets are $65-$95 and are available at www.cherrylanetheatre.org or by calling Ovation Tix at 1.866.811.4111.

The Muny announced today its full cast, design and production teams for the theatre's centennial season production of Annie, July 18 -25. 

Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA; Jeffrey Horowitz, Founding Artistic Director) announces a public reading of Obie and Drama Desk Award-winning playwright Will Eno's Gnit, directed by Oliver Butler (The Open House, 2014), and starring acclaimed stage and screen actor Michael C. Hall (stage: Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway, David Bowie's Lazarus at NYTW; screen: Six Feet Under, Dexter). The reading will take place June 18 at 7pm at Polonsky Shakespeare Center (262 Ashland Place, Brooklyn, NY).

There's an empty casket on display and a pants-less mourner screaming. 'What kinda f**kin' world is this?!' when the lights suddenly go up on Stephen Adly Guirgis' wild New York escapade, Our Lady of 121st Street.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, announces a special Q&A with composer/lyricist Joe Iconis as part of First Monday Masters, Two River's popular new series of  master classes led by artists affiliated with Two River Theater's recent productions and current season.