Signature Theatre News

One of the great things about DC theatre is that we have the opportunities to experience theater from all over the world, including from some of the most artistically renowned companies.  Take for example the Druid Theatre Company in Galway, Ireland.  Today's subject Garry Hynes is living her theatre life as Artistic Director of that esteemed company.  The Druid's production of Waiting for Godot is embarking on its year-long tour with a run at Shakespeare Theatre Company through May 20.

Due to popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has extended the world premiere comedy, The Doppelganger (an international farce) written by Matthew-Lee Erlbach (Showtime's Masters of Sex, Off-Broadway's Handbook for an American Revolutionary), through June 2 with the original cast.

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).

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, concludes its 2017/18 season with the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse production of The Originalist by John Strand, directed by Molly Smith with Associate Director Seema Sueko, and featuring Edward Gero as Antonin Scalia. The Originalist runs May 10 - June 10, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 8:00pm.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced today a two-week extension for the world premiere of MLIMA'S TALE. Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney, MLIMA'S TALE continues The Public's Astor Anniversary Season at their landmark downtown home on Lafayette Street, celebrating 50 years of new work and the 50th Anniversary of HAIR. MLIMA'S TALE will now run two additional weeks through Sunday, June 3.

IAMA concludes its 10th anniversary season with the final installment of Leslye Headland's viciously funny "Seven Deadly Plays" cycle: a black comedy that explores the sin of "pride." Annie Tippe directs the world premiere of Cult of Love, a powerful look at one family's feverish clash over who is right - and who is crazy. Previews begin May 18, with the press opening scheduled for Thursday, May 24. Performances will continue through June 24 at Atwater Village Theatre.

A collective of perspectives. A public outcry. The establishment of a movement. This month, two new plays- Until the Flood by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Neel Keller and florissant & canfield by Kristiana Rae Colon, directed by Derrick Sanders-bring a national dialogue to the stage.

One thing can be said about award-nominated playwright Annie Baker. She captures the human condition in the most realistic of ways. This is no more apparent than in Signature Theatre's production of Baker's latest work, John. Director Joe Calarco delivers his finest staging to date. He's assembled a superb cast that includes the grand dame of DC theater, Nancy Robinette.

The Obie-award winning The Fire This Time Festival (http://www.firethistimefestival.com/), in association with Frigid New York @ Horse Trade, is presenting readings of three plays and a screenplay that were developed in its New Works Lab, and they will be held over two days: Thursday May 3, and May 4, 2018, at the Sheen Center in Studio B, located at 18 Bleecker St (between Mott St. and Elizabeth St.) in New York City.  

Ticket's are now on sale for the Fifth Annual 10-Minute Musical Festival, SOUND BITES 5.0! This unique event showcases ten new musicals of up-and-coming musical theater writing teams.

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland announce the full lineup for Signature Theatre's 2018/19 season.

Straight from Broadway, SOMETHING ROTTEN! is currently on tour across the country, and is coming to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta this week. SOMETHING ROTTEN! is a musical filled with laughs, it is a 'valentine to the theatre', and one not to be missed by musical theatre fans. BroadwayWorld spoke with Josh Grisetti who plays Nigel Bottom in SOMETHING ROTTEN! on tour, and played the same role in the Broadway production.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for the first production of its 2018/2019 season, the Tony Award-winning musical South Pacific, with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Josh Logan, and adapted from Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener. This production is directed by Victor Malana Maog with choreography by Otis Sallid and musical direction by Roberta Duchak. South Pacific runs April 5 - June 17, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m.

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director; Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced additional casting for the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE.

The Signature Theatre (Paige Evans, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Executive Director; James Houghton, Founder) production of Paradise Blue by Obie Award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau and directed by Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson has been extended one week, the company announced today. The production, which opens on May 14, will now run through June 10, 2018.

The Fulton Theatre in association with Maine State Music Theatre is excited to bring to the stage, Million Dollar Quartet! The electrifying story of how 4 stars made music history!

The 2018-19 Signature Theatre Season will feature six works by five resident playwrights, including two productions by Signature's new Residency 1 playwright, Lynn Nottage, and a world premiere musical from Signature's first musical theatre writer-in-residence Dave Malloy, the company announced today.

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 Wednesday, 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.

Jermyn Street Theatre has announced casting for Tomorrow at Noon, a programme of three new plays by Jenny Ayres, Emma Harding, and Morna Young, each of which reacts to one of Coward's Tonight at 8.30 plays, and responds to it in a contemporary voice.

Sundance Institute announces the slate of theatremakers from the U.S. and Middle East / North Africa who will convene at the Theatre Program's second annual Theatre Lab in Morocco next month. The Lab, which will take place from May 6 - 27 at the Fellah Hotel outside Marrakech, comprises three uninterrupted weeks of consultation, mentorship and workshop performance of new work for the stage. The Theatre Lab alternates locations each season, moving between the Sundance Resort in Utah, and a venue in the Middle East/North African region, as part of a multi-year commitment to international work and a means of facilitating cultural exchange between artists. Led by Sundance Institute Theatre Program Director Philip Himberg and Producing Director Christopher Hibma, teams of creative advisors, actors and dramaturgs will collaborate with writers and directors, independent from commercial or public pressures, as they develop their projects.