South Coast Repertory News

South Coast Repertory Theatre has announced its full calendar, September through December 2012. See details below!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre's West Coast premiere of Chinglish has been extended for two weeks. Originally scheduled to run until October 7, David Henry Hwang's popular new play has added 16 performances - but it must close on October 21.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present the regional premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new play O Beautiful, October 4 - 14 in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre, Storrs. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

This October, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, an ancient tale comes roaring back to life in a compelling new telling filled with contemporary wit and wisdom. The clash of swords and shields, the broken hearts and broken oaths, the bonds of friendship and family - An Iliad arises on a bare stage, told by an old man who's seen too much. Two-time Obie Award-winner Lisa Peterson directs a stunning show that stars Henry Woronicz, who masterfully captures the grief and glory of the battle for Troy.

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents a San Diego premiere of The Underpants, adapted by Steve Martin and written by Carl Sternheim. The show begins previews tonight, September 5th through 7th and continues September 8 through 30, 2012.

BIRD IN THE HAND-a new play by Jorge Ignacio Cortiñas, author of the critically-acclaimed BLIND MOUTH SINGING-will be given its world-premiere production Off-Broadway by Fulcrum Theater. The official press opening is tonight, September 5 at Theater for the New City (155 First Avenue at 10th Street).

South Coast Repertory Theatre has announced its full calendar, September through December 2012. See details below!

What is life? What is this world? What is real, and what is only illusion? Pedro Calderon de la Barca's sweeping play LIFE IS A DREAM explores these questions that resonate in our souls. With previews September 15, 16, and 19, Life Is a Dream opens September 20 and runs through October 21 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.

The Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, presents the world premiere of Andy Bloch's The Bellflower Sessions directed by Bryan Rasmussen, produced by Scott Disharoon.

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents a San Diego premiere of The Underpants, adapted by Steve Martin and written by Carl Sternheim. The show begins previews September 5-7 and continues September 8 through October 7, 2012.

Think of it as a spoken-word love song: lyrical, with depth, longing and humor. The song unfolds onstage at South Coast Repertory in Sarah Ruhl's play Eurydice, which runs Sept. 23-Oct. 14.

On hiatus from the AMC smash hit Mad Men, Vincent Kartheiser comes to the Bay Area to lead a vibrant cast in San Jose Rep's world premiere of the Jonathan Marc Feldman drama The Death of the Novel, directed by Rick Lombardo.The cast also includes Vaishnavi Sharma (Sheba), Patrick Jones, Zarah Mahler and Amy Pietz. Pietz is well-known to TV audiences for her roles in The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Burn Notice, Nip/Tuck, The Closer and Private Practice.

David Henry Hwang won three Obies and the Tony Award for Best Play with popular scripts like M. Butterfly and FOB. Now he's back with a canny comedy of cross-cultural errors, CHINGLISH, which makes its West Coast premiere at Berkeley Rep beginning August 29th and heads to Hong Kong in March 2013. Get a first look at the cast onstage below!

Azuka Theatre's 13th Season continues the company's tradition of introducing thought-provoking new works to the region. This season will include two World Premieres and one East Coast Premiere.

Today, as Berkeley Repertory Theatre holds its final rehearsal for the West Coast premiere of Chinglishand prepares this production for a trip to Hong Kong, the show's celebrated author has earned another honor. The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust announced this morning that David Henry Hwang will receive the Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, a biennial prize that recognizes and encourages the artistic excellence and achievement of an American playwright whose body of work has made significant contributions to the American theatre.

Aurora Theatre Company opens its 21st season with the coveted Bay Area Premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's smart, hilarious power-slam of a play, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY. Jon Tracy makes his main stage directing debut at Aurora with this sardonic critique of pop culture and political correctness. Featuring Rod Gnapp, Tony Sancho, Beethovan Oden, Dave Maier, and Nasser Khan, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY plays tonight, August 24 through September 30 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Cleveland Play House opens its 98th consecutive season with its new production of the smash Broadway hit Lombardi. Bob Ari, seen last season as Mark Rothko in Red, returns to CPH to play the legendary coach who defined inspiration.

On hiatus from the AMC smash hit Mad Men, Vincent Kartheiser comes to the Bay Area to lead a vibrant cast in San Jose Rep's world premiere of the Jonathan Marc Feldman drama The Death of the Novel, directed by Rick Lombardo.The cast also includes Vaishnavi Sharma (Sheba), Patrick Jones, Zarah Mahler and Amy Pietz. Pietz is well-known to TV audiences for her roles in The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Burn Notice, Nip/Tuck, The Closer and Private Practice.

Winning the prestigious Woodward/Newman Award for best play, while being developed at Rogue Machine for their 2012 season, brought with it a fully funded production mounted at the Bloomington Play Project in Indiana. It turned out to be one of their most successful projects to date. A Holland New Voices Award came shortly afterwards, and now playwright Henry Murray is ready for its close-up at Rogue Machine, known for staging new works. This will be a West Coast Premiere in one of the country's most vibrant cities for new plays, Los Angeles, opening September 15, 2012.

This year marks the 40th anniversary for Alan Ayckbourn's first big hit, Absurd Person Singular.