Stephen Belber News

Vassar & New York Stage and Film announced today the complete list of programming for its 32nd Powerhouse Season, which runs June 24 to July 31 at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Great news tonight! Geffen Playhouse has just announced a starry cast for its world premiere production of BIG SKY, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros.

What is the path we take to find love in a harsh world? Colleen Camp Productions and CRAZYface Productions LLC present a fresh new production of Gruesome Playground Injuries, directed by John Hindman and starring Sara Rae Foster (Showtime's Masters of Sex) and Jeff Ward (Lifetime's Manson's Lost Girls). Rajiv Joseph's poignant and darkly comic tale about love, pain and friendship opens May 13 at the Hudson Backstage in Hollywood, with low-priced previews beginning May 6.

The Huntington Theatre Company presents the world premiere of CAN YOU FORGIVE HER? by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw and Rapture, Blister, Burn) and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois (A Little Night Music and Smart People). Performances begin Friday, March 25 and continue through April 24, 2016 at the South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. 

Access Theater announces the selection of Sarah Norris and Michael Aguirre as the new Artistic Director and Producing Director, respectively. Founder and owner Jacqueline Christy will shift to the new position of Executive Director as Access Theater enters its 24th season.

The Huntington Theatre Company presents the world premiere of CAN YOU FORGIVE HER? by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw and Rapture, Blister, Burn) and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois (A Little Night Music and Smart People). Performances begin tonight, March 25, and continue through April 24, 2016 at the South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. 

After a very successful opening, AQUILA MORONG STUDIO and CALLIOPE PRODUCTIONS is pleased to announce the extension of prolific award-winning playwright Stephen Belber's funny and poignant dramedy, DUSK RINGS A BELL, Directed by John Hindman.  This bittersweet drama will extend for two additional weeks at The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.  Now running through March 27th, 2016. Tickets: www.plays411.com/dusk

Music director Manfred Honeck leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, guest vocalists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in a BNY Mellon Grand Classics program featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere of Bach's St. John Passion oratorio tonight, March 4, and March 6 at Heinz Hall.

On Friday, February 26, City Players enjoyed a spectacular opening night of the World Premiere drama UTOPIA written by and starring David Douglas and Martin Head, directed by Katherine Whitney. Opening night festivities were attended by Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey and members of the Royal Palms Recovery Center who provided rehearsal space for the production.The SOLD OUT audience awarded the production with a well-deserved standing ovation.

The Directors Company, in association with Pascal Productions, will present A BETTER PLACE, a new work by playwright Wendy Beckett (Anais Nin: One Of Her Lives, A Charity Case) and directed by Evan Bergman (Love Therapy), will play a limited six-week engagement this spring at The Duke on 42nd Street, a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues).

The Huntington Theatre Company presents the world premiere of CAN YOU FORGIVE HER? by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Gina Gionfriddo (Becky Shaw and Rapture, Blister, Burn) and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois (A Little Night Music and Smart People). Performances begin Friday, March 25 and continue through April 24, 2016 at the South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. 

Music director Manfred Honeck leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, guest vocalists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in a BNY Mellon Grand Classics program featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere of Bach's St. John Passion oratorio on March 4 and 6 at Heinz Hall.

Utopia is defined as an imaginary place where everything is perfect. But what does it take to achieve perfection in just two days within the art world? City Players is proud to present the World Premiere of 'UTOPIA' by David Douglas and Martin Head on February 26, 27, March 3, 4, 5 at 7:30pm and Sunday, February 28 at 2pm at the Bootleg Theater, located at 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057. The production is directed by Katherine Whitney.

AQUILA MORONG STUDIO and CALLIOPE PRODUCTIONS announce the opening of prolific award-winning playwright Stephen Belber's funny and poignant dramedy, DUSK RINGS A BELL, Directed by John Hindman.  This bittersweet drama opens at The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.  Tickets: www.plays411.com/dusk

Next up at the Echo Theater Company: the world premiere of Sheila Callaghan's newest play - a funny, sexy and unconventional romance with music. Jennifer Chambers directs Kate Morgan Chadwick, TW Leshner and Johnathan McClain in BED, opening Feb. 6 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Playwrights Horizons presents the New York premiere of 2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist Marjorie Prime, a new play by Jordan Harrison (Maple and Vine, Doris to Darlene at PH; Amazons and Their Men; Kid-Simple; 'Orange is the New Black'). Commissioned by Playwrights Horizons and directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman (Detroit, Maple and Vine, Your Mother's Copy of the Kama Sutra at PH; Belleville; This Wide Night; The Thugs), the play is the third production of the theater company's 2015/2016 Season. The production opens tonight, December 14, at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street), and will play a limited engagement through Sunday, January 3.

Playwrights Horizons presents the New York premiere of 2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist Marjorie Prime, a new play by Jordan Harrison (Maple and Vine, Doris to Darlene at PH; Amazons and Their Men; Kid-Simple; 'Orange is the New Black'). Commissioned by Playwrights Horizons and directed by Obie Award winner Anne Kauffman (Detroit, Maple and Vine, Your Mother's Copy of the Kama Sutra at PH; Belleville; This Wide Night; The Thugs), the play is the third production of the theater company's 2015/2016 Season. The first preview is tonight, November 20 at 8PM at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street). The production has an Opening Night set for Monday, December 14 and will play a limited engagement through Sunday, January 3.

Members and constituents of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 have been busy speaking out against The New York Times' recent decision to leave out the names of shows' designers when listing credits for theatre productions at the end of reviews. As of today, their hard work has paid off.

Playwrights Horizons begins accepting entries today, Wednesday, November 11, for the LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to their New York premiere of 2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist Marjorie Prime, a new play by Jordan Harrison (Maple and Vine, Doris to Darlene at PH; Amazons and Their Men; Kid-Simple; 'Orange is the New Black').