Stephen Belber News

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season and its commitment to the creation of unforgettable new plays with the WORLD PREMIERE of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, written by and starring Michael Benjamin Washington and directed by the critically acclaimed Lucie Tiberghien. This story is more than relevant. It's riveting. Those who stand up for equality in 2015 are following in the footsteps of Bayard Rustin, the lesser known but powerfully influential civil rights leader who orchestrated the March on Washington and stepped forward himself as an openly gay man at a time when few had the courage to do so. In this ode, an exiled Rustin masterminds 'a tribute to the ancestors' 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This exciting production begins tonight, Oct. 16 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 15 at KC Rep's Copaken Stage in the Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season and its commitment to the creation of unforgettable new plays with the WORLD PREMIERE of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, written by and starring Michael Benjamin Washington and directed by the critically acclaimed Lucie Tiberghien. This story is more than relevant. It's riveting. Those who stand up for equality in 2015 are following in the footsteps of Bayard Rustin, the lesser known but powerfully influential civil rights leader who orchestrated the March on Washington and stepped forward himself as an openly gay man at a time when few had the courage to do so. In this ode, an exiled Rustin masterminds 'a tribute to the ancestors' 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This exciting production begins Friday, Oct. 16 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 15 at KC Rep's Copaken Stage in the Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

La Jolla Playhouse and Kansas City Repertory Theatre is presenting the world-premiere production of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, by Michael Benjamin Washington, directed by Lucie Tiberghien (Blood and Gifts). Tiberghien replaced Phylicia Rashad, who had to depart the project due to scheduling conflicts. Check out photos from the production below!

The Huntington Theatre Company opens its 2015-2016 season with the Tony Award-winning musical A Little Night Music, Stephen Sondheim's most romantic and popular work, led by Tony and Olivier nominee Haydn Gwynne, as well as Broadway's Stephen Bogardus and Lauren Molina. Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois (after all the terrible things I do; Smart People; Rapture, Blister, Burn; and Becky Shaw) will direct. Performances will run tonight, September 11, through October 11, 2015 at the Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre.

MCC THEATER has announced the 2015 PlayLabs reading series, which will feature new works in development by playwrights MCC Playwright in Residence Neil LaBute, MCC Theater Youth Company alum Ren Dara Santiago, and rising playwright Stephen Brown.  Readings will be held on September 21st, September 28th, and October 5th, as shown below, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street).  All readings are at 7pm.  Full casting will be announced at a later date.  Tickets on-sale now are $15, which include the post-reading reception.  For tickets and more info, please visit www.mcctheater.org.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, presents DEAR EVAN HANSEN. The original musical, featuring a score by Tony Award nominees Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (Broadway's A Christmas Story, The Musical; Dogfight), a book by Steven Levenson (Masters of Sex) and directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Broadway's Rent, Next to Normal, If/Then), is a contemporary, intimate story of hope, heartache and the things in life we all need-friends, family and a place to call home. With choreography by Danny Mefford and music supervision, orchestrations and dance arrangements by Tony Award winner Alex Lacamoire, Dear Evan Hansen runs now through August 23, 2015, opening tonight, July 30, in the Kreeger Theater.

La Jolla Playhouse and Kansas City Repertory Theatre announce the cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin, by Michael Benjamin Washington, directed by Lucie Tiberghien (Blood and Gifts).

Master playwrights Neil LaBute, Rajiv Joseph, Stephen Belber are offering one-one-one master advice contest for writers!

The Huntington Theatre Company will open its 2015-2016 season with the Tony Award-winning musical A Little Night Music, Stephen Sondheim's most romantic and popular work. Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois (after all the terrible things I do; Smart People; Rapture, Blister, Burn; and Becky Shaw) will direct. Performances will run September 11 - October 11, 2015 at the Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre.

Following in the footsteps of Jennifer Morrison (ONCE UPON A TIME, WARRIOR, HOUSE) and Charlie Carver (TEEN WOLF, THE LEFTOVERS), actor/director Matthew Lillard (SCREAM, THE BRIDGE, THE DESCENDANTS, SCOOBY-DOO) has launched a social media challenge to help bring American theater to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Announcing the stellar cast of THE PORCINI TEST, will be ready to open at The Promenade Playhouse on July 17th.

The Ojai Playwrights Conference (OPC), one of the most acclaimed new play developmental programs in the country, announces its 18th season with an extraordinary program of playwrights, new play workshops and special performance events from August 2 through 9, 2015 in Ojai, California.

New York Stage and Film and Vassar College, this summer celebrating the 31st Powerhouse Season, have announced the first round of casting for their summer collaboration, which runs June 26 - August 2 at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie.

THE OTHER THING, written by Emily Schwend and directed by Lucie Tiberghien, makes its world premiere at Second Stage tonight, May 21, following previews from May 12. The production runs through June 7, 2015.

Tonight's performance of THE OTHER THING at Second Stage Uptown has been cancelled following a nearby apartment fire, BroadwayWorld has confirmed.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, announces the full cast and creative team for Dear Evan Hansen.

Vassar and New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theater announces its 31st year of championing new works, with a full season of stories that take audiences from a South Sea island to center court at the US Open and beyond.

Animus Theatre Company is pleased to announce Collected Shorts by Tennessee Williams (The Long Goodbye, Moony's Kid Don't Cry, The Pink Bedroom, and Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen) as their 2014-2015 Workshop Production and final production of the season. Marking the New York theatre directorial debut for acclaimed actor Matthew Lillard, the show will feature Eric William Morris. Performances begin tonight, April 24 and run through Saturday, May 2, at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street).

Haven Theatre Company closes their 2014 - 2015 Season with the Chicago premiere of Stephen Belber's Don't Go Gentle, directed by Haven Theatre Company Artistic Associate Cody Estle, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., May 31 - July 12.

Haven Theatre Company closes their 2014 - 2015 Season with the Chicago premiere of Stephen Belber's Don't Go Gentle, directed by Haven Theatre Company Artistic Associate Cody Estle, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., May 31 - July 12. Previews are Sunday May 31 at 3 p.m., Tuesday June 2 - Thursday, June 4 at 8 p.m. Opening/Press night is Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m. The regular schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at