Stephen Spinella News

A first listen to the score composed by Tony Award-winning SPRING AWAKENING composer Duncan Sheik for the new Off-Broadway adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's seminal A MAN'S A MAN is now available to peruse.

Whether massive festivals, unique productions, or simply an amazing take on a classic we all know well, the DC arts community rose to the challenge this year and offered something pretty great for everyone.

As previously announced, Red Bull Theater will present two RUSSIAN READINGS by Vladimir Nabokov and Alexander Ostrovsky this winter. The first took place last week on December 9 and the second is set for tonight, December 16 as part of its OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings Series. The cast of tonight's reading includes Jonathan Groff, Tovah Feldshuh, Stephen Spinella, and more.

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, has announced complete casting today for its upcoming new production of Bertolt Brecht's A MAN'S A MAN, which begins performances Friday, January 10 at CSC (136 East 13thStreet). A MAN'S A MAN will be directed by Brian Kulick and features a new score and new songs by Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik. This production continues CSC's exploration of the works of Bertolt Brecht, which began in 2011 with the sold-out production of Galileoand was followed by last season's The Caucasian Chalk Circle (on which Kulick and Sheik also collaborated). Joining previously announcedJustin Vivian Bond (Widow Begbick) are Jason Babinsky (Polly Baker), Bill Buell (Jeraiah Jip), Gibson Frazier (Galy Gay), Martin Moran (Uriah Shelley), Steven Skybell (Jesse Mahoney), Stephen Spinella (Bloody Five), Ching Valdes-Aran (Mr. Wang) and Allan K. Washington (Ensemble). The official opening night is Thursday, January 30. A MAN'S A MAN will play a limited engagement through February 16.

Larry Kaye and HOP Theatricals, and Van Dean and The Broadway Consortium just announced that the new American play THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN will begin previews Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at Broadway's Booth Theatre (222 West 45 Street) for a limited engagement, following a sold-out, critically acclaimed run at Washington DC's Arena Stage (Edgar Dobie, Executive Producer) in the Fall of 2013. THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN is a 90-minute powder keg dark comedy by Eric Coble that stars Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons (Bonnie and Clyde, 'Roseanne') and two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella (Angels In America, Spring Awakening), is directed by Molly Smith and will open Monday, April 21, 2014. THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN will mark the Broadway debuts of playwright Eric Coble and director Molly Smith.

Signature Theatre presents the World Premiere of CHERI, conceived, directed and choreographed byMartha Clarke, now playing a limited six-week run through Sunday, December 29. The production began preview performances on November 19 and opening was last night, December 8 in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out photos below!

As previously announced, Red Bull Theater will present two RUSSIAN READINGS by Vladimir Nabokov and Alexander Ostrovsky on December 9 and December 16 as part of its OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings Series. Today, the all-star casts for the two readings have been announced, boasting a roster which includes Jonathan Groff, Tovah Feldshuh, Stephen Spinella, and more.

Red Bull Theater presents the first-ever Off Broadway revival of Loot by Joe Orton. Red Bull Artistic Director Jesse Berger directs a company that includes Rebecca Brooksher (Fay), Eric Martin Brown (Meadows), Jarlath Conroy (McLeavy), Ryan Garbayo (Dennis), Rocco Sisto (Truscott), and Nick Westrate (Hal). Loot will have scenic design by Narelle Sissons, costume design by Sara Jean Tosetti, lighting design by Scott Zielinski, and sound design by Brad Berridge.

On Today October 14 at 7:30pm, Red Bull Theater presents a staged reading of SAMSON AGONISTES by John Milton, featuring Robert Cuccioli, Ron Cephas Jones, Richard Easton, Alfredo Narciso, Dakin Matthews, Roberta Maxwell, Christina Rouner, Robert Stanton and Marc Vietor. The reading will be directed by Michael Sexton.

Slate's Emily Yoffe, author of the advice column, 'Dear Prudence,' joins Laura Helmuth, Slate's science and health editor, as they take audience questions and discuss many of the personal and social implications presented in The Velocity of Autumn during Family Matters: A Conversation with Emily Yoffe and Laura Helmuth, tonight, October 12 following the 2:00 p.m. matinee, at approximately 3:45 p.m. in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St, SW). The event is free and open to the public, but subject to availability.

On Monday October 14 at 7:30pm, Red Bull Theater presents a staged reading of SAMSON AGONISTES by John Milton, featuring Robert Cuccioli, Ron Cephas Jones, Richard Easton, Alfredo Narciso, Dakin Matthews, Roberta Maxwell, Christina Rouner, Robert Stanton and Marc Vietor. The reading will be directed by Michael Sexton.

Slate's Emily Yoffe, author of the advice column, "Dear Prudence," joins Laura Helmuth, Slate's science and health editor, as they take audience questions and discuss many of the personal and social implications presented in The Velocity of Autumn during Family Matters: A Conversation with Emily Yoffe and Laura Helmuth, Saturday, October 12 following the 2:00 p.m. matinee, at approximately 3:45 p.m. in the Kreeger Theater at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 Sixth St, SW). The event is free and open to the public, but subject to availability.

The Velocity of Autumn, a new two-character play from Cleveland-based playwright Eric Coble, opened last night at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith and by special arrangement with HOP Theatricals, LLC. Check out a look back at the opening night festivities and arrivals below!

The Velocity of Autumn, a new two-character play from Cleveland-based playwright Eric Coble, is now running atArena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith and by special arrangement with HOP Theatricals, LLC. Check out a first look at highlights of the show below!

If you disregard the Molotov cocktails which litter the set, then The Velocity of Autumn is a poignant comedy about a situation countless theatergoers can relate to. And yet the explosives that surround the set in Arena Stage's production of Eric Coble's terrific new play are symbolic reminders about just how hard the human spirit will fight to retain freedom, even as the human body confines us to a different fate.

With the official opening of Eric Coble's dangerous new play The Velocity of Autumn tonight, September 18 at 8:00 p.m. at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, the occasion marks Artistic Director Molly Smith's 25th project to direct for Arena Stage and is the first of three projects she will direct in the 2013/14 season, including Kathleen Turner in Mother Courage and Her Children and the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lawrence Wright's Camp David.Building on 15 years with the company, Smith is steadfast in her focus on American plays and artists.

The Velocity of Autumn, a new two-character play from Cleveland-based playwright Eric Coble, is now running at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith and by special arrangement with HOP Theatricals, LLC. Check out a first look at the production shots below!

Red Bull Theater (Jesse Berger, Artistic Director) will present their Tenth Anniversary Season at Off-Broadway's Lucille Lortel Theater, including Off Broadway revivals of modern classics by the iconoclastic Joe Orton and Charles Ludlam - writing in the tradition of Marlowe and Aristophanes - alongside Revelation Readings of Jacobean gems such as 'Tis Pity She's a Whore and The Roaring Girl, and of rarities like the American Premiere of Nabokov's Tragedy of Mr. Morn, Brecht & Weill's musical Happy End, and Thornton Wilder's Alcestiad, offering something for every lover of classic theater to relish.

The Velocity of Autumn, a new two-character play from Cleveland-based playwright Eric Coble, opens at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith and by special arrangement with HOP Theatricals, LLC.

Tony Award-winning SPRING AWAKENING star John Gallagher Jr. discusses his big win in the Featured Actor In A Musical category for the edgy rock musical as well as shares memories of his starry assortment of co-stars for the show as part of a new interview, including a candid recollection of a particularly amusing story from the actual night itself.