Stephin Merritt News

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) takes pride in announcing the 2014-15 Arts and Ideas Season; an exciting line-up of today's acclaimed writers, food experts, renowned scientists and thinkers, as well as fascinating entertainers. Theatrical and musical highlights in the first half of the season include The Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt, rock icon Amanda Palmer and actor Richard Chamberlain.

The Public Theater presents the free one-night event, PUBLIC FORUM: SHAKESPEARE IN AMERICA, tonight, June 30 at 8:00 p.m. at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Whitney Bashor, Annette Bening, Jessica Chastain, author E.L. Doctorow, Jackie Hoffman, Justin Levine, Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson, and Micah Stock join this exciting evening, which will celebrate Shakespeare and the newly released Library of America book, Shakespeare in America, edited by Public Theater Shakespeare Scholar in Residence James Shapiro.

The Public Theater announced additional casting today for the free one-night event, PUBLIC FORUM: SHAKESPEARE IN AMERICA, on Monday, June 30 at 8:00 p.m. at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Whitney Bashor, Annette Bening, Jessica Chastain, author E.L. Doctorow, Jackie Hoffman, Justin Levine, Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson, and Micah Stock join this exciting evening which will celebrate Shakespeare and the newly released Library of America book, Shakespeare in America, edited by Public Theater Shakespeare Scholar in Residence James Shapiro.

The full video for THIS AMERICAN LIFE's 'wildest' show ever at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on June 7th as part of the 2014 'RadioLoveFest' is now available to stream online for just $5. Check out a video trailer for the program here, and hear the radio promo for the episode below!

As announced earlier this evening, Christopher Barreca won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Rocky. BroadwayWorld's own Richard Ridge was in the press room to catch up with the winner on what the award means to him - hear what Barreca had to say below!

Christopher Barreca won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for ROCKY. This is Christopher Barreca's first Tony nomination. His past scenic design work on Broadway includes Search and Destroy, Marie Christine, and The Violet Hour.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Jeff Awards, Theo Ubique's future plans, Jennifer Hudson performs, 'Damn Yankees' at LOW, 'The Beverly Hillbillies,' 'Coraline,' 'The Last Ship' and the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival debut, 'Spelling Bee' starts, 'Avenue Q' extends and BroadwayWorld Chicago hosts a Tony Party!

Joseph V. Melillo, executive producer of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, today announced programming for the 2014 Next Wave Festival. The festival runs from September 9 through December 20 and comprises theater, music, dance, film, humanities, and visual art events in the institution's three venues: the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, the BAM Harvey Theater, and the BAM Fisher.

Over 150 celebrities - actors, musicians, writers, models, photographers, performers - are auctioning off unique personal photos and selfies as part of the MIX NYC #NakedEye Camera Benefit. To bid, visit mixnyc.org/nakedeye. A full list of participating celebrities is included below; auctions close today, May 22nd.

Black Button Eyes Productions presents the Midwest Premiere of "Coraline," a musical by Stephin Merritt and David Greenspan, adapted from the novel by Neil Gaiman, at City Lit Theater in Chicago, at 1020 W Bryn Mawn Ave, August 8 - Sept 6. "Coraline," directed by Edward Rutherford with music direction from Nick Sula, begins previews August 8, press opening is August 9; show runs through September 6. For more information, visit CoralineChicago.com.

Starting today, over 150 celebrities - actors, musicians, writers, models, photographers, performers - are auctioning off unique personal photos and selfies as part of the MIX NYC #NakedEye Camera Benefit. To bid, visit mixnyc.org/nakedeye. A full list of participating celebrities is included at the end of this release; auctions close on May 22nd.

The Public Theater announced today that single tickets are now on sale for the 2014 spring season, beginning on February 18 with ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, the exciting international collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company and GableStage in Miami. Edited and directed by MacArthur Fellow Tarell Alvin McCraney, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA will run through Sunday, March 23, with an official press opening on Wednesday, March 5 in the Anspacher Theater.

The Public Theater will kick off the spring season of Public Forum Drama Club, a 'book club for plays' that will feature one-night-only readings and discussions of great works of dramatic literature. Curated by Jeremy McCarter, the popular Public Forum series presents the theater of ideas: conversations and performances with leading voices in politics, media, and the arts.

The Bushwick Starr will present an evening of two short works performed by award-winning and treasured actor, David Greenspan.

The Bushwick Starr will present an evening of two short works performed by award-winning and treasured actor, David Greenspan.

The Bushwick Starr will present an evening of two short works performed by award-winning and treasured actor, David Greenspan. Based on Aristotle's Poetics and the essays of Gerald F. Else, The Argument is a passionate student's love-letter and farewell to his teacher -- reminding us of the personal pathos that binds us to the Greeks, and firing us to capture that chimera, art. Plays is Gertrude Stein's whimsical and provocative lecture on theatre; a hidden gem of theatricality and wit that only Stein could have delivered. *The Argument was first presented by Target Margin Theater, and Plays was first presented by The Foundry Theatre.

The Bushwick Starr will present an evening of two short works performed by award-winning and treasured actor, David Greenspan. Based on Aristotle's Poetics and the essays of Gerald F. Else, The Argument is a passionate student's love-letter and farewell to his teacher -- reminding us of the personal pathos that binds us to the Greeks, and firing us to capture that chimera, art. Plays is Gertrude Stein's whimsical and provocative lecture on theatre; a hidden gem of theatricality and wit that only Stein could have delivered. *The Argument was first presented by Target Margin Theater, and Plays was first presented by The Foundry Theatre.

Bay Street Theatre presents THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, written by Charles Ludlam and directed by Kenneth Elliott, as the second production in its 2013 summer Mainstage season following the hysterical comedy, LEND ME A TENOR playing through June 23. THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP runs today, July 2 - 28 and stars Tom Aulino and 5 time Obie Award winning actor David Greenspan.

Bay Street Theatre presents THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, written by Charles Ludlam and directed by Kenneth Elliott, as the second production in its 2013 summer Mainstage season following the hysterical comedy, LEND ME A TENOR playing through June 23. THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP runs July 2 - 28 and stars Tom Aulino and 5 time Obie Award winning actor David Greenspan. Tickets are $59.50 and $69.50 with subscriptions to all 3 Mainstage productions starting at $138. For more information call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or buy online at www.baystreet.org. July 2 will be a "Pay What You Can" performance with a limited number of tickets available on that date after 2 pm at the Bay Street Theatre Box Office. Please note that due to the fireworks display in Sag Harbor, the July 6 performance will be at 7 pm.

Bay Street Theatre begins the 2013 Mainstage Season with Lend Me a Tenor (May 28 - June 23). This hilarious Ken Ludwig comedy, under the direction of Don Stephenson, includes Judy Blazer, Scott Cote, Betsy DiLellio, Donna English, Nancy Johnston, Noah Plomgren, Steve Rosen and Roland Rusinek as its hilarious cast.