Studio Theatre News

The 2014 New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) production of BAYONETS OF ANGST will star Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer, set to play Abraham Lincoln in the world premiere. Joining him are Paul Whitty ('Once'), Herndon Lackey ('LoveMusik'), Brian Charles Rooney ('The Threepenny Opera'), Michael Abbott, Jr. ('Shotgun Stories'), Ian Lowe ('Murder for Two') and Ryan Andes ('Big Fish'). Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal!

Theater Breaking Through Barriers (TBTB), the critically acclaimed theater company dedicated to advancing artists with disabilities and changing the image of people with disabilities from dependence to independence, presents its fourth annual short play festival, POWER PLAYS -- a collection of five world-premiere short plays by celebrated playwrights Bekah Brunstetter, Bruce Graham, John Guare, David Henry Hwang and Neil LaBute -- with performances to run June 12-29 at Theatre Row's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street). Official press opening is Sunday, June 15. Roberto Cambeiro, Christina Roussos, Artistic Director Ike Schambelan, Russell Treyz, and Associate Director Nicholas Viselli direct.

Do blondes really have more fun? Audiences will soon find out at Pittsburgh CLO's production of Legally Blonde The Musical, June 13-22 at the Benedum Center. This mega movie hit will be brought to life by a cast of Broadway's best and Pittsburgh CLO veterans. Watch as Elle Woods takes over the stage with her vivacious personality and a score sure to please.

“Gotta Dance: A Tribute To…Life!” a spectacular, new stage extravaganza celebrating dance through the years, is set for a World Premiere showcase July 2 and 3, 2014, at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in the Troesh Studio Theatre, presented by The HAND Company, directed and choreographed by Giulio Scatola, and produced by Steve Hand, with production design by Emmy Award winner, Andy Walmsley and music produced by Josh Connolly.

The Kitchen Theatre Company and Civic Ensemble are excited to announce the casting of the world premiere of SLASHES OF LIGHT by Judy Tate. SLASHES OF LIGHT tells the story of an African American girl's coming-of-age in Chicago's South Side during the turbulent 1960s. This production connects Civic Ensemble's focus on community-based work by women and people of color with the Kitchen's two decades of producing bold, intimate work that starts 'important conversations.' Previews are today, June 11 and June 12 & 13, opening night is June 14, and the play closes on June 29.

Long Beach Playhouse audiences are in for a very original and unique treat because opening this weekend in the Studio Theatre is a production called Chekov Shorts: The Proposal and The Bear. Diane Benedict is not only the director for the show but has translated these two one act plays from Russian to English. Interestingly, she has interspersed in the middle of these two pieces an adaptation (again her translation) of one of Chekov's short stories, The Bet that she turned into another one act play. She chose these three pieces because of the vaudevillian nature of the stories. We tend to associate Chekov with his more serious plays like-The Three Sisters, The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, etc., but he wrote wonderful, rich comedies that are exemplified in this production. Setting for The Bear is in the Ural Mountains on November 14, 1880. The Proposal is set near Moscow on November 13, 1885, and The Bet, set in St. Petersburg, spans the years from 1870 to 1885.

Atlanta Lyric Theatre, the metro area's only professional musical theatre company, has agreed to lease the Alley Stage at the former Theatre in the Square in Marietta. In addition to the company's main stage productions, which are housed at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, the new acquisition, to be renamed The Lyric Studio Theatre in the Square, will accommodate weekly cabaret entertainment, new and original musical works, and the Atlanta Junior Lyric. The Junior Lyric program features theatre for young audiences, educational theatre for aspiring young artists, and musicals performed by Junior Lyric students.

America's Premiere Doo-Wop group is coming to FST's Court Cabaret as the first act in the Summer Cabaret Sidekicks Series. This dynamic a cappella group will perform their hit show, At The Hop, beginning today, June 10 and running through July 6. Performing songs of the 50s and 60s, this lively group entertains with a spontaneous humor and refreshing contemporary style of song. Celebrating their 25th anniversary, The Alley Cats are a perfect blend of musical talent and comic timing. Featuring songs such as 'Life Could Be a Dream,' 'Rock 'N' Roll Is Here To Stay,' and 'Duke Of Earl.'

HOME Manchester presents the world premiere of Angel Meadow, (www.HOMEmcr.org/Angel-Meadow),the first in a series of site-specific productions taking place around Manchester in the lead-up to the opening of the £25m centre for theatre, film, and art in spring 2015.

Florida Studio Theatre presents an exciting new Summer Mainstage and Cabaret Season. The Mainstage kicks off with the foot-stomping musical Pump Boys and Dinettes, the humorous and inspirational drama Becoming Dr. Ruth, and the thought-provoking Taking Shakespeare. The Summer Cabaret Season will consist of At The Hop, by America's Premiere Doo-Wop group, The Alley Cats, Clearly Invisible: Magic Up Close with Carl Seiger, and Somewhere Over the Rose, The Songs and Stories of Judy Garland and Bette Midler.

With a musical career spanning more than thirty-five years, guitarist, sonic innovator, and two time Grammy nominee Tim Reynolds is known for his masterful command of melody and timing and for his uncanny ability to improvise on any instrument he touches. Having explored most musical styles, from rock, jazz and blues to classical and reggae, Reynolds' wide-ranging musical versatility is evident each time he picks up his electric or acoustic guitar. Technically brilliant, yet emotionally honest, Reynolds' music is inspired and authentic.

SummerWorks Performance Festival returns for its 24th year August 7 -17, 2014. This year's season is sure to thrill with exciting changes, a crop of new works and moments of intensity, self-discovery and much more waiting to be discovered. SummerWorks is excited to announce its new Hub at The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen St W), where they will host Live Art programming throughout the 2014 Festival, replacing last year's Performance Bar. SummerWorks is also pleased to return to venues such as Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Ave), the Lower Ossington Theatre (100 Ossington Ave) and the Scotiabank Studio Theatre (6 Noble St).

Branchwater returns to the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre for a concert on Saturday, June 28 at 6:30 pm, with guests Switch Factory.

The Warner Stage Company will present Songs for a New World, June 14-22, in the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.

Comedian Dave Reilly will be performing in the Warner Theatre's Nancy Marine Studio Theatre Saturday, August 2 at 8 pm.

Florida Studio Theatre announces the opening of the second show in the Summer Mainstage Season Becoming Dr. Ruth, by Mark St. Germain. The show will open in the Keating Theatre June 25 and run through July 27, 2014. Subscriptions to see all three shows of the season can be purchased for as little as $39. Single tickets range from $34-44. Tickets may be purchased online at FloridaStudioTheatre.org, by phone at (941) 366-9000, or by visiting the Box Office.

The Warner Theatre has announced the Warner Stage Company's 2014-15 Season. Season Subscriptions are now available. Other ticket purchases are available in July. Call the Warner Theatre Box Office at 860-489-7180 for more information.

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the Chicago premiere of Grounded, by George Brant and directed by Lisa Portes, today, June 6 - July 13 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.