Suzan-Lori Parks News

Silk Road Rising is set to present the World Premiere of Night Over Erzinga, written by Adriana Sevahn Nichols and directed by Lisa Portes. Night Over Erzinga runs October 9 - November 11, 2012, in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St, Chicago. Press opening is Saturday, October 13 at 3:00 pm.

Obsidian Theatre Company's Shaw Festival production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog Underdog won the 2012 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Production, presented tonight, June 25, by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts at St. Lawrence Center for the Arts.

The New Black Fest begins its third year with the announcement of The New Black Fellows-a playwriting fellowship that provides a $1000 stipend, rehearsal space and support for a new or existing projects. The inaugural playwriting fellows include Glenn Gordon, Mfoniso Udofia and Kevin R. Free.

Producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, announced today that Audra McDonald has been ordered on a period of complete vocal rest by her doctor through the end of the month. As a result of performing with a respiratory infection last week, her vocal cords have become inflamed to a point where she cannot sing. She is scheduled to return to the production on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

According to the New York Times, Diane Paulus' upcoming production of Pippin might be heading to Broadway after it plays Cambridge's American Repertory Theater in December. Patrick Healy writes that producers Barry and Fran Weissler are looking into backing the show for a Broadway run. A spokesman told NYT: "It's a project that Barry and Fran are very interested in. They're huge fans of Diane. Right now they're just supporting the project."

Last night, June 18, The Public Theater celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Delacorte Theater, home of Shakespeare in the Park, and honored Al Pacino for his body of work at The Public. The evening included a benefit reading of Romeo and Julie featuring Kevin Kline as Romeo and Meryl Streep as Juliet. On hand to celebrate were the likes of Julia Stiles, Chelsea Clinton, Steve Martin and many more who have both particiated and enjoyed the works at the Delacorte. BroadwayWorld was also on hand and brings you photo coverage below!

Kevin McCollum and Doug Morris will co-produce MOTOWN on Broadway next year, according to Michael Riedel in the New York Post. The musical is a biographical jukebox musical using the story and Motown hit catalogue of Berry Gordy Jr.. Charles Randolph-Wright will direct.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced the cast and creative team for its world premiere of Eve Ensler's EMOTIONAL CREATURE. This positive and propulsive new show - from the Tony Award-winning playwright, performer, and activist who created The Vagina Monologues - features a choreographer, a composer, four top designers, and an ensemble of talented young women. Directed by Obie Award-winner Jo Bonney, Emotional Creature plays only 36 performances in the Roda Theatre. The limited engagement at Berkeley Rep begins previews tonight, June 14, opens June 22, and runs through July 15. The lead producers of this premiere are Wayne Jordan and Quinn Delaney, Marjorie Randolph, and Jack and Betty Schafer; the executive producer is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family. The development of this production has been supported in part by The Mosse Artistic Development Fund.

Last night, June 10, Audra McDonald took home her 5th Tony Award for for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role of 'Bess' in THE GERSWIN's PORGY AND BESS. Though we'd think she'd be used to the feeling of winning by now, McDonald spoke with BroadwayWorld just moments after her win only to reveal how it still feels 'out of body'. Click below to hear from the Broadway darling herself!

The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, are underway! The ceremony is being broadcast tonight, June 10, in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network. BroadwayWorld is, of course, at the Beacon Theatre bringing you full coverage all night! Check out photos of tonight's attendees on the red carpet below- part 3!

The 2012 Tony Awards have finished, with big wins for ONCE, Audra McDonald, James Corden and more. BroadwayWorld brings you a recap of the winners' remarks below. Whether you missed an honoree or just want to re-live the moment, scroll down to read each winner's acceptance speech!

Women's Project will end its 34th season with an off-Broadway show of epic proportions when seven playwrights, four directors, three producers and five actors collaborate on one world premiere play titled from the famous Ellen Stewart quote We Play for The Gods. We Play for The Gods stars Annie Golden, Amber Gray, Alexandra Henrikson, Irene Sofia Lucio and Erika Rolfsud. It opens tonight, June 11, at 7:30pm for a run through Saturday, June 23, at the Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce Street.

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater today announced the lineup for its 13th season. The season opens in October with Strindberg Cycle: The Chamber Plays in Rep, August Strindberg's Chamber Plays in new translations by Paul Walsh, directed by Cutting Ball Artistic Director Rob Melrose; this will be the first time all five of Strindberg's Chamber Plays will be performed together in repertory in any language.

Music-Theatre Group previously announced a special interview with Diane Paulus and Randy Weiner, to be moderated by Thomas Schumacher (Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group) tonight, June 7th at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th Street between 9th and 10th) at 7:30 p.m.

Audra McDonald is the recipient of this year's Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role of 'Bess' in THE GERSWIN's PORGY AND BESS. The award marks McDonald's fifth Tony award win.

THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS is this year's recipient of the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

As announced earlier in the season, Performance Network Theatre has been in the process of restructuring their non-profit organization to increase the support of their award-winning Artistic department, while creating greater capacity in Management. PNT is happy to announce the appointment of Erin Sabo as the Managing Director, allowing the theatre to adopt the dual management structure that is the industry standard for producing professional theatres, as well as expand its Artistic programs.

Women's Project will end its 34th season with an off-Broadway show of epic proportions when seven playwrights, four directors, three producers and five actors collaborate on one world premiere play titled from the famous Ellen Stewart quote We Play for The Gods. We Play for The Gods stars Annie Golden, Amber Gray, Alexandra Henrikson, Irene Sofia Lucio and Erika Rolfsud. It begins performances tonight, June 1, at 8:00pm, opens Monday, June 11, at 7:30pm for a run through Saturday, June 23, at the Cherry Lane Theatre, 38 Commerce Street.

Everyman Theatre has announced the directors attached to each of its six productions in the 2012/13 season. Founding Artistic Director Vincent Lancisi will helm two productions during the landmark season, including August: Osage County, which will be the first production at Everyman's new location on Fayette Street in January, 2013. The season will include two productions at the theatre's current location on Charles Street, followed by four productions at the new location on Fayette Street.