Syracuse Stage News

Following its celebrated opening at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pullman Porter Blues travels across the country to sweep D.C. audiences along for a ride in its world-premiere co-production at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Inspired by her grandfather's work on the postal trains, playwright Cheryl L. West, whose work at Arena Stage includes Jar the Floor and Play On!, returns with the tale of three Pullman train porters whose journey is underscored by Midwest blues songs, including "Sweet Home Chicago" and "This Train." Directed by Lisa Peterson (Arena's The Rainmaker and The Quality of Life), Pullman Porter Blues runs November 23, 2012 - January 6, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the initiative, the company will offer a festival of these works-including CRY FOR PEACE: VOICES FROM THE CONGO; SECRET SURVIVORS , featuring adult survivors of child sexual abuse; and INSIDE/OUT… VOICES FROM THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY - running from today, October 18 through November 4 at La Mama E.T.C.

Syracuse Stage welcomes Julian Rad's adaptation of the novel as their 40th season opener. Rad's MOBY DICK opened off-off Broadway in 2003 and was nominated for Drama Desk Awards. This play with songs was heralded for its bare set and authentic sea chanteys.

George Street Playhouse Artistic Director David Saint announced today that the theatre has postponed their scheduled production of Clever Little Lies, penned by Tony Award-winning playwright Joe DiPietro, which was to star award-winning actress Marlo Thomas. Mark St. Germain's critically-acclaimed play The Best of Enemies, originally produced by Barrington Stage Company, will take its place in the New Brunswick theatre's season, running November 29 - December 23.

This October, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, an ancient tale comes roaring back to life in a compelling new telling filled with contemporary wit and wisdom. The clash of swords and shields, the broken hearts and broken oaths, the bonds of friendship and family - An Iliad arises on a bare stage, told by an old man who's seen too much. Two-time Obie Award-winner Lisa Peterson directs a stunning show that stars Henry Woronicz, who masterfully captures the grief and glory of the battle for Troy.

Thursday, October 25 through Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 PM, vocalist Theo Bleckmann and the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) will perform OUT COLD/ZIPPO SONGS- a double-bill of dramatic song cycles with music and lyrics by Phil Kline (Unsilent Night, John the Revelator) - presented as part of BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music)'s 30th Next Wave Festival, in a co-production with American Opera Projects (AOP).

Learn Trinity Rep's backstage secrets from two scenes in their production of KING LEAR. In these "How Did They Do That?" videos, the team takes you through the art of falling walls and gouged eyes. Click below to watch!

Labyrinth Theater Company, the award-winning, downtown ensemble announced today the complete cast and creative team for their World Premiere production of Radiance, written by Cusi Cram and directed by Suzanne Agins. The complete cast of the upcoming production of Radiance includes Kelly AuCoin (Julius Caesar, Julie & Julia) and Ana Reeder (Top Girls, Sight Unseen), as well as Labyrinth Company Members Kohl Sudduth (The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Take Me Out) and Aaron Roman Weiner (Thinner Than Water, The Glass Menagerie).

She's the feisty, no-nonsense blonde at the heart of the hilarious comedy Born Yesterday, which opens the Northern Stage season on October 3. Dragged to Washington, DC by her paramour, a thuggish junk dealer trying to grease the wheels of Congress, she turns the tables on him in epic fashion. The result is a whirlwind romance, a brawl or two, and lots and lots of laughs.

American Theater Company announces two American classics never-before-paired on a single night-The Catholic Repertory: Doubt & Agnes of God-directed by ATC Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and featuring Ensemble Member Sadieh Rifai, Lance Baker, Penelope Walker and Kate Skinner.

We talk with veteran actress Kim Staunton on her amazing and diverse career and working with August Wilson and Phylicia Rashad.

Olney Theatre Center, the award-winning, year-round arts and entertainment destination, announces the opening of the area premiere of Over the Tavern by Tom Dudzick. Over the Tavern will grace Olney Theatre Center's Mainstage from September 26 to October 21, 2012.

Lookingglass Theatre Company will open its 25th Anniversary Season with Metamorphoses, based on the Myths of Ovid, written and directed by Lookingglass Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman. The show will play tonight, September 19 - September 28, 2012. The return of Lookingglass' seminal production, coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of the Broadway run, will open at Lookingglass in the fall of 2012 and will then move to Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage.

Trinity Rep opens its 49th season this month with Shakespeare's sweeping tragedy King Lear, a co-production with The Dallas Theater Center (DTC) and directed by DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty. When the aging King Lear decides to divide his power between his three daughters, the results are devastating to the family - and the country. Driven by flattery, foolishness, ambition and greed, each generation soon betrays another and even nature itself revolts. King Lear runs through October 21 in Trinity Rep's intimate Dowling Theater. In January 2013, the production will travel to Dallas as part of DTC's 12-13 Season. Get a first look at Brian McEleney as King Lear and the rest of the cast onstage in the photos below!

Since 1992, under the rubric of its UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS series, the beloved Ping Chong + Company has created nearly 50 deeply moving theater productions that give voice to specific communities. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the initiative, the company will offer a festival of these works-including CRY FOR PEACE: VOICES FROM THE CONGO; SECRET SURVIVORS , featuring adult survivors of child sexual abuse; and INSIDE/OUT… VOICES FROM THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY - running from October 18 through November 4 at La MaMa E.T.C.

In response to the CPS teachers' strike, Court Theatre is offering a special free performance of August Wilson's Jitney, directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson, for any CPS student (and one parent/guardian) with a valid CPS ID. This free matinee will be Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 10:30am at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. There is no need to RSVP, simply present a valid CPS ID at the theatre.

Will Act For Food will present the Chicago premiere of THE RECKLESS, RUTHLESS, BRUTAL CHARGE OF IT, or THE TRAIN PLAY, by Liz Duffy Adams, directed by WAFF Artistic Director Andrew Jordan, opening Thursday, October 25 and running through November 17 at Oracle Theater.

Court Theatre kicks off its 2012-13 season with August Wilson's Jitney directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson.Jitney is the fourth play in Wilson's Century Cycle to be produced at Court Theatre under Parson's direction. The production will run tonight, September 6 - October 14, 2012 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. The press opening will be Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Premiere Stages presents the New Jersey Premiere of Farragut North from tonight, September 6th through the 23rd in the Zella Fry Theatre at Kean University. Produced in collaboration with the Kean University Center for History, Politics and Policy and supported by the League of Women Voters, the production of playwright Beau Willimon's classic tale of hubris is set against a contemporary political landscape where no price is too high to attain power.

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents a San Diego premiere of The Underpants, adapted by Steve Martin and written by Carl Sternheim. The show begins previews tonight, September 5th through 7th and continues September 8 through 30, 2012.