Terrence McNally News

As the Associated Press observes, Deborah Voigt boasts 'a stage presence that radiates an endearing charm.' This fall, the superstar soprano returns to Boston's Celebrity Series with two performances of Voigt Lessons at the Calderwood Pavilion on Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22, with Kevin Stites on piano. An intimate one-woman show, Voigt Lessons was developed in working sessions with award-winning playwright Terrence McNally and director Francesca Zambello at the famed MacDowell Colony, and takes the leading dramatic soprano's life and career as the basis for a revealing script that incorporates 18 songs and arias of special importance to her. At its premiere at the 2011 Glimmerglass Festival, Voigt Lessons impressed the New York Times as 'chatty, witty, and sometimes painfully poignant,' while Toronto's Globe and Mail pronounced it 'an absolute gem.'

Atlantis Productions closes its 14th season with Andrew Lippa (music and lyrics), Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice's (book) 'The Addams Family.' Directed by Bobby Garcia, the production stars Eula Valdes, Arnel Ignacio, K-La Rivera, and Ryan Gallagher.

The critically heralded all-male Shakespeare's Globe productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III, which delighted audiences and broke all box office records in London's West End earlier this year, opened last night, Sunday, November 10 at the Belasco Theatre, and BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities. Check out photos from the stage door of Richard III right after the opening night performance below!

Two-time Tony Award-winner Mark Rylance stars in TWELFTH NIGHT and Richard III, two startlingly different performances in repertory, as the suddenly love struck noblewoman Olivia in Twelfth Nightand as the ruthless and conniving title monarch in Richard III. The critically heralded all-male Shakespeare's Globe productions of Twelfth Night and Richard III, which delighted audiences and broke all box office records in London's West End earlier this year, opened last night, Sunday, November 10 at the Belasco Theatre, and BroadwayWorld was there for all of the opening night festivities. Check out photos from Richard III's opening night theatre arrivals below!

The Merola Opera Program presents Opera & Ornaments: A Merola Opera Program Holiday Concert, on Sunday, December 7th, at 2 pm in the Community Hall of the Lafayette Library (3491 Mt Diablo Blvd). This special holiday concert features renowned opera performers Kristin Clayton, soprano, and Bojan Knezevic, bass-baritone.

The York Theatre Company will honor legendary Broadway and film composer Alan Menken with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre at the 22nd Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala to be held Monday, December 9, 2013 at The Hudson Theatre (145 West 44thStreet).

Primary Stages has announced that their annual Gala will take place Monday, November 11, 2013 at The Edison Ballroom (240 W. 47th Street). The event will honor Tony Award-winning playwright Christopher Durang and President of the General Counsel at Dramatists Play Service, Stephen Sultan. The Gala Chairs are Catherine Adler and HBO. The Tony nominated star of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Kristine Nielsen, will offer a tribute to Mr. Durang. Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley will offer a tribute to Mr. Sultan. The evening will feature performances by Rachel DeBenedet (Catch Me If You Can, Addams Family), Alan Paul (Grease, Oliver!, Manhattan Transfer), Michele Ragusa (Urinetown, Ragtime, A Class Act, Adrift in Macao), and Alton F. White (The Color Purple, The Lion King, Ragtime).

Musical America, now in its third century as the indispensable resource for the performing arts, today announced the winners of the annual Musical America Awards, recognizing artistic excellence and achievement in the arts.

Bebe Neuwirth's 'Stories… in NYC: Live At 54 BELOW' will be released digitally on November 15th and on CD onNovember 19th, 2013. The CD is now available for pre-order athttp://amzn.com/B00G9AO1HI. The track listing and cover art were unveiled today by Broadway Records.

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.

Bucks County Playhouse has announced today that the Playhouse has selected Alexander Fraser and Robyn Goodman to assume the leadership roles of Producing Director and Executive Producer, respectively. They will be replacing outgoing Producing Director Jed Bernstein, who announced earlier this year he will be joining Lincoln Center For The Performing Arts as its next President. Fraser and Goodman will begin their duties at the Playhouse in January of 2014.

Performance Network Theatre's Fireside New Play Festival (FNPF) returns with its latest installment of four of the hottest new plays in the country, performed for the first time on a Michigan stage on Sunday, December 15 through Wednesday, December 18 at 7pm. Audiences can sample works by UM grad and Chicago playwright Steven Simoncic, Louisville playwright Diana Grisanti, Chicago playwright Reina Hardy, and Michigan playwright Linda Ramsay-Detherage (author of the March FNPF hit "Sugarhill.") Admission is Pay-What-You-Can and reservations can be made at performancenetwork.org or over the phone at 734-663-0681. Performances are immediately followed by a facilitated talk back to share feedback on the brand new plays!

The Pearl Theatre Company presents CURTAIN UP CLASSICS for Terrence McNally's And Away We Go, with KATE FARRINGTON, Interim Artistic Director and Dramaturg, and CAROL SCHULTZ ('97), Resident Acting Company Member on Saturday, November 23rd, 11am at The Pearl Theatre (555 West 42nd Street). Free.

The Drama League announced today that they will honor Golden Globe Nominee and Emmy Award winner Neil Patrick Harris at the 30th Annual Musical Celebration of Broadway, to be held on Monday evening, February 3, 2014 at the famed Pierre Hotel (2 East 61st Street). The black-tie gala, which features dozens of stars from Hollywood and Broadway in a one-night-only evening of musical selections drawn from Mr. Harris' career in theater, film and television, supports The Drama League's educational initiatives for promising young artists. Tickets are available by calling (212) 244-9494.

The Pearl Theatre Company continues its 30th anniversary season-the second season in its new home on West 42nd Street-with the world premiere of And Away We Go by four-time Tony Award-winner Terrence McNally. In his first play written for an ensemble of actors, McNally celebrates the classics, acting companies and The Pearl itself.

Transport Group, the Drama Desk and OBIE award-winning theatre company, has announced that Almost, Maine, written by John Cariani and directed by Jack Cummings III, and I Remember Mama, written by John Van Druten and directed by Mr. Cummings, will comprise the company's 2013-14 season. Both productions will take place at the Gym at Judson, 243 Thompson Street, where Transport Group will now be in residency.

Audra McDonald is in the midst of promoting her latest album, 'Go Back Home', and concert tour, which is currently playing in Los Angeles, but she won't be in California for long. According to the LA Times the five-time Tony winner will be heading back to Broadway soon.

On Monday night, the Dramatists Guild Fund hosted their Annual Gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York. This year's event honored legendary playwrights, composers, and lyricists who have greatly impacted the American theater. Below you can check out photos of the attendees in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride!

COCA provides child, teen and adult classes in Art and Design, Early Childhood, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Social and Cultural Dance, Fitness, Theatre, and Voice and Music. Multi-class discounts and payment plans available. 2014 Winter/Spring arts classes begin Tuesday, January 21. Classes are held at COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Call 314.725.6555 or visit www.cocastl.org for more information.

Last night, the Dramatists Guild Fund hosted their Annual Gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York. This year's event honored legendary playwrights, composers, and lyricists who have greatly impacted the American theater. BroadwayWorld was there for the special night and you can check out coverage from the star-studded red carpet below!