Terrence McNally News

Rehearsals are in full swing for Whidbey Island Center for the Arts' forthcoming Theatre Series, a screen-to-stage production of The Full Monty directed by Elizabeth Herbert. Musical direction is by Sheila Weidendorf, choreography by Chelsea Randall. The Full Monty opens tonight, April 5 and runs through April 20, 2013; show times are 7:30 P.M. on Fridays and Saturdays with 2 P.M. Sunday matinees.

Testing, testing, 1..2..3. Hello, everyone! My name is Leah Edwards and I'm currently performing Sharon Graham in a production of Master Class down at Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, Florida. I have been a lifelong artist-first a gymnast and dancer, then a classical pianist, then an opera singer and am now finding my way in the world of Broadway theatre. As I make these transitions, I don't mind telling you, it's always a little murky making my way out of one career and into the next. I often find myself with two resumes, two headshots, always trying to be what I think those knowledgeable in my new field "want" me to be and trying not to forget all the skills I'm confident I've learned from my previous one. Honestly, it's exhausting feeling so schizophrenic! But one thing I have always been certain of is that I love to learn. So I've altered my outlook and now use every experience-opera, play, recording-as a new, exciting expedition on which I can discover worlds of information I never knew I was missing.

New York's Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presents the Los Angeles premiere of the critically-acclaimed play Slipping, written and directed by Daniel Talbott, which begins previews tonight, April 4, 2013 at Elephant Stages' Lillian Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The five-week limited engagement is scheduled to open Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 7:00pm and run through Sunday, May 5, 2013.

Left Field Productions, Neil Berg, Adam Friedson and MSC OPAS at Texas A&M University welcome veteran Broadway actor Marc Kudisch to direct the world premiere project that will close the 40th Anniversary OPAS Season at Texas A&M University - Neil Berg's The Phantoms of the Opera.

On Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m., The Sherman Playhouse will host a FREE staged reading of award-winning playwright Terrence McNally's DEUCE - the inaugural reading in the new Sherman Sunday Script Series of readings to be performed at the Playhouse.

NEW DRAMATISTS, Tony Honor recipient and the nation's premiere playwright development workshop, has announced that they will honor entertainment lawyer and New Dramatists Chairman of the Board Seth Gelblum with their 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award at its 64th Annual Spring Luncheon tribute, to be held Tuesday, May 21 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Among those performing tributes will be Tony Award nominee Keith Carradine (Hands on a Hardbody, The Will Rogers Follies) and Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change; Jelly's Last Jam). The event co-chairs are Roger Berlind, Roy Furman, and Barry and Fran Weissler.

The first new album from Broadway legend Faith Prince in 13 years is set for release on Broadway Records. 'Total Faith: Live from the Royal Room at The Colony' was recorded live at the Royal Room of the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida in Spring, 2010 and will be released on April 16, 2013 and is available for pre-order athttp://amzn.com/B00BT0NPI4. The digital release will be available on April 12th.

Theatres are usually dark on Monday nights, but several times each year Berkeley Repertory Theatre makes them glow with Page to Stage, a series of talks that engage brilliant guests in sparkling conversation. Today, the Tony Award-winning theatre announced that Artistic Director Tony Taccone will moderate a chat with Obie Award-winner Mark Wing-Davey, only days before he brings the Bard back with a bang in Pericles, Prince of Tyre. This free event on April 8 takes place at the new Osher Studio in the Arts Passage at Berkeley Central. The address is 2055 Center Street in downtown Berkeley, only half a block from BART.

The recent Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle Award winning Celebration Theatre has announced the workshop production of a new play, Kissing Che, written by Brooklyn playwright Augusto Federico Amador and directed by award-winning New York-based director Victor Maog . Kissing Che will begin tonight, April 2nd at 7:30pm followed by a performance every Today night closing on April 23rd at the Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces William Shakespeare's Henry VIII, the first professional Chicago production in 400 years since its debut at Shakespeare's Globe in London. Staged by Artistic Director Barbara Gaines in CST's Courtyard Theater April 30-June 16, 2013, Henry VIII features a celebrated company of artists that includes Gregory Wooddell in the title role and Christina Pumariega as Anne Boleyn. The acting company features an ensemble of veteran CST actors which includes Kate Buddeke, David Darlow, Kevin Gudahl, Scott Jaeck, Ora Jones, David Lively and Mike Nussbaum.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has announced Summer of '42 as the final piece of its first full summer season. Featuring a book by Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster (Little Shop of Horrors) and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum (Vanities), Summer of '42 is based upon the novel and screenplay by Herman Raucher. Tony Award nominee Lonny Price (A Class Act) makes his directorial return to the Bucks County Playhouse following A Grand Night for Singing, the first show of last year's grand re-opening.

Kentwood Players presents RAGTIME - the quintessential American musical - through Saturday, April 20 on Fri/Sat at 8pm, Sun at 2pm at the Westchester Playhouse, located at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester, CA 90045.The production is directed by Susan Goldman Weisbarth, with Musical Director Bill Wolfe, Choreographer Victoria Miller, and produced by Margie Bates and Gail Bernardi.

The recent Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle Award winning Celebration Theatre has announced the workshop production of a new play, Kissing Che, written by Brooklyn playwright Augusto Federico Amador and directed by award-winning New York-based director Victor Maog . Kissing Che will begin Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:30pm followed by a performance every Tuesday night closing on April 23rd at the Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) have just announced full casting for the upcoming world premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney's CHOIR BOY, the new play featuring gospel music directed by Trip Cullman.

While certainly a fun, buoyant little show---featuring some enjoyable music from HAIRSPRAY composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, as well as a very likable, extremely talented young actor, Stephen Anthony, at the center of its semi-autobiographical tale of successful grifting---CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: THE MUSICAL focuses much of its creative raison d'etre on its eye-catching razzle dazzle, and not enough on the fascinating story that's bubbling underneath. The non-Equity touring version of the short-lived 2011 four-time Tony nominated show, is now on a two-week layover at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles through March 24.

BoHo Theatre presents Hauptmann, an examination of truth and media indictment, by lauded Chicago playwright John Logan. The production runs tonight, March 22nd through April 21st at the Heartland Studio in Rogers Park.

Broadway Arts Factory presents Broadway leading lady Sierra Boggess in Lessons in Love on Sunday, April 21st, 2013. Lessons in Love is a very special evening in which Sierra Boggess shares her love of life, the theatre, and some very special people who influenced and changed her life forever. Realizing that the answers are within, this journey reveals inspirational moments, from humble beginnings to the bright lights of Broadway. A silent auction & cocktail reception will be held at 6pm, while the performance begins at 7:30pm at The Riverside Church (91 Claremont Avenue New York NY 10027). Tickets are $65 and $95.

Bucks County Playhouse (BCP) (Jed Bernstein, Producing Director) has announced that single tickets are now on sale for the 2013 Playhouse Productions summer season. The world premiere of a new play by four time Tony Award -winning playwright Terrence McNally has been added to the list of previously announced shows. It will star Tony and Emmy Award- winner Tyne Daly. The balance of the season is made up of acclaimed musicals and plays and a production specifically for families. The summer season kicks off on Thursday, May 23rd at the Bucks County Playhouse (70 South Main Street, New Hope, PA).

Based on the hit DreamWorks film and the true story that inspired it, the high-flying Broadway musical CATCH ME IF YOU CAN officially opened its run March 12 - 24, 2013 at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre. Broadway World's own Michael Sterling and Jerry Evans of the JLE Media Group were on hand to chat with the stars at the glamorous red carpet event. Celebrity guests included Max Ehrich, Ruta Lee, Jo Anne Worley, Bruce Vilanch, Anna Trebunskaya, Davis Gaines, Linda Hart, Raphael Sabarge, Charlene Tilton and Ed Ames among others. Check out the video below!

Since its creation in 1997, Ragtime has remained one of my favorite musicals for two reasons. Its simply gorgeous almost opera-like musical score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens moves me to the bone, and it has more meaningful historical content about America at the turn of the 20th century than just about any other show. Now via an excellent production by the Kentwood Players, Ragtime continues its deeply moving effect on audiences.