The Alley Theatre News

The writer and director are to be congratulated for managing to tell the story fully in one 80-minute, no-intermission production.

Brian Reddy has shared the big screen with Robert DeNiro, Joe Pecci, Pierce Brosnan and Richard Gere. He's been directed by Martin Scorsese, the Coen Brothers and Mike Nichols. He has appeared on Broadway with the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Patti Lupone and Sam Waterston.

Woke and Half Asleep is having it's first live podcast at Rec Room on Tuesday, April 24th at 7pm. Created by two decorated young Houston artists, the live podcast is produced in partnership with Rec Room Arts Artist Residency Program.

Victory Gardens Theater continues its 43rd season with the World Premiere of Lettie, written by Boo Killebrew and directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Lettie runs April 6 - May 6, 2018, with the press performance on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

The Colorado New Play Festival (CNPF) (formerly the Perry-Mansfield New Works Festival) is proud to announce the participating theaters for the 2018 season. The 21st Annual Festival, to be held on June 10-16, 2018 in Steamboat Springs, CO, will develop five new works in partnership with the Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alley Theatre, Curious Theatre Company, Primary Stages, and Victory Gardens Theater.

Vietgone by Qui Nguyen is the Vietnamese-American playwright's own creation story-a telling of his parents' 1975 refugee camp romance in a "geek theater" spectacle that's at turns affecting, sage, raucous, and fantastical. A screenwriter for Marvel Studios and founder of Obie Award-winning company Vampire Cowboys, Nguyen's work champions representation and diversity on stage while dripping with pop culture nods, contemporary music, and action-adventure narrative. The production pairs this Studio-commissioned playwright with director and Studio Cabinet member Natsu Onoda Power. Drawing on Vietgone's comic book aesthetics, Studio's Stage 4 is transformed into a garage concert with a live band and original funk-rock-punk-n-roll score, giving audiences a front row seat to this anything-but-typical story of boy meets girl.

Seattle Repertory Theatre today announced complete casting for its production of Familiar by playwright and actor Danai Gurira, directed by Taibi Magar. A co-production with the Guthrie Theater, Familiar is set in the suburbs of Minneapolis and takes a fresh look at tradition, immigration, and assimilation as a Zimbabwean American family gathers together at their home before the rehearsal dinner for their elder daughter's wedding.

WaterTower Theatre Artistic Director, Joanie Schultz, today announced that the "Pay It Forward with Pay What You Can" partner for WTT's upcoming production of Bread will be Big Thought in support of DaVerse Lounge.

The Old Globe, together with Children's Theatre Company (CTC), and in partnership with The Old Vic, today announced details for the Minneapolis and San Diego productions of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax in its U.S. premiere. The production, based on the book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, is adapted for the stage by David Greig (Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company; recent work: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cover My Tracks) with music and lyrics written by Charlie Fink (Frontman/songwriter for the hit musical group, Noah and the Whale (2007-2015). H. Adam Harris, along with Meghan Kreidler and Rick Miller puppeteering, will play The Lorax. Joining them is Steven Epp as The Once-ler. Playing multiple roles in the ensemble are Ansa Akyea, Christopher Becknell, Stephanie Bertumen, Brian Bose, Ryan Colbert, Lynnea Doublette, Johannah "Joh" Easley, Rajane Katurah, Ryan Lear, Ryan Dean Maltz, Emily Michaels King, and Autumn Ness.

Victory Gardens Theater continues its 43rd season with the World Premiere of Lettie, written by Boo Killebrew and directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Lettie runs April 6 - May 6, 2018, with the press performance on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

The Barrow Group Theatre Company (Seth Barrish and Lee Brock, Co-Artistic Directors; Robert Serrell, Executive Director), recipient of aDrama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award, concludes their 2017-2018 season with the New York revival of A Walk in the Woods, a play by Lee Blessing. Directed by Donna Jean (DJ) Fogel, the two-member cast features K. Lorrel Manning as John Honeyman, an American negotiator and Martin Van Treuren as Andrey Botvinnik, a career Russian diplomat.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, announces the Midwest premiere of The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Lauren Shouse, and featuring RTE Founders Tara Mallen and Keith Kupferer, RTE Member Krystel McNeil, with Tuckie White.

Signature Theatre's Board of Trustees (Edward Norton, Chairman, and Nina Matis, President) announced today the appointment of Harold Wolpert as Executive Director of the Tony Award-winning company beginning April 2, 2018. He will serve alongside Artistic Director Paige Evans, who joined Signature in 2016. Mr. Wolpert is a three-time Tony Award-winner who has served in leadership roles at some of the country's premiere cultural organizations, including Roundabout Theater Company, where he was Managing Director until 2016.

The epic story returns. Tony Kushner's two-part play, ANGELS IN AMERICA makes its way back to Broadway tonight! A cast led by Tony nominee Andrew Garfield and two-time Tony winner Nathan Lane will begin previews tonight at the Neil Simon Theatre with Part 1: Millennium Approaches. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

California State University, Fullerton begins the spring 2018 season with Alan Ayckbourn's comedy, Taking Steps. Seasoned professional Mark Ramont directs the production, which runs February 23-March 18, 2018 in the Hallberg Theatre on campus. The comedy centers around the tale of Roland, a hard-drinking, irascible tycoon who is interested in buying an old Victorian house that was once a brothel. His wife, a frustrated dancer, constantly threatening to leave him, joins in this frenetic race up and down the dark mansion's many steps in what The Evening News called 'a farce of riotous delight.'   

2017 Regional Theatre Tony Award Recipient Dallas Theater Center (DTC) presents The Great Society at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. A co-production with the Alley Theatre and directed by DTC Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty, The Great Society begins on March 9 and runs through April 1. A Pay-What-You-Can performance will be Sunday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m., and Press Night will be Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to The Great Society are on sale now at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org and by phone at (214) 880-0202.

Connecticut women attend Voices Festival in DC; Playwright Initiative at Ivoryton; International Women's Day Readings at Westport

California State University, Fullerton begins the spring 2018 season with Alan Ayckbourn's comedy, "Taking Steps." Seasoned professional Mark Ramont directs the production, which runs February 23-March 18, 2018 in the Hallberg Theatre on campus. The comedy centers around the tale of Roland, a hard-drinking, irascible tycoon who is interested in buying an old Victorian house that was once a brothel. His wife, a frustrated dancer, constantly threatening to leave him, joins in this frenetic race up and down the dark mansion's many steps in what The Evening News called 'a farce of riotous delight."  

California State University, Fullerton begins the spring 2018 season with Alan Ayckbourn's comedy, "Taking Steps." Seasoned professional Mark Ramont directs the production, which runs February 23-March 18, 2018 in the Hallberg Theatre on campus. The comedy centers around the tale of Roland, a hard-drinking, irascible tycoon who is interested in buying an old Victorian house that was once a brothel. His wife, a frustrated dancer, constantly threatening to leave him, joins in this frenetic race up and down the dark mansion's many steps in what The Evening News called 'a farce of riotous delight."  

Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Artistic Producer), New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 49th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is Tony Award-nominated actor/singer and 2016 Rosie Award-winner Norm Lewis. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Brad Oscar will be Master of Ceremonies for the evening.