The Children's Theatre News

La MaMa to present American Debut of Italian Playwright/Director Alessandro Corazzi with 'Blue Day,' a human comedy, May 28 to June 14.

Performance Network Theatre presents August Wilson's classic FENCES starring Lynch Travis (STOP KISS, WHITE PICKET FENCE) and directed by Tim Rhoze. The show began previews April 23 and runs through May 24, 2009. The cast also includes Sheila Slaughter, Julian Gant, Michael Joseph and James Bowen, who are all making their Performance Network debut.

The Downstairs New Play Reading Series is a demonstration of Arena's longstanding commitment to the development of new works and to the support of American artists. Arena Stage is proud to announce the 10th year of the Downstairs Series, which includes new works by Arena favorites Tazewell Thompson (director of Arena's M. Butterfly, Yellowman), Psalmayene 24 (Imagination Stage's Zomo the Rabbit) and fresh new voice Seamus Sullivan.

Performance Network Theatre presents JanetMarie & m'Archibald's 'Imagination Celebration' on Saturday, April 25th at 11am. This all-ages show, part of the Children's Theatre Network's Saturday Series for Young Audiences, is followed by a free cookies and milk reception.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) welcomes Ramona Quimby, the world's most lovable third-grader, to its stage in a fast-paced, funny and touching new production, directed by Clinton Turner Davis.

Whole Foods Market (990 W. Eisenhower Parkway) presents the Children's Theatre Network production of the healthy lifestyles musical Jamie and Jordon on Saturday, May 23rd at 1pm. This free event is part of the Whole Kid's Club. Registrations requested; please call 734/997-7500 to reserve a spot.

Back by popular demand! THE MAYHEM POETS return to PlayhouseSquare for the first time since February 2007 to perform their powerful spoken word opus that seamlessly mixes the power of personal expression, issues of diversity and acceptance, hilariously random topics and mind-boggling hip-hop rhythms. These theatrically trained performers tell gut-wrenching truths that will leave audiences forever changed.

Children's Theatre Company (CTC) welcomes Ramona Quimby, the world's most lovable third-grader, to its stage in a fast-paced, funny and touching new production, directed by Clinton Turner Davis.

Renowned storyteller LaRon Williams visits Performance Network Theatre on Saturday, May 23rd at 11am. This all-ages show, part of the Children's Theatre Network's Saturday Series for Young Audiences, is followed by a free cookies and milk reception.

Joyce Award-recipient Naomi Iizuka brings her tale of family ties, a lingering debt, mystical stories-and magical food-to the Goodman stage in her newest work, Ghostwritten, April 4 - May 3, 2009. Lisa Portes, who has shepherded this play from its first appearance at the 2007 New Stages Series, directs its world-premiere production with a cast of Chicago favorites led by Lisa Tejero (Mirror of the Invisible World and Metamorphoses) and Kim Martin-Cotten (King Lear).

In Performance Network Theatre's current production of A Feminine Ending, a young woman dreams of being a great composer. She has trouble making it in the male-dominated field, however, and pays the rent writing ad jingles while her boyfriend gets famous and her symphony lies unfinished. On April 4 at 5pm, Performance Network presents a free panel of Successful Women in Music following the 3pm performance of A Feminine Ending.

Need a personal bailout? How about a night of world-class entertainment? Performance Network Theatre is combing a bailout with a bonus for an exciting result: free tickets to their current show, 'A Feminine Ending,' Friday through Sunday, March 27 through April 5.

Friends In Deed will present a legendary trio as Charles Busch, Whoopi Goldberg and Lypsinka star in the first-ever New York presentation of the infamous Broadway-play-that-wasn't, LEGENDS!. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner James Kirkwood (A Chorus Line), the play will be presented in a special One Night Only staged reading benefit on Monday evening, March 23 at 8PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street).

Joyce Award-recipient Naomi Iizuka brings her tale of family ties, a lingering debt, mystical stories-and magical food-to the Goodman stage in her newest work, Ghostwritten, April 4 - May 3, 2009. Lisa Portes, who has shepherded this play from its first appearance at the 2007 New Stages Series, directs its world-premiere production with a cast of Chicago favorites led by Lisa Tejero (Mirror of the Invisible World and Metamorphoses) and Kim Martin-Cotten (King Lear).

Playwrights Horizons, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, is proud to announce four World Premieres for its 2009/2010 Season. Presented at the theater company's home at 416 West 42nd Street.

Beginning with an empty stage and a single microphone, Cirque du Soleil veteran Jamie Adkins musters up the courage to face what he fears most; public speaking. Circus INcognitus, a brand new show filled with hilarious circus hi-jinx and zany acrobatics comes to PlayhouseSquare March 14th for two very special performances at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Ohio Theatre.

Performance Network Theatre presents A FEMININE ENDING, Sarah Treem's quirky, surprising comedy about a young musician's bumpy road to self-discovery, hot from its New York premiere at Playwrights Horizons. Starring Inga Wilson, (Taking Leave), John Seibert (Summer in Smoke, Fuddy Meers, A Doll's House, The Baker's Wife), Terry Heck (Language Lessons, Necessary Targets), Brian Thibault (The Baker's Wife) and Will Myers. Directed by Joseph Zettelmaier (A Streetcar Named Desire). The show opened in previews March 5 and runs through April 5, 2009.

Performance Network Theatre presents August Wilson's classic FENCES starring Lynch Travis (STOP KISS, WHITE PICKET FENCE) and directed by Tim Rhoze. The show opens in previews April 23 and runs through May 24, 2009. The cast also includes Sheila Slaughter, Julian Gant, Michael Joseph and James Bowen, who are all making their Performance Network debut.

In Performance Network Theatre's current production of A Feminine Ending, a young woman dreams of being a great composer. She has trouble making it in the male-dominated field, however, and pays the rent writing ad jingles while her boyfriend gets famous and her symphony lies unfinished. On April 4 at 5pm, Performance Network presents a free panel of Successful Women in Music following the 3pm performance of A Feminine Ending.

STEP AFRIKA! is the first professional company in the world dedicated to stepping, an art form as rich as its African roots. This highly interactive performance highlights the rhythm, physicality and history of stepping while introducing the concepts of teamwork, discipline and commitment. Stepping is a unique dance tradition created by African American college students. The tradition grew out of the song and dance rituals practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities in the early 1900s. Like tap dance without shoes, or a band without instruments, stepping is percussive dance that uses kicks, stomps, claps and chants - all linked to African and modern dance traditions. As the first professional company devoted to stepping, Washington DC's world-renowned STEP AFRIKA! brings high-energy performance to the stage - a feast for both the eyes and the ears.