The Group Theatre News

THE PLACE WE BUILT - a new play by Sarah Gancher that marks the 2nd annual production from the Clifford Odets Play Commission - will receive its debut tonight, December 11-14 at the Marilyn Monroe Theatre (115 E. 15 St. Lee Strasberg Way) in Manhattan.

The Collective NY presents the 2nd annual COLLECTIVE:10, two curated programs of new 10-minute plays. Performances begin today, October 8 at Teatro Circulo. Last year's inaugural Collective:10 performed to sold-out audiences and featured the talents of Ellen Burstyn and Elizabeth Kemp. This season's plays, selected from over 1000 blind submissions, will also be published as an anthology.

The world premiere of the new edition of Johnny Johnson by Paul Green and Kurt Weill, with text and music not heard since 1937, will be staged at the University of North Carolina. Performances will take place in the Kenan Theatre, Center for Dramatic Art on Thursday, November 20th at 8pm, Friday, November 21st at 8pm (post-show discussion), Saturday, November 22nd at 8pm (pre-show symposium), Sunday, November 23rd at 2pm, and Monday, November 24th at 5pm.

The Collective NY presents the 2nd annual COLLECTIVE:10, two curated programs of new 10-minute plays. Performances begin October 8 at Teatro Circulo. Last year's inaugural Collective:10 performed to sold-out audiences and featured the talents of Ellen Burstyn and Elizabeth Kemp. This season's plays, selected from over 1000 blind submissions, will also be published as an anthology.

The plays of A TEXAS TRILOGY run in repertory beginning today, August 7th, 2014 at the newly renovated McAlpin Hall at 165 W 86th St. For the performance schedule and ticketing information, please visit www.atexastrilogy.com

Kimberly Faye Greenberg is quickly becoming the 'go-to' gal for Fanny Brice, the legendary first female torch singer and comedienne of her time. A 1920's Ziegfeld Follies star, recording artist, film actor and voice of 'Baby Snooks' on the radio for 25 years, the Broadway musical Funny Girl, which then became a movie, was based on her life. Kimberly has been said to be 'the closest you will ever get to the real Funny Girl'. She won critics over when she appeared as 'Fanny' in the solo show One Night with Fanny Brice, Off-Broadway, receiving critical acclaim and a nomination for an IBTA Best Solo Performance Award.

Commonly known as A Texas Trilogy, the three plays centered on small-town life set the theatre world afire in 1974. Originally presented at the Dallas Theatre Center, the plays drew such attention that NY critics and theatre luminaries were soon flying to Dallas to witness American theatre at its finest. Signed by legendary agent Audrey Wood, who had also discovered Tennessee Williams and William Inge, Jones's plays then transferred to a sold-out run at the Kennedy Center. Preston Jones went from obscurity to being on the cover of many national magazines. The Saturday Review cover proudly proclaimed him "The Next O'Neill." A bidding war then broke out to bring the plays to New York, and, directed by Alan Schneider, they finally arrived on Broadway in 1976.

The Group Theatre Too, Michael Blevins and Justin Boccitto Co-Founders, present a one night performance of "An Evening with Danny Kaye" starring Brian Childers, directed by Stephen Nachamie and musical direction by Jeffrey Biering. The performance will take place at Stage 72 at the Triad.

Preston Jones's Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander,The Last Meeting of the White Magnolia, and The Oldest Living Graduate will get a rare New York revival this August.

The Group Theatre Too, Michael Blevins and Justin Boccitto Co-Founders, present a one night performance of "An Evening with Danny Kaye" starring Brian Childers, directed by Stephen Nachamie and musical direction by Jeffrey Biering. The performance will take place at Stage 72 at the Triad.

The Old Globe today announced it will present Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas ("The Waltons," Fifth of July, "The Americans") starring in A Distant Country Called Youth, an intimate look at the making of an artist, adapted by Steve Lawson from early letters Tennessee Williams sent to his family, friends, and professional associates. This one-night-only engagement takes place on Monday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Custom Made Theatre caps its 15th season with Arthur Miller's The Crucible, directed by Stuart Bousel. The Crucible is arguably The Great American Play, a classic story of individuals confronting the corruption within their society and standing up for their convictions under even the direst of circumstances. Custom Made has assembled a cast of 17 to portray the frightening times of 17th Century Salem, Massachusetts. The Crucible plays May 20-June 22 at the Gough Street Playhouse, 1620 Gough Street in San Francisco

The Group Theatre Too (GTT) presents its seventh annual Choreographer's Canvas, a one- night event featuring the works of over fifteen established and emerging choreographers from around the country. The Canvas, headed by GTT Executive Producer Justin Boccitto, will play at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center Friday, May 2nd and showcase many styles of dance including tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, theatre dance, aerial and this year bellydancing. For the past 6 years the Canvas has presented over 75 choreographers, giving opportunity to over 500 dancers performing to sold-out houses. The event is sponsored by Broadway Dance Center, Capezio, Manhattan Movement and the Society of Directors and Choreographers as well as numerous arts philanthropists.

The Collective NY seeks submissions for its 2nd Annual Collective:10 Play Festival. Original 10-minute plays will be selected to premiere in a fully-produced Fall 2014 run at a prominent Manhattan venue and published in The Collective:10 Play Anthology Vol. 2.

The Peccadillo Theater Company presents a staged reading of Clifford Odets's ROCKET TO THE MOON, directed by Dan Wackerman at the Theatre at St. Clement's on Monday, March 10, 2014 at 7 p.m. The reading will star Jonathan Hadary (Broadway's Golden Boy, Awake and Sing! and Gypsy); Jason Kravitz (Broadway's Relatively Speaking and The Drowsy Chaperone); and Lou Liberatore (Tony nominee for Burn This).

Daryl Taylor-Hazel reunites with Broadway buddies Lee Summers and Michael Blevins on TUNES MY IDOLS TAUGHT ME. Performer, Daryl Taylor-Hazel brings his Florida musical act to New York City's premier cabaret theater, Stage 72 at The Triad on March 14th, at 7PM, Daryl's act, that's been called a 'zippy, entertaining show' features scads of popular songs made famous by singing television variety show hosts during the golden era of TV. The one-man show features Taylor-Hazel who has been crowned 'The Ambassador of Song' by Rosie O'Grady's on Church Street Station in Orlando.

ReGroup Theatre's hit The House of Connelly by Paul Green enters its final week of extension. The show must close on February 9th. Scroll down for a look at the cast in action!

As part of the ReGroup Theatre's celebration of playwright and activist Paul Green, they are presenting a free reading of his groundbreaking play, Pulitzer Prize winning, In Abraham's Bosom following their matinee of The House of Connelly today, Jan 26th at 7 PM.

83 years later - Paul Green's hit play returns to the NY stage - with its shocking original ending finally intact! On the heels of their acclaimed productions of 1931- and Success Story, The ReGroup Theatre Company Inc. turns its attention to the Group Theatre's very first play, Paul Green's The House of Connelly. With special permission and support from the Paul Green Foundation, this poetic tale gets a much overdue NY revival.