The Living Theater News

THE LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (LES) celebrates its 18th year of bringing together -- in one location, over three days -- more than 100 performing arts organizations, local and international celebrities, independent artists, poets, playwrights, musicians, puppeteers, film makers and many others, all of whom reside, work or have their roots in the culturally diverse Lower East Side. Once again this year, New York City's most diverse FREE 3-day, indoor and outdoor cultural celebration will take place on Memorial Day Weekend, from Friday, May 24 through Sunday, May 26, at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue, between E. 9th and 10th Sts.) in Manhattan.

In an inspired tour de force, award-winning performer Maria McConville will be performing her new solo show 'Baby Matters' while 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. The limited engagement at Shetler Studios & Theatres this May will be directed by Morgan Gould and presented by Good Company.

Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Executive Director) will present the world premiere of Eduardo Machado's play Mariquitas, directed by Michael Domitrovich, beginning April 27th and continuing through May 19th only. Opening Night is set for Sunday May 5th (7pm).

Category 7 in association with La Salle Academy and Nativity Mission announces the cast and creative team for Stand-Up Tragedy, Bill Cain's searing 1991 play about a Lower East Side middle school, where an idealistic young teacher sets out to save one of his students from an abusive family and the streets. Directed by Nicholas Minas, performances begin at Nativity Church (44 2nd Avenue - between 2nd & 3rd Streets) tonight, April 12, 2013 and will continue through May 4.

After an acclaimed premiere in San Diego, Wonderlist Productions and Neighborhood Productions presents the New York Premiere of BUREAU OF MISSING PERSONS by award-winning playwright Lila Rose Kaplan. Directed by Sarah Rasmussen, the production begins previews begin June 14 at New York Theatre Workshop's 4th Street Theater. Opening is slated for June 19.

The Living Theatre continues its historical 66th year with a limited, return engagement of HERE WE ARE, written and directed by Judith Malina.

The Living Theatre continues its historical 66th year with a limited, return engagement of HERE WE ARE, written and directed by Judith Malina.

Category 7 in association with La Salle Academy and Nativity Mission announces the cast and creative team for Stand-Up Tragedy, Bill Cain's searing 1991 play about a Lower East Side middle school, where an idealistic young teacher sets out to save one of his students from an abusive family and the streets. Directed by Nicholas Minas, performances begin at Nativity Church (44 2nd Avenue - between 2nd & 3rd Streets) on Saturday, April 12, 2013 and will continue through May 4.

Culture Project's Women Center Stage (Allan Buchman, Founder & Artistic Director) presents the Off-Broadway premiere of the acclaimed Shaheed: The Dream and Death of Benazir Bhutto written and performed by Anna Khaja and directed by Heather de Michele. Performances began March 8, 2013 at Culture Project at 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 14th at 7:30PM.

Culture Project's Women Center Stage (Allan Buchman, Founder & Artistic Director) will present the Off-Broadway premiere of the acclaimed Shaheed: The Dream and Death of Benazir Bhutto written and performed by Anna Khaja and directed by Heather de Michele beginning tonight, March 8, 2013 at Culture Project at 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette Street). Opening Night is set for Monday, March 11th at 7:30PM.

WHEN THE WORLD WAS GREEN (A Chef's Fable) takes place in a prison cell in an unnamed country and set in the recent past.

Under the artistic direction of the legendary Judith Malina, The Living Theatre will continue to produce its unique avant-garde political theatre in New York City. Additional performances of its current hit, HERE WE ARE, are set to play downtown's Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center (107 Suffolk Street) in Manhattan, March 26-29 at 8pm.

Culture Project's Women Center Stage presents the Off-Broadway premiere of the acclaimed Shaheed: The Dream and Death of Benazir Bhutto written and performed by Anna Khaja and directed by Heather de Michele. Performances begin this Friday, March 8, 2013 at Culture Project at 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette Street). Opening Night has changed to Thursday, March 14th at 7:30PM. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Culture Project's Women Center Stage presents the Off-Broadway premiere of the acclaimed Shaheed: The Dream and Death of Benazir Bhutto written and performed by Anna Khaja and directed by Heather de Michele. Performances begin this Friday, March 8, 2013 at Culture Project at 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette Street).

Collaboration Town in partnership with Sister Scars will present the World Premiere production of ALL GIRLS, written by Anna Greenfield (Norma and Claude Get Married at the Lee Strasberg Institute) and directed by Lee Sunday Evans (The Play About My Dad at 59E59). The production will feature Zoe Costello, Anna Greenfield, and Anna Ryan Konkle.

Culture Project's Women Center Stage (Allan Buchman, Founder & Artistic Director) will present the Off-Broadway premiere of the acclaimed Shaheed: The Dream and Death of Benazir Bhutto written and performed by Anna Khaja and directed by Heather de Michele beginning Friday , March 8, 2013 at Culture Project at 45 Bleecker Street (at Lafayette Street). Opening Night is set for Monday, March 11th at 7:30PM.

Ars Nova kicks off its 2013 season with The Netflix Plays, which begins performances January 30. This production, the newest installment from Ars Nova's Play Group, is set to play 10 performances from today, January 30 - February 9. The Netflix Plays, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production, features original short plays and live music inspired by the recommendation categories on the Netflix website.

Ars Nova kicks off its 2013 season with The Netflix Plays, which begins performances January 30. This production, the newest installment from Ars Nova's Play Group, is set to play 10 performances from today, January 30 - February 9. The Netflix Plays, this year's incarnation of Ars Nova's annual Play Group production, features original short plays and live music inspired by the recommendation categories on the Netflix website.

Theater for the New City's Mortgage Burning took place on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at TNC, 155 First Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets (East Village). Participants included F. Murray Abraham, David Amram, Charles Busch, Vinie Burrows, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kathleen Hughes, Jean-Claude van Itallie, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and surprise guests. Check out photos from the event below!

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has joined the growing list of celebrities and well-wishers attending Theater for the New City's Mortgage Burning tonight, January 26, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at TNC, 155 First Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets (East Village). Other participants will include F. Murray Abraham, David Amram, Charles Busch, Vinie Burrows, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, Assistant Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Kathleen Hughes, Jean-Claude Van Itallie, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers and surprise guests.