The Old Globe News

An overwhelming lust for power, a manipulative wife, and witches' prophecies spur a Scottish general onto a tragic path of betrayal, murder and madness. Long Beach Opera (LBO) closes its 2013 season with Macbeth, Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch's re-discovered powerhouse, sung in English. Performances at the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, CA. begin tonight, June 15, 2013 and continue on June 22 and 23.

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2013 season with a theatrically inventive production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, directed byShana Cooper (2011's Taming of the Shrew) playing at the Bruns Amphitheater July 3-28.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) has announced that Rene Augesen will play Blanche DuBois and Joe Manganiello will play Stanley Kowalski in its first-ever production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, the Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece by Tennessee Williams. Directed by Mark Rucker, the production, which will open Yale Rep's 2013-14 season, will play September 20-October 12, at the University Theatre (222 York Street).

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE by William Shakespeare is directed by Adrian Noble and runs now through Sept. 28, 2013 at The Old Globe's Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Previews: June 9, 25, 26 and 27. Opening Night: June 28. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

#theaternow presents the world premiere of Peter and the Neverbird, a new one-man play inspired by J. M. Barrie's beloved classic, Peter and Wendy. This exciting new piece combines imagination-powered magic and theatricality to tell a new story of our cherished Peter Pan and the Neverbird, a lesser, benevolent figure from the book, who here gets a deeper exploration. Written and performed by Chris Bresky, it is directed by Sally Ollove and played two performances only -- June 8th and June 9th. BroadwayWorld has photos of Bresky in action below!

Second Stage Theatre will present the new musical comedy, NOBODY LOVES YOU, featuring Heath Calvert (world premiere of Nobody Loves You at the Old Globe Theatre), Bryan Fenkart (Memphis), Roe Hartrampf (Second Stage Theatre Uptown's The Bad Guys), Autumn Hurlbert(Legally Blonde), Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, A Catered Affair), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages), Rory O'Malley (Tony nominee for The Book of Mormon) and Aleque Reid (Really Really). Check out a just-released promo for the show below!

The education department at Hartford Stage launches a new MainStage MasterClass series for adults beginning in June, featuring two special topic workshops, Clown for Actors and Melodrama, taught by distinguished guest artist, Gregor Paslawsky, appearing on Hartford Stage's MainStage this spring in Twelfth Night.

#theaternow is proud to present the world premiere of Peter and the Neverbird, a new one-man play inspired by J. M. Barrie's beloved classic,Peter and Wendy. This exciting new piece combines imagination-powered magic and theatricality to tell a new story of our cherished Peter Pan and the Neverbird, a lesser, benevolent figure from the book, who here gets a deeper exploration. Written and performed by Chris Bresky, it is directed by Sally Ollove and will have two performances only- tonight,June 8th at 8pm and June 9th at 3pm.

Berkshire Theatre Group presents James Goldman's The Lion in Winter at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge opening on June 29 at 8pm. Previews begin June 25 at 8pm and closing is on July 13 at 8pm.

The Old Globe presents the 2013 Shakespeare Festival. Laurence Olivier Award-nominated director Ian Talbot will make his Old Globe debut with the enduring Shakespeare favorite A Midsummer Night's Dream. The 2013 Shakespeare Festival, performed in repertory in the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, runs June 2 - Sept. 29. Subscription tickets from $66 to $270. Single tickets start at $29. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. BroadwayWorld has a first look at production photos of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM below!

The Old Globe today announced THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE!, a 90-minute presentation exploring the language of Shakespeare, on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m. Led by Old Globe Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and assisted by three professional classical actors, this special program based on Edelstein's book, THINKING SHAKESPEARE: A HOW-TO GUIDE FOR STUDENT ACTORS, DIRECTORS, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE BARD, will reveal a performer's approach to Shakespearean language so audiences may easily understand the poetry of the Bard. An ideal introduction to Shakespeare for families and young audiences, THINKING SHAKESPEARE LIVE! will take place on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.

Philadelphia Young Playwrights has kicked off its 25th anniversary celebration by announcing the launch of the Paula Vogel Mentors Project, a living award honoring the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and teacher and extending her mentorship legacy. The three-year pilot program will bring together five acclaimed professional playwrights as mentors for five promising young playwright fellows, who will embark on yearlong playwriting journeys.

The poignant and provocative new musical, A Minister's Wife, makes its West Coast premiere at San Jose Rep June 20 - July 14, 2013.

The Pasadena Playhouse announced the final presentation of its 2012 - 2013 HOTHOUSE at The Playhouse series, THE FUTURE PERFECT. Book by Jonathan Caren, music & lyrics by Emmy Award-winning composer and songwriter Ben Decter, directed by Tony Award nominated (for Rock of Ages) Kristin Hanggi with musical direction by Kyle Puccia. The staged reading will take place Tuesday, June 25, and Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre at The Pasadena Playhouse.

Thirty years after directing and choreographing the Odyssey Theatre's award-winning West Coast premiere, and following a wildly successful off-Broadway revival at the York Theatre last season, Bill Castellino reunites with musical director Gerald Sternbach to charm audiences with a revitalized, updated version of Ionescopade at the Odyssey Theatre, beginning May 31. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

WaterTower Theatre presents Black Tie, running tonight, May 31 - June 23, 2013 at the Addison Theatre Centre on the Main Stage. The cast includes Stan Graner as Curtis, John S. Davies as Curtis' Father, Marcia Carroll as Mimi, Katherine Bourne as Elsie, Jordon Brodess as Teddy and Jake Buchanan understudying the role of Teddy.

Dallas Theater Center announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.