The Public Theater News

Emmy Award-winning comedian and writer Judy Gold shares the stage for the first time ever with Boston-area cabaret sensation and Norton Award winner Varla Jean Merman at the Huntington Theatre Company for one night only on Saturday, October 19 at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. Performance times are 6pm and 9pm. Produced by Mark Cortale, these two extraordinary talents will deliver what is sure to be an unforgettable evening of music, stand-up, and all-around hilarity. The Judy and Varla show features Gerald Goode at the piano.

The Public Theater announced today the Public Forum and Public Shakespeare Initiative fall line-up that will explore the intersection of art, ideas, and action and illuminate the study and performance of Shakespeare's works.

The Drama League has announced its 2019 Fall Series, including new play readings, open rehearsals, master workshops and conversations with America's leading stage directors, to be held at The Drama League Theater Center

Weston Playhouse Theatre Company presents Paula Vogel's Tony-award-winning play about a group of actors who risked everything for theatre, INDECENT (September 26 a?" October 20 | Walker Farm), Fri & Sat 7:30pm; Sat 2:00pm; Sun 3:00pm; Thurs Sept. 26 & Thurs Oct. 10 at 7:30pm.

Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) has announced that Tony Award winner Ari'el Stachel will play the lead role of a?oeJosepha?? in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center on February 17, 2020 at 8:00 pm. Stachel joins Michael Arden (Stage Director) and Stephen Oremus (Music Director) in leading this one-night-only performance, featuring a chorus of over 200 singers from across the United States, professional cast and creative team, and the New York City Chamber Orchestra.

The Public Theater presents SOFT POWER, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang, music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, choreography by Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton, and is directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman. 

Jenny Lyn Bader will perform her solo play Equally Divine: The Real Story of the Mona Lisa in the 10th Annual United Solo Festival on Thursday, October 24th at 9:00pm. Directed by Julie Kramer, the performance takes place at the Studio Theatre on Theatre Row, at 410 W. 42nd St.

On Friday, August 30, the theatre community lost dramaturg Robert Blacker, who passed away suddenly at the age of 71. Longtime collaborator Des McAnuff, who worked with Blacker at La Jolla Playhouse and Stratford Shakespeare Festival, writes a tribute to his friend below:

The Public Theater announced a one-week extension of the New York premiere of SOFT POWER, with play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang and music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, with choreography by Tony nomineeSam Pinkleton.

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??SPACE on Ryder Farm--a nonprofit residency program and organic farm located on the grounds of a 224-year-old family homestead in Putnam County, New York--announced that applications for 2020 residency programs are now open.

After critically-acclaimed, smash-hit runs at The Public Theater, The Old Vic London, and in the West End, Girl from the North Country brings its rousing spirit to Broadway, beginning performances on Friday, February 7 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street) with the opening night set for Thursday, March 5. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning now through Wednesday, September 18 at 9:59am EDT by visiting www.Telecharge.com or calling 212-239-6200.

10 Hairy Legs, the male repertory dance company, continues national touring and adds débuts in its home state during its eighth season of performances and educational programming, following a summer of festival appearances as Guest Artists for Musical Theatre and Dance at The Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts and Cameo Artists for The Public Theater's Public Works new production of HERCULES at Central Park's Delacorte Theater.

Slave Play, the acclaimed new work by Jeremy O. Harris, directed by Robert O'Hara, is on its way to making its Broadway debut.

Great Performances returns with its third annual a?oeBroadway's Besta?? lineup of acclaimed theatrical productions, premiering Fridays, November 1-29 at 9 p.m. on PBS(check local listings), pbs.org/gperf and the PBS Video app. This fall's lineup spotlights musicals, comedy and drama: a?oe42nd Street,a?? the Broadway fable of a star-struck chorus girl dreaming of her big break; a?oeRodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I,a?? Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award-winning revival of the beloved musical classic starring Kelli O'Hara and Ken Watanabe; a?oeKinky Boots,a?? the Broadway blockbuster featuring music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper and a book by Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein; a?oeReda?? the Tony Award-winning drama starring Alfred Molina as painter Mark Rothko; and Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon's modern interpretation of a?oeMuch Ado About Nothing,a?? the first Public Theater production recorded live at Free Shakespeare in the Park by Great Performances in over four decades.

On September 7th, 'Live from Here with Chris Thile' aired its season four premiere, with special guest stars Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalia Lafourcade. Gyllenhaal performed an excerpt from his Broadway show, 'Sea Wall/A Life.' Watch it below! 

Following its Tony-nominated hit Broadway run seen by tens of thousands, Jam Theatricals presents Tony Award winner John Leguizamo's one-man play LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS at the KINGS THEATRE in Brooklyn, NY on NOVEMBER 9, 2019. Tickets for the DETROIT engagement go on sale SEPTEMBER 13. For more information, please visit Ticketmaster.com

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, announces the recipients of the second round of the 2019 Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards. The awards, totaling $583,000, allow 15 productions extra time for the development and rehearsal of new plays with the entire creative team, hoping to extend the life of the world premiere play after its first run. 

Tony Award winner and Emmy Award nominee Denis O'Hare will star in Eric Rosen's film NETUSER, about Peter Sardovski, an activist whose life unravels when a nightmare about political violence turns true. Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominee Claybourne Elder plays his husband who struggles to prevent Peter's compulsion from endangering their young son. Two time Tony Award nominee Johanna Day will play his sister-in-law, a NYPD detective who struggles to shield her brother's family from danger.  The film also features Tatiana Wechsler as Peter's editor Jenny. 

The Public Theater has announced that Soft Power has extended through November 10.