The Public Theater News

Giraffes strut, birds swoop, gazelles leap - the entire Serengeti comes to life on stage each night in The Lion King. The Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Disney's much-loved film transports audiences to a dazzling world of glorious colors, stunning effects and enchanting music to tell the story of Simba and his epic journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.

Roald Dahl's MATILDA THE MUSICAL is nothing short of a a?oeMiraclea?? as it delights San Antonio audiences at the Public Theater. Child genius, Matilda, is bullied by her senseless parents and doesn't quite fit in. Finding solace in books and telling stories, Matilda is faced with an even bigger threat when she comes face to face with the wrenched Agatha Trenchbull. Featuring hit songs such as: a?oeNaughty,a?? a?oeQuiet,a?? and a?oeRevolting Children,a?? MATILDA is a moving tale that inspires everyone to control their own story. 

NGL Studios will present their latest feature film directed by NGL's own Ben DeJesus. Presented together with PBS/THIRTEEN's American Masters and Latino Public Broadcasting's VOCES- The World's a Stage is the first documentary about Raúl Juliá, the versatile Puerto Rican actor whose work on stage and screen took the world by storm.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is pleased to announce the publication of Discovering the Clown, or The Funny Book of Good Acting by Christopher Bayes, with Virginia Scott.

Producers Lia Vollack, Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, and John Johnson today announced the cast and creative team for Almost Famous, a world premiere musical with book and lyrics by Academy Award winner Cameron Crowe, based on his iconic film. Almost Famous, which will open the 2019-2020 Season at The Old Globe (Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Timothy J. Shields), is directed by Tony Award® nominee Jeremy Herrin and features original music and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and two-time Tony Award winner Tom Kitt. Performances will run September 13 a?' October 20, with an official opening night on September 27.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the cast and creative team for the American premiere of The Great Wave written by Francis Turnly and directed by Mark Wing-Davey.

Theatre production company Parity Productions has released its monthly list of Qualifying Productions for August a?"their popular directory of New York City shows in which the individual creative teams have 50% of the positions filled with women and/or trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) artists (directors, designers, and playwrights). 

The Old Globe presents The Underpants, by the Globe's second-most-popular playwright-in-residence, Steve Martin.

Shattered Globe Theatre announces its 2019-20 Season, featuring two Chicago premieres: BE HERE NOW by Deborah Zoe Laufer, directed by Producing Artistic Director Sandy Shinner* a?" a bittersweet comedy about searching for happiness; and SHEEPDOG by Kevin Artigue, directed by Wardell Julius Clark a?" a love story colliding with today's headlines; followed by WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING by Andrew Bovell, directed by Elizabeth Margolius a?" a stunning mystery of love and loss that reverberates through four generations.

Mixed Blood Theatre will premiere the new musical Interstate as the headliner of its 44th season. 

59E59 Theaters presents the US premiere of ONLY YESTERDAY, written by Bob Stevens and directed by Carol Dunne.

Ronete Levenson, Zoe Van Tieghem and Meghann Garmany in Moses on August 16th, 17th and 18th

DANCE NOW announces the lineup for the 2019 DANCE NOW Festival. Acclaimed for its signature short-takes format, the DANCE NOW Festival presents a diverse array of works from some of today's most innovative and dynamic dance makers. The 24th season of this lively fall festival will feature 40 emerging and established choreographers, including DANCE NOW veterans and festival newcomers. Every show features Emcee TruDee (aka Deborah Lohse).

When he passed on at age 60 in 1933, Addison Mizner was best known as the architect whose Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean style helped define the emerging visual culture of South Florida. When his younger brother Wilson Mizner died two months later, he was best known as a raconteur whose name could occasionally be found among the writing credits of a Broadway play or Hollywood feature.

Raven Theatre launches its 2019-20 season with the Chicago premiere of Rachel Bonds' drama SUNDOWN, YELLOW MOON, featuring music and lyrics by The Bengsons, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle with music direction by Andra Velis Simon. This warm and delicate play with music is an honest look at the hard work of holding a family together and reconnecting with what we've left behind. Casting will be announced shortly.

Parsons Dance and Artistic Director David Parsons are pleased to announce the appointment of their new Executive Director, Rebecca Josue. No stranger to the company, Ms. Josue transitions to her new post after nine seasons with Parsons Dance—more than a quarter of the company's life—having served as General Manager for the latter five years of her tenure.

Theater Mitu presents the world premiere of HOUSE or how to lose an orchard in 90 minutes or less. HOUSE is created and performed by collaborating artists Kayla Asbell, Denis Butkus,Aysan Celik, Alex Hawthorn, Justin Nestor, Scott Spahr, Corey Sullivan, Ada Westfall, and Isabella Uzcátegui. Directed by Rubén Polendo, HOUSE begins performances at MITU580 (580 Sackett St, Brooklyn, NY 11217) on Friday, August 23, for a limited run through Sunday, September 8, 2019.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge come to the Hudson Theatre on Broadway July 26th through September 29th. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Following triumphant performances of Pericles at the National Theatre in summer 2018, the next Public Acts production of As You Like It starts rehearsals this week and will play from 24 a?" 27 August. Queen's Theatre Hornchurch's Artistic Director, Douglas Rintoul will direct this musical adaptation of the William Shakespeare classic.

Victory Gardens Theater Artistic Director Chay Yew, Executive Director Erica Daniels and Director of New Play Development Skyler Gray announce the lineup for the 11th Anniversary IGNITION Festival of New Plays, including The Tasters by Meghan Brown; The Gradient by Steph Del Rosso; [hieroglyph] by Erika Dickerson-Despenza; #NEWSLAVES by Keelay Gipson; Reckoning: Furies from a New Queer Nation by Geraldine Inoa; and They Could Give No Name by Exal Iraheta. The 2019 Festival runs August 2 -4, 2019 at Victory Gardens Theater, located at 2433 N Lincoln Avenue.