The Public Theater News

Celebrated performer, comedian and writer Justin Sayre returns to New York City later this month with his new solo show, JUSTIN SAYRE MAKES THE CASE FOR AMERICA, a live, 'Love-In' filled with music, comedy and storytelling, on September 29 & 30 at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street) inside NYC's famed The Public Theater.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced that Johanna Pfaelzer will become the new artistic director of the award-winning theatre company.

One year after the death of composer Michael Friedman, guest author Kait Kerrigan writes of her memories of him and life without his talent.

That's right, #TCTheater friends, music-theater's favorite founding father has finally arrived in Minneapolis, along with all of this friends. Three years after opening on Broadway and becoming the biggest theater sensation in years, maybe even decades, the second national tour is playing at the Opheum Theatre for a six-week run. I'm lucky enough to have seen it four times now, and it's still just as epic and thrilling, if not quite as mind-blowing as the first time. HAMILTON is the rare thing that not only lives up to the hype, it exceeds it. In fact it's not really about the hype at all, the 'all the cool people are seeing HAMILTON so I guess I should see it too.' You shouldn't go see HAMILTON so you can impress your friends and neighbors, you should go see HAMILTON because it's the quintessential American story told through the quintessential American art form - musical theater. It's one of those ground-breaking milestone events in the history of theater that has forever changed it. And it's also three jam-packed hours of music, dance, stories, entertainment, and inspiration. If you don't already have your tickets don't despair. There are tickets still available through the official channels, and you can enter a daily lottery in which 40 lucky people win the chance to buy tickets for $10. I don't think I need to try to convince anyone to go see it, or tell you how incredibly amazing it is. You already know that, the rest is up to you.

The Alley Theatre and Interim Artistic Director James Black announce the cast and crew of the 2018-19 Neuhaus Season opener, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Taibi Magar. Skeleton Crew is the story of four factory workers at the last automobile stamping plant in Detroit and their struggle to survive as the industry and their way of life is dramatically changed. The play runs September 7 - October 7, 2018. Tickets are available at alleytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 713.220.5700.

The Metropolitan Opera will open its 134th  season on Monday, September 24, with a new production of Saint-Saens's biblical tragedy Samson et Dalila, conducted by Sir Mark Elder and starring El?na Garan?a and Roberto Alagna, last seen together at the Met in acclaimed performances of Bizet's Carmen. Laurent Naouri co-stars as the High Priest opposite Elchin Azizov as the Philistine King Abimelech and Dmitry Belosselskiy as the Old Hebrew. Making his Met debut, Tony Award-winner Darko Tresnjak directs the first new Met production of the opera in 20 years.  The opening performance will be simulcast live to Times Square, and the October 20 matinee will be seen throughout the world, as part of The Met: Live in HD series.

Tony Award-winning actress, singer and performer Idina Menzel is set to release her upcoming album, idina: live, on October 5. The two-disc album was recorded live on the final nights of her 2017 World Tour. The record is available for pre-order tomorrow Friday, September 7 and includes an immediate download of Menzel's studio version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The track will also be available for streaming on all digital platforms tomorrow. 

Producer Jeffrey Seller and Broadway In Boston announce a digital lottery for HAMILTON tickets will begin in conjunction with the show's first performance (September 18) in Boston at the Boston Opera House. Forty (40) tickets will be sold for every performance for $10 each.

MAX VERNON - the songwriter described by The New Yorker as 'equal parts Bohemia and Broadway' - will launch his first ever residency at Joe's Pub at The Public this fall, Existential Life Crisis Lullaby, on Tuesday, September 25 at 7:00 PM with special musical guests Tonya Pinkins, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Annie Golden, MJ Rodriguez, Gizel Jimenez, Chrissi Poland, Veronica Swift, Morgan Meadows, and Avery Leigh Draut. The September evening will be directed by Ellie Heyman.

The Public Theater will begin previews for the North American premiere of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY on Tuesday, September 11 with a Free First Preview performance. This new musical was initially extended through Sunday, November 18, and has been extended an additional three weeks through Sunday, December 9

American Repertory Theater at Harvard University (A.R.T.) announces September and October 2018 programming at OBERON, its club space for cutting-edge performance and thriving incubator for local and emerging artists. Upcoming events include A.R.T.'s Live @ OBERON, Breakout (formerly OBERON Presents), and Afterglow @ OBERON series, as well as independently-produced events.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre announces the line-up of directors for their 30th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, 2018 at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). The Festival events will kick off on Monday, October 22 with Thank You, 30!, a gala event to celebrate the 30th Annual Festival.

Manhattan Theatre Club's 2018-2019 season has kicked off with the American premiere of The Nap, get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Continuing its commitment to bringing free Shakespeare to the community and strengthening audience engagement with the arts, The Public Theater will mount its MOBILE UNIT again this fall with a free three-week tour to the five boroughs of Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, directed by Jenny Koons.

About Face Theatre is pleased to launch its 2018-19 season with the Chicago premiere of the poetic and politicalromance THIS BITTER EARTH by award winning playwright and McKnight Fellow Harrison David Rivers, directed by Mikael Burke, recipient of the 2017 Princess Grace Award in Theatre. THIS BITTER EARTH will play November 1 - December 8, 2018 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.

The Marsh San Francisco presents Irma Herrera's solo show Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?, a new work that weaves history and comedic insights into stories about names, shedding light and throwing shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. When giving her name its correct Spanish pronunciation, she often gets the "where are you from?" question. The assumption: that she is a foreigner. Irma's family has been in South Texas for generations, and the award-winning social justice activist, lawyer, and journalist thinks of herself as American as apple pie. Irma's notes from American history and laugh out-loud humor invite audience members to consider what it will take for everyone to get along. Post-show talkbacks, featuring experts in everything from civil liberties to laws related to baby naming, will be offered throughout the run.

Madani Younis announces his departure from the Bush Theatre as he is appointed Creative Director of the Southbank Centre.

Written by Nobel Prize Award-winner Luigi Pirandello, in a new version by Nicholas Wright, Naked begins performances Thursday, September 27 at 7pm at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, MA. Opening night is set for Saturday, September 29 at 7pm. Directed by Eric Hill (BTG: At Home at the Zoo, The Homecoming, Poe), the production features: David Adkins (Homeland BTG: The Petrified Forest, At Home at the Zoo) as Alfredo Cantavalle; Haley Aguero (BTG: Tarzan, The Music Man) as Emma; James Barry (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson BTG: The Caretaker, The Who's Tommy) as Franco Laspiga; Jeffrey Doornbos (A Thousand Miles Behind) as Consul Grotti; Tara Franklin (Sleep No More BTG: At Home at the Zoo, The Homecoming) as Ersilia Drei; Barbara Sims (A Streetcar Named Desire BTG: Benefactors) as Signora Onoria; and Obie and Drama Desk Award-winner, Rocco Sisto (The King and I BTG: The Homecoming) as Ludovico Nota. This production is sponsored by Lead Sponsor, Bobbie Hallig; Furlano and Arace, PC; The Westifeld News Group; Massachusetts Cultural Council and The Shubert Foundation.

'After much anticipation, it is with great joy that I introduce you to new Producing Artistic Director, Mei Ann Teo,' said Shakina Nayfack. 'She is a visionary interdisciplinary theatre maker and community organizer who brings with her to the job a wealth of experience in new works development, education, and fundraising. We are in great hands, and I have full confidence that MTF will achieve new levels of artistic excellence and organizational sustainability with her expertise and leadership. Please, join me in welcoming MTF's new Producing Artistic Director, Mei Ann Teo!'

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) has named Oskar Eustis as the first recipient of its new honor, The Gordon Davidson Award, which will be bestowed annually by SDCF to recognize a director or choreographer for lifetime achievement and distinguished service in the regional theatre nationally. The presentation of the award will take place on Saturday, September 22, at the Center Theatre Group's Annex/ Gordon Davidson Rehearsal Hall, in a by-invitation-only event.