The Public Theatre News

Skylight Music Theatre presents an inventive new version of Andre-Ernest-Modeste Gretry's heartwarming, 18th-century light opera, Beauty and the Beast (Zemire et Azor).

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) brings to the stage one of the most popular romantic films of all time, Shakespeare in Love-in an enchanting, music-filled theatrical event staged by acclaimed director Rachel Rockwell. Based on the Academy Award-winner for Best Picture with screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love is adapted for the stage by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Lee Hall. Culminating the Theater's 30th Anniversary Season, this high-spirited romantic comedy is magnificently rendered onstage in the magical intimacy of Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater, April 15-June 11, 2017.

Raleigh Little Theatre's 2017 - 2018 Season of shows feature characters who are true Groundbreakers. They are faced with huge obstacles that force them to question their beliefs and the world around them. And in their quests to overcome their obstacles, we have the opportunity to ask ourselves what we would do in the same situation. 

Pushcart Players, New Jersey's Emmy nominated and award-winning touring theater for young audiences presents "Stone Soup…and other stories" at 10:30 am today, February 8 at Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway NJ.

4th Wall Theatre Company launches its inaugural play reading festival, 4th Wall Reads:  Women's Voices.  Running March 2nd - March 12th at STUDIO 101, the festival showcases five exceptional female playwrights, including Pulitzer Prize finalist and renowned playwright Theresa Rebeck who is headlining the event.  The five plays, which are new to Houston audiences and range from insightful comedies to hard-hitting dramas, will be read twice over the 10-day festival with each reading to be followed by moderated talk-backs.  All general admission tickets are Pay What You Can, with a limited number of reserved seats available for advance purchase.  

Abingdon Theatre Company, under the artistic direction of Tony Speciale, presents the world premiere of CHESS MATCH NO. 5, conceived and directed by Anne Bogart, with text arranged by Jocelyn Clarke from the words of John Cage.

4th Wall Theatre Company launches its inaugural play reading festival, 4th Wall Reads: Women's Voices. Running March 2nd - March 12th at STUDIO 101, the festival showcases five exceptional female playwrights, including Pulitzer Prize finalist and renowned playwright Theresa Rebeck who is headlining the event.

Geva Theatre Center presents The Lake Effect, Rajiv Joseph's play about family, friendship and food. The Lake Effect will be performed in the Fielding Stage now through February 19, 2017. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Producers Stuart Thompson and Louise Gund have announced the full cast for the Broadway production of the searing new play Sweat. Alison Wright ('The Americans') joins the previously announced cast from the critically acclaimed Public Theater engagement.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company welcomes internationally acclaimed playwright and director Young Jean Lee this winter as she directs the Chicago premiere of her play, Straight White Men.

Skylight Theatre Company kicks off their new season with the World Premiere of SHADES OF DISCLOSURE, created and performed by the revolutionary voice of QueerWise.

Geer made his Broadway debut in the 1988 revival of A Street Car Named Desire. Additional Broadway credits included: The Rose Tattoo, Side Man, and Twelve Angry Men.

Coming to the Durham Performing Arts Center from January 31st-February 5th is the national touring production of Hedwig & the Angry Inch.

Riverside Theatre welcomes Broadway star Brian d'Arcy James as part of its annual Supper Club Event. Part of Riverside's Friends Committee events, An Evening with Brian d'Arcy James takes place on Monday, February 13, 2017 starting at 6pm with cocktails followed by dinner and then the performance by Mr. d'Arcy James. Chair for the event is Rosemary Haverland.

Award-winning veteran director Jules Aaron has been putting his directorial stamp on plays and musicals for several decades.  Mr. Aaron took time out of his busy schedule to talk with us about his current project, The Group Rep's production of Agatha Christie's New York Critic Circle and Tony award-winning play WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION featuring guest artist Salome Jens, running January 27 through March 12, 2017 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.  Last season, Jules Aaron directed the most successful play the Group Rep has ever produced, the sold-out, twice extended musical THAT LOVIN' FEELIN'.

Arden Cabaret Series presents Barrymore Award-winning actress, vocalist and cabaret artist Mary Martello in SONGS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME on Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18, at 8pm. Martello takes the stage in the Arden's 100-seat Studio Theatre at the Hamilton Family Arts Center, 62 N. 2nd Street in Old City, Philadelphia.

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre continues its 40th Milestone Season in 2017 with the commissioned World Premiere of INCIDENT AT HIDDEN TEMPLE, running now through February 12, 2017 at the Clurman Theatre at Theatre Row in New York City (410 W. 42nd Street). The official opening is tonight, January 26, at 7:30PM.

Led by Founding Artistic Director Katherine Kovner and Producing Director Roberta Pereira, and following the success of Sarah DeLappe's critically acclaimed The Wolves, The Playwrights Realm continues their female-centric 10th Anniversary season with the New York Premiere of Jen Silverman's The Moors (February 27 - March 25) at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project. Directed by Mike Donahue and riffing on the lives and works of certain 19th-century novel-writing sisters, The Moors is a dark comic examination of the ways in which women fight for visibility.

Tisa Chang, Founding Artistic Producing Director of Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, announces its 40th Milestone Season in 2017 with the commissioned World Premiere of INCIDENT AT HIDDEN TEMPLE, which will run from January 21 - February 12, 2017 at the Clurman Theatre at Theatre Row in New York City (410 W. 42nd Street). The official opening will be on Thursday January 26 at 7:30PM.

Earlier this year, producers for The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, the area's only year-round producing dinner theatre, announced the lineup of shows for its 2017 Season. Kicking off 2017's blockbuster year, will be the hilarious pirate farce, The Pirates of Penzance, opening in January.