The Public Theatre News

This summer, The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn's Professional Theatre, will offer a professional theatre training program for young actors, July 8-26, 2013. If you know an experienced young performer wanting intensive theater training, or a 'raw talent' looking to channel their creativity and imagination, this high quality theatre program is for them.

Idina Menzel fans rejoice! The Tony-Award winning actress will soon be reprising her role on the FOX musical drama series GLEE according to a tweet posted last night by series star Lea Michele who gushed, 'So excited to have my mama back!'

Time Stands Still makes its Maine premiere March 15-24, at The Public Theatre, Lewiston/Auburn's Professional Theatre.

'SCARY MUSICAL… The Musical!', with Book by Richard Hochberg and Music and Lyrics by Richard Hochberg and Michael Paternostro, will be directed by Daniel Goldstein and produced by Kevin Spirtas in a workshop presentation slated for February 2013.

Tony nominee Lily Rabe (American Horror Story, Merchant of Venice) joins Broadway actress Laura Heisler (Lucille Lortel and Drama League nominee) and Logan Marshall-Green (Julie Taymor's Across the Universe) for Tony nominee Neil LaBute's world premiere adaptation of August Strindberg's Miss Julie. The production is directed by Obie Winner Jo Bonney, who has directed the Geffen Playhouse productions of LaBute's Some Girl(s), The Break of Noon and Fat Pig. She also directed the theater's West Coast premiere production of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.

In the Rise and Fall of a Teenage Cyberqueen, a new play by Lindsay Joy Murphy, everyone in a small town is searching for something online. Love. Sex. Popularity. What they don't realize is the internet is a masquerade. Video cams play tricks with your eyes. Online chat rooms strip away anonymity. Self-deception is disguised as the truth. Inevitably, cyberspace exacts a price when people are no longer able to hide.

Bringing together an outstanding, large cast with a world-class artistic team, Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. This epic production brings this captivating military courtroom drama to life. A Few Good Men runs tonight, March 1 through March 24, 2013, on the Hubbard Stage.

Sundance Institute has announced that playwright and Sundance Institute Theatre Lab alum Branden Jacobs-Jenkins will receive the first-ever Tennessee Williams Award from the Institute's Theatre Program, which supports the development of new work for the stage. Sundance Institute Emeritus Trustee Sally Field will present the honor and accompanying $10,000 grant at the Celebrate Sundance Institute benefit for its Theatre Program on April 8, 2013 at Stephan Weiss Studio in Greenwich Village.

Playwright Tommy Smith returns to The Flea and once again brings you to the brink with the New York Premiere of WHITE HOT. In her directorial debut, the production will be helmed by Flea Resident Director Courtney Ulrich starring The Bats, the resident acting company at The Flea. Previews begin April 26 with opening night slated for May 7.

The San Francisco Playhouse (Bill English, Artistic Director; Susi Damilano, Producing Director) launches the third season of their Sandbox Series with the world premiere, Inevitable by Jordan Puckett, Literary Manager of the San Francisco Playhouse.

Special guest stars tonight, February 26th include performances by Katie Thompson (From The Public Theatre's Giant and Broadway's upcoming Big Fish, composer/lyricist/recording artist - Original songs featured on FOX's 'So You Think You Can Dance'), Dani Spieler (from Broadway's Legally Blonde and the National Tour of West Side Story), Kevin Ray (singer / songwriter of Central Avenue Breakdown, New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) award winner and MAC Award nominee for his holiday album - 'Seasoned Greetings'), Anna Steele (three-time MAC Award winner and two-time Bistro and Nightlife Award winning cabaret artist), Freddie Kimmel (from the National Tour of Billy Elliott and Superfly The Musical).

In anticipation of the 85th Annual Academy Awards, airing tonight on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center, BroadwayWorld's Walter McBride brings you a look back at this year's male nominees. Check out the photos below!

Winning a Guthrie Theatre commission, and chosen for development by The Katselas Theatre Company's INKubator program, the West Coast Premiere of SEXSTING is the inaugural production for KTC's 2013 season. Opening at the popular Skylight Theatre Complex tonight, February 23rd, the stellar cast includes Gregory Itzin (Tony, Drama Desk, and Emmy Award nominee), JD Cullum (Stones in His Pockets-Mark Taper Forum, Of Equal Measure-Kirk Douglas Theater), The Cripple of Inishmaan (Geffen Playhouse).

For those craving a show after the show, 54 BELOW, the new performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, offers its Tuesday night cocktail party/songfest, "Backstage." Special guest stars on February 26th include performances by Katie Thompson (From The Public Theatre's Giant and Broadway's upcoming Big Fish, composer/lyricist/recording artist - Original songs featured on FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance"), Dani Spieler (from Broadway's Legally Blonde and the National Tour of West Side Story), Kevin Ray (singer / songwriter of Central Avenue Breakdown, New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) award winner and MAC Award nominee for his holiday album - "Seasoned Greetings"), Anna Steele (three-time MAC Award winner and two-time Bistro and Nightlife Award winning cabaret artist), Freddie Kimmel (from the National Tour of Billy Elliott and Superfly The Musical).

Lincoln Center announces its concerts, films and events for April 2013, including American Songbook in the Penthouse, Great Performers, Meet the Artist Saturdays, Target Free Thursdays and JustFilms at AtriumFlix. Details below!

Bringing together an outstanding, large cast with a world-class artistic team, Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd directs Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men. This epic production brings this captivating military courtroom drama to life. A Few Good Men runs March 1 through March 24, 2013, on the Hubbard Stage.

The Community Theatre of Little Rock will present its Winter Comedy 'The Pursuit of Happiness'. Show dates are tonight, February 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, March 1st and 2nd at 7:30 pm and February 17th, 24th, and March 3rd at 2pm, to be held at The Public Theatre, located at 616 Center Street, next to Horn's Men's Store in downtown Little Rock.

The Flea has gone audio with the production of Tommy Smith's NECTARINE EP, which has just been extended through February 24.

The San Francisco Playhouse (Bill English, Artistic Director; Susi Damilano, Producing Director) launches the third season of their Sandbox Series with the world premiere, Inevitable by Jordan Puckett, Literary Manager of the San Francisco Playhouse.

Idina Menzel will appear with the Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House June 26 and 27 at 8pm. Right before that appearance, Menzel will be making her long-awaited Australian debut in concert at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide on June 22.