The Public Theatre News

Classic Stage Company (CSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Jessica R. Jenen, will present Anton Chekhov's THREE SISTERS, featuring 2010 Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal (Masha), Josh Hamilton (Andre) 2010 Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht (Olga) and acclaimed actor Peter Sarsgaard (Vershinin).

Philadelphia Theatre Company spells F-U-N when it opens its 35th Anniversary mainstage season with the multiple Tony Award winner The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, and conceived by Rebecca Feldman, running November 12-December 12 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre (Broad and Lombard Streets).

Nicole Parker (WICKED, MAD-TV), Tony-nominated Jonelle Allen (Two Gentlemen of Verona) and the nationally acclaimed young performing group THE KIDS NEXT DOOR headline a fully-staged and costumed song and dance extravanganza, 'Cirque Du St. Nick', to kick off the holiday season in Southern California on November 19 and 20. The high energy production is part of a forty year tradition which culminates in the lighting of the West Coast's tallest decorated Christmas Tree at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Eric Larivee Entertainment and The Vox Humana Project present Tony Award nominee, Broadway and West End Star Gavin Creel in Concert at Ryles in Boston, MA for 2 performances only - Saturday December 4th at 7pm and 9:30pm.

On Thursday, November 11, ELTC, itself, celebrates its now thirty-one years of entertaining audiences in Cape May and throughout the country, and the brave men and women who have served and are serving our country in the armed forces. Titled 'Stage Door Canteen,' ELTC's annual gala will once more take place at Aleathea's Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street, and the restaurant, once again, is graciously supporting the event.

Victory Gardens proudly announces casting for the World Premiere of Joel Drake Johnson's The Boys Room directed by Associate Artistic Director Sandy Shinner and for the Chicago Premiere of Annie Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation directed by Dexter Bullard.

Well today, Dear Readers was one helluva day! A group of spectacular shows and aside from a few interesting conversations I had with true New Yorkers on the bus, not a lot of time for anything else but shows since I was seeing three of them. So let's dive right in shall we?

Next Theatre Company is proud to announce the Midwest premiere of Julie Cho's The Piano Teacher, directed by Lisa Portes, November 8 - December 5, 927 Noyes Street in Evanston.

In what is a first for this company generally associated with uncommon musicals of the past, 42nd Street Moon takes pride in presenting the West Coast premiere of a new musical: Murder for Two by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair. Described as two parts Agatha Christie, and one part old-fashioned musical comedy with a dash of 21st century flair, the work has an inspector arriving at a dark house to solve a murder, and encounters a host of eccentric and clever suspects. Previews begin at the Eureka Theatre on November 3, with the opening on Saturday, November 6 at 6 pm.

The Boomerang Theatre Company (Tim Errickson, Artistic Director; Sue Abbott, Managing Director), in collaboration with Big Fish Big Pond Productions, will present a workshop of the new musical Loveless, Texas Oct 29th-Nov 4th. Robert Cuccioli (Bway's Jekyll and Hyde), Buzz Roddy (Off Bway's The Primary English Class), David Larsen (Bway's Billy Elliot) and Lynne Halliday join the previously announced cast.

Currently celebrating its 5th season under a new mission statement, LiveWire Chicago Theatre proudly presents its 3rd annual short play festival of new work that emphasizes audience feedback and community interaction.

Burning Coal Theatre Company announces its second production of the 2010/2011 season, St. Nicholas, a one-man show by the Irish writer Conor McPherson, directed by Randolph Curtis Rand and featuring Burning Coal Artistic Director Jerome Davis. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm (November 4 - 6, 11 - 13, 18 - 20) and Sundays at 2 pm (November 7, 14 and 21, 2010). Tickets are $20 or $15 for students, seniors and active military. Thursday evening tickets are $10 apiece and Sunday, November 7th at 2 pm is our 'Pay What You Can' performance. The production will take place at the Murphey School, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, NC (PLEASE NOTE venue name change). For further information, please contact Burning Coal's managing director, Simmie Kastner, at 919.834.4001.

Theatricum's play development program, Botanicum Seedlings, continues to foster its relationship with local playwrights by producing its first ever festival of new short plays. The Fall (short) Playreading Festival features the works of emerging and award-winning writers based in the L.A. area, all of whom have been involved with Seedlings. A harvest of eight short plays based on the theme 'backyard fruit,' along with gourmet seasonal refreshments, The Fall (short) Playreading Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, November 20 & 21, at 2 pm. Admission is Free; donations gratefully accepted.

Next Theatre Company is proud to announce the Midwest premiere of Julie Cho's The Piano Teacher, directed by Lisa Portes, November 8 - December 5, 927 Noyes Street in Evanston.

According to Variety, Al Pacino is set to star in 'Arbitrage' alongside Eva Green and Susan Sarandon. The thriller will be directed by Nicholas Jarecki and will begin production next spring. Producers for the film include Michael Ohoven, Kevin Turen and Robert Salerno.

American Repertory Theater will present THE BLUE FLOWER by Jim and Ruth Bauer at the Loeb Drama Center December 1, 2010 - January 8, 2011. The production will be directed by Will Pomerantz, with movement by Tom Nelis, and music direction by Mark Rubenstein.

ELECTRA IN A ONE-PIECE a new play by Isaac Oliver, directed by David Ruttura, and presented Off-Broadway by Good Company plays the Wild Project 195 East 3rd Street in Manhattan.

ELECTRA IN A ONE-PIECE a new play by Isaac Oliver, directed by David Ruttura, and presented Off-Broadway by Good Company plays the Wild Project 195 East 3rd Street in Manhattan.

Producers Whoopi Goldberg and Stage Entertainment announced today that Olivier Award nominee PATINA MILLER will reprise the starring role of Deloris Van Cartier, which she originated in the West End production of SISTER ACT, when it premieres on Broadway this spring at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway).

ELECTRA IN A ONE-PIECE a new play by Isaac Oliver, directed by David Ruttura, and presented Off-Broadway by Good Company plays the Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan.