The Public Theatre News

The Theatre School at DePaul University's Showcase Series of Contemporary Plays and Classics presents 1001 by Jason Grote, directed by Carlos Murillo. This timely and compelling tale opens Friday, October 2 and runs through Sunday, October 11, 2009, at DePaul's historic Merle Reskin Theatre. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Previews are on September 30 and October 1 at 7:30 PM.

Due to record Box Office Sales, The Gift Theatre announces extension of the Chicago Premiere of Rinne Groff?s ?The Ruby Sunrise?. Rinne Groff's The Ruby Sunrise is directed by Gift Ensemble Member John Gawlik. It will be extended to run from September 11th-September 27th, 2009.

Eric Rosen, artistic director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, opens the Rep's 2009-10 season with the Tony Award-winning musical Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. Broadway director Moisés Kaufman will direct.

On October 12, 2009, La Jolla Playhouse will join with theatres across the country in presenting a reading of the Tectonic Theater Project's new work: The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, by The Laramie Project creators Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber. This compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to the original piece will premiere on October 12, 2009 at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall and at more than 100 other theaters in all 50 states, Canada, Great Britain, Spain, Hong Kong and Australia.

Ars Nova presents, as part of the Out Loud series, a FREE reading of: A BED THE SIZE OF PORTUGAL by Mat Smart, directed by Wes Grantom. The cast includes Julian Acosta, Remy Auberjonois, Matt Dellapina, Maria Oliveras and Stacey Yen.

Broadway's most talked about new musical and the biggest Tony Award-winner in years is coming to the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Women's Project, truly on a roll in its 32nd year (and not looking a day over 29!) of producing plays written and directed by women, has signed Maggie Siff, one of the acclaimed ensemble of actors in the hit, third-season TV series 'Mad Men,' to play Aphra Behn in Liz Duffy Adams's three-hander Or, directed by Wendy McClellan.

Ever feel like you're missing a piece of yourself? In his new one-man show, David Harrell explores what it's like as a performer to grow up with only one hand. Using baseball, Shakespeare, and even some spiritual guidance from Mr. T. - Harrell takes his audience on a quest to answer the question of whether a person is more than just the sum of their parts.

American Theater Company (ATC) kicks off its 25th season with the Chicago Premiere of Yeast Nation (the triumph of life) with music & lyrics by Mark Hollmann and book & lyrics by Greg Kotis. The production is directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli, with Musical Direction by Mark Elliott, and will run September 10 - October 18, 2009 at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St, Chicago. An official opening is set for Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 7 PM.

Marin Theatre Company is pleased to announce that playwright Steve Yockey has joined its artistic staff for the 2009-10 season through the National New Play Network's Emerging Playwright's Residency grant program. He is one of three NNPN Emerging Playwrights this season nationwide.

Rebel Theater Company will present a series of staged readings of Little Rock written and directed by Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj. Little Rock presents untold stories of nine young teenagers otherwise known as ?Little Rock Nine? and their struggles, strengths, hardships, and triumphs over the tragic events of the 1957 Little Rock crisis. The readings will be September 29th at 7pm, September 30th at 12noon and 7pm at Union Square Theater, 100 East 17 Street. Seating is limited. For ticket information, contact wicgrsvp@gmail.com.

Taye Diggs and his wife, Idina Menzel have welcomed a new baby into their lives today.

Academy Award nominated director Spike Lee, the award winning Culture Project, Steve Colman and Jayson Jackson in association with The Public Theater present County of Kings. Written and performed by Lemon Andersen (Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam), and directed by Elise Thoron, County of Kings begins performances Tuesday, September 29 for a six week limited engagement at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street.

Two River Theater Company opens its 2009/2010 season with the east coast premiere of 26 Miles, a new play, by Quiara Alegria Hudes. 26 Miles is the story of Olivia, a brilliant teenage girl, and her estranged mother Beatriz.

'HOW TO BE A GOOD ITALIAN DAUGHTER (In Spite of Myself),' a play written and performed by Antoinette LaVecchia, will be presented this fall Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre's Studio Theatre (38 Commerce St.), with preview performances starting October 3 prior to a new official opening night set for Monday, October 12, 2009 - Columbus Day, a day of celebration for Italian-Americans.

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present Herringbone, book by Tom Cone, music by Skip Kennon, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh, directed by Roger Rees (La Jolla Playhouse's Peter and the Starcatchers), and starring Tony Award-winner BD Wong (M. Butterfly; Law & Order: SVU). Herringbone runs August 1 - 30 in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (press opening: Friday, August 7 at 8:00 pm).

Cait Doyle's Hot Mess in Manhattan (2009 MAC Award for Best Female Debut) returns to the Duplex (61 Christopher Street at Seventh Avenue) on August 14th & 28th at 9:30pm.

Veteran director Anne Bogart and her innovative SITI Company are pleased to announce their 2009-2010 first full-New York season. Considered by many to be one of America's national treasures, the ensemble theater company SITI has garnered praise for its thought-provoking and visually compelling work, emphasizing the cross-cultural exchange of dance, music and art, and international collaborations.

The National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) will present a one-night-only all Asian-American performance of Terrence McNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, directed by Alan Muraoka, on Monday, September 14 with a 6:00pm cocktail reception and a 7:00pm performance at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) to benefit NAATCO.

Jonathan Groff goes from THE BACCHAE on stage to 'Taking Woodstock' on screen this summer. The always evolving young talent has been hitting the press circuit to promote the two projects.