The Public Theatre News

Due to strong demand, The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced today that it would extend Tracey Scott Wilson?s THE GOOD NEGRO an additional two weeks through Sunday, April 19. THE GOOD NEGRO begins previews on Tuesday, March 3 and will now run through Sunday, April 19 with an official press opening on Monday, March 16. Directed by Liesl Tommy and in association with Dallas Theater Center, THE GOOD NEGRO is the first new play to transfer from the Public LAB initiative to a full main stage production at The Public.

Just added to the all-star roster is Michael Berresse (who recently starred in A Chorus Line and directed the NYMF hit [title of show] as masters of ceremonies, as well as Autumn Hulbert featured on TV's 'The Search for Elle Woods') and Nicholas Galbraith (I & Albert, York Theatre).

The Brown University Literary Arts Program and the Brown/Trinity Repertory Consortium are pleased to announce the second installment of the 27th annual NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL. A celebration of the diversity and strength of new theatrical voices, the NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL has been instrumental in bringing the work of America's finest emerging playwrights to life for nearly three decades.

More Stars Added To The New York Musical Theatre Festival's 6th Season Celebration: 'BEST of FEST' Honoring The First Five Years of NYMF Now Featuring Nellie McKay, Euan Morton, Mary Bond Davis, Debbie Gravitte, Liz Larsen, Rachel Stern, and Jon Patrick Walker

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced that Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. will host a post-show discussion immediately following the Saturday, April 11 2 p.m. matinee of THE GOOD NEGRO by Tracey Scott Wilson. Directed by Liesl Tommy and presented in association with Dallas Theater Center, THE GOOD NEGRO opened to critical acclaim last month and will continue its extended run through Sunday, April 19.

The Brown University Literary Arts Program and the Brown/Trinity Repertory Consortium are pleased to announce the second installment of the 27th annual NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL. A celebration of the diversity and strength of new theatrical voices, the NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL has been instrumental in bringing the work of America's finest emerging playwrights to life for nearly three decades.

Private Practice star Taye Diggs real-life wife, Tony winner Idina Menzel, will return in her guest-starring role on the ABC series on Thursday April 23rd. Menzel reprises her role as Lisa King, a single mother whose son is being treated by Tim Daly's character, Dr. Pete Wilder. Check local listings for more information.

PICT celebrates the spirit of revolution with an extraordinary launch to celebrate its thirteenth season! Tom Stoppard's tremendous Tony and Olivier Award-winning play Rock ?n' Roll, inspired by and dedicated to Václav Havel, serves as the centerpiece of a series which includes readings and panel discussions exploring Prague Spring & the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey kicks off its 2009 Season with a world premiere stage adaptation of Around the World in Eighty Days. Adapted for the stage by Bonnie J. Monte from the beloved novel by Jules Verne, this inventive production is an exhilarating treat for people of all ages. Around the World in Eighty Days begins performances on April 29 and continues through May 24 at the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Road in Madison.

Usmagazine.com is exclusively confirming that, after 13 years together, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel are expecting their first baby, according to their rep. The baby is due later this year. The Private Practice star, 38, and the Tony award-winning actress, 37, first met on the original 1996 Broadway production of Rent in NYC. After seven years of dating, they got married in January 2003 reports US.

Abingdon Theatre Company has announced that it will present the world premiere of Romulus Linney's LOVE DRUNK, directed by Kelly Morgan and featuring Austin Pendleton and Kristina Valada-Viars on March 28, 2009. The official opening will be on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at 5:00 PM in the Abingdon Theatre Company's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre.

The Tony Award®-winning Old Globe is pleased to announce the cast of its 2009 Summer Shakespeare Festival, featuring two works by Shakespeare, Twelfth Night and Coriolanus, along with Edmond Rostand's celebrated classic, Cyrano de Bergerac. The three productions will be performed in nightly rotation in the Globe's outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre June 13 - September 27, 2009.

Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records website has the New Broadway Cast Recording of Hair as one of their forthcoming releases, the recording rights were rumored to have been won by Sh-K-Boom. This listing on the website would seem to confirm it.

Private Practice star Taye Diggs real-life wife, Tony winner Idina Menzel, will guest-star on the ABC series this Thursday March 26th. Menzel will play the mother of a patient tended to by Pete (Tim Daly). To hear one source tell it, Pete's special brand of 'bedside manner' might bring about an attraction between him and Menzel's character.

The producers of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical have announced the cancelleation of the Monday, March 30th performance of the show 'to allow the company a day of rest in the midst of a long string of consecutive performances.'

The Official Idina Menzel fan club is reporting that the Tony winning star will be performing at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ on March 21, 2009. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, December 17th at 12PM EST. However, members of Idina's official fan club will have access to pre-sale tickets.

The SF Playhouse (Bill English, Artistic Director; Susi Damilano, Producing Director) and Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (Stanley Williams, Artistic Director; Quentin Easter, Executive Director) are pleased to announce casting for their co-production of The West Coast Premiere of The Story. 'A riveting drama about race, reporting and the truth'-Associated Press

The Official Idina Menzel fan club is reporting that the Tony winning star will be performing various concert dates in March 2009. You find the most updated schedule, the Fan Club will add dates as they become available.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) is presenting the New York premiere of Craig Lucas' THE SINGING FOREST. Directed by Mark Wing-Davey, THE SINGING FOREST will begin previews on Tuesday, April 7 and run through Sunday, May 17 with an official press opening on Monday, April 27 at 7 PM.

The producers of ROCK OF AGES announced the complete, awesome cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical today. Constantine Maroulis, ('American Idol' Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as 'Drew', is now joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as 'Sherrie' and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's 'So NoTORIous') as 'Stacee Jaxx'.