The Public Theatre News

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for the second production of their 2019/2020 Sandbox Series of World Premieres: Born in East Berlin, written by Rogelio Martinez. Margarett Perry will direct the world premiere production, presented at The Creativity Theater.

The Kleban Foundation celebrates the 30th anniversary of the annual Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre with the announcement of the 2020 prize winners.

Have you ever forgotten why you fell in love with the person you're married to? Then we recommend a date night to The Public Theatre for the hilarious and touching comedy Sexy Laundry, playing January 24 through February 2.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) has announced the appointment of Craig Sumberg as its new executive director. An extensive national search targeted the former Executive Director of the Fox Tucson Theatre Foundation as a highly qualified candidate, and Sumberg quickly stood out while going through the interview process. His record of achievement is impressive and under his leadership, 'the Fox' grew from a $600,000 budget to one close to $5 million, along with greatly expanded presented events and an exponential rise in audience numbers.

Lea Anderson will sing the songs made famous by Whitney Houston at Feinstein's/54 Below.

Stage and screen star has more than the new year to celebrate this week. The Broadway veteran just announced her engagement to Dennis Gelin. BroadwayWorld sends our congratulations to the happy couple!

Arizona Theatre Company (Sean Daniels, Artistic Director; Billy Russo, Managing Director) presents Athol Fugard's powerfully haunting masterpiece, 'Master Harold' ... and the Boys from Jan. 18- Feb. 8 at the Temple of Music and Art in Tucson and from Feb. 13 to March 1 at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix.

People's Light presents Lucy Kirkwood's The Children, 2018 Tony Award nominee for Best Play. Two retired nuclear physicists live a quiet life in a cottage by the sea. Outside, the world is plagued by earthquakes, tsunamis, and a nearby nuclear meltdown. When a former colleague turns up after forty years with a shocking request, three old friends must reckon with their shared culpability in this darkly funny disaster drama. Directed by Executive Artistic Director Abigail Adams, The Children stars People's Light veterans Janis Dardaris, Marcia Saunders, and Graham Smith; and runs in the 160-seat Steinbright Stage January 15 a?" February 9. Tickets start at $35, including fees. To purchase, call 610.644.3500 or visit peopleslight.org. People's Light is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE), Chicago's only Equity theatre dedicated to producing new work with women at the core, presents the world premiere of The Tasters by Meghan Brown, directed by RTE member Devon de Mayo. The Tasters runs January 10 a?" February 16, 2020 at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 N. Ridge Avenue in Chicago.  The press opening is Monday, January 20 at 7:00pm

ALL ARTS, the broadcast and digital platform created earlier this year by New York Public Media company WNET, announced today the selection of its first Artist in Residence, veteran theater artist Taylor Mac. 

Bread & Butter Theatre returns to Potrero Stage with the World Premiere of Lana Palmer's FUNERAL GAME. Artistic Director Bruce Avery directs this two-person play about memory and omission, love and grief, lost and found, and the overwhelming power of family history.

An initial roster of artists and performers have been announced for the inaugural YI Love New York YiddishFest. Produced by the Yiddishkayt Initiative (YI) (Avi Hoffman, Producing Artistic Director) and Theater for the New City (Crystal Field, Artistic Director), the nine-day festival celebrates the legacy of the Yiddish language and its impact on entertainment and culture with readings, concerts, film screenings, lectures, panel discussions, and famous personalities in the world of Jewish culture from December 21-29. Tickets for all events are available online at www.yiddishfest.org.

 Rubicon Theatre audiences are invited to “rejoice and be plaid” this holiday season as Ventura's non-profit professional theatre company presents the hilarious and heartwarming musical comedy PLAID TIDINGS, which begins previews December 11 and continues through December 29 at the theatre's home in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District. The production is directed by the original creator STUART ROSS, a beloved member of the New York and L.A. theatre community whose vast credits include Broadway and work with Manhattan Theatre Club, Radio City Music Hall, the Public Theatre, York Theatre, San Diego's Old Globe, and Pasadena Playhouse, where PLAID TIDINGS originally premiered. 

The 5th Avenue Theatre has announced complete casting for the world premiere of Bliss, an empowering original musical fantasy that flips the traditional princess narrative upside down.

To celebrate the Mentor Project's 22nd Season, Cherry Lane Theatre (Angelina Fiordellisi, Executive Director; Seri Lawrence, Artistic Director) has announced a workshop presentation by poet/ performer Shawn Randall of his original work (The Making Of) How to Save the World in 90 Minutes. He will be mentored by Diana Oh ({my lingerie play}) in the StudioTheatre, March 4 -14, 2020. Cherry Lane then continues its season in partnership with J.A.G. Productions for the rolling World Premiere of Esai's Table by Nathan Yungerberg, originally produced in workshop format by Mentor Project in 2017. Performances of Esai's Table begin March 19, 2020, on the Cherry Lane Main Stage.For tickets, schedule and more information, please visit www.cherrylanetheatre.org.

This summer, take a break from the hustle and bustle and journey to the lakes region of Central Maine to experience Theater at Monmouth's (R)evolutionary Season. 2020 is a big year! It's Maine's Bicentennial, it's the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage, and it's an election year. So many revolutionary and evolutionary things to celebrate we've rolled them all into one big ball for a 51st Season of EPIC proportions.

Jonathan Hadary has received the annual St. Clair Bayfield Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation for his performance as Sicinius Velutus in The Public Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park Coriolanus. The announcement was made by Judy Rice, President of the Foundation, and Joan Glazer, Managing Director.

This holiday season, for one weekend only, Dec 13, 14, and 15th, The Public Theatre, will present their acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol followed by a holiday singa?"a-long featuring Christmas Carol fiddler Jennifer Armstrong. The Public Theatre's own version of Dickens' classic has become a favorite holiday tradition in Lewiston/Auburn.

Danielle Brooks and John Keating have been selected to receive the 2019 Joe A. Callaway Award presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation. The award, honoring the best performance in a professional production of a classic play (one written prior to World War ll) in the New York metropolitan area, will be presented at Actors' Equity Association's Eastern Regional Membership Meeting at 2 pm on Monday January 13, 2020 at the Equity offices, 165 West 46th Street in New York. The announcement was made by Judy Rice, President of the Foundation, and Joan Glazer, Managing Director.

UCLA's Center for the Art of Performance (CAP UCLA) presents Lea DeLaria Live In Concert on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 at 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Tickets starting at $28 are available now at cap.ucla.edu, 310-825-2101 and The Theatre at Ace Hotel box office.