Theatre: New York News

Lewis Black, Grammy Award-winning stand-up comedian, is one of the most prolific and popular performers working today. B

Full casting is announced for the world premiere of Phil Porter's new play, The Christmas Truce. Inspired by the real events of the First World War exactly 100 years ago and directed by Deputy Artistic Director Erica Whyman

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the summer engagement of American Blues Theater's Hank Williams: Lost Highway, by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed byDamon Kiely, music director Malcolm Ruhl and starring Matthew Brumlow as "Hank Williams," July 25 - August 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center's Downstage Mainstage Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Suzanne Shaw is to join Paul Nicholas to star in the world premiere of BLOCKBUSTER The Musical, featuring the chart- busting hits of the legendary song-writing team Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who dominated the pop world in the 1970's and 1980's.

Kicking off its 27th Season, Lookingglass Theatre Company presents Death Tax, by Lucas Hnath, and directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Death Tax runs September 2, 2014 - October 12, 2014 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is Friday, September 12, 2014 at 7:30 p.m..

One of Broadway's best musicals, the award winning Guys and Dolls opens on July 19 at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne for 10 shows only. Starring in this new production are Verity Hunt-Ballard, Martin Crewes, Chelsea Plumley, Adam Murphy, Bobby Fox and Christopher Horsey.

The Old Vic and Sonia Friedman Productions present Sophocles' ELECTRA, in a version by Frank McGuinness, starring Kristin Scott Thomas.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present the first production of its historic 40thAnniversary season, the World Premiere of FAMILY PLANNING by Michelle Kholos Brooks. The production stars Christina Pickles and Bruce Weitz, who between them have a combined total of 14 Emmy nominations, and is directed by Cameron Watson, who has been heralded as "one of our finest contemporary directors" by The Los Angeles Times, while The Wall Street Journal declared his work "the best in the country."

Producing Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside and American Blues Theater, Chicago's second oldest Equity ensemble, are proud to announce the summer engagement of American Blues Theater's Hank Williams: Lost Highway, by Randal Myler and Mark Harelik, directed by Damon Kiely, music director Malcolm Ruhl and starring Matthew Brumlow as "Hank Williams," July 25 - August 31 at the Greenhouse Theater Center's Downstage Mainstage Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Pink Previews, where tickets sales benefit the Lynn Sage Foundation for breast cancer research, are Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Friday August 1 at 7 p.m.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents George Bernard Shaw's Revolutionary War dramaThe Devil's Disciple. Just in time for the Fourth of July and the 350th anniversary of New Jersey's charter, The Devil's Disciple celebrates the spirit and honor of the everyday people who fought for our nation's independence.

SILENCE, THE MUSICAL will run today, June 19-July 13, 2014 (Thurs-Sat at 8pm, Sun at 5pm. Midnight performances on July 5 & 12) at the Salvage Vanguard Theatre, 2803 E Manor Rd, Austin, TX.

Harold Arlen wrote over 400 songs from 1926 - 1974. His music was made famous by Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and the iconic Judy Garland. Vocal powerhouse Johanna Allen showcases a catalogue of his most well known music: The Man that got Away, Blues in the Night, Get Happy, One for my baby, The Old Black Magic, Down With Love, Paper Moon, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and entwines stories from the women who loved him and the words of his other great musical work 'The Wizard of Oz'.

Earlier this week, legendary actresses of stage and screen, Ruby Dee died at the age of 91. According to sources, the actress was at her home in New Rochelle, NY, surrounded by family members when she passed away.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces the 2014 Play Reading Series on Monday, June 9, Monday, June 16, and Monday, June 23 at 7pm at the Engelman Recital Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue, NYC. Tickets are free and may be reserved by emailing TRUStaff1@gmail.com or phoning the TRU message line at 212-714-7628. For more information visit http://truonline.org/TRUPlays.htm.

Harold Arlen wrote over 400 songs from 1926 - 1974. His music was made famous by Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and the iconic Judy Garland. Vocal powerhouse Johanna Allen showcases a catalogue of his most well known music: The Man that got Away, Blues in the Night, Get Happy, One for my baby, The Old Black Magic, Down With Love, Paper Moon, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and entwines stories from the women who loved him and the words of his other great musical work 'The Wizard of Oz'.

Ensemble 212 presents its Season Finale & Young Artist Showcase Concert tonight, May 31st at 8:30pm at Merkin Concert Hall featuring the Grand Prize Winners of the 2013-14 Young Artist Competition and the world premiere of Ke-Chia Chen's Wind Dance for String Orchestra!written especially for and commissioned by Ensemble 212 for its 10th anniversary. Two exceptionally talented young musicians will have a chance to perform with the orchestra: Grand Prize Winner of the 2013-14 Young Artist Competition, violinist Alice Ivy- Pemberton and cellist Derek Louie, 2nd Prize Winner. The concert opens and closes with exuberant classical works, Mozart's Impresario Overture and Beethoven's Symphony No. 1. A silent auction featuring unique artwork by local artists will be held in the lobby.

Dream of Perfect Sleep, a multi-award winning new play by acclaimed American playwright Kevin Kautzman in his full length UK debut will receive its world premiere at the Finborough Theatre for a four week run from Tuesday, 17 June 2014 (Press Night: Thursday 19 June 2014 at 7.30pm).

The Institute of Impossibility will play Drapers' Hall, Bayley Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RN Today 23rd - Sunday 25th May 2014. Press Night: Today 23rd May, 7.15pm. An evening of serious fun and unimpossibilising ideas...

Ensemble 212 presents its Season Finale & Young Artist Showcase Concert on Saturday, May 31st at 8:30pm at Merkin Concert Hall featuring the Grand Prize Winners of the 2013-14 Young Artist Competition and the world premiere of Ke-Chia Chen's Wind Dance for String Orchestra!written especially for and commissioned by Ensemble 212 for its 10th anniversary. Two exceptionally talented young musicians will have a chance to perform with the orchestra: Grand Prize Winner of the 2013-14 Young Artist Competition, violinist Alice Ivy- Pemberton and cellist Derek Louie, 2nd Prize Winner. The concert opens and closes with exuberant classical works, Mozart's Impresario Overture and Beethoven's Symphony No. 1. A silent auction featuring unique artwork by local artists will be held in the lobby.

Following the record-breaking attendance of Festival 2013, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival announces the full 2014 Festival free and ticketed event schedule. Jacob's Pillow is a National Historic Landmark, home to America's longest-running dance festival, and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Noted dance writer Jennifer Dunning has called the Pillow "the dance center of the nation, possibly the world."