TheatreWorks News

The Bay Area Theatre Company opens One Googol and One by Aidaa Peerzada on Friday  December 7 (preview Dec. 6th) running through December 22 2018 at Brava Theater Center. One Googol and One is a play about historical injustices and how each of our stories from the past shape our modern identities. Set in different times and places the production takes on various mediums of dialogue through contemporary verse (spoken word), classical verse, and naturalistic dialogue.

Pratidhwani - a Seattle area based organization for promoting South Asian performing arts and artists - will present I And You by Lauren Gunderson as a co-production with Theater Schmeater, running October 18th through November 3rd, 2018, performing at Theater Schmeater's home in Bell Town.

In October, New Conservatory Theatre Center is pleased to present the regional premiere of Cardboard Piano by Whiting Award-winning playwright, Hansol Jung, in partnership with Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) . Directed by Tom Bruett, this "deeply moving new play" (Courier Journal) is a sweeping tale of love, redemption, and the ongoing fight for international LGBTQ rights. 16-year old Chris just wants to find a safe place to live with the girl she loves- not an easy task in 1999 Uganda. Determined to be together, Chris, the daughter of American missionaries and Adiel, a local girl, meet in the village church to marry in secret. When the war outside the church walls breaks its way into their sanctuary in the form of a wounded child-soldier, all three lives become tied together forever. Cardboard Piano is a riveting testament to the power of the past to shape the future, and the bonds of love, family, and forgiveness.

This November, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley invites guests to sip from the fountain of youth and travel through time celebrating nearly 50 years of innovative theatre with its fall gala TheatreWorks Everlasting, inspired by the themes of its upcoming holiday production Tuck Everlasting. Established in Palo Alto in 1970, TheatreWorks has grown over the past 48 years into one of the largest theatre companies in the Bay Area, and one of the nation's leading presenters of new works. This magical adventure will include delectable food, wine, and an original show, as well as guest theatre luminaries, and an exceptional benefit auction featuring fabulous trips and behind-the-scenes theatre experiences.

Following three sold-out shows in the 2017-18 season, Theatreworks USA's "Pete the Cat" is back. Based on the popular books by James Dean and Eric Litwin, this family-friendly musical comes to the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. This hour-long play is recommended for ages 3 and up.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is delighted to introduce Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical to Orange County for the first time as part of our 2018 Holiday Literature Series!  Book, lyrics, and music by Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon, directed by Casey Long, and with music direction by Bill Strongin, Jane Austen's Emma: The Musical will preview from November 23rd through November 30th; regular performances will begin December 1st and continue through December 23rd on the Cripe Stage at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley brings an enchanted bestseller to life for the holidays with the regional premiere of Tuck Everlasting. Set in the 1890s, free-spirited Winnie Foster searches for adventure, finding the Tucks, a close-knit family that has discovered the secret to everlasting life. Winnie faces the choice of a lifetime: return to everyday life, or join the Tucks on their infinite, irreversible voyage through time. Directed by TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley, Tuck Everlasting will be presented November 28 - December 30 at Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto.

Ben Lockwood, Rupert Henderson and Oliver Kaderbhai today announce acclaimed Off-Broadway musical, Striking 12 at the Union Theatre this Christmas. The production, inspired by the short story by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Match Girl, is directed by Oliver Kaderbhai, opening on 3 December, with previews from 28 November and runs until 23 December.

For those in the musical theatre world, you have probably heard of BLOOD BROTHERS, even if you don't really know the music or the plot. It is the third longest-running show in the West End (after Les Miz and Phantom), and played for over 10,000 performances! Imprint Theatreworks has taken on this show as the closer to their season. However, due to weakness in the writing of both the book and the music, it is difficult to imagine this being a smash hit here in the States like it was across the pond.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the leadership of Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Awoye Timpo, from November 21 through December 16, 2018.

In October, New Conservatory Theatre Center is pleased to present the regional premiere of Cardboard Piano by Whiting Award-winning playwright, Hansol Jung, in partnership with Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) . Directed by Tom Bruett, this "deeply moving new play" (Courier Journal) is a sweeping tale of love, redemption, and the ongoing fight for international LGBTQ rights. 16-year old Chris just wants to find a safe place to live with the girl she loves- not an easy task in 1999 Uganda. Determined to be together, Chris, the daughter of American missionaries and Adiel, a local girl, meet in the village church to marry in secret. When the war outside the church walls breaks its way into their sanctuary in the form of a wounded child-soldier, all three lives become tied together forever. Cardboard Piano is a riveting testament to the power of the past to shape the future, and the bonds of love, family, and forgiveness.

It would be easy to make FUN HOME a dour polemic about LGBT oppression from within and without, but the gifts of Kron, Tesori, Bechdel - which director Robert Kelley artfully deploys - are the moments of lightness and pure joy that make the losses all the more tragic.

On December 7, TheatreWorks New Milford will open the classic musicalMan of La Mancha, by Dale Wasserman, Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh. Man of La Mancha is based on Miguel de Cervantes' tale, Don Quixote.

Let the bells peal!  Ring in the holidays with a classic tale.  Long Island's newest theatrical venue The Argyle Theatrepresents the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and songs from the Disney film originally developed by Disney Theatrical Productions, with music by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by Peter Parnell.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2018-19 season with Mansfield Park, written by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen, and directed by Stuart Carden. Mansfield Park runs November 8 - December 16, 2018 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, November 16, 2018 at 8pm.

Those who have happily misspent hours in the universe of role-playing games (Dungeons & Dragons), as well as n00bs (newbies), former geeks, parents of geeks, and anyone who has ever attended high school will find resonance in SHE KILLS MONSTERS, the comic romp by award-winning playwright Qui Nguyen (Vietgone)presented by Foothill Theatre Arts.

Pratidhwani - a Seattle area based organization for promoting South Asian performing arts and artists - will present I And You by Lauren Gunderson as a co-production with Theater Schmeater, running October 18th through November 3rd, 2018, performing at Theater Schmeater's home in Bell Town.

This December, New Conservatory Theatre Center continues its not-so-traditional tradition of its award-winning production of Avenue Q. Featuring "catchy melodies sung by randy puppets suffering post-collegiate existential dread" (SF Chronicle), NCTC's Avenue Q has been proclaimed a "local tradition" by San Francisco Travel, winning over critics and audiences alike in its previous engagements in NCTC's intimate Decker Theatre. Declares the San Francisco Examiner, "only the Grinch could prevent the laughter-filled show from selling out night after night."

The Old Globe will expand San Diego's celebration of the holidays with a world premiere American musical about family, faith, and the magic of Christmas. The Globe is delighted to announce the complete cast and creative team for Looking for Christmas, the new Clint Black Christmas musical, inspired by the country music legend's 1995 chart-topping holiday album. With music and lyrics by Clint Black, book by James D. Sasser with Black, based on an idea by Sasser and Black, music supervision and music direction by Matt Hinkley, and directed by Kent Nicholson, Looking for Christmas will run November 11 - December 16, 2018 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets start at $39.00 and are on sale to the general public now. Previews run November 11-19. Opening night is Tuesday, November 20 at 8:00 p.m.

 In a haze of reality and misguided fantasy, four characters present the critically acclaimed play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on the Palm Canyon Theatre stage October 18-21. First staged in 1962, writer Edward Albee promptly won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play (1962-63) and the Tony Award for Best Play (1963). The play happens over the course of one night and includes games of marital torment and verbal tirades with hints of infidelity and deception sprinkled throughout an unconventional encounter.