Thornton Wilder News

The Matchmaker is coming to Taproot Theatre this September, promising a story of love, adventure and humor with heart. Thornton Wilder's hit comedy about love, money and the love of money has matchmaking busybody Dolly Levi brokering true love for a wealthy businessman. Will anyone get what their heart desires? Unlikely circumstances and hilarious complications bring surprises at every corner in this play that inspired Hello, Dolly!. Producing Artistic Director, Scott Nolte directs The Matchmaker, which opens September 20 and runs through October 19, with previews on September 18 and 19. There is a Pay What You Can performance on September 25.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Three major local premieres begin this week ('Next To Normal,' '9 To 5' and 'The Color Purple'), plus coverage of LOW's 'Cabaret,' two Cole Porter revues, busy Circle Theatre, 'Persuasion' is back, and 'In The Heights' and 'Hello, Dolly!' get their casts. It's a big Mosh Pit!

Don't miss your chance to see The Beaux' Stratagem, the last play of Actors' Theatre's Schiller Park season. It is being performed, starting at 8:00 p.m., every Thursday through Sunday night through September 1. That means you have only three short weekends to get to the park and see this well-received comedy.

Once in a Blue Moon Music is proud to present the New York City premiere of TRUTH, An American Opera about Sojourner Truth as a part of the 17th annual New York International Fringe Festival - FringeNYC. TRUTHilluminates the dynamic life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, a complicated, brilliant woman who escaped slavery to become an African-American abolitionist, women's rights activist and a relentless and articulate champion for freedom and justice. The fourth opera by composer Paula M. Kimper (Patience & Sarah), stars soprano Mari-Yan Pringle as Truth, and the ensemble of five singers and seven-piece orchestra conducted by the composer brings to life this American heroine of extraordinary scope in this chamber version of the opera. The remaining performances take place at Theatre 80, 80 St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd Avenues on Monday, August 12 at 4:15 p.m.; Friday, August 16 at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday, August 17 at 9:15pm; and Sunday, August 25 at 5:45 p.m. (No late seating.) Tickets cost $15 ($18 at the door) and can be purchased by calling 866-468-7619 or online at www.FringeNYC.org.

In the pantheon of American playwrights, only Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams and Thornton Wilder, can rival the artistic and cultural significance of Arthur Miller. In 1947, 'Death of a Salesman' won the second Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize. In the years since, such stars as George C. Scott, Dustin Hoffman, Brian Dennehy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and John Malkovich have appeared in subsequent revivals; all told the five Broadway productions of 'Death of a Salesman' have won 21 major awards, including 12 Tonys.

Once in a Blue Moon Music presents the New York City premiere of TRUTH, An American Opera about Sojourner Truth as a part of the 17th annual New York International Fringe Festival - FringeNYC. TRUTH illuminates the dynamic life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, a complicated, brilliant woman who escaped slavery to become an African-American abolitionist, women's rights activist and a relentless and articulate champion for freedom and justice.

Just a few months ago, Michael Riedel reported that Bette Midler has been approached for a revival, for which she seemingly passed, telling interviewers that she didn't see herself wanting to carry an entire musical for 8 shows a week. Now, it might be Kristin Chenoweth's turn.

Back by popular demand, Todd Waite reprises his role as Houston's favorite holiday elf. A compact, one-character comedy, The Santaland Diaries is a hilarious cult classic featuring comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. NPR humorist and best-selling author of Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, David Sedaris has become one of America's pre-eminent humor writers. Recommended for mature audiences due to language and subject matter.

The Elsewhere Ensemble and 59E59 Theaters present His Majesty, the Devil - a play with music by Alexandra Devon, inspired by Dostoyevsky - at this year's East to Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Fringe.

Casting is now complete for the 75th Anniversary Production of OUR TOWN which will open as a fundraiser for the First Congregational Church of Buena Park tonight, August 2nd. PASSCAL (The Performing Arts Society of Southern California) in association with All Seasons Theatre Company will produce the limited engagement of the Thornton Wilder classic with Americana music and original scoring composed by Jonathan Kupper. Directing the production is Patrick Riviere who is also currently directing the LA premiere of PIE Story Theatre for CASA 0101 Theater and recently received critical acclaim for his direction of THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT at The Victory Theater.

What are two young gentlemen in the early 18th century to do when they are left penniless as the result of having squandered their family fortunes? They seek rich wives, of course - the sooner, the better. Actors' Theatre of Columbus is producing THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM as its final play of the Schiller Park Season. The comedy will be performed every Today through Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. from today, August 1 to September 1. It is directed by Adam Simon. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to make the experience more comfortable.

Atlantic Theater Company has just announced that Robert Beitzel, Halley Feiffer, Susan Pourfar and Tony Award nominee Deborah Rush will star in the world premiere production of Academy Award winner Ethan Coen's first full length play WOMEN OR NOTHING, staged by acclaimed director David Cromer.

Founded in 1979 by its Artistic Director, Jeffrey Horowitz, Theatre for a New Audience's next act is about to begin with the opening of its Center for Shakespeare and Classical Drama in Brooklyn. The inaugural production is Julie Taymor's staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare with original music by Elliot Goldenthal. Previews begin October 19 for an opening on November 2.

ACT Theatre has announced the Seattle premiere of Will Eno's whimsical and poetic comedy drama, Middletown. In his contemporary take on Thornton Wilder's classic Our Town, Will Eno (2012 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award) digs acutely into American life, bringing the deeply human journeys of neighbor and stranger together in an 'Everytown USA.' Eno's critically acclaimed new play explores how the imponderable mysteries of the universe reveal themselves through the apparently everyday lives and relationships of ordinary people in an ordinary place.

ACT Theatre is thrilled to announce the Seattle premiere of Will Eno's whimsical and poetic comedy drama, Middletown, beginning August 30. In his contemporary take on Thornton Wilder's classic Our Town, Will Eno (2012 PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award) digs acutely into American life, bringing the deeply human journeys of neighbor and stranger together in an "Everytown USA." Eno's critically acclaimed new play explores how the imponderable mysteries of the universe reveal themselves through the apparently everyday lives and relationships of ordinary people in an ordinary place.

Once in a Blue Moon Music is proud to present the New York City premiere of TRUTH, An American Opera about Sojourner Truth as a part of the 17th annual New York International Fringe Festival – FringeNYC. TRUTH illuminates the dynamic life and legacy of Sojourner Truth, a complicated, brilliant woman who escaped slavery to become an African-American abolitionist, women's rights activist and a relentless and articulate champion for freedom and justice. The fourth opera by composer Paula M. Kimper (Patience & Sarah), stars soprano Mari-Yan Pringle as Truth, and the ensemble of five singers and seven-piece orchestra conducted by the composer brings to life this American heroine of extraordinary scope in this chamber version of the opera. The performances take place at Theatre 80, 80 St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd Avenues on Friday, August 9 at 3:00 p.m.; Monday, August 12 at 4:15 p.m.; Friday, August 16 at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday, August 17 at 9:15pm; and Sunday, August 25 at 5:45 p.m. (No late seating.) Tickets go on sale July 19, cost $15 ($18 at the door) and can be purchased by calling 866-468-7619 or online at www.FringeNYC.org.