Thornton Wilder News

Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that the Off-Broadway hit musical LYSISTRATA JONES, which closes on Friday at the Judson Memorial Church is hoping to move to Broadway (with a search led by General Manager Alan Wasser) in the fall with a budget between $6-7 million at a small house, ideally the Broadhurst or the Walter Kerr.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents Lee Blessing's Going to St. Ives, from June 22 through July 9 at BSC Stage 2.

Directed and choreographed by the multi-talented Bryan Wlas, who plays Ambrose Kemper in this musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker, The Renaissance Players' production is lovingly brought to the stage by a large cast of locals - some making their stage debuts, some coming out of self-prescribed stage retirement, and still others adding the show to their professional acting resumes - who represent the very best of community theater, cheerfully and resolutely giving their all to infuse Hello, Dolly! with spirit, verve and camaraderie. Sure, the production has its flaws (so what if Horace Vandergelder sounds like a Confederate Army veteran, the show's being done in a small Southern town for goodness' sake!), but the cast and crew are having so much fun that you can easily overlook almost anything to be transported by one of musical theater's most appealing and enduring scores.

Last weekend, Cygnet Theatre launched its final show of Season Eight, Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN - a classic look at life from one community's various residents and characters.

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in Downtown Pittsfield, MA, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, presents Lee Blessing's Going to St. Ives, from June 22 through July 9 at BSC Stage 2.

One of Broadway's biggest musical hits ever - Hello, Dolly! - winner of 10 Tony Awards, is next onstage at Dickson's Renaissance Center as The Renaissance Players present the musical comedy by Jerry Herman, known to many as 'the king of showtunes,' running through June 26, starring Marilyn Fair, Linda Sue Simmon Runyeon, Bryan Wlas, and Nathan W. Brown.

The Players Club of Swarthmore has scheduled two Friday morning school performances of their 101st Season Opener, Thornton Wilder's American classic Our Town.

Andrew Upton's adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's 1926 novel turned play The White Guard, commissioned by London's National Theatre (where it played to five-star reviews last year), is presented in a new production directed by Upton at Sydney Theatre from 7 June to 10 July.

The Renaissance Players proudly present HELLO, DOLLY!, June 10 - June 26, 2011 @ The Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN. This classic Broadway musical features 35 local actors, under the Direction of Bryan J. Wlas, Musical Direction by Nathan W. Brown. Visit rcenter.org for more information.

On the heels of rave reviews and sell-out crowds, Transport Group has announced that its production of the New York premiere of Lysistrata Jones, will extend one week only through Friday, June 24. Lysistrata Jones has a book by Douglas Carter Beane; music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn; direction and choreography by Dan Knechtges. The musical plays at Judson Memorial Church Gymnasium, 243 Thompson Street at Washington Square South.

With the final echoes and razzle-dazzle of Cygnet's latest production playing throughout the weekend, Artistic Director Sean Murray is making preparations to strip the theatre bare and bring in his largest cast to date for something entirely different.

In honor of Lookingglass Theatre's 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, BroadwayWorld Chicago jumps down the rabbit hole all week long to gather what makes the Chicago ensemble company tick. Today we look at five of the company's most notable works.