Thornton Wilder News

Westport/Weston Natives Justin Paul, Dan Asher, Drew McKeon and Jeremy Goldsmith in Band: The Broadway Boys' Holiday Concert at Westport Country Playhouse

In a feature out in the Washington Post today, musical legend Jerry Herman reveals that a Broadway revival of his classic, Hello, Dolly! is on the way. According to the report, 'A revival of 'Hello, Dolly!' will hit Broadway in the near future, says Herman, who plans to be the production's guiding spirit.'

The Greatest Gift, a special family holiday playreading with music, will be presented by Westport Country Playhouse in association with Bisno Productions as part of the Playhouse's popular Script in Hand series, on Monday, December 13, 7 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse's Family Festivities Series will present, "Season's Greetings," with magic, music, live animals, special effects and audience participation, celebrating the world's seasonal holidays, on Sunday, December 12, 1 and 4 p.m.

Bill Irwin, actor, director, writer and clown, whose work has been honored with Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Barrymore and Helen Hayes Awards, and Doug Skinner, musician, puppeteer and composer, who wrote and played the music for several of Mr. Irwin's shows, will appear in "The Clowns and Mr. Beckett," an evening of madcap routines, shtick and novelty songs, at Westport Country Playhouse on Saturday, December 11, 8 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse offers the holiday gift of entertainment for family and friends. Subscriptions or tickets to upcoming plays, family festivities or special events make great stocking stuffers.

Westport Country Playhouse, in partnership with Norwalk's Triangle Community Center, will present a "LGBT Night Out at the Playhouse," for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and allies, on Saturday, December 18.

From the producers who presented the critically acclaimed landmark David Cromer production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, now comes the New York premiere of the new comedy, Mistakes Were Made, by Craig Wright with direction by Dexter Bullard.

Award-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant will join previously announced Kieran Campion, Mia Dillon and Edward Herrmann for a reading of Noel Coward's bittersweet comedy, "A Song at Twilight," part of Westport Country Playhouse's popular Script in Hand Series, on Monday, November 15, 7 p.m.

Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, has announced that its 2010 Gimme A Break! benefit will honor playwright A. R. Gurney and columnist Liz Smith on Monday, December 6 at 6:30pm, at the Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street.

Our Postmodern Town might be a more descriptive title for Will Eno's Middletown, a play that coats the Thornton Wilder standard of normal American life as it pertains to the cycle of life and death with a whitewash of Samuel Beckett absurdity.  And if even half of the play's two hours contained the vivacity of the first few minutes, where David Garrison rhythmically recites an all-inclusive list describing any possible type of audience member who might be in attendance - concluding with his pointing out the fire exits - a trip to Middletown might prove a worthy excursion.

From the producers who presented the critically acclaimed landmark David Cromer production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, now comes the New York premiere of the new comedy, Mistakes Were Made, by Craig Wright with direction by Dexter Bullard. The two-character play features Academy Award-nominee Michael Shannon as producer Felix Artifex and Mierka Girten as his assistant Esther, with puppetry by Sam Deutsch, and reunites the creative team of the Off-Broadway smash hit Bug Bullard, Shannon and Barrow Street. The 16-week limited engagement began performances November 5, 2010 at the Barrow Street Theatre. Opening night is Sunday evening, November 14, 2010.

Westport Country Playhouse announced today an opportunity on its Facebook page to win two five-play preview subscriptions to its 2011 Season.

Westport Country Playhouse's Young Professionals Network will present a post-performance party with actress and vocalist Tracie Thoms, following her "Seasons" concert on Friday, December 10, 8 p.m.

In association with Westport Country Playhouse's Script in Hand reading of a new play with music, "The Greatest Gift," on Monday, December 13, at 7 p.m., students are invited to participate in a writing contest on the theme, "What Is the Greatest Gift in Your Life?"

The Theatre School at DePaul University is delighted to announce that this coming December 31, 2010, will mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Merle Reskin Theatre (formerly The Blackstone Theatre). The Beaux-Arts style Blackstone Theatre, which was designed by Chicago architects Marshall and Fox, opened its doors just off of Michigan Avenue in the South Loop on New Years' Eve of 1910. In the course of the past century it has changed owners, names, addresses, audiences, and has stayed a hub of theatrical arts in a changing neighborhood and city. It faced many noteworthy changes in entertainment, including the introduction of the radio, television and film industries.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre presented their annual Benefit & Cabaret last night, November 8th. Sonnet Repertory Theatre brought together a diverse and talented group of performers and composers at Joe's Pub to honor multi Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning director Jack O'Brien. Jerry Mitchell served as the evening's host.

Westport Country Playhouse announced today an opportunity on its Facebook page to win two five-play preview subscriptions to its 2011 Season.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre announced their Ninth Annual BENEFIT & CABARET HONORING JACK O'BRIEN to be held Monday, November 8th at Joe's Pub, to be hosted by Jerry Mitchell with Musical Direction by Dan Lipton and featuring performances by John Behlmann, Kerry Butler, Michael Cerveris, Victor Garber, Ethan Hawke, Carly Jibson, Andrew Lippa, Duncan Sheik, Joe Allen Players.

WAITING FOR THE DREAM ('En Attendant le Songe') -- an adaptation of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - will be performed by La Compagnie Irina Brook for a limited engagement November 3 to 7 at La MaMa ETC (74A E. 4 St.) in Manhattan. WAITING FOR THE DREAM is performed in French and English with subtitles.