Thornton Wilder News

Two of Chicago's acclaimed off-Loop theater troupes join Goodman Theatre's 21st century exploration of Eugene O'Neill in February and March. The Hypocrites perform The Hairy Ape February 7-21, directed by Artistic Director and Founder Sean Graney, 'one of the most insightful directors now at work in Chicago' (Chicago Sun-Times), who transforms Goodman's three-tiered Owen Bruner Theatre into the various strata of an ocean liner. The Neo-Futurists, 'one of the most imaginative experimental theater ensembles in the country' (The Economist), perform Strange Interlude March 6-8, directed by Founder Greg Allen, in a production which unites audience and actors on the stage.

Film and theatre production company Jean Doumanian Productions (August: Osage County) will produce a musical based on Mitchell Zuckoff's acclaimed biography 'Ponzi's Scheme: The True Story of a Financial Legend.' Jean Doumanian Productions will be co-producing the musical with Michael Shulman and Craig Saavedra of Starry Night Entertainment. The two companies jointly acquired the rights to Zuckoff's book for both the stage and film.

Two of Chicago's acclaimed off-Loop theater troupes join Goodman Theatre's 21st century exploration of Eugene O'Neill in February and March. The Hypocrites perform The Hairy Ape February 7-21, directed by Artistic Director and Founder Sean Graney, 'one of the most insightful directors now at work in Chicago' (Chicago Sun-Times), who transforms Goodman's three-tiered Owen Bruner Theatre into the various strata of an ocean liner. The Neo-Futurists, 'one of the most imaginative experimental theater ensembles in the country' (The Economist), perform Strange Interlude March 6-8, directed by Founder Greg Allen, in a production which unites audience and actors on the stage.

Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) is proud to announce casting for ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN, by Charles Fuller and directed by Stephen McKinley Henderson. ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN is the final production of Signature's 2008-09 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC).

Producers Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian and Tom Wirtshafter have announced complete casting for the acclaimed David Cromer production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. Performances will begin on February 17th with an official opening night set for Thursday, February 26th, 7:30 p.m., at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street), whose space will be completely redesigned for this production.

Cinnabar Theatre presents Thornton Wilder's Our Town from Feb 27 to March 8, 2009 with Performances at 7:30 pm, Feb 27 & 28, March 6 & & and 2 pm, March 1 & 8.

Keen Company announced today that Tony Award-winner Ron Holgate (1776, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Grand Hotel, recent revivals of Kiss Me, Kate and Guys and Dolls) will join John Cullum and Jonathan Hogan for its upcoming production of Heroes, replacing previously announced Tony Roberts. Mr. Roberts has withdrawn from the production to attend to family matters. The New York premiere of this 2006 Olivier Award-winning play by Gerald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard, will be helmed by Keen Artistic Director Carl Forsman and run from February 24 - April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row ( 410 West 42nd Street ). The official opening is set for March 8.

Theatre Jacksonville presents Happily Red 2009 Hello, Dolly! In Concert With Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman, Book by Michael Stewart. Based on the Play 'The Matchmaker' by Thornton Wilder with Original Production Directed and Choreographed by Gower Champion. Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merrick and Champion-Five, Inc. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009 8:00PM Sponsored by Pacer International Starring Pamela Myers and Harvey Evans and featuring Sarah Boone, Michael Lipp, Juan Unzueta Directed by Jean Tait Musical Director: Eugene Gwozdz Choral Director: Rachel Clifton At Theatre Jacksonville's Harold K. Smith Playhouse 2032 San Marco Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32207 BOX OFFICE: 904.396.4425 Tickets: $60 (includes Champagne and Valentine treats at Intermission) VIP Tickets: $100 (includes 6 PM pre-show cocktail reception at Stellers Gallery)

The citizens of Grover's Corners share the ultimate tale of community in this American classic. The Lookingglass Ensemble will infuse the play with a singular chemistry you won't see anywhere else. In the hands of these renowned artists, Thornton Wilder's masterpiece will be disarmingly beautiful, utterly compelling and painfully funny.

Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) is thrilled to present John Cullum, Jonathan Hogan and Tony Roberts in the New York premiere of Heroes, by G?rald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard and directed by Carl Forsman. Heroes received the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Performances begin on Tuesday, February 24 and run through April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues. Opening is scheduled for Sunday, March 8. An evocative comedy about three World War I veterans living in a veterans' home who plot a new assault - a trip to a stand of poplar trees in the distance. But should they bring the stone dog with them? Author G?rald Sibleyras calls Heroes a play 'about the universal desire to escape the confines of life.' Winner of London's Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2006 and Paris' Moliere Award for Outstanding Comedy in 2003, Keen presents its New York debut.

Westport Country Playhouse incoming artistic director Mark Lamos and managing director Michael Ross announce a new look to the 2009 season. The Playhouse will open its 79th season in April with 'Around the World in 80 Days' directed by Michael Evan Haney. 'Around the World in 80 Days' was original scheduled for a September run, but will now open the 2009 season. 'Around the World in 80 Days,' an adventure tale adapted from the book by Jules Verne and written by Mark Brown, will play April 21 through May 9. Hailed by the New Yorker as 'a riveting testament to the ingeniousness of the human imagination,' and heralded by Associated Press as 'a clever, action-packed production skillfully directed by Michael Evan Haney,' 'Around the World in 80 Days' is a wild, global adventure for the whole family about Phileas Fogg and his ever loyal man-servant Passepartout---complete with elephants, steamboats and trains. Following 'Around the World in 80 Days,' the season's second play will be 'Children,' a timeless and touching family drama by A.R. Gurney, the playwright who penned 'The Dining Room,' 'Sylvia' and 'Love Letters.' It will run May 26 through June 13. When their mysterious brother, Pokey, returns to the family's beachside vacation home, all the family plans crumble as love affairs and family secrets explode. Westport favorite John Tillinger will direct.

Jean Doumanian Productions and Barrow Street Theatre(Scott Morfee and Tom Wirtshafter) today announced that they will produce director David Cromer's acclaimed staging of Thornton Wilder's Our Town at Off Broadway's Barrow Street Theatre. Performances will begin on February 17, with anofficial opening night set for Thursday, February 26. The production will require acomplete redesign of the theater space.

Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) is thrilled to present John Cullum, Jonathan Hogan and Tony Roberts in the New York premiere of Heroes, by G?rald Sibleyras with a translation by Tom Stoppard and directed by Carl Forsman. Heroes received the 2006 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. Performances begin on Tuesday, February 24 and run through April 11 at The Clurman Theatre / Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues. Opening is scheduled for Sunday, March 8.

Goodman Theatre kicks off 2009 with one of the most groundbreaking theatrical events of the last 15 years: the Chicago premiere of The Wooster Group's (New York City) critically acclaimed 1993 production of The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neill. Directed by Elizabeth LeCompte, this provocative story of a delusional self-appointed West Indian emperor features Kate Valk reprising her 'riveting, haunting, altogether astonishing' (The New York Times) performance of the title role, joined by Ari Fliakos and Scott Shepherd.

Theater veterans Mark Lamos and Michael Ross have been named artistic director and managing director, respectively, of Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut, as the historic theater enters its 79th season. The new leadership team will assume their positions on February 1, 2009.

Goodman Theatre kicks off 2009 with one of the most groundbreaking theatrical events of the last 15 years: the Chicago premiere of The Wooster Group's (New York City) critically acclaimed 1993 production of The Emperor Jones by Eugene O'Neill. Directed by Elizabeth LeCompte, this provocative story of a delusional self-appointed West Indian emperor features Kate Valk reprising her 'riveting, haunting, altogether astonishing' (The New York Times) performance of the title role, joined by Ari Fliakos and Scott Shepherd.

According to the web site for the Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) it's new production of August Wilson's award-winning play Joe Turner's Come And Gone has finally found a home - at Broadway's Belasco Theater. The show will open on April 16, 2009, with previews beginning March 19, 2009.

Variety is reporting that David Cromer will direct the upcoming Broadway revivals of 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' and 'Broadway Bound.'

Marin Theatre Company is pleased to present the West Coast premiere of Lydia by award-winning San Francisco playwright Octavio Solis.

James Naughton and Joanne Woodward Join Cast of "A Holiday Garland"at Westport Country Playhouse. Two-time Tony Award winner James Naughton and Academy Award winner Joanne Woodward have joined the cast of "A Holiday Garland" at Westport Country Playhouse (Joanne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director). Staged December 13 - 21, the production will feature holiday songs, funny stories, poignant readings, jokes and poems compiled to celebrate the season and enchant the family. Performances are Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m.