Tom Stoppard News

WhatsOnStage.com is reporting that world-renowned director Trevor Nunn is rumoured to be planning a stage adaptation of the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's for the West End stage.

Sam Mendes directs a transatlantic company of actors in a double-bill of classic works for The Bridge Project's inaugural 2009 season, which pairs a new version of The Cherry Orchard by Tom Stoppard with The Winter's Tale. A formidable transatlantic company and creative team will mount these two new productions for seven internationally renowned theaters. Simon Russell Beale leads the British/American cast, playing Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard and Leontes in The Winter's Tale. He is joined by Sin?ad Cusack as Madame Ranevskaya and Paulina, Richard Easton as Firs and Old Shepherd, Rebecca Hall as Varya and Hermione, Josh Hamilton as Yasha and Polixenes, Ethan Hawke as Trofimov and Autolycus, and Paul Jesson as Gaev and Camilo.

The upcoming Broadway revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit will go on general sale on Saturday, December 20, 2008. Tickets can be purchased by visiting telecharge.com or calling 212-239-6200 in the New York area, and 800-432-7250 outside the New York metro area. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Monday, January 26, 2009 with the first performance on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and the official opening on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at The Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street).

The Open Fist is thrilled to announce that its world premiere musical event, the critically acclaimed, smash-hit stage adaptation of Frank Zappa's classic rock opera JOE'S GARAGE is EXTENDING through Saturday, December 20 at the Open Fist Theatre in Hollywood.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to host the NYC premiere of Simon Green Sings COWARD AT CHRISTMAS: A Cabaret for Noel. Simon Green Sings COWARD AT CHRISTMAS: A Cabaret for Noel began performances on Sunday, December 14 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 4. There was a special Noel Coward Birthday Celebration Performance on Tuesday, December 16 at 8:30 PM, which included a champagne toast, birthday cake and special guest theatre icon Elaine Stritch.

The upcoming Broadway revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit will go on general sale on Saturday, December 20, 2008. Tickets can be purchased by visiting telecharge.com or calling 212-239-6200 in the New York area, and 800-432-7250 outside the New York metro area. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Monday, January 26, 2009 with the first performance on Thursday, February 26, 2009 and the official opening on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at The Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street).

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce the full cast for the upcoming New York premiere of Distracted, by Lisa Loomer, directed by Mark Brokaw. Distracted will begin previews on Saturday, February 7th and open officially on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street).

Just in time for the holidays, and in celebration of the first performance of Beasley's Christmas Party on December 2, Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) has announced a special ticket package for Beasley's and the upcoming, highly anticipated New York premiere of Heroes (translation by Tom Stoppard; starring John Cullum and Tony Roberts): 2-Show subscription for only $66 (all fees included), a savings of nearly 30%off full price tickets to both shows. Additional subscriber benefits include: First choice of seats to all productions; Ticket exchange privileges; One free ticket (per subscription) to each of Keen Company's 'Chestnuts' readings ($20 to the general public).

59E59 Theaters' Holiday E:Café toasts the Festive season with SIMON GREEN Sings COWARD AT CHRISTMAS: A Cabaret for Noël

The New York Post's Michael Riedel is stating that Alan Ayckbourn's well regarded comic trilogy 'The Norman Conquests,' will likely open at Circle in the Square in the fall.

The producers of the upcoming Broadway revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit are pleased to welcome Tony-nominated actress Deborah Rush in the role of Mrs. Bradman, reuniting her with her Noises Off! director, two-time Tony Award winner Michael Blakemore.

The Roundtable Ensemble (Kelly Ann Moore, Artistic Director and Joshua P. Weiss, Managing Director), now in its 10th season, will present the New York premiere of Linda Escalera Baggs' award-winning play 'SILENT HEROES,' inspired by a true story, and directed by Rosemary Andress. 'SILENT HEROES' will be presented at Theatre 54 at Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th floor (bet. 8th and 9th Aves). Performances will begin on January 8, and the official opening performance will be Sunday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m. Performances will run through Saturday, January 24.

Intellectualism gives way to emotion in Tom Stoppard's complex chronicle of the impact of Cold War politics and social revolution on life, love, and rock and roll

British actress Rebecca Hall was cast as jetsetting Caroline Cushing, one of the few women who might tame notorious lothario David Frost. Ex-wife of wealthy socialite Howard Cushing, she met Frost shortly before he met with Nixon to propose the interview series; Cushing remained his girlfriend for several years thereafter. A former secretary to columnist Liz Smith, she later became successful Hollywood editor Caroline Graham.

News from Broadway and theater in the Baltimore/Washington area

Just in time for the holidays, and in celebration of the first performance of Beasley's Christmas Party on December 2, Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) has announced a special ticket package for Beasley's and the upcoming, highly anticipated New York premiere of Heroes (translation by Tom Stoppard; starring John Cullum and Tony Roberts): 2-Show subscription for only $66 (all fees included), a savings of nearly 30%off full price tickets to both shows. Additional subscriber benefits include: First choice of seats to all productions; Ticket exchange privileges; One free ticket (per subscription) to each of Keen Company's 'Chestnuts' readings ($20 to the general public).

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLNÁR, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLNÁR, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents ROUGH CROSSING by TOM STOPPARD, from an original play by FERENC MOLN?R, directed by MARK RUCKER at the University Theatre (222 York Street, New Haven) beginning November 28 through December 20. Opening Night is Thursday, December 4.

59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to welcome Dublin, Ireland's Rough Magic Theatre Company in their US premiere with their masterful wartime musical comedy IMPROBABLE FREQUENCY, with book and lyrics by Arthur Riordan and music by Bell Helicopter.