Tony Taccone News

It's been 15 years since she's performed on a Bay Area stage - now Anna Deavere Smith is returning.

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced that it is rescheduling the run of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup so that its star can recuperate from a recent knee replacement.

This March, Berkeley Repertory Theatre proudly presents Ruined, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A powerful new play about the harrowing lives of women in Africa, Ruined is written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Liesl Tommy.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2010-11 season with the West Coast premiere of adamant provocateur Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park, winner of the prestigious London Evening Standard Award for Best New Play in 2010.

Tony Taccone, Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, will discuss Artistic Leadership on Monday, January 17, at 10:15am at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre (410 W 42nd Street), as part of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation's (SDCF) ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION series on the topic of Artistic Leadership.

Tony Taccone, Artistic Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, will discuss Artistic Leadership on Monday, January 17, at 10:15am at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre (410 W 42nd Street), as part of Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation's (SDCF) ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION series on the topic of Artistic Leadership.

Upholding its annual resolution to present provocative new plays by the Bay, Berkeley Repertory Theatre begins the new year by dishing up a pair of daring shows.

The Composer lives on! Berkeley Repertory Theatre's irreverent holiday show - Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead - has proven so popular that the Tony Award-winning nonprofit has added performances in January. Now this deliciously silly new show will continue entertaining local audiences through January 16. Families in particular have embraced The Composer, so Berkeley Rep has added matinees on the final weekend: tickets are now on sale for 2 PM performances on January 15 and 16.

Every year, talented artists who are working at Berkeley Repertory Theatre also share their knowledge with students at its School of Theatre.

The writer is alive (at least for now). Berkeley Repertory Theatre is preparing its new holiday show, Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead, and audiences can get an earful of what they're in for at Page to Stage. Daniel Handler - Snicket's stand-in - will be interviewed about this preposterous production at 7:00 PM on Monday, December 13 in the Roda Theatre. Madeleine Oldham, Berkeley Rep's literary manager and dramaturg, will moderate the conversation, which will also explore the dreadfully successful career of the bestselling author who penned A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced casting for its holiday revival of The Arabian Nights. This hit show from Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman returns for 24 performances only - from December 11 through December 30.

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS will play only 24 performances between December 11 and December 30. Tickets are on sale now exclusively to Berkeley Rep's subscribers and donors. Seats go on sale to the general public later this fall.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2010-11 season with the West Coast premiere of adamant provocateur Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park, winner of the prestigious London Evening Standard Award for Best New Play in 2010.

Upholding its annual resolution to present provocative new plays by the Bay, Berkeley Repertory Theatre begins the new year by dishing up a pair of daring shows.

This holiday season, Berkeley Repertory Theatre presents a deliciously silly world premiere from beloved Bay Area artists: Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead begins previews in the Roda Theatre on November 26, opens December 2, and closes January 15. The show features text by bestselling author Lemony Snicket and a score by living composer Nathaniel Stookey. It was conceived for the stage by Lemony Snicket, Phantom Limb Jessica Grindstaff and Erik Sanko, co-artistic directors, Tony Taccone, and Geoff Hoyle.

Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director) will present the world premiere of Imagining Heschel, a new play by Colin Greer, directed by Larry Moss, who was last represented Off-Broadway by his acclaimed production of Syringa Tree. The two-character play will feature actors Richard Dreyfuss and Rinde Eckert. Performances begin at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street, NYC) on Thursday, November 4th, 2010, and continue through Sunday, November 28th, 2010, for 20 performances only. An official opening night is set for Monday, November 8, 2010.

This holiday season, Berkeley Repertory Theatre presents a deliciously silly world premiere from beloved Bay Area artists: Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead begins previews in the Roda Theatre on November 26, opens December 2, and closes January 15.

Ask Amy Potozkin's parents and they'll tell you: she was always theatrical. For the last two decades, the Kensington resident has put those talents to good use as the casting director and artistic associate at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Culture Project (Allan Buchman, Artistic Director) will present the world premiere of Imagining Heschel, a new play by Colin Greer, directed by Larry Moss, who was last represented Off-Broadway by his acclaimed production of Syringa Tree. The two-character play will feature actors Richard Dreyfuss and Rinde Eckert. Performances begin at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street, NYC) on Thursday, November 4th, 2010, and continue through Sunday, November 28th, 2010, for 20 performances only. An official opening night is set for Monday, November 8, 2010.

This fall, Berkeley Repertory Theatre welcomes THE GREAT GAME: AFGHANISTAN, a sweeping cycle of short scripts by 12 top playwrights that caused a sensation in London. Presented in three parts - on different days or in one impassioned marathon - this unprecedented show explores Afghanistan over the last 150 years. Produced with the Tricycle Theatre and supported by the British Council, THE GREAT GAME makes its West Coast premiere in the Roda Theatre. This limited run begins October 22 and must end November 7. The executive producers for this exclusive two-week engagement are Bill Falik and Diana Cohen and the Strauch Kuhlanjian Family. Meanwhile, the Tricycle - which has gained renown in Britain for presenting plays that examine contemporary issues and investigate cultural diversity - is hosting Berkeley Rep's production of Tiny Kushner.