Tony Taccone News

The Guthrie Theater's unprecedented three-month celebration of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner kicks off this weekend in Minneapolis, with daylong festivities including a world premiere performance of 'I Want More Life,' commissioned by the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus with text from Kushner's Angels in America, the presentation of a 'Tony Kushner Day' proclamation by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to Tony Kushner, and a screening of the HBO film version of Angels in America. The three-month celebration includes productions on all three of the Guthrie's stages, classes, seminars, discussions, speakers and more.

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater today announced that due to overwhelming popular response, the company will extend its Bay Area Premiere of Will Eno's London and Off-Broadway hit THOM PAIN (based on nothing) a second time; the company has added three weeks of shows in addition to the previously announced extension to April 19. THOM PAIN (based on nothing) plays now through May 9.

Even as it announces a new season filled with hot plays and another show bound for Broadway, Berkeley Repertory Theatre concludes its current season with the world premiere of a smart and sassy script featuring favorite local artists: You, Nero, a new comedy written by Amy Freed and directed by Sharon Ott, rules the Thrust Stage this spring. Starring Danny Scheie as the preposterous emperor of ancient Rome, You, Nero begins previews on May 15, opens May 20, and closes June 28.

She was the world's beloved Princess Leia in Star Wars, a daughter born to celebrity parents, and the wife of a famous musician. She could also have taken the title of 'walking controversy,' thanks largely to her partying past. This spring, iconic actress Carrie Fisher brings her dynamic spirit and real-life tale to Seattle Repertory Theatre as it presents Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking April 2 through May 3 at its Bagley Wright Theatre.

reen Day won two Grammy Awards - Best Rock Album and Record of the Year - with its multi-platinum American Idiot, which sold more than 12 million copies worldwide. Today the band announced plans to bring that explosive album to the stage by collaborating with Michael Mayer, renowned director of Spring Awakening, which grabbed eight Tony Awards including Best Director and Best Musical in 2007.

She was the world's beloved Princess Leia in Star Wars, a daughter born to celebrity parents, and the wife of a famous musician. She could also have taken the title of 'walking controversy,' thanks largely to her partying past. This spring, iconic actress Carrie Fisher brings her dynamic spirit and real-life tale to Seattle Repertory Theatre as it presents Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking April 2 through May 3 at its Bagley Wright Theatre.

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater today announced a two-week extension of its Bay Area Premiere of Will Eno's London and Off-Broadway hit THOM PAIN (based on nothing). Crowded Fire Artistic Director Marissa Wolf helms this Pulitzer Prize-nominated one-man meditation on the empty promises that life makes, starring Jonathan Bock.

Today, even as it celebrates sending another show to Broadway, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced a new season of adventurous plays for local theatre lovers. Tony Taccone, artistic director of the Tony Award-winning company, revealed five bold shows selected for the upcoming year.

Today, even as it celebrates sending another show to Broadway, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced a new season of adventurous plays for local theatre lovers. Tony Taccone, artistic director of the Tony Award-winning company, revealed five bold shows selected for the upcoming year. His ambitious agenda for the 2009/10 season includes three world premieres: a compelling script commissioned from Naomi Iizuka, a captivating new collaboration from Lisa Kron and Leigh Silverman, and the debut of a beautiful musical from Matthew Sweet and Todd Almond. The Theatre?s 42nd season also includes a West Coast premiere by Tony Kushner, the Bay Area?s introduction to Aurélia?s Oratorio, and two plays to be named at a later date. Best of all, the cost of a subscription to Berkeley Rep will not increase this year, meaning that some seats for these shows can be snatched up at the 1998 price!

Connecticut's premier outdoor summer theater, Shakespeare on the Sound, has appointed Joanna Settle as its new Artistic Director. Ms. Settle will be responsible for all of the company's artistic endeavors, including its annual summer production of a major Shakespeare play. She succeeds the company's founding artistic director, Ezra Barnes.

Guthrie Director Joe Dowling today announced casting for the three productions slated to headline the theater?s Tony Kushner Celebration. A company of more than 25 Minneapolis and New York actors will come together at the Guthrie from April through June to participate in a one-of-a-kind celebration the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright?s work. More information on the Kushner Celebration can be found at www.CelebrateKushner.com.

In her 13 years as artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Sharon Ott led the company to new artistic heights, national prestige, and a well-deserved Tony Award. Now, after a 12-year absence, she returns with a gripping production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic Crime and Punishment. The scene of this Crime is Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage, where Ott earned her reputation as a dazzling director. The show begins previews on February 27, opens March 4, and closes March 29. Its executive producers are John and Helen Meyer and Richard H. Rubin and H. Marcia Smolens, with production sponsorship from the Bernard Osher Foundation. BART and Wells Fargo are the season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre.

In her 13 years as artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Sharon Ott led the company to new artistic heights, national prestige, and a well-deserved Tony Award. Now, after a 12-year absence, she returns with a gripping production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic Crime and Punishment. The scene of this Crime is Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage, where Ott earned her reputation as a dazzling director. The show begins previews on February 27, opens March 4, and closes March 29. Its executive producers are John and Helen Meyer and Richard H. Rubin and H. Marcia Smolens, with production sponsorship from the Bernard Osher Foundation. BART and Wells Fargo are the season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present post-show discussions following every Tuesday evening performance of TALES OF AN URBAN INDIAN, the second play of the 2008-2009 Public LAB season. The Public LAB Speaker Series, held every Tuesday following Public LAB shows, will consist of engaging conversations with the artists and notable panelists.

San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater continues its 2008-09 season with the Bay Area Premiere of Will Eno's London and Off-Broadway hit THOM PAIN (based on nothing). Crowded Fire Artistic Director Marissa Wolf helms this Pulitzer Prize-nominated one-man meditation on the empty promises that life makes, starring Jonathan Bock. THOM PAIN (based on nothing) plays March 13 through April 5 (Press opening: Friday, March 13) at the Cutting Ball Theater in residence at Exit on Taylor (277 Taylor Street) in San Francisco. Will Eno will be in residence at Cutting Ball; there will be a special opening night reception and Q&A on March 13 at 6:30pm with Eno, director Marissa Wolf, and Cutting Ball Artistic Director Rob Melrose. For tickets ($15-30) and more information, the public may visit cuttingball.com or call 800-838-3006.

From Los Angeles to Kansas City, from the Sundance Film Festival to the New York Times bestseller list, rave reviews continue to pile up for projects born at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. With its commitment to innovation and excellence ? and its connection to respected artists such as Carrie Fisher, Danny Hoch, Spike Lee, Sarah Ruhl, and Mary Zimmerman ? the Tony Award-winning theatre is attracting international attention.

Obie Award?-winner Danny Hoch returns to a Center Theatre Group stage with his latest solo work 'Taking Over,' opening January 23 at 8 p.m. at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. Previews are January 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.; performances continue through February 22, 2009. The production is directed by Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Danny Hoch's solo performance piece 'Taking Over' previews tonight, January 21, 2009, and tomorrow night at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre. Opening night for the Obie Award-winning performer is Friday, January 23 (at 8 p.m.). Performances continue through February 22. The production is directed by Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre. 'Taking Over' is a riveting study of the effects of gentrification and how this is changing the face of many American cities. Hoch seamlessly transforms himself into the vividly diverse characters from his hometown, the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, and into the real estate agents and developers who are shepherding radical changes into the district's character and nature. Filling the stage with compelling, impeccably drawn, multicultural portraits, Hoch captures the complexities of the transition of a poorer urban community, once vibrant and colorful - albeit crime and cocaine-ridden - into a culture that is wealthier, less diverse, and the cause of higher rents and property values, and the subsequent displacement of long-term residents. The production features scenic and costume design by Annie Smart, lighting design and projections by Alexander V. Nichols, original music by Asa Taccone and sound design by Adam Phalen. The production stage manager is David S. Franklin. 'Taking Over' was originally produced by Berkeley Repertory Theatre and recently played at The Public Theater in New York. Hoch's 'Some People' (Obie Award) was part of CTG's 1995 Taper, Too season, while his 'Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop' was presented as a CTG special event in 1998 at The Actors' Gang. Hoch is a 2008-2009 Guggenheim Fellow.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre is ending the year the way it started: delighting audiences and impressing critics on both coasts with two hits here in Berkeley and another show taking New York by storm. Today even as Joe Turner's Come and Gone nears the end of its local run and Artistic Director Tony Taccone is Taking Over Manhattan with Danny Hoch the company announced another extension for its production of The Arabian Nights.

In her 13 years as artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Sharon Ott led the company to new artistic heights, national prestige, and a well-deserved Tony Award. Now, after a 12-year absence, she returns with a gripping production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic Crime and Punishment. The scene of this Crime is Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage, where Ott earned her reputation as a dazzling director. The show begins previews on February 27, opens March 4, and closes March 29. Its executive producers are John and Helen Meyer and Richard H. Rubin and H. Marcia Smolens, with production sponsorship from the Bernard Osher Foundation. BART and Wells Fargo are the season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre.