Topher Payne News

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, announces casting for Perfect Arrangement, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed by Michael Barakiva (White People). The limited engagement runs September 29- November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street® project. Opening night is Thursday, October 15 at 7PM.

Primary Stages, in association with Amy Danis, Mark Johannes, and Dan Shaheen, announces casting for Perfect Arrangement, a New York premiere by Topher Payne (Swell Party, The Only Light in Reno) and directed byMichael Barakiva (White People).  The limited engagement runs September 29- November 6, 2015 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a New 42nd Street® project.  Opening night is Thursday, October 15 at 7PM.

STAGE DOOR PLAYERS closes their 41st season with the murder mystery musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes, directed by Robert Egizio. Drood opens tonight, July 10, and runs through Sunday, August 2.

On the heals of their Wilde Award nominated first season Open Book Theatre Company is pleased to announce their upcoming productions. Expanding on their initial success, they will offer a family show at a new outdoor amphitheater in Southgate and a 5 show second season.

STAGE DOOR PLAYERS closes their 41st season with the murder mystery musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood, by Rupert Holmes, directed by Robert Egizio. Drood opens on Friday, July 10, and runs through Sunday, August 2.

The One-Minute Play Festival (Dominic D'Andrea, Producing Artistic Director & Caitlin Wees, Associate Producer) and Actor's Express (Freddie Ashley, Artistic Director & Alex Scollon, Managing Director) have created a dynamic partnership for The 4th Atlanta One-minute Play Festival with part of the proceeds to benefit artist residency and educational programing.

Pride Films and Plays has for the last five years celebrated unique voices in the annual Great Gay Play And Musical Contest with a festival of staged readings in the Hoover-Leppen Theater at Center on Halsted. This year, four new plays and one new musical were performed as enhanced staged readings to enthusiastic audiences.

Primary Stages has announced the fourth production of their upcoming 31st Season to be performed at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project:

Pride Films & Plays is excited to announce a new production of Design for Living, a sexy and seductive revival of this Noel Coward classic which will be directed by PFP Artistic Associate Derek Bertelsen, and running at Rivendell Theater from October 22 to November 22. The press opening is Saturday, October 24 at 7:30.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director Robert J. Farley has proudly announced a thrilling lineup for the North Fulton professional theatre's 23rd season, filled with comedy, Shakespeare, music and adventure. The theme for the season is 'See What's Possible,' as the Theatre continues to grow and expand its artistic programming.

Pride Films and Plays presents Topher Payne's dark comedy Angry Fags as part of the Steppenwolf Theater Company's Garage Rep, beginning tonight, March 7, 2015.

Steppenwolf's GARAGE REP 2015, presented by Chicago storefront theater companies, is running in the Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted, now through April 26. Scroll down for a first look at Pride Films and Plays' ANGRY FAGS by Topher Payne, directed by Derek Van Barham!

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic was February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo tonight, February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 on February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the actors in rehearsal!

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 today, February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. These innovative storefront companies will perform in rotating repertory under Steppenwolf's banner for ten weeks.

Pride Films and Plays announces the transfer of its world premiere production of The Book of Merman to a new six-week engagement at the Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln, Chicago. The new musical comedy by Jeff Award-winning author Leo Schwartz has been playing to sellout crowds at Mary's Attic in Andersonville since its opening on January 17, 2015. The show's final performance at Mary's Attic will be February 15th, and following a one-weekend hiatus for the move, it will reopen at the Apollo on February 26 for a six-week run through April 5, 2015.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company begins performances for Garage Rep 2015 on February 20, 2015, which features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. These innovative storefront companies will perform in rotating repertory under Steppenwolf's banner for ten weeks.

Now in its sixth year, Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents Garage Rep 2015, featuring three cutting-edge Chicago companies producing bold work in rotating repertory for ten weeks under Steppenwolf's banner. This year's Garage Rep features Cold Basement Dramatics' production of Heat Wave, Pride Films and Plays' production of Angry Fags and Red Tape Theatre's production of The Walk Across America for Mother Earth. Casting and creative teams for each production included below. Performances run February 20, 2015 - April 26, 2015 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N. Halsted St.). Press weekend is March 7 and 8. Single tickets ($20) are now available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), at ?312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks off the New Year with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette (February 5, 2015 - May 10, 2015), a modern, witty take on the young queen of France by David Adjmi (Elective Affinities, 3C) and directed by Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy). Next is the US premiere of The Herd (April 2, 2015 - June 7, 2015), the deftly comic story of a suburban English family by actor-playwright Rory Kinnear. Ensemble member and Tony Award winner Frank Galati directs in place of previously announced director K. Todd Freeman, who had an artistic scheduling conflict. Ensemble member Lois Smith joins the cast of The Herd, which features fellow ensemble members Francis Guinan and John Mahoney.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks off the New Year with the Chicago premiere production of Marie Antoinette (February 5, 2015 - May 10, 2015), a modern, witty take on the young queen of France by David Adjmi (Elective Affinities, 3C) and directed by Robert O'Hara (Bootycandy). Next is the US premiere of The Herd (April 2, 2015 - June 7, 2015), the deftly comic story of a suburban English family by actor-playwright Rory Kinnear. Ensemble member and Tony Award winner Frank Galati directs in place of previously announced director K. Todd Freeman, who had an artistic scheduling conflict. Ensemble member Lois Smith joins the cast of The Herd, which features fellow ensemble members Francis Guinan and John Mahoney.