Topher Payne News

The 2014 American Theatre Critics Association's Osborn Prize for Best New Play went to Topher Payne's PERFECT ARRANGEMENT and Pandora Productions will be one of the first theatre companies in the country to get the rights to perform it.

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

Atlanta professional theatres continued their commitment to developing new work with a bounty of productions written or adapted by local playwrights. There are eleven such plays in contention for this year's Gene-Gabriel Moore Playwriting Award. The award, named after the primary founder of the Suzi Awards organization, recognizes an Atlanta-based playwright whose work was produced by a professional Atlanta theatre in the preceding season. A committee of area educators, playwrights and theatre professionals read each of the plays and choose the recipient.

Pride Films and Plays annual fall benefit Simply Sensational: Legends will reach new heights this year when Tony Award Winner Donna McKechnie headlines the event on October 20. She will be joined on stage by other musical guests American Idol Finalist Devin Velez, Colte Julian from Million Dollar Quartet, and Ryan Lanning from Bailiwick Chicago's The Wild Party. WGN's Dean Richards serves again as the emcee, which features a preshow reception at 6 pm, the performance at 7, and a post show champagne toast with Ms. McKechnie.

Once upon a time, a legendary sci-fi television icon and an infamous biblical villain descended upon a woman trapped by her grief. This is the premise of 7 Stages' latest production by Atlanta playwright Suehyla El-Attar, The Doctor, The Devil, & My Dad, today, Oct. 2-26.

Once upon a time, a legendary sci-fi television icon and an infamous biblical villain descended upon a woman trapped by her grief. This is the premise of 7 Stages' latest production by Atlanta playwright Suehyla El-Attar, The Doctor, The Devil, & My Dad, Oct. 2-26.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce the three Chicago companies selected for the sixth annual Garage Rep: Cold Basement Dramatics, Pride Films and Plays and Red Tape Theatre. These innovative storefront companies will present three productions in rotating repertory for a ten-week run February - April, 2015 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St).

Perhaps no modern play has been so engrained in our country's consciousness over the past five decades as Neil Simon's classic comedy, THE ODD COUPLE. That fact notwithstanding, Stage Door Players' production, running now through August 3rd, still finds new and inventive ways to entertain. The production, directed by Shelly McCook, stars Stage Door's Artistic Director Robert Egizio as uptight Felix Unger, and the Atlanta Lyric Theatre's Associate Artistic Director Alan Kilpatrick as the slovenly Oscar Madison. Oscar takes in his best friend Felix after he is kicked out by his wife, despite the fact that the two have little in common, other than their weekly poker game.

Stage Door Players closes its 40th Anniversary Season with Neil Simon's Tony Award winning comedy The Odd Couple, featuring the company's Artistic Director, Robert Egizio in the role of fastidious Felix Unger. Alan Kilpatrick, Associate Artistic Director of the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, treads the boards as everyone's favorite slob, Oscar Madison. The show opens tonight, July 11, 8pm curtain, and runs until August 3.

Stage Door Players closes its 40th Anniversary Season with Neil Simon's Tony Award winning comedy The Odd Couple, featuring the company's Artistic Director, Robert Egizio in the role of fastidious Felix Unger. Alan Kilpatrick, Associate Artistic Director of the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, treads the boards as everyone's favorite slob, Oscar Madison. The show opens on Friday, July 11, 8pm curtain, and runs until August 3.

The Wild Root Company, a New York City-based production endeavor committed to cultivating new works from emerging playwrights and screenwriters, will present two free industry readings of Topher Payne's timely new comedy PERFECT ARRANGEMENT today, June 19, 2014 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm at The Creative Center at Manhattan Theatre Club. Linda Lombardi, who helmed the play's critically acclaimed, sold-out world premiere at The Source Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2013, will direct. The Wild Root Company will produce the readings in association with Sean Hudock, Rocco Natale and Thatcher Stevens.

The Wild Root Company, a New York City-based production endeavor committed to cultivating new works from emerging playwrights and screenwriters, will present two free industry readings of Topher Payne's timely new comedy PERFECT ARRANGEMENTon Thursday June 19, 2014 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm at The Creative Center at Manhattan Theatre Club. Linda Lombardi, who helmed the play's critically acclaimed, sold-out world premiere at The Source Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2013, will direct. The Wild Root Company will produce the readings in association with Sean Hudock, Rocco Natale and Thatcher Stevens.

The Wild Root Company, a brand new production endeavor committed to cultivating new works from emerging playwrights and screenwriters, will present two industry readings of Topher Payne's timely new comedy Perfect Arrangement on Thursday June 19, 2014 at 3:00 and 7:30 pm at The Creative Center at Manhattan Theatre Club. Linda Lombardi, who helmed the play's critically acclaimed, sold-out world premiere at The Source Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2013, will direct. Sean Hudock, Rocco Natale and Thatcher Stevens will produce the readings. Casting will be announced at a later date.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET), North Fulton's only professional theatre company, will kick off 2014 with the world premiere comedy of Topher Payne's newest play, The Only Light in Reno. Georgia Ensemble Theatre audiences' favorite Atlanta playwright is back fast on the heels of his successes with Tokens of Affection and Swell Party at the Roswell professional theatre, with GET founding company member Shannon Eubanks directing. This show runs January 9-26, 2014, at the Theatre's home, the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell, GA. The production is generously sponsored by Macy's Foundation.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET), North Fulton's only professional theatre company, will kick off 2014 with the world premiere comedy of Topher Payne's newest play, The Only Light in Reno. Georgia Ensemble Theatre audiences' favorite Atlanta playwright is back fast on the heels of his successes with Tokens of Affection and Swell Party at the Roswell professional theatre, with GET founding company member Shannon Eubanks directing. This show runs January 9-26, 2014, at the Theatre's home, the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell, GA. The production is generously sponsored by Macy's Foundation.

The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. will be honoring Del Hamilton and Faye Allen, founders of 7 Stages Theatre, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's 9th annual awards ceremony today, November 4. This is a relatively new category of recognition, given for an outstanding body of work by an Atlanta theatre artist, playwright or producer having a significant impact on the theatre community and voted by the Board of Directors. Along with the original request that Del and Faye be considered for this commendation, multiple endorsements acknowledged the long-term impact both had in developing Atlanta's vibrant and diverse theatrical community.

The Suzi Bass Awards, Inc. will be honoring Del Hamilton and Faye Allen, founders of 7 Stages Theatre, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's 9th annual awards ceremony on Monday, November 4. This is a relatively new category of recognition, given for an outstanding body of work by an Atlanta theatre artist, playwright or producer having a significant impact on the theatre community and voted by the Board of Directors. Along with the original request that Del and Faye be considered for this commendation, multiple endorsements acknowledged the long-term impact both had in developing Atlanta's vibrant and diverse theatrical community.

Charles L. Mee's dark comedy Big Love brings the classic battle of the sexes to the Hilberry Theatre. Playing tonight, October 25 through December 7, 2013, this hilarious and boisterous theatrical production is a meditation on love and an exploration of gender archetypes told through the viewpoint of a trio of soon-to-be brides as they quarrel with their three suitors.

Pride Films and Plays invites you to join us for the readings of new works that are up for consideration for production at PFP in the future. All readings are at Stage 773, 1225 West Belmont, and are pay-what-you-can donations at the door. No reservations are needed.