Underbelly News

Sundance Institute today named the global cohort of independent nonfiction film projects that comprise its latest Documentary Fund Grantees, including specialized grants administered by The Kendeda Fund and the Stories of Change Fund.

Paines Plough have today announced casting for the transfer of Sam Steiner's YOU STUPID DARKNESS! to Southwark Playhouse, a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth. An urgent play about the struggle for optimism and community amid the chaos of a collapsing world, the production is directed by former Paines Plough co-Artistic Director James Grieve and the cast includes: Andrew Finnigan; Jenni Maitland; Lydia Larson; Andy Rush. The show opened at Theatre Royal Plymouth earlier this year and will run at Southwark Playhouse from 16 January - 22 February with a Press Night on Monday 20 January.

Bated Breath Theatre Company will celebrate Toulouse-Lautrec's 155th birthday with special added performances on Friday, November 22 at 6:30pm & 8pm of their acclaimed immersive, environmental production UNMAKING TOULOUSE-LAUTREC, selected as one of the 11 a?oebest immersive plays and interactive theatrical experiences on Broadway and beyonda?? by Time Out. Audiences attending the 6:30pm performance are invited to come at 5pm for some complimentary birthday cake and wine at Madame X in Manhattan's historic Greenwich Village (where Madonna recently celebrated her birthday).

Katzpace, the basement theatre of Katzenjammers near Borough Market, seems an ideal venue for a play about the dark underbelly of Hollywood. Sex, power and the sacrifices we make to achieve success are key themes in this dark comedy written by and starring Holly McFarlane.

New Diorama Theatre and Underbelly have announced a new partnership with Oberon Books which will substantially extend the scope and ambition of their acclaimed Untapped Award.

The Scottish capital's hugely popular Christmas celebrations officially start this weekend with Light Night on Sunday, 17 November at 3.30pm. The free community event will showcase Edinburgh's musical talent, and Santa himself will make a special exit as he lights up the city and gets the festive season off to a 'flying' start.

Next to Normal is an American rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The story focuses on a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effects that managing her illness has on her family. Next to Normal addresses grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and the underbelly of suburban life. Performances are November 14th thru the 17th at MadLab, 227 N. 3rd St., Columbus, OH 43215. For more information, visit the Worthington Community Theatre facebook page. Purchase tickets http://madlab.net

LA TI DO Productions has announced the multicultural cast for the world premiere of Hazing U: A Modern Greek Tragedy, a new play penned by Zachary Harris Martin - also playing the role of Ezra. The cast features Alexander Rios (Off-Broadway's Pip's Island) as Chase, Benjamin Ubiñas as Scott, Matt Caccamo (Off-Broadway's Fiorello!) as Adam, Reginald Keith Jackson (Off-Boradway's Puffs) as Parker, and Samson Dubé as Axel.

Following a highly successful run at the King's Theatre in Glasgow in February 2018, the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL will return to the city next year.

Dr. Mahogany Goldstein continues to experiment with her new drug which makes people vote for a conservative agenda despite their common sense, but time is running out for her if she wants to revive the head of Sheridan's Mother, Malfonia Ravenswood. Her experimental drug is being fenced through Scriggs Pharmacy, run by Jonah Scriggs. Jonah uses his secret lover, High School Athlete and Werewolf Dirk Springer to sell the drugs, as Jonah tries to take over the secret gay underbelly of Ravensport. He's also protecting Dirk from any suspicion in his connection with the deaths of Jedidiah Nutbush and Smitty Feeb. Jonah killed a raccoon for Dirk. Or did he?

Jess Robinson, multi award-winner, Edinburgh fringe favourite and Britain's Got Talent 2017 semi-finalist is bringing The Jess Robinson experience to London with her live band Jessington World of Adventures for a one-off special show on November 17, part of Underbelly's Christmas in Leicester Square.

This February, British comedian Myra DuBois - a.k.a. the self-declared 'Siren of South Yorkshire' - invites Australian audiences to attend her hysterically funny 'funeral' celebrations at the Opera House during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. After all, who could deliver a better eulogy about Myra than Myra?

Theory is an interesting show with a strong cast and solid technical elements. It raises some valid questions about living our ideals and the limitations we set (or don't) on ourselves and others in public, but it never quite figures out how to go beyond that. Still, it opens conversations about these issues, and pushes audiences to reconsider their own perspectives, and there's certainly value in that.

Tomorrow, TR/ST will share the second part of his highly anticipated double LP, The Destroyer - 2 on Grouch Via House Arrest. Singles from the second part of the double LP have seen praise from The FADER, Magnetic Mag, Cool Hunting, and much more. In addition to the LP, TR/ST shares his latest single 'Shame' tonight at midnight.

LA Ti DO Productions has announced Camp movie actor and Hairspray Broadway alum, turned writer-director, Steven Cutts, will helm the world premiere of Hazing U: A Modern Greek Tragedy, a new play penned by Zachary Harris Martin. David Robert Moore (War Horse) will associate direct, and Courtney Reed (Aladdin, In the Heights) joins in a consulting role. Don Mike Mendoza of LA Ti DO serves as Executive Producer, with casting to be announced.

Hear ye, hear ye, fair city of New York; Los Angeles's premier musical comedy collective -- Robot Teammate -- announces a triumphant return to SoHo Playhouse this holiday season to share their wee original British-ish musical comedy, POCKETS. This funny, fresh, and festive musical premiered to a completely sold out run at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival, where it was awarded Best Musical, Best World Premiere, Critics' Choice, and Producers' Encore.

Underbelly presents Christmas in Leicester Square 2019, the Christmas festival in the heart of the West End with a spectacular line-up of affordable live entertainment for all ages sitting within a scenic European-style Christmas Market complete with a fantastic storytelling Santa's Grotto, opening on Friday 8th November.

BATED BREATH THEATRE COMPANY (Mara Lieberman, Exec. Artistic Director) in partnership with BROADWAY BUZZ (Bryan Campione) and BROADWAY CREW, the full-service boutique promotional company, hosted a special performance of the immersive theatre production,  “UNMAKING TOULOUSE-LAUTREC” on Monday, October 21 at Madame X (94. West Houston, SoHo).

Nancy Manocherian's the cell presents Sister Sylvester's DOLL DNA - a genetically modified performance event just in time for Halloween. The renown Cyborg Theater artist will create cocktails infused with DNA swabbed from dolls currently featured in fine artist Mikel Glass' critically acclaimed immersive art installation, FOUND.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director Tim Sanford, Managing Director Leslie Marcus), responding to critical acclaim and popular demand, announces a one-week extension of the already extended world premiere production of Heroes of the Fourth Turning. The play, written by Will Arbery (Plano, Evanston Salt Costs Climbing) and directed by Danya Taymor (a?oeDaddy,a?? Pass Over) will now run through November 17 (twice extended from the initial closing date of October 27) at the Mainstage Theater at Playwrights Horizons (416 W 42nd St).