Verona News

Acting Studio students take the Taproot Theatre stage this summer presenting free performances to the public. Many of the two dozen day camps this summer culminate in a performance of a popular play or musical, giving students the opportunity to apply what they've learned and gain experience by taking the stage. The public is welcome to attend performances of Two Gentlemen of Verona (July 13 at 3:00pm), Annie, Jr. (July 20 at 3:00pm & July 21 at 10:00am), Hamlet (August 3 at 3:00pm & August 4 at 10:00am) and Bye, Bye Birdie (August 17 at 3:00pm and August 18 at 10:00am), in addition to other hits.

Imagination Stage, in a collaboration with The Washington Ballet, presents THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE. In this fusion of theater, dance, and puppetry, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, the roles of the four children are played jointly by an actor and a dancer, and the courageous lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet operated by three actor/puppeteers, similar to the puppets used in the Broadway production War Horse.

A talented cast energizes the critically acclaimed play, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey, to close the highly successful 2011-2012 season for San Jose Rep. Directed by Richard Seer, the work is a quick-witted and honest docu-drama following two dynamic and dedicated men who, in the midst of their battle with acute and debilitating alcoholism, formed a formidable and historic alliance to help each other and others combat the same addiction.

GRIFFITH PARK FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 2012, the largest summer theater event in the City of Los Angeles, begins its performances June 28. This year ISC is offering over 40 nights of programming. In addition to the productions, there are nine PLAYERS IN THE PARK/JUGAMOS EN EL PARQUE pre-show workshops on select evenings. These workshops are an interactive, entertaining way for families to learn about the evening's performance. There are also these are lectures on topics related to Shakespeare as well as curtain-raising performances by local musicians and dancers.

Live Theatre and Soho Theatre previously announced that following its critically acclaimed sell-out double run at Live Theatre, Newcastle and Soho Theatre, A WALK ON PART: THE FALL OF NEW LABOUR is transferring to the Arts Theatre in London's West End, with John Hodgkinson reprising his highly acclaimed role as Chris Mullin, from today, Tuesday 19 June to Saturday 14 July. Opening night is Tuesday 26 June, 7.30pm.

If the Tony Awards annually strike the final chord for each New York theatre season, then the overture for the next one is undoubtedly trumpeted by The New York Shakespeare Festival's free performances at the Delacorte Theater

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the world premiere of EASTLAND: A NEW MUSICAL, written by Artistic Director Andrew White with music by Ben Sussman and Artistic Associate Andre Pluess and directed by Amanda Dehnert. The production runs June 6 - July 29, 2012 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The Press Opening is tonight, June 16, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

Professional singer and music professor Dr. P tries to shake hands with a parking meter and describes a rose as'a convoluted red form with a linear green attachment.' A man who sees, but does not see, Dr. P suffers from visual agnosia. Unable to recognize objects and faces (including his wife's), he finds a way to make sense of his world through music. LBO goes site-specific again with four performances of The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat between today, June 16 and June 24, 2012 at the EXPO Warehouse in Long Beach, CA.

The Porters of Hellsgate present William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Charles Pasterna, running tonight, June 15 through July 22 at The Whitmore Theatre in North Hollywood.

Chris Isaacson has announced that Upright Cabaret's AMERICAN ICON Series ends another stunning season with VIVA LAS VEGAS - a presentation of personality and pop that honors the flashiest performers of all time: Elvis, Cher and Elton John. Joining the group of all-star performers will be Patrick Cassidy.

The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA), under the artistic direction of Ben Donenberg, returns after 16 years to The Japanese Garden on the grounds of the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center Campus with a summer production of William Shakespeare's romantic comedy "As You Like It," directed by Royal Shakespeare Company artist Kenn Sabberton - July 10 to 29.

Three-time Tony Award-nominated actor Marc Kudisch will play the title role in Westport Country Playhouse's July staging of Moliere's "Tartuffe," directed by David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director.

As the summer days near, BroadwayWorld rounded up our worldwide community - from Australia to Spain, California and beyond! - to bring you our top picks for the best of summer theater in each of our main markets. Spending time in Maine this summer? Check out these recommendations below!

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) launches its 2012 Nutmeg Summer Series with Man of La Mancha, running tonight, June 7 through June 16 in the intimate Harriett S. Jorgensen Theatre (lower Jorgensen Auditorium) on the UConn campus, Storrs.

The Antaeus Company, L.A.'s multiple award-winning classical theater company, takes on William Shakespeare's gripping psychological drama, Macbeth. Jessica Kubzansky directs the fully double-cast production, with Bo Foxworth and Rob Nagle sharing the title role and Tessa Auberjonois and Ann Noble partnering as Lady M. Performances take place July 12 through August 26, with low-priced previews beginning July 5. Talk-backs will follow the performance every Thursday night beginning July 19: stay after the performance to ask questions and discuss the play with various cast members.

Producer Randie Levine-Miller will launch a new celebrity luncheon series to benefit The Actors Fund. The first in this series is in honor of Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis, musical theater stars, co-starring in this season's hit musical, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. Both have been nominated for multiple theater awards for their outstanding performances, including the 2012 Tony Awards®.

New Hampshire Theatre Project has announced its 2012-2013 performance season. See full details below.

The American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University has selected award-winning writer and director Amanda Dehnert's THE VERONA PROJECT as its newest musical. Presented as the first show in the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University's 2012-13 Mainstage season, performances will take place from Oct. 19 through Nov. 4, at the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, on the University's Evanston campus.

Atlantic Theater Company presents world premiere of Fernanda Coppel's new play CHIMICHANGAS AND ZOLOFT, featuring Teddy Cañez, Zabryna Guevara, Alfredo Narciso, Xochitl Romero, and Carmen Zilles, directed by Jaime Castañeda.