William Finn News

A 'W-I-N-N-E-R' (Sarasota Magazine) with audiences and critics alike, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is a hilarious musical comedy of six young people in the throes of puberty and are overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. Together they learn that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. The 2005 Tony Award-Winner for Best Book of a Musical, it played for over 1,000 performances on Broadway and continued to have success across the nation in both touring and regional performances. 'We are thrilled that Florida Studio Theatre's production speaks to Sarasota audiences as it has world-wide. A lovable and humorous insight to the trials and tribulations of growing up...it is the quintessential American story,' stated Artistic Director and Show Director Richard Hopkins.

Following critical acclaim and popular demand, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced a three-week extension for the World Premiere of THIS, the new play by Obie Award winner Melissa James Gibson (Suitcase, [sic]). Directed by Obie Award winner Daniel Aukin ([sic], eight seasons as Artistic Director of Soho Rep), the production opened Wednesday, December 2. Originally set to run through Sunday, December 13, the limited engagement will now play through Sunday, January 3, 2010 at the theater company's Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street). This date represents the latest extension possible for the show.

The competition will continue well into the New Year at Florida Studio Theatre due to popular demand!

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment are t-h-r-i-l-l-e-d to present the third production of La Mirada Theatre's 2009-2010 season of shows, the Tony Award-winning musical THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, choreography by DJ Gray, musical direction by David O and directed by Jeff Maynard.

DANIELLE GRABIANOWSKI returns for two more performances of her debut show, 'Old, New, Borrowed and Blues,' Wednesday, December 16 and Monday, December 21 at Don't Tell Mama.

TheaterWorks Launches its 24th Season with "Shakespeare's R&J", a provocative adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, running November 12th through December 20th. Called "electrifying", "magical", "inspired", and "dreamlike", "Shakespeare's R&J" is Romeo and Juliet as it has never been seen before. Set in the repressed atmosphere of a modern Catholic boarding school, this brave and original adaptation spins the tale of "star-cross'd lovers" into a journey of astonishing discoveries.

Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and Richard M. Parison, Jr., Producing Director, announced the theatre's 2010 Season today.

Creede Repertory Theatre's 45th Season is sure to be dazzling with these hilarious, critically-acclaimed shows: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Playwrights Horizons has announced complete casting for the World Premiere of CLYBOURNE PARK, a new play by Bruce Norris (The Pain and the Itch at Playwrights Horizons/PH 2006-2007 Season).

Following an acclaimed original sold-out run, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) proudly announces a limited return engagement of the company's recent World Premiere production of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, the new hit play by Annie Baker ('An original voice' - Daily News; 'A playwright to know' - Newsday). Directed by Sam Gold ('A magic-fingered director' - Variety; 'An uncommonly observant eye and ear' - The New York Times), the original engagement opened Tuesday, October 13 to across-the-board rave reviews and was ultimately extended twice by critical and audience demand through Saturday, November 21. The return limited engagement will begin performances Tuesday, December 15 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater with tickets on sale through Sunday, January 17, 2010.

DANIELLE GRABIANOWSKI returns for two more performances of her debut show, 'Old, New, Borrowed and Blues,' Wednesday, December 16 and Monday, December 21 at Don't Tell Mama.

Tony Cacciotti, Chase Mishkin, David Steiner and Leonard Soloway announced today that Valerie Harper will return to Broadway this spring in Matthew Lombardo's new comedy Looped, directed by Rob Ruggiero. It will play the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). Previews begin on February 19 and opening night is Sunday March 14.

Playwrights Horizons announced today that the New York premiere of ME, MYSELF & I, a new play by three-time Pulitzer Prize and three-time Tony Award winner Edward Albee (A Delicate Balance; Seascape; Three Tall Women; Who's Afraid of Virgina Wolf?; The Goat or, Who Is Sylvia?) will open the theater company's 2010/2011 40th Anniversary Season. Mr. Albee will be making his Playwrights Horizons debut.

Following critical acclaim and popular demand, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced a three-week extension for the World Premiere of THIS, the new play by Obie Award winner Melissa James Gibson (Suitcase, [sic]). Directed by Obie Award winner Daniel Aukin ([sic], eight seasons as Artistic Director of Soho Rep), the production opened Wednesday, December 2. Originally set to run through Sunday, December 13, the limited engagement will now play through Sunday, January 3, 2010 at the theater company's Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street). This date represents the latest extension possible for the show.

Students at Concord-Carlisle Regional High School in Boston are proving that, despite their young age, they are keen to embrace diversity and even make high school musical history in the process. With their upcoming production of the gay-themed musical 'Falsettos', Concord-Carlisle will hold the proud distinction of becoming the first public high school in the country to stage the show.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Phoenix Theatre 100 E. McDowell, Phoenix runs November 11, 2009 - December 6, 2009

Second Stage Theatre is pleased to announce that the critically acclaimed production of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY, has extended four weeks, through December 6. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY opened on Wednesday, October 7 and was originally scheduled to run through November 8.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, a new musical based on the beloved Laura Ingalls Wilder series of classic American books, will launch a national tour and makes its debut at the Fox Theatre for seven performances, Tuesday, December 1 - Saturday, December 5!

Following an acclaimed original sold-out run, Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) proudly announces a limited return engagement of the company's recent World Premiere production of CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION, the new hit play by Annie Baker ('An original voice' - Daily News; 'A playwright to know' - Newsday). Directed by Sam Gold ('A magic-fingered director' - Variety; 'An uncommonly observant eye and ear' - The New York Times), the original engagement opened Tuesday, October 13 to across-the-board rave reviews and was ultimately extended twice by critical and audience demand through Saturday, November 21. The return limited engagement will begin performances Tuesday, December 15 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater with tickets on sale through Sunday, January 17, 2010.

Second Stage Theatre will host a post-performance conversation between Anna Deavere Smith and Elizabeth Alexander following the Thursday, December 3 evening performance of Let Me Down Easy. A renowned poet, essayist and playwright, Elizabeth Alexander most recently composed and delivered the poem 'Praise Song for the Day' for the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The conversation is free to all in attendance at the Thursday, December 3 8:00pm performance.