William March News

Mauckingbird Theatre Company, best known for its clever, poignant reflection on classic works through a gay lens, takes on a new kind of classic with a staged reading of the 1950s play Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson. Directed by Mauckingbird Artistic Director Peter Reynolds, the reading includes performances by Barrymore Award winner Amanda Schoonover as 9-year-old Rhoda Penmark, the titular "bad seed," and Michelle Eugene as her suffering mother Christine Penmark. The Bad Seed runs for one weekend only, January 25-27, at the Off-Broad Street Theater. Philadelphia's own Martha Graham Cracker will serve as hostess for the reading, which benefits Mauckingbird, Philadelphia's award-winning professional gay-themed theatre company.

Tickets are $25 general; $20 students/seniors; $10 children, and may be purchased at www.metropolitanplayhouse.org/tickets or 212 995 5302.

Milan Stitt's drama THE RUNNER STUMBLES, presented by Retro Productions and The Bleecker Company, in association with The Arclight Theatre at The Arclight Theatre (152 West 71st Street) concludes its limited Off-Broadway run today, May 20. Peter Zinn, who helmed Retro Productions' revivals Michael Frayn's BENEFACTORS and Sally Nemeth's HOLY DAYS, directs.

Milan Stitt's drama THE RUNNER STUMBLES, presented by Retro Productions and The Bleecker Company, in association with The Arclight Theatre at The Arclight Theatre (152 West 71st Street) concludes its limited Off-Broadway run on Sunday, May 20. Peter Zinn, who helmed Retro Productions' revivals Michael Frayn's BENEFACTORS and Sally Nemeth's HOLY DAYS, directs.

Retro Productions and The Bleecker Company, in association with The Arclight Theatre, present Milan Stitt's drama THE RUNNER STUMBLES, with an Off-Broadway run opening tonight, May 3 at The Arclight Theatre (152 West 71st Street). Peter Zinn, who helmed Retro Productions' revivals Michael Frayn's BENEFACTORS and Sally Nemeth's HOLY DAYS, directs.

Retro Productions and The Bleecker Company, in association with The Arclight Theatre, present Milan Stitt's drama THE RUNNER STUMBLES, with an Off-Broadway run set to open Thursday, May 3 at The Arclight Theatre (152 West 71st Street). Peter Zinn, who helmed Retro Productions' revivals Michael Frayn's BENEFACTORS and Sally Nemeth's HOLY DAYS, directs.

Who among us doesn't love a suspenseful yet wickedly entertaining melodrama about an eight-year-old sociopath who lets nothing stand in the way of her lifelong quest to get exactly what she wants? Whether it's a penmanship medal, a crystal ball, a garnet from a necklace - or even to prevent a trip to the electric chair - young Rhoda Penmark, who is the very picture of sweetness and light and old-fashioned manners and deportment, has for more than 50 years mesmerized audiences, delighting them with her larcenous, murderous ways. Let's face it: Who among us hasn't had flashes of going all Rhoda Penmark on the people who are obstacles in our own lives?

First created by writer William March in his 1954 book The Bad Seed, then recreated by playwright Maxwell Anderson for his hugely successful Broadway play of the same name (which was filmed for the screen by Mervyn LeRoy, starring the Broadway duo of Patty McCormick and Nancy Kelly as Rhoda and her mother), the character of Rhoda Penmark has inspired (Tina Denmark in the musical Ruthless is clearly a doppelganger for Rhoda) and sent chills up the spines of audiences for more than 50 years - and now Nashville's Street Theatre Company plans a revival - with a contemporary twist - of the melodrama for presentation in June.

On behalf of Retro Productions, I am proud to invite you to their production of The Desk Set. Directed by Tim Errickson (Artistic Director, Boomerang Theatre Company), William Marchant's 1950's office comedy returns to New York City May 7 - 22, 2010.

Retro Productions is proud to announce the world premiere of Jack Hilton Cunningham's new drama Women and War, to premiere Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Women and War will run in repertory with Retro's previously announced production of The Desk Set this May at midtown's Spoon Theater.

On behalf of Retro Productions, I am proud to invite you to their production of The Desk Set. Directed by Tim Errickson (Artistic Director, Boomerang Theatre Company), William Marchant's 1950's office comedy returns to New York City May 7 - 22, 2010.

On behalf of Retro Productions, I am proud to invite you to their production of The Desk Set. Directed by Tim Errickson (Artistic Director, Boomerang Theatre Company), William Marchant's 1950's office comedy returns to New York City May 7 - 22, 2010.

Retro Productions is proud to announce casting and creative team for their production of The Desk Set. Directed by Tim Errickson (Artistic Director, Boomerang Theatre Company), William Marchant's 1950's office comedy returns to New York City May 7 - 22, 2010.

Retro Productions is proud to announce the world premiere of Jack Hilton Cunningham's new drama Women and War, to premiere Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Women and War will run in repertory with Retro's previously announced production of The Desk Set this May at midtown's Spoon Theater.

This fall, Retro Productions proudly presents Holy Days by Sally Nemeth. Directed by Peter Zinn (writer/director: Off-Broadway hit Rumspringa), this haunting depression-era tale makes its New York City premiere November 6 -21, 2009.

Staying true to its mission to present 'retro theater,' Retro Productions is proud to announce its 2009 - 2010 season! Retro's 5th Birthday season kicks off with their fall production: the depression-era tale Holy Days by Sally Nemeth. In spring 2010, Retro Productions will present the classic 1950's office comedy William Marchant's The Desk Set. The 2009 - 2010 season marks Retro's third season in residence at The Spoon Theater.

This fall, Retro Productions proudly presents Holy Days by Sally Nemeth. Directed by Peter Zinn (writer/director: Off-Broadway hit Rumspringa), this haunting depression-era tale makes its New York City premiere November 6 -21, 2009.

Staying true to its mission to present 'retro theater,' Retro Productions is proud to announce its 2009 - 2010 season! Retro's 5th Birthday season kicks off with their fall production: the depression-era tale Holy Days by Sally Nemeth. In spring 2010, Retro Productions will present the classic 1950's office comedy William Marchant's The Desk Set. The 2009 - 2010 season marks Retro's third season in residence at The Spoon Theater.

This fall, Retro Productions proudly presents Holy Days by Sally Nemeth. Directed by Peter Zinn (writer/director: Off-Broadway hit Rumspringa), this haunting depression-era tale makes its New York City premiere November 6 -21, 2009.

Staying true to its mission to present 'retro theater,' Retro Productions is proud to announce its 2009 - 2010 season! Retro's 5th Birthday season kicks off with their fall production: the depression-era tale Holy Days by Sally Nemeth. In spring 2010, Retro Productions will present the classic 1950's office comedy William Marchant's The Desk Set. The 2009 - 2010 season marks Retro's third season in residence at The Spoon Theater.