William Russo News

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo and Noor Theatre Artistic Director Lameece Isaaq, Executive Director Maha Chehlaoui, and Producing Director Nancy Vitale have announced that the world premiere of Food and Fadwa, written by Lameece Issaq and Jacob Kader, and directed by Shana Gold, begins performances tonight, Friday, May 18, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. The opening night is scheduled for Thursday, June 7. Food and Fadwa is a co-production with Noor Theatre, a company-in-residence at New York Theatre Workshop.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo just announced that the theatre will honor New York Theatre Workshop Board Chair Barbara Warner Howard and Disney Theatrical Group and its president Thomas Schumacher at its 2012 Spring Gala on Tuesday, May 22 at the Plaza Hotel.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo today anounced that A Civil War Christmas, written by Paula Vogel, directed by Tina Landau and Sontag: Reborn adapted by Moe Angelos, directed by Marianne Weems and produced in collaboration with The Builders Association will round out the company's 2012/13 season.

Over 20 years in the making, singer songwriter Glen Hansard will release his first ever solo album, Rhythm and Repose, on Anti- Records June 19. Best known for his work with The Frames, The Swell Season and in the feature film Once, for which he won an Academy Award, Rhythm and Repose is Hansard's debut solo album and first album of new material since his 2009 release Strict Joy with The Swell Season. The album will be available for pre-sale at the Anti Store. In recent months Hansard has been seen in the documentary The Swell Season which has toured the film festival circuit this year, contributed two songs to the blockbuster soundtrack, The Hunger Games, and been active in the promotion of Once, The Musical which successfully opened on Broadway on March 18. Hansard will support the new record on a U.S. tour. See reverse for details.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo present the New York premiere of An Iliad, by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, based on Homer's Iliad translated by Robert Fagles, directed by Ms. Peterson. Performances began on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Mr. O'Hare and Stephen Spinella will alternate performances of the play. BroadwayWorld brings you performance highlights below!

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo present the New York premiere of An Iliad, by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, based on Homer's Iliad translated by Robert Fagles, directed by Ms. Peterson. Performances began on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Mr. O'Hare and Stephen Spinella will alternate performances of the play. Check photos from opening night below!

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo present the New York premiere of An Iliad, by Denis O'Hare and Lisa Peterson, based on Homer's Iliad translated by Robert Fagles, directed by Ms. Peterson. Performances began on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. Mr. O'Hare and Stephen Spinella will alternate performances of the play. Opening nights are Tuesday, March 6, 2012 (Mr. O'Hare) and Wednesday, March 7, 2012 (Mr. Spinella). Check out a preview below!

It's here! ONCE, the acclaimed new musical based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film begins performances tonight on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 West 45th Street). The production will open on Sunday, March 18, 2012. Check out photos and a video from the show's Off-Broadway production below!

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that due to ticket demand and superb notices The Select (The Sun Also Rises), created by Elevator Repair Service (ERS) based on Ernest Hemingway's novel, The Sun Also Rises, and directed by John Collins, will extend for two weeks and run through Sunday, October 23 at NYTW, 79 East 4th Street, between Second Avenue and Bowery.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo have announced that casting is complete for the world premiere of the new musical Once, which is based on the Academy Award-winning film. Once begins previews Tuesday, November 15 and opens Tuesday, December 6 at New York Theatre Workshop, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue.

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance launches its eighth season this Fall 2011 with an exciting and eclectic collection of culturally diverse programs featuring some of the world's greatest musicians, dance companies, and artistic visionaries, as well as an exciting selection of performances by the city's most acclaimed music and dance institutions.

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance launches its eighth season this Fall 2011 with an exciting and eclectic collection of culturally diverse programs featuring some of the world's greatest musicians, dance companies, and artistic visionaries, as well as an exciting selection of performances by the city's most acclaimed music and dance institutions.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) just opened THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. Directed by Mr. Langs, the limited engagement will play through Sunday, July 3 at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Previews are now underway for the Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) co-production of THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. Directed by Mr. Langs, the co-production by the two non-profit theaters has an official Opening Night set for Tuesday, June 7 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday, July 3 at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) have announced that in connection with their co-production of the musical THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, the original 1969 recording 'Philosophy of the World' by The Shaggs has been remastered and reissued on CD.

Previews begin this Thursday, May 12 at 8PM for the Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) co-production of THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. Directed by Mr. Langs, the co-production by the two non-profit theaters has an official Opening Night set for Tuesday, June 7 at 7PM.

Previews begin this Thursday, May 12 at 8PM for the Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) co-production of THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. Directed by Mr. Langs, the co-production by the two non-profit theaters has an official Opening Night set for Tuesday, June 7 at 7PM.

Previews begin this Thursday, May 12 at 8PM for the Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director, Tim Sanford; Managing Director, Leslie Marcus) and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo) co-production of THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD, a new musical with book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. Directed by Mr. Langs, the co-production by the two non-profit theaters has an official Opening Night set for Tuesday, June 7 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday, July 3 at Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) is now accepting entries today, Wednesday, May 4, for its popular LIVEforFIVE online lottery for $5 tickets to the New York premiere of THE SHAGGS: PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD. A co-production between Playwrights Horizons and New York Theatre Workshop (Artistic Director, James C. Nicola; Managing Director, William Russo), the new musical features a book by Joy Gregory; music by Gunnar Madsen; lyrics by Ms. Gregory and Mr. Madsen; and story by Ms. Gregory, Mr. Madsen and John Langs. The production is directed by Mr. Langs.

Local artists connect and contribute at the FAB Café run by arts service non-profit Fourth Arts Block (FAB), bringing a unique creative energy to the East Village.