William Shakespeare News

Due to family issues, actor David Wald is no longer a part of Stark Naked Theatre's upcoming production of THE WINTER'S TALE. To address this unforeseen circumstance, Director Philip Lehl will assume the role of Leontes, and the play's opening weekend is postponed by one week. THE WINTER'S TALE will now open on Thursday, May 8th, at 7:30 p.m.

Last night I had the particular privilege of discussing the intricacies and intrigue of William Shakespeare's legendary history play RICHARD III with one of the greatest actors of our age and a true patron of the arts - two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey. Discussing the finer points of his characterization of the hunchback antihero, Spacey paints a vivid portrait of his experiences in reteaming with his AMERICAN BEAUTY collaborator, director Sam Mendes, on bringing a truly 21st century take on the classic play to the stage - and then bringing the production all the way from the hallowed ground of Spacey's own The Old Vic in London, to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City to a whirlwind worldwide tour spanning the globe. NOW, a compelling new documentary following the project from rehearsal through to opening night and ensuing world tour is set to be released next month and is highlighted by the fly-on-the-wall intimacy and access it provides viewers, as well as offering copious performance footage of Spacey and company in action onstage. Additionally, Spacey and I address and analyze the undeniable connections between RICHARD III and his super-successful Netflix dramatic series HOUSE OF CARDS, touching upon not only the dramatic parallels, but the lucky sequence of events that made the entire endeavor possible in the first place. After all, Frank Underwood is the modern Richard III in many ways - bloodlust, ambition, ego, humor and darkness included; but, also, the humanity. Plus, Spacey expresses his enthusiasm for starting work on Season Three of the series now that they have been granted Maryland filming tax breaks once again, which was holding up production until this week. Besides all of that, Spacey also clues us in on his future endeavors of interest, mentioning his spate of recent musical performances and his desire to pursue a musical role once again sometime soon following his acclaimed turn as Bobby Darin in musical biopic BEYOND THE SEA. FOLLIES, perhaps?! A wide-ranging conversation with a stage and screen mega-star like none other awaits in today's special spotlight.

Stark Naked Theatre Company is closing their 2013-2014 season with a production of William Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE. As a company that emphasizes text over staging, it is always a treat to see Stark Naked bring works to life on the stage, and with eight cast members playing dozens of roles, this production seems to be no exception. While it has been dubbed one of Shakespeare's most misunderstood plays, THE WINTER'S TALE is sure to have something for everyone, as it is wrought with elements of tragedy, comedy, and romance. Taking time out of their busy schedule, Philip Lehl, who is directing this production as well as stepping into the role of Leontes, and cast member Matt Lents sat down with us to talk about programming Shakespeare for modern audiences and what Houston can expect from Stark Naked Theatre Company's THE WINTER'S TALE.

For the first time ever, the Brooklyn College Theater Department will present an original play penned by a graduate of the College's M.F.A. Playwriting program. Happily Ever, by Amina Henry '14 M.F.A., will run from May 2-6 at the New Workshop Theater in the Brooklyn College Center for the Performing Arts.

Baz Luhrmann may be moving on from Gatsby to 'The King.'

In celebration of its 30th Free Shakespeare in Zilker Park, The City of Austin, Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theatre, in coordination with Austin Shakespeare, present As You Like It. The show brings new actors and company alumni together in a RenFaire-style As You Like It. Performances run 8 pm Thurs-Sun., from today, May 1 - May 25, with a preview on April 30.

Two-time Olivier Award winner Simon Russell Beale's performance in the title role of William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes, will be seen by cinema audiences worldwide when NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE broadcasts the production live from the National's Olivier Theatre today, May 1, 2014, with varying dates internationally and encore screenings to follow.

Post5 Theatre is bringing back one of audience and critics' favorites for the third year in a row, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged] - REVISED. Featuring a new director (Cassandra Boice), new bits (because there are ALWAYS new bits), this iteration of Complete Works will be in-your-face and quite possibly on-your-lap, and will, of course be done FASTER!

This just in! Leslie Odom Jr. ("Smash") will join Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo in the New York City Center Encores! Off-Center production of Jonathan Larson¹stick, tick… BOOM!, running for five performances, June 25 ­ 28. The opening show of City Center's acclaimed Encores! Off-Center series of landmark Off-Broadway musicals will be directed byOliver Butler with choreography by Camille A. Brown and music direction by Chris Fenwick. Jeanine Tesori is Encores! Off-Center Artistic Director.

The Harold Clurman Playwrights Division, a program of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, has opened its search for the Playwright-in-Residence for 2015 and announced three additional categories for playwrights. The residency program seeks an emerging writer who will collaborate with the studio for one year, develop a new play and receive a $1,000 stipend. The current resident is Dennis Staroselsky and previous residents include Halley Feiffer, Mia Chung, Anton Dudley, Christina Gorman, Zayd Dohrn, and Peter Nickowitz.

Cincinnati S This May, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to 'Complete the Canon' by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. The final play needed to 'Complete the Canon' is William Shakespeare's 'The Two Noble Kinsmen', which CSC will open on May 2, 2014. This production is generously sponsored by Charles Parsons and Bill McKim and the Canon Club. The design sponsor is PNC Bank.

Actor Sharif Atkins ('White Collar,' 'Hawaii,' 'ER') will star as Clay in the co-production of 'Dutchman' by LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka) by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre (NBT) and The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH). The two theater companies are mounting the production 50 years after the March 1964 world premiere of the play at the Cherry Lane Theatre and in tribute to the late theater great Baraka, who died on January 9. Ambien Mitchell stars opposite Atkins as Lula and Lorenzo Scott joins the cast as the Conductor. Previews of the Carl Cofield-directed show begin tonight, April 30 and run through May 2, and performances run from May 3 through May 23 at National Black Theatre in Harlem.

Mark the countdown to the Tony Awards with award-winning cabaret performer Jamie deRoy when she celebrates Broadway with a roster of Tony Award winners on her Multi MAC award-winning Variety Show, Jamie deRoy & friends, on Monday, June 2nd (7PM) at New York's wonderfully-appointed cabaret The Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street ~ btw. 5th & 6th Avenues).

Syracuse University's Department of Drama (SU Drama) in the College of Visual and Performing Arts is pleased to announce its 2014-15 season. Offerings will include the passionate and powerful musical Parade with music by Jason Robert Brown, the comic Stepping Out about the friendships and joy found in an adult tap class, the 60s era hit musical Hairspray (co-produced with Syracuse Stage), two couples grappling with relationships in the witty comedy Lips Together, Teeth Apart, William Shakespeare's profound comedy Measure for Measure, and the laugh-out-loud Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q. Season Tickets are $89/$99 for six shows, now available in the Box Office at 315-443-3275 or in person Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 820 East Genesee Street.

Hart House Theatre, the University of Toronto's Performing Arts Leader Since 1919, is proud to announce its 2014/2015 season. This season's line-up is a diverse mix of classical and contemporary work as Hart House Theatre continues its tradition of producing affordable, accessible, high-quality productions for downtown Toronto audiences. The 2014/2015 season features a classic farce by a beloved and notorious playwright, one of Shakespeare's most enduring plays, the best rock opera ever created and a Canadian classic that calls for social change as it ignites our passions.

In celebration of its 30th Free Shakespeare in Zilker Park, The City of Austin, Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theatre, in coordination with Austin Shakespeare, present As You Like It. The show brings new actors and company alumni together in a RenFaire-style As You Like It. Performances run 8 pm Thurs-Sun., from May 1 - May 25, with a preview on April 30.

'To be, or not to be' at the play...definitely TO BE! Come see Boiling Point Players inaugural production of In Juliet's Garden, a play for Shakespeare fans and newbies alike!