Wilma Theater News

A new musical about a runaway slave who becomes one of America's first Black Cowboys will debut this fall when CROSS THAT RIVER is presented by The New York Musical Theatre Festival and Patricia Harris, starting October 12, 2009 at TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street - 3rd Floor) in New York City.

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) opens its 2009-2010 season with THE MASTER BUILDER by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Paul Walsh, directed by Evan Yionoulis at the University Theatre (222 York Street), September 18-October 10. Opening night is Thursday, September 24.

Dael Orlandersmith takes Chicago audiences on an electrifying journey through the spirit and soul of Harlem in her explosive solo piece Stoop Stories at Goodman Theatre. Hailed a 'triumph' (Washington City Paper) in its world premiere at Washington, D.C.'s Studio Theatre this past spring, Stoop Stories comes to Chicago directed by Obie Award-winner Jo Bonney.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia announced that artist and educator, Dugald MacArthur will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre on Monday, October 5th at 7:00 PM at the Walnut Street Theatre. John P. Connolly, Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, and a former student of Dugald's in Temple University's graduate program, will present the award.

Mauckingbird Theatre Company will present John Logan's remarkable crime drama, Never the Sinner: The Leopold and Loeb Story, directed by Mauckingbird Artistic Director Peter Reynolds. The company's fourth production follows Mauckingbird's lesbian adaptation of Hedda Gabler (2009) and the critically acclaimed all-male versions of The Misanthrope (2008) and Shakespeare's R & J (2008).

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced casting for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall. THE BACCHAE will run August 11-August 30 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park with an official press opening on Monday, August 24 at 8 p.m. Bank of America returns as lead sponsor of Shakespeare in the Park 2009.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall. Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) will play the lead role of Pentheus joining George Bartenieff as Cadmus; André De Shields as Teiresias; Jonathan Groff as Dionysus; Karen Kandel as Chorus Leader; Joan MacIntosh as Agave; Steven Rishard as Cowherd; and Rocco Sisto as Messenger.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews Tuesday, August 11, for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall.

Mauckingbird Theatre Company will present John Logan's remarkable crime drama, Never the Sinner: The Leopold and Loeb Story, directed by Mauckingbird Artistic Director Peter Reynolds. The company's fourth production follows Mauckingbird's lesbian adaptation of Hedda Gabler (2009) and the critically acclaimed all-male versions of The Misanthrope (2008) and Shakespeare's R & J (2008).

People's Light & Theatre Company kicks off their 35th Anniversary Season with the American Premiere of NATHAN THE WISE translated by Edward Kemp from the play by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. NATHAN THE WISE runs from September 16 - October 11, 2009, on the Main Stage. Artistic Director Abigail Adams directs. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern.

The Theatre Alliance announced the finalists for the prestigious F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist at a press conference today at The University of the Arts' new Ellen and Ronald Caplan Center for the Performing Arts.

The Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre are the Greater Philadelphia region's only comprehensive theatre awards program, recognizing artists for excellence and innovation while serving to increase awareness of the richness of the local theatre community.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews Tuesday, August 11, for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall.

Rep Stage, the professional Equity theatre in residence at Howard Community College (HCC), begins its 17th season with David Davalos' comedy 'Wittenberg,' directed by Tony Tsendeas, opening August 26 and running through September 13, 2009 in the Smith Theatre of HCC's Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center (HVPA).

Here is a glimpse of what's coming to the Philadelphia Theater Area starting fall 2009 into 2010.

Goodman Theatre is proud to present the Chicago premiere of Dael Orlandersmith's Stoop Stories, September 12 - October 11, 2009 the Goodman's 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Theatre. Tickets are $10 - $40 and go on sale Friday, August 7 at GoodmanTheatre.org.

This bold venture of fusing rock, pop, Broadway and opera is bound to have people buzzing in Philly and beyond for quite a while.

The Rock Tenor makes its debut this summer beginning July 8, starring vocalist Rob Evan (Broadway performer and lead singer for the multi-platinum band The Trans-Siberian Orchestra), who conceived the show with director Vincent Marini (former Producing Artistic Director of New Jersey's Lenape Regional Performing Arts Center) officially opens July 15 and closes August 23. The Rock Tenor fuses rock and roll anthems, Broadway classics, opera favorites, country rhythms and classical melodies in a unique performance that showcases these familiar works in a whole new light. The Rock Tenor will be performed at The Wilma Theater, located at 265 South Broad Street. Tickets are $25-$40 and are available at www.therocktenor.com or by phone at (215) 546-7824.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the Shakespeare in the Park production of Euripides' THE BACCHAE, directed by JoAnne Akalaitis with original music by Philip Glass and translated by Nicholas Rudall. Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) will play the lead role of Pentheus joining George Bartenieff as Cadmus; André De Shields as Teiresias; Jonathan Groff as Dionysus; Karen Kandel as Chorus Leader; Joan MacIntosh as Agave; Steven Rishard as Cowherd; and Rocco Sisto as Messenger.

The League of Professional Theatre Women, a non-profit organization committed to promoting visibility and increasing opportunities for women in the professional theatre, is pleased to announce its new slate of officers. These women will serve as leaders of the League for a two-year term, from July 1, 2009 until June 30, 2011.