Why BroadwayWorld.com Can't Wait for NBC's SMASH
by Robert Diamond - May 20, 2011
Culled from as A-list a list as you are ever likely to acquire - Steven Spielberg, Robert Greenblatt, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Michael Mayer, Theresa Rebeck and Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman onwards - SMASH is the adult answer to riveting dramatic musical entertainment coming with heart, laughs, unforgettable characters and some of the biggest twists this side of the starry stages on the Great White Way. Oh, yeah, and those hallowed Broadway halls, too. Plus, SMASH provides a great new opportunity to showcase the unbelievable talent on display on the stages of Broadway and Off-Broadway and beyond, particularly given the fact that it is shot in New York and it is being cast by the biggest casting director on Broadway, Bernie Telsey. Consider the theatre-centric casting LAW & ORDER times seventy six (trombones). All of New York is the talent pool from which the stage of SMASH shall be set. And, what exactly is SMASH about, anyway? Well, SMASH is all about Broadway and what makes a musical tick - from the very inception of the show's idea by the songwriters, through writing, rehearsals and the road; all the way to the big Broadway opening where dreams are made - and nightmares born - on one magnificent, momentous night. As viewers, we are taken inside the ticking clock of the show and we experience each and every one of the multitude of machinations enacted by everyone from the stars - Marilyn Monroe, and the actress playing her, Ivy; and, more importantly, her alternative, Karen - to the overworked director (Derek), harried songwriters Tom and Julia, and the speculative and cutthroat producer behind it all, Eileen.
THE ILLUSION Begins Previews Tonight Off-B'way
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 17, 2011
Previews for Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) production of Tony Kushner's THE ILLUSION begin tonight, Tuesday, May 17 at the Peter Norton Space (555 W. 42nd Street) with opening night scheduled for June 5.
Atlantic Announces US Premiere of Bluebird Starring Simon Russell Beale
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 11, 2011
Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is proud to announce the first production of its 2011-2012 season, the U.S. premiere of Simon Stephen's play BLUEBIRD, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch and starring Olivier Award winner and Tony Award® nominee Simon Russell Beale, Tobias Segal and Atlantic Theater company members Kate Blumberg, Mary McCann, and Todd Weeks.
Simon Russell Beale to Lead Atlantic Theater Company's BLUEBIRD, 8/9-9/9
by Kelsey Denette - May 10, 2011
Atlantic Theater Company has announced the first production of its 2011-2012 season, the U.S. premiere of Simon Stephen's play BLUEBIRD, directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch and starring Olivier Award winner and Tony Award® nominee Simon Russell Beale, Tobias Segal and Atlantic Theater company members Kate Blumberg, Mary McCann, and Todd Weeks.
Donmar Warehouse and BAM Present KING LEAR Featuring Derek Jacobi
by BWW News Desk - Apr 28, 2011
Acclaimed actor Derek Jacobi reunites with Tony Award-winning Artistic Director Michael Grandage for the Donmar production of King Lear. Presented at BAM in its US premiere, the production opened at the Donmar in December 2010, followed by an eight-week tour of the UK. It was also broadcast to more than 22 countries worldwide in collaboration with National Theatre Live.
Sarah Ruhl & Les Waters Join Forces for THREE SISTERS at Berkeley Rep
by BWW
News Desk - Apr 8, 2011
Audiences and critics on both coasts embraced Eurydice and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), two shows steeped in longing from playwright Sarah Ruhl and director Les Waters. Now this talented team turns its attention to a fresh translation of a masterpiece: Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters. Ruhl enlivens this classic with the same elegant understanding of intimacy that infused those earlier collaborations, while Waters and a cast of 14 deliver another sumptuous production. This West Coast premiere begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on April 8, opens April 13, and runs through May 22. Three Sisters is a co-production between Berkeley Rep, where Waters serves as associate artistic director, and Yale Repertory Theatre.
San Jose Rep Presents LEGACY OF LIGHT, 3/24-4/27
by BWW
News Desk - Mar 24, 2011
Two brilliant women, centuries apart, push the boundaries of science while grappling with motherhood in San Jose Repertory Theatre's production of Legacy of Light, by Karen Zacarías. DC Theatre Scene calls this adventurous comedy '... an intellectual joyride ... a wonderful play, well worth seeing.'
San Jose Rep Presents LEGACY OF LIGHT, 3/24-4/27
by Kelsey Denette - Mar 22, 2011
Two brilliant women, centuries apart, push the boundaries of science while grappling with motherhood in San Jose Repertory Theatre's production of Legacy of Light, by Karen Zacarías. DC Theatre Scene calls this adventurous comedy '... an intellectual joyride ... a wonderful play, well worth seeing.'
Donmar Warehouse and BAM Present KING LEAR Featuring Derek Jacobi, 4/28-6/5
by Kelsey Denette - Mar 21, 2011
Acclaimed actor Derek Jacobi reunites with Tony Award-winning Artistic Director Michael Grandage for the Donmar production of King Lear. Presented at BAM in its US premiere, the production opened at the Donmar in December 2010, followed by an eight-week tour of the UK. It was also broadcast to more than 22 countries worldwide in collaboration with National Theatre Live.
Writers' Theatre Celebrates A Minister's Wife 5/7
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 14, 2011
The Writers' Theatre Board of Trustees announce a benefit evening to celebrate the New York Premiere of A Minister's Wife, the new musical directed and conceived by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, on Saturday, May 7, 2011.
A.C.T. Celebrates Pinter With THE HOMECOMING, Plays 3/3-27
by BWW
News Desk - Mar 9, 2011
American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2010-11 season with a revival of Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter's most provocative play, The Homecoming, directed by A.C.T. Artistic Director and longtime Pinter collaborator Carey Perloff.
Sarah Ruhl & Les Waters Join Forces for THREE SISTERS at Berkeley Rep
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 28, 2011
Audiences and critics on both coasts embraced Eurydice and In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), two shows steeped in longing from playwright Sarah Ruhl and director Les Waters. Now this talented team turns its attention to a fresh translation of a masterpiece: Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters. Ruhl enlivens this classic with the same elegant understanding of intimacy that infused those earlier collaborations, while Waters and a cast of 14 deliver another sumptuous production. This West Coast premiere begins previews on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage on April 8, opens April 13, and runs through May 22. Three Sisters is a co-production between Berkeley Rep, where Waters serves as associate artistic director, and Yale Repertory Theatre.
Arena Stage Closes THE ARABIAN NIGHTS 2/20/11
by BWW News Desk - Feb 20, 2011
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is delighted to present The Arabian Nights, written and directed by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Metamorphoses). The production, presented in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Lookingglass Theatre Company, has been recognized as "Zimmerman's most theatrically complete and perfect creation" (Chicago Tribune).
Mercedes Ruehl to star in McCarter Theatre's THE HOW AND THE WHY, Closes 2/13
by BWW News Desk - Feb 13, 2011
McCarter Theatre (Emily Mann, Artistic Director; Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director) is pleased to announce that Academy Award, Tony and Obie Award winner Mercedes Ruehl will star in the two-character world premiere of Sarah Treem's The How and The Why. Directed by Emily Mann, the cast will also feature New Jersey native Bess Rous. The production runs through February 13.
ATC Presents THE BIG MEAL 2/3-3/6
by BWW
News Desk - Feb 3, 2011
American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.
ATC Presents THE BIG MEAL 2/3-3/6
by BWW
News Desk - Feb 3, 2011
American Theater Company (ATC) continues its 26th season with the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by New York Times 2010 Outstanding Playwright Award-winner Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard.
SHREK Comes To Devos Performance Hall 6/21-26
by Gabrielle Sierra - Feb 1, 2011
DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions, Ltd. are pleased to announce that SHREK THE MUSICAL with book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, will play DeVos Performance Hall, for one week only, June 21-26, 2011.