Nation 2009 - Articles Page 26

Guthrie Director Joe Dowling today announced directors for the three productions slated to headline the theater's 2009 Tony Kushner celebration, in addition to three speaking events designed to expand and enhance the issues raised in the work of this Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright.

All signs indicate that 'Hairspray' will end it's successful run on January 18th, 2009. Official word is expected at any moment, there is also a strong chance that Harvey Fierstein will return to his Tony Winning role of Edna Turnblad to help the show go out in style.

Isolation...Fear...Budding sexualities.... Technology as refuge.... A Chicago premiere and World Premiere...An unprecedented re-commitment to Ensemble...An Indiana Farmhouse, a CBS studio during the Golden Age of television, a clustered Cleveland sound studio where a bomb may explode, romance and destruction in pre 9-11 New York, post-traumatic stress disorder and sexual awakening on the razor-sharp coastline of a Maine summer retreat; Horrific acts of violence and humongous displays of love:

The Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, announced the judges for the 54th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards. The Voice's chief theater critic, Michael Feingold, will again chair the Obie Awards committee. Joining him will be Voice critic Alexis Soloski and six guest judges: Eric Grode, New York Sun; Andy Probst, AmericanTheaterWeb.com (also a frequent Voice contributor); Eisa Davis, actress-playwright, Obie Award winner for her performance last year in 'Passing Strange'; Ty Jones, actor-playwright, 2003 Obie Award winner for his performance in 'The Blacks' (Classical Theatre of Harlem); Moises Kaufman, playwright-director, 2004 Obie Award winner for his direction of 'I Am My Own Wife'; Chay Yew, playwright-director, 2007 Obie Award winner for his direction of 'Durango' (Public Theater). Mr. Propst will also serve as secretary to the committee.

Submissions are now being accepted by The Living Room for Artists for the sixth annual Summer Play Festival (SPF), which will be presented at The Public Theater in New York City for a second year, July 7 through August 2, 2009.

Confirming ongoing rumors and speculation, the Public Theater has announced that HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical which has been playing to sold out houses at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park since July 22 will indeed transfer to Broadway sometime in early 2009.

Broadway mega-hit and seven-time Tony® nominee Legally Blonde The Musical will headline Pittsburgh CLO's 2009 Summer Season June 9-14 at the Benedum Center.

Tony Taccone, the artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, announced today that the Tony Award-winning company will conclude its 2008/09 Season with the world premiere of You, Nero, a new comedy written by Amy Freed and directed by Sharon Ott, will rule the Thrust Stage from May 8 through June 21, 2009. Starring Danny Scheie as the preposterous emperor of ancient Rome, You, Nero will be produced in association with South Coast Repertory, where it debuts in January.

Arena Stage will once again make history with ARENA RESTAGED, a massive, two-year festival celebrating the rich mosaic of our nation's voices.

Shattered Globe Theatre announce their 18th anniversary, 2008-2009 season of presenting ensemble-driven theatre including 'The Glass Menagerie,' 'The Little Foxes,' and 'Buried Child.'

American Conservatory Theater today announced the lineup of the company's 42nd subscription season. Running from September 2008 to July 2009, the season brings new plays, the nation's finest writers, fresh directors, and renowned performers to San Francisco, while presenting a carefully calibrated range of decades, aesthetics, and perspectives, ranging from dark comedy to serious drama, from movement-theater fusion to music-filled celebration.

Atlanta's Theater of the Stars, along with three co- producing partners, will mount a new stage production of Tarzan, based on the beloved Disney animated film. Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical. To also visit San Jose, California; Dallas, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina