God's Favorite

The Potomac Playmakers have announced the first show of the 2023-2024 Season, the classic Neil Simon comedy 'God's Favorite!'

Clark Thompson (Ben Falcone) is a mid-level tech support employee, who takes saunas with his dad, Gene (Kevin Dunn), pines after his co-worker Amily (Melissa McCarthy), and loves his cats. When he starts to glow, he begins to realize this isn’t an average day at the office and God has bigger plans for him.

Comedian Patton Oswalt and musician Father John Misty have just been announced at Massey Hall.

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this year, Broadway choreographer Bob Avian, known best for his work with Michael Bennett, passed away at the age of 83, but not before one final interview. Watch below as the beloved song and dance man chats with Island City Stage about his book, 'Dancin' Man', just a week before his death.

Today's Theater Stories features the Eugene O'Neill Theatre! Learn about Neil Simon's special relationship with the theatre, the first Arthur Miller play to become a smash on Broadway, the history of Eugene O'Neill's plays and more.

Samuel French, a Concord Theatricals Company, announced today that Neil Simon (posthumously), TDF Accessibility Program, and Aleshea Harris are the 2019 recipients of the 4th Annual Samuel French Awards. The Awards, which are accompanied by a donation from Concord Theatricals of $15,000, were created by Samuel French to acknowledge the great work and unparalleled passion of theatre artists, as well as applaud significant contributions to the industry.

Dumba?? dumbera?? dumbest? Open Fist Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Neil Simon's Musical Fools, an adaptation of the Simon play Fools, with book and lyrics by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West (deLEARious, The People Vs Friar Laurence). West also directs, with music direction by Jan Roper and choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton. Neil Simon's Musical Fools opens Oct. 12 at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through Nov. 17; pay-what-you-want previews begin Oct. 4.

Dumb... dumber... dumbest? Open Fist Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Neil Simon's Musical Fools, an adaptation of the Simon play Fools, with book and lyrics by Neil Simon and music and lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West (deLEARious, The People Vs Friar Laurence). West also directs, with music direction by Jan Roper and choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton. Neil Simon's Musical Fools opens Oct. 12 at Atwater Village Theatre, where performances will continue through Nov. 17; pay-what-you-want previews begin Oct. 4.

American playwright Neil Simon's prolific and wide-ranging contributions to theater range from the sublime (The Odd Couple and Rumors) to the ridiculous (Fools), with God's Favorite - now onstage through tomorrow - falling somewhere in the middle. While it's not one of the master craftsman's best scripts, it nonetheless is certain to provoke thought and when performed by a talented cast of actors, like it is in its current iteration at The Barn, it is certain to entertain and to evoke an emotional response.

God's favorite boy band, Waterparks, will tour North America with One Ok Rock and Stand Atlantic kicking off February 19th! For a full list of dates, please see below. Tickets can be purchased at: www.waterparksband.com 

In September last year, Josh Tillman stopped by Third Man Records' Nashville headquarters on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday afternoon and surprised them all with a lunchtime solo, acoustic set before his sold-out Ryman Auditorium performance. They, of course, had their 1955 Scully Lathe at the ready to capture the occasion. The recording of this Blue Room performance will be available for purchase on September 28, 2018, and pre-orders are available now. For a preview of what's to come, listen to 'So I'm Growing Old On Magic Mountain (Live At Third Man)' HERE.

Artists Repertory Theatre kicks off its 2018/19 season with Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, directed by William (Bill) Earl Ray. Skeleton Crew is the third play in Morisseau's The Detroit Project (A 3-Play Cycle) following Detroit '67 and Paradise Blue. For Skeleton Crew, Morisseau received a 2016 Obie Award and the play was selected for the 2014 Kilroy List. Skeleton Crew runs from September 2 through September 30 on the Morrison Stage.

The Old Globe's Barefoot in the Park opened last Thursday and will extend again by popular demand, now running through Sunday, August 16. Director Jessica Stone (Ken Ludwig's Robin Hood!, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) returns to the Globe, extending the theatre's decades-long relationship with giant comic playwright Neil Simon with this fresh and hilarious new look at his 'bubbling, rib-tickling comedy' (The New York Times). Barefoot in the Park plays July 28 - September 16, 2018 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets now start at $49.00 and are on sale to the general public now.

Veteran Director, Performer Denise Blasor reteams with Henry Ong to present the world-premiere of 'The Blade of Jealousy,' Ong's modern-day adaptation of Spanish Renaissance Playwright Tirso de Molina's madcap comedy 'La Celosa De Si Misma' (Jealous of Herself) on stage now at The Whitefire Theater in NoHo.

Last weekend, The Festival of Independent Theatres opened its twentieth festival, treating audiences to a diverse range of shows from a Harold Pinter classic to a new outrageous comedy from a local playwright and even a diverse range of musical acts with FIT Underground. This weekend, with a fresh round of openings, 2018's full slate of shows will be in rotation through August 4th. The twentieth annual installment of DFW's longest running festival carries on the tradition that has made it a landmark by presenting groundbreaking theatre, exposing audiences to diverse styles, multiple companies and new and established works all in a block format designed to provide an opportunity to both take in the familiar and perhaps discover something new.

Neil Simon's GOD'S FAVORITE does what I believe good theatre is intended to do: take a multifaceted, complex topic and present it in a humanized, relatable, and entertaining manner. This can take many forms, and GOD'S FAVORITE pinpoints perhaps one of my favorite forms of theatrical communication: framing a meaningful, hard-to-wrap-your-mind-around concept within the familiar language of comedy.

The Old Globe's 2018 Summer Season continues with today's announcement of the complete cast and creative team for Barefoot in the Park, as director Jessica Stone returns to the Globe to extend its decades-long relationship with giant comic playwright Neil Simon with this fresh and hilarious new look at the comedy.

The Old Globe's 2018 Summer Season continues with today's announcement of the complete cast and creative team for Barefoot in the Park, as director Jessica Stone (Ken Ludwig's Robin Hood!, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) returns to the Globe to extend its decades-long relationship with giant comic playwright Neil Simon with this fresh and hilarious new look at his "bubbling, rib-tickling comedy" (The New York Times). Barefoot in the Park will play July 28 - September 2, 2018 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets start at $30.00 and are on sale to the general public now. Previews run July 28 - August 1. Opening night is Thursday, August 2 at 8:00 p.m.

This world premiere drama examines the friendship of two remarkable women, one an ex-prisoner of the Heart Mountain Internment Camp, and the other, a Holocaust survivor. A supportive and transformative relationship between these best friends is tested when family and health issues change the routine. Scenes For A Green World explores the potential for redemption when reconnecting to one's early years can be both a curse and a blessing.  What can be nurtured to blossom out of the dark ground of the past to sustain the future for oneself and others?

This world premiere drama examines the friendship of two remarkable women, one an ex-prisoner of the Heart Mountain Internment Camp, and the other, a Holocaust survivor. A supportive and transformative relationship between these best friends is tested when family and health issues change the routine. Scenes For A Green World explores the potential for redemption when reconnecting to one's early years can be both a curse and a blessing. What can be nurtured to blossom out of the dark ground of the past to sustain the future for oneself and others?

A.D. Players at The George, one of Houston's largest resident theatre companies, will revive Neil Simon's imaginative play, "God's Favorite," at The George from Friday, July 13 - Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, with preview nights July 11-12. "God's Favorite" is a contemporary, humorous tale of the Book of Job with a hint of the Prodigal Son, that explores the challenges and rewards of morality.

The Group Rep presents Neil Simon's classic farce RUMORS, directed by Doug Engalla, produced by Alyson York for the Group Rep. Five neurotic couples gather for a dinner party celebrating one couple's 10th anniversary. The best laid plans go wildly awry when guests arrive early only to discover their host has shot himself, the hostess and servants are missing, and dinner not ready. As confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into farcical hilarity. The play runs June 15 through July 29 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

The Group Rep presents Neil Simon's classic farce RUMORS, directed by Doug Engalla, produced by Alyson York for the Group Rep. Five neurotic couples gather for a dinner party celebrating one couple's 10th anniversary. The best laid plans go wildly awry when guests arrive early only to discover their host has shot himself, the hostess and servants are missing, and dinner not ready. As confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into farcical hilarity. The play runs June 15 through July 29 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

The Group Rep presents Neil Simon's classic farce RUMORS, directed by Doug Engalla, produced by Alyson York for the Group Rep. Five neurotic couples gather for a dinner party celebrating one couple's 10th anniversary. The best laid plans go wildly awry when guests arrive early only to discover their host has shot himself, the hostess and servants are missing, and dinner not ready. As confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into farcical hilarity. The play runs June 15 through July 29 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

The Group Rep presents Neil Simon's classic farce RUMORS, directed by Doug Engalla, produced by Alyson York for the Group Rep. Five neurotic couples gather for a dinner party celebrating one couple's 10th anniversary. The best laid plans go wildly awry when guests arrive early only to discover their host has shot himself, the hostess and servants are missing, and dinner not ready. As confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into farcical hilarity. The play runs June 15 through July 29 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, at the edge of the NoHo Arts District.

God's favorite musical is back! This is, I believe, the fourth time the tour of The Book of Mormon , that juggernaut musical from 2011 (the Hamilton of its day) from the warped minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame and Robert Lopez who co-wrote Avenue Q (as well as that little animated film Frozen ), has come through town. And the appeal of its crass humor, repeated gay jokes, and borderline sacrilege shows no signs of waning. I know I left the theater smiling and laughing and still humming the songs all the way home because underneath it all, it's still just a damn good musical.

Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Green Day today released a new song and accompanying music video for 'Back In The USA,' which is featured on Greatest Hits: God's Favorite Band. The album is available everywhere today via Reprise Records.

Successful Long Island businessman Joe Benjamin is a modern-day 'Job' with a demanding wife, ungrateful children, and wise-cracking household employees. Just when it seems things couldn't get any worse, he is visited by Sidney Lipton, a.k.a. A Messenger from God (and compulsive film buff) with a mission: test Joe's faith and report back to 'the Boss.' The jokes and Tests of Faith fly fast and furious as Neil Simon spins a contemporary morality tale like no other in this hilarious comedy.

A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, presents 'Harvey,' as its first mainstage show of 2017 - 2018, running September 8 through October 1.

Successful Long Island businessman Joe Benjamin is a modern-day 'Job' with a demanding wife, ungrateful children, and wise-cracking household employees. Just when it seems things couldn't get any worse, he is visited by Sidney Lipton, a.k.a. A Messenger from God (and compulsive film buff) with a mission: test Joe's faith and report back to 'the Boss.' The jokes and Tests of Faith fly fast and furious as Neil Simon spins a contemporary morality tale like no other in this hilarious comedy.

A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, presents 'Harvey,' as its first mainstage show of 2017 - 2018, running September 8 through October 1.

Studio Tenn announced today that Jake Speck will leave his position as Managing Director in August, to assume the executive director position with A.D. Players, a professional theatre company in Houston, Texas.

A.D. Players, one of Houston's oldest and largest resident theater companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jake Speck as Executive Director. In August 2017, Speck will assume leadership of the company that was founded by actress and playwright Jeannette Clift George in 1967.

TopRat Productions presents an invite-only, industry presentation of the modern new musical LUCIFER with music and lyrics by Mike Squillante & Britt Mahrer, book by Jesse Murphy, Jess Carson & Mike Squillante, and directed by T. Oliver Reid.

A. D. Players, Houston's only professional Christian theater company, is pleased to announce five mainstage and four children's theater productions for 2017-2018, the Company's first full season in the new 440-seat Jeannette and L.M. George Theater in Uptown Houston.

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR SPEECH AND DEBATE THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

???????Kicking off its spectacular 38th Season, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), widely respected for its impactful and acclaimed original programming, will be presenting "He Had It Coming," its spring concert starring venerated Broadway, TV and film actor Alan Cumming, on April 1 and 2. 

Shelby Elise Maticic is the Artistic Director of the Brelby Theatre Company. She has BS in Theatre Performance from Northern Arizona University and an MFA in Arts Entrepreneurship & Management from Arizona State University.

Elisa Guajardo Carothers is not your typical author. She went from working as a movie extra on Bill Murray's 'Larger than Life' to studying to become a nun. Now, she writes about God, when she isn't swimming as a performing mermaid.

'Creating the magic has been the best part of the process,' said Shelby Maticic, who premieres as Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher, January 20th.

'Creating the magic has been the best part of the process,' said Shelby Maticic, who premieres as Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher, January 20th.

New casting has been announced for the Hollywood Bowl's production of A Chorus Line, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical.  The additional cast members announced are Mario Lopez as Zach, Sarah Bowden as Cassie Ferguson, Krysta Rodriguez as Diana Morales, and Courtney Lopez as Kristine Ulrich.

The historic Cape Playhouse's 90th season kicks off with one of Neil Simon's most irresistible comedies, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, starring Jennifer Cody and Daniel Pearce. Directed by Tim Threlfall, this classic comedy plays June 7 through 18. 

The Old Globe presents the Arena Stage production of Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright's thrilling new play CAMP DAVID, directed by Arena Stage's artistic director, Molly Smith.

The Old Globe presents the Arena Stage production of Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright's thrilling new play CAMP DAVID, directed by Arena Stage's artistic director, Molly Smith.

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for its presentation of the Arena Stage production of Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright's thrilling new play CAMP DAVID, directed by Arena Stage's artistic director, Molly Smith.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) launches its 26th Fall Festival, featuring 130 events which will explore the theme of 'Citizens', today, Oct. 24, through Nov. 8, 2015 at venues across Chicago.

Just in time for Halloween, A Portable Theatre will offer public performances of the touring show TALES FROM THE GRAVE, a collection of spine-tingling stories adapted by Geoffrey Nelson from Dickens, Poe and Stevenson. Presented in the style of an old-time radio broadcast, Tales also includes humorous commercials and live sound effects-all performed by just four actors.

Just in time for Halloween, A Portable Theatre will offer public performances of the touring show TALES FROM THE GRAVE, a collection of spine-tingling stories adapted by Geoffrey Nelson from Dickens, Poe and Stevenson. Presented in the style of an old-time radio broadcast, Tales also includes humorous commercials and live sound effects-all performed by just four actors.

The Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF) announced today the complete schedule for the 26th Fall Festival, 130 events which will explore the theme of Citizens, Oct. 24-Nov. 8, 2015 at venues across Chicago.