Graceland - 2010 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 9

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) announce that Henry Wishcamper (Graceland, Port Authority) will direct the upcoming Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere of Beau Willimon's new play SPIRIT CONTROL.

BroadwayWorld.com has learned from a reliable source that Tony-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell is in final contract negotiations and is fully expected to join WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. All offers are said to be out to Sherie Rene Scott and other performers (that they are keeping under tabs) and a full casting announcement is expected in the coming days.

The Jeff Awards for the 2009-2010 season of non-equity theater in Chicago were presented on June 7, 2010, the Chicago Sun-Times reported today. Tracy Letts' (AUGUST:OSAGE COUNTY) KILLER JOE, presented by the Profiles Theatre, won the award for best production of a play, while CHESS, written by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson, and Bjorn Ulvaeus and presented by the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James, won the award for best production of a musical. Both productions also picked up additional awards--CHESS for best director, choreographer, principal actor, principal actress, supporting actor, and musical direction and KILLER JOE for best director and principal actor.

Paul, Trish, and I thought we'd toss in another 2 cents on who we think are going to take home Chicago's top non-Equity theatre honors.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College announces its 56th season of music, dance, theater, and family programming reflecting the multicultural diversity of Brooklyn. The outstanding line-up features performances from Jamaica, Argentina, Japan, Russia and South Africa as well as the United States, and includes both Brooklyn premieres and returning favorites.

Variety reports today that John Guare's FREE MAN OF COLOR, which will premiere at Lincoln Center next season, is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from National Actors Theater Foundation. The Tony Randall Theatrical Fund has granted Lincoln Center an additiona, undisclosed amount of money to help support it's production of non-profit shows. Both organizations are run by late actor Tony Randall's daughter, Heather.

The New York Daily News is reporting that Spanish director Pedro Almodovar told press at the Cannes Festival that Jessica Biel, who took part in the staged readings of the new musical, 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' at Lincoln Center, has signed on for the full production.

Paul, Trish, and I thought we'd toss in another 2 cents on who we think are going to take home Chicago's top non-Equity theatre honors.

Profiles Theatre concludes its 2009-2010 Season with the Midwest premiere of Body Awareness by Annie Baker, directed by Benjamin Thiem. The production runs May 14 - June 27, 2010, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. Opening night is Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.

The Jeff Awards have announced 105 nominations in 24 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards, which honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract, for productions that opened between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. The Jeff Awards judged the opening nights of 116 productions offered by 55 non-Equity producing organizations and recommended 51 shows for further judging, making those 51 eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations in all categories.

The Collegiate Chorale presents George F. Handel's Israel in Egypt on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 8pm at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University, 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South), NYC.

The Jeff Awards today announced 105 nominations in 24 categories for Non-Equity Jeff Awards, which honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract, for productions that opened between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010. The Jeff Awards judged the opening nights of 116 productions offered by 55 non-Equity producing organizations and recommended 51 shows for further judging, making those 51 eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations in all categories.

Profiles Theatre concludes its 2009-2010 Season with the Midwest premiere of Body Awareness by Annie Baker, directed by Benjamin Thiem. The production runs May 14 - June 27, 2010, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. Opening night is Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.

The Collegiate Chorale presents George F. Handel's Israel in Egypt on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 8pm at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University, 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South), NYC.

Profiles Theatre concludes its 2009-2010 Season with the Midwest premiere of Body Awareness by Annie Baker, directed by Benjamin Thiem. The production runs May 14 - June 27, 2010, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. Opening night is Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced plans to produce the New York premiere of A MINISTER'S WIFE, a new musical adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Candida by Austin Pendelton, with music by Joshua Schmidt and lyrics by Jan Tranen during its 2010-2011 season. A MINISTER'S WIFE, which was conceived and will be directed by Michael Halberstam, will begin performances Thursday, April 7, 2011 and opening on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut brought his considerable talents to the stage of the Sheldon Concert Hall for a show (April 10, 2010) that featured selections of music more commonly associated with Elvis Presley. And, while this might seem to be an unlikely combination, Chestnut demonstrated his traditional jazz roots by improvising his way through these familiar melodies in dynamic and adventurous fashion. Chestnut proved to be a force to be reckoned with as he attacked the keys for each number, bending and twisting the chord progressions to suit his fancy, and providing a scintillating performance for an enthralled and appreciative audience.

Profiles Theatre will end the run of its hit production Killer Joe by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts, directed by Steppenwolf ensemble member Rick Snyder on April 11th.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust culminates Black History Month with its regular Showcase Noir: African American Artist and Designer Exhibit and Sale and the special presentation of Grammy-award-winning South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Showcase Noir opens at 11am on Sunday, February 28, in the Byham Theater lobby. Ladysmith Black Mambazo performance closes the evening with their 7 p.m. performance in the theater. Cohen & Grigsby is the season sponsor of the 2009-2010 Trust Presents series.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) announced three productions that it will produce during the 2010-2011 season at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and on Broadway. The first, a musical version of the Pedro Almodóvar film WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek and direction by Bartlett Sher, will begin previews Saturday, October 2 when it will reopen the newly restored Belasco Theatre (111 W. 44 Street). Opening night is Thursday, November 4.

Profiles Theatre announces the extension of its hit production Killer Joe by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts, directed by Steppenwolf ensemble member Rick Snyder. All cast members are continuing in their roles, including Profiles ensemble members Darrell W. Cox and Somer Benson along with Kevin Bigley, Howie Johnson and Claire Wellin. The critically-acclaimed production has been extended for an additional six weeks, through April 11, 2010, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway..

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust culminates Black History Month with its regular Showcase Noir: African American Artist and Designer Exhibit and Sale and the special presentation of Grammy-award-winning South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Showcase Noir opens at 11am on Sunday, February 28, in the Byham Theater lobby. Ladysmith Black Mambazo performance closes the evening with their 7 p.m. performance in the theater. Cohen & Grigsby is the season sponsor of the 2009-2010 Trust Presents series.

The Sundance Institute has chosen 8 playwrights to take part in their annual Sundance Institute Playwrights Retreat, Variety is reporting. The retreat began Monday, February 1st, and the residency will last through February 19th. The residency will take place in Ucross, Wyoming.

The 2010 Sundance Institute's Playwrights' Retreat at Ucross Begins Today and will run through February 19, 2010.

The following are the complete and current upcoming event listings for FEBRUARY 1, 2010 - FEBRUARY 7, 2010 at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, NYC.