Much Ado About Nothing - 2001 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 12

'[Thank you] to an incredible cast of British and American actors who make the Atlantic look like a little creek you can just kind of pop across,' said Dame Helen Mirren upon receiving her 2015 Tony Award. The stage and screen star reprised her critically-acclaimed performance in THE AUDIENCE after a West End run in 2013, and she was just one of many to 'pop across' an ocean for a stab at Broadway.  An unprecedented amount of British talent took over Broadway last year, bringing us such productions as THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, WOLF HALL: PARTS 1 & 2, and SKYLIGHT.   It doesn't seem like the trend is ending anytime soon. This fall, Broadway will welcome a slew of British actors- some of whom will be making their US stage debuts in incoming productions. And it's not just performers. We're getting some complete British imports in shows like A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE and KING CHARLES III. Below, we're taking a moment to shine a spotlight on this season's British imports.

The Old Vic has today announced casting for David Greig's adaptation of Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, directed by Max Webster. Simon Lipkin will play the role of the Lorax, alongside puppeteers Laura Cubitt and Ben Thompson, whilst Simon Paisley Day takes the role of the Once-ler.

Fear, deceit, and paranoia run rampant in Cleveland Play House's (CPH) gripping new production of Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE.

Sound designer John Leonard, scene designer Anna Louizos, costume designer Joy Emery and theatre safety educator Monona Rossol will be honored with USITT Distinguished Achievement Awards at USITT's 2016 Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Salt Lake City next March.

Tonight, October 9, noted orchestrator and conductor Fred Barton will bring the music of Broadway and the American Songbook to the Schimmel Center at Pace University, in American Showstoppers: An Evening of Johnny Mercer. In his seventh concert at Pace, Fred Barton now brings the power of Mercer's music and lyrics front and center, with a 14-piece orchestra and a cast of 16 Broadway singers and dancers, with direction and choreography by Scott Thompson. The cast is headlined by Damon Kirsch, Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams, two time Tony nominee Vivian Reed, Nick Spangler, Tony Nominee Lauren Worsham, and Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba. The cast also features Jesse Luttrell, Sean McGibbon and Molly Pope.

The Public Theater presents the world premiere of BARBECUE, written by Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara. Directed by Kent Gash, BARBECUE began previews on September 22 and runs through Sunday, November 1, with an official press opening tonight, October 8.

Aurora Theatre Company presents the Bay Area Premiere of Pulitzer Prize finalist (Freedomland) Amy Freed's THE MONSTER-BUILDER. Art Manke, who directed the World Premiere of THE MONSTER-BUILDER at Portland's Artists Repertory Theatre in 2014, makes his Aurora directing debut with this viciously funny comedy featuring Danny Scheie (The Mystery of Irma Vep), Rod Knapp (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), Nancy Carlin (Hysteria), Thomas Gorrebeeck (The Eccentricities of a Nightingale), Tracy Hazas, and Sierra Jolene. THE MONSTER-BUILDER plays November 6 through December 6 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

WaterTower Theatre presents the world premiere of Donald Fowler's musical CREEP. The musical will open WaterTower Theatre's 2015-2016 Season on Monday, October 5, 2015 (with previews tonight, October 2, Saturday, October 3, and a Gala Preview performance on Sunday, October 4). Kate Galvin, Associate Producer at the 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia, will direct. CREEP is produced by Terry Martin.

Next on the Main Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's drama, The Diary of Anne Frank, adapted by Wendy Kesselman and directed by Joseph Discher. Nearly 75 years ago in the Netherlands, a young girl received a diary for her 13th birthday. Today, Anne Frank's humor, strength, and innate goodness continue to shine forth from her words to inspire readers and audiences of all ages. The powerful story of her family's will to survive comes to unforgettable life for a new generation in this adaptation of the Pulitzer, Tony, and NY Drama Critic's Circle Award-winning play.

Fear, deceit, and paranoia run rampant in Cleveland Play House's (CPH) gripping new production of Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE.

On Friday, October 9, noted orchestrator and conductor Fred Barton will bring the music of Broadway and the American Songbook to the Schimmel Center at Pace University, in American Showstoppers: An Evening of Johnny Mercer. In his seventh concert at Pace, Fred Barton now brings the power of Mercer's music and lyrics front and center, with a 14-piece orchestra and a cast of 16 Broadway singers and dancers, with direction and choreography by Scott Thompson. The cast is headlined by Damon Kirsch, Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams, two time Tony nominee Vivian Reed, Nick Spangler, Tony Nominee Lauren Worsham, and Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba. The cast also features Jesse Luttrell, Sean McGibbon and Molly Pope.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Arthur Miller's THE CRUCIBLE will return to Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) this spring. Bill Camp (as Reverend John Hale), Jim Norton (as Giles Corey), Tavi Gevinson (as Mary Warren), and Jason Butler Harner (as Reverend Samuel Parris) are among those who will join previously announced stars Ben Whishaw (as John Proctor), Sophie Okonedo (as Elizabeth Proctor), Saoirse Ronan (as Abigail Williams), and Ciaran Hinds (as Deputy-Governor Danforth).

Break A Leg Productions kicks off its Historically Speaking series with a staged reading of The Brother. Written by John Hancock and Dorothy Tristan and based on the book by New York Times reporter Sam Roberts, The Brother looks at the case of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg from the viewpoint of Ethel's brother David Greenglass. The reading will take place on Monday, September 28 at 6:30pm at The Unity Center of New York City, located at 213 West 58th Street (between 7th Avenue and Broadway).

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin today announced details of the world premiere of Donald Fowler's musical CREEP. The musical will open WaterTower Theatre's 2015-2016 Season on Monday, October 5, 2015 (with previews on Friday, October 2, Saturday, October 3, and a Gala Preview performance on Sunday, October 4). Kate Galvin, Associate Producer at the 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia, will direct. CREEP is produced by Terry Martin.

The Play Company (PlayCo), led by Founding Producer Kate Loewald and Executive Producer Lauren Weigel celebrates its 15th Anniversary season with programming that exemplifies its unique commitment to premiering plays from around the world, including the U.S., to advance a dynamic, international experience of contemporary theater as part of the American repertoire.

Theatre Y presents "An Impressive Presentation of Lovely Evidences: Underneath the Lintel" by Glen Berger, at various locations in Chicago, opening September 19, 2015. "Lovely Evidences," directed by Melissa Lorraine with Assistant Direction from Jordan Matthew Walsh, featuring Darren Hill, previews on September 18 at Theatre Y (entrance via side alley at 2649 N Francisco), press opening September 19 at Covenant Presbyterian Church (2012 W Dickens Ave); show runs every Monday, ongoing, with "flash mob" performances at locations to be announced weekly. For more information, visitTheatre-Y.com.

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre 2015-2016 Revelations Season kicks off with the regional premiere of Lynn Nottage's biting satire about racial stereotyping in Hollywood: BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK.  By The Way, Meet Vera Stark will have 15 performances, including one preview, tonight, August 27, through September 20, 2015, at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward, CA.

The Public Theater announced complete casting today for the world premiere of BARBECUE, written by Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara. Directed by Kent Gash, BARBECUE begins previews on Tuesday, September 22 and runs through Sunday, November 1, with an official press opening on Thursday, October 8.

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2015 season with groundbreaking playwright Charles Ludlam's high-camp homage to the horror genre, The Mystery of Irma Vep. Directed by Jonathan Moscone in his final production as Cal Shakes Artistic Director, and featuring Danny Scheie and Liam Vincent, The Mystery of Irma Vep plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from tonight, August 12 through September 6.

Synetic Company Member Kathy Gordon was born in Oxford, England and grew up among the places that inspired Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. The actress now brings her childhood familiarity with that world to the title character in Synetic Theater's 2015/16 season opener Alice in Wonderland.

The Douglas Morrisson Theatre 2015-2016 Revelations Season kicks off with the regional premiere of Lynn Nottage's biting satire about racial stereotyping in Hollywood: BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK.  By The Way, Meet Vera Stark will have 15 performances, including one preview, August 27 through September 20, 2015, at the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, 22311 N. Third St. in Hayward, CA.

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 2015 season with groundbreaking playwright Charles Ludlam's high-camp homage to the horror genre, The Mystery of Irma Vep. Directed by Jonathan Moscone in his final production as Cal Shakes Artistic Director, and featuring Danny Scheie and Liam Vincent, The Mystery of Irma Vep plays at the Bruns Amphitheater from August 12 through September 6.

The brand-new Lexington Theatre Company is thrilled to announce that casting is complete for its inaugural production of 42nd Street. Tony Award Winner Karen Ziemba, will play Dorothy Brock, alongside other Broadway veterans and up-and-coming actors. 42nd Street is presented by Variety Live at The Opera House with Co-Producing Sponsor Kentucky One Health, and runs tonight, July 23, through July 26 at the Lexington Opera House.

Renowned theatre-makers Mike Pearson and Mike Brookes, celebrated for their recent, large-scale interpretations of Aeschylus' The Persians and Shakespeare's and Brecht's Coriolan/us with National Theatre Wales, will bring their trademark vision to this multimedia staging of Christopher Logue's filmic poem War Music, derived from Homer's account of the last years of the Trojan War.

In the opulent drawing room of the Presidential Palace, a Western photojournalist awaits the return of the dictator. She is here to take his portrait. The dictator's wife, her best friend and an interpreter wait with her. Prada shoes, vodka glasses and light fingers tap out the time. He is late, very late…