Reasons to be Pretty Happy - Off-Broadway Articles Page 3

In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, the political controversy surrounding the release of The Interview, and continued suppression of plays, books, and art in American schools, libraries and museums, the battle for freedom of speech and expression is more essential than ever. Planet Connections Theatre Festivity will present an evening of world premiere plays by Erik Ehn, Halley Feiffer, Israel Horovitz and Neil LaBute addressing censorship in the arts in Playwrights for a Cause, to be held at 7:30pm on June 14, 2015 at the Sheen Center, located at 18 Bleecker Street.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey and William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) presents its annual gala,Miscast 2015 Gala, to be held Monday, March 30, 2015 at The Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center (311 West 34th Street). Miscast 2015 will honor two bold and fearless women: Emmy® & Golden Globe® nominated stage and screen actress Sarah Paulson and Tony® Award-winning producer Fran Weissler.

Guys, guys, listen up, I have an announcement to make! Are you ready? Brace yourselves, here it is: After tonight's episode, there are only three more episodes left in BETTER CALL SAUL'S innaugural season. I know, it's hard to believe. It feels like it just premiered yesterday. Let's take a moment to allow that to sink in.

The Colony Theatre will present the fourth production of its historic 40th Anniversary season, the West Coast Premiere of THE ROAD TO APPOMATTOX by Catherine Bush, directed by Brian Shnipper. THE ROAD TO APPOMATTOX will preview on Wednesday, February 11; Thursday, February 12; and Friday, February 13 at 8:00pm. It will open on Saturday, February 14 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, March 15.

MCC THEATER has announced complete casting for the New York premiere of Jennifer Haley's The Nether directed by Anne Kaufman. Ben Rosenfield, memorably of the final two seasons of "Boardwalk Empire," and rising talent Sophia Anne Caruso will take on the roles of Woodnut and Iris, respectively. As previously announced, The Nether will also star "Nurse Jackie" Emmy Award winner Merritt Wever, New York theater veteran Peter Friedman and Tony Award winner Frank Wood.

The new independent film TAKE CARE stars Leslie Bibb and Thomas Sadoski. Since 1998, Sadoski has been one of the most reliable performers in the New York theatre community, being seen in world premieres by Lucy Thurber, Rajiv Joseph, Neil LaBute, and and Jon Robin Baitz, amongst many others. He earned a Tony-nom for REASONS TO BE PRETTY, and Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards for the original Off-Broadway production of OTHER DESERT CITIES.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: HONEYMOON IN VEGAS begins performances, BY THE WATER opens off-Broadway, Jennifer Tepper releases 'UNTOLD STORIES' Volume 2, and more!

One of Broadway's brightest stars is heading back to the stage this fall. Tony winner Hugh Jackman will return to Broadway later this month, and fans of the song and dance man are already counting down the days. Jackman just celebrated his birthday yesterday, October 12, and that got us thinking about all of the reasons that we are excited to see Hugh back on Broadway. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a roundup of a mere ten reasons to love Hugh Jackman!

MCC Theater presents the world premiere of MCC Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute's new play, The Money Shot, directed by Terry Kinney, extended due to popular demand now through October 19, 2014. The Money Shot stars Emmy Award nominee Elizabeth Reaser, Golden Globe nominee Callie Thorne, Frederick Weller and Gia Crovatin. The official opening is set for tonight, September 22, 2014. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Exciting. Electric. Exhilarating. Rocking. Phenomenal. All of these words have been used to describe HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH on Broadway. And, one of Broadway's hottest talents is helping to ensure that these adjectives are justified. The incomparably charming and charismatic Tony Award Winner Lena Hall, co-starring as Yitzhak, recently talked to me about her Tony win, HEDWIG, and her band, The Deafening.

I got the chance to talk to Costume Designer Katherine Snider, the woman who helped put the glitz in Stages Repertory Theatre's glitzy and fun production of PETE N' KEELY.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON opens tonight in Williamstown, Cate Blanchett stars in Sydney Theatre's THE MAIDS at Lincoln Center and THE OPPONENT opens off-Broadway, direct from Chicago!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: The National Tour of WICKED welcomes a new 'Glinda' and 'Boq' this evening, Amber Tamblyn takes the stage at the Geffen, Jessica Grove is back in her fins as 'Ariel' in NC, and MY LIFE IS A MUSICAL (don't we all wish?) premieres in Long Island!

Is network news appointment television for you? I didn't think so. Are you constantly angered that ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT only talks about theatre when a Hollywood star joins a cast or someone falls 30 feet to the stage floor? Me too. Well, I have an alternative that just might satisfy your news and theatre cravings; podcasting. Isn't that just what hipsters do between their shift at Starbucks and another trip to the thrift shop? Well, yes and no. I'm sure there is a barista in Portland who is currently recording a missive bemoaning mass media's attempt to co-opt the indie subculture, but most people who do podcasts well are incredibly informed and passionate about their specific topics.

Producers Letty Aronson and Julian Schlossberg present the world premiere production of the brand new musical comedy BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, written by Woody Allen and based on the screenplay by Allen and Douglas McGrath for the 1994 film. Directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY officially opens tonight, April 10, 2014 at The St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

The Bridges of Madison County, the new musical based on the best selling novel by Robert James Waller, opens tonight, February 20, 2014, at 8:00 PM at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Broadway has a lot to be thankful for this year, with 41 productions having opened in 2013 and two more to go before the end of the season. Below, we bring you a classic Thanksgiving table tradition--Broadway style. In the special feature below, BroadwayWorld brings you entries from over 60 of Broadway's brightest stars, who have shared what they are most thankful for this year. Find out why Broadway's elite will be counting their blessings this holiday season below! Find out why Broadway's elite will be counting their blessings this holiday season below!

Profiles Theatre continues its 25th Anniversary Season with the Midwest premiere of Wrecks by Resident Artist Neil LaBute, directed by Guest Artist Jason Gerace and featuring acclaimed Chicago actor John Judd. The production runs October 3 - November 17, 2013 at The Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway.

It's episode 5 of The X Factor and the auditions heat up.

The new Broadway production of Shakespeare's timeless love story ROMEO AND JULIET starring international film star Orlando Bloom, making his Broadway debut opposite two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad, officially opens tonight, Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Let's see what the critics had to say...

MCC Theater's world premiere of MCC Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute's new play, Reasons to Be Happy, also directed by LaBute, closes its extended run today, June 29, 2013. Performances began at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on May 16, 2013. BroadwayWorld takes you through the show's run below!

MCC Theater's Reasons to be Happy, starring Leslie Bibb (Iron Man, ABC's 'GCB') and Jenna Fischer (NBC's 'The Office') making their New York City stage debuts opposite Josh Hamilton (The Coast of Utopia) and Fred Weller (MCC's Still Life and In a Dark Dark House), is Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute's new play, which LaBute will also direct. The show opens tonight, June 11, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and runs through June 23, 2013. Let's see what the critics had to say...

CBS unveiled today its new 2013-2014 schedule, featuring eight new series - five comedies and three dramas - to build on the strength of America's top-rated network. Five of the new series will premiere in the fall and three at mid-season.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009). Tweaking perspectives of truth and interpretation to broach sharp questions about race, love, and manipulation,THIS IS HOW IT GOES, about which the Chicago Tribune raved "Highly recommended! LaBute's play has a lot of sting and nothing is as it seems!" plays June 14 through July 21 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($35-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Closing Aurora Theatre Company's 21st season is the Bay Area Premiere of Neil LaBute's dark, edgy comic drama THIS IS HOW IT GOES, directed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross (A Delicate Balance). Ross helmed LaBute's The Shape of Things, the first LaBute play produced in the Bay Area, in 2003. Featuring Aldo Billingslea (Collapse), Gabriel Marin (Collapse, Jack Goes Boating), and Carrie Paff (A Delicate Balance, Collapse, Betrayal), THIS IS HOW IT GOES presents a one-two punch after LaBute's Fat Pig (staged at Aurora in 2009).