Two Jews, Talking - Off-Broadway Articles Page 6

As previously announced, Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, opens its 2017/18 season with the World Premiere of TREVOR the musical.

Brad Zimmerman is bringing his highly praised solo show My Son The Waiter:  A Jewish Tragedy to 7 Stages Theatre from May 18-June 18. 

Whether it's seeing Matt Logan as King Arthur galumphing around onstage, as if astride a horse with Garris Wimmer not far behind providing the necessary sound effects with two halves of one empty coconut shell, or watching Jake Speck, as a feckless wannabe Knight of the Round Table, crap his pants anytime he hears a threatening sound or encounters the menacing Black Knight (or anyone else who might say 'boo' to the goose who is Sir Robin), or any other manner of zany characters who find themselves right smack in the middle of the most ridiculous of situations - Monty Python's Spamalot, now in an altogether splendid production from Studio Tenn, will supply you with plenty of laughs and/or the fodder to keep you amusingly sated until the next time you need a good guffaw or two.

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) concludes its 50th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of MARY JANE by Amy Herzog, directed by Anne Kauffman, April 28 through May 20 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is Friday, May 5.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts continues its star-packed 25th anniversary season in January 2017 with more than two-dozen amazing productions from a Broadway smash hit to comedy superstars, from musical legends to fascinating lectures.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, present Other People's Money, by Jerry Sterner, directed by Marc Bruni from tonight, November 23, through December 18 on the Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck Theatre.

Irish Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal, by Laoisa Sexton. Directed by Alan Cox (Black Snow), THE PIGEON IN THE Taj Mahal begins performances tonight, November 16, 2016 at Irish Rep Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) in the W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre and officially opens on November 27, running through December 31, 2016.

Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, present Other People's Money, by Jerry Sterner, directed by Marc Bruni from November 23 through December 18 on the Claire Tow Stage in the C. Newton Schenck Theatre.

Alfred Uhry's second play, THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, is a Tony award winner for Best Play that is another exploration into the lives of Jewish southerners. Uhry first introduced this society in his Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Driving Miss Daisy. The setting and plot was developed from his own experiences growing up in a southern Jewish family, as well as from stories he heard as a child. The Ballyhoo of the title is a sort of German-Jewish debutante ball. At heart a humorous look back at a time long gone, the play is also an exploration of Jewish identity and the power of prejudice inflicted on Jews by other Jews. Uhry has deftly interwoven this theme into his story of the privileged world of the Levy / Freitag families. The Levy / Freitag families live in a big home in one of Atlanta's finest neighborhoods. They belong to an elite country club. Their daughters attend prestigious private schools. Even a Christmas tree in their window, however, doesn't change the fact that they are Jews living in a mostly Christian society. German-Jews such as the Levys and Freitags look down on "the other kind", which are the Eastern European Jews. While exploring the self hatred and class consciousness of anti-Semitism, Uhry's serious message is beautifully wrapped in witty banter, comedic moments, and colorfully comedic characters and characterizations.

Although '27'--the opera by Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek about the lives of Stein, Alice B. Toklas, and their circle of friends--had its world premiere at the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) in 2014, its upcoming performances at City Center in New York, on October 20-21, are a debut of a different color. As part of the 75th anniversary season of MasterVoices, formerly The Collegiate Chorale, 27 has had some interesting changes since the performances seen in St. Louis.

Irish Repertory Theatre has announced complete casting for the world premiere of THE PIGEON IN THE TAJ MAHAL, by Laoisa Sexton.

His day job is as associate justice of the Second District, Division Six of the California Courts of Appeal, but Steve Perren's passion for the stage has seen him appear in a variety of shows in Ventura County over the years. He played founding father Roger Sherman in Cabrillo Music Theatre's 2012 production of 1776 and has also appeared in numerous operettas staged by the Ventura County Gilbert and Sullivan Repertoire Company. In Panic! Productions' Parade, currently playing at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Perren is ideally suited for the part of Judge Leonard S. Roan, who presides over the trial of accused child murderer Leo Frank. Parade deals with the real-life arrest and trial of Frank (played by Joshua Finkel), a Georgia factory superintendent who was accused of murdering 13-year-old factory worker Mary Phagan in 1913. We sat down with Steve during a break in rehearsals for the show, and talked about his unique perspective as an actor who also shares the occupation of the character he portrays.

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few and tell us what you really think.

Joe's Pub at The Public has announced its nightly shows, running August 17-28. Scroll down for details!

Over 70 productions of local and international artists representing six continents - North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia -- will visit the stages of La MaMa during the 2016-17 season, the company's 55th year of presenting world-class experimental music, theater and dance, it has been announced by Mia Yoo, La MaMa's Artistic Director.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF), previously known as The New York Musical Theatre Festival, has announced that they have partnered with The ASCAP Foundation, The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), and SDC Foundation to curate three panel conversations with industry professionals, aimed at providing more insight into the musical development process.

Capital Stage is proud to announce its 2016-17 Season: Love & War. Capital Stage's 12th Season, and Michael Stevenson's inaugural Season as Producing Artistic Director, explores the fierce human struggle to connect - and the turbulent forces that keep us apart. These unique stories will include Capital Stage's 3rd National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, a Pulitzer Prize and 5 time Tony Award Winner, 4 Sacramento Premieres and two theatre classics.

Primary Stages announced their upcoming 32nd Season on March 14 at a champagne reception celebrating the Centennial of the birth of late Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Primary Stages collaborator, Horton Foote.

Desert Ensemble Theatre (DETC), in Palm Springs, is presenting ENDANGERED SPECIES, a richly layered work written by founder and producing artistic director Tony Padilla. Mr. Padilla directs a fine ensemble cast that does justice to the difficult material in this unsettling play.

Roundabout Theatre Company's Noises Off officially opens tonight, January 14, 2016. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, March 6, 2016, on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway. Scroll down to learn more about the cast and watch interviews with the company!

Yale Repertory Theatre opens its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of INDECENT, a new play with music, written by Paula Vogel, created by Paula Vogel and Rebecca Taichman, and directed by Rebecca Taichman, at the University Theatre (222 York Street), now through October 24. Opening Night is tonight, October 8. The world premiere of INDECENT is a co-production with La Jolla Playhouse, where it will play November 13-December 10.

Westport Country Playhouse will commemorate the centennial year of playwright Arthur Miller (1915-2005) with one of his last works, BROKEN GLASS, helmed by Playhouse artistic director Mark Lamos, playing tonight, October 6 - 24. Set in 1938 Brooklyn at the time of Nazi Germany's Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass), the powerful drama incites a dangerous game of concealment, suspicion, and lies.

Yale Repertory Theatre opens its 2015-16 season with the world premiere of INDECENT, a new play with music, written by Paula Vogel, created by Paula Vogel and Rebecca Taichman, and directed by Rebecca Taichman, at the University Theatre (222 York Street), tonight, October 2, through October 24. Opening Night is Thursday, October 8. The world premiere of INDECENT is a co-production with La Jolla Playhouse, where it will play November 13-December 10.

Westport Country Playhouse will commemorate the centennial year of playwright Arthur Miller (1915-2005) with one of his last works, BROKEN GLASS, helmed by Playhouse artistic director Mark Lamos, playing October 6 - 24. Set in 1938 Brooklyn at the time of Nazi Germany's Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass), the powerful drama incites a dangerous game of concealment, suspicion, and lies.