A Comedy of Women

What is a pro-shot and how is it different than an adapted film? Pro-shot is an abbreviation for professionally shot, denoting a stage play that was captured in its native habitat: a theatre. In general, a pro-shot seeks to film the exact experience that audience members would have at a live performance of the show, in contrast with a feature film which actually adapts the piece into a new form, including different locations, the removal of theatrical aesthetic, and changes to make the script work as a film as opposed to as a live theatrical show.

Fertile Ground 2026 wrapped up last weekend, and on the whole, it was fantastic. I saw 17 shows, which included readings of plays by well-known local playwrights, new works by rising stars, and some fun genre-bending original performances. Here are my notes about the final set. If you missed my first two review roundups, find them here and here.

The 2026 Fertile Ground Festival kicks off on April 10. This annual grab bag of new works is my favorite time in Portland’s theatre calendar because it gives us a chance to see works at various stages of development, from early readings to fully staged world premieres.

For its 2026 season, Chautauqua Opera Company is deepening its commitment to developing new operas while bringing fully staged productions to Chautauqua Institution's Amphitheater.

Opera Saratoga — the Capital Region's only professional opera company — is celebrating its 65th anniversary with its eyes firmly on the future, with a modern new minimalism that makes room for maximum drama.   

Pacific Resident Theatre launches the classic Victorian thriller, Gaslight, adding suspense and intrigue to its current season of world-class entertainment.

Chicago Opera Theater has unveiled its 2025/26 Season. The season centers around three operas never before seen in Chicago and more. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

The Lucille Lortel Theatre has revealed that four new musicals will receive support through the 121 Project, the Lortel's tailored development program for new musical works. Learn more!

The DTES Heart of the City Festival announced its lineup for 2024, featuring over 100 events including music, theatre, and visual arts, celebrating the cultural diversity and artistic talent of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

New shows have been announced at the Watermill for the first half of 2025, as well as the launch of a new free to join scheme: 16-30: Beginners which gives young people access to £10 tickets and other discounts to selected shows. 

Paul Vasterling, the longtime CEO and artistic director of Nashville Ballet, makes his debut as a director of musical theater with his revival of Cabaret – which he also choreographs – in a much-heralded and eagerly anticipated production for Franklin-based Studio Tenn. The timely and sumptuous revival allows audiences an opportunity to consider the prescience of the classic Broadway musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb that debuted in 1966 and which has continued to fascinate and challenge artists of the theater the world over almost 60 years later.

Experience the continuation of CARNEGIE HALL's FALL OF THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC: DANCING ON THE PRECIPICE festival this spring.

Carnegie Hall has revealed a schedule of 100+ events for the Weimar Festival, January-May 2024.

Theatre Arlington unveils its exciting lineup for the 2024 season, featuring a diverse range of productions that promise to captivate audiences. Don't miss out on the incredible shows coming to Theatre Arlington next year!

Harlequin Productions' 2024 Season was revealed on Saturday, August 19, during the Season 33 Announcement at the State Theater in downtown Olympia. The night featured live music by local band Sugar and the Spitfires, with a presentation hosted by Eleise Moore and Producing Artistic Director Aaron Lamb.

Irish Repertory Theatre (Charlotte Moore, Artistic Director; Ciarán O'Reilly, Producing Director) will present The Friel Project, a retrospective of the work of renowned Irish playwright Brian Friel, to take place from October 2023 through May 2024.

Sierra Madre Playhouse will present The Camera Is Ours, a silent film festival featuring films before and after the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment (1920).

The Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center is announcing the full lineup of rare cinema and special guests to be featured at the inaugural Library of Congress Festival of Film and Sound. The new four-day film festival will be held June 15-18 in association with the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center at the American Film Institute's beautifully restored 1938 art deco theater in Silver Spring, Maryland.

As rehearsals begin, the Menier Chocolate Factory has announced full casting for the world première of the new musical, The Third Man. Learn more about who is starring in the show here!

As public booking opens, the Menier Chocolate Factory has announced initial casting for the world première of the new musical, The Third Man. Learn more about who will be starring in the show here!

Blackfriars Theatre has announced its 2023-2024 Season, commemorating 74 years of locally-produced theatre in downtown Rochester, NY! The 74th Season boasts a powerhouse line-up of entertaining and engaging stories, transporting audiences from pristine 18th century estates of French artistocrats to the seedy underground nightclubs of 1930s Germany.

Throughout Women’s History Month this March, many Chicago theatres are presenting productions that encourage and celebrate the vital role of women in American history.

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has announced Its Autumn/Winter 2023-24 season. Learn more about the full lineup here!

Discover the story behind one of the greatest musicals in history as we dive deep into the history of Broadway's longest-running American musical, John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse's, 'Chicago.'

Joe's Pub has announced upcoming programming, featuring Alysha Umphress’ Solo Show, Mary Bridget Davies Embodying Virginia Woolf, Broadway en Spanglish, Sounds of the Swana Region from The Habibi Festival, AzN PoP!, and more.