The Clean House Photos - Williamstown, MA (Regional)

Combining a sad Irish mythological tale of four sisters doomed to live together silently as swans on a lake with a modern tale of a modern man suffering in silence from debilitating depression while living alone in a house soon to be lost after the death of his beloved mother on the shore of that same lake, is the essence of the Keegan-Dolan's tale, reminding us to do what it takes to reach the light and joy when the bell rings in our mind and allows us to express the release of negative emotions and let childlike joy enter our lives.

This week I got the opportunity to speak with Eddie Noel on the phone as he wraps up the final 2 weeks of the National Tour of ON YOUR FEET! The Musical, closing in Fort Worth April 10-14th. As the interview began, I was so pleased to find such an easygoing, humble, and joyful person on the other end of the line. Gratitude for the experience of being part of this show just flowed from him- I lost track of the number of times Noel called this opportunity a blessing.

Last night was the premiere of "Who Is James K. Polk?" - a new play by Kevin J. Alcock, and here are the first photos of the production. Directed by Anne Connolly and starring Neal Mayer (Les Miserables on Broadway, American Premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame), this one-person show focuses on the 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk.  The first public performance was at the Teaneck Public Library Stage as the creative team prepares to tour various venues throughout the East coast.

Victory Gardens Theater continues its 43rd season with the World Premiere of Lettie, written by Boo Killebrew and directed by Artistic Director Chay Yew. Lettie runs April 6 - May 6, 2018, with the press performance on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 7:30pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, continues its 2017/18 season with Guess Who's Coming to Dinner by Todd Kreidler (based on the screenplay by William Rose), directed by Marti Lyons with Associate Director Wardell Julius Clark. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner runs March 15 - April 15, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening is Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 8:00pm.

Pegasus Theatre Chicago is proud to announce the authors and plays being presented at the 31st Young Playwrights Festival, Jan. 4 27, 2018 at Pegasus's resident home Chicago Dramatists, 773 N. Aberdeen. Each play is written by high school students and given a staged professional production. The winning productions are performed in tandem Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Previews are Thursday, Jan. 4 Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. each night. Press opening is Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $18 for students, $25 for seniors and $30 for general admission and are available at PegasusTheatreChicago.org or by phone at 866.811.4111.

Critics J. Peter Bergman and Macey Levin once again hosted the ceremony, which saw top honors for Best Play go to the Berkshire Theatre Group's production of David Auburn's Lost Lake, and a tie between Barrington Stage Company's production of Stephen Sondheim's Company and the Mac-Haydn Theatre's production of Hello, Dolly! for Best Musical.

In the tradition of resorting to humour to handle weighty and desperate situations, Conor McPherson's THE NIGHT ALIVE considers the hope that can come from having the right outlook when life keeps throwing setbacks and challenges.

One of the major concerns in attending a return visit by a Broadway touring show is that the production will be a lesser version. Those planning on attending 'Book of Mormon,' now on stage at the State Theatre, should have no fears. This reincarnation is equally good as any of the other versions that have trucked into town. In fact, it is probably better than some of the others.

Gloucester Stage Company continues its 38th season of professional theater on Cape Ann with the world premiere of Jim Frangione's Flight of the Monarch from September 8 through September 30 at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA.

Pear Theatre opens its 16th season with Sarah Ruhl's funny and insightful "In the Next Room, or, the Vibrator Play." Set at the dawn of the age of electricity, this comedy explores how women's issues are addressed in a patriarchal society that rarely gives them credence or consideration. "In the Next Room" is directed by Caroline Clark, and previews on September 7. Press and Opening Night is Friday, September 8, followed by a champagne gala. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays, through October 1. All performances are held at the Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St., Mountain View. Tickets ($10-$35) can be purchased by visiting www.thepear.org or calling(650) 254-1148.

Rehearsals are underway for the Playwrights Horizons New York premiere production of For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday, a new play by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl (Stage Kiss, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Playwrights; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; The Clean House).

Rehearsals are underway for the Playwrights Horizons New York premiere production of For Peter Pan on her 70th Birthday, a new play by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl (Stage Kiss, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Playwrights; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; The Clean House).

LCT's production of How to Transcend a Happy Marriage begins performances on February 23rd at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65th Street). At a dinner party in the wilds of New Jersey, two married couples discuss a younger acquaintance - a polyamorous woman who also hunts her own meat. Fascinated, they invite this mysterious woman and her two live-in boyfriends to a New Year's Eve party, which alters the course of their lives. How to Transcend a Happy Marriage asks: how much love can a twosome contain? What are the limits of friendship, and what happens when parents who have forgotten their own wildness have a wild rumpus all their own?

Annie Baker, who deservedly won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for her play The Flick, was perceived by the awarding committee as one of 'the most impressive dramatists of her generation.' They went on to say she, 'writes with tenderness and keen insight.'

This country is in political and social turmoil. There is a President-elect who appears will win the Electoral College endorsement, while losing the election by a reported 2-million plus votes. There is a rise of xenophobia, the Alt-right, the presence of hate groups, possible destruction of the health care system, while the liberal-left pleads for protection against sexual imposition, women and gay rights, and clean air.

Several weeks ago, in my review of Baldwin Wallace University's production of WEST SIDE STORY I stated, 'BWU's Music Theater program is nationally recognized for its quality, as evidenced by the number of its graduates who have light up the Broadway theater scene and touring productions. Of those in the WEST SIDE STORY cast I stated: 'Broadway bound? Colton Ryan, though not the tall macho leading man type, should find a place on the Great White Way in roles for the young, clean scrubbed type who have big voices.'

Porchlight Music Theatre (PMT) and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the initial production in the fourth season of Chicago's "lost" musicals in staged concert series, Porchlight Revisits The Rink, starring Hollis Resnik and Christine Mild, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and book by Terrence McNally, with direction and choreography by PMT Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik and musical direction by Ryan Brewster.