Playbill.com : News

Today In Theatre History: NOVEMBER 21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

1694 Birthday of French author Fran�ois Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire (1694-1778) whose satirical novel "Candide" served as source material for the 1956 Leonard Bernstein/Lillian Hellman/Dorothy Parker musical.

Broadway's Cat On a Hot Tin Roof Begins Performances in West End

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

The 2008 Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, which featured an African-American cast led by James Earl Jones as Big Daddy and Phylicia Rashad as Big Mama, begins performances Nov. 21 at the West End's Novello Theatre, prior to an official opening Dec. 1, for a limited run to April 10. Jones and Rashad reprise their roles.

Jarcho Uncovers U.S. History in American Treasure, the Latest From 13P, Nov. 21-Dec. 12

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

The world premiere of playwright Julia Jarcho's American Treasure begins performances at The Paradise Factory in Manhattan Nov. 21.

Sweet Charity Begins Performances at London's Menier Chocolate Factory Nov. 21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

The Menier Chocolate Factory's new production of the classic 1966 Broadway musical Swseet Charity begins performances Nov. 21 prior to an official opening Dec. 2, for a run through March 7, 2010. Tamzin Othwaite plays Charity Hope Valentine in a cast that also Josefina Gabrielle, Tiffany Graves, Paul J. Medford, Ebony Molina and Mark Umbers.

Blackhurst's Merman Tribute Returns to Snapple Theater Nov. 21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

Following a sold-out engagement earlier this year, Klea Blackhurst returns to the Snapple Theater Nov. 21 with her critically acclaimed Ethel Merman tribute, Everything the Traffic Will Allow: The Songs and Sass of Ethel Merman.

Best of Both Worlds, A Soulful Winter's Tale, Begins A.R.T. Run Nov. 21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

Gregg Baker, Jeanette Bayardelle and Mary Bond Davis star in Best of Both Worlds, the contemporary gospel retelling of Shakespeare's Winter's Tale, which begins performances at the American Repertory Theater beginning Nov. 21.

:nv:s:ble Play, a Workplace Comedy, Premieres in Philly

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

Philadelphia Theatre Workshop, devoted to new works by local writers, begins its sixth season Nov. 21 with the world premiere of Alex Dremann's dark comedy The :nv:s:ble Play.

PLAYBILL ON OPENING NIGHT: In the Next Room or the vibrator play � Mrs. Givings' Misgivings

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:11 GMT

In the Next Room or the vibrator play, the Sarah Ruhl play that bowed Nov. 19 at the Lyceum Theatre, wavers between comedy and drama over the trials and errors of Victorian sex therapy.

Marino, Tolivar, Arnold and Lemmler to Star in New Orleans' White Christmas

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:13 GMT

Kasey Marino, Julie Tolivar, Rich Arnold and Ashley Lemmler will bring snow to the Big Easy in the classic holiday musical Irving Berlin's White Christmas at Le Petit Theatre.

New Dreamgirls Will Be Mounted Internationally

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:56 GMT

The sleek revival of Dreamgirls, which is currently premiering at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem prior to a U.S. national tour, will be staged in London, South Africa and Australia.

"Nine" Soundtrack to Receive Dec. 15 Digital Release; Track Listing Announced

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:44 GMT

The soundtrack to the Rob Marshall helmed film adaptation of Maury Yeston's Tony Award-winning musical "Nine" will be released digitally Dec. 15.

Producer Whitten Plans to Bring Enter Laughing to Broadway

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:22 GMT

Enter Laughing, a recent hit for the York Theatre Company, is aiming for a Broadway bow during the 2010-11 season, according to the New York Times.

ABC & SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares Benefit Set for March 2010

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:59 GMT

ABC & SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares, ABC-TV's annual fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will be presented at Town Hall in Manhattan March 21, 2010, according to the BC/EFA website.

PHOTO CALL: Orphans' Home Cycle Part One Opens at the Signature

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:43 GMT

The first installment of Horton Foote's nine-play Orphans' Home Cycle opened at Off-Broadway's Signature Theatre Nov. 19.

Elizabeth Marvel Is "Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women" in PBS Documentary

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:27 GMT

Stage actress Elizabeth Marvel will star in the biographical documentary "Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women," which is slated to premiere on PBS' American Masters.

PHOTO CALL: In the Next Room or the vibrator play Opens on Broadway

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:58 GMT

Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or the vibrator play officially opened at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre Nov. 19.

Vereen, Parke, Jelks, Martin and Masur Cast in Fetch Clay World Premiere

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46 GMT

Complete casting has been announced for the world premiere of Will Power's Fetch Clay, Make Man, which will begin performances at the McCarter Theatre Center Jan. 8, 2010.

Tony Administration Committee to Assemble in December

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:26 GMT

The Tony Awards Administration Committee will assemble for the first time during the 2009-2010 season Dec. 10, according to a Tony Awards spokesperson.

Off-Broadway-Aimed Baseball Musical National Pastime to Receive NYC Reading

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:49 GMT

The Algonquin Theater will present an industry reading of the new musical comedy National Pastime, a tale of a fictional baseball team who draws the attention of Life Magazine.

ActorCrafts! Fair of Broadway Goodies Will Return Nov. 21

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:47 GMT

Broadway actors will showcase their crafty sides at the 6th annual ActorCrafts! fair Nov. 21 at the Holy Cross School in Midtown Manhattan.

Horman and Serafini Will Join Jones, Cassidy and Luker for "The Music of The Music Man" Concert

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:25 GMT

Additional casting has been announced for "The Music of The Music Man" concerts Nov. 27-28 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

PHOTO CALL: A Tale of Two Cities Returns in Concert Staging on PBS

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:51 GMT

A concert staging of the Broadway musical A Tale of Two Cities, filmed in England last June, will appear on PBS in the coming weeks, to be followed by a DVD and cast album release.

Callaway, Strouse, Winther and More Will Perform at Kaufman Center Benefit

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:11 GMT

An evening benefiting Kaufman Center's Theater Wing will be presented Nov. 22 at a brownstone in Manhattan's Upper West Side.

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, Nov. 14-20: It's All Good

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:05 GMT

Playwrights deceased and long-honored, and young and rising, were praised to the skies this week.

Baayork Lee Will Stage Flower Drum Song Revision in Chicago; DC and Shanghai Visits Planned

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:55 GMT

Columbia College Chicago's Center for Asian Arts and Media will produce the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song in summer 2010.

Chanler-Berat, Colella, Cooper, Dixon, Doyle, Kitt and More Set for Holiday Benefit Concert

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38 GMT

A host of theatre artists will take part in an upcoming holiday concert to benefit Urban Stages' Outreach Program.

PHOTO CALL: The Sound of Music Celebrates 50 Years

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:34 GMT

A host of theatre artists took part in a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, Nov. 16 at the Barnes & Noble at Broadway and 66th Street in Manhattan.

Night Devine: An Audience with Loretta Devine to Play Upright Cabaret

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:58 GMT

Loretta Devine, who was part of the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls, will debut a new solo show next month at the Upright Cabaret in California.

Green Day to Record New Version of Hit Song with American Idiot Cast

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:33 GMT

The rock band Green Day is currently in the studio recording a new version of their hit single "21 Guns." That song is the second single from Green Day's gold album "21st Century Breakdown."

"Oprah Winfrey Show" to End Run in 2011

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:05 GMT

After 25 years, talk-show host, actress and Color Purple producer Oprah Winfrey will end her stint as the host of the Emmy-winning "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

London's Billy Elliot Extends Booking to December 2010; New Billy Joins

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30 GMT

The original London production of Billy Elliot, which received its world premiere at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in May 2005, has extended booking through Dec. 18, 2010. The show is also currently at Broadway's Imperial Theatre, and has also played in Australia in both Melbourne and Sydney.

DIVA TALK: She Said/He Said with Girl Crazy's Becki Newton and Chris Diamantopoulos

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:02 GMT

News, views and reviews about the multi-talented women of the musical theatre and the concert/cabaret stage.

Foster, Mazzie, Ranson and Damiano Head Carrie Reading in NYC Nov. 20

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:01 GMT

Carrie, the short-lived 1988 cult musical about a teenage girl with telekinesis who takes revenge on her high school tormenters, is resurrected for a starry staged reading in Manhattan Nov. 20.

Today in Theatre History: NOVEMBER 20

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

1922 The Lucky One is the brother who doesn't get the girl in this A.A. Milne play. Staged at the Theatre Guild by Theodore Komisarjevksy with a cast including Dennis King, Romney Brent, and Helen Westley.

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!": A Christmas Story, The Musical! Begins World Premiere Run

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

A Christmas Story, The Musical!, conjuring the frosted magic of a classic 1940s holiday, gets its world premiere at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre beginning Nov. 20-Dec. 27.

LaCause Is El Gallo in Arena Fantasticks, Set in an Amusement Park, Starting Nov. 20

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00 GMT

Arena Stage's new production of The Fantasticks, directed by rising American director Amanda Dehnert, who places the musical in the world of an abandoned amusement park, begins previews Nov. 20 in Washington, DC.

Sidney Howard's Late Christopher Bean, a Praised "Find," Extended Off-Broadway

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:34 GMT

The rare New York City revival of Sidney Howard's 1932 comedy The Late Christopher Bean, a satire of greedy small-town folk and corrupt art-world personalities, will get six extra performances Off-Broadway.

Intiman Will Stage Ruined, Paradise Lost and Scarlet Letter in 2010

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:42 GMT

Kate Whoriskey will repeat her directorial duties for the West Coast premiere of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer Prize-winning Ruined, which will be part of the 2010 season at Seattle's Intiman Theatre.

Chase and Hart to Offer Final Performances of Shells at Joe's Pub

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:24 GMT

Nick Chase and Roslyn Hart will offer their final performances of their hit comedy/cabaret show Shells Nov. 22 and Dec. 20 at Joe's Pub.

PHOTO CALL: City Center Encores! Goes Girl Crazy

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:44 GMT

The Gershwin musical Girl Crazy receives a concert staging at City Center Encores! Nov. 19-22. Jerry Zaks directs the 1930 classic.