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Theater News THEATER NEWS 6/06/14 2014 LILLY AWARDS WINNERS AND PRESENTERS ANNOUNCED
5TH ANNUAL LILLY AWARDS CEREMONY SET FOR MONDAY, JUNE 2ND AT PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS
AWARDS CELEBRATE AND HONOR WOMEN OF DISTINCTION IN AMERICAN THEATER
FEMALE AUTHORS OF “WICKED,” “FROZEN” AND “RAISIN IN THE SUN” TO BE HONORED
New York, NY -- (May 16, 2014) The 2014 winners of the Lilly Awards, honoring women of distinction in American theater, were announced today by the Lilly Awards Foundation. The winners will be celebrated at the 5th Annual Lilly Awards Ceremony set for Monday, June 2, 2014 beginning at 5 p.m. at Playwrights Horizons (416 W 42nd Street, NYC).
Three female honorees are authors of the most profitable and remarkable works of theatrical entertainment in a decade. Winnie Holzman (book writer of the Tony Award-winning musical Wicked) will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, a Lilly Award will be presented to Kristen Anderson-Lopez (co-composer of Disney’s Oscar-winning film Frozen, currently being developed for the Broadway stage), and the cast of the current critically acclaimed production of Broadway’s Raisin in the Sun will honor the life of the play’s author Lorraine Hansberry.
Following the ceremony, surprise guests and honorees will perform in a cabaret, celebrating women of distinction in musical theater at the West Bank Cafe (407 W 42nd Street, NYC).
The Lilly Awards were started in the Spring of 2010 as a way to honor the work of women in the American Theater. The founders of The Lilly Awards, or The Lillys as they affectionately refer to them, are Julia Jordan, Marsha Norman and Theresa Rebeck. The awards are named for Lillian Hellman, a pioneering American playwright who famously said “You need to write like the devil and act like one when necessary.” The awards continue in the tradition of her spirit and annually honor the work of women in the American Theater.
2014 Lilly Award Winners
Kristen Anderson-Lopez Susan Bernfield Johanna Day Winnie Holzman Joyce Ketay Mary Mitchell Campbell Rebecca Naomi Jones Dominique Morrisseau Kelli O'Hara Jen Silverman Jeanine Tesori Liesl Tommy
2014 Lilly Award Presenters
Neena Beber John Doyle Branden Jacobs Jenkins Julia Jordan Anne Kaufman Lisa Kron Tony Kushner Kwame Kwei-Armah Justin Levine Audra McDonald Marsha Norman Steven Pasquale Stephen Schwartz Stacey Mindich will present a special award of $25,000 to fund a new work by a female playwright. Parsons, Lynne Meadow, Ntozake Shange, Jessica Hecht and Lois Smith.
For additional information about the Lilly Awards (including a list of all past recipients), visit www.thelillyawards.org.
MCC THEATER ANNOUNCES COMPLETE 2014-2015 SEASON THRILLING
NEW WORKS BY New York, NY – MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) is pleased to announce its four-show 2014-15 Main Stage Season, which runs Fall 2014 through Summer 2015. All productions will be staged at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). This announcement comes on the heels of one of MCC’s most acclaimed seasons yet, which began in Fall 2013 with the New York premiere of John Pollono’s Small Engine Repair and continued with the Off-Broadway premiere of Robert Askins’ Hand to God. The final production of MCC’s 2013-14 Season, Penelope Skinner’s The Village Bike starring Greta Gerwig and directed by Sam Gold, has its North American debut beginning May 22, 2014. For more information on MCC Theater, please visit www.mcctheater.org. The MCC Theater 2014-15 Main Stage Season includes: Sept 3 – Oct 12 / World Premiere THE MONEY SHOT by Neil LaBute directed by Terry Kinney Oct 29 – Dec 7 / New York Premiere PUNK ROCK by Simon Stephens directed by Trip Cullman Feb 4 – Mar 15 / New York Premiere THE NETHER by Jennifer Haley directed by Anne Kaufman
THE GUERRILLA SHAKESPEARE PROJECT PRESENTS AND TO THE REPUBLIC THE ROMAN PLAYS RECONSTRUCTED PERFORMANCES BEGIN SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2014 (New York – April 23, 2014) On the day of the Bard’s 450th birthday, The Guerrilla Shakespeare Project announces AND TO THE REPUBLIC, a modern political thriller created and inspired by reconstructing Shakespeare’s famous Roman plays - Julius Caesar, Antony & Cleopatra, and Coriolanus – like never seen before. Directed by Geordie Broadwater (Brack’s Last Bachelor Party, You May Go Now).AND TO THE REPUBLIC officially opens on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the WorkShop’s Main Stage (312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor) and runs through Saturday, June 7, 2014. Tickets are available at www.guerrillashakespeare.org. Our American republic has weathered political strife, assassinations, even a civil war - but what if the conspiracy came from the top? It happened in Rome on March 15th, 44 BCE, and the most powerful country on earth –a republic that had endured for more than 400 years – slipped in the waiting arms of an empire. The Guerrilla Shakespeare Project takes Shakespeare’s version of that infamous moment in history – as told in Julius Caesar, Antony & Cleopatra, and Coriolanus – and strips them down before rebuilding them from the ground up to examine the ramifications of the assassination of a President by setting original text against a contemporary 24-hour news cycle. AND TO THE REPUBLIC stars Tiffany Baker, Jordan Kaplan, Madeleine Maby, Jordan Reeves, Jacques Roy, and Tom Schwans and features lighting design by Melissa Mizell, costume design by Lea Reeves, and sound design by Dana Haynes and David Are. fOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:www.guerrillashakespeare.org
NYC Haunt Holdings, LLC The Team Behind the Lauded Nightmare Haunted House Franchise Presents TRAPPED NYC Opening Friday, June 13th, 2014
May 28th, 2014 – NYC Haunt Holdings, LLC, on the heels of the critically acclaimed KILLERS and KILLERS2 haunted attractions, is proud to announce their next immersive theatrical experience: TRAPPED NYC. This is a live-action escape room where audiences are locked in a room and have to solve a series of clues to find the keys that get you out. The inaugural rooms – “House Arrest” and “Project: Puppet” open Friday, June 13th. Tickets on sale in advance only! For reservations and more information go to www.TrappedNYC.com.
Over the past few years thousands upon thousands of players have tested their mettle in real life escape rooms, a narrative puzzle adventure that puts its players in a race against the clock to identify and solve a series of increasingly challenging puzzles. Starting this summer, NYC Haunt Holdings, the producer of Nightmare Haunted House wants to create the most captivating real life gaming experience out there, TRAPPED NYC. In their game, players will pay to be locked inside a themed room with only a few clues to help them escape. TRAPPED NYC will continue the Nightmare team’s unique theatricality and visceral scenarios and challenge participants to escape from a specially designed locked room in an action-packed 60 minutes utilizing logic, math, common sense, probability, teamwork, wit and a dash of physical skill. With scenarios and sets straight out of Hollywood, TRAPPED NYC will give participants the chance to try their luck in real life video games. Luckily for them, they won't be alone, as up to 10 others can join them on their adventure. The goal is simple: search for clues, solve the riddles, and most importantly escape the room - before it's too late! “Project: Puppet” has you locked in a room teeming with a variety of puppets. But don’t worry; they are all there to help you. Well, most of them anyway. Solve a clue and they will give you another. We hope you don’t have pediophobia because they are your salvation. You have an hour to escape or they’ll be your only friends forever! In “House Arrest” you will be trapped in what feels like your typical NYC apartment: small, intimate and full of roommates (your fellow puzzlers). You usually just feel trapped inside your NYC home, but now you are for real! In this cramped city dwelling you will have to solve puzzles just to access the bathroom, look in the refrigerator, or to watch TV…oh, and to leave! You only have an hour to get out or else I hope you like the paint job; you’ll be staring at it for a very long time.
Trapped NYC opens June 13th for an open-ended run. At first there will be multiple times on a Thursday-Sunday schedule and will expand to additional weekdays. Current schedule and ticket prices can all be found on www.TrappedNYC.com THE MAMA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS WILL CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY AT ITS SECOND ANNUAL GALA BENEFITTING THE GOSPEL FOR TEENS MUSIC PROGRAM FROM THE EMMY AWARD- WINNING "60 MINUTES" STORY MAMA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS’ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR VY HIGGINSEN WILL HONOR TWO-TIME GRAMMY WINNING GOSPEL LEGEND CISSY HOUSTON AT THE EVENT LESLEY STAHL, NATE BERKUS AND JEREMIAH BRENT, DIONNE WARWICK, ANN TRIPP, WALT CLYDE FRAZIER Monday, June 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM At St. Martin’s Cathedral in Harlem (230 Lenox Avenue at 122nd Street) 70TH ANNUAL THEATRE WORLD AWARD CEREMONY SET FOR MONDAY, JUNE 2ND AT CIRCLE IN THE SQUARE 12 HONOREES NAMED FOR OUTSTANDING BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY DEBUT PLUS 6TH ANNUAL DOROTHY LOUDON AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER TO BE HONORED WITH JOHN WILLIS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT 2014 Theatre World Award Winners Paul Chahidi, Twelfth Night, or What You Will Nick Cordero, Bullets over Broadway Mary Bridget Davies, A Night with Janis Joplin Sarah Greene, The Cripple of Inishmaan) Rebecca Hall, Machinal Ramin Karimloo, Les Misérables Zachary Levi, First Date Chris O'Dowd, Of Mice and Men Sophie Okonedo, A Raisin in the Sun Lauren Worsham, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder2014 Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater Winner Outstanding Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production Celia Keenan-Bolger for her performance as Laura in The Glass Menagerie 2014 John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Winner Christopher Plummer For additional information about the Theatre World Awards (including a list of past recipients), visit www.theatreworldawards.org.
PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL TOP ITEMS FOR ITS 2014 SPECIAL ONLINE AUCTION
Walk-on role in Broadway’s “Chicago”! Jonathan Groff calls you as Kristoff from “Frozen”! Broadway tickets with meet & greets with cast members including “The Realistic Joneses” star Marisa Tomei & “The Bridges of Madison County” star Kelli O’Hara And unique celebrity experiences with Dominic Fumusa, Jessica Hecht & Cristin Milioti!
Bids being accepted now through Monday, April 28 at 8PM online at www.biddingforgood.com/playwrightshorizons
NEW YORK, NY – Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) has announced additional top items for the 2014 edition of its popular, annual online auction. Bidding for the auction, which features an eclectic array of items and unique opportunities continues at www.biddingforgood/playwrightshorizons now through Monday, April 28 at 8PM.
Celebrating its 43rd Anniversary Season, Playwrights Horizons is one of New York’s most prized non-profit theater companies. Proceeds from the Auction benefit the company’s six annual productions and programs, the development of new work, access to the arts for all and training the next generation of theater managers and artists. A writer’s theater dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers and lyricists, it has presented the work of over 400 writers. It has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, now including 6 Pulitzer Prizes, with the just-announced 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama being awarded to Annie Baker’s The Flick, which had its World Premiere at Playwrights Horizons in March 2013.
The categories for Playwrights Horizons’ Online Auction include Celebrity Events, Unique Experiences, Travel Getaways, Memorabilia & Gift Items and Theater Tickets. Some of the many additional top items include a walk-on role in Broadway’s Chicago; Jonathan Groff calling you as Kristoff from Frozen; Broadway tickets with meet and greets with cast members including The Realistic Joneses star Marisa Tomei and The Bridges of Madison County star Kelli O’Hara; and unique celebrity experiences with alumni stars Dominic Fumusa, Jessica Hecht and Cristin Milioti. These join previously-announced items including tickets to live tapings of NBCU’s “The Voice,” “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers”; Premiere Screening and After Party of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Season 5; Getaways to Palm Springs, Puerto Vallarta, Sun Valley and a Luxury South African Photo Safari for 2; The Happiness Project: New York Times best-selling author Gretchen Rubin lunch for 6; Broadway tickets with VIP backstage tours with cast members including The Book of Mormon star Ben Platt, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder star Jefferson Mays and Rocky star Margo Seibert; New York Giants Tickets and On-Field Tour; and a “Masters of Sex” set tour.
All interested bidders must go to www.biddingforgood.com/playwrightshorizons to register to bid Gemstone Productions invited you to attend and review Albert J. Repicci’s new drama HONOR BOUND at St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 West 46th Street, west of 8th Avenue in NYC, which opens on Wednesday, May 14th at 8 PM.
Directed by Josh Iacovelli, the play features Ross DeGraw, Christine Marie Heath, Anthony Laciura, Justin R.G. Holcomb and Nicole M. Carroll.
An ambitious young reporter tries to uncover secrets about a respected, retired doctor but instead she discovers long buried conflicts between two old friends. Set against the bonds of baseball, curveballs are thrown and memories recaptured. The play moves back and forth between 1968 and 1992.
HONOR BOUND has sets and light design by Josh Iacovelli, costumes by Jennie West and sound design by Paul Bourgeois.
Albert J. Repicci’s published works include Sarah and the Red Scarf, Nantucket Musings, The Haberdasher, and Bringing Satch Home. He served as an Op Ed contributor to the Greenwich Times and as their special correspondent to the Khmer Rouge trials in Cambodia prosecuting Comrade Duch, the perpetrator of the killing fields. Al was associate producer for the Off Broadway and regional productions of Soul Survivor, It’s Still My Turn, Hosanna, Talking Things Over with Chekhov, Aspirins and Elephants and the documentary The Ladies of Grove Street and has produced a portfolio of 12 silent films.
Josh Iacovelli recently directed Shea, Prince of Christmas at St. Luke’s Theatre, revivals of Six Characters in Search of an Author, The House of Blue Leaves, Romeo and Juliet, Trojan Women and Little Shop of Horrors.ROSS DEGRAW, who plays retired doctor Jack, has appeared in NYC and in regional theatres as well as on TV in The Good Wife, Hostages, Boardwalk Empire, etc. CHRISTINE MARIE HEATH, who plays Jack’s wife Kay, has performed in Europe and the Far East and is currently dance captain and understudy for three roles in Cougar The Musical. ANTHONY LACIURA, who plays Jack’s friend Irwin, is an internationally acclaimed tenor and recipient of two SAG Actor Awards for playing ‘Eddie Kessler’ for 4 seasons on Boardwalk Empire. JUSTIN R.G. HOLCOMB, who plays Peter, a newspaper editor, has appeared off-Broadway in Channeling Kevin Spacey, Orphan Train, Hamlet, and The Cherry Orchard among others. NICOLE M. CARROLL, who plays Lisa, a journalism intern, played Tiffany on Biography’s Celebrity Ghost Stories and has appeared in several independent films.
Critically acclaimed play JAMAICA FAREWELL Written and Performed by Debra Ehrhardt Directed by Joel Zwick (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”) Performances begin April 27 at Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) in Manhattan.
“gripping…highly enjoyable…a tour de force,” The LA Times “90 highly enjoyable minutes…very funny and fast paced,” Chicago Tribune
Soho Playhouse presents the award-winning and critically acclaimed JAMAICA FAREWELL, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), with performances beginning Sunday, April 27 prior to an official press opening of Sunday, May 4 at Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) in Manhattan.
Called “gripping…highly enjoyable…a tour de force” by the LA Times, JAMAICA FAREWELL chronicles Ms. Ehrhardt’s escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970’s (with the help of an unwitting CIA Agent) to fulfill her lifelong dream of going to America.
JAMAICA FAREWELL has been performed nationally and internationally, and has received such praise as: “spell-binding, wittily engrossing tour-de-force performance” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune; “90 highly enjoyable minutes…very funny and fast paced,” by the Chicago Tribune; “a combination of spy thriller and slapstick comedy…Ehrhardt is an excellent storyteller and monologist,” Atlanta’s Creative Loafing; Critic’s Choice “captivating…as gripping as it is effortlessly entertaining,” The LA Times; “powerful, fantastic performance…a definite must see,” The Observer (Kingston, Jamaica).
This is Kingston-born Debra Ehrhardt’s third play. Previous productions include award-winning MANGO MANGO and INVISIBLE CHAIRS, which was produced by David Strasberg at the Marilyn Monroe theatre in West Hollywood and later optioned as a situation comedy by Fox. She was also a 2007 NYC Fringe festival award-winner and received a 2007 Proclamation from the City of New York for JAMAICA FAREWELL for her outstanding contribution to the Jamaican community. JAMAICA FAREWELL was the final production in the 2010-11 subscription season at Garry Marshall’s Falcon theatre in Los Angeles. It was produced in association with Rita Wilson who optioned the rights. A member of the Writer’s Guild of America, Ehrhardt is currently adapting JAMAICA FAREWELL for the big screen.
Joel Zwick directed My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Recent films include Fat Albert and Elvis Has Left the Building. Mr. Zwick directed the Broadway production of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE at the Helen Hayes Theatre. He began his theatrical career at La Mama E.T.C., as director of the La Mama Plexus. He has directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Broadway touring companies. He and Hershey Felder have collaborated on MONSIEUR CHOPIN, BEETHOVEN AS I KNEW HIM and MAESTRO. Mr. Zwick is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most prolific directors of episodic television, having the direction of five hundred and fifty episodes to his credit. He is currently directing 'Shake it Up’ for the Disney Channel. Mr. Zwick has taught drama at Yale University, Brooklyn College, Queens College, Wheaton College, USC and has made his home in Hollywood for the past decade.
JAMAICA FAREWELL will be presented Sundays at 6:30pm at Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street) in Manhattan. Tickets for JAMAICA FAREWELL are $35 and can be purchased by calling 212-691-1555, by visiting www.sohoplayhouse.com or by visiting the Soho Playhouse Box Office (open Tuesday – Saturday 12:00pm to 8:00pm).
For more information about JAMAICA FAREWELL, please visit www.jamaicafarewelltheplay.com.
JUJAMCYN THEATERS
& AT AUGUST WILSON THEATRE New York, NY (April 17, 2014) – Jujamcyn Theaters (Jordan Roth, President) and True Colors Theatre Company (Kenny Leon, Co-Founding Artistic Director) have announced the judges for the 6th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). The event, which is free and open to the public, features high school students from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh and Seattle performing monologues by the late, legendary American playwright.
Judges for the 2014 Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition will include Narda E. Alcorn (stage manager), David Cromer (director/actor), Stephen McKinley Henderson (actor), Pauletta Washington (actress), and James A. Williams (actor).
The evening will also include performances by well-known Wilsonian veterans and special musical guests. The complete list of performers will be announced shortly.
Founded in 2007, the Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition aims to expose a new generation of creative minds to the life’s work and artistic legacy of this seminal American playwright. Program participants in cities across the country encounter Wilson’s ten-play cycle and receive coaching from teaching artists as they prepare their monologues for local, city-wide and national competitions.
This year's competition will afford students from these cities around the country the opportunity to attend Broadway's After Midnight, work closely with two of Wilson’s closest collaborators: director Kenny Leon and dramaturg Todd Kreidler, and explore popular Manhattan attractions before making their Broadway stage debuts. The two finalists from each regional city will compete, and the top contestants will be chosen to perform on the August Wilson Stage on Monday evening, May 5th.
The top three contestants from the national competition receive monetary awards. The first place winner will receive a $1000 cash prize, the runner-up a $500 cash prize and the honorable mention a $250 cash prize. Each of the winners will also become eligible for college scholarship opportunities and all finalists receive the gift of TCG’s Century Cycle collection.
The Monologue Competition is also featured in “The Start of Dreams”, a documentary directed by The Horne Brothers. Featuring A-list actors like Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson and Phylicia Rashad, “The Start of Dreams” is packed with Hollywood’s elite weighing in on this important art form and what it means to the United States. The documentary has been screened at 9 festivals across the country including the Atlanta Film Festival, the Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles, and the UrbanWorld Festival in New York. A trailer for the film is available at the link listed below.
The national August Wilson Monologue Competition is presented by Delta Air Lines with additional funding support from Publix Supermarket Charities, Massey Charitable Trust, Bank of America, The Imlay Foundation, and Macy's.
THE DRAMA LEAGUE NAMES THE 2014 FELLOWHIP RECIPIENTS OF THE DRAMA LEAGUE DIRECTORS PROJECT
SELECTED FROM HUNDREDS OF APPLICANTS, NATIONALLY-RENOWNED PROGRAM CHOOSES 11 EXTRAORDINARY EMERGING STAGE DIRECTORS
New York, NY (April 17, 2013) – The Drama League (Executive Director, Gabriel Shanks; Artistic Director, Roger T. Danforth) have announced the exceptional stage directors who have been selected as the 2014 Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project: Zi Alikhan, Melissa Crespo, John Michael DiResta, Ellie Heyman, Lavina Jadhwani, Michael Leibenluft, Michael Osinki, Hannah Ryan, Teya Sugareva, Caitlin Sullivan, and Emma Weinstein.
The eleven recipients, who will spend the next year as part of the award-winning program, have been accepted into four different programs of study: New York Directing Program, the Hangar Directing Program (a partnership with the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY), the Musical Directing Program (a partnership with Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, MA), and the Classical Directing Program (a partnership with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA).
“This year we received the highest number of applications in our history. I am delighted with the extraordinary group of directors who constitute of Class of 2014, and I look forward to working with all of them,” said Artistic Director Roger T. Danforth.
“The Drama League Directors Project kicks off its fourth decade with a vastly expanded Class of 2014 – eleven fellowship recipients in four programs, ten artists-in-residence developing new plays and musicals, and six new developmental projects in our Rough Draft series,” remarked Executive Director Gabriel Shanks. “I couldn’t be more proud to present these talented artists to the larger community, and to watch them take the next steps in their career development.”
The Fellowships will begin on May 12th with Professionals Week, where they will meet industry luminaries, attend Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, and start their developmental training. They will be publicly introduced to the professional theatre community during the 80th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 16th at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.
Since its founding in 1984, The Drama League Directors Project has become the preeminent development program for theatre directors — providing talented young artists with career-changing experiences in the professional theatre. Its 260 alumni can be found working in all aspects of the entertainment profession: at the helm of productions on Broadway and Off-Broadway, at regional theatres companies, in film and television, and as artistic directors and associate directors at 55 regional theatres across the country. Many are also producers, writers, agents, administrators, and educators of the next generation of directors, at some of the finest professional training programs. ‘Drama League Directors’ have been honored with many awards, including the Tony, Emmy, Obie, Drama Desk, and its own Drama League Award, with the praise of critics and audiences alike.
THE DRAMA LEAGUE 2014 FELLOWS OF THE DIRECTORS PROJECT
HANGAR DIRECTING PROGRAM An intensive practicum in the artistic life of a regional theatre — fellows experience daily life as both a working director and as an artistic leader at the Hangar Theater in Ithaca, NY.
Zi Alikhan is a native Californian based in New York City after completing a BFA in Drama from NYU/Tisch. Zi is the founding Artistic Director of The BASiC Theatre Project, where he has helmed productions of Gross Indecency, The Mistakes Madeline Made, workshops of A Crucible and The Maids. Other NYC credits include N/F (HERE, DUTF Encore Series), The Future Mrs. Harry Windsor (Dixon Place), In the Next Room (WORK Brooklyn), and The Cradle Will Rock (NYU/Tisch).
Melissa Crespo is a NYC based director/ producer who most recently directed Morningside Opera’s ¡Figaro! (90210). Selected assisting credits: Sarah Ruhl/Todd Almond's Melancholy Play (13P), Camino Real (NYU), Everyday Rapture and Some Men (Second Stage). Melissa was a Van Lier Fellow at Second Stage, Allen Lee Hughes Fellow at Arena Stage, and is an alumna of The Civilians R&D Group. MFA in Directing from the New School for Drama.
John Michael DiResta’s directing credits include The Drunken City (Steppenwolf Garage), La Casa De Schwarz (Judson Church) The Memory Tax (Araca Project), Scenes From the Middle Voice and Favorites (Rising Phoenix), A Crack in the Canvas, Bisexuality is for Teenagers, Watching the Thunder (MCC FreshPlay), Cuddle Wars (Pillow Talk), Back to Society (Abrons Arts Center). John produced the MCC Theater Youth Company from 2007-2010, and is a teaching artist and writer.
Teya Sugareva is a Sofia-based Bulgarian theatre director, poet and teacher at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA). Her professional productions include The Miser, Walled in Ones, Welcome, America! and Invitation for Dinner, at companies including Theatre Sofia and the Nikolai Binev Youth Theatre. She has won several of the most respected Bulgarian theater awards. She is currently studying for a PhD in the field of modern Bulgarian theatre.
Gemstone Productions invited you to attend and review Albert J. Repicci’s new drama HONOR BOUND at St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 West 46th Street, west of 8th Avenue in NYC, which opens on Wednesday, May 14th at 8 PM.
Directed by Josh Iacovelli, the play features Ross DeGraw, Christine Marie Heath, Anthony Laciura, Justin R.G. Holcomb and Nicole M. Carroll.
An ambitious young reporter tries to uncover secrets about a respected, retired doctor but instead she discovers long buried conflicts between two old friends. Set against the bonds of baseball, curveballs are thrown and memories recaptured. The play moves back and forth between 1968 and 1992.
HONOR BOUND has sets and light design by Josh Iacovelli, costumes by Jennie West and sound design by Paul Bourgeois.
Albert J. Repicci’s published works include Sarah and the Red Scarf, Nantucket Musings, The Haberdasher, and Bringing Satch Home. He served as an Op Ed contributor to the Greenwich Times and as their special correspondent to the Khmer Rouge trials in Cambodia prosecuting Comrade Duch, the perpetrator of the killing fields. Al was associate producer for the Off Broadway and regional productions of Soul Survivor, It’s Still My Turn, Hosanna, Talking Things Over with Chekhov, Aspirins and Elephants and the documentary The Ladies of Grove Street and has produced a portfolio of 12 silent films.
Josh Iacovelli recently directed Shea, Prince of Christmas at St. Luke’s Theatre, revivals of Six Characters in Search of an Author, The House of Blue Leaves, Romeo and Juliet, Trojan Women and Little Shop of Horrors.ROSS DEGRAW, who plays retired doctor Jack, has appeared in NYC and in regional theatres as well as on TV in The Good Wife, Hostages, Boardwalk Empire, etc. CHRISTINE MARIE HEATH, who plays Jack’s wife Kay, has performed in Europe and the Far East and is currently dance captain and understudy for three roles in Cougar The Musical. ANTHONY LACIURA, who plays Jack’s friend Irwin, is an internationally acclaimed tenor and recipient of two SAG Actor Awards for playing ‘Eddie Kessler’ for 4 seasons on Boardwalk Empire. JUSTIN R.G. HOLCOMB, who plays Peter, a newspaper editor, has appeared off-Broadway in Channeling Kevin Spacey, Orphan Train, Hamlet, and The Cherry Orchard among others. NICOLE M. CARROLL, who plays Lisa, a journalism intern, played Tiffany on Biography’s Celebrity Ghost Stories and has appeared in several independent films.
Birdland Jazz Club Schedule for April 28 – May 4. Steve Kuhn Trio, Broadway Sings Their Favorites Celebrating the Tenth Season of Broadway Artists Alliance, David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Jim Caruso’s Cast Party, Birdland Jazz Club is pleased to announce their tremendous line-up of talent for April 28 – May 4. Birdland will kick-off their exciting week of programming with the following acts: April 28 (Monday) at 7PM Broadway at Birdland“Broadway Sings their Favorites”Celebrating the Tenth Season of Broadway Artists AllianceStarring Eden Espinosa, Jenn Colella, Andréa Burns, Michelle Federer & David Ayers Broadway Artists Alliance, a New York City-based musical theatre training program for ages 8-21, is proud to kick off their 10th season at Birdland! Performers will sing their all-time favorite show tunes, and will include instructors, alumni, and staff. Eden Espinosa (Wicked), Jenn Colella (If/Then), Andréa Burns (In the Heights), Michelle Federer (Wicked), and David Ayers (Wicked) will be joined by BAA Alumni Liz Byrne (Baby It's You), Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots), Ruby Rakos (Billy Elliot), Bethany Tesarck (Bye Bye Birdie), and Clay Thomson (Matilda) for an evening of song and anecdotes. Alexander Rovang will serve as musical director with additional arrangements by Kelly Thomas. Proceeds from this event will benefit the BAA scholarship fund, which provides over $10,000 in scholarships each year. All seats $35, $10 food/drink minimum April 28 (Monday) at 9:30PM Jim Caruso’s Cast Party Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night. It’s a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars, backed by Steve Doyle on bass, Tedd Firth on piano and Daniel Glass on drums, hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle. All tickets $25, $10 food/drink minimum April 29-May 3 (Tuesday – Saturday) at 8:30PM & 11PM Steve Kuhn Trio Steve Swallow (bass) Joey Baron (drums) After making his mark as a sideman with John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Art Farmer and others, pianist Steve Kuhn moved beyond the powerful influence of Bill Evans to become a unique stylist with incredible technique, sense of dynamics and lyricism. Over the last fifteen years Steve has released critically acclaimed CDs marking a well-deserved career renaissance. Bass guitar master and composer Steve Swallow joined the Paul Bley Trio in 1960, subsequently playing in groups led by Jimmy Giuffre, George Russell, Art Farmer, Stan Getz and Gary Burton. Since the late 1970s, Swallow has been closely associated with his wife Carla Bley's groups while also touring and recording with other top jazz artists including John Scofield and Lee Konitz. Rounding out the trio, drummer Joey Baron combines technical acuity with a deep sense of groove. Best known for his work with Bill Frisell, Stan Getz, John Zorn and guitarists John Scofield, John Abercrombie and Jim Hall, Joey has also performed with musicians outside of jazz including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, David Bowie, Tony Bennett, Laurie Anderson and Al Jarreau. The trio's recent ECM CD, “Wisteria,” takes a fresh look at several pieces heard on Kuhn’s orchestral, “Promises Kept,” alongside the driving hard bop of “A Likely Story," Swallow's “Dark Glasses," Carla Bley’s gospel-tinged “Permanent Wave” and the Brazilian flavored “Romance,” by Dori Caymmi.All seats $40, $10 food/drink minimum April 30 (Wednesday) at 5:30PM David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band May 1 (Thursday) at 6:00PM T.K. Blue “A Warm Embrace” Blujazz Records CD Release Celebration T.K. Blue (sax/flute) James Weidman (piano)Essiet Essiet (bass)Sylvia Cuenca (drums)Ron Jackson (guitar)Roland Guerrero (percussion)All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum May 2 (Friday) at 5:15PM The Birdland Big Band With Guest Conductor Rob Middleton All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum May 3 (Saturday) at 6:00PM Barbara Carroll Her "jazz pianism is the subtlest and most intricate New York has to offer." (New Yorker) Barbara Carroll's inventive piano playing and unique vocal sound transforms any composition into something hip and urbane. In a sixty-year career she has gone from being dubbed "the first girl ever to play bebop piano" by Leonard Feather in 1947, to today being dubbed a "singer who turns song lyrics into personal dramatic monologues." (Stephen Holden, New York Times) All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum May 4 (Sunday) at 6:00PM The Birdland Jazz Party Featuring Hilary Gardner Birdland's very own jazz quartet hits the stage every Sunday to wrap up the weekend with jazz classics. May 4 (Sunday) at 9:00PM & 11PM Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra All seats $30, $10 food/drink minimum TICKET INFORMATION Purchase tickets at: www.BirdlandJazz.com For more information and reservations call 212-581-3080. "THE CHAIRS" BY THEODORA SKIPITARES, IN A RESPONSE TO
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