Off-Broadway Theatre + Broadway News

Photo Flash: Vincent Pastore Returns to ITALIAN BRED

(5/20/2013) - Acclaimed writer/performer Candice Guardino premieres the outrageous Italian Bred Off-Broadway. With this 80 minute one-woman show, Candice slips in and out of characters as she cooks up a full meal of growing up Italian on Staten Island. Special celebrity guest Vincent Pastore recently returned to the stage, and BroadwayWorld has a photo of him in action with Guardino below!

The Amoralists to Stage RANTOUL AND DIE, 6/12-7/20

(5/20/2013) - Having earned a reputation as one of New York's most daring young theater companies, The Amoralists continue to grow in size, ambition and audacity. In the seven years since its founding, the Company has successfully produced 16 productions of ten plays, including nine world premieres, and has quickly moved from basement theaters to Off-Broadway. On the heels of these accomplishments, The Amoralists will kick off 'The Summer of The Amoralists' season with the New York premiere of Mark Roberts' Rantoul and Die, directed by Jay Stull and featuring performances by Derek Ahonen, Sarah Lemp,Matthew Pilieci and Vanessa Vache - all members of The Amoralists' 50-member ensemble.

TESLA Sells Out Opening Night

(5/20/2013) - With all the buzz on the purchase of Nikola Tesla's old laboratory by the Tesla Science Center, Nikola Tesla himself has become quite the hot topic. Being the 70th anniversary of his passing, citizens around the world are finding different ways to honor the incredible scientist and inventor. Some of those individuals choosing to admire his work are Sanja Bestic and Sheri Graubert with their new Off-Broadway play, Tesla. Opening this week on May 24th with a preview on the 23rd, opening night is entirely sold out with guests ranging from around the world, including The Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in New York and Vuk Jeremic who is a Serbian physicist, Politician and President of the United Nations General Assembly. Tesla will run through June 8th at Theatre 80 in the East Village.

Mint Theater Announces Its EnrichMINT Events for A PICTURE OF AUTUMN

(5/20/2013) - Mint Theater (Jonathan Bank, Artistic Director) today announced its line-up of EnrichMint Events for its upcoming production of A Picture of Autumn by N.C. Hunter. For each of their productions, Mint Theater hosts a number of post-show speakers for what are called "EnrichMint" Events. These post-show discussions are free and open to the public. The speakers may be experts on an author or era, or leaders in a humanities field that may bring an entirely different perspective on the play.

Katie Finneran and Darren Goldstein Host Page 73 Productions' 15th Anniversary Benefit, 5/22

(5/20/2013) - Two-time Tony Award-winner Katie Finneran (most recently on Broadway in "Annie") and husband Darren Goldstein ("Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson") are set to host the 15th Anniversary Benefit for the Off-Broadway theatre company Page 73 Productions onWednesday, May 22nd 2013 at City Winery (155 Varick Street) in Manhattan. The evening's festivities begin at 7:00pm and will include dinner, cocktails (including specialty cocktail "The Caroline McGraw" in honor of the 2013 P73 Playwriting Fellow) and the annual New Play Bake Off. Longtime Page 73 supporters Carson and Joseph Gleberman will be honored at this year's benefit.

Tonya Pinkins Joins STILL MORE OF OUR PARTS, 6/13-28 at Theatre Row

(5/20/2013) - Theater Breaking Through Barriers (TBTB), the renowned Off-Broadway company known for its productions that integrate artists with disabilities with able-bodied actors, presents its third annual short play festival, STILL MORE OF OUR PARTS - an evening of six ten-minute plays about disabilities, featuring world premieres by Jerrod Bogard, Bekah Brunstetter, Bruce Graham, Samuel D. Hunter, Neil LaBute, and Lynn Manning, with performances to run June 13-28 at Theatre Row's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street). Christopher Burris, Nicholas Viselli, Christina Roussos, Russell Treyz, Karen Case Cook, and Roberto Cambeiro direct.

I'M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF Returns to York Theatre Company, Beginning 5/28

(5/20/2013) - By popular demand, York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) has announced the return engagement of the new musical I'm a Stranger Here Myself, written and performed by Mark Nadler, with Franca Vercelloni on accordion, Jessica Tyler Wright on vioin and directed by David Schweizer.

The Pearl Announces 30th Anniversary Season, Including Terrence McNally's AND AWAY WE GO Premiere

(5/20/2013) - Founded in 1984, The Pearl Theatre Company, New York's only classical Resident Acting Company, began as a small troupe of artists in Chelsea and is now a celebrated Off-Broadway institution with its own permanent home on West 42nd Street. The Pearl's 30th anniversary season will showcase the Company's talents in productions of classic plays that are especially suited to the ensemble's skillsincluding a world premiere written especially for them.

SISTAS: THE MUSICAL Will be Released on DVD, 6/4

(5/20/2013) - One Village Entertainment, an entity of RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) has announced the release of the roof-raising stage play Sistas: The Musical,on DVD and digital download on June 4, 2013 at an SRP of $14.98. Pre-order date is May 7th. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone, Sistas features an all-female cast including Tracey Conyer Lee, Jennifer Fouche, Amy Goldberger, April Nixon and Lexi Rhaodes. The musical journey weaves an emotionally compelling story with exultant musical performances. Let the spirit lift you higher with Sistas.

Obie Awards Ceremony Set for Tonight at Webster Hall

(5/20/2013) - The Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, welcomes esteemed critic and longtime judge of the awards Michael Feingold as Obie chairman for the 58th Annual Village Voice OBIE Awards, replacing former Chairman Brian Parks who has moved on from The Village Voice.

Marina Espinoza, Livvy Marcus and More Join Tanner Bollinger in HOME WORK Concert at New World Stages Tonight

(5/20/2013) - HOME WORK, the new anti-bullying musical, takes a look at the 'dark side of high school' focusing on bullying, depression, suicide, gun violence, fitting in, and relationships. From the creator and writer of MANCHESTER HIGH: IF THESE LOCKERS COULD TALK, a film about bullying and teen empowerment, Nicholas B. Holstein (book writer and lyrics), Jeremy Blachman (lyrics) and Sophia E. DiGonis (music) brings to the New York stage an emotional, high energy, and impactful show much in the style of DEGRASSI meets NEXT TO NORMAL.

Second Stage Theatre Celebrates 2013 Spring Gala Tonight

(5/20/2013) - Second Stage Theatre's Spring Gala celebration will honor The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, which has been an ongoing supporter of New York City arts and Second Stage Theatre for many years, as well as playwright and filmmaker Paul Weitz, whose plays Privilege, Show People, Trust, and Lonely, I'm Nothave all premiered with the off-Broadway company. The evening will also celebrate the first ten years of Second Stage Uptown and its curator, Christopher Burney, which has become an incubator for many theatre artists in the past decade. The gala will be held tonight, May 20, 2013 at Best Buy Theatre, 1515 Broadway at 44th street. The evening begins with cocktails at 6:00pm; dinner and the performance begin at 7:00pm.

FACT Theatre Presents THE SONG OF EDDIE KING Reading at Roy Arias Theatre Tonight

(5/20/2013) - THE SONG OF EDDIE KING, a modern day Oedipus, will be presented as a reading by FRIENDS ALWAYS CREATING (FACT) THEATRE as part of a benefit evening being held tonight, May 20th at 7:00PM at Roy Arias Theatre, 300 West 43rd Street. The evening will consist of an hour long reading of the new play, an auction and raffle and wine and a talk back with the author of the play, Jamesai Schempp.

Photo Flash: Miss NY, ANNIE Orphans and More Perform at West Side YMCA Benefit

(5/19/2013) - On Monday May 13th, the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in the historic West Side YMCA played host to a completely sold out crowd for their 3rd annual 'Little Theater, Big Dreams' benefit cabaret. Scroll down for photos from the evening!

THE DRAWER BOY Closes Off-Broadway Today

(5/19/2013) - The SoHo Playhouse and Darren Lee Cole, Artistic Director of the SoHo Playhouse, have announced that The Drawer Boy will close today, May 19. The Drawer Boy, written by Michael Healey, directed by Alexander Dinelaris and starring Alex Fast, Brad Fryman, and William Laney, began performances at the SoHo Playhouse on April 19.

Photo Flash: Blue Man Group Visits New York Knicks Game

(5/18/2013) - Blue Man Group brought the New York Knicks a little luck and helped them avoid elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals with an 85-75 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Thursday night. Scroll down for photos!

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL Celebrates 500th Performance Today

(5/18/2013) - Off-Broadway's sellout sensation SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will celebrate its 500th performance at the 2 PM matinee today, May 18th at the Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square.

BWW Flashback: Second Stage's THE LAST FIVE YEARS Ends Extended Run Today; Ghostlight Set for New Recording, Film

(5/18/2013) - In May, it was announced that Ghostlight Records will preserve the hit Second Stage Theatre production of The Last Five Years, created and directed by Jason Robert Brown. Second Stage Theatre has extended this production starring Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe three times. The Last Five Years is performed at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street) through today, May 18, 2013. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a flashback of the musical's run off-Broadway!

STAGE TUBE: HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER Stars Serve Coffee on the Subway

(5/17/2013) - New Yorker's daily commute is regularly interrupted by unsolicited entertainment from break dancers, fruit snacks being sold for kids basketball teams or help for the homeless. What New Yorker's are not used to is being offered a no strings attached gift! And is there anything New Yorker's crave more in the morning than coffee. Straphangers couldn't help but shed the hard New York exterior and smile on their way to work thanks to How 2 B A New Yorker...ENJOY!

Terry Kinney to Direct GIBRALTAR at Irish Rep, Beg. 6/5

(5/17/2013) - The Irish Repertory Theatre continues its award-winning 25th Anniversary Season with the Off-Broadway premiere of GIBRALTAR-Patrick Fitzgerald's two-character adaptation of James Joyce's 'Ulysses'-with previews set to begin June 5, prior to opening June 13 in the company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). Terry Kinney directs.

MERCY, GOING HOME and NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK Set for MCC Theater's Spring 2013 Playlab Readings

(5/17/2013) - MCC THEATER has announced the line-up for their Spring 2013 PlayLab readings of new plays by three members of the company's Playwrights' Coalition: Adam Szymkowicz, Ed Napier, and Ashlin Halfnight to be held respectively at 7PM on June 3, June 10 and June 23, 2013 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). The series offers a rare look into the development process of new plays by some of New York's most exciting playwrights. Audience members will also be invited to meet and greet the artists at receptions directly following the readings.

THE TWO-CHARACTER PLAY Adds Wednesday Matinees to Schedule

(5/17/2013) - Tony Award winner Amanda Plummer (Agnes of God, Pulp Fiction) and Academy Award nominee Brad Dourif (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) unite their white-hot talents for the highly anticipated production ofTennessee Williams' The Two-Character Play at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Previews begin Monday, June 10. Opening Night is set for June 19 at 8:00 p.m. Gene David Kirk directs.

VENICE Begins 5/28 at The Public Theater

(5/17/2013) - The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) will begin previews for the new Public Lab musical VENICE, with book by Eric Rosen, music by Matt Sax, lyrics by Matt Sax and Eric Rosen, additional music by Curtis Moore, and choreography by Chase Brock. Directed by Eric Rosen, VENICE will run through Sunday, June 23 in The Public's Anspacher Theater, with an official press opening on Thursday, June 13.

FLANAGAN'S WAKE Opens Off-Broadway

(5/17/2013) - FLANAGAN'S WAKE, The Hilarious, Interactive Irish Wake that has been running 17 smash years in Chicago, has finally hit the Big Apple, Off-Broadway! (www.FlanagansWakeNYC.com) Directed by Amy Binns-Calvey with Musical Direction by Bonnie Shadrake.

Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with the Cast of FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY, Coming to NYC and NJ

(5/16/2013) - Performances of Freckleface Strawberry The Musical run Saturday, June 8th at the George Street Playhouse and Saturday, June 15th at the Alexander Kasser Theater, at 11 AM and 2 PM. Off-Broadway performances will be held at the 47th Street Theater on June 12th and 13th at 6 PM. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Photo Flash: Joanna Coles, Rosie O'Donnell and More at Women's Project Theater's 2013 Women of Achievement Gala

(5/16/2013) - Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles, Senior Vice President/Publishing Director of The Cosmopolitan Group Donna Kalajian Lagani, President of HBO Documentary Films Sheila Nevins, Broadway League Executive Director Charlotte St. Martin and the late Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Helen Gurley Brown are Women's Project Theater's 2013 Women of Achievement who were inducted at its 28th Annual Gala Celebration at the Three Sixty,10 Desbrosses Street, on May 13, 2013. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The Pearl Extends THIS SIDE OF NEVERLAND Through 5/26

(5/16/2013) - Due to popular demand, The Pearl Theatre Company extends This Side of Neverland, a duo of one-act plays by J. M. Barrie, to May 26. This Side of Neverland features J. M. Barrie's Rosalind and The Twelve Pound Look with direction by Artistic Director J. R. Sullivan.The New York Times says, "How refreshing it is to be reminded of this feminist battle cry not by a straight-out-of-central-casting cliche but by an early-20th-century nobleman whom we usually associate with boyish fantasies." while Time Out New York says, "Barrie's still-fresh 1914 twosome...makes heroes of self-willed, single, middle-aged women. That's better than pirates any day.' And Michael Giltz inThe Huffington Post says, "The Pearl Theatre Company proves again with this diverting entertainment why all theater buffs and casual fans should take a trip to their ideal new home."

Alan Alda, Jesse L. Martin and More Set for Free Public Forum Event at the Delacorte

(5/16/2013) - The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) and the Aspen Institute Arts Program (Director, Damian Woetzel) announced today that a special free Public Forum program, WHAT ARE WE WORTH? SHAKESPEARE, MONEY, AND MORALS, will take place at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park on Monday, June 17 at 8:00 p.m.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Opens on May 30th

(5/16/2013) - The Off-Broadway-bound Production Around the World in 80 Days, produced by Cedric Yau & the Yow! Theater Company, is zooming to a galloping start! Sprinting towards a May 30, 2013 Opening at The New Theater at 45th Street, Around the World in 80 Days is a comedic play by Mark Brown, based on the Jules Verne novel.

Dee Dee Bridgewater Leads LADY DAY Musical at the Little Shubert Theatre

(5/16/2013) - Multi-award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt, along with noted costumes designer Patricia A. Hibbert, and acclaimed lighting designed by Ryan O'Gara will head the design team for the upcoming Billie Holiday musical "Lady Day" starring Tony and multiple Grammy Award-winner Dee Dee Bridgewater. With an opening set for Thursday, October 3rd(6:30PM) the production will take residence at Times Square's Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues). Written and directed by Stephen Stahl, the musical will make its New York debut having been produced at the Theatre de Boulogne-Billancourt and Theatre du Gymnase Marie Bell in Paris as well as The Donmar Warehouse and The Piccadilly Theatre in London, where it received critical praise and garnered an Olivier "Best Actress in a Musical" Award nomination for Ms. Bridgewater. Produced by Misty Road Productionsthe show's creative team also includes three-time Emmy Award winning composer & arranger Bill Jolly, who will serve as musical director. Preview performances are slated to begin Thursday, September 19th(8PM).

Photo Flash: Kevin Kline Visits Off-Broadway's WOMEN OF WILL

(5/16/2013) - Academy Award winner Kevin Kline stopped by to see Tina Packer and Nigel Gore in 'Women of Will' at The Gym at Judson (243 Thompson Street) in Manhattan earlier this week. Check out the photo below!

Fitness Expert Cara Castronuova Joins SPANDEX, THE MUSICAL, 5/25

(5/16/2013) - Fitness expert and Golden Gloves winner, Cara Castronuova, former trainer on NBC's 'The Biggest Loser' will join the cast of Spandex, for a one-time-only performance on Saturday, May 25th at 8pm at the 777 Theatre, 777 8th Avenue, between 47th and 48th Streets.

SILENCE! Celebrates 500th Performance This Saturday

(5/16/2013) - Off-Broadway's SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will celebrate its 500th performance at the 2 PM matinee this Saturday, May 18th at the Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square. Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, SILENCE! THE MUSICAL is the unauthorized parody of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli.

Photo Flash: First Look at Kevin Spirtas and Tyler Maynard in SILENCE! THE MUSICAL

(5/15/2013) - Broadway vets Kevin Spirtas and Tyler Maynard recently joined the cast of the award-winning Off-Broadway smash Silence! The Musicalat the Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square. This season has also seen the cast additions of Sean McDermott (as Dr. Hannibal Lecter) and Laura Jordan (as Clarice Starling). Check out photos of the new stars in action below!

Photo Flash: First Look at NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 at Kazino

(5/15/2013) - Producers Howard and Janet Kagan present Dave Malloy's groundbreaking electropop opera NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 at Kazino (West 13th Street and Washington Street). Kazino is a brand new venue created specifically for the show, in the heart of New York's meatpacking district, to transport audiences to a Russian supper club, complete with an authentic Russian menu and bar. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

THE BOAT FACTORY Set for Brits Off Broadway

(5/15/2013) - 59E59 Theaters (Elysabeth Kleinhans, Artistic Director; Peter Tear, Executive Producer) is thrilled to announce the US premiere of THE BOAT FACTORY, written by Dan Gordon and directed by Philip Crawford, coming to Brits Off Broadway direct from the Grand Opera House, Belfast. Produced by Happenstance Theatre Company, THE BOAT FACTORY begins previews on Tuesday, June 4 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 30. Opening Night is Sunday, June 9 at 7:15 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Thursday at 7:15 PM; Friday at 8:15 PM; Saturday at 2:15 PM & 8:15 PM; Sunday at 3:15 PM & 7:15 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). The single ticket price is $35 ($24.50 for 59E59 Members). Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 or online at www.59e59.org. For more information, visit www.britsoffbroadway.com.

Rachel Pivnick Named Chief Financial Officer at The Public

(5/15/2013) - The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced today thatRachel Pivnick will join the organization as the new Chief Financial Officer, as of May 13. Pivnick was the Chief Financial Officer at American Ballet Theatre for the past nine years, where she supervised financial planning and operations, human resources, information technology, risk management and administration.

Brenda Braxton Will Return to COUGAR THE MUSICAL; COUGAR Extends Through 7/27

(5/15/2013) - Tony Nominee Ms. Brenda Braxton originated the role of Clarity Jones in Donna Moore's surprise Off-Broadway hit Cougar the Musical and will reprise her role now that her successful tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie has come to an end. Now in its ninth month, Cougar the Musical, continues to offer new blocks of tickets for the summer, now through July 27, 2013.

Kathleen Chalfant, Kate Mulgrew and More Star in The Vineyard's SOMEWHERE FUN, Beg. Tonight

(5/15/2013) - The Vineyard Theatre presents the world premiere of Jenny Schwartz's SOMEWHERE FUN. Ms. Schwartz returns to The Vineyard following her critically acclaimed play GOD'S EAR in 2008.

A May Sky Picture Presents WHAT I'M FAILING TO LEARN Workshop at 13th Street Rep, Now thru 6/15

(5/15/2013) - A May Sky Picture has announced the workshop production of Schuyler Iona Press' WHAT I'M FAILING TO LEARN, choreography by Joel Hanna, music arranged by Jeb Patton, co-directed by Darren Press, written and directed by C. Fraser Press. WHAT I'M FAILING TO LEARN will play a limited engagement at Off-Broadway's 13th Street Rep (50 West 13th Street, NYC). Performances begin tonight, May 15 and continue through Saturday, June 15. Opening Night is Wednesday, May 29 (7 p.m.).