Off-Broadway Theatre + Broadway News

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.).

Irish Rep Presents Conor McPherson's THE WEIR, Now thru 7/7

(5/15/2013) - Irish Repertory Theatre continues its 25th Anniversary Season with The Weir by Conor McPherson, author of SHINING CITY and THE SEAFARER - with previews set to begin tonight, May 15, prior to an official Off-Broadway opening May 23 on the Irish Repertory's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage (132 West 22nd Street). Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, performances are set to run through July 7.

John Guare Makes Off-Broadway Debut in THREE KINDS OF EXILE Tonight

(5/15/2013) - Atlantic Theater Company welcomes Olivier and two time Tony Award winning playwright John Guare, who will make his Off Broadway acting debut in the world premiere production of his new play 3 KINDS OF EXILE, directed by Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe, featuring Atlantic ensemble members Peter Maloney and David Pittu and guest artists Alison Cimmet, Jeffrey Kuhn, Jacquelyn Landgraf, Martin Moran, Kate Rigg, Omar Sangare and Timothy Splain.

SHOWGIRLS! THE MUSICAL!, Starring Rena Riffel, Transfers Off-Broadway Today

(5/15/2013) - Following its premiere at the East Village's Kraine Theater, Showgirls! The Musical! will be thrusting its way to Times Square for an extended engagement at XL Nightclub's 200-seat Off-Broadway theater. Performances begin tonight, May 15, 2013.

Photo Flash: HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER Performs for THE RIDE

(5/14/2013) - The stars of Off-Broadway's hit comedy HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER performed live for THE RIDE on May 8th in Times Square. As the giant tour bus approached the Lyceum Theatre on 45th Street, it stopped in front of HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER's Margaret Copeland and Kevin James Doyle clad in elderly garb on the sidewalk. To the delight of the passengers, they performed the opening sketch of the show in which two altkakas bitterly (and hilariously) complain about a bygone New York City before gentrification wiped out all the fun. Check out photos below!

Reed Birney, Enid Graham and More Set for Page 73's SONG OF EXTINCTION Reading, 5/15

(5/14/2013) - Page 73 Productions - the Off-Broadway company dedicated to producing and developing works by early-career playwrights - will present a reading of their 2013 Interstate 73 member E.M. Lewis' play SONG OF EXTINCTION on Wednesday, May 15 at 4pm at Roundabout Theater Company's rehearsal studios (115 West 45th Street 12th Floor). Calloway Award winner Carolyn Cantor (THE GREAT GOD PAN, AFTER THE REVOLUTION) will direct.

Photo Flash: Philip Seymour Hoffman and More at A FAMILY FOR ALL OCCASIONS Opening Night

(5/14/2013) - LAByrinth Theater Company, the award-winning, downtown ensemble, just announced its World Premiere production of A Family For All Occasions, written by Bob Glaudini and directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, will extend performances. Originally scheduled to play its final performance on May 19, A Family For All Occasions will now close on Sunday, May 26th. The cast and creative team recently celebrated the opening, and you can check out photos below!

Jim Stanek and More Set for Theatreworks USA's New Children's Musical THE CIVIL WAR, 7/15-8/16

(5/14/2013) - Theatreworks USA, the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for young audiences, has announced the Off-Broadway premiere of the new children's musical THE CIVIL WAR. as the 25th Anniversary production of the company's annual Free Summer Theatre Program.

Steven Boyer, Richard Easton and More Set for Manhattan Theatre Club's THE EXPLORERS CLUB, Beg. Tonight

(5/14/2013) - Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) previously announced that THE EXPLORERS CLUB, the world premiere comedy by Tony nominee Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), will be directed by Marc Bruni (Ordinary Days, Old Jews Telling Jokes) featuring Obie Award winner Steven Boyer and Tony Award winner Richard Easton.

Ensemble Studio Theatre Kicks Off 2013 Marathon of One-Acts

(5/13/2013) - Previews began Saturday (May 18) for The Ensemble Studio Theatre's 45-year-old Marathon of One-Act Plays, the longest running, most acclaimed one-act play festival in the country. The theatre's artistic director, William Carden, has selected 16 plays to be presented on THREE separate programs for The Ensemble Studio Theatre's 2013 Marathon of One-Act Plays May 18 through June 29 at The Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

Linda Winer Will Moderate 5/14 'Tuesday Talk-Back with Tina and Nigel'

(5/13/2013) - Chief theater critic and arts columnist for Newsday, Linda Winer, is scheduled to facilitate the final in a series of moderated talk-backs between audience members and Tina Packer and Nigel Gore following the 7pm performance of WOMEN OF WILLon Tuesday, May 14th. WOMEN OF WILL is scheduled to conclude its limited Off-Broadway run following its performance on Sunday, May 26 at The Gym at Judson (243 Thompson Street).

Soho Playhouse Hosts THE MAKING AND FATE OF OFF-BROADWAY Talkback Following THE DRAWER BOY Tomorrow

(5/13/2013) - On Tuesday, May 14 the SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street, NYC) will host a talkback discussing 'The Making and Fate of Off-Broadway' following the 8:00 p.m. performance of The Drawer Boy, now playing the SoHo Playhouse's Mainstage. The talkback will be hosted by SoHo Playhouse Artistic Director, Darren Lee Cole, and will feature guest speaker, playwright and director, Alexander Dinelaris. To purchase tickets to The Drawer Boy and 'The Making and Fate of Off-Broadway' talkback, visit: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/922523/prm/DRAW.

HERE Presents Transit Lounge's YOU ARE DEAD. YOU ARE HERE., 6/5-22

(5/13/2013) - As part of its 2012-2013 producing Season, HERE will present You Are Dead. You Are Here. Together, playwright Christine Evans, director Joseph Megel and media designer Jared Mezzocchi have formed Transit Lounge, and You Are Dead. You Are Here. marks the company's debut production. This world premiere plays a limited engagement June 5-22, with Official Opening Night on Sunday, June 9 at 8:30PM at HERE (145 Sixth Avenue, just below Spring Street).

BWW JR: POTTED POTTER

(5/13/2013) - This summer, the perfect show for Harry Potter fans returns: Potted Potter, starting previews May 30th at the Little Shubert Theatre, takes on the challenge of condensing, or 'potting' all seven Harry Potter books into 70 minutes, aided only by multiple costume changes, songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. The show also invites audiences to engage with a real life game of Quidditch, featuring a unique set of rules.

PASSION Cast Album Recorded Today

(5/13/2013) - The CSC cast album of PASSION records today, May 13th, for a July 2nd release. The good news is that it will feature the entire cast, including Melissa Errico. Amy Justman has been filling in for Errico on stage.

Ben Davis, Amy Bodnar, James LaRosa and More Set for York Theatre's MR. CONFIDENTIAL Reading Tonight

(5/13/2013) - York Theatre Company will present MR. CONFIDENTIAL tonight, May 13 at 7 PM. The show features Book and lyrics by Samuel Bernstein (based on his award-winning book) and Music by David Snyder and will be directed by Stephen Nachamie.