Jane Bennett

For its 2020 Spring Puppet Forum Series, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut will host four free scintillating discussions with nationally and internationally acclaimed puppeteers, scholars, and artists on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in February through April in the Ballard Institute Theater, located at 1 Royce Circle in Downtown Storrs. The forums will illuminate new perspectives on the creation, history, aesthetics, and performance of puppetry today.

There are plenty of ways of describing Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Sophisticated, approachable, elegant, witty. But very few would describe it as wacky... unless those lucky few had seen Kate Hamill's production, as directed by Desdemona Chiang at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. I can't remember the last time I had quite as much fun at a 'classical' period piece, even while realizing that this was certain to be one of the most divisive shows in PPT history. Throughout the evening I heard audiences laughing, clapping, even cheering the production's gleeful ingenuity, while at intermission I heard several people complain that 'it's a wonderful production of a stupid play' and that they 'thought it would be more Masterpiece Theatre.'

Rose Theatre Kingston today announces the full cast for Nick Dear's double-bill Hogarth's Progress. Anthony Banks directs Bryan Dick as the younger William Hogarth in the first major UK revival of Dear's acclaimed comedy The Art of Success, which follows Hogarth through a bawdy night in 1730 and Keith Allen as the older William Hogarth in the world premiere of The Taste of the Town which rejoins the now hugely successful artist 30 years later towards the end of his career. Ruby Bentall (Jane Hogarth and Nancy/Mrs Ryott), Emma Cunniffe (Louisa and Mrs Colquhoun/Mrs Bascombe), Ben Deery (Frank and Zachariah Blunt), Jack Derges (Henry Fielding and Parson Venables), Ian Hallard (Oliver and Horace Walpole), Susannah Harker (Queen Caroline and Jane Hogarth), Jasmine Jones (Sarah Sprackling and Bridget), Sylvestra Le Touzel (Mrs Needham and Lady Thornhill) and Mark Umbers (Robert Walpole and David Garrick) complete the company.

This month, Tom Littler launches his first season as Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre with the world premiere of celebrated playwright Howard Brenton's The Blinding Light, a specially commissioned work about the life of Swedish dramatist August Strindberg.

This September, Tom Littler launches his first season as Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre with the world premiere of celebrated playwright Howard Brenton's The Blinding Light, a specially commissioned work about the life of Swedish dramatist August Strindberg.

While much hype and limelight surrounds the premier national festival of SIFA, the programming of The O.P.E.N. hides in the shadow of its bigger counterpart. In spite of this, The O.P.E.N. has continually offered a slew of engaging programmes each year. Check out this year's top 3 editorial picks!

In author Jane Bennett Munro latest mystery novel, 'The Body on the Lido Deck: A Toni Day Mystery' (published by iUniverse), a seasoned pathologist is forced to solve a horrific crime with roots going back 30 years after a mangled body practically lands on her lap during a Caribbean cruise. 'The Body on the Lido Deck' is the fifth book in the Toni Day mystery series.

Manhattan Theatre Source announces the playwrights, solo artists, and choreographers for their 15th Annual EstroGenius Festival, a multimedia performance festival showcasing female voices from a variety of disciplines, running October 2-November 1 at Stage Left Studio (214 West 30th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue) and the 4th Street Theatre (83 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery). In addition to short plays, one-woman shows, and dance pieces the festival will also feature a visual art exhibit and a special performance by Girl Be Heard. Performance schedules and directors will be announced in September. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday, September 2nd.

The Utah Shakespeare Festival recently announced the casting of the first nine actors for the 2014 season. All are familiar faces, having appeared at the Festival in the past. Actors slated to appear thus far are Henry Woronicz, Aaron Galligan-Stierle, Sara J. Griffin, Steve Wojtas, Roderick Peeples, Melinda Pfundstein, Quinn Mattfeld, Grant Goodman, and Brian Vaughn. A complete casting list will be available soon at www.bard.org.

In the riveting murder mystery Murder Under the Microscope (published by iUniverse) by Jane Bennett Munro, a stubborn pathologist must rely on more than just her microscope as she delves into a complicated web of deception, soon discovering that not only is her freedom at stake - but also her life.

The Utah Shakespeare Festival previously announced the casting of the first eight actors for the 2013 season. All are familiar faces, having appeared at the Festival in the past. Actors slated to appear include: Corey Jones, Melinda Parrett, Henry Woronicz, Roderick Peeples, Melinda Pfundstein, Quinn Mattfeld, David Ivers, and Barbara Bednarczuk.

Author Jane Bennett Munro brings readers back into the life of Dr. Toni Day in her second murder mystery Too Much Blood.

The Utah Shakespeare Festival recently announced the casting of the first eight actors for the 2013 season. All are familiar faces, having appeared at the Festival in the past. Actors slated to appear thus far are Corey Jones, Melinda Parrett, Henry Woronicz, Roderick Peeples, Melinda Pfundstein, Quinn Mattfeld, David Ivers, and Barbara Bednarczuk.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company concludes its fantastic and popular eighteenth season with William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" opening tonight, May 11. This production features CSC Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips as Shylock, CSC Ensemble Member Kelly Mengelkoch as Portia and introducing to Cincinnati audiences, Jared Joplin as Antonio, the Merchant of Venice. "The Merchant of Venice" opens tonight and runs through June 3 2012. The production design is generously sponsored by Taft, Stettinius and Hollister.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company concludes its fantastic and popular eighteenth season with William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" opening May 11. This production features CSC Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips as Shylock, CSC Ensemble Member Kelly Mengelkoch as Portia and introducing to Cincinnati audiences, Jared Joplin as Antonio, the Merchant of Venice. "The Merchant of Venice" opens on May 11 and runs through June 3 2012. The production design is generously sponsored by Taft, Stettinius and Hollister.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues its eighteenth season with William Shakespeare's "Henry VIII: All is True".

The Utah Shakespeare Festival recently announced the casting of the first ten actors for the 2012 season. All are familiar faces, having appeared at the Festival in the past.