Rob Jenkins

On April 11, 2003, just two days after the fall of Saddam Hussein, then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, along with General Richard B. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed the media. When asked about the looting and the lack of law and order following the 'liberation' of Iraq, Rumsfeld said: 'Think what's happened in our cities when we've had riots and problems and looting. Stuff happens! Freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things. They're also free to live their lives and do wonderful things, and that's what's going to happen here.' The backroom deals and politics leading up to the invasion of Iraq are the subject of David Hare's historical drama STUFF HAPPENS. The play premiered in London in 2004. Two years later, it opened off-Broadway to critical acclaim. Last weekend, Burning Coal Theatre opened their season with Hare's play, which by his own account, is a fictional dramatization based on interviews, televised speeches, and transcripts.

Burning Coal Theatre is proud to present David Hare's Stuff Happens, a witty and fast-paced look at the decisions made in the months following the events of September 11th, culminating in the US-led invasion of Iraq.

There's an irony about sitting in a theater on opening night reviewing a play about a play and the sometimes-tempestuous relationship between the players and the critics. But that's exactly what Terrence McNally's IT'S ONLY A PLAY is about, a group of theater people waiting for the reviews of their play after the opening night performance. Last week, the show opened at Theatre in the Park (TIP) in Raleigh to mixed reviews. All the makings of a good show are there. The ensemble features some of the Triangle's most exceptional comedic performers including Ira David Wood IV, Brian Westbrook, Rob Jenkins, and Lynda Clark. In addition, the production is directed by the ever so talented Jesse R. Gephart. And the set is simply spectacular. But not even this talented cast and crew can save McNally's script, which feels more like a diatribe than a farce.  Yes, there are funny moments, but they are few and far between and more reliant on the physical comedy of the competent cast than McNally's pen.

Raleigh Little Theatre's Don't Dress for Dinner is a comic romp about marriage, infidelity, and alibis gone awry. Bernard (Rob Jenkins) is planning a romantic weekend with his mistress (A.C. Donohue) in his charming converted French farmhouse, while his wife, Jacqueline (Jenny Anglum), is away. He has arranged for a Cordon Bleu cook (Tara Nicole Williams) to prepare dinner and has invited his best friend Robert (Michael Parker), along to provide a cover story. What ensues is a French farce that at times borders on the ridiculous but is sustained by the comic timing of the cast who masterfully work their way through the rhythm of Marc Camoletti's wordy script. Jenkins and Parker channel their inner Laurel and Hardy as the bumbling Bernard and affected Robert, while the over-the-top performances and physical comedy of Donohue, Anglum, and Williams are on point for this type of material. Runs through June 24th at Raleigh Little Theatre.

Today, the nation's first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, Gilda's LaughFest, announced the first round of talent and shows for the festival's sixth year to be held March 10-20, 2016. Headliners include Seth Meyers, performing during Gilda's Club Grand Rapids Signature Event, Kathy Griffin, Marlon Wayans, and a diverse range of artists that are new to the festival, as well as some past returning favorites.

Currently playing at the Burning Coal Theatre Company is Good, the WWII-era period play which follows an unlikely Nazi leader from writing novels all the way to supervising Auschwitz.

Burning Coal Theatre Company's 2012/2013 season continues with C.P. Taylor's drama Good, directed by Ian Finley, January 31 through February 17, 2013 at the Murphey School, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production below!

Burning Coal Theatre Company's 2012/2013 season continues with C.P. Taylor's drama Good, directed by Ian Finley, January 31 through February 17, 2013 at the Murphey School, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays (1/31 to 2/2, 2/7 - 9 and 2/14 - 16) at 7:30 pm and Sundays (2/3, 10 and 17) at 2 pm. Tickets are $25 or $20 for seniors, and $15 for students and active military. Thursday night tickets are $10. Sunday, February 3 at 2 pm is 'Pay What You Can' day. Tickets are available at 919.834.4001 or at www.burningcoal.org.

Burning Coal's Jude the Obscure, Parts 1 & 2 by Ian Finley, Jon Fitts and Bruce Benedict has entered its final week. Remaining performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Saturday afternoon at 2 pm. Part 1 runs Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. Part 2 runs Friday and Saturday evening.

Burning Coal Theatre Company will close its 15th season with the world premiere of Jude the Obscure, Parts 1 & 2 by Ian Finley, with music and lyrics by Thomas Hardy, Bruce Benedict, Jerome Davis and Jonathan Fitts. The production will run April 12 - May 5, 2012 at the Murphey School, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, NC. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm (April 12 - 14, 19 - 21, 26 - 28 and May 3 - 5, 2012), Saturdays at 2 pm (April 21, 28 and May 5, 2012) and Sundays at 2 pm (April 15, 22, 29, 2012). Sunday, April 15 (Part 1) and Sunday, April 22nd (Part 2) at 2 pm are our 'Pay What You Can' days. Those performances will also be Audio Described. Tickets are $20 or $15 for students, seniors and active military. All tickets are $10 on Thursday evenings. For reservations and information, please call 919-834-4001 or visit www.burningcoal.org.

Burning Coal Theatre Company will open the world premiere of JUDE THE OBSCURE, PARTS 1 & 2 by Ian Finley, with music and lyrics by Thomas Hardy, Bruce Benedict, Jerome Davis and Jonathan Fitts. The production will run April 12 - May 5, 2012 at the Murphey School, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, NC.

Burning Coal Theatre Company will close its 15th season with the world premiere of Jude the Obscure, Parts 1 & 2 by Ian Finley, with music and lyrics by Thomas Hardy, Bruce Benedict, Jerome Davis and Jonathan Fitts. The production will run April 12 - May 5, 2012 at the Murphey School, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, NC. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm (April 12 - 14, 19 - 21, 26 - 28 and May 3 - 5, 2012), Saturdays at 2 pm (April 21, 28 and May 5, 2012) and Sundays at 2 pm (April 15, 22, 29, 2012). Sunday, April 15 (Part 1) and Sunday, April 22nd (Part 2) at 2 pm are our 'Pay What You Can' days. Those performances will also be Audio Described. Tickets are $20 or $15 for students, seniors and active military. All tickets are $10 on Thursday evenings. For reservations and information, please call 919-834-4001 or visit www.burningcoal.org.

Burning Coal's 2010/2011 season will include: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (September 9 - 26, 2010), ST. NICHOLAS by Conor McPherson, directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (November 4 - 21, 2010), CROWNS by Regina Taylor, directed by Rebecca Holderness (December 2 - 19, 2010), BLUE by Kelly Doyle, directed by Mark Sutch (January 13 - 30, 2011) and THE SHAPE OF THE TABLE by David Edgar, directed by Jerome Davis (April 7 - 24, 2011).

Burning Coal's 2010/2011 season will include: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (September 9 - 26, 2010), ST. NICHOLAS by Conor McPherson, directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (November 4 - 21, 2010), CROWNS by Regina Taylor, directed by Rebecca Holderness (December 2 - 19, 2010), BLUE by Kelly Doyle, directed by Mark Sutch (January 13 - 30, 2011) and THE SHAPE OF THE TABLE by David Edgar, directed by Jerome Davis (April 7 - 24, 2011).

Burning Coal's 2010/2011 season will include: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (September 9 - 26, 2010), ST. NICHOLAS by Conor McPherson, directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (November 4 - 21, 2010), CROWNS by Regina Taylor, directed by Rebecca Holderness (December 2 - 19, 2010), BLUE by Kelly Doyle, directed by Mark Sutch (January 13 - 30, 2011) and THE SHAPE OF THE TABLE by David Edgar, directed by Jerome Davis (April 7 - 24, 2011).

Burning Coal's 2010/2011 season will include: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (September 9 - 26, 2010), ST. NICHOLAS by Conor McPherson, directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (November 4 - 21, 2010), CROWNS by Regina Taylor, directed by Rebecca Holderness (December 2 - 19, 2010), BLUE by Kelly Doyle, directed by Mark Sutch (January 13 - 30, 2011) and THE SHAPE OF THE TABLE by David Edgar, directed by Jerome Davis (April 7 - 24, 2011).

Burning Coal's 2010/2011 season will include: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Christopher Sergel from the novel by Harper Lee directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (September 9 - 26, 2010), ST. NICHOLAS by Conor McPherson, directed by Randolph Curtis Rand (November 4 - 21, 2010), CROWNS by Regina Taylor, directed by Rebecca Holderness (December 2 - 19, 2010), BLUE by Kelly Doyle, directed by Mark Sutch (January 13 - 30, 2011) and THE SHAPE OF THE TABLE by David Edgar, directed by Jerome Davis (April 7 - 24, 2011).