David Neumann News

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE presents the world premiere of WAR by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, November 21–December 13 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). The company opening is scheduled for Friday, November 28. The official press opening will follow on Saturday, November 29.

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center at The Graduate Center, CUNY is pleased to announce the full lineup of its eleventh annual PRELUDE Festival. Dedicated to artists at the forefront of contemporary New York City theatre and performance, PRELUDE 2014 features an array of artists working in theatrical and interdisciplinary performance.

On February 12, 1915, the Abrons Arts Center's Henry Street Settlement Playhouse opened its doors on the Lower East Side. Since that day, it has remained a vital cultural resource, providing audiences with artistically bold work while offering artists opportunities to dynamically grow.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival will open the world premiere of Family Album, with book and lyrics by Stew, music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, created with and directed by Joanna Settle. The opening performance is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5 in the Thomas Theatre; previews are July 1, 3 and 4. Family Album was commissioned by OSF with support from the Edgerton Foundation. The show runs through August 31.

Following the record-breaking attendance of Festival 2013, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival announces the full 2014 Festival free and ticketed event schedule. Jacob's Pillow is a National Historic Landmark, home to America's longest-running dance festival, and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Noted dance writer Jennifer Dunning has called the Pillow "the dance center of the nation, possibly the world."

In response to popular demand and critical acclaim, Soho Rep. announces a second extension of the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon. Directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson, An Octoroon will run through June 8.

Interdisciplinary choreographer David Neumann will present an evening of solos tonight, April 26 at 8pm at MASS MoCA's Hunter Center for the Performing Arts. A co-presentation by Jacob's Pillow Dance and MASS MoCA, the retrospective evening spans Neumann's career from his first choreographic endeavor, DOSE, to his current work-in-progress, I Understand Everything Better. The program, also including tough the tough (redux) (2008) and You Are In Control (2009), captures Neumann's exploration of lines between theatre and dance, audience and performer, movement and voice, mundane and theatrical.

In response to popular demand and one week before performances begin, Soho Rep. extends the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon, directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson, to May 24. Performances of An Octoroon will now take place April 23-May 24 (see schedule above) at Soho Rep. Critics are welcome as of Wednesday, April 30 for an official opening of Sunday, May 4 at 7:30pm.

The Bushwick Starr is proud to present multi-disciplinary artists Daniel Fish and Andrew Dinwiddie confronting a monumental subject - DEATH - with a staggering amount of raw material. PHIL. 176 / OBIT is an episodic performance installation drawing simultaneously on the text of Shelly Kagan's renowned Yale College philosophy course, 'PHIL 176: Death,'* and on current American obituaries and death notices.

Interdisciplinary choreographer David Neumann will present an evening of solos April 26 at 8pm at MASS MoCA's Hunter Center for the Performing Arts. A co-presentation by Jacob's Pillow Dance and MASS MoCA, the retrospective evening spans Neumann's career from his first choreographic endeavor, DOSE, to his current work-in-progress, I Understand Everything Better. The program, also including tough the tough (redux) (2008) and You Are In Control (2009), captures Neumann's exploration of lines between theatre and dance, audience and performer, movement and voice, mundane and theatrical.

Soho Rep. announces final casting for the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's An Octoroon, directed by Soho Rep. Artistic Director Sarah Benson. The production, April 23-May 18, concludes a banner New York season for the celebrated playwright, whose Appropriate recently opened at Signature Theatre and continues through April 6.

The Little Orchestra Society is reaching out to fellow New Yorkers to help craft its new name. Long time fans of the Orchestra and new enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to submit their favorite names for an institution beloved by generations of concert-goers. Today through March 9th, music lovers are invited to visit the Orchestra's website: littleorchestra.org, and recommend a new name for an Orchestra known for its audience engagement, inclusive educational mission and commitment to innovative music and multi-disciplinary performances. The Orchestra's new name will be announced later this year.

The Bushwick Starr will present a collaboration between stage and film director Daniel Fish and dance and theater artist Andrew Dinwiddie. Using nearly seven weeks of residency time at the Bushwick Starr, and in collaboration with actor T. Ryder Smith (War Horse, Passion Play) and designers Blanca Añon (ETERNAL, Owned) and Daniel Kluger (Nikolai and the Others, A Map of Virtue), they will create PHIL. 176 / OBIT, an episodic performance installation that draws simultaneously on the text of Shelly Kagan's renowned Yale College philosophy course, 'PHIL 176: Death,'* and on current American obituaries and death notices.

Following the record-breaking attendance of Festival 2013, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival announces the 2014 Festival schedule. Jacob's Pillow is a National Historic Landmark, home to America's longest-running dance festival, and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Noted dance writer Jennifer Dunning has called the Pillow "the dance center of the nation, possibly the world."

New York Live Arts will present the second annual Lang Dance Fall Performance at New York Live Arts, December 13 & 14 at 7:30pm.

Shakespeare on the Sound presents ROMEO AND JULIET in Greenwich from tonight, June 26 through July 8 and in Rowayton from July 18-29.

Two highly respected contemporary artists and choreographers, Jodi Melnick and David Neumann, come together for the first time in an exclusive mixed bill engagement at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, August 10-14 in the Doris Duke Theatre. In her Pillow debut performance, two-time Bessie Award-winner Jodi Melnick presents Fanfare, a sophisticated dance of rhythm and gesture set against a kaleidoscope of light and sculpture designed by visual artist Burt Barr. Neumann and his company, Advanced Beginner Group, also take the stage with signature wry humor and creativity in Hit the Deck and Tough the Tough. This exclusive program also includes the world premiere duet, July, commissioned by Jacob's Pillow, and choreographed and performed by these two original artists.

Internationally acclaimed theater ensemble Mabou Mines celebrates 40 years of creating groundbreaking theater with the world premiere of 'FINN', a digital and live-action adventure based on the ancient Celtic legend of Finn McCool opening on Thursday, March 4th (8PM) at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place). Conceived & directed by Mabou Mines Co-Artistic Director Sharon Fogarty, and written by Jocelyn Clarke, this original theatrical work blends traditional storytelling and music with large-scale digital technology. Finn McCool, part mortal, part magical, battles his boyhood demons and emerges a young man ready to lead his band of men. Live performers interact with digital animation in a 21st century adaptation of a timeless legend. FINN is produced by Mabou Mines in association with Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York University.

Picnic in the Park Before A Midsummer Night's Dream! Delicious, reasonably priced picnic fare is available on-site in Baldwin Park from the chefs at Aux Délices gourmet food shop. Ham and cheese or tomato and mozzarella baguettes, Black Angus hamburgers ($4), hotdogs ($3), Caesar salad, arugula salad, fruit and cheese, ice cream and more...

Picnic in the Park Before A Midsummer Night's Dream! Delicious, reasonably priced picnic fare is available on-site in Baldwin Park from the chefs at Aux Délices gourmet food shop. Ham and cheese or tomato and mozzarella baguettes, Black Angus hamburgers ($4), hotdogs ($3), Caesar salad, arugula salad, fruit and cheese, ice cream and more...