Philip Barry News

George Cukor's 1940 film version of Philip Barry's THE PHILADELPHIA STORY was Katharine Hepburn's return to glory after the actress had been labeled 'box office poison' after the failure of several films. 021The savvy Hepburn was able to bend MGM to her will when it wanted to film Barry's play, and the end result rewarded everyone involved: Hepburn, her old RKO co-star Cary Grant, and the up and coming James Stewart. Not only were Oscar nominations and wins in store, but at the center of it all was Hepburn in all her patrician, high cheek-boned elegance. She may have given greater performances as the tragic, dope-addicted 'Mary Tyrone' in the film version of Eugene O'Neill's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT or as the caustic, sparring 'Eleanor of Aquitaine' in James Goldman's THE LION IN WINTER, but for those who want to see Hepburn at the height of her unusual beauty and comedic gifts, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is a must. Having seen the film numerous times, I was wary of Theatre Memphis' staging of Barry's work. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, once seen, leaves such an impression that it's rather like tackling a remake of THE WIZARD OF OZ or GONE WITH THE WIND or THE GODFATHER. Director Jason Spitzer has taken the dare, and he and his cast have mostly succeeded in the satiny, stylized production currently playing at Theatre Memphis.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective opens their season with Oscar Wilde's four-act comedy of morals 'Lady Windermere's Fan,' directed by Dead Writers Artistic Director Jim Schneider at Stage 773 located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., April 17-June 7. Previews are April 17-21; press opening is Wednesday, April 22.

I have to admit, I have a significant gap in my pop culture knowledge. I have never seen the movie version of Philip Barry's play THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, which starred Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart, and garnered six Academy Award nominations in 1940. While I have seen a stage production Cole Porter's musical adaptation, HIGH SOCIETY (which was also a 1956 film), it wasn't until I saw Mad Cow Theatre's production (running through April 19th) that I truly appreciated the charming wit and sophistication of this classic high comedy. Under the direction of Aradhana Tiwari, Mad Cow's cast is an exceptionally talented group that will bring a smile to your heart, and just might bring a sentimental tear to your eye. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is the most enjoyable Mad Cow mainstage production that I have seen.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective opens their season with Oscar Wilde's four-act comedy of morals "Lady Windermere's Fan," directed by Dead Writers Artistic Director Jim Schneider at Stage 773 located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., April 17-June 7. Previews are April 17-21; press opening is Wednesday, April 22.

Mad Cow Theatre's The Philadelphia Story, by Philip Barry, opens today, March 20, 2015 in The Harriett Theatre as part of Season 18.

Dead Writers Theatre Collective opens their season with Oscar Wilde's four-act comedy of morals "Lady Windermere's Fan," directed by Dead Writers Artistic Director Jim Schneider at Stage 773 located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave., April 17-June 7. Previews are April 17-21; press opening is Wednesday, April 22.

Mad Cow Theatre is delighted to announce the cast and creative team for its upcoming run of The Philadelphia Story, by Philip Barry, set to open March 20, 2015 in The Harriett Theatre as part of Season 18.

By audience demand, Cleveland Play House has added an extra performance of The Philadelphia Story. This special Sunday matinee performance will take place on March 1 at 3pm.

Call for Directors!! Anyone interested in directing a show for Lakewood Theatre Company's 2015 Season may send them a proposal, a short little something about which show they'd like to direct and how they would direct it! Lakewood is extending it through October 12th!

New Jersey Repertory Company, located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch, is proud to present the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of Lucky Me by Robert Caisley, directed by SuzAnne Barabas and starring Dan Grimaldi, Wendy Peace, Michael Irvin Pollard and Mark Light-Orr.

Under the able direction of Doren Elias, the actors all get the period feeling just right, and the wealthy family feels like a wealthy family - all upper-crust manners and comfortable ease with the fancy trimmings.

DTF opens its 39th Summer Season New Play Reading series with a new play by local favorite Theresa Rebeck. The play, Zealot, is a finalist for the Susan Blackburn Prize and is set at the British consulate in Mecca, where a tactical tea is interrupted by news of nearby violence. When a witness seeks asylum, a diplomatic battle of wits ensues, while a life hangs in the balance. The reading will star renowned actress Alfre Woodard and will be directed by award winning director John Doyle.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced that Aradhana Tiwari will join the company as Resident Director, beginning with the 2014 - 2015 season. Tiwari is a Central Florida-based artist who has guest-directed at Mad Cow since 2012. Her production of The Road to Mecca in 2012 was the first in Mad Cow's Zehngebot-Stonerock Theatre, one of two spaces in the company's new location in downtown Orlando.

DTF opens its 39th Summer Season New Play Reading series with a new play by local favorite Theresa Rebeck. The play, Zealot, is a finalist for the Susan Blackburn Prize and is set at the British consulate in Mecca, where a tactical tea is interrupted by news of nearby violence. When a witness seeks asylum, a diplomatic battle of wits ensues, while a life hangs in the balance. The reading will star renowned actress Alfre Woodard and will be directed by award winning director John Doyle.

Arthur Kopit, playwright, librettist, screenwriter, adapter and mentor, a multiple Tony and Drama Desk and Pulitzer Prize nominee, will be the Honoree of the 33rd Annual William Inge Theatre Festival in Independence, Kansas, at Independence Community College.

The Shaw Festival is one of the two major Canadian theatre celebrations, the other being The Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario. Both are professional,, high quality venues.

The Acting Company presents a benefit staged reading of Holiday by Philip Barry at 7 pm tonight, Monday, December 16 at the Mainstage Theater (at Playwrights Horizons), 416 West 42nd Street (9th-10th Avenues).

The Acting Company will present a benefit staged reading of Holiday by Philip Barry at 7 pm on Monday, December 16 at the Mainstage Theater (at Playwrights Horizons), 416 West 42nd Street (9th-10th Avenues). The performance-starring Acting Company Founding Member David Schramm (Finian's Rainbow, TV's Wings), Carson Elrod (Peter and the Starcatcher, Noises Off), Andrew Hovelson (Lucky Guy, Enemy of the People), Liv Rooth (Venus in Fur, Born Yesterday, Is He Dead?), Danielle Skraastad (All My Sons), Brendan Titley (Macbeth), Finn Wittrock (Death of a Salesman), Acting Company Alum Georgia Cohen, David Quay and Victoria Mack-will be followed by a reception with the cast and director,Janet Zarish, Head of Acting, Graduate Acting Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and an Acting Company Alumna. Tickets @ $35 and $60 (Patron) are available from 212-258-3111.

The American Century Theater launches its 18th season to laughter with the Neil Simon comedy, Come Blow Your Horn, directed by Rip Claassen, opening tonight, September 12 and running through October 12 at Gunston Arts Center's Theatre Two in Arlington.

Arthur Kopit, playwright, librettist, screenwriter, adapter and mentor, a multiple Tony and Drama Desk and Pulitzer Prize nominee, will be the Honoree of the 33rd Annual William Inge Theatre Festival in Independence, Kansas, at Independence Community College.