BWW Reviews: BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK Reveals A Stark Reality
by Herbert Paine - Aug 25, 2014
In By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, acclaimed dramatist Lynn Nottage (winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Ruined), has illuminated the irony and hurtful absurdity of the Black struggle in Depression-era Hollywood to break the chains of racial stereotyping and to land good roles with good lines. iTheatre Collaborative, a gem of a company in the heart of Phoenix boldly stages this play under the direction of Charles St. Clair and with a cast that artfully commands the stage. Nicole Belit is exquisite, endowing Vera with elegance, grace, and the self-assurance that was required to leap from handmaiden to film star.
Casting Set for Goodman Theatre's ALL-NEW FALL
by Courtnie Mele - Jun 25, 2014
Goodman Theatre introduces its "all-new fall," celebrating nine decades with new inspiration: three months of new American plays, each developed in the Goodman's new play programs.
Playwrights David Henry Hwang and Lynn Nottage to Teach at Columbia
by BWW News Desk - Jun 17, 2014
Carol Becker, Dean of Faculty of Columbia University School of the Arts, announced today the appointment of two acclaimed playwrights to the faculty of the Arts: David Henry Hwang, Associate Professor of Theatre in Playwriting and director of the Playwriting Concentration, and Lynn Nottage, Associate Professor of Theatre in Playwriting.
BWW Previews: BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK Comes to the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City Tonight
by Steve Wilson - Jun 4, 2014
The comedy about Hollywood stereotypes, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark comes to the Unicorn Theatre tonight, June 4, with opening night on June 7. Missy Koonce directs the Unicorn production written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage. Nottage won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009 for her play Ruined. At the time, she wrote Ruined she was working on a second project, which ended up being By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
BWW Previews: BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK Coming to the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, 6/4
by Steve Wilson - May 27, 2014
The comedy about Hollywood stereotypes, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark comes to the Unicorn Theatre June 4, with opening night on June 7. Missy Koonce directs the Unicorn production written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Lynn Nottage. Nottage won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2009 for her play Ruined. At the time, she wrote Ruined she was working on a second project, which ended up being By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.
Jeffrey Bean, Sharon Lockwood and More Star in Alley Theatre's 'VANYA AND SONIA', Beg. Tonight
by BWW News Desk - May 23, 2014
Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will feature Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.
Henry Wishcamper Directs THE LITTLE FOXES at the Goodman, Running Now thru 6/7
by BWW News Desk - May 2, 2014
odman Theatre announces that a new production of The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman, Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and author and Academy Award nominee, completes its 90th Anniversary 'Season to Celebrate.' Goodman Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper directs the 1939 classic American Southern drama that 'could not be more timely, as the play's social skewering remains satisfyingly fresh' (Los Angeles Times). The Little Foxes is slated to appear today, May 2 - June 7, 2015 as the fourth production in the 2014/2015 Season, followed by Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, which runs June 20 - July 26, 2015.
Jeffrey Bean, Sharon Lockwood and More to Star in Alley Theatre's 'VANYA AND SONIA'; Cast and Creatives Set!
by BWW News Desk - Apr 29, 2014
Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for recent Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Appearing in titles roles are Resident Actor Jeffrey Bean as Vanya, Sharon Lockwood returning to the Alley as Sonia, Alley Artist Josie de Guzman returning as Masha, and Resident Actor Jay Sullivan as Spike. Rounding out the cast and making their Alley debuts are Rachael Holmes as Cassandra and Sarah Nealis as Nina. Jonathan Moscone, Artistic Director of California Shakespeare Theater, helms the production and returns after having directed the Alley's 2011 production of Amadeus.
Henry Wishcamper to Direct THE LITTLE FOXES at the Goodman, Running 5/2-6/7
by BWW News Desk - Apr 23, 2014
Goodman Theatre announces that a new production of The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman, Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and author and Academy Award nominee, completes its 90th Anniversary 'Season to Celebrate.' Goodman Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper directs the 1939 classic American Southern drama that 'could not be more timely, as the play's social skewering remains satisfyingly fresh' (Los Angeles Times). The Little Foxes is slated to appear May 2 - June 7, 2015 as the fourth production in the 2014/2015 Season, followed by Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, which runs June 20 - July 26, 2015.
BWW Reviews: The Ensemble Theatre's BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK is As Poignant As It Is Hilarious
by David Clarke - Apr 2, 2014
Earlier this season Houston was introduced to Lynn Nottage with a production of RUINED. Now, The Ensemble Theatre is putting this playwright on everyone's must watch list with a sterling production of her 2011 play, BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK. This intellectual comedy powerfully explores the legacy of American-Americans in 1930s Hollywood and leaves audiences with plenty to think and talk about.
SMOKEFALL, TWO TRAINS RUNNING and More Set for Goodman Theatre's 2014-15 Season
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 12, 2014
Chicago's most established resident theater presents a 90th anniversary "season to celebrate," a line-up of new and contemporary works on its two stages-the 856-seat Albert Theatre and 400-seat flexible Owen Theatre. Today, Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer announced six plays (of eight)-half of which were developed by commission and/or workshop in the Goodman's new play development programs-that comprise the 2014/2015 Season, plus co-productions with Chicago's off-Loop theaters. Remarked Falls, "We are proud to present this Season in the same spirit that launched the Goodman in 1925: 'an array of dramatic fare, from classics to noteworthy contemporary works, innovative and oft controversial, embracing genres from farces to searing social dramas.' We hope to give our audiences compelling, relevant experiences from a range of culturally and aesthetically diverse artists, from bold new talents to acclaimed local and national voices." For a limited time, Subscriptions start at $90 in honor of the milestone season; call 312.443.3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org. Individual tickets go on sale in August. Two Albert plays are TBA.
Obsidian Art Space Presents RUINED, Closes 3/22
by BWW News Desk - Mar 12, 2014
Ruined follows the plight of four women in the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Many women have suffered during the cruel civil war and worse are now shunned by their communities for being ruined. Some of these women find unlikely refuge at Mama Nadi's, a brothel deep in the mineral rich jungle.
BWW Reviews: Obsidian Art Space's RUINED is Thought Provoking
by David Clarke - Mar 4, 2014
Lynn Nottage's RUINED was well received in New York City in 2009, and now it is making its Houston premiere in a production produced by Obsidian Art Space. A tautly constructed drama about the use of rape as a weapon in the Congolese Civil War, this fascinating and thought-provoking show is one that will leave Houston audiences with plenty to think about.
STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes of Goodman Theatre's GREAT WOMEN AT PLAY Series, Beg. Tonight
by Stage Tube - Jan 18, 2014
Goodman Theatre introduces a new subscription package for 2014, 'Great Women at Play,' featuring works written and directed by a handful of the most popular female playwrights working in the American theater today. This special package for women-and men-includes five plays for the price of four, a complimentary visit to the exclusive Goodman Lounge and the opportunity to win a $100 gift certificate from the Goodman's preferred restaurant partner, Petterino's. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/GreatWomen for more information, and check out a video of the artists involved below!
Retired Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher Will Make Goodman Debut for Make-A-Wish Illinois Today
by BWW News Desk - Dec 27, 2013
It isn't every day you can tell a Chicago Bear to 'break a leg!' Goodman Theatre's 7th annual 'Make-A-Wish Night' features the superstar former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and 17-year-old beneficiary Kenneth Schumacher, who wishes to be a part of a professional theatrical production. Urlacher and Schumacher don costumes tailored especially for them and appear in select scenes of the 36th annual production of A Christmas Carol, Chicago's favorite holiday tradition. Tickets for the one-night-only appearance on December 27 at 8pm are available online at GoodmanTheatre.org/Joy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor, PepsiCo is the Official Beverage Sponsor and Aon and KPMG are the Corporate Sponsor Partners of A Christmas Carol.
Nathan Lane and Brian Dennehy to Reprise Roles in THE ICEMAN COMETH at BAM; Runs 2/5-3/15
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 18, 2013
BAM and Scott Rudin will present Goodman Theatre's renowned revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh from February 5 through March 15, 2015. Directed by Goodman Artistic Director Robert Falls and featuring Tony Award-winning stage and screen actors Nathan Lane (as Theodore "Hickey" Hickman) and Brian Dennehy (as Larry Slade), the production, including its original Chicago cast, is slated for a six-week run in the BAM Harvey Theater. Ticket on-sale dates will be announced in the fall of 2014.
Retired Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher Will Make Goodman Debut for Make-A-Wish Illinois, 12/27
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 12, 2013
It isn't every day you can tell a Chicago Bear to "break a leg!" Goodman Theatre's 7th annual "Make-A-Wish Night" features the superstar former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and 17-year-old beneficiary Kenneth Schumacher, who wishes to be a part of a professional theatrical production. Urlacher and Schumacher don costumes tailored especially for them and appear in select scenes of the 36th annual production of A Christmas Carol, Chicago's favorite holiday tradition. Tickets for the one-night-only appearance on December 27 at 8pm are available online at GoodmanTheatre.org/Joy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor, PepsiCo is the Official Beverage Sponsor and Aon and KPMG are the Corporate Sponsor Partners of A Christmas Carol.
New Chicago Artists Join the Goodman's Artistic Team for 2013-14 Playwrights Unit
by BWW News Desk - Dec 11, 2013
A new crop of local talent joins Goodman Theatre's artistic team for the 2013/2014 Season. The four Chicago-based writers named to the fourth season of the Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency program designed to support and develop new works-include Andrew Hinderaker, Gift Theatre ensemble member; Mickle Maher, cofounder of Theater Oobleck; Anne Garcia-Romero, a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists; and Laura Schellhardt, who oversees undergraduate playwriting at Northwestern University. A partnership with Chicago Dramatists, the Playwrights Unit meets twice per month with members of the Goodman's artistic team to discuss their plays-in-progress and provide feedback for one another. The program includes readings of the playwrights' works-in-progress at Chicago Dramatists in early 2014, and culminates in summer 2014 with staged readings of their completed works at the Goodman. Playwrights Unit alumni include Greg Allen, Alice Austen, Ike Holter and Christopher Oscar Peña (2012/2013 Season); Philip Dawkins, Nambi E. Kelley, Elaine Romero and Martin Zimmerman (2011/2012 Season); and Seth Bockley, Lisa Dillman, Laura Jacqmin and Rohina Malik (2010/2011 Season).