Susan Merson News

Thanks to new technologies, artists can now make 3D films and play them like melodic, texture-based visual instruments in real time, performing in duets with acoustic musicians. A new genre of collaborative performance is in the making, as demonstrated in 'Minimus 3D Arkestra,' a visual-sonic concert by Ikuo Nakamura (film) and Hayes Greenfield (sax/voice/effects rig). This pioneering fusion of disciplines will be revealed in a five-week run, today, June 30 to July 30, at the intimate 13th Street Repertory Theatre, 50 West 13th Street.

Thirteenth Street Repertory Theatre presents DOORS OPEN WALK THRU. Celebrated playwright Susan Merson offers up a trilogy of evocative works that walk the oft-rocky road of relationship: WHOLE AGAINST THE SKY - Sara & Jake begin by reminiscing about their marriage as rehearsal for their loss; RON THE CONTORTIONIST - then we follow Sara through the rigors of midlife dating; THIRD ACT - and finally we join her return to a small house in France where she learned her biggest lesson, and shares her biggest secret. Check out photos from the production below!

Thanks to new technologies, artists can now make 3D films and play them like melodic, texture-based visual instruments in real time, performing in duets with acoustic musicians. A new genre of collaborative performance is in the making, as demonstrated in 'Minimus 3D Arkestra,' a visual-sonic concert by Ikuo Nakamura (film) and Hayes Greenfield (sax/voice/effects rig).

Celebrated playwright Susan Merson offers up a trilogy of evocative works that walk the oft-rocky road of relationship.

Now in its sixth year, Susan Merson, producing director the legendary 13 Street Repertory - home of LINE, the longest running play in history, serves as producing artistic director of a six-week, summer conservatory program for writers, actors, and directors focusing on the development of new plays and the artistic collaborative process.

Pompoms, popularity, sorority life and a mid-life crisis are just the tip of the iceberg in VANITIES, the musical. VANITIES, a play by Jack Heifner, opened Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons in New York in 1976. The cast included Kathy Bates as Joanne, Jane Galloway as Kathy and Susan Merson as Mary. In 1981, the play was taped and televised on HBO starring Annette O'Toole, Meredith Baxter Birney and Shelley Hack. Needless to say, this script is powerful. The musical was adapted by Jack Heifner with music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum. When a popular play is transformed into a musical, I am doubtful, but this musical had its moments.

The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, the nation's premiere short play competition, is excited to announce the Final 30 playwrights whose plays will be presented during the 2014 Festival Week, occurring August 4th-10th at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre.

'Blind Angels' by Dick Brukenfeld is a nail-biting drama in which a news reporter (inspired by Daniel Pearl) is taken prisoner by a group of cosmopolitan, integrated, successful, secular Muslims who are embarking on a terrorist attack. The twist is, he has long relationships with two of his three 'hosts'--one is his ex-fiancee and the other was his college roommate. They are playing an endgame scenario that dwarfs what any small fry terrorist has tried before and they need him to tell their story. Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., will present the play's world premiere run February 6 to March 2, directed by Melissa Attebery.

On June 18 at 8pm, Eve Brandstein will play host to award winning writers, actors and musicians performing original work at The Cutting Room located at 44 E. 32nd Street in New York.

Vanities, the laugh-out-loud comedy about the friendship among three small town girls coming of age in the 1960s and '70s, opens at the State Theatre in downtown Eustis on February 3 and runs for three consecutive Sunday nights through February 17. This bittersweet comedy by Jack Heifner is an astute, snapshot-sharp chronicle of the lives of the three young women as they prepare to graduate from high school, navigate college, and launch out into the wide world. It is the story of the nature of friendship and how it can change through time. BSP's production is directed by David Clevinger and includes the talent of Stephanie Kuzicki, Mariah Lester and SaraJane Olson.

USC Professor Mark Moore's one-person show, 'Crooked Roads,' plays today, January 29 and January 31 at the Village Gate Theatre at USC.

USC Professor Mark Moore's one-person show, 'Crooked Roads,' plays on January 29 and January 31 at the Village Gate Theatre at USC.

Tonight, August 6th, Shakespeare's Sister will present emerging playwright Shellen Lubin's new full-length play, 'War Orphan.' Featuring Cynthia Enfield, Anthony J Fusco, Matthew Gandolfo, Kris Lundberg and Susan Merson.

Monday, August 6th, Shakespeare's Sister will present emerging playwright Shellen Lubin's new full-length play, 'War Orphan.' Featuring Cynthia Enfield, Anthony J Fusco, Matthew Gandolfo, Kris Lundberg and Susan Merson.

Berkshire Playwrights Lab will present a staged reading of Philip Gerson's new playApeshit (note: if unprintable, please spell it Apesh!t) directed by Bob Jaffe on Monday, July 23 at 7:30pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass.).

Berkshire Playwrights Lab announced the titles and directors of its next three staged readings of new plays. Release Point by Gino DiIorio, directed by Jeff Zinn will be presented on July 11; Apeshit (note: if unprintable, please spell it Apesh!t) by Philip Gerson, directed by Bob Jaffe on July 23; and Existing Privilege by James DeMarse, directed by Matthew Penn on August 8.

Rod Menzies directs the world premiere of an Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA production. The Many Mistresses of Martin Luther Kingby Andrew Dolan, a play as provocative as its title, runs March 17 - April 29 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Rod Menzies directs the world premiere of an Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA production. The Many Mistresses of Martin Luther Kingby Andrew Dolan, a play as provocative as its title, runs March 17 - April 29 at Atwater Village Theatre.

Committed to the discovery of fresh voices in the American Theatre Variations Theatre Group, Inc. (VTG) is proud to present the American Avant-Garde Arts Festival.