Off-Broadway Theatre + Broadway News

HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER Extends Through Today

(5/25/2013) - Due to overwhelming demand, Off-Broadway's newest hit comedy HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER today put a new block of seats on sale through May 25th. Written and performed by Margaret Copeland and Kevin James Doyle, HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER opened on October 17, 2012 to rave reviews at Sofia's Downstairs Theater in the heart of Times Square.

Irish Rep's WHO'S YOUR DADDY? Will Close May 26

(5/24/2013) - Irish Repertory Theatre announced today that Johnny O'Callaghan's WHO'S YOUR DADDY? must close this Sunday, May 26. The production had previously been set to close earlier this month.

SATC Stages US Premiere of GORILLA at Theatre Row, Now thru 6/16

(5/24/2013) - Scandinavian American Theater Company will present the US Premiere of GORILLA by Rhea Leman. The Danish premiere was just nominated for the 2013 Reumert Award (the Danish equivalent of the Tony Award) for Best Playwrighting. Directed by Ari Edelson, previews begin tonight, May 24 at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row. Opening is slated for May 30.

Danielle Skraastad, Susannah Flood and More Join Clubbed Thumb's SUMMERWORKS 2013, Kicking Off Tonight

(5/24/2013) - SUMMERWORKS 2013 - the annual season of new plays presented by the four-time Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb, will be presented tonight, May 24 to June 29 at The Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St.) in Manhattan.

FINAL ANALYSIS Moving to Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 8/18; Launches Kickstarter Campaign

(5/23/2013) - Final Analysis was a big winner at the 2012 Midtown International Theatre Festival Awards - even besting the producers expectations garnering 13 nominations (the most by any one production) and walking away with 7 awards. The production is readying to move to a larger space, The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Theatre Center.

POTTED POTTER Announces Opening Night Ticket Giveaway

(5/23/2013) - The hit off-Broadway show Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience - A Parody by Dan and Jeff begins performances one week from today, Thursday, May 30, at off-Broadway's Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street). The 13-week return engagement officially opens on Tuesday, June 4th and runs through Sunday, September 1st, 2013.

MY NAME IS ASHER LEV Celebrates 200th Performance

(5/23/2013) - My Name Is Asher Lev, the hit off-Broadway play based on the best selling novel by Chaim Potok, celebrated 200 performances at The Westside Theatre on Wednesday, May 22nd. The show recently won the Outer Critics Circle Award for best off-Broadway play and is currently on sale through September 1st.

SILENCE! Announces Memorial Day Weekend Schedule

(5/23/2013) - SILENCE! The Musical will play a special enhanced holiday schedule this weekend at the Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square. The Memorial Day weekend performance schedule will be both Saturday andSunday at 2 & 7 PM. Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, SILENCE! THE MUSICAL is the unauthorized parody of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli. After opening initially at Theatre 80 on July 9, 2011 to unanimous rave reviews, the show immediately became a sold-out phenomenon and was selected by Time Magazine as one of the year's Top 5 Musicals.

James Lee Taylor Leads Off-Broadway's TESLA, Now thru 6/8

(5/23/2013) - The Serbian-American scientist Nikola Tesla most known for inventing the rotating magnetic field and production and distribution of electrical energy based on the use of alternate currents has become more prominent over the years through museums and other art forms.

Irish Rep Presents Conor McPherson's THE WEIR, Now thru 7/7

(5/23/2013) - Irish Repertory Theatre continues its 25th Anniversary Season with The Weir by Conor McPherson, author of SHINING CITY and THE SEAFARER - with previews set to begin May 15, prior to an official Off-Broadway opening tonight, May 23 on the Irish Repertory's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage (132 West 22nd Street). Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly, performances are set to run through July 7.

DIRTY GREAT LOVE STORY to Make US Debut at 59E59 Theaters, 6/11-30

(5/22/2013) - 59E59 Theaters will present the US premiere of DIRTY GREAT LOVE STORY, written and rhymed by Richard Marsh and Katie Bonna, and directed by Pia Furtado. Produced by Polly Ingham Productions and Tim Johanson Productions in association with Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, DIRTY GREAT LOVE STORY begins performances on Tuesday, June 11 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 30.

Marvell Rep's ANTIGONE and MOMMALOGUES Begin Performances Today

(5/22/2013) - Performances begin today (Wednesday, May 22nd) for Marvell Repertory Theatre's production of ANTIGONE directed by Marvell Rep Artistic Director Lenny Leibowitz in repertory with the world premiere of MOMMALOGUES by Sharon Lee Glassman and Gretchen Klinedinst Furst and directed by William Sanders at the TBG Theatre (312 West 36th street, 3rd Floor) in Manhattan.

Photo Flash: First Look at Christopher Lloyd and More in Classic Stage's CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE

(5/22/2013) - Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian Kulick and Executive Director Greg Reiner, presents a new production of Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle featuring Christopher Lloyd (Azdak), directed by Brian Kulick (who directed Brecht's Galileo last season), and featuring new music by Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). The Caucasian Chalk Circle began performances on May 3 at CSC (136 East 13th Street) for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 9. The official opening is Thursday, May 30. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Photo Flash: First Look at Irish Rep's THE WEIR

(5/22/2013) - Irish Repertory Theatre continues its award-winning 25th Anniversary Season with THE WEIR by Conor McPherson, author of SHINING CITY and THE SEAFARER - with an official Off-Broadway opening May 23 on the Irish Repertory's Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage (132 West 22nd Street). Performances are set to run through July 7. Ciaran O'Reilly (THE EMPEROR JONES) directs. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Kermit Raphael & Lynda Sing Productions Present GYM SHORTS: THE SHOW, Through 5/26

(5/22/2013) - Kermit Raphael & Lynda Sing Productions presents GYM SHORTS: THE SHOW, now playing on a limited engagement through May 26, 2013, at 777 Theatre, 777 8th Avenue, New York NY 10036 (between 47th and 48th Street).

Rattlestick's BASILICA Opens Tomorrow

(5/22/2013) - Opening night of the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater production of the world premiere of Mando Alvarado's Basilica, directed by Jerry Ruiz.

Long Wharf Theatre's Eric Ting Wins 2013 Obie Award for WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION...

(5/21/2013) - Long Wharf Theatre Associate Artistic Director Eric Ting won an Obie Award last night for his direction of We Are Proud To Present A Presentation ... by Jackie Sibblies Drury at Soho Rep in New York.

Rena Riffel Will Star in SHOWGIRLS! THE MUSICAL! for Full Off-Broadway Run

(5/21/2013) - Showgirls! The Musical!, the unauthorized musical parody of the cult classic film Showgirls, announces that Rena Riffel, who was scheduled to reprise her role as 'Penny' from the film Showgirls through May 29, will instead stay with the production for its entire run. All shows include a post-performance meet-and-greet with Rena.

DETROIT, GRIMLY HANDSOME Tie for Best New American Play at 2013 Obie Awards - All the Winners!

(5/20/2013) - The 58th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards ceremony was held tonight, May 20 at Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street, NYC). Check out the the full list of winners below!

Photo Flash: Vincent Pastore Returns to ITALIAN BRED

(5/20/2013) - Acclaimed writer/performer Candice Guardino premieres the outrageous Italian Bred Off-Broadway. With this 80 minute one-woman show, Candice slips in and out of characters as she cooks up a full meal of growing up Italian on Staten Island. Special celebrity guest Vincent Pastore recently returned to the stage, and BroadwayWorld has a photo of him in action with Guardino below!

The Amoralists to Stage RANTOUL AND DIE, 6/12-7/20

(5/20/2013) - Having earned a reputation as one of New York's most daring young theater companies, The Amoralists continue to grow in size, ambition and audacity. In the seven years since its founding, the Company has successfully produced 16 productions of ten plays, including nine world premieres, and has quickly moved from basement theaters to Off-Broadway. On the heels of these accomplishments, The Amoralists will kick off 'The Summer of The Amoralists' season with the New York premiere of Mark Roberts' Rantoul and Die, directed by Jay Stull and featuring performances by Derek Ahonen, Sarah Lemp,Matthew Pilieci and Vanessa Vache - all members of The Amoralists' 50-member ensemble.

TESLA Sells Out Opening Night

(5/20/2013) - With all the buzz on the purchase of Nikola Tesla's old laboratory by the Tesla Science Center, Nikola Tesla himself has become quite the hot topic. Being the 70th anniversary of his passing, citizens around the world are finding different ways to honor the incredible scientist and inventor. Some of those individuals choosing to admire his work are Sanja Bestic and Sheri Graubert with their new Off-Broadway play, Tesla. Opening this week on May 24th with a preview on the 23rd, opening night is entirely sold out with guests ranging from around the world, including The Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in New York and Vuk Jeremic who is a Serbian physicist, Politician and President of the United Nations General Assembly. Tesla will run through June 8th at Theatre 80 in the East Village.

Mint Theater Announces Its EnrichMINT Events for A PICTURE OF AUTUMN

(5/20/2013) - Mint Theater (Jonathan Bank, Artistic Director) today announced its line-up of EnrichMint Events for its upcoming production of A Picture of Autumn by N.C. Hunter. For each of their productions, Mint Theater hosts a number of post-show speakers for what are called "EnrichMint" Events. These post-show discussions are free and open to the public. The speakers may be experts on an author or era, or leaders in a humanities field that may bring an entirely different perspective on the play.

Katie Finneran and Darren Goldstein Host Page 73 Productions' 15th Anniversary Benefit, 5/22

(5/20/2013) - Two-time Tony Award-winner Katie Finneran (most recently on Broadway in "Annie") and husband Darren Goldstein ("Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson") are set to host the 15th Anniversary Benefit for the Off-Broadway theatre company Page 73 Productions onWednesday, May 22nd 2013 at City Winery (155 Varick Street) in Manhattan. The evening's festivities begin at 7:00pm and will include dinner, cocktails (including specialty cocktail "The Caroline McGraw" in honor of the 2013 P73 Playwriting Fellow) and the annual New Play Bake Off. Longtime Page 73 supporters Carson and Joseph Gleberman will be honored at this year's benefit.

Tonya Pinkins Joins STILL MORE OF OUR PARTS, 6/13-28 at Theatre Row

(5/20/2013) - Theater Breaking Through Barriers (TBTB), the renowned Off-Broadway company known for its productions that integrate artists with disabilities with able-bodied actors, presents its third annual short play festival, STILL MORE OF OUR PARTS - an evening of six ten-minute plays about disabilities, featuring world premieres by Jerrod Bogard, Bekah Brunstetter, Bruce Graham, Samuel D. Hunter, Neil LaBute, and Lynn Manning, with performances to run June 13-28 at Theatre Row's Clurman Theatre (410 West 42nd Street). Christopher Burris, Nicholas Viselli, Christina Roussos, Russell Treyz, Karen Case Cook, and Roberto Cambeiro direct.

I'M A STRANGER HERE MYSELF Returns to York Theatre Company, Beginning 5/28

(5/20/2013) - By popular demand, York Theatre Company (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director; Andrew Levine, Executive Director) has announced the return engagement of the new musical I'm a Stranger Here Myself, written and performed by Mark Nadler, with Franca Vercelloni on accordion, Jessica Tyler Wright on vioin and directed by David Schweizer.

The Pearl Announces 30th Anniversary Season, Including Terrence McNally's AND AWAY WE GO Premiere

(5/20/2013) - Founded in 1984, The Pearl Theatre Company, New York's only classical Resident Acting Company, began as a small troupe of artists in Chelsea and is now a celebrated Off-Broadway institution with its own permanent home on West 42nd Street. The Pearl's 30th anniversary season will showcase the Company's talents in productions of classic plays that are especially suited to the ensemble's skillsincluding a world premiere written especially for them.

SISTAS: THE MUSICAL Will be Released on DVD, 6/4

(5/20/2013) - One Village Entertainment, an entity of RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) has announced the release of the roof-raising stage play Sistas: The Musical,on DVD and digital download on June 4, 2013 at an SRP of $14.98. Pre-order date is May 7th. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone, Sistas features an all-female cast including Tracey Conyer Lee, Jennifer Fouche, Amy Goldberger, April Nixon and Lexi Rhaodes. The musical journey weaves an emotionally compelling story with exultant musical performances. Let the spirit lift you higher with Sistas.

Obie Awards Ceremony Set for Tonight at Webster Hall

(5/20/2013) - The Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, welcomes esteemed critic and longtime judge of the awards Michael Feingold as Obie chairman for the 58th Annual Village Voice OBIE Awards, replacing former Chairman Brian Parks who has moved on from The Village Voice.

Marina Espinoza, Livvy Marcus and More Join Tanner Bollinger in HOME WORK Concert at New World Stages Tonight

(5/20/2013) - HOME WORK, the new anti-bullying musical, takes a look at the 'dark side of high school' focusing on bullying, depression, suicide, gun violence, fitting in, and relationships. From the creator and writer of MANCHESTER HIGH: IF THESE LOCKERS COULD TALK, a film about bullying and teen empowerment, Nicholas B. Holstein (book writer and lyrics), Jeremy Blachman (lyrics) and Sophia E. DiGonis (music) brings to the New York stage an emotional, high energy, and impactful show much in the style of DEGRASSI meets NEXT TO NORMAL.

Second Stage Theatre Celebrates 2013 Spring Gala Tonight

(5/20/2013) - Second Stage Theatre's Spring Gala celebration will honor The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, which has been an ongoing supporter of New York City arts and Second Stage Theatre for many years, as well as playwright and filmmaker Paul Weitz, whose plays Privilege, Show People, Trust, and Lonely, I'm Nothave all premiered with the off-Broadway company. The evening will also celebrate the first ten years of Second Stage Uptown and its curator, Christopher Burney, which has become an incubator for many theatre artists in the past decade. The gala will be held tonight, May 20, 2013 at Best Buy Theatre, 1515 Broadway at 44th street. The evening begins with cocktails at 6:00pm; dinner and the performance begin at 7:00pm.

FACT Theatre Presents THE SONG OF EDDIE KING Reading at Roy Arias Theatre Tonight

(5/20/2013) - THE SONG OF EDDIE KING, a modern day Oedipus, will be presented as a reading by FRIENDS ALWAYS CREATING (FACT) THEATRE as part of a benefit evening being held tonight, May 20th at 7:00PM at Roy Arias Theatre, 300 West 43rd Street. The evening will consist of an hour long reading of the new play, an auction and raffle and wine and a talk back with the author of the play, Jamesai Schempp.

Photo Flash: Miss NY, ANNIE Orphans and More Perform at West Side YMCA Benefit

(5/19/2013) - On Monday May 13th, the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater in the historic West Side YMCA played host to a completely sold out crowd for their 3rd annual 'Little Theater, Big Dreams' benefit cabaret. Scroll down for photos from the evening!

THE DRAWER BOY Closes Off-Broadway Today

(5/19/2013) - The SoHo Playhouse and Darren Lee Cole, Artistic Director of the SoHo Playhouse, have announced that The Drawer Boy will close today, May 19. The Drawer Boy, written by Michael Healey, directed by Alexander Dinelaris and starring Alex Fast, Brad Fryman, and William Laney, began performances at the SoHo Playhouse on April 19.

Photo Flash: Blue Man Group Visits New York Knicks Game

(5/18/2013) - Blue Man Group brought the New York Knicks a little luck and helped them avoid elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinals with an 85-75 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Thursday night. Scroll down for photos!

SILENCE! THE MUSICAL Celebrates 500th Performance Today

(5/18/2013) - Off-Broadway's sellout sensation SILENCE! THE MUSICAL will celebrate its 500th performance at the 2 PM matinee today, May 18th at the Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square.

BWW Flashback: Second Stage's THE LAST FIVE YEARS Ends Extended Run Today; Ghostlight Set for New Recording, Film

(5/18/2013) - In May, it was announced that Ghostlight Records will preserve the hit Second Stage Theatre production of The Last Five Years, created and directed by Jason Robert Brown. Second Stage Theatre has extended this production starring Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe three times. The Last Five Years is performed at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street) through today, May 18, 2013. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a flashback of the musical's run off-Broadway!

STAGE TUBE: HOW TO BE A NEW YORKER Stars Serve Coffee on the Subway

(5/17/2013) - New Yorker's daily commute is regularly interrupted by unsolicited entertainment from break dancers, fruit snacks being sold for kids basketball teams or help for the homeless. What New Yorker's are not used to is being offered a no strings attached gift! And is there anything New Yorker's crave more in the morning than coffee. Straphangers couldn't help but shed the hard New York exterior and smile on their way to work thanks to How 2 B A New Yorker...ENJOY!

Terry Kinney to Direct GIBRALTAR at Irish Rep, Beg. 6/5

(5/17/2013) - The Irish Repertory Theatre continues its award-winning 25th Anniversary Season with the Off-Broadway premiere of GIBRALTAR-Patrick Fitzgerald's two-character adaptation of James Joyce's 'Ulysses'-with previews set to begin June 5, prior to opening June 13 in the company's W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre (132 West 22nd Street). Terry Kinney directs.

MERCY, GOING HOME and NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK Set for MCC Theater's Spring 2013 Playlab Readings

(5/17/2013) - MCC THEATER has announced the line-up for their Spring 2013 PlayLab readings of new plays by three members of the company's Playwrights' Coalition: Adam Szymkowicz, Ed Napier, and Ashlin Halfnight to be held respectively at 7PM on June 3, June 10 and June 23, 2013 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). The series offers a rare look into the development process of new plays by some of New York's most exciting playwrights. Audience members will also be invited to meet and greet the artists at receptions directly following the readings.