American Shakespeare Festival News

Actress Barbara Barrie is sharing her story as an Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patient by speaking out for the first time about her diagnosis with the incurable lung disease.

The Geffen Playhouse announces its production of The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord. Written by Scott Carter, executive producer and writer for Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect and Real Time, this whip-smart philosophical comedy features Larry Cedar (Deadwood, PBS's Square One TV), David Melville (Travel Channel Lawrence of America, film Ironclad) and Armin Shimerman (Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Associate Artistic Director at The Antaeus Company) and will be again helmed by director, Matt August (Broadway How the Grinch Stole Christmas). Discord begins previews on October 7 with the press opening on October 15. The closing date is currently scheduled for November 16.

Bay Street Theater has announced the launch of The Bay Street Shakespeare Initiative with the presentation of two outdoor staged readings of THE TEMPEST, starring Tony Award winner John Glover as Prospero, this weekend, August 16 and 17.

Acclaimed actors Chris Noth and Fritz Weaver join the cast of Lincoln's Favorite Shakespeare with John Douglas Thompson and Kathleen Chalfant. Tonight, August 14 at 4pm at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage, this noted quartet of actors are donating their performances to the event and will present scenes and soliloquies known and loved by Abraham Lincoln from the canon of Shakespeare with a reception immediately following at Chesterwood.

Underneath the Lintel's sole character-the Librarian-embarks on a quest to find out who anonymously returned a library book that is 113 years overdue. A clue scribbled in the margin of the book and an unclaimed dry-cleaning ticket take him on a mysterious adventure that spans the globe and the ages. Directed by Randy Kovitz and Cameron Knight.

The 22nd annual New American Playwrights Project (NAPP) takes the stage at the Utah Shakespeare Festival from today, August 8 through August 29.

The 22nd annual New American Playwrights Project (NAPP) takes the stage at the Utah Shakespeare Festival from August 8 through August 29. Three plays will be presented as staged readings in the Auditorium Theatre at 10 a.m. on selected dates. Chosen from hundreds of plays submitted, this year's lineup includes Six Seconds by Rose-Mary Harrington, Breakout by Dan Borengasser, and Hamlet's Shakespeare by Mary Jane Schaefer.

Connecticut Free Shakespeare has brought a delightful version of As You Like It to the outdoor stage. As envisioned by director, Ellen Lieberman, this production of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, set in 1969, is a family friendly, drug free 'Be-in' of the theatrical kind.

After wrapping three grand mainstage productions that have run over seven weeks, would you believe Kentucky Shakespeare's summer season in Central Park is only half-over? Only thing is, you've got just three weeks to catch the rest.

1969. Protests. Love-ins. Woodstock. The height of a counter-culture movement-and the perfect time in which to set a 400 year old play according to Ellen Lieberman, Artistic Director of CT Free Shakespeare. For its 15th season, the company will present As You Like It, one of William Shakespeare's greatest comedies--and some say his silliest. It is also Shakespeare's most musical play, and this adaptation features soul-stirring songs from the 60's.

Acclaimed actors Chris Noth and Fritz Weaver join the cast of Lincoln's Favorite Shakespeare with John Douglas Thompson and Kathleen Chalfant. On August 14 at 4pm at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage, this noted quartet of actors are donating their performances to the event and will present scenes and soliloquies known and loved by Abraham Lincoln from the canon of Shakespeare with a reception immediately following at Chesterwood.

1969. Protests. Love-ins. Woodstock. The height of a counter-culture movement-and the perfect time in which to set a 400 year old play according to Ellen Lieberman, Artistic Director of CT Free Shakespeare. For its 15th season, the company will present As You Like It, one of William Shakespeare's greatest comedies--and some say his silliest. It is also Shakespeare's most musical play, and this adaptation features soul-stirring songs from the 60's.

Scholars and lovers of Shakespeare will be traveling this summer from England to America to study why Shakespeare is so popular here, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival is on their list of places to visit.

Arts Midwest has announced that Tennessee Shakespeare Company is one of just 40 theatre companies in the United States to receive its prestigious Shakespeare in American Communities grant for TSC's innovative Romeo and Juliet Project. This is the second consecutive year TSC has been awarded the grant as the youngest organization of the 40 theatres selected.

A public memorial will be held for Ruby Dee, the legendary actress and civil rights activist, who passed away on June 11. The Terrie Williams Agency told NBC that they will be celebrating Dee's life and her many accomplishments on September 20 at the Riverside Church in New York. This is the same place where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke against the Vietnam war and others, such as Nelson Mandela and Cesar Chavez, have spoken.

Bay Street Theater has announced the launch of The Bay Street Shakespeare Initiative with the presentation of two outdoor staged readings of THE TEMPEST, starring Tony Award winner John Glover as Prospero, on August 16 and 17. This initiative is an ongoing program, which offers exciting performances and educational opportunities focusing on the work of William Shakespeare at Bay Street Theater.

Bay Street Theater is pleased to announce its new name, new mission, new design, and new programming. Through the vision of Bay Street Theater's new Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz, the new Bay Street will enhance the development and presentation of new productions, performances and events.

The Broadway community mourns the loss of celebrated stage and screen actress Ruby Dee, who passed away on Wednesday at age 91. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory tomorrow night, Friday, June 13th, at exactly 7:45pm for one minute.

The Colony Theatre is thrilled to present Ian Buchanan and Mariette Hartley starring in THE LION IN WINTER, written by James Goldman and directed by Stephanie Vlahos. THE LION IN WINTER will preview tonight, April 16; Thursday, April 17; and Friday, April 18 at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, April 19 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, May 18 at The Colony Theatre, 555 N. Third Street (at Cypress) adjacent to the Burbank Town Center Mall.