John Gassner News

The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, have just announced the nominees for the 71st Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2021-2022 Broadway and Off-Broadway season.

Rec Room Arts will present the Houston premiere of Hurricane Diane, Madeleine George's (Hulu's Only Murders in the Building) Obie Award-winning play that turns the Greek god Dionysus into Diane, a lesbian permaculture gardener whose secret mission is to save the planet from the ravages of climate change. Lily Wolff (Alley Theatre) will direct the production.

Penguin Rep Theatre, the Stony Point-based nonprofit professional theatre, launches its 2022 mainstage season with I AND YOU by Lauren Gunderson, one of the country's most widely produced authors for the stage, starting Friday, April 29, artistic director Joe Brancato announced today.

Tovah Feldshuh, Andrew Dawson, Kelly McAndrew, Matt Servitto, Allan K. Washington, and Kayce Wilson will join previously announced Arnie Burton, Jasminn Johnson, Lauren Molina, Reg Rogers, Ari'el Stachel, Jason Tam, completing the cast for the Gala Benefit Reading of Light Up the Sky by Moss Hart, directed by Mr. Silverstein. 

TheaterWorks Hartford will present the East Coast premiere of Zoey’s Perfect Wedding by Tony-winner Matthew López, the first Latiné playwright to win the Tony Award for best play. Directed by Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero, the production marks López’s return to TheaterWorks Hartford following 2018's The Legend of Georgia McBride.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company will present the world premiere of THERE’S ALWAYS THE HUDSON, Paola Lázaro’s exploration of what lies beneath rage and anger when partners in pain agree to torment those who have tormented them.

Keen Company Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein today announced the first cast members for the Gala Benefit Reading of the beloved Broadway comedy Light Up the Sky by Moss Hart, directed by Mr. Silverstein and featuring an all-star cast. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has announced four new community programs in May with Hermitage Fellows specializing in music, writing, multimedia, and theater, including an event with Tony Award-nominated playwright Bess Wohl (Grand Horizons, Small Mouth Sounds).

Prologue Theatre is returning to the Atlas Performing Arts Center April 28 - May 22, 2022 with The Revolutionists, Lauren Gunderson's dive into the French Revolution and Reign of Terror telling the tale of four very real women. It is a true story that is also fiction, and also a play about a play.

Keen Company Artistic Director Jonathan Silverstein today announced Hear/Now: LIVE!, the second season of audio drama, a cross between the old and new - commissioned world premieres presented using the traditional tools of radio broadcasts featuring live foley sound effects and live original music.  

The West Coast premiere of playwright Jeremy O. Harris' unflinching new work “Slave Play” reopened the Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum with the highest grossing five-week engagement in the storied theatre's more than 50-year history.

Following their acclaimed 2021 production of Ulster American, Outhouse Theatre Co return to Seymour Centre to present the Sydney premiere of Will Arbery’s bold and startling Pulitzer Prize finalist, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, from 31st March to 23rd April.

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company continues its 45th Anniversary season with Behind the Sheet by Charly Evon Simpson opening March 18, 2022. Previews begin March 16 at the Catherine B. Berges Theatre at Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in St. Louis, Missouri.

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company continues its in-person 45th Anniversary season with Behind the Sheet by Charly Evon Simpson opening March 18, 2022. Previews begin March 16 at the Catherine B. Berges Theatre at Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in St. Louis, Missouri. 

The Time Traveller's Wife: The Musical, based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, will premiere at Storyhouse in Chester from 30 September to 15 October 2022.

Casting has been announced for the West Coast premiere of playwright Jeremy O. Harris' unflinching new work “Slave Play” coming to Los Angeles at the Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum February 9 through March 13, 2022, opening February 16, 2022.

Ars Nova will honor writers Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu (Pass Over) and Steven Levenson (Dear Evan Hansen, FX’s Fosse/Verdon, Netflix’s tick, tick…boom!), at Nova Ball, Ars Nova’s annual benefit.

Slave Play, the ground-breaking work by Tony Award nominee Jeremy O. Harris under the direction of Tony Award nominee Robert O’Hara, announced its digital lottery in partnership with Lucky Seat. The strictly limited return engagement of Slave Play is now in previews ahead of a Thursday, December 2 opening night at the August Wilson Theatre.

Complete casting has been announced for the return Broadway engagement of Jeremy O. Harris' Slave Play at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street). Joining the production are Devin Kawaoka as Dustin and Jonathan Chad Higginbotham as Phillip. They join returning original Broadway and NYTW cast members.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced a robust slate of playwright commissions through Manhattan Theatre Club's new partnership with the Edgerton Foundation, as well as a new round of commissions supported by ongoing partnerships with Bobbie Olsen and other donors.