Kate Fodor News

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces casting for First Look 2015, a program dedicated to new play development, today, August 11, through August 16, 2015 in the Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). First Look 2015 features six staged readings, providing an early look at works-in-progress from some of the most dynamic playwrights in the field. The mission of First Look is to develop new plays for future production at Steppenwolf and other theaters across the country.

Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch and Managing Director Sarah Clare Corporandy, presents David West Read's Afterlove for three Signature Staged Readings from Wednesday, August 5 to Friday, August 7 on the Bratton Stage.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announces casting for First Look 2015, a program dedicated to new play development, August 11 - 16, 2015 in the Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). First Look 2015 features six staged readings, providing an early look at works-in-progress from some of the most dynamic playwrights in the field. The mission of First Look is to develop new plays for future production at Steppenwolf and other theaters across the country.

Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch and Managing Director Sarah Clare Corporandy, presents Jason Wells's The Engine of Our Ruin for two Signature Staged Readings on July 17 and 18 on the Bratton Stage.

Tucked on the lower level in the reception room at Plymouth Church (2717 East Hampshire), Mark Bucher's Boulevard Theater presents the Midwest Premiere of RX. The classic arches and pillars adorn the church's intimate space and provide a satisfying back drop to Kate Fodor's 2012 play about drugs, death, determination and an American culture fascinated by finding relief from unhappiness by popping any colored pill form possible. When an experimental drug being developed by Schmidt Pharma, SP925--named Thriveon--promises to relieve workplace anxiety for employees who hate their jobs, confusion for Meena and Phil future ensues..

People's Light has announced that it has been awarded $60,000 by the National Endowment of the Arts to support its New Play Frontiers program. New Play Frontiers (NPF) is an initiative to conceive, develop, and produce new plays that explore our American identity through stories of deep meaning to specific populations in our region of southeastern PA. Central to this effort are partnerships with local cultural, civic, religious, and academic organizations to help identify individuals and events from the past and present that are significant to our neighbors and embody a broader American story.

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, tonight, September 24, through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 5PM.

Primary Stages has announced that the world premiere of While I Yet Live will begin performances on Wednesday, September 24 at 7PM. Producers have decided to delay the start of previews due to technical issues.

Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), under the leadership of Vivienne Benesch Artistic Director and Sarah Clare Corporandy Managing Director, is proud to present The May Queen a world premiere comedy by Molly Smith Metzler from July 18-27, directed by Vivienne Benesch, on the Bratton Theater Mainstage.

People's Light is proud to announce new play commissions for Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Kate Fodor, Karen Hartman, Dominique Morisseau, and Kathryn Petersen. These six playwrights are the first participants in our New Play Frontiers residency program. New Play Frontiers is an initiative to conceive, develop, and produce new plays that explore our American identity through stories of deep meaning to specific populations in the five-county region that surround our theatre.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the line-up for the ninth annual First Look Repertory of New Work, featuring three developmental productions of new plays presented in rotating repertory July 26 - August 24, 2014 in the Garage Theatre (1624 N Halsted St). First Look 2014 includes: Ironbound by Martyna Majok, Hushabye by Tanya Saracho and Okay, Bye by Joshua Conkel. The 2014 festival also features readings of two new plays, American Beauty Shop by Dana Lynn Formby and Opium Den by Julie Marie Myatt. Tickets to First Look Repertory of New Work ($20) are on sale now. To purchase tickets or RSVP for the free readings, call Audience Services at 312-335-1650.

There's always a risk involved in becoming a test subject for a new drug. It's a necessary process for the pharmaceutical companies since it reveals the benefits and detriments of their latest discovery. But, the people who undertake these studies are often desperate for something that will help them, and there's a definite drive to see them succeed. But, at what costs? That's one of the questions playwright Kate Fodor explores in RX, a kind of romantic comedy that also touches on a serious subject matter. Though it remains a bit uneven in tone, it's likable and engaging as well. The current production by the West End Players Guild is certainly worth checking out, and provides plenty of food for thought.

People's Light & Theatre has announced its 40th Anniversary Season that celebrates the passion and artistry that created and sustained our company. The season includes one world premiere, two regional premieres, and one Philadelphia premiere. Nationally acclaimed artists Mary McDonnell, David Strathairn, and Victor Williams will join longtime company members and various newcomers on our stages. They will perform iconic works by August Wilson, Anton Chekhov, and Neil Simon, new plays by Bruce Graham, Bill Cain, and Jessica Dickey, and our new holiday panto by Pete Pryor and Samantha Bellomo. We will transport audiences to Merlin's Middle Ages, Ranyevskaya's changing Russia, 19th & 21st Century Gettysburg, and Lou's Bar in today's South Philly.

Community Matters is a series of free events presented in partnership between People's Light and numerous local organizations to spark dialogue about vital issues in our community. Performed readings of new plays are the centerpiece of each evening. Our partner organizations will be there to capture the enthusiasm and excitement that can come from the emotional response to a work of art, and then a well-led public discussion forum. This third season of Community Matters includes new scripts focused on racism, identity, local history, and the healing power of music.

Primary Stages, Daryl Roth, and Ted Snowdon in association with Jamie deRoy has announced a two week extension for The Tribute Artist, a new world premiere comedy written by and starring Tony-nominee Charles Busch (The Divine Sister, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Olive and the Bitter Herbs). Extended through March 30 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters, the production is directed by Busch's long-time collaborator Carl Andress (The Divine Sister, The Third Story), and features Mary Bacon (Harrison, TX...; Giant), Cynthia Harris (Lost in Yonkers, 'Mad About You'), Julie Halston (Olive and the Bitter Herbs, Anything Goes) Keira Keeley (Angels in America, The Glass Menagerie), and Jonathan Walker (The Assembled Parties, The Divine Sister).

Love and pharmaceuticals make for a strange cocktail in Kate Fodor's piercing new comedy Rx. Containing equally strong doses of satire and insight, Fodor's play strikingly portrays our over-medicated society, which has a pill to alleviate every uncomfortable emotion. A winning combination of comedy and romance, Rx pokes gentle fun at our over-prescribed culture and our need to find pleasure in everything we do.

Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, professional Theatre in Residence at the Oakes Center in Summit, is presenting the New Jersey premiere of Kate Fodor's Rx. This romantic comedy is coming to Dreamcatcher fresh from its recent Off-Broadway run at Primary Stages in New York City. Rx plays February 13 through March 2, with talkbacks following the February 16 and 23 matinees.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) announces their 30th Anniversary Season (2014-2015). In their upcoming season, the award-winning company will present three new premieres.

Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, professional Theatre in Residence at the Oakes Center in Summit, is presenting the New Jersey premiere of Kate Fodor's Rx. This romantic comedy is coming to Dreamcatcher fresh from its recent Off-Broadway run at Primary Stages in New York City. Rx plays February 13 through March 2, with talkbacks following the February 16 and 23 matinees.

What if there were a happy pill that could take away all the stresses and strains of life? That's the premise of Rx, the latest play from Kate Fodor (100 Saints You Should Know). Deftly balancing sardonic shots at Big Pharma with a tender love story between a clinical researcher and a patient taking part in a drug trial, Rx is 'a winning combination of light satire and romance.' (NY Times)