Paul Rudnick News

Tony award-winner, Elizabeth Ashley ("Take Her She's Mine") and Tony nominee Tom Hewitt ("The Rocky Horror Show") will headline a refreshed production of Paul Rudnick's witty, laugh out loud comedy, "I Hate Hamlet" at Bucks County Playhouse, November 9 - December 1. The play marks Ashley's return to the Playhouse after co-starring opposite Robert Redford in the pre-Broadway production of Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park."

Playing On Air announced today the three winners of the inaugural James Stevenson Prize for comedic short plays. First Prize ($7,500, plus a Playing On Air recording for radio and podcast distribution) has been awarded to Hate Baby by Gracie Gardner. (Gardner is also the winner of the 2017 Relentless Award and author of the New York Times Critic's Pick Athena.) Second Prize ($2,000) has been awarded to Hedgehog Years by Lily Akerman. Third Prize ($1,000) has been awarded to Horse Latitudes (Who Wants to be an Equine Extra?) by Elizabeth Logun.

The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced today the Nominating Committee for the 2018-2019 Broadway season. The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.

Jamie Brickhouse's award-winning, critically-acclaimed solo show Dangerous When Wet: Booze, Sex, and My Mother directed by Obie Award-winning David Drake (The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me) is his alcoholic odyssey from small-town sissy to louche Manhattanite that's wickedly intoxicating as he hits bottom and discovers he can't escape the all-consuming love of his mother Mama Jean. A Texan Elizabeth Taylor with the split personality of Auntie Mame and Mama Rose, she never has a thought she doesn't speak and unwittingly helps Jamie become an out, proud gay, HIV-positive man in recovery. Darkly comic, you'll cry laughing.

I Hate Hamlet, by Paul Rudnick, first hit the stage in 1991. Set in actor John Barrymore's apartment, the play introduces the audience to Andrew Rally, a television actor considering an attempt at playing Hamlet. The characters, which include a television star, a Hollywood director, an agent, a realtor, John Barrymore himself, and a theatre-obsessed virgin girlfriend, are delightful, and the show is packed with humor. The Broadway run of the show was cut short when one of the actors was intentionally injured on stage. I Hate Hamlet opened at Oyster Mill Playhouse on Friday, August 17th.

Ralph Howard, the celebrated news anchor whose voice and measured tones were fixtures on New York City radio for over 30 years on stations 1010 WINS, WCBS, WMCA and with Howard Stern on SIRIUS XM, died on Tuesday, August 7 in Manhattan, according to his wife, the Broadway actress Julie Halston. Mr. Howard was 77 years old. The cause of death was lung disease. In 2008, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, but received a life saving lung transplant that allowed him to resume his work and daily life.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) announced today a one-week extension for the New York Premiere of The House That Will Not Stand by Marcus Gardley (X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation), directed by NYTW Usual Suspect and Obie Award winner Lileana Blain-Cruz (Red Speedo; Pipeline). The House That Will Not Stand began previews on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, and opened Monday, July 30 at New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. 4th Street New York, NY 10003). Originally set to close on Sunday, August 12, The House That Will Not Stand will now run through Sunday, August 19, 2018.

Producer Madeleine Foster Bersin is proud to announce initial casting for 1969: The Second Man, created by Jacob Brandt (The Great Glaciation), featuring music & lyrics by Brandt, a book by Dan Giles (Breeders), and directed by Jaki Bradley (Good Men Wanted), as part of Next Door at NYTW.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: check out photos of Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Chita Rivera, and many more performing at Concert For America, and more!

Shaina Taub has joined Sir Elton John and Paul Rudnick writing The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical in development for Broadway. Based on Lauren Weisberger's best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film from Fox 2000 Pictures, the new musical is produced by Kevin McCollum, Fox Stage Productions and Rocket Entertainment.

New Jersey Repertory Company, located at 179 Broadway in Long Branch, is proud to present the premiere of Fern Hill by Michael Tucker (L.A. Law, Radio Days), from August 9 through September 9, 2018.

Producers Caitlin Crombleholme and Jen Hoguet are proud to announce an extension for This American Wife, created and performed by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley as part of Next Door at NYTW. Originally slated to end its run on Saturday, August 4, This American Wife will now run from Thursday, July 26 through Saturday, August 11.

As any English teacher can tell you, not everyone loves Shakespeare. For some it's like eating Brussels sprouts; it's something you know you should do but you aren't certain why and you certainly don't enjoy the process.

Henry Naylor is proud to announce the New York premiere of his play, Borders, will take place as part of Next Door at NYTW this summer. The winner of the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Fringe Award and a Fringe First award, the original cast members Avital Lvova and Graham O'Mara will reprise their performances for the New York production.

Rainbow Theatre Project Producing Artistic Director H. Lee Gable and Managing Director Michael Kelley announce the 2018/19 season, which will include three full productions and two performances. During Rainbow Theatre Project's sixth season, the company will be in residence at the District of Columbia Arts Center.

A classic tap-happy musical and a new production of a legendary Broadway comedy are highlights of Bucks County Playhouse's 2018 Season. Executive Producer Robyn Goodman, Producing Director Alexander Fraser and Producers Stephen Kocis and Josh Fiedler announced details of the season, which will kick off at the historic Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania on May 19.

Playing On Air announced today the names of the three celebrity guests joining sponsor Josie Merck on the jury for their inaugural James Stevenson Prize, which will award three monetary prizes for new short comedic plays that honor and perpetuate the spirit and wit of Mr. Stevenson.

Fresh off a premiere at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, objects in mirror AR closer than they appear, the new installation based on Geoff Sobelle's THE OBJECT LESSON comes to Next Door at NYTW from May 9-19, 2018, as part of the 2017/18 season at the Fourth Street Theatre.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) celebrated opening night of LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) announced today a one-week extension for LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, by NYTW Usual Suspect and five-time Obie Award winner Caryl Churchill (Love and Information; A Number) directed by NYTW Usual Suspect, Tony Award nominee, & three-time Obie Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, NYTW's eighth collaboration with Churchill, began previews on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, and will open Monday, May 7 at New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. 4th Street New York, NY 10003). LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, which was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, May 27, will now run through Sunday, June 3, 2018.