Polly Pen News

Tony Award-winners Nathan Lane and Anika Noni Rose are set to participant in The Vineyard Theatre's star-studded tribute to Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes and The Union Square Partnership at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan. The Gala, which will benefit the Vineyard Theatre, one of the nation's leading theatres devoted to producing new works, will include salutations to Ms. Seldes -- who originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 at The Vineyard -- and celebrate its theme of community spirit and neighborhood involvement by also honoring The Union Square Partnership. Nathan Lane, who will host the evening, starred opposite Ms. Seldes Off-Broadway in Terrence McNally's DEDICATION, OR THE STUFF OF DREAMS. Mr. Lane is best-known for his Tony Award-winning performances in THE PRODUCERS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!. Anika Noni Rose, who received an Obie Award for her work in the musical ELI'S COMIN' at The Vineyard, won a Tony Award for her performance in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, and co-starred with Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Hudson in the film version of 'Dreamgirls,' is set to perform.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs. Written by Steven Cosson and Jim Lewis, with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman, THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a provocative new play with music about the growth of the evangelical movement in Colorado Springs, created by the documentary theatre troupe The Civilians. While conducting interviews with people involved with or affected by the mega-church movement, scandal broke about New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard and shook the entire city of Colorado Springs, providing the play's creators with an unprecedented opportunity to capture an important event as it was taking place, and providing the people of Colorado Springs the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns as those events unfolded. THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY is a fascinating and timely look at faith and how it affects the American landscape.

?GAYTINO!, written and performed by Dan Guerrero, will have its Off-Broadway premiere at the Zipper Factory Theater for two nights only: Saturday, January 10th (8pm) and Sunday, January 11th (7pm). Diane Rodriguez directs what the Washington Post called 'a disarming twist on the triumph-of-the-human-spirit theme.' Tickets can be purchased at www.thezipperfactory.com or at the box office 1 hour before each performance. For more information, visit http://www.gaytino.com.

Martin Moran returns to Monty Python's SPAMALOT on January 6. SPAMALOT is running at the Shubert Theater. Moran will take the place of 'American Idol' finalist Clay Aiken in the role of Sir Robin. Aiken's last performance was on Jan. 4th.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will present the New York premiere of The Civilians' newest work This Beautiful City, in a co-production with Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, with previews set to begin February 3 prior to its official press opening February 22. Steven Cosson directs.

?GAYTINO!, written and performed by Dan Guerrero, will have its Off-Broadway premiere at the Zipper Factory Theater for two nights only: Saturday, January 10th (8pm) and Sunday, January 11th (7pm). Diane Rodriguez directs what the Washington Post called 'a disarming twist on the triumph-of-the-human-spirit theme.' Tickets can be purchased at www.thezipperfactory.com or at the box office 1 hour before each performance. For more information, visit http://www.gaytino.com.

The Vineyard Theatre -- where Marian Seldes originated her role in Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play THREE TALL WOMEN in 1993 -- will honor the Tony Award-winning actress at the theatre's annual gala on Monday, February 9th at 6 PM at The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th floor) in Manhattan.

Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director) has announced complete casting for the New York premiere of Shipwrecked!

Broadway actors Terri Klausner, Theresa McCarthy, Bobby Steggert and Henry Stram join award-winning author/composer Polly Pen on the stage of Vermont's Weston Playhouse in 'Polly's Night Out,' a special event described by Pen as 'a gathering of songs and opinions that are silly, sinister and wildly out of context' on Monday, July 14 at 8pm.

Broadway actors Terri Klausner, Theresa McCarthy, Bobby Steggert and Henry Stram join award-winning author/composer Polly Pen on the stage of Vermont's Weston Playhouse in 'Polly's Night Out,' a special event described by Pen as 'a gathering of songs and opinions that are silly, sinister and wildly out of context' on Monday, July 14 at 8pm.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will kick off a series of special anniversary readings November 11-12 with Polly Pen and Peggy Harmon's Goblin Market - the critically acclaimed chamber musical which was the first show to transfer commercially from a run at The Vineyard Theatre - featuring the musical's two original stars, Terri Klausner and Ann Morrison. Evan Yionoulis will direct.

Morrison, now costarring in a NYMF show, talks about healing and working after 'Merrily We Roll Along' and returning to NY after 20 years.

Donna Lynne Champlin and Jessica Grové will be among the stars of Ludlow Ladd, which will be presented at the TADA! Theatre as a staged benefit concert on Sunday, December 10th and Monday, December 11th

On Sunday, December 10th and Monday, December 11th, the musical Ludlow Ladd--a prequel to the Off-Broadway hit Charlotte Sweet--will be presented at the TADA! Theatre as a staged concert.

Plays by J.M. Barrie, Anne Washburn and Nicky Silver will be part of the Vineyard Theatre's 2006-2007 season

The Vineyard Theatre offers its first online charity auction -- featuring rare, autographed theatre, film and television collectibles; opening night and film premiere tickets; backstage tours of Broadway's biggest shows; lunches with celebrities; and much more -- on eBay.com, now through May 3rd. Proceeds benefit the not-for-profit Vineyard Theatre

Fanny Hill, presented by the York Theatre Company will end its limited run on March 12th after 2 performances at 3:00pm and 7:00pm.

Tony Award nominee Marla Schaffel (Jane Eyre) will join the cast of FANNY HILL, a new musical by Ed Dixon, currently playing at the York Theatre at Saint Peter's. Ms. Schaffel will replace Emily Skinner in the role of Martha beginning Wednesday. March 8. Ms. Skinner, who is leaving to recover from a recent injury, will play her final performance on Sunday, March 5.

The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will continue its 24th season with [title of show], the much buzzed-about new musical by Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell.

Geva Theatre Center (Mark Cuddy, Artistic Director) and Five Course Love Company LLC will present the lip-smacking new musical comedy Five Course Love with Book, Music & Lyrics by Gregg Coffin at the Minetta Lane Theatre, 18 Minetta Lane (between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal Street).