Samuel D. Hunter News

Broadway vet Lawrence Merritt passed away on January 22, 2023. He succumbed to COVID/pneumonia at the Riverside Rehabilitation and Healing Center in NYC. Read more about Merritt's life and career.

Page 73, the acclaimed organization that develops and produces the work of early-career playwrights who have yet to receive a professional production in New York City, has named its 2023 Playwriting Fellow and announced its 2023 Interstate 73 Writing Group. Majkin Holmquist is the 20th playwright honored with the Playwriting Fellowship, the organization's most prestigious award.

Sadie Sink will star in Searchlight Pictures' O'Dessa, a new rock opera film directed by Geremy Jasper. The film will feature original songs by Jasper and Jason Binnick. Sink will begin shooting in Croatia in May, before starting to film the final season of Stranger Things in the summer.

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Daniel Radcliffe, Brendan Fraser, Jean Smart, Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Coolidge, and more were among the winners of Critics Choice Awards. The ceremony was hosted by Chelsea Handler. Check out the list of winners now!

What did our critic think of A BRIGHT NEW BOISE at Dezart Performs?

Signature Theatre will present the Off-Broadway premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s 2011 Obie Award-winning dark comedy A Bright New Boise, directed by Oliver Butler. See production dates and how to purchase tickets.

BANSHEES wins Best Film, but Sarah Polley scores best Director for WOMEN TALKING. In our Female Focus sections, Viola Davis gets the nod for Outstanding Achievement and Danielle Deadwyler's turn in TILL is designated the Breakthrough Performance of 2022. Emma Thompson takes AWFJ's Grand Dame title.

Corden was originally involved to play the role of Charlie when Tom Ford was going to direct the film. However, the version of the film ended up not happening due to Ford wanting more creative control of the project. He also details that George Clooney was involved with the film at one point.

Patti LuPone is slated to appear on Late Night With Seth Meyers next week. LuPone will sit down with Meyers to discuss her Songs From a Hat concerts at 54 Below. It will also include an appearance by Brendan Fraser, who stars in the film adaptation of Samuel D. Hunter's The Whale.

THE WHALE has been stunning audiences since its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. It stars Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton. Check out what critics thought of The Whale now!

Playwrights Horizons and Page 73 Productions will present the world premiere of Agnes Borinsky’s The Trees, directed by Tina Satter, February 8–March 19. See who is starring in the cast, how to get tickets and more!

A new trailer for Darren Aronofsky’s film adaptation of The Whale has been released. The film is an adaptation of Samuel D. Hunter's acclaimed stage play and stars Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton. Watch the new video trailer now!

The Board of Directors of SPACE on Ryder Farm has announced the appointment of Kelly M. Burdick as Executive Director of the treasured Hudson Valley-based arts organization.

In its first full season since the onset of the pandemic, one of the region's most adventurous and innovative small theatre companies came roaring back! Catskill's Bridge Street Theatre got through all of 2022 without having to cancel a single performance or send on a single replacement cast member!

BroadwayWorld caught up with playwright Samuel D. Hunter after The Whale's highly-anticipated premiere to discuss how he adapted the play into a film, how it was rehearsed like a theatrical production, Brendan Fraser's acclaimed performance, and more.

Rattlestick Theater will present a community conversation following the 7:00pm performance of The Gett on Friday, December 2nd, 2022. 

Marin Theatre Company Board of Directors and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Meredith Suttles announced that Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis will depart the North Bay’s premier non-profit theatre organization after 17 seasons at the helm.

The DCPA Theatre Company has announced playwrights, dates, and details for the 2023 Colorado New Play Summit. The 17th annual festival will take place over one weekend on February 25-26, and feature readings of new plays by Jake Brasch, Vincent Terrell Durham, Christina Pumariega, and Sandy Rustin. 

Kevin Moriarty, who has served as Dallas Theater Center's  Enloe/Rose Artistic Director for 15 years, has been named Executive Director, following the recent announcement of the retirement of DTC managing director Jeffrey Woodward, who has served in that  position for eight years.

Top stories include a possible Glee musical in the works, first look at photos from Kimberly Akimbo, and more! Plus, check out this week's Broadway grosses!