Michael Manuel News

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents CYMBELINE by William Shakespeare, directed by Evan Yionoulis, March 25-April 16 at the University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 31.

Members of the 'Pro99' movement of Actors' Equity Association have issued an open letter to AEA's newly elected president, Kate Shindle, in response to her victory and to her inaugural address as president of the national union for actors and stage managers. The open letter is signed by over 400 Equity members (listed below), including such notable names as Ed Asner, Francis Fisher, Sally Kirkland and Alfred Molina. The 'Pro99' movement formed in late 2014 in opposition to AEA's rollout of a new plan that will effectively force 'intimate theaters' in Los Angeles to pay Equity actors minimum wage, go 'non-union' or even close - despite an overwhelming vote against the plan by 66% of the Los Angeles membership on an advisory referendum. 'Pro99' members around the nation, who take their name from the current AEA '99 Seat Plan' that allows members to volunteer in smaller venues, oppose AEA's new promulgated plan. They are requesting that Equity leadership put a moratorium on the plan until local members' voices can be heard, and that the union work with its members to develop an alternative plan that will more realistically address the needs of the Los Angeles theater community.

It's surprising that in its 45 years, D.C.'s venerable Shakespeare Theatre Company has yet to produce either of Moliere's most famous plays. Perhaps, artistic director Michael Kahn suggests, they were waiting for the right one.

Berkeley Rep is proud to welcome back the beloved team of Dominique Serrand and Steven Epp for a provocative and powerful revival of Moliere's dark comedy about religious hypocrisy.

MainStreet Theatre Company is delighted to announce their first show of the 2014/2015 season: the west coast premiere of Stiles and Drewe's The Three Little Pigs. Jessica Kubzansky is the Director, with Musical Direction by Janice Rodgers Wainwright, and Choreography by John Pennington. The production opens to the public today, October 4th at 4pm. The strictly limited engagement will run through Sunday, October 19th only.

Parson's Nose Theater, led by Artistic Director Lance Davis, announces its 15th anniversary season of classic theater in Southern California.

MainStreet Theatre Company is delighted to announce their first show of the 2014/2015 season: the west coast premiere of Stiles and Drewe's The Three Little Pigs. Jessica Kubzansky is the Director, with Musical Direction by Janice Rodgers Wainwright, and Choreography by John Pennington. The production will play eight school performances from September 29th - October 3rd, and open to the public on Saturday, October 4th at 4pm. The strictly limited engagement will run through Sunday, October 19th only.

It is a chilling conclusion when Kimberly Scott repeats the text of the prologue again at the end of ROMEO AND JULIET while standing over the dead bodies of the lovers. You can hear the bitter warning in her voice as she slowly looks from one end of the stage to the other at two fathers who have paid the price of their feud in blood. As her weighty words hang in the air, the lights dim and Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles's magnificent production fades out.

Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA), under the artistic direction of Ben Donenberg, returns to the Japanese Garden at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Campus for the third consecutive summer, with a Los Angeles-centric summer production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet- directed by Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre alum Kenn Sabberton - for seventeen performances only, tonight, July 8 to July 26 (press opening July 13). Scroll down for a first look at the star-crossed lovers in action!

Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA), under the artistic direction of Ben Donenberg, returns to the Japanese Garden at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Campus for the third consecutive summer, with a Los Angeles-centric summer production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet -- directed by Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre alum Kenn Sabberton -- for seventeen performances only, today, July 8 to 26 (press opening July 13).

Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA), under the artistic direction of Ben Donenberg, returns to the Japanese Garden at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare Campus for the third consecutive summer, with a Los Angeles-centric summer production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet -- directed by Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre alum Kenn Sabberton -- for seventeen performances only, July 8 to 26 (press opening July 13).

Fifty years ago, a band of young actors-led by a duo fresh out of San Francisco State-came together through a love of theatre. When they officially formed as a company, South Coast Repertory, the group's first production was Moliere's classic, Tartuffe. As SCR concludes its 50th Season this year, it comes full circle with a new production of Tartuffe, directed by Dominique Serrand, today, May 9-June 8, on the Segerstrom Stage.

Fifty years ago, a band of young actors-led by a duo fresh out of San Francisco State-came together through a love of theatre. When they officially formed as a company, South Coast Repertory, the group's first production was Moliere's classic, Tartuffe. As SCR concludes its 50th Season this year, it comes full circle with a new production of Tartuffe, directed by Dominique Serrand, May 9-June 8, on the Segerstrom Stage.

No one is standing on ceremony in Impro Theatre's latest comedic invention, SHAKESPEARE UNSCRIPTED. On the contrary, the only formality you'll find here is the kind you leave at the door when you step foot into the theater.

Lin-Manuel Miranda headed to see the smash Off-Broadway comedy BUYER & CELLAR at the Barrow Street Theatre on Saturday night - check out a photo of Michael Urie with Miranda, below!

MainStreet Theatre Company has announced the first production of its 2013/2014 season, Aesop in Rancho Cucamonga, a world premiere play by Luis Alfaro and directed by Robert Castro. Now in its eighth season, MainStreet Theatre Company commissioned this adaptation of Aesop's Fables with a generous grant from the James Irvine Foundation. The production, which is also supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, will play two school performances on October 25 and open to the public on Saturday, October 26 at 4pm. The strictly limited engagement will run through Sunday, November 10 only.

The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA), under the artistic direction of Ben Donenberg, returns to The Japanese Garden on the grounds of the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center campus with a rollicking summer production of William Shakespeare's romantic comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' with live music and directed by Royal Shakespeare Company artist Kenn Sabberton - beginning July 9, through July 28 only. 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is presented by SCLA in conjunction with VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Giamatti, a little older and less handsome-of-face than most Hamlets these days, brings out the tortured Dane prince's humorous side and in doing so, engages a younger generation that might not normally think several hours in a theater listening to Shakespeare could be a fun way to spend an evening. It sure is, however, thanks to Bundy's skill in allowing his actors to find fresh new interpretations while keeping them true to the classic.

Yale Repertory Theatre presents Paul Giamatti in HAMLET by William Shakespeare, directed by James Bundy, at the University Theatre (222 York Street), now running through April 13. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the productions shots below!

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present its latest feature series: The Performer of the Week! Get to know these amazing talents as they share a bit about themselves, their work and life. This week's featured performer is Michael Manuel soon to be on stage in HAMLET at Yale Rep!