FEATURES & NEWS
Traveling Toward a Dead End, Together Dialogue with Amanda Plummer and Brad Dourif about their appearance in a new revival of Tennessee Williams' The Two-Character Play (New York Times, July 18, 2013)
Musical Revivalists With a Cause Profile of Jeanine Tesori's new Encores! spinoff series of alternative musical concert readings (New York Times, July 3, 2013)
Cutting Through a Cultural Thicket Preview feature on new musical of Disney's The Jungle Book, adapted by Mary Zimmerman for the Goodman Theatre (New York Times, June 20, 2013)
The Composer Wears Many Hats Preview feature on Off-Broadway run of composer/lyricist/librettist Dave Malloy's Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (New York Times, May 26, 2013)
For Sons of 'Raisin,' a Back-to-Back Duel Preview feature on Kwame Kwei-Armah's new Beneatha's Place, a response to Bruce Norris' Clybourne Park, staged in rep at Kwei-Armah's theater, Center Stage (New York Times, May 2, 2013)
Writes Well With Others (Even Stage Zombies) Profile of playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury in advance of Social Creatures, a new commission at Trinity Rep (New York Times, April 18, 2013)
In the Minority Talkback post about how it feels to dissent on the much-loved Matilda (New York Times, April 18, 2013)
It's Better With a Band Feature on the trend of rock bands making musicals (American Theatre, April 2013)
The Artist on the Aisle Essay on becoming a theater critic to kick off a week of posts on criticism (HowlRound.com, Mar. 31, 2013)
Camelot's Widow, Without Mythology Preview feature on American premiere on Elfriede Jelinek's Jackie at the Women's Project (New York Times, Mar. 3, 2013)
No, but They Play One Onstage Profile of Maria Dizzia and Greg Keller, who've played couples twice before, playing one again in Amy Herzog's Belleville (New York Times, Feb. 14, 2013)
His Perfect Role Is His Current One Profile of Danny Burstein in advance of his role in Talley's Folly (New York Times, Feb. 8, 2013)
What Happens in Mantua Stays in Mantua Preview feature on Michael Mayer's Metropolitan Opera debut directing a Vegas-set Rigoletto (Opera News, Feb. 2013)
A Musical Makes Changes as Closets Open Preview feature on a revival of Bare, a cult musical about gay Catholic teens (New York Times, Nov. 16, 2013)
Rock and Race in Memphis Feature on Broadway musical en route to Denver Center Theater (Applause, Sept.-Nov. 2012)
Walking the Walk, Cane in Hand Profile of Rob McClure, lead performer in new Chaplin musical on Broadway (New York Times, Aug. 24, 2012)
Rehearsal Note: That Bad Choice Could Be Useful Profile of director Daniel Aukin in anticipation of three Off-Broadway productions (New York Times, Aug. 10, 2012)
After the Anger A survey of the Golden Mask Festival of Russian theater in Moscow in April (American Theatre, July/August)
A New "Vanya" for the Living Room Preview of Annie Baker and Sam Gold's new Uncle Vanya at Soho Rep (New York Times, June 3, 2012)
Chameleon Sheds His Camouflage Profile of Giancarlo Esposito in advance of his appearance in Shanley's Storefront Church (New York Times, May 27, 2012)
Out of Mideast, a Comic Recipe for the Stage Preview of Food and Fadwa, inaugural production by Noor Theatre, a Middle Eastern-American theater company at New York Theatre Workshop (New York Times, May 20, 2012)
Preview: February House (Time Out New York, May 16, 2012)
Collaborating With the Cast and Playwright A Q&A with Clybourne Park director Pam MacKinnon (New York Times, May 12, 2012)
“Agony and Ecstasy” Version 2.0 A look at upcoming productions/revisions to Mike Daisey's controversial show (American Theatre, May 2012)
After the War Iraqi theatre artists forge ahead—and reach for global connections—in a cautious, still-fragile country (American Theatre, Feb 2012)
A rich writing life for Molly Smith Metzler Preview of South Coast Rep opening of playwright's Elemeno Pea (Los Angeles Times, Jan. 22, 2012)
Southern Without the Comfort Preview of Geffen Playhouse opening of Beth Henley's The Jacksonian (The New York Times, Jan. 15, 2012)
Profile: Lydia R. Diamond The author of Stick Fly talks about race, class and cussing (Time Out New York, Dec. 6, 2012)
Triple Threats Emily Mann and Chay Yew write and direct plays, and they run theatres. Not necessarily in that order (American Theatre, Dec. 2011)
The Parent Trap How to hold on to theatregoers with young children? Offer them sitters along with their seats (American Theatre, Dec. 2011)
Back to the '50s, Trying To Escape Freedom's Pitfalls Preview of Playwrights Horizon's production of Jordan Harrison's Maple and Vine (The New York Times, Nov. 23, 2011)
He's 'Bring It On: The Musical's' Chief Cheerleader Preview piece on new musical from director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, opening at Ahmanson (Los Angeles Times, Nov. 6, 2011)
Preview: Phantom Limb's 69°S. A puppet company ventures into the frozen wastes of Antarctica (Time Out New York, Oct. 24, 2011)
Darkly Comic Voice Adds a Libretto to His Résumé Profile of playwright Stephen Karam prior to opening of Sons of the Prophet and Dark Sisters (New York Times, Oct. 9, 2011)
The Lanford Wilson Issue: Hot L's Music An essay on The Hot L Baltimore's musicality (Parabasis, Sept. 30, 2011)
Threepenny primer A helpful list of misconceptions about the Brecht/Weill classic, in advance of the Robert Wilson/Berliner Ensemble production at BAM (Time Out New York, Sept. 27, 2011)
Playwright Kristoffer Diaz steps into the ring A feature on Diaz's The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at the Geffen Playhouse (The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 21, 2011)
Preview: Follies The Sondheim classic about faded Broadway dreams returns (Time Out New York, Aug. 8, 2010)
Report: Ohio Theatre and the Ice Factory The downtown fixture finds new roots on Greenwich Street (Time Out New York, June 29, 2011)
Sad and Haunted Girls Who Couldn’t Play Worth a Lick Preview feature on The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World at Playwrights Horizons (The New York Times, May 19, 2011)
Stage Presence A spirituality of the theater (America, May 2, 2011)
Preview: By the Way, Meet Vera Stark After 2009’s gritty hit Ruined, Lynn Nottage goes lighter (Time Out New York, Apr. 18, 2011)
A Playwright in Song Stephen Sondheim ponders his accomplishments, his way of working, and the form and future of the American musical (American Theatre, April, 2011)
Mexican? American? Call Her Writer Profile of Chicago playwright Tanya Saracho (The New York Times, Mar. 22, 2011)
The Singular Laura Eason How the many facets of one theatre artist—adaptor, actor, artistic director—have forged a major playwriting voice (American Theatre, Feb. 2011)
Rare Reprises for an Unlikely Collaboration Preview of revivals of Weill/Anderson musicals Knickerbocker Holiday and Lost in the Stars (The New York Times, Jan. 18, 2011)
Three Pianos Franz Schubert’s Winterreise gets deconstructed with a six-pack of beer (Time Out New York, Nov. 29, 2010)
Clothes Make the Man-Boy A feature on Ann Closs-Farley costumes for The Pee-wee Herman Show (TDF Stages, November 2010)
Pampered Critics? No, Critics in Pampers A report on the New Victory's Egg and Spoon in the company of two critical colleagues (Jason Zinoman, Eric Grode) and our toddlers (The New York Times, Nov. 16, 2010)
Lisa Kron The playwright returns to the painful, divisive years of the Bush regime (Time Out New York, Oct. 28, 2010)
Director's Fancy Leads to a Tale-Spinning Cat A preview of the Moisés Kaufman-directed puppet opera Puss in Boots (The New York Times, Oct. 1, 2010)
Sort of a Salon, Sort of a Church A feature on Chris Wells' theater "church" the Secret City (The New York Times, Sept. 26, 2010)
Making Confetti Out of Suspense A preview of Denver Center Theatre's production of The 39 Steps (Applause, Sep. 27-Oct. 23, 2010)
Ideas, Actions and Finding the New Mop A report from the TCG National Conference in Chicago in June (American Theatre, Sept. 2010)
Dispatch from Oregon: Angelenos in Ashland Checking in with former Actors' Gangsters and others now working at Oregon Shakes (LA Times' Culture Monster, Aug. 17, 2010)
Re-imagining the Scottish play and other essays on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Ping Chong's staging of Kurosawa's Throne of Blood (Illuminations, summer 2010)
Jonathan Demme makes time for 'Family Week' Preview of Beth Henley play Off-Broadway (LA Times, May 4, 2010)
One on One in Times Square A look at set designer Christine Jones' "Theatre for One"
American Idiot Preview of Green Day musical on Broadway (Time Out NY, Apr. 1, 2010)
Broadway in Black and White A look at the Broadway season through the prism of race (American Theatre, Dec. 2009)
Maggie Siff A profile of the star of Liz Duffy Adams' play Or, (Time Out NY, Nov. 5, 2009)
Still Fresh, Less Flesh Celebration Theatre's Michael Shepperd makes the case that Los Angeles still needs a gay theatre (American Theatre, Oct. 2009)
Waiver War Weapons The history of L.A. Equity 99-Seat Theatre Plan, Part II (LA Stage, June 29, 2009)
Waging the Waiver Wars The history of L.A.'s Equity 99-Seat Theatre Plan, Part I (LA Stage, May 2, 2009)
'80s Sunset Strip meets '09 Broadway Preview of Rock of Ages on Broadway; interviews with Kristin Hanggi and Chris D'Arienzo (LA Times, Apr. 5, 2009)
Michael Sargent: a playwright makes good in the lobby Profile in advance of The Projectionist, with a glance at Grand Motel (LA Times, Mar. 25, 2009)
Female trouble Preview on Sheila Callaghan's That Pretty Pretty, or The Rape Play (Time Out NY, Feb. 12, 2009)
Be my feral baby A preview of Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney's Kaspar Hauser: a foundling's opera (Village Voice, Feb. 12, 2009)
Move it and lose it at "Minsky's" Preview of Ahmanson production (LA Times, Feb. 1, 2009)
America as mix tape Profile of playwright Oliver Mayer in advance of Dias y Flores opening (LA Times, Jan. 22. 2009)
"Spring Awakening" as traditional rebel Preview piece for L.A. run; interviews with Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater (LA Times, Oct. 26, 2008)
"Speech & Debate" playwright remains youthful Profile of Stephen Karam (LA Times, Oct. 5, 2008)
Itamar Moses is just looking to make sense of it all Profile of playwright in advance of L.A. premiere of The Four of Us, the San Diego/NY premieres of Back Back Back, the Berkeley production of Yellowjackets (LA Times, Sept. 7, 2008)
A most happy Fela! Preview of Bill T. Jones' new bio-musical (Time Out NY, Aug. 28, 2008)
Hello, 13 Preview of Jason Robert Brown's new musical; interview with director Jeremy Sams (Time Out NY Kids, Aug. 24, 2008)
In the WASP's nest Preview of A.R. Gurney's Buffalo Gal (Time Out NY, July 30, 2008)
Camus filters Preview of Theatre Oobleck's The Strangerer (Time Out NY, July 17, 2008)
Story time Preview of David Greig's Brits Off Broadway offerings Yellow Moon and Damascus (Time Out NY, Apr. 23, 2008)
"Pacific" Theatre Profile of Danny Burstein, playing Luther Billis in new South Pacific revival (TDF, Apr. 2008)
By George, he's got it Preview of Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park With George with Daniel Evans (Time Out NY, Feb. 13. 2008)
Vonnegut Reaction Preview of Godlight's Slaughterhouse-Five (Time Out NY, Jan. 10, 2008)
Myth-buster Preview Q&A with James Thierree about Au Revoir Parapluie at BAM (Time Out NY, Nov. 29, 2007)
Obscenely talented Q&A with Ian McShane about Pinter's The Homecoming (Time Out NY, Nov. 22, 2007)
Can it hold like "Hairspray"? A preview of Broadway-bound "Cry-Baby" at La Jolla Playhouse (LA Times, Nov. 18, 2007) (Times link)
The World of Mee Preview of Chuck Mee's musical play Queens Boulevard at Signature Theater (TDF, Nov., 2007)
His string instruments A preview of Erik Sanko's Fortune Teller at UCLA Live (LA Times, Oct. 16, 2007) (Times link)
It's a daredevil leap Preview of Jef Bek's Evel Knievel: A Rock Opera (LA Times, Sept. 24, 2007) (Times link)
The one and only Profile of the Signature Theatre Company and its next four seasons on Mee, Negro Ensemble Company, Parks & Kushner (LA Times, Aug. 5, 2007) (PDF form)
Edgar Ramirez, professional chameleon Profile of the Venezuelan film actor (LA Times, July 22, 2007) (Times link)
A human side of Deven May Profile of "Bat Boy" originator, starring in "Jersey Boys" in L.A. (June 3, 2007)
They'll be stopping by for a spell Preview of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee's bow in L.A. (LA Times, May 20, 2007) (Times link)
An actor-scholar tees up a big role A profile of Harry Lennix, star of August Wilson's Radio Golf (Apr. 29, 2007) (Times link)
Capturing the soul of the Philippines An interview with Dogeaters author/playwright Jessica Hagedorn
"Two for the Park," profiles of Kelli O'Hara and Mano Felciano, stars of Reprise!'s Sunday in the Park With George (LA Times, Jan. 28, 2007)
Seeing the world in a snow-globe A preview of Slava's Snow Show at UCLA Live (LA Times, Dec. 10, 2006)
He's the guy you hate to love A profile of Brian Cox (LA Times, 10/22/06) (Times link)
Bill Rauch's Oregon Trail, a Q&A with the Cornerstone founding director and the new artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (American Theatre, 10/06)
Off-Broadway is all over the map, a preview of the season (Newsday, 10/1/06)
A Theater Group Offers Hope at Ground Zero, a feature on 3-Legged Dog's new lower Manhattan performance/media space (New Yorkt Times, 9/7/06)
Not the same old song and dance (page 2), a preview of the New York Musical Theatre Festival (Newsday, 9/3/06)
'Stone Carver,' a Drama Built of Evolving Memories, a story about William Mastrosimone's new play (New York Times, 7/30/06)
On to higher billing, a report on Bill O'Brien leaving Deaf West Theatre to head the NEA's theater programs (Los Angeles Times, 7/30/06) (Times link)
Keeping it real at the Fake A profile of the alt-comedy space the Fake Gallery (LA Times, 6/29/06)
L.A. sifts through pieces of Evidence A piece on Bart DeLorenzo's departure from the space on Beverly Blvd., the glories of the past, and what the future may hold (LA Times, May 7, 2006) (Times link)
Torching the Library: Different Year, Same Temperature A preview of Fahrenheit 451 (New York Times, 3/19/06)
From Norway to BAM, With a Stopover in Oz A preview of Hedda Gabler (Encore, 2/06)
Theater You Can Drop In On (NY Times, 12/23/05)
Christal Weatherly A profile of the costume designer (American Theatre 12/05)
Going Public A preview of The Ruby Sunrise at the Public Theater (Encore, 11/05)
Uneasy Riders Interview with Liev Schreiber about his film directing debut, Everything Is Illuminated
Exit Fervently Gordon Davidson directs Stuff Happens (American Theatre 7-8/05)
Drop Its Avant-Garde? Never A feature on City Garage (LA Times 8/24/05) (Times link)
Not too close for company Feature on Pacific Resident Theatre (LA Times 6/19/05) (Times link)
Broadway's Broadway, but L.A.'s invigorating Profile of Jason Robert Brown in SoCal
It goes like this... As You Like It: The Plot Plays On (Performances 2/05)
The Web of lies Dean Cameron's Nigerian Spam Scam Scam (LA Times 12/8/04) (Times link)
Hot, Hip and on the Verge: The Black Dahlia (American Theatre 12/04)
Confessions of a character Profile of actor Leslie Jordan (LA Times, 11/18/04) (Times link)
Dissent in the Model Minority Lodestone's Aziatik Nation at Highways (LA Times 11/17/04) (Times link)
Two Hollywood theater troupes get religion Hell House and Scientology Pageant (Variety 11/1/04)
Actors' Gang goes to the edge Embedded on tour (Variety 9/27/04)
Viennese Waltz Alma comes to L.A. (American Theatre 9/04)
Modernizing Millie (Performances 7/04)
Matched Wits, Kindred Spirits Ferber & Kaufman's writing partnership (Performances, 4/04)
Cornerstone's Jewish Project Yehuda Hyman & Tracy Young Join Forces (LA Stage, 4-5/04)
Obsessed by the Theatre Ravi Narasimhan's passion for theatregoing (LA Times, 1/11/04)
Pamela Gordon obit (BSW 10/1/03)
A Really Big Shrew Tamar Fortgang's Orpheum Theatre production (BSW 9/4/03)
Stage Spot: Alina Phelan (BSW 8/21/03)
Headshots for Sale How a West Wing casting assistant made cash on eBay (BSW, 8/14/03)
Opening This Week: As Bees in Honey Drown (BSW 8/14/03)
Agent Signing Stories: Kristen Bell and Matt North (BSW 8/7/03)
Opening This Week: Gem of the Ocean (BSW 7/31/03)
Don't A.S.K. Theatre funding org announces shutdown (BSW, 7/17/03)
Agent Signing Stories: Damien Midkiff and Laurel Green (BSW 6/5/03)
SRO Reloaded Second Theatre LA conference kicks it up a notch (BSW 5/29/03)
Stage Spot: Tish Hicks (BSW 5/22/03)
Minority Report The case against SAG-AFTRA consolidation (BSW 5/15/03)
Far From Heaven Casting Casting director Laura Rosenthal's inspirations (BSW 3/13/03)
Stage Spot: Jennifer Ann Evans (BSW 3/6/03)
ASK Not Playing Around Theatre funding org's new programs (BSW, 1/30/03)
Ovations Flow for River and Napoli A full report from the Theatre LA awards show (BSW 11/28/02)
Exorcist to Punisher Casting director Pam Dixon's busy year (BSW 11/7/02)
Ovations Expand A look at the year's nominees (BSW 10/3/02)
Casting Emmys Profiles of nominees Jeff Greenberg (Frasier) and Megan McConnell & Janet Gilmore (Alias) (BSW 8/29/02)
Central Settling Report on casting service settling $1.2 mil minimum-wage claim (BSW 6/20/02)
Some ASK Answers Reports on rumors of changes at org (BSW 6/13/02)
L.A.'s Advanced Stages A report from Theatre LA's SRO Theatre Conference (BSW 5/30/02)
What Dreams May Come Chris Wells and Tracy Young join forces to remount Dreamplay (BSW 5/23/02)
ActorFest preview (BSW 4/18/02)
A profile of Mary Selway, casting director for Gosford Park (BSW 3/14/02)
Garlands "Local Heroes" Mini-profiles of director Jessica Kubzansky, costume designer Shon LeBlanc, and sound designer John Zalewski (BSW 1/24/02)
Commercial Break Shubert and Tiffany theatres close (BSW 12/20/01)
Stumbling Ovations Lion and Lintel dominate Kodak fiasco (BSW 11/15/01)
Walking the Talk Theatre LA's new head, Lee Wochner (BSW 11/8/01)
Requiem for Dean Why TNT's new Dean biopic falls short (BSW 8/2/01)
Faith to Faith Confrontation A preview of Cornerstone's "faith" cycle (American Theatre 6/01)
Lina Todd, You Can Count on Me Excerpt from round-up of year's best casting (BSW 3/15/01)
Critic Takes a Holiday Why performing in Cornerstone's For Here or To Go? was the best Christmas gift ever (BSW 1/11/01)
A New Stage LA Stage debuts (BSW 9/28/00)
Grove North? Grove Theatre Center ventures into Burbank (BSW 9/28/00)
Out of Luckman A Noise Within leaves Cal State theatre (BSW 8/6/00)
Reflections in Glass Susan Sullivan tackles Amanda Wingfield (BSW 5/25/00)
Evidence Mounts Evidence Rooms finds Beverly Blvd. space (BSW 5/11/00)
The Meeting Is Called African Grove Institute meets, following August Wilson's lead (BSW 3/9/00)
Sweet and Lowdown Why Juliet Taylor and Laura Rosenthal's casting deserves a nomination (BSW 3/2/00)
Weill's Body A centennial appreciation and a Happy End preview (BSW 2/24/00)
Rev On Richard Allen in Play On! (BSW 1/20/00)
Ovations Rock, Drag Coverage of the show (BSW 11/11/99)
A Simpler Plan L.A.'s Equity 99-Seat Plan gets a makeover (BSW 10/14/99)
Theatre 40's Offstage Drama Report on troupe's struggles with landlord (BSW 10/7/99)
Putting L.A. Theatre on the Map Theatre L.A. head Lars Hansen (BSW 8/12/99)
Busy Brian Brian Cox does St. Nicholas as Matrix benefit (BSW 7/28/99)
Rat Packs 'Em In A report on the RAT conference (BSW 7/28/99)
Luckman Brings the Noise A Noise Within moves to Cal State L.A. theatre (6/3/99)
Cast Theatre Recast Tanner and Daley take over (BSW 5/27/99)
Breakdown Wins Judgment Company wins six figures from bootleg operation (BSW 3/18/99)
And the Nominees Should Be... A profile of Artz/Cohen's casting for Rushmore (BSW 3/11/99)
Durkin Drama Embattled agent gives up franchise (BSW 12/17/98)
Insider House Ovations Honor Great Men and Women of the Theatre Nos. 1-26 (BSW 11/19/98)
Quality and Quantity A chat with Theatre LA's new head, Alisa Fishbach (BSW 11/12/98)
Net Results The future of online casting (BSW 11/5/98)
Stagestruck L.A. theatre as a launching pad for actors' careers, with sidebar of theatres to watch (Hollywood Reporter 10/6/98)
Show-Tixx a No Show Theatre ticket service shuts down (BSW 7/16/98)
Ashland, the Ride The definitive Oregon Shakespeare Festival feature (BSW 7/9/98)
A Trade Among Trades Back Stage West acquires Drama-Logue (BSW 5/21/98)
Black Stage West August Wilson convenes Town Hall on African-American Theatre (BSW 5/14/98)
Triple Play Actors' Gang and Cornerstone joins forces for Medea/Macbeth/Cinderella (BSW 4/02/98)
The Brecht Effect A centennial consideration of his work and influence & quotes from theatre artists about their debt to Brecht (BSW 2/5/98)
Wyle Fills in Blank ER star takes top spot at L.A. theatre company (BSW 12/4/97)
L.A. Theatre Fever Catches Ragtime, Midsummer Win Big and Sondheim Hails Local Spirit (BSW 11/20/97)
Ovations Preview Features Nominee Tracy Young, Voter Don Nelson, and Awards Makers Chris Komuro and Philip Hitchcock (BSW 11/13/97)
Wilde in, Wilde Out Eric Bentley's Lord Alfred's Lover (BSW 10/16/97)
Ovations Don’t Stand on Ceremony Actors' Gang, CTG, and 99-Seats Win (BSW 9/22/96)
DIALOGUES
Model Citizens Actors Jeff Corey and John Randolph recall the blacklist and its aftermath
Actors' Dialogue: Abby Craden & Tracy Middendorf
Actors' Dialogue: Bob Gunton & Anne Archer
Actors' Dialogue: Laila Robins & Brian Cox
Scrooges' Dialogue: Hal Landon Jr. & William Dennis Hunt
Actors' Dialogue: David Dukes & Anna Gunn
Directors' Dialogue: Sheldon Epps & Shirley Jo Finney
Humorists' Dialogue: Mort Sahl & Jimmy Tingle
Actors' Dialogue: Gloria Stuart & Frances Fisher
Actors' Dialogue: Kingsley Leggs & Mary Gutzi
Actors' Dialogue: Geri Jewell & Kathy Buckley
Actors' Dialogue: Darryl Thierse & Veralyn Jones
Playmakers Roundtable
State of the Arts: A Publicists' Roundtable
Traveling Toward a Dead End, Together Dialogue with Amanda Plummer and Brad Dourif about their appearance in a new revival of Tennessee Williams' The Two-Character Play (New York Times, July 18, 2013)
Musical Revivalists With a Cause Profile of Jeanine Tesori's new Encores! spinoff series of alternative musical concert readings (New York Times, July 3, 2013)
Cutting Through a Cultural Thicket Preview feature on new musical of Disney's The Jungle Book, adapted by Mary Zimmerman for the Goodman Theatre (New York Times, June 20, 2013)
The Composer Wears Many Hats Preview feature on Off-Broadway run of composer/lyricist/librettist Dave Malloy's Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (New York Times, May 26, 2013)
For Sons of 'Raisin,' a Back-to-Back Duel Preview feature on Kwame Kwei-Armah's new Beneatha's Place, a response to Bruce Norris' Clybourne Park, staged in rep at Kwei-Armah's theater, Center Stage (New York Times, May 2, 2013)
Writes Well With Others (Even Stage Zombies) Profile of playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury in advance of Social Creatures, a new commission at Trinity Rep (New York Times, April 18, 2013)
In the Minority Talkback post about how it feels to dissent on the much-loved Matilda (New York Times, April 18, 2013)
It's Better With a Band Feature on the trend of rock bands making musicals (American Theatre, April 2013)
The Artist on the Aisle Essay on becoming a theater critic to kick off a week of posts on criticism (HowlRound.com, Mar. 31, 2013)
Camelot's Widow, Without Mythology Preview feature on American premiere on Elfriede Jelinek's Jackie at the Women's Project (New York Times, Mar. 3, 2013)
No, but They Play One Onstage Profile of Maria Dizzia and Greg Keller, who've played couples twice before, playing one again in Amy Herzog's Belleville (New York Times, Feb. 14, 2013)
His Perfect Role Is His Current One Profile of Danny Burstein in advance of his role in Talley's Folly (New York Times, Feb. 8, 2013)
What Happens in Mantua Stays in Mantua Preview feature on Michael Mayer's Metropolitan Opera debut directing a Vegas-set Rigoletto (Opera News, Feb. 2013)
A Musical Makes Changes as Closets Open Preview feature on a revival of Bare, a cult musical about gay Catholic teens (New York Times, Nov. 16, 2013)
The Commons Touch Feature on the Boston-based theater think tank Center for the Theater Commons and its online journal HowlRound (American Theatre, October 2012)
Ungulates in the House Feature on Théâtre de la Ville production of Rhinoceros, en route to BAM (BAMBill Oct. 2012)Rock and Race in Memphis Feature on Broadway musical en route to Denver Center Theater (Applause, Sept.-Nov. 2012)
Walking the Walk, Cane in Hand Profile of Rob McClure, lead performer in new Chaplin musical on Broadway (New York Times, Aug. 24, 2012)
Rehearsal Note: That Bad Choice Could Be Useful Profile of director Daniel Aukin in anticipation of three Off-Broadway productions (New York Times, Aug. 10, 2012)
After the Anger A survey of the Golden Mask Festival of Russian theater in Moscow in April (American Theatre, July/August)
A New "Vanya" for the Living Room Preview of Annie Baker and Sam Gold's new Uncle Vanya at Soho Rep (New York Times, June 3, 2012)
Chameleon Sheds His Camouflage Profile of Giancarlo Esposito in advance of his appearance in Shanley's Storefront Church (New York Times, May 27, 2012)
Out of Mideast, a Comic Recipe for the Stage Preview of Food and Fadwa, inaugural production by Noor Theatre, a Middle Eastern-American theater company at New York Theatre Workshop (New York Times, May 20, 2012)
Preview: February House (Time Out New York, May 16, 2012)
Collaborating With the Cast and Playwright A Q&A with Clybourne Park director Pam MacKinnon (New York Times, May 12, 2012)
“Agony and Ecstasy” Version 2.0 A look at upcoming productions/revisions to Mike Daisey's controversial show (American Theatre, May 2012)
After the War Iraqi theatre artists forge ahead—and reach for global connections—in a cautious, still-fragile country (American Theatre, Feb 2012)
A rich writing life for Molly Smith Metzler Preview of South Coast Rep opening of playwright's Elemeno Pea (Los Angeles Times, Jan. 22, 2012)
Southern Without the Comfort Preview of Geffen Playhouse opening of Beth Henley's The Jacksonian (The New York Times, Jan. 15, 2012)
Profile: Lydia R. Diamond The author of Stick Fly talks about race, class and cussing (Time Out New York, Dec. 6, 2012)
Triple Threats Emily Mann and Chay Yew write and direct plays, and they run theatres. Not necessarily in that order (American Theatre, Dec. 2011)
The Parent Trap How to hold on to theatregoers with young children? Offer them sitters along with their seats (American Theatre, Dec. 2011)
Back to the '50s, Trying To Escape Freedom's Pitfalls Preview of Playwrights Horizon's production of Jordan Harrison's Maple and Vine (The New York Times, Nov. 23, 2011)
He's 'Bring It On: The Musical's' Chief Cheerleader Preview piece on new musical from director/choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler, opening at Ahmanson (Los Angeles Times, Nov. 6, 2011)
Preview: Phantom Limb's 69°S. A puppet company ventures into the frozen wastes of Antarctica (Time Out New York, Oct. 24, 2011)
Darkly Comic Voice Adds a Libretto to His Résumé Profile of playwright Stephen Karam prior to opening of Sons of the Prophet and Dark Sisters (New York Times, Oct. 9, 2011)
The Lanford Wilson Issue: Hot L's Music An essay on The Hot L Baltimore's musicality (Parabasis, Sept. 30, 2011)
Threepenny primer A helpful list of misconceptions about the Brecht/Weill classic, in advance of the Robert Wilson/Berliner Ensemble production at BAM (Time Out New York, Sept. 27, 2011)
Playwright Kristoffer Diaz steps into the ring A feature on Diaz's The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at the Geffen Playhouse (The Los Angeles Times, Aug. 21, 2011)
Preview: Follies The Sondheim classic about faded Broadway dreams returns (Time Out New York, Aug. 8, 2010)
Report: Ohio Theatre and the Ice Factory The downtown fixture finds new roots on Greenwich Street (Time Out New York, June 29, 2011)
Sad and Haunted Girls Who Couldn’t Play Worth a Lick Preview feature on The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World at Playwrights Horizons (The New York Times, May 19, 2011)
Stage Presence A spirituality of the theater (America, May 2, 2011)
Preview: By the Way, Meet Vera Stark After 2009’s gritty hit Ruined, Lynn Nottage goes lighter (Time Out New York, Apr. 18, 2011)
A Playwright in Song Stephen Sondheim ponders his accomplishments, his way of working, and the form and future of the American musical (American Theatre, April, 2011)
Mexican? American? Call Her Writer Profile of Chicago playwright Tanya Saracho (The New York Times, Mar. 22, 2011)
The Singular Laura Eason How the many facets of one theatre artist—adaptor, actor, artistic director—have forged a major playwriting voice (American Theatre, Feb. 2011)
Rare Reprises for an Unlikely Collaboration Preview of revivals of Weill/Anderson musicals Knickerbocker Holiday and Lost in the Stars (The New York Times, Jan. 18, 2011)
Three Pianos Franz Schubert’s Winterreise gets deconstructed with a six-pack of beer (Time Out New York, Nov. 29, 2010)
Clothes Make the Man-Boy A feature on Ann Closs-Farley costumes for The Pee-wee Herman Show (TDF Stages, November 2010)
Pampered Critics? No, Critics in Pampers A report on the New Victory's Egg and Spoon in the company of two critical colleagues (Jason Zinoman, Eric Grode) and our toddlers (The New York Times, Nov. 16, 2010)
Lisa Kron The playwright returns to the painful, divisive years of the Bush regime (Time Out New York, Oct. 28, 2010)
Director's Fancy Leads to a Tale-Spinning Cat A preview of the Moisés Kaufman-directed puppet opera Puss in Boots (The New York Times, Oct. 1, 2010)
Sort of a Salon, Sort of a Church A feature on Chris Wells' theater "church" the Secret City (The New York Times, Sept. 26, 2010)
Making Confetti Out of Suspense A preview of Denver Center Theatre's production of The 39 Steps (Applause, Sep. 27-Oct. 23, 2010)
Ideas, Actions and Finding the New Mop A report from the TCG National Conference in Chicago in June (American Theatre, Sept. 2010)
Dispatch from Oregon: Angelenos in Ashland Checking in with former Actors' Gangsters and others now working at Oregon Shakes (LA Times' Culture Monster, Aug. 17, 2010)
Re-imagining the Scottish play and other essays on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Ping Chong's staging of Kurosawa's Throne of Blood (Illuminations, summer 2010)
Jonathan Demme makes time for 'Family Week' Preview of Beth Henley play Off-Broadway (LA Times, May 4, 2010)
One on One in Times Square A look at set designer Christine Jones' "Theatre for One"
American Idiot Preview of Green Day musical on Broadway (Time Out NY, Apr. 1, 2010)
Broadway in Black and White A look at the Broadway season through the prism of race (American Theatre, Dec. 2009)
Maggie Siff A profile of the star of Liz Duffy Adams' play Or, (Time Out NY, Nov. 5, 2009)
Still Fresh, Less Flesh Celebration Theatre's Michael Shepperd makes the case that Los Angeles still needs a gay theatre (American Theatre, Oct. 2009)
Waiver War Weapons The history of L.A. Equity 99-Seat Theatre Plan, Part II (LA Stage, June 29, 2009)
Waging the Waiver Wars The history of L.A.'s Equity 99-Seat Theatre Plan, Part I (LA Stage, May 2, 2009)
'80s Sunset Strip meets '09 Broadway Preview of Rock of Ages on Broadway; interviews with Kristin Hanggi and Chris D'Arienzo (LA Times, Apr. 5, 2009)
Michael Sargent: a playwright makes good in the lobby Profile in advance of The Projectionist, with a glance at Grand Motel (LA Times, Mar. 25, 2009)
Female trouble Preview on Sheila Callaghan's That Pretty Pretty, or The Rape Play (Time Out NY, Feb. 12, 2009)
Be my feral baby A preview of Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney's Kaspar Hauser: a foundling's opera (Village Voice, Feb. 12, 2009)
Move it and lose it at "Minsky's" Preview of Ahmanson production (LA Times, Feb. 1, 2009)
America as mix tape Profile of playwright Oliver Mayer in advance of Dias y Flores opening (LA Times, Jan. 22. 2009)
"Spring Awakening" as traditional rebel Preview piece for L.A. run; interviews with Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater (LA Times, Oct. 26, 2008)
"Speech & Debate" playwright remains youthful Profile of Stephen Karam (LA Times, Oct. 5, 2008)
Itamar Moses is just looking to make sense of it all Profile of playwright in advance of L.A. premiere of The Four of Us, the San Diego/NY premieres of Back Back Back, the Berkeley production of Yellowjackets (LA Times, Sept. 7, 2008)
A most happy Fela! Preview of Bill T. Jones' new bio-musical (Time Out NY, Aug. 28, 2008)
Hello, 13 Preview of Jason Robert Brown's new musical; interview with director Jeremy Sams (Time Out NY Kids, Aug. 24, 2008)
In the WASP's nest Preview of A.R. Gurney's Buffalo Gal (Time Out NY, July 30, 2008)
Camus filters Preview of Theatre Oobleck's The Strangerer (Time Out NY, July 17, 2008)
Story time Preview of David Greig's Brits Off Broadway offerings Yellow Moon and Damascus (Time Out NY, Apr. 23, 2008)
"Pacific" Theatre Profile of Danny Burstein, playing Luther Billis in new South Pacific revival (TDF, Apr. 2008)
By George, he's got it Preview of Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park With George with Daniel Evans (Time Out NY, Feb. 13. 2008)
Vonnegut Reaction Preview of Godlight's Slaughterhouse-Five (Time Out NY, Jan. 10, 2008)
Myth-buster Preview Q&A with James Thierree about Au Revoir Parapluie at BAM (Time Out NY, Nov. 29, 2007)
Obscenely talented Q&A with Ian McShane about Pinter's The Homecoming (Time Out NY, Nov. 22, 2007)
Can it hold like "Hairspray"? A preview of Broadway-bound "Cry-Baby" at La Jolla Playhouse (LA Times, Nov. 18, 2007) (Times link)
The World of Mee Preview of Chuck Mee's musical play Queens Boulevard at Signature Theater (TDF, Nov., 2007)
His string instruments A preview of Erik Sanko's Fortune Teller at UCLA Live (LA Times, Oct. 16, 2007) (Times link)
It's a daredevil leap Preview of Jef Bek's Evel Knievel: A Rock Opera (LA Times, Sept. 24, 2007) (Times link)
The one and only Profile of the Signature Theatre Company and its next four seasons on Mee, Negro Ensemble Company, Parks & Kushner (LA Times, Aug. 5, 2007) (PDF form)
Edgar Ramirez, professional chameleon Profile of the Venezuelan film actor (LA Times, July 22, 2007) (Times link)
A human side of Deven May Profile of "Bat Boy" originator, starring in "Jersey Boys" in L.A. (June 3, 2007)
They'll be stopping by for a spell Preview of 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee's bow in L.A. (LA Times, May 20, 2007) (Times link)
An actor-scholar tees up a big role A profile of Harry Lennix, star of August Wilson's Radio Golf (Apr. 29, 2007) (Times link)
Capturing the soul of the Philippines An interview with Dogeaters author/playwright Jessica Hagedorn
"Two for the Park," profiles of Kelli O'Hara and Mano Felciano, stars of Reprise!'s Sunday in the Park With George (LA Times, Jan. 28, 2007)
Seeing the world in a snow-globe A preview of Slava's Snow Show at UCLA Live (LA Times, Dec. 10, 2006)
He's the guy you hate to love A profile of Brian Cox (LA Times, 10/22/06) (Times link)
Bill Rauch's Oregon Trail, a Q&A with the Cornerstone founding director and the new artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (American Theatre, 10/06)
Off-Broadway is all over the map, a preview of the season (Newsday, 10/1/06)
A Theater Group Offers Hope at Ground Zero, a feature on 3-Legged Dog's new lower Manhattan performance/media space (New Yorkt Times, 9/7/06)
Not the same old song and dance (page 2), a preview of the New York Musical Theatre Festival (Newsday, 9/3/06)
'Stone Carver,' a Drama Built of Evolving Memories, a story about William Mastrosimone's new play (New York Times, 7/30/06)
On to higher billing, a report on Bill O'Brien leaving Deaf West Theatre to head the NEA's theater programs (Los Angeles Times, 7/30/06) (Times link)
Keeping it real at the Fake A profile of the alt-comedy space the Fake Gallery (LA Times, 6/29/06)
L.A. sifts through pieces of Evidence A piece on Bart DeLorenzo's departure from the space on Beverly Blvd., the glories of the past, and what the future may hold (LA Times, May 7, 2006) (Times link)
Torching the Library: Different Year, Same Temperature A preview of Fahrenheit 451 (New York Times, 3/19/06)
From Norway to BAM, With a Stopover in Oz A preview of Hedda Gabler (Encore, 2/06)
Theater You Can Drop In On (NY Times, 12/23/05)
Christal Weatherly A profile of the costume designer (American Theatre 12/05)
Going Public A preview of The Ruby Sunrise at the Public Theater (Encore, 11/05)
Uneasy Riders Interview with Liev Schreiber about his film directing debut, Everything Is Illuminated
Exit Fervently Gordon Davidson directs Stuff Happens (American Theatre 7-8/05)
Drop Its Avant-Garde? Never A feature on City Garage (LA Times 8/24/05) (Times link)
Not too close for company Feature on Pacific Resident Theatre (LA Times 6/19/05) (Times link)
Broadway's Broadway, but L.A.'s invigorating Profile of Jason Robert Brown in SoCal
It goes like this... As You Like It: The Plot Plays On (Performances 2/05)
The Web of lies Dean Cameron's Nigerian Spam Scam Scam (LA Times 12/8/04) (Times link)
Hot, Hip and on the Verge: The Black Dahlia (American Theatre 12/04)
Confessions of a character Profile of actor Leslie Jordan (LA Times, 11/18/04) (Times link)
Dissent in the Model Minority Lodestone's Aziatik Nation at Highways (LA Times 11/17/04) (Times link)
Two Hollywood theater troupes get religion Hell House and Scientology Pageant (Variety 11/1/04)
Actors' Gang goes to the edge Embedded on tour (Variety 9/27/04)
Viennese Waltz Alma comes to L.A. (American Theatre 9/04)
Modernizing Millie (Performances 7/04)
Matched Wits, Kindred Spirits Ferber & Kaufman's writing partnership (Performances, 4/04)
Cornerstone's Jewish Project Yehuda Hyman & Tracy Young Join Forces (LA Stage, 4-5/04)
Obsessed by the Theatre Ravi Narasimhan's passion for theatregoing (LA Times, 1/11/04)
Pamela Gordon obit (BSW 10/1/03)
A Really Big Shrew Tamar Fortgang's Orpheum Theatre production (BSW 9/4/03)
Stage Spot: Alina Phelan (BSW 8/21/03)
Headshots for Sale How a West Wing casting assistant made cash on eBay (BSW, 8/14/03)
Opening This Week: As Bees in Honey Drown (BSW 8/14/03)
Agent Signing Stories: Kristen Bell and Matt North (BSW 8/7/03)
Opening This Week: Gem of the Ocean (BSW 7/31/03)
Don't A.S.K. Theatre funding org announces shutdown (BSW, 7/17/03)
Agent Signing Stories: Damien Midkiff and Laurel Green (BSW 6/5/03)
SRO Reloaded Second Theatre LA conference kicks it up a notch (BSW 5/29/03)
Stage Spot: Tish Hicks (BSW 5/22/03)
Minority Report The case against SAG-AFTRA consolidation (BSW 5/15/03)
Far From Heaven Casting Casting director Laura Rosenthal's inspirations (BSW 3/13/03)
Stage Spot: Jennifer Ann Evans (BSW 3/6/03)
ASK Not Playing Around Theatre funding org's new programs (BSW, 1/30/03)
Ovations Flow for River and Napoli A full report from the Theatre LA awards show (BSW 11/28/02)
Exorcist to Punisher Casting director Pam Dixon's busy year (BSW 11/7/02)
Ovations Expand A look at the year's nominees (BSW 10/3/02)
Casting Emmys Profiles of nominees Jeff Greenberg (Frasier) and Megan McConnell & Janet Gilmore (Alias) (BSW 8/29/02)
Central Settling Report on casting service settling $1.2 mil minimum-wage claim (BSW 6/20/02)
Some ASK Answers Reports on rumors of changes at org (BSW 6/13/02)
L.A.'s Advanced Stages A report from Theatre LA's SRO Theatre Conference (BSW 5/30/02)
What Dreams May Come Chris Wells and Tracy Young join forces to remount Dreamplay (BSW 5/23/02)
ActorFest preview (BSW 4/18/02)
A profile of Mary Selway, casting director for Gosford Park (BSW 3/14/02)
Garlands "Local Heroes" Mini-profiles of director Jessica Kubzansky, costume designer Shon LeBlanc, and sound designer John Zalewski (BSW 1/24/02)
Commercial Break Shubert and Tiffany theatres close (BSW 12/20/01)
Stumbling Ovations Lion and Lintel dominate Kodak fiasco (BSW 11/15/01)
Walking the Talk Theatre LA's new head, Lee Wochner (BSW 11/8/01)
Requiem for Dean Why TNT's new Dean biopic falls short (BSW 8/2/01)
Faith to Faith Confrontation A preview of Cornerstone's "faith" cycle (American Theatre 6/01)
Lina Todd, You Can Count on Me Excerpt from round-up of year's best casting (BSW 3/15/01)
Critic Takes a Holiday Why performing in Cornerstone's For Here or To Go? was the best Christmas gift ever (BSW 1/11/01)
A New Stage LA Stage debuts (BSW 9/28/00)
Grove North? Grove Theatre Center ventures into Burbank (BSW 9/28/00)
Out of Luckman A Noise Within leaves Cal State theatre (BSW 8/6/00)
Reflections in Glass Susan Sullivan tackles Amanda Wingfield (BSW 5/25/00)
Evidence Mounts Evidence Rooms finds Beverly Blvd. space (BSW 5/11/00)
The Meeting Is Called African Grove Institute meets, following August Wilson's lead (BSW 3/9/00)
Sweet and Lowdown Why Juliet Taylor and Laura Rosenthal's casting deserves a nomination (BSW 3/2/00)
Weill's Body A centennial appreciation and a Happy End preview (BSW 2/24/00)
Rev On Richard Allen in Play On! (BSW 1/20/00)
Ovations Rock, Drag Coverage of the show (BSW 11/11/99)
A Simpler Plan L.A.'s Equity 99-Seat Plan gets a makeover (BSW 10/14/99)
Theatre 40's Offstage Drama Report on troupe's struggles with landlord (BSW 10/7/99)
Putting L.A. Theatre on the Map Theatre L.A. head Lars Hansen (BSW 8/12/99)
Busy Brian Brian Cox does St. Nicholas as Matrix benefit (BSW 7/28/99)
Rat Packs 'Em In A report on the RAT conference (BSW 7/28/99)
Luckman Brings the Noise A Noise Within moves to Cal State L.A. theatre (6/3/99)
Cast Theatre Recast Tanner and Daley take over (BSW 5/27/99)
Breakdown Wins Judgment Company wins six figures from bootleg operation (BSW 3/18/99)
And the Nominees Should Be... A profile of Artz/Cohen's casting for Rushmore (BSW 3/11/99)
Durkin Drama Embattled agent gives up franchise (BSW 12/17/98)
Insider House Ovations Honor Great Men and Women of the Theatre Nos. 1-26 (BSW 11/19/98)
Quality and Quantity A chat with Theatre LA's new head, Alisa Fishbach (BSW 11/12/98)
Net Results The future of online casting (BSW 11/5/98)
Stagestruck L.A. theatre as a launching pad for actors' careers, with sidebar of theatres to watch (Hollywood Reporter 10/6/98)
Show-Tixx a No Show Theatre ticket service shuts down (BSW 7/16/98)
Ashland, the Ride The definitive Oregon Shakespeare Festival feature (BSW 7/9/98)
A Trade Among Trades Back Stage West acquires Drama-Logue (BSW 5/21/98)
Black Stage West August Wilson convenes Town Hall on African-American Theatre (BSW 5/14/98)
Triple Play Actors' Gang and Cornerstone joins forces for Medea/Macbeth/Cinderella (BSW 4/02/98)
The Brecht Effect A centennial consideration of his work and influence & quotes from theatre artists about their debt to Brecht (BSW 2/5/98)
Wyle Fills in Blank ER star takes top spot at L.A. theatre company (BSW 12/4/97)
L.A. Theatre Fever Catches Ragtime, Midsummer Win Big and Sondheim Hails Local Spirit (BSW 11/20/97)
Ovations Preview Features Nominee Tracy Young, Voter Don Nelson, and Awards Makers Chris Komuro and Philip Hitchcock (BSW 11/13/97)
Wilde in, Wilde Out Eric Bentley's Lord Alfred's Lover (BSW 10/16/97)
Ovations Don’t Stand on Ceremony Actors' Gang, CTG, and 99-Seats Win (BSW 9/22/96)
DIALOGUES
Model Citizens Actors Jeff Corey and John Randolph recall the blacklist and its aftermath
Actors' Dialogue: Abby Craden & Tracy Middendorf
Actors' Dialogue: Bob Gunton & Anne Archer
Actors' Dialogue: Laila Robins & Brian Cox
Scrooges' Dialogue: Hal Landon Jr. & William Dennis Hunt
Actors' Dialogue: David Dukes & Anna Gunn
Directors' Dialogue: Sheldon Epps & Shirley Jo Finney
Humorists' Dialogue: Mort Sahl & Jimmy Tingle
Actors' Dialogue: Gloria Stuart & Frances Fisher
Actors' Dialogue: Kingsley Leggs & Mary Gutzi
Actors' Dialogue: Geri Jewell & Kathy Buckley
Actors' Dialogue: Darryl Thierse & Veralyn Jones
Playmakers Roundtable
State of the Arts: A Publicists' Roundtable
MY ANTONIA
ReplyDeleteOpens at Rubicon Theatre on May 10
Scott Schwartz’s adaptation of
Pulitzer Prize-winner Willa Cather’s novel
With incidental music by Stephen Schwartz and Choreography by Staś Kmieć
May 6, 2008…Ventura, CA… Rubicon Theatre Company continues its 10th Anniversary Season with the Southern California premiere of MY ANTONIA, the stage adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winner Willa Cather’s classic novel which begins performances on May 8. As part of the Southern California Festival of New American Musicals, this new play features a rare professional collaboration of father and son, Stephen and Scott Schwartz.
MY ANTONIA is the poetic drama of a spirited Eastern European immigrant girl on the Nebraska plains in the late 1800s. Told through a series of flashbacks by Antonia’s childhood friend, Jim Burden, the play encompasses years of experiences, revealing a soulful portrait of a simple yet heroic woman and the trials and triumphs of the American immigrant.
Director and playwright Scott Schwartz returns to Rubicon, where he previously directed tick...tick...Boom! His work on Broadway includes Golda’s Balcony and Jane Eyre and his many off-Broadway credits include the much acclaimed Bat Boy: The Musical and tick...tick...Boom!
Schwartz embarked on the creation of MY ANTONIA 12 years ago. After being inspired by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby, Schwartz decided to try his own hand at adaptation. He was drawn to Willa Cather’s My Antonia by the complex love story between a young American boy and an eastern European immigrant, his connection to the piece as a descendent of Eastern European immigrants, and, as Schwartz describes, “Willa Cather’s language, which is extraordinarily beautiful and incredibly vivid.”
A desire for authenticity to the period and the spirit of Cather’s novel sent Schwartz searching for a composer able to underscore the stage adaptation, giving it a cinematic feel, and who could create music for period songs from the novel and from Czech and Russian poetry Schwartz had uncovered. During the development of MY ANTONIA, Stephen Schwartz (the composer of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin and many Disney musical films) came to a reading and asked his son, “Would you give me a shot?” While the two rarely work together, Scott employed his father, noting, “Though he’s known for his pop musical scores, he has a real ear for period music. And since this is a play with music, and not a musical, we thought we’d have fun exploring this unusual medium.”
The production is choreographed by Staś Kmieć, an expert in Eastern European folk dances, who draws upon his rich experience to create Komar, which utilizes folk movement, and the American period dance sections.
MY ANTONIA had its world premiere at Theatre Works in Palo Alto, CA in 2004. Schwartz related, “The production in Northern California was developmental...It really is a new play for this production at the Rubicon, so much work has been done in the past four years.”
After an appearance in Rubicon’s Plays-in-Progress readings in 2005, and further script tweaking, Rubicon’s production of MY ANTONIA will preview May 8th and 9th with its gala opening Saturday, May 10th. The production will continue through June 1 and will then transfer to Pacific Resident Theaters where it will have an open-ended run.
Utilizing a minimalistic set to employ the audiences’ imagination, the production enlists 14 actors to play 21 specific roles as well as numerous townspeople, spoken memories, farmhands, etc.
The accomplished cast of MY ANTONIA is led by Shiva Rose as Antonia, Kevin Kilner as James Burden, and Michael Redfield as Jimmy. It also includes Orestes Arcuni, Tom Beyer, Kate Fuglei, Karen Landry, William Lithgow, Julia Motyka¸ Bob McCracken¸ Miguel Perez, David Rogge, and Nancy Sauder.
MY ANTONIA is produced in association with Michael Jackowitz and co-produced with Venice Beach’s Pacific Resident Theatre Ensemble. It is part of the Southern California Festival of New American Musicals.
For a complete performance schedule, visit www.rubicontheatre.org. All performances are at Rubicon Theatre, located at 1006 E. Main Street (the corner of Main and Laurel) in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District.
MY ANTONIA previews May 8, opens May 10 and runs through June 1.