Stephen Rayne News

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, brings its celebrated 25th Anniversary Season to an end with William Shakespeare's riotous romp The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by celebrated British director Stephen Rayne. The production marks the first performance of this comedic favorite at STC in more than a decade. Merry Wives will take place in the Company's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from June 12-July 15, 2012.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company announces casting for the two remaining productions of their 25th Anniversary Season. The Servant of Two Masters, running from May 15-June 24 at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street NW), and The Merry Wives of Windsor, running from June 12-July 15 at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW), both feature new and familiar faces to STC's stages.

It's powerful, it's moving, it's melodious, and it's true!

Ford's Theatre is presenting the Washington premiere of the Tony-winning musical drama Parade, directed by Stephen Rayne. The production opened on September 23 and runs though October 30, 2011. The centerpiece of this year's programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project, Parade is based on the true story of Leo Frank's trial and lynching in early 20th-century Atlanta. Ostracized for his faith and Northern heritage, Jewish factory manager Leo Frank is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl the day of the annual Confederate Memorial Day parade. Alfred Uhry's award-winning book and Jason Robert Brown's rousing, colorful and haunting score illuminate a circus of conflicting accounts, false testimony and mishandled evidence in a town reeling with social and racial tension. Isolated from the world, Leo develops a new and deeper love for his wife, who tirelessly crusades for his freedom. Tony-Award nominee Euan Morton stars as Leo Frank with Jenny Fellner as Lucille Frank in this compelling and provocative tale of justice miscarried. Production photos have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

The new DC area theatre season begins in September. Over 50 shows are opening in our professional and community theatres. But before we move on to the new season and what's opening in September, let's look back at my personal favorite musicals, plays, and performances in both musicals and plays in the DC area - from August 2010 to August 2011.

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's new feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: August 6- 12 !

Ford's Theatre presents the Washington premiere of the Tony-winning musical drama 'Parade,' directed by Stephen Rayne, September 23 though October 30, 2011. The centerpiece of this year's programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project, Parade is based on the true story of Leo Frank's trial and lynching in early 20th-century Atlanta. Ostracized for his faith and Northern heritage, Jewish factory manager Leo Frank is accused of murdering a teenaged factory girl the day of the annual Confederate Memorial Day parade. Alfred Uhry's award-winning book and Jason Robert Brown's rousing, colorful and haunting score illuminate a circus of conflicting accounts, false testimony and mishandled evidence in a town reeling with social and racial tension. Isolated from the world, Leo develops a new and deeper love for his wife, who tirelessly crusades for his freedom. Tony-Award nominee Euan Morton stars as Leo Frank with Jenny Fellner as Lucille Frank in this compelling and provocative tale of justice miscarried. Check out photos from the production below!

In anticipation of the February 2012 Grand Opening of the new Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership, the Ford's Theatre Society announces the Lincoln Legacy Project; a five-year effort to create a dialogue in our nation's capital around the issues of tolerance, equality and acceptance.

Washington, D.C.'s Ford's Theatre has just announced their full 2011-12 season, which is set to include productions of PARADE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 1776, and more.

The Ford's Theatre 2010-2011 season opens with 'Sabrina Fair' by Samuel A. Taylor, October 1-24, 2010. Stephen Rayne ('The Heavens Are Hung In Black') returns to directs this delightful modern twist on the Cinderella story. The production features Susan Heyward as Sabrina with Todd Gearhart and Tom Story as the charming Larrabee brothers. Additional casting includes John Dow as Linus Larrabee, Sr., Helen Hedman as Maude Larrabee, Kimberly Schraf as Julia, and Craig Wallace as Fairchild.

The Ford's Theatre 2010-2011 season opens with 'Sabrina Fair' by Samuel A. Taylor, October 1-24, 2010. Stephen Rayne ('The Heavens Are Hung In Black') returns to directs this delightful modern twist on the Cinderella story. The production features Susan Heyward as Sabrina with Todd Gearhart and Tom Story as the charming Larrabee brothers. Additional casting includes John Dow as Linus Larrabee, Sr., Helen Hedman as Maude Larrabee, Kimberly Schraf as Julia, and Craig Wallace as Fairchild.

The Ford's Theatre 2010-2011 season opens with 'Sabrina Fair' by Samuel A. Taylor, October 1-24, 2010. Stephen Rayne ('The Heavens Are Hung In Black') returns to directs this delightful modern twist on the Cinderella story. The production features Susan Heyward as Sabrina with Todd Gearhart and Tom Story as the charming Larrabee brothers. Additional casting includes John Dow as Linus Larrabee, Sr., Helen Hedman as Maude Larrabee, Kimberly Schraf as Julia, and Craig Wallace as Fairchild.

The Ford's Theatre 2010-2011 season opens with 'Sabrina Fair' by Samuel A. Taylor, October 1-24, 2010. Stephen Rayne ('The Heavens Are Hung In Black') returns to directs this delightful modern twist on the Cinderella story. The production features Susan Heyward as Sabrina with Todd Gearhart and Tom Story as the charming Larrabee brothers. Additional casting includes John Dow as Linus Larrabee, Sr., Helen Hedman as Maude Larrabee, Kimberly Schraf as Julia, and Craig Wallace as Fairchild.

Ford's Theatre Society Director Paul Tetreault announced the Theatre's 2010-2011 season, a lineup that includes a classic American romantic comedy, the return of Michael Baron's celebrated production of A Christmas Carol, a powerful family drama set in the Post-Reconstruction South, and a world premiere musical comedy.

Wayne R. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Ford's Theatre Society, Paul R. Tetreault, Director of Ford's Theatre Society, and Kym Elder, Superintendent of Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, announced today that Ford's Theatre will reopen in February 2009 after an 18-month renovation. Ford's Theatre will celebrate with one week of public and private events honoring Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign, a $50 million capital campaign to support the renovation of Ford's Theatre and its museum as well as the building of the new Center for Education and Leadership, has raised $43 million to date.

Wayne R. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Ford's Theatre Society, Paul R. Tetreault, Director of Ford's Theatre Society, and Kym Elder, Superintendent of Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, announced today that Ford's Theatre will reopen in February 2009 after an 18-month renovation. Ford's Theatre will celebrate with one week of public and private events honoring Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign, a $50 million capital campaign to support the renovation of Ford's Theatre and its museum as well as the building of the new Center for Education and Leadership, has raised $43 million to date.

The King and I remains an important piece of work, and with Jerome Robbins' choreography in tact, this revival is a is a sumptuous feast of colour and sparkle