The Laura Pels Foundation News

The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater recently made a landmark $2 million gift to Roundabout Theatre Company, fulfilling a pledge made by its founder, Laura Pels, during a special campaign to mark the company’s 50th Anniversary.

The New York Times is reporting that The Roundabout Theater Company has announced two more productions for its 2009-10 season. Roundabout will offer the first Broadway production of 'Bye Bye Birdie' since its original production in 1960. There have been rumors for the last sevral years that the compnay would mount a revival and the rumblings were heating up for the past few weeks, Robert Longbottom ('Flower Drum Song') is the director and choreographer for the new production. Also reported was the news that the Roundabout will revive Noel Coward's 'Present Laughter,' with Victor Garber as the put-upon matinee idol Garry Essendine. Nicholas Martin, who directed the comedy for the Huntington Theater Company in 2007, which also starred Mr. Garber, will direct the new revival.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents The Language of Trees, a new play by Steven Levenson, directed by Alex Timbers.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9th for Signature Theatre Company's (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) world premiere production of Tony® and Academy Award®-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl and two-time Emmy® winner and Tony® nominee Larry Bryggman in EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT directed by Pam MacKinnon. Mr. Albee was Signature's 1993-1994 Playwright-in-Residence. EDWARD ALBEE'S OCCUPANT begins performances on May 6, 2008 and continues through June 29 at The Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues). The production will have its official opening on June 5th.

New York Theatre Workshop announced that Beckett Shorts, an evening of four one-act plays written by Samuel Beckett and directed by JoAnne Akalaitis, will begin performances Wednesday, December 5 at 8PM at New York Theatre Workshop. Opening night is scheduled for Sunday, December 16 at 7PM.

The Public Theater announces that Brian Bedford, Lynn Collins, Jennifer Ikeda, Richard Thomas, and James Waterston have joined the cast of As You Like It for Shakespeare in the Park. As You Like It is the first production scheduled in The Public's year-long 50th Anniversary Celebration, with performances beginning Tuesday, June 25th and continuing through Sunday, July 17th.

Previews for the Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) production of MEMORY HOUSE, a new play by Kathleen Tolan (The Wax and Kate's Diary at Playwrights Horizons) are set to begin Friday, April 22 at 8 PM.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce that John Glover, Daniel Eric Gold, Lee Pace, Michele Pawk and Ron Rifkin will appear in the New York premiere of Jon Robin Baitz's THE PARIS LETTER, directed by Doug Hughes.