BWW Review: LOVE at Center Stage Theater
Just today, famed opera singer Plácido Domingo resigned from LA Opera amid accusations that he sexually harassed workers there. It seems as though such stories are far more common than they were a few years ago. In October 2017, journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey broke the stories of women sexually assaulted and harassed by the movie producer, Harvey Weinstein. That story was followed by an explosion of women who shared their own experience of workplace harassment. So many women posted under the 'MeToo' hashtag, that the systemic infection of sexual harassment became harder to deny.
BWW Feature: Santa Barbara Summer Theatre Preview
In Santa Barbara, Ensemble's end of season production is a rom-com about an odd couple that comes together while learning to dance. SBCAST, an art space yet underutilized by the theatre community, will host Dogstar Theater Company's drink-and-walk exhibit of scenes and short plays. In Carpinteria, catch DramaDog's production of The Lost Virginity Tours, a comedy that takes four women on a road trip of memories as they visit the sights of first love. Up in Isla Vista, UCSB is producing the student one-act plays and a main-stage play about a young woman's heroine's journey over the border. Out in the valley, PCPA presents a raucous contemporary Broadway musical in the outdoor amphitheater in Solvang for theatre under the stars.
BWW Preview: HOW TO TRANSCEND A HAPPY MARRIAGE at The Producing Unit
Last fall, The Producing Unit performed a reading of one of Ruhl's latest works, How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (directed by Peter Frisch)--a play about testing the boundaries of a 'traditional' marriage. A married couple has a dinner party, and learns about the physical and emotional configuration of a polyamorous lifestyle from a new acquaintance, Pip, who is part of a throuple. In the past several months, the company has turned the content into a fully staged piece, which will be performed at Center Stage Theater from January 25-February 3.
Pulitzer-Winning Drama DISGRACED to Tour Universities, High Schools in China This Spring
The most produced play in America in 2015-16, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer-winning drama Disgraced will tour universities and high schools in China under the direction of Timothy Douglas from April 3 to 30, produced by Ping Pong Productions with grants from the Henry Luce Foundation and the U.S. Embassy in China as well as major support from Chinese hosts and other local partners.
BWW Preview: The Producing Unit Presents a Staged Reading Of AMERICAN DREAMS at The Alhecama Theater
The Producing Unit presents a staged reading of American Dreams, a performance piece exemplifying the broad and varied brands of "American" living. Directed by Peter Frisch and featuring Bill Egan, Tom Hinshaw, Meredith McMinn, Robert Riechel, Jeremy Tristan, and Ivy Vahanian, this series of monologues from a dozen different characters invites audiences to consider the very concept of the "American Dream," and how this socially constructed entitlement varies for each individual-yet exists consistently as a vital thematic goal.
Photo Flash: Andre De Shields and More Celebrate DISGRACED Opening at Arena Stage
Arena Stage presents the final production of its 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama DISGRACED. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. DISGRACED runs now through May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!
BWW Interview: Being That Sixth Person-Talking with Director Timothy Douglas about DISGRACED at Arena Stage
Lest you might think careers are well-planned, organized endeavors, take a lesson from director Timothy Douglas, who is gracing Washington in a return visit to Arena Stage (last season's King Hedley II was his Arena Stage debut) with his work with Ayad Akhtar's Disgraced, a play about being Muslim or, perhaps more importantly, being perceived as Muslim, in America in current times. 'I tripped into directing,' says Timothy, 'I went to LA as an actor, but found I didn't have the skin for it, so I stepped back and thought I'd be a career teacher, but through some dumb luck, I directed a show, and some people liked what they saw, and I ended up with the Center Theatre Group in LA, as a director. When I finally stopped resisting the path, it started to work.' 'It seems every good thing,' he laughingly reflects, 'has happened as I was being dragged through the back door kicking and screaming.' So, it seems, tripping doesn't always mean falling.
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of DISGRACED at Arena Stage
Arena Stage presents the final production of its 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama DISGRACED. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. DISGRACED runs April 22-May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater. BroadwayWorld has photos from the company's first rehearsal below!
Arena Stage Sets Full Cast of Ayad Akhtar's DISGRACED
Arena Stage announces casting for the final production of the 2015/16 season, Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Disgraced. Director Timothy Douglas (Arena's King Hedley II) tackles this emotionally-charged play by Akhtar, author of the novel 'American Dervish' and currently the most produced playwright in the United States. Hailed as 'emotionally shattering, a smart and provocative work of unusual daring that should be seen by anyone who cares about serious theater' by Newsday, Disgraced runs April 22-May 29, 2016 in the Kreeger Theater.
Records Broken! BroadwayWorld Awards Winners Announced in 6 Countries and 70 Cities!
BroadwayWorld, the largest theatre web site in the world, is excited to celebrate the site's biggest year yet of online voting for the popular BWW Awards, continuing our trends of innovation and expansion. After hundreds of thousands of votes in 6 countries and over 70 regions worldwide, from Los Angeles to Wichita to South Africa and more, BroadwayWorld has announced the winners of our 2015 Regional Awards.
2015 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards - Last Week to Vote!
Happy Holidays! It's the last week to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!
2015 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Awards Update - Ryan Ostendorf Big Lead!
Time is running out to vote for the 2015 BroadwayWorld Santa Barbara Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 18. Nominations were reader-submitted and after the nomination period ended, BroadwayWorld's local editors proofed the list for eligibility and errors. Voting runs through December 31!