Sebastian Arcelus, Jenny Bacon & More to Join Olympia Dukakis in Midtown Direct Rep's ABSENCE Reading, 1/5
Midtown Direct Rep (MDR), the resident theater company at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), has announced that Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis will be joined by Midtown Direct Rep company members Sebastian Arcelus, Jenny Bacon, Emily Bauer and Stephanie Kurtzuba, plus special guests Kendra Jain and Dan Ziskie in a one-night-only staged reading of ABSENCE, a new play about memory loss. Former-actress turned director Margaret Whitton stages this new work by emerging playwright Peter M. Floyd that was honored by the Kennedy Center's 2012 Jean Kennedy Smith Award and the 2012 Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition. The performance, part of MDR's Theatre in the Loft series focusing on new and innovative American theatre, is Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 7 pm at SOPAC (One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079). Tickets, which are $15, are available at http://www.sopacnow.org/673/MDR-in-the-Loft-Jan5 or by calling 973-313-ARTS (2787). The performance will be followed by a discussion with the playwright, the cast and creative team. In ABSENCE, an excitingly theatrical play about aging, power, grace and imagination, Olympia Dukakis plays Helen, an iron-willed woman who suffers from memory loss. As her sense of self dissolves with her memories, she struggles to find meaning in her new existence.
Arielle Tepper Madover Elected Board Chair of Public Theater
The Board of Trustees of The Public Theater just announced that Arielle Tepper Madover has been elected as The Public's new Board Chair. Madover, who joined the board in 2009, has been an active member of the Executive Committee, serving as Board Vice-Chair for the last year and Chair of The Public's Commercial Projects Committee since 2011. She was Co-Chair of The Public's 2013 Gala and the 50thAnniversary Gala in 2012, achieving the highest grossing galas in Public Theater history. A Tony Award-winning producer, Madover will serve a three year term effective immediately.
Olympia Dukakis to Lead MDR's ABSENCE Reading, 1/5
MIDTOWN DIRECT REP (MDR), the resident theater company at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), has announced that Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis will perform with MDR company members in a staged reading of ABSENCE, a new play about memory loss.
The Public Theater Announces Completion of Going Public Capital Campaign
The Public Theater (Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham) announced today that it has successfully completed its Going Public Capital Campaign by raising $42 million. The landmark institution has also received generous major gifts in support of its newly revitalized downtown home at Astor Place, resulting in several named spaces. Fundraising continues throughout the year for community-based Public Theater programming, including Shakespeare in the Park, Mobile Shakespeare Unit, Public Works, and the Writers' Initiative.
A Bird of the Air to be Released on DVD/VOD, 4/10
Freestyle Digital Media LLC (FDM) has acquired all rights North America (excluding US theatrical) for director Margaret Whitton's colorful romantic comedy A BIRD OF THE AIR from Tashtego Films LLC. Based on Joe Coomer's acclaimed novel The Loop, the film stars Jackson Hurst ("Drop Dead Diva") and Rachel Nichols ("Conan the Barbarian"), and is from an adaptation by screenwriter Roger Towne. Produced by Steven Tabakin and Margaret Whitton, and executive produced by Warren Spector, the film will debut on April 10, 2012. A BIRD OF THE AIR was theatrically released in the USA by Paladin in the fall of 2011.
BRIDGING TV & THEATRE: Jackson Hurst & DROP DEAD DIVA - Plus, TREE OF LIFE, BIRD OF THE AIR & More
Today we are kicking off the male-centric portion of our ongoing series of interviews with the stars of Lifetime's DROP DEAD DIVA with the heartthrob of the show and Jane's former fiancee in her past life, legal eagle Grayson, played by the dashing and suave Jackson Hurst. In addition to talking all about Season 3 of DROP DEAD DIVA and the future for Jane and Grayson - as well as the hiccups and roadblocks in his relationship with Deb, before, and, now, Jane, that have cropped up so precipitously along the way - we also analyze the various guest stars on the show over the seasons - everyone from Kathy Griffin to Samuel L. Jackson to Elliot Gould to Liza Minnelli and more! In addition, Hurst and I also discuss his past and future stage and screen roles and his experiences on sets and backstage - including a thorough discussion of working with director Terrence Malick on THE TREE OF LIFE and his starring role in the forthcoming September release, A BIRD OF THE AIR, by CHINATOWN scribe Robert Towne - as well as Hurst's own favorite films and ultimate career aspirations - plus much, much more!
Ryan Reynolds Narrates THE WHALE Documentary
THE WHALE, a new documentary about a lonely young killer whale who causes upheaval in a small town and amazement around the world when he tries to make friends with humans, will be released theatrically by Paladin, it was announced by company president, Mark Urman.
The Public Theater Presents Shakespeare in Southampton Benefit Evening 8/15
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present Shakespeare in Southampton, a fundraiser for the Shakespeare Initiative hosted by Jesse L. Martin ('Law & Order,' Shakespeare in the Park 2010), and featuring a performance of All's Well That Ends Well, directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein.
The Public Theater Presents Shakespeare in Southampton Benefit Evening 8/15
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis, Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present Shakespeare in Southampton, a fundraiser for the Shakespeare Initiative hosted by Jesse L. Martin ('Law & Order,' Shakespeare in the Park 2010), and featuring a performance of All's Well That Ends Well, directed by Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein.
Pacino, Ferguson & Martin Lead Shakespeare In The Park 2010, Previews 6/9
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.