Stephen Payne

Review: An Eye-Opening STRAIGHT WHITE MEN by Young Jean Lee Premieres at Tamparep
by Drew Eberhard - Feb 5, 2024

Young Jean Lee’s Straight White Men is a 2014 Dramatic Comedy that premiered off-Broadway at the Public Theatre in New York City on November 7, 2014. Directed by the playwright Lee, and featuring Austin Pendleton as “Ed”, Pete Simpson, James Stanely, and Gary Wilmes. Following its run off Broadway, the play was then produced by Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, opening in February 2017 and running until March 26, 2017. Young Jean Lee’s play made its transfer to Broadway with Previews beginning at the Hayes Theatre June 29,2018, with its official opening night on July 23. Directed by Anna D. Shapiro, and featuring a cast of Armie Hammer as Drew, Josh Charles as Jake, Paul Schneider as Matt, Kate Bornstein and Ty Defoe as “Stagehands-in-Charge,” and Stephen Payne as Ed. Both Tom Skerritt and Denis Arndt had ties to the production but left before opening and during previews.

Photos: Inside Opening Night of PAY THE WRITER At Pershing Square Signature Center
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 24, 2023

Craig Bierko, Bebe Neuwirth, Maryann Plunkett, Jay O. Sanders, Maulik Pancholy, Noah Ricketts, Sharon Brown, Seth Rudetsky, Erik Bottcher, Julian Elijah Martinez, Kevyn Morrow, and Frank Wood among others, attended Opening Night of Pay the Writer on August 21, 2023. See photos from the opening night celebration!

Review Roundup: Tawni O'Dell's PAY THE WRITER
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 23, 2023

The world premiere of the new comedy-drama Pay The Writer by New York Times Bestselling Author Tawni O’Dell (Back Roads), just opened Off-Broadway at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Photos: First Look at PAY THE WRITER Starring Bryan Batt, Marcia Cross, Ron Canada, and More
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 19, 2023

Production photos have been released for Pay the Writer. The world premiere of the new comedy-drama by New York Times Bestselling Author Tawni O’Dell (Back Roads) stars Ron Canada (Network, Wedding Crashers, “The West Wing”), Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Marcia Cross (“Desperate Housewives,” “Melrose Place”), and Bryan Batt (“Mad Men,” 12 Years a Slave, Jeffrey). Check them out here!

PAY THE WRITER Begins Previews Sunday, August 13 With Sold-Out WGA Benefit Performance
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 11, 2023

Previews for Pay the Writer will begin this Sunday, August 13 at 7:30 PM with a sold-out performance benefiting Writers Guild of America. Due to the overwhelming support shown for the show and WGA, the producers have added two additional benefit performances on Monday, August 14 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, August 20 at 2:00 PM.

Brenda Braxton Joins Production Team of PAY THE WRITER
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 1, 2023

Learn more about how Broadway star Brenda Braxton joins the production team of 'Pay the Writer' and adds her talent to this captivating show. Find out what her role is and how her involvement enhances the production.

Ron Canada, Marcia Cross, and Bryan Batt Will Lead PAY THE WRITER Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Jul 19, 2023

Pay the Writer, the world premiere of a new comedy-drama by New York Times Bestselling Author Tawni O’Dell, will open August 21, 2023 Off-Broadway at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center.

Full Cast Announced for Keith David, Bryan Batt & Marcia Cross Led PAY THE WRITER Industry Reading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 20, 2022

New York Times Best Selling writer Tawni O’ Dell will get an industry presentation of her newest play, Pay The Writer. With eyes on Broadway for the 2023-24 season, the special presentation will be directed by Broadway and Television’s Sheldon Epps and will star Tony-nominated and multi-Emmy Award winner Keith David, two-time SAG Award winner Bryan Batt, and three-time Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Marcia Cross. The event will take place on Thursday, July 21.

Keith David, Bryan Batt, and Marcia Cross Will Lead Reading of PAY THE WRITER
by Stephi Wild - Jun 29, 2022

New York Times Best Selling writer Tawni O' Dell will get an industry presentation of her newest play, Pay The Writer.

Theater Stories: ROCK OF AGES, LOBBY HERO, WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME & More About The Hayes Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 4, 2021

Today's Theater Stories features the Hayes Theater! Learn about Broadway's smallest theater, which has presented shows including Rock of Ages, Lobby Hero, What the Constitution Means to Me, Grand Horizons and many more!

'Anything Can Happen' for Graduates Of 2020
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Jan 20, 2021

Graduates were hit hard last summer when their training came to an abrupt stop due to Covid.

VIDEO: Watch a Clip From Second Stage's STRAIGHT WHITE MEN, Starring Josh Charles, Armie Hammer, Stephen Payne, and Paul Schneider
by Stephi Wild - May 29, 2020

Second Stage has released a flashback clip from its 2018 production of Straight White Men! 

From Screen to Stage: Get to Know the Roles of Armie Hammer!
by Kaitlin Milligan - Feb 22, 2020

Armie Hammer is set to make his return to Broadway in Tracy Letts' The Minutes. BroadwayWorld is giving you a look back at Hammer's major screen and stage roles leading up to the present day!

Photo Coverage: Signature Theatre Celebrates Opening Night of THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA
by Jennifer Broski - Nov 26, 2019

The Young Man from Atlanta officially opened last night, November 24th in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). The Young Man from Atlanta is the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by two-time Academy Award winner and former Signature Residency One Playwright Horton Foote, directed by Michael Wilson.

Review Roundup: THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA at Signature Theatre - What Did the Critics Think?
by Stephi Wild - Nov 25, 2019

The Young Man from Atlanta is the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by two-time Academy Award winner and former Signature Residency One Playwright Horton Foote, directed by Michael Wilson. Tickets are on sale now for the production, which officially opened on Sunday, November 24th in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center. Let's see what the critics are saying...

Photo Flash: First Look at Production Photos from Signature Theatre's THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2019

The Young Man from Atlanta is the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by two-time Academy Award winner and former Signature Residency One Playwright Horton Foote, directed by Michael Wilson. Tickets, priced at $35 thanks to the Signature Ticket Initiative, are on sale now for the production, which officially opens on Sunday, November 24th in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

Stephen Payne Joins THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA and Previews Are Delayed
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2019

BroadwayWorld has learned that Stephen Payne has joined the cast of The Young Man from Atlanta at Signature. Payne takes over for the previously announced Larry Pine in the role of Pete Davenport.

BWW Review: THE BIGOT play tries optimism as a strategy to crack intolerance
by Joe Lombardi - May 2, 2019

There are two apartments across the hall from each other in The Bigot.  In the messy one on the right, Bill O'Reilly's book Killing Reagan is perched on the couch.  Bottles of pills are sitting on a tray.  On the left is a much neater, more modern home.  Two young lesbians have just moved in after a brief courtship.  They are celebrating their anniversary of two months, two days, six hours and twenty three minutes.

Meet The Cast Of Off Broadway's THE BIGOT
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 10, 2019

THE BIGOT, the new hot topic play by Gabi and Eva Mor that will have a full Off-Broadway run at the Theatre at St. Clement's  will have its first preview on (423 West 46th Street) April 26 - just two weeks away. The prodcution, directed by  Michael Susko, will run through June 9 and its official opening night is set for Wednesday, May 1. For more information visit:  www.thebigotplay.com

Dana Watkins to Lead THE BIGOT Off-Broadway; Full Cast and Creative
by Julie Musbach - Apr 1, 2019

The full cast and creative team for The Bigot, a new hot topic and dark comedy by Gabi & Eva Mor that mixes social commentary, family drama and a lot of humor, has been announced today.