John P. Connolly News

Walnut Street Theatre (WST) continues its 211th season with Gore Vidal's thrilling political drama, THE BEST MAN. Directed by Broadway veteran Michael Wilson, the production begins previews on March 10, opens March 18, and continues through April 26 on the Walnut's Mainstage.

The lines between myth and reality become increasingly blurred in Defenders. When Iceland was threatened with invasion by Germany in WW2, the allies decide to step in. The world premiere from Pandelia's Canary Yellow Company by Cailin Maureen Harrison, and directed by Reena Dutt, follows three American G.I.s who are shipwrecked on the remote island of Hrisey off Iceland's northern coast.

The lines between myth and reality become increasingly blurred in Defenders. When Iceland was threatened with invasion by Germany in WW2, the allies decide to step in. The world premiere from Pandelia's Canary Yellow Company by Cailin Maureen Harrison, and directed by Reena Dutt, follows three American G.I.s who are shipwrecked on the remote island of Hrisey off Iceland's northern coast. The stranded G.I.s find themselves with missing weapons, few supplies, and a broken radio. They realize they must rely on the locals for survival but, like current-day warfare, the locals fear the loss of their culture, their women and their safety with the presence of foreigners on their land. Defenders opens on November 9, with performances continuing through December 8 at The Broadwater Black Box in Hollywood. One lower-priced preview takes place on November 8.

The lines between myth and reality become increasingly blurred in Defenders. When Iceland was threatened with invasion by Germany in WW2, the allies decide to step in. The world premiere from Pandelia's Canary Yellow Company by Cailin Maureen Harrison, and directed by Reena Dutt, follows three American G.I.s who are shipwrecked on the remote island of Hrisey off Iceland's northern coast. The stranded G.I.s find themselves with missing weapons, few supplies, and a broken radio. They realize they must rely on the locals for survival but, like current-day warfare, the locals fear the loss of their culture, their women and their safety with the presence of foreigners on their land. Defenders opens on November 9, with performances continuing through December 8 at The Broadwater Black Box in Hollywood. One lower-priced preview takes place on November 8.

Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller's American tragedy, equates the worth of a man's life with his earning potential and forces characters and audiences alike to examine their expectations around the idea of 'success.'

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 209th season with Michael Frayn's classic backstage comedy, NOISES OFF. Directed by Frank Anzalone, this production begins previews on March 13th, opens on March 21st, and runs through April 29th on the Walnut's Mainstage.

Actors' Equity Association (Equity) announced today that John P. Connolly will not seek a second term as the Executive Director of the Union.

The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia announced that artist and educator, Dugald MacArthur will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre on Monday, October 5th at 7:00 PM at the Walnut Street Theatre. John P. Connolly, Executive Director of Actors' Equity Association, and a former student of Dugald's in Temple University's graduate program, will present the award.

The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits. Recent Gypsy Robe honoree, ROCK OF AGES' star Andre Ward passed the special Broadway garment on to Paul Castree backstage before the opening night performance and BroadwayWorld.com was there to cheer him on!

The Walnut Street Theatre announces that it will celebrate multiple honorees this year with the 2009 Edwin Forrest Award at its landmark 200th Birthday Gala. The gala will be held at the famed Crystal Tea Room in The Wannamaker Building on Juniper and Market Sts, Philadelphia, on Saturday, April 18th at 6:00pm.

The Walnut Street Theatre announces that it will celebrate multiple honorees this year with the 2009 Edwin Forrest Award at its landmark 200th Birthday Gala. The gala will be held at the famed Crystal Tea Room in The Wannamaker Building on Juniper and Market Sts, Philadelphia, on Saturday, April 18th at 6:00pm.

Jennifer Cody was the Gypsy Robe recipient for Shrek, the Broadway dynamo passed the robe on to Guys and Dolls ensemble member Lorin Latarro and in a fun and emotion filled ceremony Latarro turned the robe over to West Side Story's Manuel Herrera! BroadwayWorld.com was there to share in the excitement.

Stage and screen actor and longtime political activist Ron Silver died yesterday morning, ending a long battle with cancer, the former president of Actors' Equity was mourned by the organization today in a statement.

Kathryn Meisle, Stark Sands, Roberta Maxwell, and Everett Quinton received awards from the Actors' Equity Foundation on Friday, January 9th.

Eric Sciotto was the Gypsy Robe recipient for Pal Joey at Studio 54. He passed on the robe to Shrek's talented dynamo Jennifer Cody in a fun and emotion filled ceremony. The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits.

Ritchie Mastascusa was the Gypsy Robe recipient for Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Marquis Theatre on Opening Night, Sunday November 23rd. The colorful Gypsy Robe, embellished with mementos from Broadway musicals, is presented to the cast member who has the most Broadway chorus credits.

Actors' Equity Association (Equity) announced the appointment of veteran staff member Mary Lou Westerfield to the position of Western Regional Director, effective immediately. Ms. Westerfield most recently served as the National Director, Policy, and for the last six months was the interim Western Regional Director (WRD). She will be based in the Los Angeles office.

This morning it was announced that the Broadway League and Actors' Equity reached a tentative agreement in the contract negotiations which have been going on since the night June 30th, 2008 when the current contract expired. Both parties reached an agreement and released a joint statement this morning July 2nd.

Lisa Gajda was chosen as the Gypsy Robe winner for 'Cry Baby', which opened on April 24th at the Marquis Theatre.

On Sunday March 9, 2008 the Broadway Opening Night Gypsy Robe Ceremony for In The Heights took place at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where cast member Michael Steve Konopelski was honored as the newest recipient.