LaJolla Playhouse News

Launched in 2006, the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Awards have a growing track record for success, with 24 out of 46 plays living on in subsequent productions, many of which are nominated for prestigious awards. ?That?s a remarkable outcome,? said Teresa Eyring, Executive Director of Theatre Communications Group (TCG). ?Dr. Brad Edgerton and his wife Louise are clearly making a contribution to play development that has an impact on the continuing life of new plays.?

Friends In Deed will present a legendary trio as Charles Busch, Whoopi Goldberg and Lypsinka star in the first-ever New York presentation of the infamous Broadway-play-that-wasn't, LEGENDS!. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner James Kirkwood (A Chorus Line), the play will be presented in a special One Night Only staged reading benefit on Monday evening, March 23 at 8PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street).

Friends In Deed will present a legendary trio as Charles Busch, Whoopi Goldberg and Lypsinka star in the first-ever New York presentation of the infamous Broadway-play-that-wasn't, LEGENDS!. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner James Kirkwood (A Chorus Line), the play will be presented in a special One Night Only staged reading benefit on Monday evening, March 23 at 8PM at Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street).

Loretta Greco has chosen Tough Titty to start off the new year, a dynamically theatrical and surprisingly funny odyssey through one woman's battle with breast cancer. Tough Titty, written by Oni Faida Lampley and directed by Robert O'Hara, marks the third play of Magic Theatre's 2008/09 season. In Tough Titty, when Angela's routine cannot keep breast cancer at bay, she must learn to face the disease, her family, and her community with equal doses of tenacity and humor. Richly emotional, Tough Titty is a boisterous exploration of one woman's willful search for grace.

Soon there'll be another 'Jersey Boy' in town! The Toxic Avenger, a new musical by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) & David Bryan (Bon Jovi), with direction by John Rand0 (Urinetown), will begin performances on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), it was announced today by the show's producers Jean Cheever and Tom Polum. Opening Night is set for Monday, April 6th.

Broadway In Chicago will host the world premiere of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams, beginning performances Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St., Chicago).

The Los Angeles premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan's By the Waters of Babylon brings two award-winning, long-time theater actors to the Geffen stage for the first time: Demián Bichir and Shannon Cochran. Bichir, who is currently starring as Mary Louise-Parker's love interest on Showtime's Weeds, will play the role of Arturo, a Cuban immigrant who is hired to (coincidentally) weed the garden of unconventional Austin widow Catherine. Cochran, who will star as Catherine, is straight from Chicago where she starred in sold out performances of The Lion in Winter at the Writers Theatre.

The Los Angeles premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan's By the Waters of Babylon brings two award-winning, long-time theater actors to the Geffen stage for the first time: Demián Bichir and Shannon Cochran. Bichir, who is currently starring as Mary Louise-Parker's love interest on Showtime's Weeds, will play the role of Arturo, a Cuban immigrant who is hired to (coincidentally) weed the garden of unconventional Austin widow Catherine. Cochran, who will star as Catherine, is straight from Chicago where she starred in sold out performances of The Lion in Winter at the Writers Theatre.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT welcomes Michael Siberry and David Hibbard to the roles of 'King Arthur' and 'Patsy' respectively. Siberry and Hibbard will begin performances tonight at the Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street).

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the full company joining 3-Time Tony Award Winner Frank Langella as 'Sir Thomas More' in a new Broadway production of Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons, directed by Tony Award Winner Doug Hughes.

Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and 'American Idol' finalist Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray) will star in the new Broadway production of GODSPELL. The first Broadway revival of the landmark rock musical will officially open on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) on Thursday, October 23, 2008. Previews will begin on Monday, September 29, 2008.

'It's a brand new day in New Jersey.' That's a lyric from the new musical The Toxic Avenger, which George Street Playhouse is pleased to announce will open the New Brunswick theatre's 2008-09 season.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Mara Manus) announced today that post-show discussions will follow performances of THE FEVER CHART: THREE VISIONS OF THE MIDDLE EAST by Naomi Wallace on Tuesday, April 29 and Sunday, May 11. Both discussions will immediately follow performances of THE FEVER CHART and no additional tickets are necessary.

The hit 1976 film Rocky - the tale of the prize boxer epitomized by Sylvester Stallone - is in development to be adapted as a stage musical. Rocky the musical will feature the skills Tony Award-winning book-writer, Thomas Meehan with songs by Tony Award-winning team Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (composer).

Famed actor and Tony nominated author premieres his own play off Broadway.

'Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' - by Broadway Books released October 16, 2007; Hardcover ($40)

Following an extended, 44-week, record-breaking run at San Francisco's Curran Theatre, Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, will return to delight Bay Area audiences for a special holiday encore engagement from November 20-December 30, 2007.

Rena Strober's hit show Spaghetti & Matzo Balls! returns to New York for a 5 week engagement. Performances will begin on Sunday, October 7 at The Triad, 158 West 72nd Street (between Broadway & Columbus Avenue).

Natascia Diaz will bring 'Dance with Me,' an evening of music inspired by the songs of Michael Pemberton, to the stage of The Zipper Factory, where she was recently seen in the Off-Broadway hit Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

Aaron Sorkin will collaborate with rock band The Flaming Lips for a stage musical based on the band's 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.'