Mary-Louise Parker is one of the most exciting actresses around. I saw her recently off-Broadway in Dead Man's Cell Phone and she was terrific. Of course, she is exceptionally captivating in Weeds. Casting her as Hedda Gabbler is a fascinating pairing:
Tony® and Emmy® Award winner Mary-Louise Parker ("Weeds," Proof) returns to Broadway to star as one of the greatest and most shocking female characters ever written. Roundabout Theatre Company presents HEDDA GABLER, a new production of Henrik Ibsen's modern classic
-adapted by Pulitzer Prize nominee Christopher Shinn (Dying City)
-directed by Ian Rickson (The Seagull)
-starring Tony winner Michael Cerveris (Sweeney Todd), Paul Sparks (Take Me Out) and Peter Stormare (Fargo).
-a strictly limited engagement.
Previews begin: January 6, 2009
To learn more, visit ROUNDABOUTTHEATRE.ORG
Roundabout Theater
American Airlines Theatre
Box Office - 227 West 42nd St. (btwn. 7th & 8th Aves.)
Friday, November 21, 2008
THE PUBLIC -- HAIR, SONDHEIM & MORE
The Public is bursting with activity: Here's some news I just received from The Public Theater -- it's a whole lotta stuff...
=>At The Public:
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING
Created and Performed by MIKE DAISEY
Directed by JEAN-MICHELE GREGORY
TAKING OVER
Written and Performed by DANNY HOCH
Directed by TONY TACCONE
=>Public LAB — All Tix $10!
PHILIP ROTH IN KHARTOUMA
LAByrinth Theater Company Presentation
Starts Dec 4 — On Sale Now!
MANDY PATINKIN: Back at The Public!
On Sale Now — Two Weeks Only!
=>2008-2009 Memberships available now!
Memberships start at $142.50 — Save up to 43% off full price tickets!
=>The Public Theater's 2008-2009 season also includes premieres by
JOHN GUARE, CRAIG LUCAS, TRACEY SCOTT WILSON, and an add-on production by CHRISTOPHER DURANG!
TICKETS/INFORMATION:212-967-7555 or PUBLICTHEATER.ORG
=>ROAD SHOW
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
Book by JOHN WEIDMAN
Directed and Set Designed by JOHN DOYLE
With Matthew Carlson, Michael Cerveris, Alma Cuervo, Aisha de Haas, Claybourne Elder, Colleen Fitzpatrick, David Garry, Alexander Gemignani, Mylinda Hull, Mel Johnson, Jr., Orville Mendoza, Anne L. Nathan, Tom Nelis, William Parry, Matthew Stocke, Katrina Yaukey, William Youmans, Kristine Zbornik
Spanning 40 years from the Alaskan Gold Rush to the Florida real estate boom in the ‘30s, Road Show is the story of two brothers whose quest for the American dream turns into a test of morality and judgment that changes their lives in unexpected ways. Director John Doyle (Sweeney Todd on Broadway), acclaimed for re-imagining Sondheim's works, joins Weidman and Sondheim in exploring some of the great American issues: real estate, capitalism and crooks.
Now thru Sun Dec 28
Tues at 7pm,
Wed - Fri at 8pm,
Sat at 2 & 8pm,
Sun at 2 & 7pm
Added Perfs:
Wed 11/26 at 2, Wed 12/10 at 2, Wed 12/17 at 2, Mon 12/22 at 8
TICKETS: 212-967-7555 or PUBLICTHEATER.ORG
Rush Tix: There will be a limited number of $20 Rush Tix available at the box office for every downtown theater performance on sale to the general public one hour prior to curtain. There is a 2 ticket limit per person. Cash only.
=>Official Broadway HAIR Website is now live! Visit http://www.hairbroadway.com/ and sign up for the e-newsletter to receive the latest information on the future of HAIR!
* * *WIN 2 TIX TO THE BROADWAY OPENING NIGHT OF HAIR!
Enter to win 2 free tickets to the star-studded Opening Night performance and Cast Party of HAIR! (See: http://www.hairbroadway.com/)
To enter: Tune in to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday November 27, on NBC and watch the cast during a live on-air performance. Afterward, visit playbill.com to answer a question based on the performance for your chance to win. One lucky person will win the grand prize, plus four runners-up will each win a groovy HAIR Cast Recording.
HAIR starts performances at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on February 13. Tickets go on sale to the general public December 6. Contest ends December 2. Only one entry per person.
=>Musical Theater & More at Joe's Pub
December is chock full of your favorite Broadway stars — catch them all, only at Joe's Pub:
LaChanze The Tony-award winner for her role in "The Color Purple," LaChanze brings her tremendous talents to the truly intimate setting of Joe's Pub. 12/1 & 2 at 7:00 PM, $30
Norm Lewis: This Is The Life CD Release Join Lewis on his night off from The Little Mermaid as he celebrates the release of his debut CD, "This is the Life," 12/1 at 9:30 PM, $30
A Night O' Naughton Kelli O'Hara is a little bit Broadway and Greg Naughton is a little bit Rock N Roll. Tonight, they bring their music (& friends) together for a special genre-mixing late night show, 12/1 at 11:30 PM, $25
Billy Porter: The Standard Porter returns to Joe's Pub for an evening of song, featuring new American Broadway standards, gospel, and soulful originals, 12/7 & 8 at 7:30 PM, $25
A Spring Awakening Holiday Concert To Benefit Safeplace Featuring the cast of the Broadway show "Spring Awakening," including special guest, original cast member Tony-Award nominee Jonathan Groff. The evening will feature all new arrangements by "Spring Awakening" vocal arranger Ann Marie Milazzo, and musically directed by Kimberly Grigsby.
12/15 at 11:30 PM, $25
For tickets and the complete Joe's Pub schedule visit joespub.com!
=>Not For Tourists announces a brand new product!
The NFT Wallet Map puts New York City in the comfort of your own pocket. Getting around town has never been easier thanks to NFT's stylish and user-friendly design. Each wallet map contains a MTA Subway and Bus Map, Address Locator, and 159 listings of NFT's favorite places to eat, drink, shop, and hang out. Pull it out. Check your destination. Fold it up. Repeat as necessary. Price: $5 Click here for the NFT web shop!
THE PUBLIC THEATER 425 LAFAYETTE STREET NEW YORK, NY 10003212-967-7555 PUBLICTHEATER.ORG
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
COMING: eKATHERINE KERR'S "THE EDGE OF CHAOS"
PLAYHOUSE ON THE GREEN PRESENTS STAGED READINGS...
The next entry in the “Page to Stage” Series takes place on Sunday, November 23 at 7PM when eKatherine Kerr’s play -- about a woman who decides to create a soap opera based on her life: "The Edge of Chaos" -- will receive a staged reading.
I've heard readings of selections from "The Edge Of Chaos" and it is very, very funny!
PLAYHOUSE ON THE GREEN
177 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tickets: 866-811-4111
Information: (203) 333-3666
www.playhouseonthegreen.org
The next entry in the “Page to Stage” Series takes place on Sunday, November 23 at 7PM when eKatherine Kerr’s play -- about a woman who decides to create a soap opera based on her life: "The Edge of Chaos" -- will receive a staged reading.
I've heard readings of selections from "The Edge Of Chaos" and it is very, very funny!
PLAYHOUSE ON THE GREEN
177 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tickets: 866-811-4111
Information: (203) 333-3666
www.playhouseonthegreen.org
Friday, November 14, 2008
PHOTOS FROM HB'S STILLER AND MEARA GALA
Jerry Stiller, Eli Wallach, Anne Meara and Anne Jackson
The HB Studio -- one of New York's oldest acting studios -- was founded in 1945 by renowned actor Herbert Berghof. He was joined in 1948 by the legendary actress Uta Hagen. The two master teachers trained several generations of master actors in theater, theatre and film. On Monday, Nov 10, the HB Studio and the HB Playwrights Foundation honored Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara at a benefit Gala.
Speakers, especially Jerry and Anne in their remarks, honored the tradition of the studio. Anne remembered her studies with great fondness. Jerry celebrated Herbert Berghof's passion for theater, recalling the time Berghof called him at two in the morning to come down to the studio to study, work on and read a new, strange play (Waiting for Godot). He remembered how Uta Hagen was nice, tough. After his audition, while accepting him into her acting class, Uta suggested that Jerry also work on keeping his day job.
Among the many speakers, Ben Stiller and Amy Stiller recalled what it was like to be brought up in a loving house with parents who were performers.
Talking about bringing up children, Jerry mentioned that when Amy was about two, he was rehearsing a sketch called "I Hate You" with Anne and they were screaming at each other. When Amy came out of her bedroom, all upset, Jerry and Anne explained that they were rehearsing. Later when they had a real fight, Amy came out cheerfully to say... "You're rehearsing!"
The award was presented by Stiller and Meara's old friends, Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. Anne Jackson is still actively teaching at HB Studio. Many distinguished alumni of the Berghof-Hagen era have taught at the school, including Bill Hickey, actress Jill Clayburgh and screen writer Tracey Jackson (whose "Confessions of a Shopaholic" is scheduled for release in Feb 2009).
an active member of the HB Staff,
was among the guests.
---
Among the entertainments at the Gala was a terrific, long concert by David Amram -- accompanied by his son and daughter in law.
Doris Roberts, an old friend of Stiller and Meara, was among the speakers.
In the post Berghof-Hagen era, The HB Studio continues to evolve. Sam Groom, a link between the B-H era and the current world, teaches a class in acting for the camera. Anything other than pure theatre was very rare in the olde days.
Snezhana Chernova, a brilliant actress, acting teacher, and member of the staff, and her husband Aleksey Burago, who teaches directing, both of whom were trained in Russia (not at HB with Hagen & Berghof), are among the new generation at HB Studio. With his unique energy and style, Aleksey renews the tradition of passion for theater!
Julia and Denusia are members of a new generation of actors studying at HB and working with the HB Playwrights Foundation. At the Gala, Denusia presented an excerpt from the one-woman show she is developing at HB, about the immigrant experience.
Posters of productions with legendary directors, actors and playwrights line the walls of the Playwrights Foundation Theatre next door to the studio. Continuously operating through the years, recent productions have included a new adaptation of Chekhov's stories by Aleksey Burago, and work directed by Tony Award winning Jack Hofsiss, who also, currently, teaches directing at HB.
The re-assertion of the values of Hagen and Bergof and their passion for acting and theater were the spirit of the remarks by Stiller and Meara, and were then echoed in the comments of their children, Ben and Amy. As this Benefit Gala is a link to the past, it is the next generation... it is the evolution of HB into the future that will benefit!
Friday, November 7, 2008
STILLER AND MEARA HONORED BY HB STUDIO
HB Studio & HB Playwrights Foundation will host
A Gala Benefit to Honor Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.
at The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South
I was lucky enough to take the class that Jerry Stiller taught one semester at the HB Studio. And on days he couldn't make it to class, I was also lucky enough to study with Anne Meara, who came in to substitute for him.
He was a kind and generous teacher. Nice to everyone, although he never liked my "English accent" in my scene from "The Real Thing". (I put "English accent" in quotes because he was right... I never did have a real English accent.)
It was a very good class. I had a wonderful time working on scenes with Isabelle Fokine (grandaughter of the great choreographer), perhaps the most charismatic scene partner I've ever had; and there were many other fine students in the class.
Stiller used free-form improvs and scene study, and remembrances of his own days as a student. When one student took off his shirt for a gritty scene, he talked about Uta Hagen's objections to Steve McQueen who, Stiller suggested, seemed to almost always act with his shirt off. Anne Meara was gently focussed on getting to the emotional heart of a relationship, often using targetted improvisation to zero in on the truth of a scene.
I was most impressed because, more so than perhaps any other teachers I've had at HB (and I've studied there off and on for decades with many teachers -- it's a great place!), they were people with a generous and deeply human warmth.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.
at The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South
I was lucky enough to take the class that Jerry Stiller taught one semester at the HB Studio. And on days he couldn't make it to class, I was also lucky enough to study with Anne Meara, who came in to substitute for him.
He was a kind and generous teacher. Nice to everyone, although he never liked my "English accent" in my scene from "The Real Thing". (I put "English accent" in quotes because he was right... I never did have a real English accent.)
It was a very good class. I had a wonderful time working on scenes with Isabelle Fokine (grandaughter of the great choreographer), perhaps the most charismatic scene partner I've ever had; and there were many other fine students in the class.
Stiller used free-form improvs and scene study, and remembrances of his own days as a student. When one student took off his shirt for a gritty scene, he talked about Uta Hagen's objections to Steve McQueen who, Stiller suggested, seemed to almost always act with his shirt off. Anne Meara was gently focussed on getting to the emotional heart of a relationship, often using targetted improvisation to zero in on the truth of a scene.
I was most impressed because, more so than perhaps any other teachers I've had at HB (and I've studied there off and on for decades with many teachers -- it's a great place!), they were people with a generous and deeply human warmth.
Here's more information about the benefit, and the recipients of the honors:
The Herbert Berghof (HB) Studio and the HB Playwrights Foundation will host a tribute to the acclaimed and accomplished actor/comedians Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller in a gala celebration at The Players Club on Monday, November 10, 2008. Richard Pergolis of Pergolis Swartz will be the Corporate Chair of the event and television personality Joy Behar will be the MC for the evening. Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach will present the third annual Herbert Berghof - Uta Hagen Achievement Award to Ms. Meara and Mr. Stiller, given in memory of the actor/director Herbert Berghof and his wife and partner, the storied actress and master teacher Uta Hagen. The award recognizes theatre artists of extraordinary talent, achievement, and humanity who, in the conduct of their professional and artistic practice, have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the vitality, integrity, and mission of the theatre and its community.
The evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and a musical presentation featuring jazz musician David Amram and an excerpt from HB Ensemble member Danusia Trevino's one woman show "Wonder Bread." The tribute will also feature remarks by 2007 Honoree Fritz Weaver, John Guare, Kevin James, Doris Roberts, Amy and Ben Stiller and Joseph Benincasa, Executive Director of The Actors' Fund. Ticket prices range from $300 for an individual ticket to $5,000 for a table for 10 and a full-page tribute in the souvenir program for the event.
The honorary committee for the gala includes Jason Alexander, Barbara Barrie, Jill Clayburgh and David Rabe, Tom Fontana, New York State Assemblymember Deborah Glick, John Guare, Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach, Kevin James, Rochelle Oliver and Fritz Weaver, Carol Ostrow, David Hyde Pierce, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Doris Roberts, Jon Stewart, Christine Taylor and Ben Stiller, Amy Stiller, Renee Taylor and Joe Bologna, and Marlo Thomas.
For information and reservations, please email to gala2008@hbstudio.org, or contact Peter Bloch, Managing Director, at 212.675.2370 x6.
BIOS FOR ANNE MEARA & JERRY STILLER
Anne Meara has been nominated for five Emmy Awards. Her recent credits include appearances on Sex in the City and King of Queens. Her writing credits include After-Play produced Off-Broadway at Theatre Four and The Manhattan Theatre Club, for which she won the John Gassner Award. Another play, Down The Garden Paths, was done Off-Broadway and regionally starring Anne Jackson and Eli Wallach. Anne also created the role of Bunny in John Guare's House of Blue Leaves, received a Tony Award nomination for Anna Christie at The Roundabout Theatre, appeared in the feature film Like Mike, and in Night at the Museum with her son, Ben Stiller. She was also co-writer and star of The Other Woman, a CBS movie of the Week, which won a Writer's Guild Award.
Jerry Stiller was nominated for an Emmy Award and won the American Comedy Award for his portrayal of Frank Costanza on Seinfeld. He just finished nine years as Arthur Spooner on King of Queens. In film, Jerry was most recently seen as Mr. Pinky in the movie Hairspray and Doc in the Farrelly Brothers movie Heartbreak Kid, where he starred opposite his son, Ben Stiller. Broadway has seen Jerry in Hurlyburly, The Ritz and Three Men on a Horse, while other film appearances include The Taking of Pelham One-Two-Three, Airport '75, the original version of Hairspray, Zoolander (also with his son, Ben) and the starring role in The Independent. He has also lent his voice to animated films including Teacher's Pet, Lion King 3, Lion King 1½ and the CBS holiday special, Robbie the Reindeer.
As Stiller and Meara, Anne and Jerry played record-breaking engagements at Max Gordon's Blue Angel and The Village Vanguard and were seen on the Ed Sullivan Show 36 times and received many awards for their radio and TV commercials that include Amalgamated Bank, Blue Nun wines and United Van Lines. They have been honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; with the Productive Aging Award, presented by the Jewish Council For the Aging in Washington, D.C.; and with the Thalia Award from Humber College in Toronto.
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