Spotlight On...David H. Rosen

Name: David H Rosen

Hometown: Bronx, NY

Education: Ph.D. in social and personality psychology, NYU' 05

Favorite Credits: Various Shotz pieces, since that's all I've really written.

Why theater?: Because most other attempts at communicating with people have been an abject failure, for me anyway.  Theater is a great way to share thoughts, feelings, experiences, perspectives with multiple people at the same time.  Writing for theater allows me to take a moment form my past, encode it in words, and see it brought to life so that others can share in it.  (And so I can remember it.)

Tell us about There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain?: It's a very interesting experiment.  We went from exercises to characters to storyline in a novel way (at least for me), and generated this strange mash-up of fear and magic and desperation.  Writing it was unlike any process I've ever gone through and I'm looking forward to seeing it on stage.

What inspired you to create There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain?: The three other writers have all generated other inspiring work.  I first read a David Williams play (Ampersand) in... 1996, I believe, and the world and characters he created were so magical.  Lindsay has a play about two sisters cleaning out their mother's house -- The Unearthing, I believe it's called -- that really gathers so much of what it means to be part of a family, mixes it with best- and worst-case scenarios of having dreams, and then seamlessly unfurls a tense story over a two-day period.  And Stacy's pieces for Shotz have pushed the boundaries of magical realism and helped me expand the territory I cover in my own writing.  So getting to work with them was my biggest inspiration.  They're all established playwrights; I'm just some guy.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I like theater in which one character gets another to appreciate or understand or become interested in something that the second person hadn't previously cared about.  (Note: I also like that in real life.)  I also like art in which characters find moments of hope amid great desperation.  A band that does desperation better than anyone is the Mountain Goats, and listening to them, going through track after desperate track waiting for that morsel of hope, then finding it, is extremely rewarding.  Because ultimately I'm an extremely optimistic person. Terrence McNally inspires me, and John Guare.  David Rabe, too: Goose and Tom Tom is one of my favorite scripts.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Hmmmm.  Matt Korahais?  The Assembly?  Probably someone I've never met: when Paul C Kite (playing Steve) directed one of my short plays, we had a 45-minute phone call before we'd ever met that was truly remarkable.  He just dug right in to the script, saw what it had and what it was missing, and gave great feedback.  I haven't been "working" in theater long enough to answer this question, in other words.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Home/sick by the Assembly is one of the greatest things I've ever seen.  I can't wait to see their new show.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: "A Fist Full of No" starring Nick Offerman.  Or that guy form "The Shield."  I have no idea who he is, or what that show is about, but people used to say I looked like him.  Or, that he looked like me.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Uh... not spending time volunteering?  Eating steamed dumplings 5 times a week?  Managing credit risk for 50 hours a week?  It's a challenge, asking a Jew what he feels guilty about.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Probably working at American Express, which is what I do now.  (Note: I'm not authorized to speak for the company and everything I say is my own opinion and not related to the company.  I don't think I have to say that, but I did!)  Fortunately, I really love it.

What’s up next?: Well, I've only ever worked with Amios, and I'd like to continue doing that: writing and directing in Shotz, then coordinating one again soon.  Beyond that, I need to write some full-length plays so that there can be a "next". 

Spotlight On...David L. Williams

Name: David L. Williams

Hometown: Born in Pittsburgh, grew up in South Florida

Education: Cornell University

Favorite Credits: The Winners, Spake, Tess' Last Night, The Johnny, and The Armageddon Dance Party

Why theater?: Because I've been making theater in some way since I was a kid and it hasn't lost its appeal.

What inspired you to create There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain?: Having worked with aMios on several different kinds of shows, when they call and ask me to be involved with something, I say yes!

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Any theater where the artists have strong ideas and don't shy away from them.  Most disappointing theater I've seen comes from artists starting with good, innovative ideas and then, halfway through the piece, giving them up for more conventional methods.  Even if I don't agree with the choices they've made, I'm happy to take the ride with them.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Julianne Moore and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  In fact, I have the perfect play for them (if they feel like emailing me for career advice).

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I wouldn't want a movie made about me.  I'm happy to have a boring actual life and a rich fantasy life that I put into my writing.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: I'm proud of all my pleasures

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Depressed.

What’s up next?: More writing.

Spotlight On...Lindsay Joy Murphy

Name: Lindsay Joy Murphy

Hometown: Hudson, NH

Education: University of New Hampshire, LAByrinth Master Class

Favorite Credits: Rise and Fall of a Teenaged Cyberqueen (Access Theater)

Why theater?: It sounds cheesy but theater is immediate...it's never really gonna be exactly the same on every night. I still get goosebumps when the house lights dim and the stage lights come up- nothing else like it!

Tell us about There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain?: What a crazy and fun process! I work with Amios frequently for their monthly short play bonanza- Shotz. I love their actors and directors. So- when they wanted to create a collaborative piece I was really excited. We used the Hero's Journey as a template and started creating this wackadoo story!

What inspired you to create There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain?: Hero's Journey / every young adult fiction book I loved growing up. Post plague America? Check! Characters with special abilities? Check! Saving the world? Check!

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Im really interested in new work- so many great new playwrights! Paula Vogel, Martin McDonagh, Tracy Letts, Daniel Kitson

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I'd love to jam on a PunchDrunk production. I think that'd be boatloads of fun.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Bethany was the most recent recommendation. Really liked that play.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Ha! If I'm casting myself I gotta go big! Kate Winslet and it'd be called: “Pinky's Up!”

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: I love the "Deadliest Catch". Love it. Those hardened crabbers have won my heart.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would_____?: Be working on a crab boat in Alaska.

What’s up next?: I'm producing Larry Dial's Carroll Gardens Aborned for the Fringe Festival with my theater company, the LabRats. And I'm polishing up two spanking new scripts.

Spotlight On...Stacy Davidowitz

Name: Stacy Davidowitz

Hometown: Merrick, Long Island

Education: BS in Drama and Psychology, Tufts University; MFA in Acting, Columbia University

Favorite Credits: The Rubber Room (OVNV TS Eliot US/UK Exchange at The Old Vic, London), PINK! (Down Payment Productions, 7 New York Innovative Theater Nominations, Lark Finalist), Sacred Water (Rag and Bone Theater Company). Published by Broadway Play Publishing, Indie Theater Now, and YouthPLAYS.

Why theater?: Because I love it. It’s alive. It’s fresh. It’s stimulating. It’s joyful. And it creates community. Community! That’s why.

Tell us about There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain?: There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain tells the story of four unlikely heroes coming together to restore, build, and fuel the beautiful basics of family, comfort, and home.

What inspired you to create There’s a Light on Yonder Mountain?: When I was asked to join the Amios team to create what was formerly referred to as TPiM (The Project in May), I was thrilled. Working within a community of vibrant, passionate, talented artists over the past several months has been an absolute joy. As far as the inspiration for this particular devised piece: Kate, our literary director, gave us writing prompts such as “In my future fantasy world...” and “Find a song that represents homecoming.” In many ways, those two initial assignments very much sparked the play’s journey.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: The kind where I’m caught off guard by my emotional investment. Dialogue that makes me laugh a lot. I’m a laugher. A really, really good musical. Anything with children. Boundary pushing subject material. Dark, dark, funny, funny. Sarah Kane, Martin McDonagh, Tracy Letts, Sarah Ruhl, Sheila Callaghan, and Polly Stenham are my theatrical heroes. I also am deeply inspired by the directors, designers, and actors I have had the pleasure of working with, as well as the kids I teach, my family, friends, and boyfriend. They have all greatly contributed to my writing, lending their ears, imaginations, and thoughtful feedback.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Liz Meriwether. Tim Burton.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Broken Box Mime Theater. They’re incredible.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Jenny Slate. And it would be called "Join the Circus".


What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Pinkberry and running through Central Park listening to "This American Life". Oh! And soy milk.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Working with children. Writing YA novels. Which...I’m kind of already doing. But I guess I’d be doing more of it.

What’s up next?: I have a few projects in the works. I recently finished the fifth draft of my YA Novel titled First Base: A Camp Rolling Hills Story. It’s inspired by my musical Camp Rolling Hills (Music & Lyrics by Adam Spiegel and Book & Lyrics by David Spiegel and Stacy Davidowitz). The musical was recently a Next Link Finalist, accepted into NYMF (New York Musical Theatre Festival), and published by YouthPLAYS. In the fall, I will be continuing my work with Rag and Bone Theater Company as one of the writers on their next piece: The Hanged King. Oh! And my children’s musical Hank & Gretchen is going up at Manning Elementary School in Manning, IL this week!

Spotlight On...Ai Ikeda

Name: Ai Ikeda

Hometown: Tokyo, Japan

Education: Chen Ying Wushu Training Center, NYC Stunts Action Club, Peridance Center, Otsuma High School, The School of Tokyo Ballet

Select Credits: Deadly She-Wolf Assassin at Armageddon! (Japan Society and Mandell Theater, PA); Real Hero, born in the shadow and die in the shadow, and An Art Called Wu (Martial Arts Theater, LaMaMa Annex Theater, Joe's pub and Alvin Ailey Theater); Fan Macbeth (LaMaMa Theater and Mabou Mines); Gateless Gate (Wisconsin Union Theater); Yangtze Repertory Theatre Of America (Theater for the New City)

Why theater?: Because I enjoy it.

Tell us about Deadly She-Wolf Assassin at Armageddon!: This is a very dramatical and powerful martial arts theater show with dynamic and beautiful live music which you've never seen anywhere!

What is it like being a part of Deadly She-Wolf Assassin at Armageddon!?: It's my pleasure. I'm having a wonderful time and it is a great learning experience.

What kind of theater speaks to you?: Martial Arts Theater, Dance Theater and Experimental Theater.

What or who inspires you as an artist?: Yuen Woo-Ping (is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director)

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Female Kung Fu Hero

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Yuen Woo-Ping

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I don't know ... I'd play myself and it be called "波瀾万丈" -stormy drama-

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Deadly She-Wolf Assassin At Armageddon, BBG Cherry Blossom Festival, Spinnin Ronin Martial Arts Theater.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Watching kung fu movies or practicing too much!

What’s up next?: I have a show coming up with Japanese Drum company called Taiko Masala at the Widow Jane Mine, Rosendale NY on July 14th. We perform in their beautiful cave. (www.centuryhouse.org)

2013 Off Broadway Alliance Awards Nominees Announced

The 3rd annual Off Broadway Alliance Awards announced their 2013 nominees. Honoring the best in commercial and not-for-profit productions, the awards feature five competitive categories Additionally, achievement awards will be given to Christopher Durang, A.R. Gurney, Kristine Nielsen, Daryl Roth, Stomp, and Sigourney Weaver. The nominees are below:

Best New Musical
F#%king Up Everything
Here Lies Love
Murder Ballad
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
The Other Josh Cohen
 
Best New Play
Cock
Disgraced
Finks
My Name is Asher Lev
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Best Musical Revival
Closer Than Ever
The Good Person of Szechwan
The Last Five Years
New Girl In Town
Passion

Best Play Revival
All in the Timing
Golden Child
The Piano Lesson
Talley’s Folly
Uncle Vanya

Best Unique Theatrical Experience
Buyer & Cellar
Ingenious Nature
Jukebox Jackie
Old Jews Telling Jokes
Old Man and the Old Moon

Theaterinthenow's Top 5 Tony 2013 Snubs

1. Hands on a Hardbody for Best Musical
Despite lukewarm reviews and an untimely closing, this new musical inspired by the 1997 documentary, Hands on a Hardbody was a breath of fresh air on Broadway. Thankfully Keala Settle was recognized for her fabulous performance, let's all hope the cast gets to perform the brilliant "Joy of the Lord" on the Tony telecast.





2. Ari Graynor for Best Featured Actress in a Play
Technically there was no way she would get nominated because The Performers did not run long enough, but it's a shame that Ari Graynor couldn't get recognized for her A+ comedic turn as a porn star. Don't worry, Tony will remember your snub when you return! 

3. Jessica Hecht for Best Actress in a Play
Jessica Hecht has never been finer than her performance in The Assembled Parties but with stiff competition in the category, Hecht was unfortunately left off the list. But let's face it, she'll be back again soon.

4. Alan Cumming for Best Actor in a Play
Macbeth is a hard show to do unless you have a fantastic company. It's even harder when you do a one person rendition of the Shakespeare classic. So why did Alan Cumming get snubbed? That's a question we'll never know. I guess he'll get his nomination again when he plays the Emcee.

5. Bette Midler for Best Actress in a Play
The Divine Miss M received raves for her performance in the new solo piece I'll Eat You Last by John Logan. So again, why did Bette Midler get snubbed? You can't blame the solo piece because Holland Taylor was nominated.





Who do you think got the Tony shaft?

Theaterinthenow's Top 5 Tony 2013 Surprises

1. Laurie Metcalf and Tom Sturridge Get Their Due Recognition
Let's face it, it was the year of the Play. With stiff competition and little love from the other awards, two outstanding performances did get Tony love: Laurie Metcalf for The Other Place and Tom Sturridge in Orphans (who beat out costar Alec Baldwin). Both offered phenomenal performances securing their spots in this year's Tony race. I picked them so I'm stoked! Are you happy for them?

2. Not All of Hollywood is Honored
There were a lot of Hollywood names trouncing around Broadway this season, but not all of the big names. While Tom Hanks, David Hyde Pierce and Cicely Tyson got nods, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Jessica Chastain, Scarlett Johansson, and Vanessa Williams, among others, got nothing. Are Tony voters finally not giving in to A-listers on Broadway?

3. Bring It On Remembered
The fourth slot of the Best Musical category was a toss up between a few productions, but in the end Bring It On, the musical inspired by the movie, beat out Hands on a Hardbody and Motown for the final spot. Would you have given it to Bring It On?

4. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Nominated in Four Acting Categories
Shalita Grant (Best Featured Actress), Billy Magnussen (Best Featured Actor), Kristine Nielsen (Best Actress), and David Hyde Pierce (Best Actor) will be representing the cast of the Christopher Durang comedy, but the big question is where's Sigourney?

5. Kenneth Posner Secures 3 out of 4 Best Lighting Design of a Musical Nominations
Kenneth Posner was represented this season by his work on Cinderella, Harvey, Kinky Boots and Pippin. Three of his shows, all of the musicals, got nominations for Best Lighting Design. So the big question: is there any way he'll lose?








What were your big surprises for this year's Tonys? Comment below!

2013 Tony Award Nominations Announced

It's that time again! Tony nominations! Early this morning, the 2013 Tony Nominees were announced. And like every year, there were some duhs, some shockers, and some snubs. Check back later for our top 5 surprises and top 5 snubs. Below are the nominations: 

Best Musical
A Christmas Story
Bring It On
Kinky Boots
Matilda

Best Play
Lucky Guy
The Assembled Parties
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Best Revival of a Play
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Best Revival of a Musical
Annie
Cinderella
Pippin
The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Best Leading Actor in a Play
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Tracy Letts, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tom Sturridge, Orphans

Best Leading Actress in a Play
Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place
Amy Morton, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Holland Taylor, Ann
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Bertie Carvel, Matilda
Santino Fontana, Cinderella
Rob McClure, Chaplin
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Stark Sands, Kinky Boots

Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Carolee Carmello, Scandalous
Valisia LeKae, Motown: The Musical
Patina Miller, Pippin
Laura Osnes, Cinderella

Best Featured Actor in a Play
Danny Burstein, Golden Boy
Richard Kind, The Big Knife
Billy Magnussen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy
Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Carrie Coon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Shalita Grant, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Judith Ivey, The Heiress
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Charl Brown, Motown: The Musical
Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody
Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Gabriel Ebert, Matilda
Terrence Mann, Pippin

Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots
Victoria Clark, Cinderella
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Lauren Ward, Matilda

Best Director of a Musical
Scott Ellis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Diane Paulus, Pippin
Matthew Warchus, Matilda

Best Director of a Play
Pam Mackinnon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Nicholas Martin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Bartlett Sher, Golden Boy
George C. Wolfe, Lucky Guy

Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On
Peter Darling, Matilda
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Chet Walker, Pippin

Best Book
Douglas Carter Beane, Cinderella
Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots
Dennis Kelly, Matilda
Joseph Robinette, A Christmas Story

Best Score
Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, Hands on a Hardbody
Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots
Tim Minchin, Matilda
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, A Christmas Story

Best Orchestrations
Christopher Nightingale, Matilda
Stephen Oremus, Kinky Boots
Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, Motown: The Musical
Danny Troob, Cinderella

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Rob Howell, Matilda
Anna Louizos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Scott Pask, Pippin
David Rockwell, Kinky Boots

Best Scenic Design of a Play
John Lee Beatty, The Nance
Santo Loquasto, The Assembled Parties
David Rockwell, Lucky Guy
Michael Yeargan, Golden Boy

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Kinky Boots
Rob Howell, Matilda
Dominique Lemieux, Pippin
William Ivey Long, Cinderella

Best Costume Design of a Play
Soutra Gilmour, Cyrano de Bergerac
Ann Roth, The Nance
Albert Wolsky, The Heiress
Catherine Zuber, Golden Boy

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kenneth Posner, Cinderella
Kenneth Posner, Kinky Boots
Kenneth Posner, Pippin
Hugh Vanstone, Matilda

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Lucky Guy
Donald Holder, Golden Boy
Jennifer Tipton, The Testament of Mary
Japhy Weideman, The Nance

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm, Pippin
Peter Hylenski, Motown: The Musical
John Shivers, Kinky Boots
Nevin Steinberg, Cinderella

Best Sound Design of a Play
John Gromada, The Trip to Bountiful
Mel Mercier, The Testament of Mary
Leon Rothenberg, The Nance
Peter John Still and Marc Saltzberg, Golden Boy

2013 Drama Desk Nominees Announced

 With a day to go before the nominees for the big awards are announced, the 58th Annual Drama Desk Nominees were announced. Musicals Giant and Hands on a Hardbody lead the way with nine nominations each. See the nominees below.

Outstanding Play
Annie Baker, The Flick
Christopher Durang, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Joe Gilford, Finks
Richard Greenberg, The Assembled Parties
Amy Herzog, Belleville
Deanna Jent, Falling
Richard Nelson, Sorry

Outstanding Musical
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Giant
Hands on a Hardbody
Here Lies Love
Matilda
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Revival of a Play
Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Golden Boy
Good Person of Szechwan
The Piano Lesson
The Trip to Bountiful
Uncle Vanya

Outstanding Revival of a Musical or Revue
Passion
Pippin
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
The Golden Land
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Working: A Musical

Outstanding Actor in a Play
Reed Birney, Uncle Vanya
Daniel Everidge, Falling
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Shuler Hensley, The Whale
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Tracy Letts, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Maria Dizzia, Belleville
Amy Morton, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Julia Murney, Falling
Vanessa Redgrave, The Revisionist
Miriam Silverman, Finks
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Eric Anderson, Soul Doctor
Brian d’Arcy James, Giant
Jim Norton, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen
Ryan Silverman, Passion
Anthony Warlow, Annie

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Kate Baldwin, Giant
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Carolee Carmello, Scandalous
Lindsay Mendez, Dogfight
Donna Murphy, Into the Woods
Laura Osnes, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Jenny Powers, Donnybrook!

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Chuck Cooper, The Piano Lesson
Peter Friedman, The Great God Pan
Richard Kind, The Big Knife
Aaron Clifton Moten, The Flick
Brían F. O’Byrne, If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Tasha Lawrence, The Whale
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Kellie Overbey, Sleeping Rough
Maryann Plunkett, Sorry
Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful
Laila Robins, Sorry

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Stephen Bogardus, Passion
John Bolton, A Christmas Story: The Musical
Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody
Bertie Carvel, Matilda
John Dossett, Giant
Andy Karl, The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots
Melissa Errico, Passion
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Jessie Mueller, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Christiane Noll, Chaplin: The Musical
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Kate Wetherhead, The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Director of a Play
Lear Debessonet, Good Person of Szechwan
Sam Gold, Uncle Vanya
Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, Restoration Comedy
Pam MacKinnon, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Lynne Meadow, The Assembled Parties
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, The Piano Lesson

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical
Rachel Chavkin, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
John Doyle, Passion
Diane Paulus, Pippin
Emma Rice, The Wild Bride
Alex Timbers, Here Lies Love
Matthew Warchus, Matilda

Outstanding Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical
Warren Carlyle, A Christmas Story: The Musical
Peter Darling, Matilda
Josh Rhodes, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Sergio Trujillo, Hands on a Hardbody
Chet Walker and Gypsy Snider, Pippin

Outstanding Music
Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, Hands on a Hardbody
David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, Here Lies Love
Michael John LaChiusa, Giant
Dave Malloy, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, A Christmas Story: The Musical
David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Lyrics
Amanda Green, Hands on a Hardbody
Amanda Green and Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bring It On: The Musical
Michael John LaChiusa, Giant
Dave Malloy, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Tim Minchin, Matilda
David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Book of a Musical
Dennis Kelly, Matilda
Sybille Pearson, Giant
Joseph Robinette, A Christmas Story: The Musical
David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen
Jeff Whitty, Bring It On: The Musical
Doug Wright, Hands on a Hardbody

Outstanding Orchestrations
Trey Anastasio and Don Hart, Hands on a Hardbody
Larry Blank, A Christmas Story: The Musical
Bruce Coughlin, Giant
Larry Hochman, Chaplin: The Musical
Steve Margoshes, Soul Doctor
Danny Troob, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Outstanding Music in a Play
César Alvarez with The Lisps, Good Person of Szechwan
Jiří Kadeřábek, Mahir Cetiz, and Ana Milosavljevic, Act Before You Speak: The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Glen Kelly, The Nance
Eugene Ma, The Man Who Laughs
Steve Martin, As You Like It
Jane Wang, Strange Tales of Liaozhai

Outstanding Revue
Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking!
Old Hats
Old Jews Telling Jokes

Outstanding Set Design
Rob Howell, Matilda
Mimi Lien, The Whale
Santo Loquasto, The Assembled Parties
Anna Louizos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Michael Yeargan, Golden Boy
David Zinn, The Flick

Outstanding Costume Design
Amy Clark and Martin Pakledinaz, Chaplin: The Musical
Dominique Lemieux, Pippin
William Ivey Long, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Chris March, Chris March's The Butt-Cracker Suite! A Trailer Park Ballet
Loren Shaw, Restoration Comedy
Paloma Young, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
 
Outstanding Lighting Design
Ken Billington, Chaplin: The Musical
Jane Cox, Passion
Kenneth Posner, Pippin
Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love
Daniel Winters, The Man Who Laughs
Scott Zielinski, A Civil War Christmas

Outstanding Projection Design
Jon Driscoll, Chaplin: The Musical
Wendall K. Harrington, Old Hats
Peter Nigrini, Here Lies Love
Darrel Maloney, Checkers
Pedro Pires, Cirque du Soleil: Totem
Aaron Rhyne, Wild With Happy

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Hands on a Hardbody
Scott Lehrer and Drew Levy, Chaplin: The Musical
Tony Meola, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Brian Ronan, Bring It On: The Musical
Brian Ronan, Giant
Dan Moses Schreier, Passion

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play
Ien DeNio, The Pilo Family Circus
Steve Fontaine, Last Man Club
Christian Frederickson, Through the Yellow Hour
Lindsay Jones, Wild With Happy
Mel Mercier, The Testament of Mary
Fergus O’Hare, Macbeth

Outstanding Solo Performance
Joel de la Fuente, Hold These Truths
Kathryn Hunter, Kafka’s Monkey
Bette Midler, I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
Julian Sands, A Celebration of Harold Pinter
Holland Taylor, Ann
Michael Urie, Buyer & Cellar

Unique Theatrical Experience
Bello Mania
Chris March's The Butt-Cracker Suite! A Trailer Park Ballet
Cirque Du Soleil: Totem
That Play: A Solo Macbeth
The Fazzino Ride
The Man Who Laughs

Anne Hathaway is a Cabaret, Ol Chum?

Rumors are swirling that Oscar Winner Anne Hathaway will be playing opposite Tony Winner Alan Cumming in a revival of Cabaret on Broadway. Cumming has previously won a Tony for his role as the Emcee. Hathaway held a concert at Joe's Pub last fall singing Sally Bowles' songs. We all know Cumming will be perfectly marvelous, but will Hathaway be embraced on Broadway in the coveted role? Cue the Hathahaters.

2013 Drama League Awards Announced

Today the 79th Annual Drama League Awards were announced. David Hyde Pierce will host the awards set for May 17th. Below is the list of nominees. 

 

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
The Assembled Parties
I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
Lucky Guy 
The Nance
Old Hats
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
The Whale


OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Dogfight
Here Lies Love
Kinky Boots
Matilda The Musical
Motown: The Musical
Murder Ballad 
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
As You Like It
Golden Boy
Macbeth
The Piano Lesson
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Annie
Marry Me a Little
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Passion
Pippin
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD
One winner is selected from this category. The recipient can only receive the award once during his or her career.

Alec Baldwin, Orphans
Danny Burstein, Talley's Folly
Bobby Cannavale, The Big Knife and Glengarry Glen Ross
Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical
Tracee Chimo, Bad Jews
Lilla Crawford, Annie
Alan Cumming, Macbeth
Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson
Brandon Victor Dixon, Motown: The Musical
Jesse Eisenberg, The Revisionist
Edie Falco, The Madrid
America Ferrera, Bethany
Jake Gyllenhaal, If There is I Haven't Found it Yet
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Jessica Hecht, The Assembled Parties and Harvey
Shuler Hensley, The Whale
Bill Irwin, Old Hats
Judith Ivey, The Heiress
Brian d'Arcy James, Giant
Scarlett Johansson, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Judy Kuhn, Passion
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Valisia LeKae, Motown: The Musical
Tracy Letts, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Constantine Maroulis, Jekyll and Hyde
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Rob McClure, Chaplin
Lindsay Mendez, Dogfight
Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place
Bette Midler, I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
Patina Miller, Pippin
Amy Morton, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Donna Murphy, Into the Woods
Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Jim Norton, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Seth Numrich, Golden Boy
Laura Osnes, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
Tina Packer, Women of Will
David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Lily Rabe, As You Like It
Vanessa Redgrave, The Revisionist
Chita Rivera, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Paul Rudd, Grace
Roslyn Ruff, The Piano Lesson
Stark Sands, Kinky Boots
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy
Michael Shannon, Grace
Fiona Shaw, The Testament of Mary
Ryan Silverman, Passion
Phillipa Soo, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Tom Sturridge, Orphans
Holland Taylor, Ann
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful
Michael Urie, Buyer and Cellar
Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy
Anthony Warlow, Annie
Stephen Tyrone Williams, My Children! My Africa!
Vanessa Williams, The Trip to Bountiful

2013 Outer Critics Circle Nominees Announced

Pippin leads the pack with eleven nominations followed by Kinky Boots with nine. Below is the list of nominees.
The 2013 Outer Critics Circle nominations were announced today for outstanding work on and off Broadway. The new revival of










Outstanding New Broadway Play
Grace
Lucky Guy
The Nance
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Chaplin
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Hands on a Hardbody
Kinky Boots
Matilda

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
Bad Jews
Cock
My Name is Asher Lev
Really Really
The Whale

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
February House
Dogfight
Giant
Here Lies Love
Murder Ballad

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Cinderella
Chaplin
Dogfight
Kinky Boots
Matilda the Musical

Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Chaplin
Dogfight
Hands on a Hardbody
Here Lies Love
Kinky Boots

Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Piano Lesson
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Annie
Cinderella
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Passion
Pippin

Outstanding Director of a Play
Pam MacKinnon Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Nicholas Martin Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Jack O'Brien The Nance
Bartlett Sher Golden Boy
Michael Wilson The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Warren Carlyle Chaplin
Scott Ellis The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Jerry Mitchell Kinky Boots
Diane Paulus Pippin
Alex Timbers Here Lies Love

Outstanding Choreographer
Warren Carlyle Chaplin
Peter Darling Matilda the Musical
Jerry Mitchell Kinky Boots
Josh Rhodes Cinderella
Chet Walker Pippin

Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical)
John Lee Beatty The Nance
Rob Howell Matilda the Musical
David Korins Here Lies Love
Scott Pask Pippin
Michael Yeargan Golden Boy

Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical)
Amy Clark & Martin Pakledinaz Chaplin
Gregg Barnes Kinky Boots
Dominique Lemieux Pippin
William Ivey Long Cinderella
William Ivey Long The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)
Ken Billington Chaplin
Paul Gallo Dogfight
Donald Holder Golden Boy
Kenneth Posner Cinderella
Kenneth Posner Pippin

Outstanding Actor in a Play
Tom Hanks Lucky Guy
Shuler Hensley The Whale
Nathan Lane The Nance
Tracy Letts Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
David Hyde Pierce Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Tracee Chimo Bad Jews
Amy Morton Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Vanessa Redgrave The Revisionist
Joely Richardson Ivanov
Cicely Tyson The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Bertie Carvel Matilda the Musical
Santino Fontana Cinderella
Rob McClure Chaplin
Billy Porter Kinky Boots
Matthew James Thomas Pippin

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Lilla Crawford Annie
Valisia LeKae Motown: The Musical
Lindsay Mendez Dogfight
Patina Miller Pippin
Laura Osnes Cinderella

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Danny Burstein Golden Boy
Richard Kind The Big Knife
Jonny Orsini The Nance
Tony Shalhoub Golden Boy
Tom Sturridge Orphans

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Cady Huffman The Nance
Judith Ivey The Heiress
Judith Light The Assembled Parties
Kristine Nielsen Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Vanessa Williams The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Will Chase The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Dan Lauria A Christmas Story, The Musical
Raymond Luke Motown: The Musical
Terrence Mann Pippin
Daniel Stewart Sherman Kinky Boots

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford Kinky Boots
Victoria Clark Cinderella
Charlotte d'Amboise Pippin
Andrea Martin Pippin
Keala Settle Hands on a Hardbody

Outstanding Solo Performance
Bette Midler I'll Eat You Last
Martin Moran All the Rage
Fiona Shaw The Testament of Mary
Holland Taylor Ann
Michael Urie Buyer & Cellar

John Gassner Award (Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
Ayad Akhtar Disgraced
Paul Downs Colaizzo Really Really
Joshua Harmon Bad Jews
Samuel D. Hunter The Whale
Aaron Posner My Name is Asher Lev

Wendy Williams Goes to Chicago in June

Talk show host and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Wendy Williams will be joining the Broadway cast of Chicago beginning in June 25. For seven weeks only, Williams will be playing the role of Matron Mama Morton. So how do you think Wendy will fair? Trainwreck or future Tony winner?

Review: Revenge in Affluentville

photo by Hunter Canning

Spoiler alert: there will be blood. But that’s the case with any story of revenge. Inspired by the classic Jacobean revenge plays, Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart takes its revenge to wealthy, modern-day Connecticut where a group of young friends stuck in the monotony of growing up take getting out to the next level: death. The misadventures of the kids, told through a series of intertwining scenelets, begins when Ryan Redmond returns home from Colorado just as a series of missteps trigger a trail of revenge plots. With all the cogs in place, the plot needed just one crank of the wheel to gain momentum. Though much of the first half of Act I is slow, spending time on backstory, once the revenge game is set in motion, the engaging tale sets off like a bat out of hell. When scorned Sydney is pushed aside by the sex-crazed Danny, who has his share of dirty little secrets, her brother Greg seeks to put an end to Danny’s cruel ways. When one wrong move occurs, the lives of these characters spin out of control, resulting in a lot of bloodshed.
James Presson’s script is filled with shock. From abundance of crude language to mouth-dropping plot points (a sibling love affair anyone?), Presson uses the Jacobean inspiration to his benefit. While there may be a few excessive characters that do little for the plot, perhaps could have even been combined into other characters, the majority of the money swindling Connecticutians are all placed in their part on purpose. Without one of the cogs, the revenge machine would end abruptly. Interestingly still, our view into this world, Ryan, played with earnest by RJ Villencourt, and his outsider new flame Jenni, an equally lovely Amanda Brooklyn, may not actually be necessary to the plot. Their romance, though charming, seems out of sorts to the chaos of the rest of the world. Presson’s script strays away from the inevitable soap opera, finding ways to make the action viable. The arcs of many of the characters are genuine, though for their age, their catharsis is a tad brazen.

photo by Hunter Canning

Through a range of varied individual performances, the ensemble was cohesive and driven. Led by two outstanding turns, the cast of twelve was fun to watch. Sean Patrick Monahan as Joseph, one half of the sibling love, offered a strong performance as the heartfelt sixteen year-old whose only crime is loving too much. His journey was clear, exhibiting his depth as an actor. His choices were sincere making his character’s actions later in the play even more heartbreaking. Jenna Grossano as Taylor, the mean girl with a bark and a bite, brought authentic humor to the blood bath. Grossano has a knack for comedic timing making the oft-despicable archetype likeable. A testament to a strong performance. The ghost of Grossano’s Taylor deserves her own spin-off.
Director Jake Ahlquist and Set Designer Grace Laubacher did a nice job easing the multi-location play into a simple world. The set, a couple of oddly mismatched colorful chairs, a blood-spattered tarp and an untreated wood box (with it’s own spatter pattern) were all that were needed to bring the world to life. However the scene changes were clunky and lacked cohesiveness, succeeding only when there were sharp snaps into the next scene. Gary Slootskiy did a wonder transforming the difficult space into a clean lighting design. I will say if there was one thing I wanted more of it was blood. Only a handful of deaths got the stage blood treatment, but when they did, oh boy was it good!
If you’re a fan of revenge, this is your play. The plot is easy to follow. The motives are almost warranted. Be warned. Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. The fine folks at Less Than Rent have a good one on their bloody hands.

Spotlight On...Jill Campbell

Name: Jill Campbell   

Hometown: New York, NY

Education: BFA, Theatre, Ithaca College and Bernard Kops Advance Playwriting Workshop, London, UK.

Favorite Credits: Couple in the Kitchen, Lost Box of Utopia and Forgive Me Father

Why theater?: Theatre is active and collaborative while producing it as well as watching it. I’ve seen productions that can chill or humor me to my core. I can rarely say that about other mediums. Also, theatre and the people who make it have been a sanctuary for me from a very young age. I might wander away once in a while, but I am always drawn back and amazed at what I discover there.

Tell us about Chemistry of Love: It’s about a conceptual artist, Lara, who is nominated for a huge grant. In order to collect, she must present a new work to an anonymous committee. This elicits panic within her and jealousy amongst her friends and colleagues. They begin to show up at her studio in attempts to co-opt her work, until she turns the table on each of them by incorporating them into her work.  We are creating the actual art on stage with cool video art and sound effects. We have some amazing collaborators on board who are helping us achieve this.

What inspired you to write Chemistry of Love?: I was mainly influenced by where I was at in my own career. I’ve been writing plays for 15 years. I’ve given up a lot personally to pursue this career. Productions are so rare, so my jumping off point was, is it really worth it to follow your passion and live your life as an artist when success is so fleeting? What is success? Does it have to be public or as an artist can we get by on personal success?  The romance of pursuing the life of a playwright or any type of artist naturally breeds competition in one’s peers and in one’s friends, and I wanted to explore that as well. I was also inspired by Camus’ The Artist at Work and Ayn Rand’s The Romantic Manifesto, which explores why one needs art in their lives. How does art help us contextualize who we are and where we are at as a society?

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I respond to risk taking, humorous, not neat or particularly commercial work.  I am drawn towards theater that hits you on more than one level; productions that linger long after I have left the theatre. I am inspired by artists who break boundaries and are truthful to their own voice even when it may contradict the norms of society.  I admire artists that are tapped into the core of their art and whom are confident enough to stay true to that core when the commercial world invades. Two people I have studied with that encompass this are playwrights Bernard Kops and Stephen Adly-Guirgis. Artists whom don’t mind working against societal norms, because those are the ones who will eventually help shape it.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I’ve yet to work with a lot of people, but in a dream world I would love to work with Sarah Benson, Adam Rapp, Quentin Tarantino, anyone from Labyrinth Theater Company and New Georges.

What shows have you recommended to your friends?: Soho Rep’s production of Sarah Kane’s Blasted, Young Jean Lee’s Untitled Feminist Show, Richard Nelson’s Sorry, The Foundry’s Good Person of Szechwan, Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Mother Fucker with the Hat, Adam Rapp’s Hallway Trilogy, Tracey Lett’s Bug and Bathsheba Doran’s Kin.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I get told I look like Carly Simon a lot, but I would love it if Mary Louise Parker played me. I think the title of my movie would be, “It’s not a Rehearsal.”

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Anything on HGTV but this season’s The Voice is quickly usurping all, oh yeah, and Klonopin.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be ___: Wishing I were, but I also work in documentary film and I would love to continue to do so.

What’s up next?: I am working on a play about alcoholism and Christians. I am finishing a short film script. I am editing a documentary I filmed about my playwriting mentor Bernard Kops and collaborating with a scientist on a play about Crystallography.