Off-Off-Broadway Theatre + Broadway News

Photo Flash: First Look - GAYFEST NYC's MOONLIGHT & LOVE SONGS, Opening Tonight

(5/24/2013) - GAYFEST NYC, Inc. (Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, Producers; Craig Wesley Divino, Associate Producer), the country's premier producer of new LGBT- themed plays, present the Fifth Festival of Plays, a four-week event filled with powerful theatre works spotlighting gay issues. The Festival opens tonight with the New York premiere of Moonlight & Love Songs written by Scott C. Sickles and directed by Steven Petrillo. Check out a first look at the production below!

The Brick Theatre to Present GAME PLAY 2013, 7/5-28

(5/24/2013) - The Brick is pleased to announce the fifth annual Game Play festival, taking place July 2013 in Brooklyn, New York. This year's festival will once again feature cutting-edge works that lie at the intersection of video gaming and performance.

GMHC Presents A PART OF OUR WORLD: Honoring the Life and Lyrics of Howard Ashman, 6/3

(5/24/2013) - On Monday, June 3, 2013, over a dozen Broadway performers will honor the life and lyrics of Howard Ashman at a concert for AIDS Walk New York, benefiting GMHC and 40 other AIDS service organizations in the tri-state area. Hosted at the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe, the concert will feature songs with lyrics written by Ashman throughout his career, from his Oscar-winning work in Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, to lesser known gems from Smile and songs originally written for Aladdin.

New York Live Arts Presents Luciana Achugar's OTRO TEATRO, 6/7-6/8

(5/24/2013) - New York Live Arts concludes the 2012 - 2013 Studio Series work-in-process showings in June with luciana achugar's OTRO TEATRO June 7 and 8 at 6pm.

THE SPOON RIVER PROJECT Returns to Green-Wood, 6/13-6/30

(5/24/2013) - The Green-Wood Historic Fund and Variations Theatre Group are proud to present the return engagement of The Spoon River Project, a play with music staged among spectacular 19th-century graves in the heart of Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery. This unique site-specific theatrical production will run for 14 performances from June 13 through 30, 2013, including a Friday, June 14 after-party with members of the cast and midnight shows every Saturday.

St. Anne's Warehouse Presents the American Premiere of ROADKILL, 6/4-6/30

(5/24/2013) - St. Ann's Warehouse (Artistic Director, Susan Feldman; Executive Director, Andrew D. Hamingson) will present the American Premiere of Roadkill, an immersive off-site performance that hurtles audiences into the cruel world of human trafficking. Conceived and directed by Cora Bissett with text by Stef Smith, Roadkill is the only production in Edinburgh Fringe history to win all of the festival's major theater awards, in addition to receiving the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award and Britain's 2012 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement at an Affiliate Theatre. The Evening Standard has called the work "a performance of shattering intensity."

BWW Reviews: I WANNA DESTROY YOU: Pet Homosexuals

(5/24/2013) - At Hand Theatre Company presents Joshua Conkel's hilarious and provocative new play 'I Wanna Destroy You', which takes and explodes the idea of the pet homosexual/gay best friend.

Buran Theatre's NIGHTMARES Launches National Tour Today

(5/24/2013) - Buran Theatre will tour their original theatre work NIGHTMARES: a demonstration of the Sublime throughout the U.S. in May-July, 2013. The production recently played to sold-out houses and critical acclaim at The Brick in Brooklyn, NY.

18th Annual LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Kicks Off Today at TNC

(5/24/2013) - THE LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (LES) celebrates its 18th year of bringing together -- in one location, over three days -- more than 100 performing arts organizations, local and international celebrities, independent artists, poets, playwrights, musicians, puppeteers, film makers and many others, all of whom reside, work or have their roots in the culturally diverse Lower East Side. Once again this year, New York City's most diverse FREE 3-day, indoor and outdoor cultural celebration will take place on Memorial Day Weekend, from today, May 24 through Sunday, May 26, at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue, between E. 9th and 10th Sts.) in Manhattan.

NY_HEARTS: PARK SLOPE Returns Now thru June 16

(5/24/2013) - After an successful initial first run in Park Slope, NY_Hearts storywalks returns today, May 24 - June 16 to share the story of Sal and Madelyn, two struggling Brooklyn musicians. Part walking tour, part love story, NY_Hearts offers people a new way to discover NYC by stepping into the characters' shoes. Set in NYC neighborhoods, participants enjoy drinks and other surprises from local businesses, which are featured in an audio story shared over mobile devices. Other bits of the story include character websites, online character vlogs, original music and visual art.

William Leavitt's HABITAT Debuts at The Kitchen Tonight

(5/24/2013) - Tonight and Saturday, May 24 and 25, The Kitchen will present the world premiere of artist and playwright William Leavitt's one-act play Habitat, which takes place among neighbors whose adjoining backyards are located in a small American town. Registering the psychological impact of everyday things beyond one's power to control, the play continues themes of subtly estranged domesticity seen in Leavitt's earlier plays, such as The Radio (2002) and Pyramid Lens Delta (2003/2011). This marks the first time the artist's theatrical work has been presented in New York. Performances start at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $15.

THE YEAR OF DEAD CATS to Make World Premiere 6/16 at Stage Left Studio

(5/23/2013) - Erica Herd and L.E. Swenson's breakout comedic masterpiece, THE YEAR OF DEAD CATS, will have its World Premiere on Sunday, June 16th at Stage Left Studio (214 West 30th Street - between Seventh & Eighth Avenues - Sixth Floor) where it will play through Sunday, June 30th with the option to continue through September.

Einstein Meets Broadway with THE WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL, 5/29-6/2

(5/23/2013) - It's hard to conceive of a Broadway review of quantum mechanics, but the World Science Festival has pulled it off with three sold-out shows at The New Victory Theatre. Think of it as theater meets the most thrilling science lecture! Yes, there is such a thing.

Photo Flash: First Look at Medicine Show Theatre's TOM THUMB

(5/23/2013) - Medicine Show Theatre Ensemble, one of New York's longest-running experimental theatres, will stage Henry Fielding's 1730 classic Tom Thumb, officially known as The Tragedy of Tragedies; or the Life and Death of Tom Thumb the Great. A preview is set for Thursday, June 6, 2013. The production opens Friday, June 7, 2013 and closes Sunday, June 30, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Photo Flash: First Look at Concrete Temple's GEPPETTO World Premiere

(5/23/2013) - Concrete Temple Theatre presents the World Premiere of Geppetto, written and directed by Renee Philippi, performed and designed by Carlo Adinolfi, with original music composed by Lewis Flinn (Lysistrata Jones & The Little Dog Laughed on Broadway) performed live by cellist Jeanette Stenson. Geppetto runs from June 13 - 30, 2013 in a limited engagement at HERE, located at 145 6th Avenue (Enter on Dominick, 1 block south of Spring) in New York City. Previews begin June 13 for a June 16 opening. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

GORILLA Begins Performances Tomorrow at Theatre Row

(5/23/2013) - Scandinavian American Theater Company will present the US Premiere of GORILLA by Rhea Leman. The Danish premiere was just nominated for the 2013 Reumert Award (the Danish equivalent of the Tony Award) for Best Playwrighting. Directed by Ari Edelson, previews begin May 24 at the Lion Theatre at Theatre Row. Opening is slated for May 30.

terraNOVA's Annual soloNova Returns for 10th Anniversary, Now thru 6/02

(5/23/2013) - terraNOVA Collective and Producing Artistic Director, Jennifer Conley Darling present the 10th Annual soloNOVA Arts Festival, the award-winning and longest-running solo performance festival in New York City. soloNOVA Arts Festival will play a limited engagement at IRT Theater (154 Christopher Street, inside the landmark Archive Building). Performances begin tonight, May 23 and continue through Sunday, June 2.

TPAC to Feature Artists-in-Residence in 2013 Work & Show Festival, Beg. 6/6

(5/22/2013) - In its 17th (and final) season, the BMCC Tribeca PAC's Artists-in-Residence (AIR) hallmark program enables four to eight emerging and established artists-writers, dancers, and composers-to create and develop new work over the course of one year. We are celebrating this tremendous program with a final presentation that is indicative of the cutting-edge work this program has strived to present. The artists have been chosen by a panel of established performing arts professionals from some of the city's highest regarded organizations such as LaMama, Here ARTS, Abrams Arts Center, The New York State Council on the Arts, River to River, and Dance New Amsterdam. The artistic disciplines the artists come form are dance, multimedia, music, and theater.

Treasure House Theatre to Stage THE CHERRY ORCHARD at ArcLight, 6/6-23

(5/22/2013) - Treasure House Theatre Company invites you to Chekhov's 1904 tragicomedy THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Daniel Paul directs Jean-Claude van Itallie's acclaimed 1977 translation (commissioned by the New York Shakespeare Festival and presented at Lincoln Center starring Meryl Streep and Raul Julia). Performances run June 6 - 23 at ArcLight Theatre, 152 West 71st Street between Broadway & Columbus Avenue.

HOLD THESE TRUTHS Will Close Out soloNOVA Arts Festival, 6/4-11

(5/22/2013) - terraNOVA COLLECTIVE and Producing Artistic Director, Jennifer Conley Darling, will present Jeanne Sakata's HOLD THESE TRUTHS, directed by Lisa Rothe and performed by the 2013 Drama Desk Award nominee Joel De La Fuente as a special headliner to close the 10TH Annual soloNOVA Arts Festival, the award-winning and longest-running solo performance festival in New York City, performing Tuesday June 4 at 7pm, Monday June 10 at 7pm and Tuesday June 11 at 7pm at Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street, NYC).

Dialogue wit Three Chords to Stage ONE CHORD SHORT OF A POP SONG, 5/23

(5/22/2013) - Dialogue with Three Chords (D3C) presents 'One Chord Short of a Pop Song,' a collection of the short plays 'A Unit of Grim Assessment' and 'Blood on the Toes of Your Boots' which celebrate the art of personal expression through rock music, from playwright Stephen Gracia and directed by Michael LoPorto. The show also features a reading from 'Breathing for a Living,' a play for one actor written, directed and performed by Kendra Leigh Landon. The performance starts at 8pm downstairs at Mr. Denney's on 63 Carmine Street in Manhattan.

Riverdale Rising Stars' MID-LIFE 2: THE CRISIS CONTINUES Premieres Tonight

(5/22/2013) - The Riverdale Rising Stars will present the first public performances of the new musical revue, MID-LIFE 2! (The Crisis Continues). Written by brothers Bob and Jim Walton, the show will be presented as a staged reading starring Broadway guest performers tonight, Wednesday, May 22, and tomorrow night, Thursday, May 23 at 7:30pm.

TWAS to Present THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, 6/14-30

(5/22/2013) - Take Wing And Soar Productions, in partnership with Voza Rivers/New Heritage Theatre Group, present TWAS' Tenth Year Anniversary Season main stage production of Oscar Wilde's celebrated comedy, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, directed by Kevin Connell for a limited run at the Poet's Den Theater, from June 14th through 30th, 2013.

Riverdale Rising Stars Host Reading of MID-LIFE 2! (THE CRISIS CONTINUES) Tonight

(5/22/2013) - The Riverdale Rising Stars presents the first public performances of the new musical revue MID-LIFE 2! (The Crisis Continues). Written by brothers Bob and Jim Walton, the show will be presented as a staged reading starring Broadway guest performers tonight, May 22 and Thursday, May 23 at 7:30pm.

Bill Bowers' BEYOND WORDS Kicks Off 2013 soloNOVA Arts Festival Today

(5/22/2013) - terraNOVA COLLECTIVE and Producing Artistic Director, Jennifer Conley Darling, are pleased to present acclaimed mime, Bill Bowers' BEYOND WORDS, straight from a White House engagement to the west village: BEYOND WORDS will be a special headliner to kick off the 10TH Annual soloNOVA Arts Festival, the award-winning and longest-running solo performance festival in New York City, performing today, May 22 at 8pm and Saturday May 25 at 2pm at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street, NYC). The eight other solo shows included in the soloNOVA Arts Festival will play two weeks only at IRT Theater (154 Christopher Street, inside the landmark Archive Building). Performances begin Thursday, May 23 and continue through Sunday, June 2.

Josiah Theatre Works Presents ANNIVERSARY at New Federal Theatre Tonight

(5/22/2013) - Josiah Theatre Works has announced on behalf of director and writer Nickolas Long, III*, a live showcase for Woody King Jr.'s New Federal Theatre Play Competition, featuring the World Premiere play ANNIVERSARY by Estelle Francois. The play will be directed by Long tonight, May 22nd, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the Recital Hall at the New Federal Theatre, 292 Henry Street, NYC.

Great Small Works to Bring 10th INTERNATIONAL TOY THEATER FESTIVAL to St. Ann's Warehouse, 6/14-23

(5/21/2013) - St. Ann's Warehouse will present a colossal celebration of tiny art, Great Small Works' Tenth International Toy Theater Festival, June 14-23.

2013 Lower East Side Festival of the Arts to Kick Off 5/24 at TNC

(5/21/2013) - The 18th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts, NYC's most diverse FREE 3-day, indoor and outdoor cultural celebration, will be held on Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 24th through Sunday, May 26th, at Theater for the New City (155 1st Avenue between E. 9th & E. 10th Streets).

The Brick to Kick Off SOUND SCAPE Festival of Sound Design, 6/7

(5/21/2013) - The Brick Theater will play host to sound scape, A Festival of Theatrical Sound Design, June 7-29, 2013.

Castillo Theatre Extends Run of CARMEN'S PLACE (A FANTASY) Until 6/16

(5/21/2013) - The Castillo Theatre production of Carmen's Place (A Fantasy), called "an aria to behold" by critics in this opera-within-a musical running through June 16. Carmen's Place features an original pop score by Annie Roboff and Fred Newman, and in its show-within-the-show, some of the best-known and best-loved operatic numbers ever performed. Director Gabrielle L. Kurlander received the AUDELCO "Viv" Recognition Award for Excellence in Black Theatre as Best Director of a Musical Production in 2012 for Newman-Roboff's Sally and Tom (The American Way).

DETROIT, GRIMLY HANDSOME Tie for Best New American Play at 2013 Obie Awards - All the Winners!

(5/20/2013) - The 58th Annual Village Voice Obie Awards ceremony was held tonight, May 20 at Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street, NYC). Check out the the full list of winners below!

Rabbit Hole Ensemble to Host LiTTLE BiGGER Reading at BAX, 6/21-22

(5/20/2013) - Rabbit Hole Ensemble presents the reading of a new play by NYIT Award winner Edward Elefterion. The reading will take place on June 21st and 22nd, Friday and Saturday at 7pm, at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, 421 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are suggested donation, and proceeds will support the work's world premiere in fall 2013 at The Robert Moss Theater in Manhattan.

Squeaky Bicycle's ALLIGATOR SUMMER to Play Abingdon, 6/20-7/7

(5/20/2013) - 'Alligator Summer' by Dylan Lamb is an audacious farce in which two southern families have taken refuge in an attic, Anne Frank style, after an endless army of alligators have overrun their town. Subtitled 'A Southern Gothic Atrocity in Three Acts,' it is an absurd play that seriously confronts how we face our primal fears, address reality and communicate truthfully. Squeaky Bicycle Productions (www.squeakybicyleproductions.com), a young and hungry company dedicated to new works, will present the play June 20 to July 7 in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre of Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, 312 West 36th Street. Brandi Varnell directs.

sExtOrtiOn to Text Into ALL OUT ARTS Fresh Fruit Festival, 7/8-14

(5/20/2013) - Can't Sleep, Inc. presents sExtOrtiOn by Patrick Thomas McCarthy, directed by Christopher Caines, with set, costume, and lighting design by Caines and projections design by Katherine Hammond. At the ALL OUT ARTS Fresh Fruit Festival, at The Wild Project, 195 E. 3rd St @ Ave. B (near Ave. B and Houston St.; F train to 2nd Ave.) on Monday, July 8 @ 7pm, Tuesday, July 9 @ 9pm, and Sunday, July 14 @ 2pm.

TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series Seeks Submissions; Deadline 6/10

(5/20/2013) - Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) seeks submissions for the 13th Annual TRU Voices New Musicals Reading Series, and increases the opportunities for musical theater writers by creating the first-ever Musical Writers First Act Feedback Fest (FAFF). Writers, producers and theater companies are welcome to submit new musicals for both the developmental reading series which takes place Mondays in December 2013, and the daylong feedback festival on Saturday July 20, 2013, 10am to 5pm. Non members may submit to the TRU Voices New Musicals Series (completed musicals only) for a $25 fee, submit to the First Act Feedback Fest (completed shows or works-in-progress) for $20, or apply to both for $35. Deadline for both is June 10, 2013; deadline for JUST the TRU Voices Series is August 10.

Artistic Pride Productions Presents The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me) at Don't Tell Mama, 6/3

(5/20/2013) - Artistic Pride Productions announces its Main Stage Cabaret performance, The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not me), at Don't Tell Mama on June 3, 2013. The sixth cabaret in this series is the last one for this season and will feature singers and actors exploring the association between artists and their vices.

BWW Reviews: QUEERSPAWN: I Can't Believe It's Not Better

(5/20/2013) - A Collection of Shiny Objects presents the premiere of 'queerSpawn' by Mallery Avidon, a play about a kid being bullied because of having lesbian mothers.

Obie Awards Ceremony Set for Tonight at Webster Hall

(5/20/2013) - The Village Voice, the nation's first and largest alternative weekly newspaper, welcomes esteemed critic and longtime judge of the awards Michael Feingold as Obie chairman for the 58th Annual Village Voice OBIE Awards, replacing former Chairman Brian Parks who has moved on from The Village Voice.

New York Shakespeare Exchange Launches Interactive SONNET PROJECT Today

(5/20/2013) - New York Shakespeare Exchange (Ross Williams, Artistic Director) has announced the launch of the year-long interactive SONNET PROJECT today, May 20, with an invitation only launch event happening from 7 - 9 PM at The Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35 Avenue in Astoria). For more information, visit www.ShakespeareExchange.org.

Ripple Effect Artists' TWELFTH NIGHT to Benefit Freedom to Marry, 6/20-30

(5/19/2013) - Spend a summer night at Twelfth Night presented by Ripple Effect Artists, Thursday - Sunday: June 20 - 23 and Wednesday - Sunday: June 26 - 30. Ripple Effect Artists take on Shakespeare's raucous romantic comedy,Twelfth Night, about two shipwrecked twins - Viola and Sebastian - and the mischief they create.