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THEATRE NEWS FOR SAN FRANCISCO BAY

Posted by:	Richard Connema 04:10 pm EST 11/03/13

COMPLETE CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR PERFORMANCES FROM NOVEMBER 10 – DECEMBER 8 at the SHN GOLDEN GATE TICKETS ON SALE NOW – SHN announced today the complete cast for THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival, which will launch its national production at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre. Accompanied by a 23-piece orchestra, THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS will play from November 10 through December 8. Tickets are on sale now. Joining previously announced ALICIA HALL MORAN as Bess and NATHANIEL STAMPLEY as Porgy will be ALVIN CRAWFORD as Crown, KINGSLEY LEGGS as Sporting Life, SUMAYYA ALI as Clara, DENISHA BALLEW as Serena, DANIELLE LEE GREAVES as Mariah, and DAVID HUGHEY as Jake. The cast also includes DAN BARNHILL, VANJAH BOIKAI, ADRIANNA M. CLEVELAND, ROOSEVELT ANDRÉ CREDIT, CICILY DAINELS, DWELVAN DAVID, NKRUMAH GATLING, TAMAR GREENE, NICOLE ADELL JOHNSON, JAMES EARL JONES II, QUENTIN OLIVER LEE, CHERYSE McLEOD LEWIS, SARITA RACHELLE LILLY, KENT OVERSHOWN, CHAUNCEY PACKER, LINDSAY ROBERTS, FRED ROSE, and SOARA-JOYE ROSS. “Every so often a project comes along that is so astonishing that one has to drop everything and just say I’m going to do it. That’s what I felt when I was asked to do The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” said Tony Award®-winning director DIANE PAULUS. “The epic sweep of the story, the immense history of the musical itself and the unforgettable Gershwin score, highlighted by ‘Summertime,’ ‘I Got Plenty of Nothing’ and ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ make this unquestionably one of the greatest American masterpieces.” THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS by GEORGE GERSHWIN, DUBOSE and DOROTHY HEYWARD, and IRA GERSHWIN, features one of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams, led by Tony Award®-winning director DIANE PAULUS (Pippin, Hair), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright SUZAN-LORI PARKS (Topdog/Underdog), and two-time Obie Award-winning composer DIEDRE L. MURRAY (Running Man). The creative team also includes choreographer RONALD K. BROWN, set designer RICCARDO HERNANDEZ, costume designer ESOSA, lighting designer CHRISTOPHER AKERLIND, sound designer ACME SOUND PARTNERS, music supervisor CONSTANTINE KITSOPOULOUS, and music director/conductor DALE RIELING. Based on DuBose Heyward's novel “Porgy” and the play of the same name, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, the Broadway revival of THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS is a stunning and stirring new staging with a magnificent 23-piece orchestra, including such legendary songs as “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty of Nothing.” JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE 23 PIECE ORCHESTRA AND THESE THREE SONGS ARE ALREADY MENTIONED. The classic story is set in Charleston’s fabled Catfish Row, where the beautiful Bess struggles to break free from her scandalous past, and the only one who can rescue her is the courageous Porgy. Threatened by her formidable former lover Crown, and the seductive enticements of the colorful troublemaker Sporting Life, Porgy and Bess’ relationship evolves into a deep romance that triumphs as one of theater’s most exhilarating love stories. Ticket Information: Tickets for THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS are now on sale at shnsf.com and by calling SHN Audience Services at 888-746-1799. Tickets range in price from $40-210. Performance Schedule: Tues. – Sat. @ 8pm Sat. and Sun. @ 2pm Wed. @ 2pm except for Nov. 13 Added performances: Thurs. Nov. 14 @ 2pm and Fri. Nov. 29 @ 2pm No performance: Thursday, Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving) SHN Golden Gate Theatre 1 Taylor St. (at 6th & Market) San Francisco, CA For more information visit: https://www.shnsf.com/online/porgy #################################### AURORA THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS “A SWELL NOËL” December17-22, 2013 Craig Jessup Celebrates Noël Coward & Friends in a Special Holiday Engagement at Harry’s UpStage – Aurora Theatre Company presents Bay Area cabaret star Craig Jessup in concert with A SWELL NOËL. This special holiday engagement plays for six performances only, December 17-22, at Aurora Theatre Company’s intimate second stage cabaret performance space, Harry’s UpStage, located in the Nell and Jules Dashow Wing at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. Tickets ($23-32) may be purchased directly from the Aurora Theatre Company box office by calling (510) 843-4822 or online at auroratheatre.org. Celebrating the season with masterful music-making, blithe spirit, and hilarious wit, Craig Jessup (last seen at the Aurora in Mae West’s SEX) performs favorites from his wide-ranging career in cabaret and musical theater, along with classic holiday tunes, and original songs. A SWELL NOËL features selections by some of the world’s greatest composers, including Noël Coward, Jacques Brel, Stephen Sondheim, the Gershwins, and Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. From romance to comedy, Jessup and pianist/music director Ken Muir make the season a little merrier with songs including “If Love Were All,” “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” “This Can’t Be Love” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” A SWELL NOËL brightens the holidays with a memorable musical showcase that is sure to delight cabaret fans old and new. ############################# ### THE RICHMOND / ERMET AIDS FOUNDATION PRESENTS… HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS XII Star-studded AIDS Benefit Holiday Concert & Gala Monday, Dec. 9, 2013 Marines Memorial Theatre in SF Benefiting Positive Resource Center and Maitri Compassionate Care Featuring Celebrity Performers… Bruce Vilanch, Tim Hockenberry,  Jason Brock, Jai Rodriguez, Sharon McNight, Carly Ozard, Shawn Ryan, Kim Nalley, David Gaines and others TBA www.helpisontheway.org Mon., Dec 9, 2013 - HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS XII Star-studded AIDS Benefit Holiday Concert & Gala featuring Celebrity Performers… Bruce Vilanch, Tim Hockenberry, Jason Brock, Jai Rodriguez, Sharon McNight, Carly Ozard, Shawn Ryan, Kim Nalley, David Gaines and others TBA Monday, Dec. 9, 2013 – 7:30 pm. Tix $40 & 60. $100 includes post performance reception with cast. For Tix and info www.helpisontheway.org or call 415/ 273 -1620 ########################### THE SHOTGUN PLAYERS proudly announces our 2014 SEASON The Coast of Utopia: Voyage, Shipwreck, and Salvage Written by Tom Stoppard Directed by Founding Artistic Director Patrick Dooley March 21 - April 27 (Opening Night: Saturday, March 29) The final chapter of Stoppard’s epic trilogy! In Salvage, our group of would-be revolutionaries moves to London where, after suffering decades of personal and political losses, they struggle to find hope for their way of life. As Alexander Herzen states: “Our meaning is in how we live in an imperfect world.” And YES, oh my yes, there will be marathon days featuring all three plays. Daylighting: The Berkeley Stories Project A NEWLY COMMISSIONED WORK Written by Dan Wolf Directed by Rebecca Novick May 21 - June 22 (Opening Night: Friday, May 30) Meet Bee, a young woman just graduated from Berkeley High who must decide her fate on an evening’s walk throughout Berkeley. Moving from the hills to the flatlands she encounters residents with a wide range of opinions on her hometown. We have gathered stories from all walks of life in Berkeley and playwright Dan Wolf uses these real-life tales in his play. And there will be many opportunities to share your thoughts on “how Berkeley can you be?” Twelfth Night Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Jon Tracy July 9 - August 10 (Opening Night: Saturday, July 12) “If music be the food of love, play on!” Jon Tracy takes a provocative and fresh approach to this Shakespeare classic. A group of artists will create a musical landscape that delves into this tale of passion and mistaken identity. Just how far will you go for love? The New Electric Ballroom Written by Enda Walsh Directed by Barbara Damashek September 3 - October 5 (Opening Night: Saturday, September 6) Sisters Breda, Clara, and Ada are trapped within their memories of the New Electric Ballroom. It was the time of their lives... or was it? Playwright Enda Walsh, author of the Tony-Award winning musical Once, created a brash, darkly humorous and disturbing tale of sisters determined to live in the past - until the youngest upsets the balance of their delicate world. Harry Thaw Hates Everybody Written by Laural Meade Directed by M. Graham Smith October 15 - November 16 (Opening Night: Thursday, October 23) Remember Evelyn Nesbit, the beautiful Ragtime girl in the red velvet swing? She was the toast of New York, wooed shamelessly by Stanford White, the grand architect of Manhattan. But another man, Harry K. Thaw, waited ominously in the wings. Harry Thaw Hates Everybody puts the spotlight on Evelyn with a story that’s “got everything you could want in a good yarn. Beauty, sex, murder, money, true love...” Winner of the LA Drama Critics Award for Best Writing. Our Town Written by Thornton Wilder Directed by Susannah Martin December 4 - January 11 (Opening Night: Friday, December 12) Wilder graduated from Berkeley High in 1915, and Shotgun is proud to bring this classic to The Ashby Stage. Even if you think you know Our Town, we guarantee that you’ll experience something new – after all, no one breaks down the classics like we do. With live music throughout, we will find the heartbeat of every line, every word. For more information go to www.shotgunplayers.org ######################## Due to popular demand and incredible ticket sales, American Conservatory Theater announces the extension of Glen Berger’s acclaimed solo drama, Underneath the Lintel A.C.T. to also host select post-performance on-stage tours where audience members will have the opportunity to get a closer look at the Underneath the Lintel set featuring props and pieces from A.C.T.’s past 20 years Tickets now on sale through Saturday, November 23 –Due to popular demand and incredible ticket sales, American Conservatory Theater announced today the extension of Glen Berger’s captivating solo drama Underneath the Lintel, starring Academy Award nominee David Strathairn (Lincoln, Good Night, and Good Luck, Scorched at A.C.T). Tickets are now on sale through Saturday, November 23 and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228. In addition, A.C.T. announced that they will host a select number of post-performance on-stage tours where audience members will have the opportunity to get a closer look at the set for Underneath the Lintel. Designed by Nina Ball, the set features an assortment of odd and whimsical props and pieces from A.C.T. past 20 seasons. On-stage tours will be held on the following performance dates: • Saturday, November 2 (matinee and evening) Sunday, November 3 Wednesday, November 6 (matinee and evening) Thursday, November 7 Friday, November 8 Saturday, November 9 (evening only) Tuesday, November 12 Wednesday, November 13 (evening only) Thursday, November 14 Friday, November 15 Saturday, November 16 (matinee and evening) Sunday, November 17 Wednesday, November 20 Thursday, November 21 Friday, November 22 Saturday, November 23 (matinee and evening) ## ######################## San Jose Rep Changes Leadership Model of Organization Switch from Dual CEO Structure to Producing Artistic Director - San Jose Repertory Theatre’s board of trustees today announced that it has changed the leadership model of the venerable 33-year-old company from a dual CEO structure to a single CEO model. Artistic Director Rick Lombardo, who joined San Jose Rep in 2008, will assume the newly created position of Producing Artistic Director effective immediately. Mr. Lombardo previously held a similar position for 10 years at New Repertory Theatre in Boston. “In Rick we have a proven leader who’s more than capable of assuming this position. His prior experience in a similar role at New Repertory Theatre in Boston gives us tremendous confidence,” said Holly Walter, president of San Jose Rep’s board of trustees. “We feel fortunate that Rick has agreed to take this position and enhance his current leadership role with the theatre.” This change eliminated the managing director position, previously held by Nick Nichols. Mr. Nichols declined to take a different role within the organization. His last day is Friday, November 1. “The board is grateful for the significant contributions that Nick has made to San Jose Rep during his 10 years with the theatre, both as production manager and as managing director, a position he’s held since 2006,” said Ms. Walter. “Nick’s steady leadership and years of theatre experience have been incredible assets to the company.”

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