Off-Broadway 'Our Town' Announces Cast; My Bud, George Demas, Rocks

I'm so happy for George Demas, who has been a friend of mine for just about forever. He's been cast in the Off-Broadway transfer of David Cromer's acclaimed revival of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. Here's the press release:

COMPLETE CAST ANNOUNCED FOR
OUR TOWN

ACCLAIMED DAVID CROMER STAGING
TO PREMIERE OFF BROADWAY
AT BARROW STREET THEATRE

PERFORMANCES BEGIN FEBRUARY 17,
OPENING NIGHT SET FOR FEBRUARY 26

Producers Scott Morfee, Jean Doumanian and Tom Wirtshafter have announced complete casting for the acclaimed David Cromer production of’ Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Performances will begin on February 17th with an official opening night set for Thursday, February 26th, 7:30 p.m., at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street), whose space will be completely redesigned for this production.

The cast of Our Town includes (in alphabetical order) Jeremy Beiler as Sam Craig, Rob Beitzel as Howie Newsome, Kati Brazda as Mrs. Webb, George Demas as Constable Warren, Donna Jay Fulks as Mrs. Soames, Jennifer Grace as Emily, Wilbur Edwin Henry as Professor Willard, Adam Hinkle as Joe Crowell, James McMenamin as George, Jeff Still as Doc Gibbs, Ken Marks as Editor Webb, Jonathan Mastro as Simon Stimson, Seamus Mulcahy as Wally Webb, Lori Myers as Mrs. Gibbs, Jay Russell as Joe Stoddard, Jason Yachanin as Si Crowell and David Cromer as the Stage Manager.

This production marks the official debut collaboration between Jean Doumanian Productions and Barrow Street Theatre who recently announced a creative partnership to bring innovative works and artists to Off Broadway, and will take place during the 70th anniversary year of Our Town’s Broadway premiere (Pulitzer Prize, 1938). The two companies are currently collaborating on Barrow Street Fortnight2, a three-week celebration of new improv, sketch comedy, music and solo shows, currently running at the downtown venue.

The creative team for Our Town will feature Michele Spadaro (set design and props), Alison Siple (costume design) and Heather Gilbert (lighting design). The Production Stage Manager is Richard A. Hodge.

Cromer, who directed last season’s hit musical, Adding Machine, and who next season will make his Broadway directing debut with Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound, will himself perform the central role of ‘Stage Manager’ in this staging of Wilder’s timeless play.

David Cromer’s production of the Joshua Schmidt/Jason Loewith musical Adding Machine (Minetta Lane Theatre), also produced by Barrow Street Theatre’s Scott Morfee and Tom Wirtshafter, earned him unanimous critical acclaim and OBIE and Lucille Lortel awards as Best Director. Adding Machine received four OBIE Awards and Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel awards as Best Musical. One of Chicago’s most respected and prolific theater artists, Mr. Cromer most recently staged praised productions of William Inge’s Picnic at Writers’ Theatre, and the premiere of Celebrity Row by Itamar Moses at American Theater Company, in addition to Our Town, which he directed for Hypocrites Theater Company.

And here's a YouTube clip of George:

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What is a Leader? One Off-Broadway Producer Doesn't Know

On this special day for our America, on this day when we ask ourselves how best we may reconsecrate ourselves to our nation's work, I was shocked and saddened to receive an email, then a phone call, from a leader of the Off-Broadway community. I won't use his/her name because he/she suffers from one of those tragic, monumental egos that causes him/her to lash out, rather like a tormented child, whenever he/she sees something written about them with which they take issue.

In this case, it was a response to an item in my Arts Advocacy Update of two weeks ago. The item was published in Bloomberg News and I took issue with the source the writer used in his lede -- the producer in question. Given the headline of the story, it seemed strange that said producer would be the first source mentioned. That the producer could neither fathom my criticism nor the joke I made based on a quote from that producer that referenced a 1980s game show -- and that the producer had his friend leave a negative comment anonymously on my blog -- just astounds me. Calling me up and yelling at me, telling me that he/she will use any power at their disposal to hurt me -- well, that's just extraordinary. Not to mention sad, unprofessional. I imagine there's at least one legendary producer, who he/she supposedly knew well, who would be turning over in her grave if she knew about this.

The point is, this is not leadership. This is cowardice. And I hope he/she gets the help he/she needs.

And, by the way, I don't fear him/her. I fear for those who are victimized by him/her more and more every day. For I know that he/she is no leader. He/she is an animal -- for animals, rather by definition, have no class.

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Kiss the Ohio Theatre Goodbye

Well, the rumors that have been flying fast and furious for the past few days appear to be rooted in reality: the Ohio Theatre, among the last of the truly great alternative performance spaces in New York -- I mean, like, anywhere -- is probably going to bite the dust in 2009. Bloomberg will continue to fiddle, I'm sure, while Off- and Off-Off-Broadway burns. Alexis Soloski of the Village Voice has the scoop.

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Jacob Sterling Moving to Off-Broadway

I am SO happy for David Pittu. What's That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling is just out and out brilliant (here's my New York Press review) and it's moving to New World Stages. Below is the press release I received.

DARYL ROTH
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY

DAVID PITTU’S COMEDY HIT
WHAT’S THAT SMELL: THE MUSIC OF JACOB STERLING

TRANSFERS TO NEW WORLD STAGES
FOLLOWING ACCLAIMED ATLANTIC THEATER COMPANY RUN

PREVIEWS BEGIN SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008

Following it’s sold out engagement, Atlantic Theater Company’s critically acclaimed world premiere of David Pittu’s comedy What’s That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling will transfer to an Off-Broadway run at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Performances will begin Saturday, November 1, 2008.

The new comedy, written and performed by Tony Award nominee David Pittu (Is He Dead?, LoveMusik), co-starring Peter Bartlett (The New Century), is co-directed by Pittu and Atlantic Artistic Director Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow) with original music by Randy Redd.

The Off-Broadway transfer will be produced by Daryl Roth in association with Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director).

What’s That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling is a hilarious musical parody that charts the career of eternally up-and-coming (and fictitious) musical theater composer Jacob Sterling (Pittu). A rare, up close and personal visit with an artist of questionable gifts who performs from his songbook and shares his human struggle to keep musical theater alive and well into the 21st century.

What’s That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling features scenic design by Takeshi Kata, costume design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Matthew Richards, sound design by Jill DuBoff, projection design by Dustin O'Neill, and production stage management by Alison DeSantis.

What’s That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling will play Monday evening, and Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00pm, with Saturday matinees at 2:00pm and Sunday performances at 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Tuesdays are dark.

Tickets are $55.00 and $65.00, and are available by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com, or in person at the box office.

NEW WORLD STAGES is located at 340 West 50 Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
www.whatsthatsmelloffbway.com

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The New York City Council Proclaims "Live Theatre Week"

....and good golly, the proclamation isn't all about Broadway. It's about Off-Broadway. Yes, Miss Molly, good golly. Here's the release:

THE LEAGUE OF OFF-BROADWAY THEATRES AND PRODUCERS
CELEBRATES
THE FIRST EVER "LIVE THEATRE WEEK"
AS PROCLAIMED BY THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 21ST – 27TH, 2008

Get 2 for 1* Tickets for New York City's Hottest Off-Broadway Shows

By proclamation of the City Council, New York City has named January 21st to the 27th, 2008 “Live Theatre Week,” in celebration of the on-going contribution live theater brings to New York City’s cultural landscape. In honor of the event, many of New York’s most popular Off-Broadway shows are offering a rare Buy-One-Get-One-Free offer for tickets. Visit www.OffBroadway.org for more information. A complete list of participating shows is below.

League President George Forbes said “We are honored that the City Council is recognizing the importance of Live Theater in New York City, and we are pleased to be able to give back to our audiences, in the form of this special promotion. We hope New Yorkers and tourists will take advantage of this offer which enables them to purchase half-price tickets in advance.”

Sponsored by the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers.

Participating shows include:
Altar Boyz
The Awesome 80’s Prom
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Celia: The Life & Music of Celia Cruz
Dai (enough)
The Fantasticks
Forbidden Broadway
Fuerzabruta
Gazillion Bubble Show
Grace
Hunting and Gathering
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
My First Time
My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy!
Naked Boys Signing!
New Jerusalem
The Rise of Dorothy Hale
Stomp
Two Thousand Years

For details, click here.

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