FRANKENSTEIN

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN by David Catlin and directed by Brian C. Crowe started performances October 22nd at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. This version of the tale starts at a party on a stormy night in November, with guests Percy Shelley, Mary, Byron, Dr. Polidori, and Mary’s step-sister Claire competing to tell the scariest story. It’s a haunting, devastating unfolding of the now-familiar story — perfect for spooky season. Performances run through November 16th. More info and tickets here!

SPUNK

SPUNK by Zora Neale Hurston and directed by Tamilla Woodard started performances at Yale Repertory Theatre on October 3rd. Hurston wrote this play in 1935, and this is the first professional production. Ever. She mailed the script to the Library of Congress, where it stayed hidden until 1997. This production has New Songs, Arrangements, and Music Supervision by Nehemiah Luckett and choreography by nicHi douglas. It runs at the University Theatre until October 25th. Tickets and more info here.

This is a special one.

Sense and Sensibility

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s production of Sense and Sensibility, adapted by Jessica Swale and directed by Nisi Sturgis, started performances September 4th and officially opens September 7th in Madison, NJ. Every time I watch these actors, I am incredibly moved by this story of love, duty, and resilience. Performances run through September 22nd at the Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. More info and tickets here.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder by Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak and directed by Brian B. Crowe started performances on May 15th. This is the first musical STNJ has done in a long time, and it’s the first production Brian Crowe is directing as the theatre’s new Artistic Director. The cast is brilliant, and the show is delightfully funny. Performances run at the Kirby Theatre in Madison, NJ, through June 9th. Tickets and more info here.

A View From the Bridge

Long Wharf Theatre’s production of A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller and directed by James Dean Palmer started previews on February 10th at the Canal Dock Boathouse in New Haven, CT. This is Long Wharf’s first full production since giving up their traditional theater space, and I’m honored to coach dialects for it. It’s a beautiful, deeply felt production. Performances run through March 10th. More info and tickets here.

And a Nightingale Sang...

AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG… by C.P. Taylor and directed by Bonnie J. Monte started performances at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey on July 12th. This beautiful, rarely produced play follows the life of a family in Newcastle on Tyne during WWII. I worked with most of the cast on a Newcastle (or “Geordie”) accent — and with one of the actors on a Birmingham (or “Brummie”) accent. It was a lovely experience!

Performances run through July 30th at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison, NJ. Tickets and more info here.

The Caretaker

THE CARETAKER by Harold Pinter and directed by Bonnie J. Monte opened this past weekend at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison, NJ. It’s a beautiful and devastating production of a brilliantly crafted play. The actors are doing wonderful work overall, and especially with their own individually crafted London idiolects. Performances run at the F.M Kirby Shakespeare Theatre through October 9th. Tickets and info here.

June Show Updates

I coached two shows that both started performances last week.

Clubbed Thumb’s production of BODIES THEY RITUAL by Angela Hanks and directed by Knud Adams has performances at the Wild Project in NYC through Saturday, July 2nd. It’s a NYTimes Critic’s Pick! More info and tickets here.

Bucks County Playhouse’s production of KINKY BOOTS by Harvey Fierstein & Cyndi Lauper and directed by Sheryl Kaller & Hope Boykin started performances on June 25th and runs through July 30th in charming New Hope, PA. More info and tickets here.