This month, we can welcome Ireland’s renowned playwright, Enda Walsh, with both “Arlington” at St. Ann’s and an unusual hour-long installation piece, “Rooms,” at the future home of the Irish Arts Center.
For the Anglophiles among us, look no further than “Animal” byClare Lizzimore, starring her fellow Brit, Rebecca Hall at The Atlantic.
Of course, you might want to peek at the National Theatre Live broadcasts this month — if you couldn’t catch these in London. I’ll be seeing “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,” the play which made Tom Stoppard’s reputation a mere half century ago. Also, “Obsession” with Jude Law, directed by Ivo van Hove, adapted from the Visconti film. And how could I miss this production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” with deservedly renowned Imelda Staunton? It garnered no less than five starred reviews during its London run.
Rarely seen here, will be “Jubilee” and “Mein Kampf” at Theater For The New City, by Hungarian-born playwright, George Tabori, a well-known and influential figure in the mid to late 20th century — my first exposure to his work.
Red Bull Theater will be presenting “The Government Inspector,” adapted from Nikolai Gogol’s Tsarist-approved satirical play. I’m anticipating much fun from this fourteen-strong ensemble, includingthe terrific Michael Urie, directed by Red Bull’s inventive Artistic Director, Jesse Berger.
New York Theatre Workshop is presenting two by Nigerian-American playwright, Mfoniso Udofia “Sojourners” and “Her Portmanteau” — part of her play cycle about conflicting cultures.
I’ve left an American work for last — but not least interesting:
Obie-Award winning “Venus” by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Suzan-Lori Parks, will be at the Signature — a most welcome revival, since I missed it twenty years ago. The piece is based on the true story of a South African transformed into “Hottentot Venus” — then tragically paraded around Europe’s 19th Century freak shows.
I hope you have time to indulge in these worldly plays — they will expand your world! See you at the theatre!
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.