Titles

2017 has left many Americans stunned by our nation’s politics, and artistic communities around the country are finding ways to get politically involved on a local level. Today we chat with playwright, professor, and theatre historian Helen Richardson. Richardson is an authority on most things theatrical, and she joins us today to talk about her adaptation of Alfred Jarry’s seminal play, Ubu.

In this article you’ll find a list of eight screen-to-stage, stage-to-screen and page-to-stage adaptations that we’ve been obsessing over lately. A few are from the last few years, while others stretch back 50 years or more. What other adaptations would you add to the list?

Theatre has always provided a wealth of great roles for women of all ages, but especially for those who’ve outgrown the role of ingénue.

Nearly 18 years ago when Frank Haney, Carol Kimball, and Dave Stratton got together to write a country-western musical set in a trailer park, they knew that the loss of jobs due to corporate outsourcing had to be central to the story.

From the start, Rosary envisioned this play as a tour de force of obsession, rooted in the real life of the famous first great American novelist, based on detailed and shocking facts from her life.

According to Murphy, the Off-Broadway version was R-rated, “If we wanted Heathers to work for high schools, we’d have to find new ways to tell the same story in a PG-13 context. So we wrote and workshopped a brand new draft with the fantastic support of Samuel French and iTheatrics, and were surprised to discover that many of the changes turned out to be improvements.”

Paddy Briggs writes about the new production of Present Laughter including reporting on extended interviews he had with the Director Stephen Unwin prior to the first rehearsals, at the first night and later in the run when it arrived in Richmond.

The Waverly Gallery revolves around a family’s experience as their matriarch slips further and further into dementia. Despite the gravity of the subject matter, the play is filled with comedy and delightful characters.

A high school student’s perspective on the joy and purpose of performing Heathers The Musical.

In many plays written about young people, some by writers I admire, one can feel the adult hand shaping a moral universe for the characters to inhabit. I chose to avoid this when writing Hazelwood Jr. High. I wanted the play to feel as if it were written by a junior high school student.

At its core, Caddie Woodlawn is about family. It tells the story of a year in the life of a young pioneer girl, growing up in Wisconsin. Her tomboyish struggles with her strictly traditional mother and her devotion to her more indulgent father are at the heart of this coming-of-age tale. 

The four-time Emmy nominated, Writer’s Guild Award nominated, and Peabody Award winning writer, Erik Weiner, documents the explosive rise of his college project, The Bomb-itty of Errors.

When famous superhero Blackjack the Bold is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer, it’s up to his assistant Inky to step up and save the day!

Simple enough for young audience members but witty enough for their parents, this bighearted adventure will thrill the entire family. Plus, there are ninja koalas.

Amanda dreamed of being a famous composer – not the daughter of an almost-divorce, the fiancée of an almost-celebrity, the ex of an almost-lover, and the writer of mediocre jingles. Maybe it’s a ridiculous dream – after all, how many brilliant female composers are there?

A story of a man’s final dream to put on a play. He chose Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days.

Samuel French’s Literary Associate Garrett Anderson discusses Bathsheba Doran’s The Mystery of Love and Sex.

Michael and Linda are a married couple, both writers. Michael is a successful household name, while Linda now teaches and has only had one hit book. Near the beginning of the show, Linda is diagnosed with cancer, and her dying wish is to be granted the opportunity to read Michael’s journals.

Samuel French’s Corporate Communications Associate, Alejandra Venancio, unveils the ghosts of Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit.

Grab your ghouls and ghosts, and gear up for a night of horror! These ten goosebumps inducing shows are sure to keep you occupied in between trick-or-treaters.

Writer and Hip Hop Theatre Artist, Nsangou Njikam, congratulates honoree Keith Josef Adkins of The New Black Fest as part of the Samuel French Awards 2016 Series.

Literary Associate Garrett Anderson explains why you, too, will love Linder & Hobgood’s hysterical play set in a bomb shelter.

Contributor Eliza Skidgel gives her take on Treem’s Mirror, Mirror.

This show tells the truth about the persecution of gays in Nazi Germany. It centers around two soldiers, Max, and his lover, Rudy. 

In the spirit of Sarah Ruhl’s affinity for love letters, Derick Edgren has written a love letter of his own in praise of The Clean House.

Playwright and Lyricist Bill Russell (Side Show, Pageant, Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens) tells the story of the development of his newest musical comedy, The Last Smoker in America.

We’ve picked 10 titles that center around the political mayhem of American civilization, from overzealous politicians to scandal and controversy. And watch out, because some of these titles may hit a little too close to home.

Peter Quilter discusses his comedy Glorious!, which explores the hilarious and remarkable story of the world’s worst opera singer Florence Foster Jenkins.

Contributor Ben Coleman gives his take on Suzan Lori-Parks’ Father Comes Home From The Wars Parts 1, 2 & 3.

In the 1970s, we follow Victor and Esme, a ruthless fashion designer and his gorgeous appearance obsessed muse. When a simple Midwestern woman enters their lives, she begins to transform Victor, his thoughts on fashion, and his relationship with Esme. Meanwhile in the present day, we follow Jessica, who is dealing with a large sense of self-loathing as she makes the journey to say goodbye to her estranged mother.

We’ve gathered a list of titles that best exemplify the strength of theatre as a medium for the adaptation of novels.

Three mini-musicals each take a glimpse at a behind the scenes moment of some of history’s most iconic horror films.