Two Time Tony Winner and Broadway Favorite in a terrific evening of Coward's songs and letters to his famous friends.

JUNE 13 at 7pm.
Cabaret Performance and Dinner $750, $1000, $1500.
At The Union Club.

For information contact Becky at The Acting Company, 212-258-3111.
Don't miss this wonderful evening -- just what the doctor ordered in these troubling times.

Inside is a link to a website for Still on the Road, the documentary about The Acting Company, which is currently airing on PBS stations across the country.  Click on it for new air dates as they are added, to see a trailer, production photos and other information. If you don’t find your PBS station listed, give them a call and request that they air it – they all have a copy. Thanks! Check back regularly for additional air dates.

http://stillontheroadfilm.com/

The New York Times THEATER REVIEW by ANITA GATES

Teen Angst Leavened by Goofiness
‘As You Like It,’ at the New Victory Theater

First, let’s change the title to “B.F.F.’s in the Forest of Arden.”

Celia, a mere supporting character in “As You Like It” — now at the New Victory Theater in a sweet and sophisticated new staging for all ages — is so devoted to her cousin Rosalind that when Rosalind is banished from wherever they all live in ducal France, Celia insists on going with her. Into the woods. And this being Shakespeare, they go in disguise: Rosalind (Elizabeth Stahlmann) as a man, and Celia (Megan Bartle) as a shepherdess who looks like Megan Hilty.

This Acting Company production, done in association with the Guthrie Theater and expertly directed by Dan Rothenberg, has just enough silliness to keep younger theatergoers entertained. Set in the early 20th century, it has physical comedy (good job by Ms. Bartle, especially); action (one character bursts in and holds a knife to another’s throat); sports (wrestling); music (wandering minstrel with guitar); goofiness (a fine Christopher Michael McFarland as the court jester); adolescent anxiety (a smitten boy and girl too awkward to converse); and, of course, gender issues (the illusion of same-sex flirtation through cross-dressing). And some actors wear big animal heads (wild about the boar). Shakespearean comedies can get a little PG-13: this show is officially recommended for theatergoers 12 and older. But “As You Like It” remains excellent introductory Shakespeare. There is only one major set of lovers, Rosalind and Orlando (Joseph Midyett), to keep track of. The play does end with a quadruple wedding, but most of the brides and grooms are minor characters. Everybody who was mean in the beginning turns kind.

And the script includes the “All the world’s a stage” speech, delivered nicely by Chris Thorn as an emo Jaques, boisterously acting out the seven ages of man. Yaegel T. Welch is also a standout, although much more so as Charles, the wrestler with attitude, than as the mild-mannered exiled duke.

Matt Saunders’s set is a winner. Very understated in Act I, with glamorous old Victrolas, minimal palace furniture and just a hint of the forest, it explodes in Act II with savage ferns, trees with scary branches and a fierce red sun. Rousseau, anyone?

“As You Like It” continues through Sunday at the New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, Manhattan; (646) 223-3010, new victory.org.

What people are saying about our past, present and future.  Join Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Rainn Wilson, Dana Ivey, John Rando, Michael Kahn, Harriet Harris, Roslyn Ruff and others in celebrating our 40th Anniversary.

The Acting Company's John McDonald Salon Readings offers a unique opportunity to see captivating but rarely-produced plays, performed by prominent New York stage actors and guest stars. Each reading is followed by a reception where you will have the chance to interact with the cast and director over wine and refreshments. The series provides financial support for The Acting Company's Learning Through Theater Program in New York City Schools during our annual New York Season.

For more information or to purchase tickets call 212-258-3111

Margot Harley, co-founder and Producer of The Acting Company has announced the appointment of Ian Belknap to the position of Artistic Director.  “We’re a Company of young actors – founded forty years ago with the young Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, David Schramm and David Ogden Stiers right out of Juilliard – and it is appropriate that we begin our next 40 years with a vibrant young talent as our artistic leader,” said Ms. Harley, who moves from Producing Artistic Director to Producer.  John Houseman, Alan Schneider, Jack O’Brien, Michael Kahn, Gerry Gutierrez, Zelda Fichandler, Ms. Harley and now Mr. Belknap complete the list of impressive talents to serve as Artistic Director of The Acting Company founded in 1972 and oft-considered the leading nationally touring repertory theater in the country.

“I could not be more proud of our actors and history and look forward to the exciting new works I am confident Ian Belknap will bring to our stages and the American public,” Ms. Harley said in her announcement.   “I share Margot’s belief that the classical repertory system is the best way to develop actors,” Mr. Belknap responded, “and look forward to our continued partnership, increasing the company's impact and extending her legacy.  It is a privilege to work with her and I am humbled by her trust in my ability to carry The Acting Company forward.”

Ian Belknap has served as the Associate Artistic Director of The Acting Company since 2009, during which time he directed The Comedy of Errors that premiered at the Guthrie Theater before a two-year national tour as well as off-Broadway’s Damascus and several staged readings in New York. Mr. Belknap joined the Company as Staff Repertory Director for the 2008-2009 Season.  His production of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is touring with As You Like It (directed by Dan Rothenberg of Philadelphia’s Pig Iron Theatre) during The Acting Company’s 40th Anniversary Season (2012-13). Mr. Belknap has worked closely with Kevin Kline on The Lover and the Poet, starring Mr. Kline and Meryl Streep. He also assisted TONY-winning director Doug Hughes (Doubt) on the Company’s Alumni Production of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, selected by TIME Magazine as the fourth best production of 2009.
Mr. Belknap said, “In looking beyond Of Mice and Men and As You Like it, I am very excited by our 2013-14 Season when we will present Hamlet and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.  Tom Stoppard personally granted us the rights for his seminal play.  I will be directing our first production of Hamlet and am particularly interested in touring these companion plays, which create a perfect repertory for actors and a comprehensive conversation about what it means to be alive for audiences.”
Mr. Belknap apprenticed under several notable directors including Doug Hughes, Mark Lamos and Davis McCallum.  He serves as a site visitor for The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage’s Philadelphia Theater Initiative and has worked at New York’s Primary Stages, Baltimore’s CENTERSTAGE and The Kennedy Center.   A recipient of the John Glover Scholarship, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Towson University. 

Our 2013 annual GALA will be held on October 21st at Capitale!

Our annual Gala, often called the best in the theater world, is replete with magic, music, dancing, all-star entertainment, jugglers, mimes, stilt walkers and gender illusionists!

This year’s Gala will be held at the chic and trendy Capitale in New York City on Monday, October 21st and feature nonstop entertainment, our renowned Silent Auction and honor the people and accomplishments of preserving the culture of classical theater.

Be sure you are part of the fun and the magic of this special evening. Check back for more information as plans continue to develop.

To receive an invitation to our Gala for next year, complete the Mailing List request in the About section of this site.

This week NY1 is airing a clip featuring The Acting Company's current season and company, as well as our alum Harriett Harris and Artistic Director Margot Harley. Check us out on NY1 or click over to our news section to watch the video online. A great start to a great season!

Click to watch video clip from NY1

Learn more about our Artists in Residency program. Click above to watch video.

Professional development workshops train teachers in techniques of engaging students in classic literature, breaking down resistance of students and teachers alike.

Click above to watch the video!