The Commercial/Not-for-Profit Collaboration: The New Normal?

With Patrick Blake, producer (Bedlam Theatre's Hamlet/St. Joan, In the Continuum, The Exonerated, Play Dead); Andrew Leynse, artistic director Primary Stages; David Elliott, co-director of Perry Street Theatricals (Bedlam Theatre's St. Joan/Hamlet, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, In the Continuum, An Oak Tree); others tba.

As expenses in commercial theater have soared, the development of new work has grown increasingly dependent on strategic partnerships with not-for-profit and regional theaters. We'll look at the process involved in making an appropriate match, what stage in development a commercial theater might want to find a not-for-profit partner (and vice versa), as well as discuss the intricacies of enhancement deals. For the most part these arrangements can be seen as win-win, but there are cautions that need to be considered.

Doors open at 7:00pm for networking and refreshments, roundtable introductions of everyone in the room will start at 7:30pm. Free for TRU members; $12 for non-members. Call for reservations: 212/714-7628; or e-mail TRUStaff1@gmail.com The Players Theater, 115 Macdougal Street, downstairs Mainstage Theatre

BROADWAY OFFER: The Velocity of Autumn, a special offer from TRU friends Van Dean and Larry Kaye, the producers! Tickets are available at a special rate for TRU members for the Broadway production of THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN, which starts performances April 1 at the Booth Theatre: Tuesday through Thursday: $79 for select orchestra and mezzanine A-F seats, $45 for mezzanine G-H / Friday through Sunday: $89 for select orchestra and mezzanine A-F seats, $50 for mezzanine G-H

To purchase your tickets, please:

• Visit http://www.broadwayoffers.com and enter code VAGRSRTS3
• Call 212-947-8844 and mention code VAGRSRTS3
• Bring this flyer to the Booth Theatre box office, 225 West 45th Street

Drama Desk Panel: "Why Shakespeare? Why Now?" at Sardi's on April 4th. $10 member discount for TRU! Distinguished American actor John Glover (Witch/A Porter/Murderer 3 in Lincoln Center’s Macbeth) will join previously announced panelists—actors Michael Pennington and Scott Shepherd and directors Daniel Sullivan and Julie Taymor—in the lively discussion exploring the reasons why New York’s current theater season has a distinctive Shakespearean flavor. Carol Rocamora will be moderator.

The Drama Desk’s Spring Luncheon/Panel Discussion focusing on Shakespeare will take place at Sardi’s Eugenia Room, 234 West 44th St., on Friday, April 4. It will begin with the luncheon at 11:45 AM, followed by the panel discussion from 1:15–2:30 PM. Tickets—$50 for Drama Desk members and TRU and $60 for non-members—may be purchased in advance, online at DramaDesk.org, or directly at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/932325. To order by phone, call 212-352-3101.

The Synthetic Blues: WriteAct Repertory launch party and birthday celebration. John Lant and Cooper Jordan would like to invite everyone in the TRU Family to Write Act Rep's Official Opening this Sunday evening 3/16 beginning at 7pm. Come see our new spaces at 669 Eighth Avenue (at 43rd), 2nd floor, now officially available for use. Stop by anytime between 7pm and 10pm. Live band, cash bar, birthday desserts. The speakeasy password is Sierra Moon. Email cooperentertainment@live.com for details.

The National Yiddish Theatre – Folksbiene is offering TRU members $12 tickets to a remounting of THE MEGILE OF ITZIK MANGER, a modern musical adaptation of the biblical tale of Queen Esther. The show appeared commercially on Broadway decades ago where it delighted audiences, and now, after a great Off Broadway test run last year, they're hoping to make it an annual event- think Jewish Nutcracker.

The show stars Tony nominee Stephen Mo Hanan and Drama Desk nominee Avi Hoffman with Stacey Harris, Andrew Keltz, Rebecca Keren, Alan Schmuckler, Hannah D. Scott, Adam Shairo, and Rachel Yucht. Folksbiene Associate Artistic Director Motl Didner directs.

Baruch Performance Arts Center (55 Lexington Avenue) through March 16. TRU Members can take advantage of this deal by clicking here: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/931115/prm/TRU12 OR calling the Baruch Box Office at (646) 312 - 5073 and mentioning code "TRU12" NOTE: To maximize on the ticket offer there is a Sat March 15, 9PM performance will have a Yiddish reading of Queen Esther's Megillah, 30 minutes prior to the show, and the show itself will be followed by a cocktail reception sponsored by 67 Wine & Spirits and Sam Adams with an Eve of Purim Costume Contest judged by Luxury Fashion Designers Caitlin Kelly and Hila Geller. THE MEGILE OF ITZIK MANGER is a fanciful whimsical tale stocked with circus acts, dance, puppetry, and even a little magic. It's presented in Yiddish with some English, accompanied by English and Russian supertitles. The trailer can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSYf47LZ0HQ