I am pleased to share with you the cast photo from our presentation of Harding 'Pete' Lemay's new play, The First Born, with Marian Seldes leading a wonderful cast.  This coming month I'll be directing a workshop of Broken Fences, at Chicago Dramatists. Plus, lots to see on stage and screen.  Enjoy!  Tom Ferriter, Artistic Director.

Our recent presentation of The First Born, at New Dramatists, was a spectacular success - a sellout with a huge waiting list!  We appreciate those who attended (and we are sorry we were unable to accommodate all the requests for seats) and will keep everyone apprised about the play's progress.

This coming month, I will be directing a workshop presentation of Steve Simoncic's Broken Fences, at Chicago Dramatists.  Broken Fences is a story about the gentrification of a ghetto neighborhood - a worthy new play by an up-and-coming playwright from Chicago.  We'll be keeping you posted about the progress of this new project, currently in development with Stageplays Theatre Company. 

We are also pleased to pass along this special offer* from our friends at The Seafarer.

THE SEAFARER, the acclaimed National Theatre production of Olivier Award winner Conor McPherson’s haunting tale.  It’s a full house of lost souls, all looking for a friendly game, until a mysterious stranger joins the party and raises the stakes.   

Select Orchestra seats for $56.50, Select Mezzanine for $46.50.  Good through March 30, 2008.

To order by phone: call 212-947-8844 and mention code SFGNA31.  To order online: visit www.broadwayoffers.com and enter code SFGNA31.  Box Office hours: Mon-Sat 10 AM to 8:30 PM, Sun 12 PM to 5 PM.

*Does not constitue an endorsement by Stageplays of this production.

On Stage And Screen

Tom Stoppard's Rock 'N' Roll rocks; an epic tale about life in Czechoslovakia from pre- to post-Communism, examines the will for freedom and the survival of hope as seen through the filter of that era's contemporary rock music.

Believe it or not, Spamalot (finally!); it's a fun show, great production, terrific performances, laugh out loud humor, and Clay Aiken is well-cast, actually.

This year's Rendez-Vous with French Cinema at the Walter Reade Cinema has one surefire gem, Claude Miller's A Secret - winning performances and subtle direction with a twist at story's end that's a real heartbreaker.  A beautiful, poetic and involving drama. The Festival runs February 29-March 6.

Film Forum is offering a retrospective on Sidney Lumet - check the schedule as some fantastic films are showing.  Also, the Museum of Modern Art is running a retrospective on the films directed by Milos Forman, through March 1st.

Michael Clayton is this winter's treat - strong script, respectable acting, great integrity, well-deserved nominations.

Charlie Wilson's War rises above its pedigree to deliver a surprisingly complicated story, captivating and quite timely, with a strong performance by Tom Hanks in the leading role.