playwright's

But as ticket sales for the Royal Shakespeare Company showed, the presence of a top-flight troupe based in the playwright's hometown seems to be lure enough for audiences seeking a summer Shakespeare fix.

Vera Haller: For Shakespeare Company, All New York's a Stage Vera Haller 2011

But as ticket sales for the Royal Shakespeare Company showed, the presence of a top-flight troupe based in the playwright's hometown seems to be lure enough for audiences seeking a summer Shakespeare fix.

Vera Haller: For Shakespeare Company, All New York's a Stage Vera Haller 2011

The company has found success with the playwright's works, including the well-received "An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf" in 2006.

On stage in March 2011

But as ticket sales for the Royal Shakespeare Company showed, the presence of a top-flight troupe based in the playwright's hometown seems to be lure enough for audiences seeking a summer Shakespeare fix.â¨â¨

Vera Haller: For Shakespeare Company, All New York's a Stage Vera Haller 2011

We've already had a fine revival of the Spanish playwright's passionate 30s tragedy at West Yorkshire Playhouse this year and now Anthony Weigh – who had a hit with 2000 Feet Away with Joseph Fiennes at the Bush Theatre – offers a brand-new version, directed by the Gate's own Natalie Abrahami.

This week's new theatre and dance 2011

Not Baby Doll Lulu Brud in Tennessee Williams' eponymous play, directed by Joel Daavid for the Elephant Theatre Company on the occasion of the playwright's 100th birthday.

James Scarborough: Tennessee Williams' Baby Doll at the Elephant Theatre Company in Hollywood James Scarborough 2012

Salamon, who will speak at the Skirball on Sept. 22, was given access to Wasserstein's papers and conducted more than 300 interviews with the playwright's friends, family and theater associates.

Tom Teicholz: Lost and Found: What Wendy Wassertein Hid, a New Bio Reveals Tom Teicholz 2011

The playwright's final choice was to let the audience experience Pearl's 'possession' by Patience as others of her time may have witnessed it.

George Heymont: Living in Parallel Universes George Heymont 2011

Not Baby Doll Lulu Brud in Tennessee Williams' eponymous play, directed by Joel Daavid for the Elephant Theatre Company on the occasion of the playwright's 100th birthday.

James Scarborough: Tennessee Williams' Baby Doll at the Elephant Theatre Company in Hollywood James Scarborough 2012

He founded Signature Theatre in 1991 with the idea of devoting each season to a single playwright's body of work.

Action Is Staged, Interaction Is Real Pia Catton 2012