John Greenleaf

Playwright Michael Cormier examines the power of words in The Abolitionist's Refrain a new play about John Greenleaf Whittier, poet and abolitionist. In cooperation with the Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill. Punctuate4 Productions will premiere this new play about American's beloved poet on Saturday, September 10 in two performances at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Pontine Theatre's original production, ISLES OF SHOALS:  the Eternal Sound of the Sea, will play at the historic 1845 Plains Schoolhouse theatre, located at 1 Plains Ave, Portsmouth NH,  18 - 27 March.  Performances are Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm and Sundays at  2pm. 

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at North Coast Repertory Theatre has now been extended through August 19th due to popular demand!

Excitement has been running so high for North Coast Rep's Season 36 closer, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. The theatre has already extended the beloved musical by one week to accommodate the ticket requests. Composer Stephen Sondheim has created a laugh-a-minute audience favorite with songs such as "Comedy Tonight," "Lovely" and "Everyone Ought to Have a Maid." Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, FORUM was written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, who based their farce on the over-the-top antics of the Roman slave Pseudolus, who will do anything to win his freedom and bring two lovers together. Tickets are already flying out the door, so it's best to order early.

Helen VanEck Holub's new book, Guided by the Spirit ($14.99, paperback, 9781602668713) is a book of inspirational Christian poetry and short stories citing various Psalms. It offers comfort and warmth to those who need it, citing ways in which God guides and loves us all. Inspiring to readers who may wish to also write poetry or love the Lord, especially those who have been through some kind of sorrow in their lives and need consolation.

North Coast Repertory Theatre proudly presents THE ILLUSION, hailed by The New York Times as "Fantastical…takes your breath away." Legendary playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America) displays his brilliance in this wildly inventive tour de force, which celebrates the magic and illusory nature of theatre. Employing crackling, contemporary language and sheer artistry, Kushner creates this most joyfully theatrical play: a supremely entertaining tale of passion, regret, love and magic. Freely adapted from Pierre Corneille's L'Illusion Comique, THE ILLUSION was praised by Chicago Theatre Beat as "hilarious, dreamlike and startlingly poignant".

North Coast Repertory Theatre proudly presents THE ILLUSION, hailed by The New York Times as "Fantastical…takes your breath away." Legendary playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America) displays his brilliance in this wildly inventive tour de force, which celebrates the magic and illusory nature of theatre. Employing crackling, contemporary language and sheer artistry, Kushner creates this most joyfully theatrical play: a supremely entertaining tale of passion, regret, love and magic. Freely adapted from Pierre Corneille's L'Illusion Comique, THE ILLUSION was praised by Chicago Theatre Beat as "hilarious, dreamlike and startlingly poignant".

Hasty entrances and exits, jealousy bordering on paranoia, a philandering husband, hypnotism, a spurned lover and a scandalous discovery. Here is classic French farce as only North Coast Rep can do it! NOW YOU SEE IT, written by the French master of the form, Georges Feydeau, in a brilliant translation by British playwright Kenneth McLeish, takes audiences on a dizzying escapade. Furiously fast and clever, this visual and verbal treat is guaranteed to tickle your funny bone. You won't want to miss this hilarious  U.S. premiere.

DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton at the Ricoh Arena - Coventry. Located in the Ricoh Arena, home of Aviva Premiership Rugby club Wasps, and where professional football team Coventry City Football Club also play, the hotel is situated in the heart of the UK.

DoubleTree by Hilton today celebrated the opening of its first hotel & spa in Liverpool, which is housed in the Municipal Annexe building, a unique, recently-restored Grade II listed building in the heart of the city. The Hilton Worldwide upscale brand now boasts more than 25 locations across the U.K.

In celebration of National Cookie Month in October, DoubleTree by Hilton is partnering with Amtrak, the nation's leading rail operator, to deliver 'sweet rides' throughout the month as part of the hotel brand's ongoing global Cookie Care campaign. Partnering with the Amtrak Guest Rewards team, DoubleTree by Hilton will delight passengers on select routes across the U.S., sharing thousands of its signature chocolate chip cookies that welcome guests at DoubleTree by Hilton hotels around the world.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) announced today the signing of two franchise license agreements to convert two Hoteles Cosmos hotels in Bogotá into DoubleTree by Hilton properties, marking the entry of the brand into Colombia. DoubleTree by Hilton Bogotá Parque 93 and DoubleTree by Hilton Bogotá Calle 100 are expected to open in December 2015 and February 2016, respectively. Both hotels will be operated by Cosmos Hotels, one of Colombia's most-recognized hotel brands for over thirty years.

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT) announced today the signing of a franchise license agreement to open DoubleTree by Hilton Hilo-Naniloa, which will join DoubleTree by Hilton's 100,000-room portfolio and nearly 40,000-room global pipeline. The oceanfront property, formerly the Hilo Naniloa Hotel and Golf Club, will undergo an $18.5 million large-scale transformation. The 12-story, 3-tower, 388-room property plans to fully convert in December 2015.

This Friday, May 15, DoubleTree by Hilton will take National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day global with an international cookie blitz to surprise unsuspecting travelers with tens of thousands of the brand's iconic chocolate chip and walnut cookies - the same signature greeting that is offered to each guest at check-in at DoubleTree by Hilton hotels worldwide. Whether journeying by air or ground, DoubleTree by Hilton is setting out to give travelers a sweet ride in honor of the day, teaming up with some of the world's leading transportation partners, including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental, to brighten travelers' days with free cookies at select airport locations in North America, the UK and Australia. Additionally, DoubleTree by Hilton invites anyone to walk into any of its more than 415 hotels around the world for a free cookie throughout the day - with or without a reservation.

Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette, located near the city's vibrant downtown and less than three miles from Lafayette Regional Airport. Formerly a Hilton hotel, the property has undergone a $12 million transformation that includes a total redesign of the lobby, updated guest rooms, new furniture throughout the public areas, renovated pool and sun deck, reconstructed porte-cochère and revamped restaurant and bar concepts. The hotel is owned by Garrison Wright Prop Co JV LLC and managed by Hospitality Management Advisors.

Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of The Hollis Halifax - a DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel, the brand's first property in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The former Radisson Suite Hotel Halifax debuts a $7 million dollar renovation that includes sleek, modern design updates throughout the property. Only 33 kilometers south of Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the nine-story hotel is situated in the heart of downtown Halifax, just one block from the historic Halifax Waterfront where travelers discover the rich cultural experience that makes Halifax a desired destination. The hotel is owned and managed by Manga Hotels.

Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Agra in one of the leading tourist destinations in India, renowned for its many Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal. With this launch, Hilton Worldwide has a presence across the Golden Triangle, the most popular tourist circuit in the country, with hotels in Delhi NCR, Jaipur and Agra. The hotel is owned by Archer Hospitality Private Limited and managed by Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of the new DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne - Flinders Street, the brand's first property in Melbourne. Previously the Citigate Melbourne, the hotel debuts as a DoubleTree by Hilton following a comprehensive multi-million dollar refurbishment to create a comfortable, modern boutique-style 180-room hotel, taking its design cues from its location in the heart of cool, urban Melbourne and its famous neighbour, Flinders Street Station. The hotel is owned by M&L Hospitality and managed by Hilton Worldwide.