Today’s Highlights:
Red Bull Theater‘s Running of the Bulls Gala, hosted by Santino Fontana, honoring John Lithgow and arts advocate Joanna Cole, at 6 PM at NYC’s Bowery Hotel.
Our Time: Lempicka A Reunion benefit concert, by Carson Kreitzer & Matt Could, directed by Rachel Chavkin, featuring Eden Espinosa, Natalie Joy Johnson, Zoe Glick, Lauren Blackman, Stephen Brower , Holli’ Conway, Abby Matsusaka , Jimin Moon, Ximonse Rose , Nicholas Ward, Veronica Fiaoni ), Michael Milkanin, and Mary Page Nance, at 7 PM at Off-Broadway’s Beechman Theatre.
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Grace Notes quiz: Movie Stars on Broadway by Jim Bernhard
Match these movie stars with their Broadway debuts.
| 1. Al Pacino | A. Proof, 2026 |
| 2. Robert De Niro | B. Lucky Guy, 2013 |
| 3. Denzel Washington | C. Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie?, 1969 |
| 4. Morgan Freeman | D. A Cook for Mr. General, 1961 |
| 5. Don Cheadle | E. Checkmates, 1988 |
| 6. Christopher Walken | F. The Piano Lesson, 1990 |
| 7. Keanu Reeves | G. Hello, Dolly!, 1967 |
| 8. Tom Hanks | H. Waiting for Godot, 2026 |
| 9. Samuel L. Jackson | I. Cuba and His Teddy Bear, 1986 |
| 10. Dustin Hoffman | J. J.B., 1959 |
Scroll down for the answers…
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CT’s Westport Country Playhouse (link TBA) has announced its 2026-27 season. Creative teams and casting TBA.
Pride and Prejudice Part II: Napoleon at Pemberley, (Oct. 20 – Nov. 7), word premiere by by Ken Ludwig, directed by Emily Mann. 
What happens after Elizabeth Bennet marries Mr. Darcy? In this sparkling and wildly imaginative sequel to Jane Austen’s beloved classic, married life at Pemberley is turned upside down when an unexpected houseguest arrives: Napoleon Bonaparte himself. As the fallen emperor awaits exile, his presence ignites intrigue, romance, and revolution among the Darcys and their colorful circle of friends and relations. Filled with wit, romance, and high-spirited comedy, “Pride and Prejudice Part II” blends Austen’s elegant world with a dash of historical adventure, creating a lively ensemble comedy about marriage, ambition, and the thrill of changing one’s destiny.
A Sherlock Carol (Dec. 12-20). The family-friendly holiday show is written and directed by Mark Shanahan, is based on a Sherlock Holmes tale by Sir Arthur Conan and “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. The two literary legends collide when a grown-up Tiny Tim calls on Sherlock Holmes to investigate the mysterious death of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Murder for Two (March 4- 7) by Kellen Blair & Joe Kinosian, directed by Scott Weinstein. A musical-comedy murder mystery with a twist: two actors play 13 roles – and the piano. When a famous novelist is found dead at his own surprise birthday party, it’s up to a small-town police officer to solve the case. With suspects ranging from eccentric party guests to feuding relatives, A fast-paced blend of music, comedy, and clever theatricality.
The Pancake Club (Apr. 20 – May 8), by Charlotte Booker directed by Mark Shanahan. A waitress works at a small-town diner where a group of senior men meet regularly for breakfast, calling themselves the Pancake Club. As Brenda struggles with the sudden death of her oldest friend, the Club members squabble over the eulogy, the widow refuses to grieve, a mysterious stranger threatens the town’s equilibrium, and her only daughter teeters on the brink of a meltdown. Funny, moving, and filled with warmth, this world premiere explores friendship, family, and the question we all face sooner or later: Does anybody ever truly grow up?
The Goldsmith (May 19-22) written & performed by Sharone Sayegh, directed by Zachary Prince. A captivating story through the golden jewelry passed down across generations – from Iraq to Israel and ultimately to America – as she explores identity, belonging, and the complexities of heritage and home.
The Legend of Georgia McBride (July 13 – 31), by Matthew Lopez and directed by Bruce Warren. Casey is an Elvis impersonator, and a really good one. But he’s barely making ends meet and is expecting to become a father soon. When he loses his gig as the King of Rock and Roll, Casey trades in one set of sequins for another, taking a job at a drag club where his life is turned upside down in the most unexpected and dazzling ways.
The Last Ship, by, with a new book by Barney Norris, will run Sept. 22 – Oct. 3 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, directed by Leo Warner.
Sting (Jackie White).
The moving story of a community of shipbuilders in the North East of England, faced with the closure of their shipyard – the heart of their existence.
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The Music Man will run Oct. 27 – Nov. 8 at the Ahmanson Theatre, directed by Matt Lenz, with choreography by Joshua Bergasse.
Elliott Andrews (Professor Harold Hill), Eliabeth D’Aiuto (Marian Paroo), Paul Urriola (Marcellus Washburn), Savannah Stevenson (Mrs. Paroo), Patrick Blashill (Mayor Shinn), Emmanuelle Zeesman (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), and more TBA.
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CT’s Westport Country Playhouse has announced its 2026-27 season:
Pride and Prejudice Part II: Napoleon at Pemberley, (Oct. 20 – Nov. 7), by Ken Ludwig, directed by Emily Mann. What happens after Elizabeth Bennet marries Mr. Darcy? In this sparkling and wildly imaginative sequel to Jane Austen’s beloved classic, married life at Pemberley is turned upside down when an unexpected houseguest arrives: Napoleon Bonaparte himself. As the fallen emperor awaits exile, his presence ignites intrigue, romance, and revolution among the Darcys and their colorful circle of friends and relations. Filled with wit, romance, and high-spirited comedy.
A Sherlock Carol, Dec. 12-20), written & directed by Mark Shanahan, returns by popular demand for its fourth consecutive year. The two literary legends collide when a grown-up Tiny Tim calls on Sherlock Holmes to investigate the mysterious death of Ebenezer Scrooge. This inventive holiday mashup of Dickens and Doyle blends mystery, heart, and humor into a theatrical treat for audiences of all ages.
Murder for Two (Mar 4-7, 2027, by Kellen Blair & Joe Kinosian, directed by Scott Weinstein. A musical-comedy murder mystery with a twist: two actors play 13 roles – and the piano. When a famous novelist is found dead at his own surprise birthday party, it’s up to a small-town police officer to solve the case. With suspects ranging from eccentric party guests to feuding relatives, “Murder for Two” delivers a fast-paced blend of music, comedy, and clever theatricality.
The Pancake Club, (Apr. 20 – May 8), world premiere by Charlotte Booker, directed by Mark Shanahan, starring Judith Ivey. The play explores the struggles of finding connection, navigating family crises, and asks a universal question: Does anyone ever truly grow up?
The Goldsmith, (May 19-22), written & performed by Sharone Sayegh, and directed by Zachary Prince. The play weaves a captivating story through the golden jewelry passed down across generations – from Iraq to Israel and ultimately to America – as she explores identity, belonging, and the complexities of heritage and home.
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Hell’s Kitchen, by Kristoffer Diaz & Alicia Keys, directed by Michael Greif, continues through June 21 at the Pantages Theatre.
Maya Drake (Ali), Kennedy Cuaghell (Jersey), Roz White (Miss Liza Jane) Desmond Sean Ellington (Davis), and Jon Avery Worrell (Knuck) Pantages Theatre.
Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire–searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you’ve never felt before. A love story between a mother and daughter. It’s about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin.
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The Afronauts, written & directed by Ryan Calais Cameron & Monique Touko, will run Nov. 14 – Dec. 19 (opening Nov. 23) at the Royal Court Theatre.
TBA.
Zambia, 1964: the space race has a new contender. As the world’s great powers set their sights on the moon, a schoolteacher gathers a group of misfit dreamers and trains them for lift-off. The Afronauts tells the true(ish) story of the Zambian Space Program, and a nation’s defiant dream to reach for the stars.
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Answers: Grace Notes quiz: Movie Stars on Broadway by Jim Bernhard:
1-C. Al Pacino – Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie?, Bickham, 1969
2-I. Robert De Niro – Cuba And His Teddy Bear, Cuba, 1986
3-E. Denzel Washington – Checkmates, Sylvester Williams, 1988
4-G. Morgan Freeman – Hello, Dolly!, Rudolph (replacement), 1967
5-A. Don Cheadle – Proof, Robert, 2026
6-J-. Christopher Walken – J.B., David, 1959
7-H. Keanu Reeves – Waiting for Godot, Estragon, 20268-B. Tom Hanks – Lucky Guy, Mike McAlary, 2013
8-B. Tom Hanks – Lucky Guy, Mike McAlary, 2013
9-F. Samuel L. Jackson – The Piano Lesson, Boy Willie, Lymon (understudy), 1990
10-D. Dustin Hoffman – A Cook for Mr.General, Ridzinski, 1961