This Weekend’s Highlights:

Friday, October 30

  Dear Evan Hansen, directed by Stephen C. Anthony, featuring Tyler Donovan McCall (Evan Hansen), Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama (“Zoe Murphy), Nic Hermick (Connor Murphy),  Gabriel Vernon Nunag (Jared Kleinman), Analisa Idalia (Alana Beck,), Gwen Hollander (Heidi Hansen), Jill Van Velzer (Cynthia Murphy), and Josh Adamson (Larry Murphy),  with Amanda Angeles, Trent Mills, Michael Raul Perez, and Toni Elizabeth White, previews at CA’s La Mirada Theatre.

Saturday, October 31

    A Killer Night in Studio City, an immersive murder mystery plus dinner, by Kevin Allen Jackson & Kristine Dickson, directed by Noah Blake, featuring Anthony Carro, Brianna Kellum, Brittany Pirozzoli, Scott Striegel, Sarah Wolter,Kevin Allen Jackson and Joey Stromberg, closes at Studio City’s Vitello’s.

Sunday, November 1

  You Will Be Found benefit concert, hosted &music directed by Brad Ellis, featuring Eydie Alyson, Terron Brooks, Robin DeLano, Kate Flannery, Dianne Fraser, Caitlin Gallogly, Shelly Goldstein, Valerie Perri, Hayley Silver and James Snyder ……  and Co-Hosted by Carla Renata, at 7:30 PM LA’s Catalina Jazz Club.

  Anon, by Ann Washburn, directed by Anne  Kauffman, featuring Jeremy Shamos, Crystal Finn, Jeff Bieh, Ander Garman, and Pzabel Mar, closes at Off-Broadway’s MCC Theatre.

  Elysians Fields – A New Musical, world premiere by Steve Fisher & Marc Fliedner, directed by Andrew Coopman featuring Anthony Wayne (Black-Eyed Suzie), Harrison Drake (Abe/Lincoln), and Alexander Ullian (Josh/Speed), with Matt Allen, Kobe Brown, Melanie Gertzman, Dinanda Klaassen, Ethan Mathias, Madison Merlenti, and Franca Vercelloni, and ensemble members Charley Bazz, Kim Hale, Jaymi Horn, Ryan John, Casey Johnson, Jillian Mustillo, Jeff Parsons, Elizabeth Rose, and Rew Starr, closes at Off Broadway’s American Theatre of Actors.

  Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, by Dylan Marcaurele, directed by Alan Kliffer, featuring Jay Armstrong Johnson (Ilya Rozanov) and Jimin Moon (Shane Hollander), with Ryann Redmond, Cherry torres, and Ryan Duncan,  closes at Off-Broadway’s The Club (530 West 27th St., 6th floor).

  Measure for Measure, directed by Psalmayene 24, featuring Renea S. Brown (Isabella), Nathan Darrow (The Duke), JaBen Early (Claudio), Jonathan Feuer (Lucio), Sean Fri (Provost), Maryanne Henderson (Juliet),Ahmad Kamal (Pompey), Lee Osorio (Angelo), Chinai Routté (Mistress Overdone/Francisca), Ryan Sellers (Elbow), John Sygar (Froth), Holly Twyford (Escalus), and Renee Elizabeth Wilson (Mariana, closes at DC’s Folger Theatre. 

  Footloose, directed by directed by Stephen Mear, featuring Keyon Pickett ( Ren McCormack, Maddie Robert (Ariel Moore), Victoria Byrd  (Urleen), Allyson Kaye Daniel (Lulu Warnicker), Rae Davenport (Ethel McCormack), Jackey Good (Vi Moore), Olivia Hellman (Rusty), Steven Koehler (Rev. Shaw Moore,) Niki Metcalf (Wendy Jo), Justin Wolfe Smith (Chuck Cranston), Steve Watts (Wes Warnicker),  Carson Zoch ((Willard Hewit), with Manuel Abreú (Garvin), Matthew Callas (Travis), Marjorie Failoni (Eleanor Dunbar/Betty Blast), Nicolas Garza (Cowboy Bob), Galen Graff  Bickle), Dimonte Henning (Coach Dunbar), Andre Lajevardi (Lyle), James Patterson  (Principal Clark), and Tarrick Walker (Jeter), with Giulia Marolda, RafaelaTorchia, Kate Turner, Jazmin WilkinsAdam Moxness and Stephanie Staszak, closes at Milwaukee Rep.

    Kaiju, world premiere by Dan Caffrey, directed by Ken Sawyer, featuring Cherish Monique Duke (Apex/Amelia), Leandro Cano (Goilath/Manual), Gloria Ines (Lee), Jon Snow (Roy), Milly Baker (Kyle), Noa Lev-Ari (Sondra, Ann Hearn (Maggie), and Sapna Kumar (Rani), closes at North Hollywood’s Road Theatre.

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   The world premiere of This World of Tomorrow, by Tom Hanks & James Hoffman, will begin previews in Fall 2027 (at a theatre  TBA) and open (on a date TBA), directed by Kenny Leon.

  Tom Hanks and Kelly O’Hara.

 In this electrifying new time-travel romance, it’s the end of the 21st century and Bert Allenberry is determined to change his future by returning to the past. When Bert journeys back—again, and again, and again—to one remarkable day at the 1939 New York World’s Fair in Queens, he discovers that the future is shaped not by technology, but by the choices we make for love.

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   LA Opera‘s Candide, will run  Nov 21 – Dec 13  at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion,  conducted by Lina González-Granados,

  Duke Kim (Candide), Meghan Picerno (Cunegonde), Patti LuPone (Old Lady), Mario Manzo ( (Maximilian / Father), Kristen Choi (Paquette), Katie Trigg (Baroness / Vanderdendur), Vinícius Costa (James / Martin), Samuel Wallace (Cacambo), and Bernard Holcomb (Barron/Don Issachar/Govenor), with Erin Alford,  Erin Alford, Andrea Beason, Julia Harnett, Amber Liekhus, Peter Murphy, and David Prottas.

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   Gingold Theatrical Goup‘s  annual Golden Shamrock Award Gala will take place Fri. Dec. 18 at 6 PM at Off-Broadway’s The Players, directed byDavid Staller.

  Dr. Mary L. Trump

Performers and additional information TBA.

Today’s Highlights:

  Our Sinatra, a musical celebration, directed by Kurt Stamm, featuring Eric Comstock, Christopher Gines, and Hilary Kole, closes at Off-Broadway’s Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre

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   The Cenci, by Perci Bysshe Shelley, will take place live Nov. 5 & on-demand (through Nov.15) at 7 PM at NYC’s Symphony Space, directed by Eleanor Holdridge.

   Blaize Adler-Ivanbrook, Amir Arison, Robert Cuccioli, Carol Halstead, Anthony Michael Lopez, Ella Loudon, Jason Sanchez, David Ryan Smith, Derek Smith, and Raphael Nash Thompson.

  The great English Romantic poet Percy Shelley transports us to corrupt and sumptuous Renaissance Rome with a ripped-from-the-headlines verse drama, set within the noble household of Count Cenci, a tyrannical patriarch with a virtuous daughter Beatrice. After two of his sons are brutally killed, Cenci celebrates by throwing a banquet, toasting their spilled blood with wine. Fearful for her own life, when Beatrice pleads protection from their guests and is denied—and when she finds out her lover Orsino has betrayed her for the priesthood—she concocts a desperate plot to take control of her own destiny.

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   Passing Strange, byStew & Heidi Rodewald, will run Nov. 4-29 at Pasadena Playhouse, directed by Zhailon Levingston.

  Brittany Campbell, Johnny Laveie, Devere Rogers, and Tanerélle.

   young artist is searching for the real, but he can’t seem to find it at home in South Central LA. He sets out on a cross-continental journey of self-discovery  full of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll in search of a life that’s bigger, louder, and entirely his own.

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   You Will be Found concert, in support of NAMI Greater Los Angeles, will take place Sun. Nov. 1, at 7:30 PM at LA’s Catalina Jazz Club, with music direction by Brad Ellis, and hosted by Carla Renata

.

   Eydie Alyson, Terron Brooks, Robin DeLano, Kate Flannery, Dianne Fraser, Caitlin Gallogly, Shelly Goldstein, Valerie Perri, Hayley Silver and James Snyder.

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   LA OPera‘s production of Carmen, conucted by Domingo Hindoyan, continues through Nov. 7  at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

  Rihab Chaieb (Carmen), Joshua Guerrero (Don José), Kathleen O’Mara ( Micaëla), and James Karai (Escamillo).

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  A performance of Broke  Bitch Got Rich, written & perofromed by Betsy Cox, will take place Wed. Nov. 6 at 9 PM at  Santa Monica Playhouse.

  In this hilarious and moving memoir, comedienne Betsy Cox escorts the audience through her impoverished Louisiana childhood, bringing her crazy family to life through punchline-packed character work and raw storytelling. From poverty to the humiliation of her undiagnosed ADHD, she spins tragedy into comedy that’s brutally honest, wildly funny, and unexpectedly empowering — a fearless solo show that’s as inspiring as it is balls-out.

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  The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will present A Very Dolly Holliday  Dec. 12-13 at the Beverly Hills Saban Theatre.

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   Anon, by Ann Washburn, directed by Anne  Kauffman, continues through Nov. 1 at MCC Theatre.

  eJremy Sahamos, Crystal Finn, Jeff Bieh. Ander Garman, and Pzabel Mar.

   The play takes place in Antonio, Texas, in the weeks leading up to the 2024 presidential election.

When a gay pride flag is unfurled across the street from Jeanie, an increasingly online TikToker in a suburb in Texas, two seemingly different households…freak out. How well do  you know the people you live among, and with, in an America where the line between fantasy and reality has become increasingly optional?

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   Five Star Theatricles will present Kris Lythgoe’s  Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish Dec. 11 – 27 at Thousand Oak’s Bank of America’s Performing Ars Center, directed by Becky Lythgoe.

  Darcy Rose Byrnes (Rapunzel,), Zachary Young (Prince Sebastian), Missi Pyle (Prince Sebastian), tom Lenk (Simon), Johan Shartzer (Sniville), and Ceron Jones (B B Bouffant), with Maya Consiglio, Deven Fuller, Jules Mckelvey,  Layla Krugh, Alice Kiloron and Madison North.

  A magical new adventure full of laughter, music, audience participation, and outrageous fun. Join Rapunzel on a tangled journey filled with pop hits, larger-than-life characters, and plenty of holiday surprises.

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   Simply Barbara Celebrates A Star is Born 50th Anniversary will take place Sat. Nov. 14 at 8 PM at NYC’s Hunt and Fish Club  (125 W 44th St.), starring Steven Brinberg.

Today’s Highlights:

  Illene Graff: Travelin’ thru: A Roadmap of Gratitude concert at 7 PM at LA’s Catalina Jazz Club.

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   Broadway Grosses for the week ending Oct. 25.

Click here for the complete analysis.

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   Little Women, directed by Cate Caplin, will run Nov. 6-22 at CA’s Musical theatre West.

  Jenna Lea Rosen (Jo Marsh), Katie roche (Meg March), Haven Watts (Beth March), Jordan Cruz (Amy March), Tammi Tappan Damiano (Marmee March), Ariel Neydavoud (Theodore “Laurence), Jonathan Mering (Prfessor Bhaer), Araon Gibbs (Mr. John Brooke), Barabara Carlton Heart IAunt March), and Martin Kildare (Mr. Laurence.

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   Due to a cast illness,Broadway’s Down State, directed by Joe Mantello, will now begin previews Oct. 28 and open Nov. 15 at the Booth Theatre. The closing date remains on Jan. 10, 2027.

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   Annie will run Oct. 30 – Dec. 27 at CT’s Goodspeed, directed by Jenn Thompson.

   Emily Skinner (Miss Hannigan), and more TBA.

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   The recent Hudson Valley Dance Festival has raised $236,189 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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    Anon, by Ann Washburn, continues through Nov. 1 at MCC Theatre., directed by Anne Kauffman.

   Jeremy Sahamos, Crystal Finn, Jeff Bieh. Ander Garman, and Pzabel Mar.

  Jeanie, a Texas housewife and mother whose reality is increasingly warped by social media rabbit holes and QAnon/right-wing conspiracy theories.

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   Video:  Highlights from Rock of Ages at Bucks County Playhouse.

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   Listen here to Emily Bear’s new song “God forbid a Girl Gets Used to This”

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   Romeo and Juliet: Time Enough for Love, conceived, written & directed by  Christian Lebano, will run Nov. 12 – Dec. 19 (opening  Nov. 13) at the Open Fist Theatre Company.

  Allana Barton, Samantha Bennett, Luke Bolle, Sam Cowan, Emma Fassler,  Hutchins Foster, James Fowler, Paul Ganus, Matthew Goodrich, Gabrielle Grant,  Natalia Jofre, Daniel Lench, Elijah Reyes, Melanie Rockwell, Stephen Rockwell,  Barbara Schofield, Sebastian Senatore, Maliyah Tejada and Richard Van Slyke.

  Theeternal tale of lovers caught between their families and their love—with a new twist. What happens when Romeo and Juliet fall in love at 75 instead of 14? With Shakespeare’s original language intact, the play transforms Shakespeare’s Verona into Verona Village, a South Florida retirement community for active seniors, where star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet must navigate romance, family interference and social expectations later in life — revealing how Shakespeare’s words resonate differently when spoken by older adults.

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   Passing Strange, by Stew & Heidi Rodewald, will run Nov. 4 – 29 (opening Nov. 8) at Pasadena Playhouse, directed by Zhailon Leveingston.

   Taylor (Narrator), Britton Smith (Youth), Saycon Cenbloh (Mosther), Brtittany Campbell (Desi/Sherry/renata),  Johnny Lavie (Christophe/hugo Terry Reverend Jones), Devere Rogers (Mar. Franklin Jones/Joop/Mr. Venus), and Tanerélle (Edwina Williams, Marianna, Sudabey).

   A young artist is searching for the real, but he can’t seem to find it at home in South Central LA. He sets out on a cross-continental journey of self-discovery full of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll in search of a life that’s bigger, louder, and entirely his own.

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   Small Mouth Sounds, by Bess Wohl, will begin previews Feb. 10, 2027, and open Mar. 11 at the Barrymore Theatre, directed by Joe Mantello.

  Julia Roberts, Paul Rudd, Sarah Paulson, Martin Freeman, Greta Lee, and Isaac Powell.

 Six strangers arrive at an upstate spiritual retreat determined to escape their problems, turn inward, and transform their lives. Spoiler: it does not go according to plan. As personal baggage spills everywhere, personalities clash, and unexpected desires take hold, Bess Wohl’s play is revealed as both a startlingly original and profoundly affecting work about the search for wholeness in a broken world.

Today’s Highlights:

  The Music Man, directed byJoshua Bergasse, featuring Elliott Andrews (Professor Harold Hill), Elizabeth D’Aiuto  (Marian Paroo), Paul Urriola (Marcellus Washburn), Savannah Stevenson (Mrs. Paroo), Patrick Blashill (Mayor Shinn), Emmanuelle Zeesman (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), Dylan Patterson (Winthrop Paroo), Addie Jaymes (Amaryllis), Michael Santora (Charlie Cowell), Charles Antenen (Tommy Djilas), and more,  opens at LA’s Ahmanson Theatre.

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   The History Boys, by  Alan Bennett, will run Apr. 10  – July 24, 2027 at The Theatre Royal  Haymarket, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

    TBA.

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   The History Boys, by Alan Bennett, will run  Apr. 10 – July 24, 2027 at Theatre Royal Haymarket, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

  TBA.

  Set against a backdrop of 1980s Britain, Alan Bennett’s history-making play tracks the course of eight schoolboys at an all-boys Grammar School in Sheffield, as they navigate sex, school politics and their teachers’ intellectual battle of wills. Poignant, subversive and deeply funny, The History Boys explores sexuality, adolescence and the nature of history, challenging the purpose of education whilst reflecting the changing face of England.

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    Nacho Ate Spiderman, by Michelle Kholos Brooks & Casey Stangl, will run  Nov. 7  – Dec. 20 at Santa Monica’s Ruskin Group Theatre, directed by Stangl.

  Sharon Lawrence, Dann Florek, Matthew Scott Montgomery, and Jamie Pierce.

   Spiderman—an award-winning, free-range rabbit—is missing. The prime suspect? Nacho, the shaggy rescue dog next door who has recently developed a troubling interest in what lies beyond the fence. What begins as a neighborly conversation about pets, boundaries and one suspiciously large hole quickly spirals into accusations, shifting alliances, whiskey, cashew cheese, and the uncomfortable realization that being a good neighbor is a lot easier when nobody is testing the fence. This wickedly funny new West Coast premiere about good intentions, bad behavior, and what happens when civilized people stop being quite so civilized.

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    The Farce Awakens: Feydeau x 2 will run Nov. 4 – Jan. 17, 2027 (opening  Nov. 6) at the Odyssey Theatre, directed by Daniel Passer.

 Rachel Avery, Justin Blanchard, Barry Del Sherman, Julie Mann, Ryan Nebreja, and Kody Nelson.

  An evening of two high-octane one-acts by master French farceur Georges Feydeau thatblend madness, mayhem and unexpected twists to reveal the often amusing frustrations of relationships and married life, as people pushed to their limits behave in increasingly outrageous and hilarious ways.Two hilarious one-acts take marriage and relationships to absurdity in high-octane Feydeau double bill.

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   A screening of The Importance of Being Earnest will take place Sat. Nov 14 at 7:30  PM at LA’s The Wallis, directed by Max Webster.

   Sharon D Clarke and Ncuti Gatwa.

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   Kaiju, by Dan Daffrey, will now run through Nov. 22 at North Hollywood’s Senior Arts Colony, directed by Ken Sawyer.

    Cherish Monique Duke a(Apex/Amelia),Leandro Cano (Goliath/Manuel), Genki Hall (Shinji), Billy Baker(Kyle),  Gabie Faulkner (Lee), Ann Hearn (Maggie, Sapna Kumar (Rani), Noa Lev-Ari (Sondra),  and Jon Snow (Roy).  Alternate Cast:   Rafi Perez (Apex/Amelia), Danny Bernardo (Goliath/Manuel),Shaun Toisan (Shinji), Ethan Haslam (Kyle), Victoria Hoffman a*Maggie,) vy Khan as “Rani,” Krista Conti as (Sondra), and Troy Guthrie (Roy).

   Two gigantic, mythical monsters have just destroyed the city. Amid the chaos and destruction, a debate ensues.  A funny and audacious takedown of the sometimes pretentious nature of art and culture, KAIJU also presents a pointed examination of power and artistic responsibility in our current world.

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   Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn will run Nov. 19 – Jan. 3, 2027 at  PA’s Bucks County Playhouse, directed by Nick Corley & Shea Sullivan.

  Kelly Liz Bolick, Caro Daye Attayek, Cecilia Snow, David Nick Alea, Bobby Mac, John Reed, Brandon J. Morris, Danny Feldman, Maddie Hewgley, Gabriel Hobbs, Kayla Kwok-Jun Nielsen, and Liesl Landegger.

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   Nacho Ate Spiderman, by Michelle Kholos Brooks, will begin previews Nov. 4 and open  Nov. 7 at the Ruskin Group Theatre, directed b Casey Stangl.

  Sharon Lawrence (Devorah) LaDann Florek (Xander), Sharon Lawrence (Devorah),  Matthew Scott Montgomery (Brad 2), and Jamie Pierce (Brad 1).

  Spiderman—an award-winning, free-range rabbit—is missing. The prime suspect? Nacho, the shaggy rescue dog next door who has recently developed a troubling interest in what lies beyond the fence. What begins as a neighborly conversation about pets, boundaries and one suspiciously large hole quickly spirals into accusations, shifting alliances, whiskey, cashew cheese, and the uncomfortable realization that being a good neighbor is a lot easier when nobody is testing the fence. This wickedly funny new West Coast premiere about good intentions, bad behavior, and what happens when civilized people stop being quite so civilized stars Sharon Lawrence, Dann Florek, Matthew Scott Montgomery, and Jamie Pierce. Performances are schedule opens on Saturday, November 7^th at the new Ruskin Group Theatre Arts Center in Santa Monice, CA.

Today’s Highlights:

  An Evening with Tituss Burgess concert, at 7:3-0 PM at NYC’s 92nd Street Y.

  The Peterson Show, world premiere by Janine Nabers, directed by Michelle Bossy, featuring Kelly McCreary, Tamberla Perry,and, John Clarence Stewart, Kristen Ariza, Deanna Reed-Foster, and Journee Rose, closes at LA’s Atwater Village Theatre.

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   Grace Notes Quiz:  Murder Weapons, by Jim Bernhard

Provide the missing weapon in these show titles:

Scroll down for the answers…

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   A reading of Barba: Brazilian Body percussion Musical, by Kim Bixler, Carlos Bauzys & Cernando Barba, with music direction by Carlos Bauzys. will take place Tues. Nov. 17 at Noon at NYC’s Open Jar Studios, directed by Carlos Armesto.

  Kianna Batista, Amy Sabrina López Conde, Elias Husiak, Nathan Leitão, Max Pollak, Senna Prasatthong, Vin Ramos, Alyssa Redenburg, Jon Rodéz, Corina Sabbas, Hikari Salgado, Alice Reys, André Sguerra and Aimara Torres.

 An ensemble-driven theatrical experience inspired by the real-life Brazilian body music group Barbatuques and their founder, Fernando Barba. After a life-altering diagnosis, the group is invited to perform a make-or-break concert that could secure—or end—their future. Divided by grief and uncertainty, they must decide if they can continue without the man who defined their sound. Blending explosive rhythm with storytelling, BARBA: Brazilian Body Percussion Musical builds to a powerful realization: the heartbeat of their sound was never one man—it was always the collective.

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   The Who’s Tommy will run Oct. 27 – Nov. 15 at  the Pantages Theatre. directed by Des McAnuff.

   Collin Matthew Flanagan (Tommy Walker), Zach Fogel (Captain Walker), Mia Bergstrom (Ms. Walker), Peyton Cassity (Uncle Ernie), Myle McFalls (Cousin Kevin), Kris Lyons (Acid Queen), Audrey Fisher (Sally Simpson), and Mari Grossman (Little Tommy).

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    Gertrude, Or Asparagus Soup In August, a historical horror fantasy, by Daphne Rubin-Vega, will run Feb, 3 – 14, 2027, at 59E59 Theatres,       directed by Aaron Mark.

   Daphne Rubin-Vega.

   In 1914, Gertrude Carlton’s husband, Julian, murdered seven people at Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal home and studio in Wisconsin. She was held in custody for two weeks, given $7, put on a train to Chicago, and was never heard from again. Finally, Gertrude reveals her side of the infamour story that’s been debated for over a hundred years. The playconfronts class, race ,celebrity, and the bloody consequences of the American Dream.

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   LA Opera‘s Candide, conducted by Lina González-Granados, will run  Nov. 21 – Dec. 13 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

  Duke Kim (Candide), Meghan Picerno (Cunegonde), Patti LuPone (Old Lady), Mario Manzo ( (Maximilian / Father), Kristen Choi (Paquette), Katie Trigg (Baroness / Vanderdendur), Vinícius Costa (James / Martin), Samuel Wallace (Cacambo), and Bernard Holcomb (Barron/Don Issachar/Govenor), with Erin Alford,  Erin Alford, Andrea Beason, Julia Harnett, Amber Liekhus, Peter Murphy, and David Prottas.

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   A reading of Christopher’s Franciosa will take place Mon. Nov. 16 at 7 PM at Beverly Hills’ Theatre Forty (link TBA), directed by Randy Brenner.

  Marissa Burgoyne, Christopher Franciosa, Lilli Passero, Meagan Prahl, John Shartzer and Kristin Towers-Rowles.

   A typical Westside L.A. family dealing with typical problems: race riots, running for the Senate, white privilege, liver transplantation, and feng shui.  And it’s a comedy.

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   Grace Notes Quiz Answers:  Murder Weapons, by Jim Bernhard

 1-D. The Big Knife, play by Clifford Odets

 2-H. The Poison Tree, play by Ronald Ribman

 3-J. Rope’s End, play by Patrick Hamilton

 4-I. The Silver Cord, play by Sidney Howard

 5-A. The Terrible Swift Sword, play by Arthur Steuer

 6-C. The Dagger and the Cross, play by Brownlow Hill

 7-F. Handful of Fire, play by N. Richard Nash

 8-G. The Girl Behind the Gun, musical by P. G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, and Ivan Caryll

 9-E. Arsenic and Old Lace, play by Joseph Kesselring

10. ‘Twixt Axe and Crown,play by Tom Taylor

This Weekend’s Highlights:

Friday, Oct. 23

  American Sound Takes Flight –  from Aaron Copland to Paul Simon, with music direction by Rachael Worby, featuring Brandon Victor Dixon, and Liv Redpatth, opens at LA’s The The Wallis.

Saturday, Oct. 24

  Thelma & Louise, world premiere reimagined by Raphael Amahl Khouri, directed by Trip Cullman, featuring Amy Lennox (Thelma) and Rachel Tucker Louise),with Trevor Dion Nicholas, Jordan Luke Gage,  Samuel Edwards, Alex Gibson-Giorgio, Letita Hector, Tamlyn Henderson and Jack Butterworth, closes at London’s Young Vic.

  American Sound Takes Flight –  from Aaron Copland to Paul Simon, with music direction by Rachael Worby, featuring Brandon Victor Dixon, and Liv Redpatth, closes at LA’s The The Wallis.

Sunday,  Oct. 25

  Goodtime Charlie, by Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Danny Sharron, featuring  Sherz Aletaha, Timothy Bagley (Lou), , Nicholas Barrón, Michael Cristoferr (Sheldon), Ryan J. Haddad (Ryan), Beth Malone (Janice), Nael Nacer (Charlie Sr./ Bob), Artemis Pebdani (Joan / Judy), and Jonathan Raviv (Charlie), with Doug Shapiro, closes at Off-Broadway’s Public Theatre.

  All My Sons, directed by Scott Edmiston, featuring Bill Mootos (Joe Keller), Laura Marie Duncan (Kate Keller), Mark Souza (Chris Keller),  Ann Ceever (Josephine Morshiri Elwood), Quinton Kappel (Geroge Deever), Allison Beauregard (Sue Bayliss), Chris Heuisler (Dr. Jim Bayliss), Cara Clough (Lidia Lubey), Eric mcGowan Frank Lubey), and Julian Hirshfield (Bert), closes at Boston’s Lyric Stage.

  Buyer and Cellar, by Jonathan Tolins, directed by Jamie Torcellini, featuring Brian McDonald, closes at Santa Barbara’s Ensemble Theatre.

  Gingold Theatrical Group‘s readings of Bernard Shaw’s Village Wooing, directed by David Staller, featuring Maryann Plunkett and Jay O. Sanders, concludes at Off-Broadway’s Symphony Space.

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  The Dog Show: Come. Sit. Stay, by David Javerbaum, directed by Richard Israel, continues through Feb. 2, 2027 at the TheTriad.

  Seth Rudetsky,  Gizel Jiménez, Angela Reed, and .J. Shively.

   Actors perform a series of monologues from the dogs’ perspective, giving voice to the thoughts, feelings, opinions, and obsessions that humans can only imagine. How do dogs really feel about taking baths? Sticking their heads out of car windows? Working as police dogs? And, most importantly, sniffing another dog’s behind? Trhough these imaginded
canine perspectives, The Dog Show explores the wonderfully strange world of dogs, and the very human tendency to see ourselves in them through loyalty, love, and zest for life.

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   North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre celebrates 100  years with a Star-studded Birthday Spectacular, directed by Jason Graae, on Sat. Nov. 28 at 7 PM.

   Frank Ferrante, Jason Graae, Heather Lee, Beth Malone, Lesli Margherita, Faith Prince, Jenna Lea Rosen and Natalie Wachen, with Aunt Chippie, Ed Begley, Jr., Fritz Coleman, Ruta Lee, Jo Anne Worley and more.

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   Red Bull Theater’s How Shakespeare Saved My Life, written & performed by Jacob Ming-Trent, directed by Tony Taccone, continues through Oct. 25   at the   Theater.

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   A free reading of Michael Fishman’s The Bird is Done will take place Mon. Nov. 7 at 7 PM at Off-Broadway’s Theater for the New City, followed by a talk-back.

Donations will be greatly appreciated.

  Marilyn Chris, Mitch Poulos and Liz Keifer.

  What happens when a family gathers for Thanksgiving hoping to bury old grudges, only to discover that some wounds run deeper than anyone imagined?  This new family dramedy  serves up a holiday feast of combustible personalities, long-simmering resentments, uncomfortable revelations and unexpected tenderness.

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   Elysians Fields – A New Musical, world premiere by Steve Fisher & Marc Fliedner, continues through Nov. 1 at the American Theatre of Actors (Cullum Theatre), directed by Andrew Coopman.

  Anthony Wayne (Black-Eyed Suzie), Harrison Drake (Abe/Lincoln), and Alexander Ullian (Josh/Speed), with Matt Allen, Kobe Brown, Melanie Gertzman, Dinanda Klaassen, Ethan Mathias, Madison Merlenti, and Franca Vercelloni, and ensemble members Charley Bazz, Kim Hale, Jaymi Horn, Ryan John, Casey Johnson, Jillian Mustillo, Jeff Parsons, Elizabeth Rose, and Rew Starr.

   The pice tells two love stories across two centuries: the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Fry Speed in 19th-century America, and a modern-day couple, Abe and Josh, preparing to marry in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2016, the year marriage equality reached all 50 states. Black-Eyed Suzie, the larger-than-life drag queen hostess of the Blue Moon Kentucky Club, guides audiences between eras.

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    Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Jamie Lloyd, will open Nov. 19 at the Wintergarden Theatre.

 Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell, with Mason Alexander Park.

Today’s Highlights:

  PHYL, by Cecily Hamilton, directed by Britt Berke, featuring Tessa Bilmes, Jennifer Blood, Curaon Dobell, Katie Firth Lily Ganser, Livvy Marcus, Anthony Michael Martinez, Zalia Sulla, and Charlotte Ledtje, opens at Off-Broadway’s Mint Theatre.

  Gingold Theatrical Group‘s readings of Bernard Shaw’s Village Wooing, directed by David Staller, featuring Maryann Plunkett and Jay O. Sanders and a rotating cast, begins at Off-Broadway’s Symphony  Space.

  Fallen Angels (Broadway production), featuring Rose Byrne (Jane Banbury), Kelli O’Hara (Julia Sterroll), Gracee Chimo (Saunders), Mark Consuelos (Maurice Duclos), Christopher Fitzgerald (Willy Banbury), andAsaif Mandvi (Fred Sterroll, with Max Gordon Moore, christopher Innvar, and Larua Shoop, released in movie theaters worldwide.

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   Purpose, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, will run Nov. 11- Dec. 20 (opening Nov. 19) at the Geffen Playhouse, directed by Phylicia Rashad.

   Alana Arenas (Morgan Jasper), Glenn Davis (Solomon “Junior” Jasper) Jon Michael Hill (Nazareth “Naz” Jasper), LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Claudine Jasper)  Harry Lennix (Solomon “Sonny” Jasper) and Kara Young (Aziza Houston), with Jon Michael Hill, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, Nija Okoro & Kara Young.

    Alana Aren (Windfall), David Makes  (Morgan Jasper),  Glenn Davis (Solomon Junior” Jasper; )Jon Michael Hill (The Mountaintop, Superior Donuts) as Nazareth “Naz” Jasper; LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous; A Raisin in the Sun) as Claudine Jasper; Harry Lennix (The Matrix series, Justice League) as Solomon “Sonny” Jasper; and Kara Young (Is God Is, Purlie Victorious) , with Nija Okoro.

  The Jaspers: generations of a powerful Black political family under one roof where nothing stays buried for long. When their youngest son returns home, instincts kick in to protect their public image of leadership and moral authority, and fractures soon appear as private grievances, betrayals, and long-simmering questions of identity rise to the surface.

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   Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’ Purpose will run Nov. 11 – Dec. 20  (opening Nov. 19)  LA’s Geffen Playhouse, directed by Phylica Rashad.

  Alan Arenas, Glenn DAvis, Jon Michael Hill, LaTanya Richardsonn Jackson, Harry Lennix, Nija Okofo, and Kara Yount.

   Meet the Jaspers: generations of a powerful Black political family under one roof where nothing stays buried for long. When their youngest son returns home, instincts kick in to protect their public image of leadership and moral authority, and fractures soon appear as private grievances, betrayals, and long-simmering questions of identity rise to the surface.

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   The Group Rep‘s Motel 66, by Lee Redmond, offering new short one-act plays, continues through Nov. 2 upstairs at North Hollywood’s Lonny Chapman Theatre.

Click the link above for complete details.

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   The Dog Show: Come Sit Stay, by David Javerbaum,will run Nov. 3, 4 & 25 at TheTriad, directed by Richard Israel.

  Seth Rudetsy  Gizel Jiménez, Angela Reed, and .J. Shively,  Note: Jordan Matthew Brown will not perform on the evenings that Seth appears due to prior commitments.

  Actors perform a series of monologues from the dogs’ perspective, giving voice to the thoughts, feelings, opinions, and obsessions that humans can only imagine. How do dogs really feel about taking baths? Sticking their heads out of car windows? Working as police dogs? And, most importantly, sniffing another dog’s behind?

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   2 Dudes & Their Teach: Singing, a new musical, will be presented Nov. 13 & 14 at LA’s Hudson Guild Theatre, with music direction by Stuart Elster.

  Kevin Spirtas, Christian Maltez, and Gloria Gifford.

   Instead of a narrative storyline, the performance is structured around an evening of music, laughter, love, and memories, showcasing the real-life dynamic and exceptional vocal talents of the three performers.

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   The Dog Show,: Come, Sit, Stay,  by David Javerbaum , will run Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, 2027 at the Triad Theatre, directed by Richard Israel.

  Gizel Jiménez, Angela Reed, and and A.J. Shively.

  Actors perform a series of monologues from the dogs’ perspective, giving voice to the thoughts, feelings, opinions, and obsessions that humans can only imagine. How do dogs really feel about taking baths? Sticking their heads out of car windows? Working as police dogs? And, most importantly, sniffing another dog’s behind?

Today’s Highlights:

  860, starring Billy Crystal, directed by Scott Ellis, opens at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre.

  The The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttton, by Jethro Compton & Darren Clark, directed by Compton, featuring Andrew Durand (Benjamin Button / Reberthi.),  Kelsee Kimmel (Elowen Keene / Sterenow), Britney Coleman (Gwyns), Matt Wolpe (Tir), Andrew Durand (Benjamin Button/Reverthi), Kelsee Kimmel  with Trevor Lindley Craft Craft, Brandon J. Ellis, and Andrew Furand (Elowen Keene / Sterenow), opens at Off-Broadway’s Public Theatre.

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  Ragtime, directed by Scott Lapp, featuring, Carter Michael (Coalhouse Walker J.), Danny Becker (Tatah),Chelle Denton (Mother), and Chelle Denton (Mother), with Hillary Boyd, Chance Challen, Deja Fields, Angela Griswold, Jacob Haren, Christopher James Hester, Anna Melendrez, Ben Michael, and Guy Noland, opens at Venice, CA’s Rubicon Theatre.

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  Broadway Grosses for the week ending  Sunday, Oct. 18.

Click here for the complete analysis.

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  The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow, will run Oct. 27 – Nov. 22 at Laguna Playhouse, directed by Hunter Foster.

  Jon Root (Richard Hannay), Ashley Margaret Morton (Woman), Jennifer Cody  (Clown #2)  and Jeremy Webb (Clown #1), with Caitlin Gallogly, Johnny DiGiorgio  Emily Nash.

   The play takes the intrigue and suspense of a spy thriller and turns it into a wildly inventive night of live theatre. When an ordinary man is suddenly swept into an international espionage plot, he finds himself racing across England and Scotland while trying to outrun danger, deception and mistaken identity.

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   Our Sinatra, The 25th Anniversary Original Cast Reunion continues through Nov. 29 at the The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater, directed by  David Zippel.

   Eric Comstock, Christopher Gines and Hilary Kole.

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   The 39 Steps will continue through Nov. 22 at Laguna Playhouse, directed by Hunter Foster.

 Jon Root (Richard Hannay), Ashley Margaret Morton (Woman), Jennifer Cody (Clown #2) and Jeremy Webb (Clown #1), with Caitlin Gallogly, Johnny DiGiorgio and Emily Nash.

  The play akes the intrigue and suspense of a spy thriller and turns it into a wildly inventive night of live theatre. When an ordinary man is suddenly swept into an international espionage plot, he finds himself racing across England and Scotland while trying to outrun danger, deception and mistaken identity.

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   Group Rep’s  Motel 66 Oct.continues throughNov. 22 at North Hollywood’s Lonny Chapman Theatre, offering short one-act plays.

Click the link above for details.

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   Dolly: A True Original Musical, by DollyParton & Maria S. Schlatter, will begin previews Dec. 7 and open Jan. 19, 2027 at the St. James Theatre, directed by Bartlett Sher.

  Katie Rose Clarke (Dolly Parton), Carrie St. Louis (Dolly), Norah Nunes (Little Dolly), Crystal Kellogg (Judy Ogle), John Behllmann (Carl Dean), Gabriel Ebert (Porter Waggoner), Crystal Kellogg (Judy Ogle), Norah Nunes (Little Dolly), John Behlmann as ‘Carl Dean,’ and Gabriel Ebert as ‘Porter Wagoner, with Piper Allen, Bill Army, Josh Canfield, Lincoln Cohen, Ryan Demoville, Haley Fish, Sarah Hunt, Erin Kei, Evan Kinnane, Ryland J. Mar, Jenny Mollet, James Moye, Julian Ramos, Larkin Reilly, Maddie Robert, Alex Ross, and Quinn VanAntwerp. Swings for the production are Sarah Bockel, Sadie Daniels, Tiffany Engen, Michael Milkanin, and Rixey Terry.

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   To Kill a Mockingbird will run Nov. 9-29 at Long Island’s Bay Street Theatre, directed by Stephen Hamilton.

 Kendra Foster McBride (Scout Finch), Ryan Schaeffer (Jem Finch), Matthew Schiavoni (Dill Harris), and J.Stephen Brantley (Atticus Finch), with Judah Josiah Alexander Fabre as Tom Robinson, Erin Margaret Pettigrew as Calpurnia, Hope Hamilton as Mayella Ewell, Mitchell Cetuk as Bob Ewell, Matthew Conlon as Judge Taylor, Joe Pallister as Sheriff Heck Tate, Michael Santora as Horace Gilmer and Dr. Reynolds, and Kirk Koczanowski as Mr. Cunningham, Link Deas, and Boo Radley.

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   Spring Awakening, by Steven Sater & Duncan Sheik, will run Nov. Nov. 27 – Apr. 4, 2027 (opening Dec. 13) at  Studio Seaview,  directed by Danya Taymor.

  George Abud ( Adult Men),  Jack Bateman (Georg,), Jada Simone Clark Thea),  Leif Coomer (‘Ernst),  Lilli Cooper (The Adult Women),  Ryo Kamibayashi ( Moritz),n Ashlyn Maddox (Wendla), Nando Morland )Otto) Antonio Porciello ( Hanschen), Khadija Sankoh (‘Martha),  Grace Slear (Anna), Tyler Jordan Wesley (Melchior), and Amalia Yoo (Ilse), with a Acoba, Christiana Clark, Lilly David, EriHouck, Hennessy Winkler,and Sam Yousuf Lilly David.

Today’s Highlights:

  Pride and Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley, world premiere by Ken Ludwig, directed by Emily Man & Reg Roger, featuring Lucy Austin (Lydia Wickham), Delphi Borich (Elizabeth Darcy), Carson Elrod (Mr. Collins/Major Hudson Lowe),  Mathias Goldstein (Lieutenant), Kristine Nielsen (Lady Catherine de Bourgh),  Tony Roach (Fitzwilliam Darcy), Reg Rogers (Napoleon Bonaparte), and Allison Wick (Anne de Bourgh), opens at Westport Country Playhouse.

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My apologies for the unusually short newsletter.

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  The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway will take place Mon. Nov. 2 at 7 PM at the Todd Haimes Theatre.

  Eboni Booth (Primary Trust), Sarah Burgess (Dry Powder), Julia Jordan (Murder Ballad), Steven Levenson (Dear Evan Hansen), David Lindsay-Abaire (Kimberly Akimbo), and Jonathan Marc Sherman.

  Eden Barber, Nichole Greene, David Ruttura, Tiffany Kate Sullivan, Patrick Vassel , and Deanna Weiner.

  Justin Bartha, David Burtka, Chris Chalk, David Cross, Hugh Dancy, Crystal Dickinson, Jin Ha, Josh Hamilton, Alano Miller, Keith Nobbs, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Amber Tamblyn, and Nia Vardalos.

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  NYC’s York Theatre will present the 34th annual Oscar Hammerstein Award Gala on Mon. Nov. 16 at 6 PM at the Edison Ballroom, directed by Stephen Nachamie.

  Kelli O’Hara and Drama Desk Co-President Charles Wright.

  Featuring  Brian d’Arcy James, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Arian Moayed, James Naughton, Patrick Wilson

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   The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2027 season:

Casting TBA.

  A Midsummer Night’s Dream (June 2 – Sept. 25), directed by Ryan Quinn.

  The Cherry Tortured (June 4 – July 31), by Aaron Posner, directed by Davis MaCallum.

  The Cherry Tortured … Or the Parable of the Great Unsticking, directed by Davis McCallum.  After five years away, Miss Lulu is coming home. The ancestral home she remembers is crumbling, but the family drama is right where she left it. As old grudges resurface, fresh calamities loom, and the future of their beloved family estate teeters on the brink of change, one question remains: how do you move forward when everything you love is on the line?

   Sunday in the Park with George (June 6 – Sept. 4), directed by Amanda Dehnert

   Macbeth  Aug. 7 – Oct. 3, directed by Jenn Thompson.

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   Boomer, written & performed by Ken Straus, will take place Thurs. Oct. 29 at 7 PM at Theatre Row.

  A non-top Tour-de-Force of a Boomer’s cultural odyssey through the turbulent decades.

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   Boomer, written & performed by Ken Straus, will take place Tues. Oct. 29 at 7 PM at Theatre Row.

   A baby boomer’s raw, comedic cultural odyssey through a mad world of his own creation.

Today’s Highlights

Down State, by Bruce Norris, directed by Joe Mantello, featuring K. Todd Freemann Francis Guinan, Cassie Beck, Adrian Martinez, Al’Jaleel McGhee,  Thomas Sadoski, Ivy Wolk, and Liza Colón-Zayas, begins previews at Broadway’s Booth Theatre.

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   Eat Your Vegetables  by Jim Bernhard

Provide the missing veggie in these titles.

Scroll down for the answers…

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  Reviews for Other Desert Cities at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre:

Click here for all the reviews.

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   Copperfield, by Jeffrey Scharf, continues through Dec. 6 at the Duke on 42nd Street, directed by Gabriel Barre.

  Bobby David (Bobby Conte), Amelia Cormack, Jed Feder, Calvin Knegten, Kent M. Lewis, Kara Mikula, Miyuki Miyagi, Nancy O’Connor, Dan Piering, Aaron Michael Ray, Will Reynolds, Owen Squire Smith, Alexander Sovronsky, Erica Spyres, Andy Taylor, Cathryn Wake, Tatiana Wechsler, and Henry Witcher.

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   Road Show, by John Weidman, will run  Nov. 20 – Dec. 6 at the Chromolume Theatre at the Zephyr, directed by by Joanna Syiek.

   Amy Anderson, Stephanie Bentley, Giana Bommarito, Renee Cohen, James Graham, Alexander Hall, Tamra Harkley, Josh Hillinger, Naledi Miga, Trey Murray, Richard Osborn, Leilani Rodriguez, Kelsey Schulte, and Jack Searer, with  Andrew Jacobson and Brendan Lynch.

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   Off-Broadway’s Labyrinth Theatre has announced its 2026-27 season:

Casting and additional information TBA.

   The Glass Box reading series (Oct. 9-10), by Stephen Belber.  Rajan Brewer, incarcerated since age 16, is the subject of an indie film directed by a millennial named Chloe and starring a movie star named Terry. When Terry and Chloe meet with two relatives of Rajan’s victim at a restorative justice center in Brooklyn, not everything goes as planned.

  Gertrude or Asparagus Soup in August (Nov. 16), by Aaron Mark & Daphne Rubin-Bega.  In 1914, Gertrude Carlton’s husband, Julian, murdered seven people at Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal home and studio in Wisconsin. Gertrude was held in custody for two weeks, given $7, put on a train to Chicago, and never heard from again. Finally, Gertrude reveals her side of an infamous story that has been debated for more than a hundred years. Gertrude is a one-woman historical horror fantasy that confronts class, race, celebrity, and the bloody consequences of the American Dream.

   Pretty Enough To Be An Astronaut workshop, by Kelley Rae O’Donnell (dates TBA.  In 1914, Gertrude Carlton’s husband, Julian, murdered seven people at Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal home and studio in Wisconsin. Gertrude was held in custody for two weeks, given $7, put on a train to Chicago, and never heard from again. Finally, Gertrude reveals her side of an infamous story that has been debated for more than a hundred years. Gertrude is a one-woman historical horror fantasy that confronts class, race, celebrity, and the bloody consequences of the American Dream.

   Los Abandonados (Jan. 12-23, 2027):  Barn Series, featuring new plays by David Anzuelo, Cusi Cram, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Florencia Lozano and Chris McGarry along with Dominic Colón.  An ensemble drama that explores the gentrification and shifting demographics of a working-class neighborhood. Rather than focusing strictly on the physical transformation of the area, the play delves into the human cost of urban development. It centers on the demolishing of a community originally built by the blood, sweat, and flesh of families who migrated or moved there to build better life.

   Gertrude or Asparagus Soup in August (Feb. 3-14), by Aaron Mark & Daphne Rubin-Vega, featuring Daphne Rubin-Vega.    The play center on the untold perspective of Gertrude Carlton, the wife of the man respnsible for the infamous 1914 mass murder of Frank Lloyd Writht’s Taleisein estage.

  LaByrinth’s Annual Celebrity Charades Gala (date & additional information TBA).

 …and more TBA.

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  Answers:  Eat Your Vegetables by Jim Bernhard:

1-C. Sweet Potato, revue by Noël Coward

2-G. The late Christopher Bean, play by Sidney Howard

3-I. “Not for All the Rice in China,” song from As Thousands Cheer

4-H. Red Peppers, revue by Noël Coward

5-F. “The Story of the Carrot,” song from Barefoot Boy With Cheek

6-A. Humming Birds and Onions, burlesque by Edgar Smith and W. T. Francis

7-D.  Alien Corn, play by Sidney Howard

8-B. “I Say It’s Spinach,” song from Face the Music

9-J. “Peas in a Pod,” song from Grey Gardens

10-E. “Where Do You Get Your Greens?”, song from Two for the Show