This Weekend’s Highlights:

Friday, July 17

  Into the Woods, directed by Michael Lluberes, featuring Natascia Diaz Diaz (Witch), Cy Paolantonio (Little Red Riding Hood), Jane Brockman (Jack’s Mother/ Tree; Giant), Asunta Fleming (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Joneal Joplin (Narrator), Joshua Morgan (Baker), Hayden Stanes (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf) , Andrea Prestinario (Baker’s Wife) Bersai Reyes (Steward), Paris Porche Richardson (Cinderella), Amal Ramadan (Lucinda / Grandmother), Jerry Pinkard (Rapunzel’s Prince), Rayna Key (Florinda) Michael Fabisch (Jack), and Devin McCall (Rapunzel), opens at Arrow Rock’s Lyceum Theatre.

Saturday, July 18

  The 2026 Fire Island Dance Festival Benefit opens at Fire Island Pines, NY.

   Sting, by Sophie Swithinbank, directed by Nancy Medina, featuring Adelle Leonce (Ash), Nick Blood (Dom), and Phoebe Ladenburg (Lily), closes at London’s Young Vic.

Sunday, July 19

  Proof, by David Auburn, directed by Thomas Kail, featuring Ayo Ede (Catherine), Don Cheadle (Robert), Kara Young (Claire), and Jin Ha (Hal), closes at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre.

  Henry VI Parts 1 & 2, directed by Stephen Brown-Fried, featuring Tommy Bo (John Talbot), Rajesh Bose (York), Kimiye Corwin (Somerset), Myka Cue (Joan),  John Haggerty (Talbot), Ðavid Lee Huỳnh (Charles, the Dauphin), Anna Ishida (Warwick), Paul Juhn (Suffolk), Mia Katigbak (Gloucester), Teresa Avia Lim (Margaret), Orville Mendoza (Jack Cade), Jon Norman Schneider (Henry VI), David Shih (Edward of York), Julyana Soelistyo (Richard), Sue Jin Song (Bedford), and James Yaegashi (Winchester), closes at Off-Broadway’s Public Theater.

  The 2026 Fire Island Dance Festival benefit concludes at Fire Island Pines, NY.

  Mamma Mia, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, featuring Chirstine Sherrill (Donna Sherican), Alisa Melendez (Sophie Sheridan), Carly Sakolove (Rosie), Jalynn Steele (Tanya), Victor Wallace (Sam Carmichael), Robert Marnell (Harry Bright), Jim Newman (Bill Austin), and Grat Reynolds (Sky), with Amy Weaver, Alessandra Antonelli, Blake Price, Carly Sakolove, Christine Sherrill, Collin Bradley, Patrick Dunn, Grant Reynolds, Jalynn Steele, Jim Newman, Justin Sudderth, Lena Owens, Rob Marnell, Victor Wallace, Louis Griffin, Patrick Park, L’Oréal Roaché, Haley Wright, Gabe Amato, Adia Olanethia Bell, Xavi Soto Burgos, Emily Croft, Madison Deadman, Jordan De Leon, Nico DiPrimio, Stephanie Genito, Tassy Kirbas, Danny Lopez-Alicea, Makoa, Faith Northcutt, Jasmine Overbaugh, Gray Phillips, and Dorian Quinn, closes at LA’s Ahmanson Theatre.

  Defiantly Joni: A Singer/songwriter Bares Her Soul concert closes at LA’s Mark Taper Forum.

  The  17th Annual Playwrights Festival concludes at North Hollywood’s Road Theatre Company.

  The Price, directed by directed by Elina de Santos, featuring Dana Dewes (Esther Franz); Richard Fancy (Gregory Solomon), Jason Huber  Walter Franz), and Scott Jackson (Victor Franz), closes at LA’s Pacific Resident Theatre.

  The Wizard of Oz, directed by Richard Israel, featuring Hannah Sedlacek (Dorothy Gale), Eric Stanton Betts a(Huck/Scarecrow), Lucas Alifano (Hickory/Tin Man), Tom Anawalt (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), Becky Lythgoe (Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West), Noah Kaplan (Professor Marvel/The Wizard), Cassandra Marie Murphy (Aunt Em/Glinda), and Mike Baker (Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard), with  Samantha Bell, Aaron Michael-Rees Camitses, Bar Daniel, Sam Davidson, Josh Igarashi. Amanda King, Lauren Lorati, Nicholas Ley, Ali Marquez-Qadiri, Jacob Ray, Barbara Ann Reed, Spencer Reese, Xavier F. Reynoso, Angelica Roque, Bayley Tanenbaum, Calista Zajac,   CC Adeva, Ryan Bohmholdt, Kaylie Cho, Gibson Day, Malia Johnson, Amaeline Lynch, and Anna Marie Holland Melendrez, closes at CA’s Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks.

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   The world premiere of Joy Nesbitt’s Blood of my Blood will run Oct. 1 – Nov. 26 (opening Oct. 7) at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Tatenda Shamiso.

   Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ, Jodie Campbell, Hannah Morrish, Karene Peter, and Patrick Vaill.

  At a former plantation now converted into an Airbnb, a pregnant Black woman communes with her ancestors, seeking answers to the questions she’s afraid to ask anyone else. Set between 1862 and the present day, Blood of my Blood is a powerful exploration of family, history and belonging.

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   Paul Gordon’s No One Called Ahead will stream Sat. July 18 at 2 PM ET  here,

Justin Matthew Sargent,  with Laura Lee Gayer, Ann Harada, Storm Lever, Morgan Weed, and Pamela Kashani.

  Ben seeks a weekend getaway but gets more than he bargained for when he begins to receive a series of visits from several astonishing women from the great beyond. Each encounter further rocks his world view. Will this night forever change the way he lives, loves and creates? Or will he make it to daybreak at all? This darkly comic romance with a tuneful contemporary score asks the question, “is there love after death”? For this artist, alone in the woods with his life on the line and his potential still undiscovered – the answer is not what he expected.

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   Real Women Have Curves, by Joy Huerta, Benjamin Velez, Lisa Loomer, and Nell Benjamin will run April 14 – May 16, 2027 at the Pasadena Playhouse, directed by Laurie Woolery.

  TBA.

   In 1987 Boyle Heights, Ana Garcia is torn between her own ambitions, her family’s expectations, and the vibrant community of women whose love has shaped her. Full of heart, humor, and irresistible music, the musical is a joyful celebration of life’s unexpected curves and the resilient corazon of Latina women.

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   A new adaptation of  Enemy of the People will run Aug. Aug. 19 – Sept. 27 at the Odyssey Theatre, directed by Bart DeLorenezo.

   Jay Paulson, Jason McBeth, Cara Mitsuko, Dennis Dun, DeJuan Christopher, Clay Hollander, and Lauren Campedelli.

   A bold new adaptation that thrusts the play’s central conflicts—between public health and economic survival, individual conscience and collective will—into sharp contemporary focus.

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  The Snow Goose, adapted by Claire McKenzie & Scott Gilmour will run Aug. 28 – Oct. 18 (0pening Sept. 16) at CT’s Goodspeed Musicals, directed by Marshall Pailet.

  Eric Graise  (Philip Rhayader), Ashlyn Maddox (Frith), Sam Sherwood (The Bard), Charlie Webb (Wilf), and Ally Monino (Harper), with Alan Chandler, David Aron Damane,  Matthew Davies, Leah Hofmann, Kiersten Kelly, Amy Hillner Larsen, Sophia Anna O’Brien; Gabriel Marcus Omlor; Ayanna Nicole Thomas, Patrick Tombs, and John Viggiano.

   On the windswept coast of England an unlikely bond forms between Philip, a reclusive artist shunned by society, and Frith, a resilient young woman, when they rescue a wounded snow goose. With World War II looming, their friendship allows her to imagine a life beyond her village and him to confront his own humanity as he sets sail on a daring journey to save soldiers trapped at Dunkirk. Discover an unforgettable new musical with a soaring score that will fill your heart.

Today’s Highlights:

   The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in The Parking Lot‘s new As You Like It, directed by Hamilton Clancy, featuring Lia Bonfilio (Rosalind), Thammie Laine Guac (Celia), Andy Rowell (Touchstone), Patrick Hart (Orlando), Emanuel Elpenord (Oliver), Bob Arcaro (Adam), Chris Martel (Duke Senior / Duke Frederick), Carly Grissom (Denise/Audrey), Raphael del Rio (Charles), David Marantz (Jacques), Elowyn Castle (Corinne), Adama Joy Sall (Amiens), Lizabeth Allen (Phoebe) and Dan Teachout (Silvius) opens at NYC’s Stanton Street (no address available, but enter on the Lower East Side location at Rivington St. between. Norfolk and Suffolk).

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   Rogue Machine Theatre will present Samuel D. Hunter’s A Case for the Existence of God Sept. 5 – Oct. 11 at the Matrix Theatre, directed by John Perrin Flynn.

  Carlo Mancasola and Nicholas Anthony Reid.

  In a small office where lives are measured in credit scores, two strangers find themselves returning to the same conversation. Keith, a mortgage broker raising his daughter alone, and Ryan, a yogurt plant worker determined to reclaim a piece of his family’s lost land, meet as client and lender. What unfolds instead is an unexpected connection between two fathers navigating uncertainty, responsibility, and the quiet weight of unrealized dreams. With wit, compassion, and emotional precision, this story touches an extraordinary humanity hidden within ordinary lives. What do we owe one another in a world shaped by inequality, and can small acts of trust and kindness become something transformative?

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  LA Opera will present Candide  Nov. 21 – Dec. 13 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, conducted by Lina González-Granados and directed by Francesca Zambello.

  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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  LA’s Skylight Theatre Company has announced its   2026-27 season:

Dates and casting TBA.

  Rorschach, world premiere by Kelly Younger, directed by Cameron Watson. A funny, inventive, and surprisingly tender new play about the art and science of perception, the courage to be seen for who we truly are, and the mysterious, blotted shape of love itself.

Dirty Sexy Scum, world premiere by Ruth Fowler.    It’s just another day shooting porn in the Valley. Ava’s director is mid-divorce and falling apart. Her scene partner has gonorrhea. His last-minute replacement, Jonny, is the last person Ava wanted to see again.

  … and one more TBA.

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  Laura Benanti in Concert will run Oct. 1-4 at LA’s The Wallis, directed by Annie Tippe.

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   Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, directed by Larry Raben, continues through July 26 at CA’s Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West.

  Daebrreon Poiema (Narrator), Brian Justing Crum (Joseph), Thomas Hobson (Pharoah/Jacob), Harrison White (Potiphar), Jeffrey Laughrun (Reuben), Adam Lendermon (Simeon), Perry Marks (Levi), Neil Starkenberg (Dan), Jean Charles (Napthtali), Zane Camacho (Gad), Teronn S. Shrikian (Asher), Brody Tarrant Zebulun (Zeulun), Jerdan Cruz (Benjamin), and Ali Vesey (Mrs. Potiphar), with Johnisa Breault, Alexandra Skylar Kunin, and Sabrina Ryan.

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  Sasha Cohen’s Charlotte will begin online on July 26 at Open-Door Playhouse, directed by Bernadette Armstrong.

Noelle Evangelisti (Jenna), Gilbert Glenn Brown (Joseph), Gloria Tsai (Anne), and Camille Ameen (Clara).

   Joseph is desperate to find help for his troubled trans daughter, Charlotte. He seeks the counsel of a renowned transgender activist, Jenna. But Jenna is the trans woman he bullied in high school. She has never forgiven him.

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  Taylor Mac & Matt Ray’s Songs from Bark of Millions will run Sept. 18-20 at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre.

  The Plethora: Mama Alto, El Beh, Heather Christian, Viva DeConcini, Chris Giarmo, Greg Glassman, Jack Fuller, Emily Hope Price, Dana Lyn, Taylor Mac, Joel Mateo, Machine Dazzle, Wes Olivier, Lisa “Paz” Parrott, Matt Ray, Stephen Quinn, Jules Skloot, Shirazette Tinnin, Gary and Wang.

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   Grease will run  Aug. 6 – 16 at at CA’s Altadena’s Mountain View Mausoleum, directed by Oliver Azcarate, with music direction by Chris Wade, and choreography by Missa Schade.

   Ruby Lewis, Bryce Ryness, Eric Stanton Betts, Cheyenne Wells, with Monica Azcarate, Lauren Barette, Kir Beaux, Eugene Boyd, James Byous, Tara Carbone, Rio Colino,Romy Evans, Jake Ewan, Jalen Friday, Kasey Hentz, Brennan Hilger, Harmony Jones,Nancy Landis, Justin Anthony Long, Chelsea Maker, Robert Manion, Scarlett Sheppard.

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  Crazy for You, directed byMichael Fling, has extended through Aug. 16 at CT’s Goodspeed Musicals.

  Will Burton (Bobby Child), Brittany Zeinstra (Ppolly Baker), Edward Juvier (Bela Zangler), Hailey Thomas (Irene Roth), Jeremy Davis (Everett Baker), David Andrew Morton (Lank Hawkins), and Michele Ragusa IMother/Pariciam, with Claire Avakian, Willie Clyde Beaton II, Colin Bradbury, Courtney Brady, Kailee Regan Brandt, Katie Scarlett Brunson,  Samuel Colina, Bradley Gibbins-Klein, Kelly Gleason, Taylor Lane, Brian Shimasaki Liebson, Griffin Wilkinsm Lexi Baldachino, and Brandon J. Morris.

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  Fire Island for Broadway Cares will take place  Mon. Aug. 17 at 2 PM at the home of Manoj Nair (see RSVP below).

   Lillias White, Andrew Keenan Bolger, and Nick Rashad Burroughs.

  See MacKillop’s Instagram (@markmackillop) for details on how to secure an invitation.

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  Hairspray will run Aug. 21 – 30 at CA’s Broadway Sacramento, directed by Robbie Roby.

 Ginger Minj(Edna Turnblad), and Kaitlyn Louise Smith (Tracy Turnblad), with  Jamie Torcellini, Altamiece Carolyn Cooper, Michael Starr, Hannah Sedlacek, Will Savarese, Kathryn Brunner, Jamonté D. Bruten, Madeleine Doherty, Dave Pierini, Olivia Elease Hardy, and Sara Gettelfinger.

Today’s Highlights:

  Shifters, by Benedict Lomb, directed by Lynette Linton, featuring Heather Agyepong (Des) and Daniel Ezra (Man), opens at Off-Broadway’s Cherry Lane Theatre.

  Jazz in July: Echoes of Miles – Cool Jazz for hot Nights concert, featuring Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Ravi Coltrane, Nicole Glover, John Patitucci, Kate Kortum, Aaron Diehl, and more, opens at NYC’s 92Y.

   Hairspray, directed by Bill Fennelly, featuring Alex Michaels(Edna Turnblad),   Grace Carroll (Tracy Turnblad), Michael Brian Dunn (Wilbur Turnblad), Keisha Gilles Motormouth Maybelle), Ben Jackson Walker (Link Larkin), Maddy Le (Little Inez), Meaghan Maher(Penny Pingleton), Kate Marilley (Velma Von Tussle), Maya Musial (Amber Von Tussle), Lukas Poost (Corny Collins), and Jalen Xavier (Seaweed J. Stubbs), with  Taylor Colleton, Talia Cutulle, Zeth Dixon, Adena Ershow, Madeline Glave, Jordyn Jones, Laura Jordan, Natalie Lacy, Jack Mastrianni, Kevin B. McGlynn, Elexis Morton, Ryan Norton, Isaiah Reynolds, Alanna Rishaan Porter, and Drew Tremblay, opens at Mass’ Cape Playhouse.

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   Broadway Grosses for the week ending July 12.

Click here for the complete analysis.

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  Live & livestream productions:

Click here for the complete schedule.

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  The world premiere of Jeffrey Sweet’s A change of Position will run July 30 – Aug. 23 at New Jersey Rep, directed by James Glossman.

   Ephraim Birney, Èllis Cahill, Todd Cerveris, and Sandy Clancy.

   Set in a Pensylvania trailer park, the play follows a teenage girl whose difficult home life becomes even more complicated when one of her mothers regular “clients” presents an an unexpected proposition. Filled with with Jeffrey Sweet’s signature wit, compassion, and keen observations of human nature, this play explores family, resilience, and the choices that can alter the course of a life.

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  Off-Broadway’s Irish Rep has announced its Fall 2026 season.

Casting TBA.

   The Hairy Ape (Sept 25 – Nov. 15), by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Ciaran O’Reilly.

   A holiday production TBA.

  The Good thief (Nov. 7 – Dec. 13), by Conor McPherson, directed by Justin Waldman, starring Christopher Fitzgerald.

  The Dead, 1904 (Nov. 21 – Jan. 3, 2027), adapted by Paul Muldoon & Jean Hanff Korelitz, directed by Carián O’reilly.

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  Cats: The Jellicle Ball will close Aug. 8 at the Broadhurst Theatre, after 164 performances. The production will be filmed and archived at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

(current):  André De Shields Ken Ard, Kya Azeen, Bryson Battle, Jonathan Burke, Baby Byrne, Tara Lashan, Bryce Farris, Elisa Galindez,Sydney James Harcourt, Dava Huesca, Dudney Joseph Jr., Junior LaBeija ,Leiomy, Robert “Silk” Mason, Ernest Mingo, Chasity Moore, Primo Thee Ballerino, Xavier Reyes, Nora Schell, Bebe Nicole Simpson, Emma Sofia, Phumzile Sojola, Kendall Grayson Stroud, B. Noel Thomas, Kalyn West, Garnet Williams as, Teddy Wilson Jr., Darius Wright, and Donté Nadir Wilder.

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  Gingold Theatrical Group‘s Project Shaw will offer of a script-in-hand performance of Noël Coward’s This Was a Man on Mon. July 20 at 7 PM at NYC’s The Players, directed by David Staller.

   Jane Bruce (Lady Margot Butler), Setella Everett (Carol Churt), Vanessa Kai (Zoe. St. Merryn), Carman Lacivita (Harry Challoner), Carman Lacivita (Lord Robert Romford), A.J. A.J. Shively (Edward Chury), and Wesley Taylor (Evelyn Bathurst).

   Edward and Carol Churt are a prominent couple in the London art scene. While Edward is a highly successful portrait painter, Carol is driven by a strong appetite for sex and is notorious among their friends for having a string of affairs. Remarkably, Edward is completely aware of his wife’s infidelity but chooses to respond with sophisticated nonchalance, choosing to ignore the betrayals rather than cause a scandal. Things take a turn when Edward’s best friend and old army comrade, Evelyn, grows increasingly disturbed by Edward’s apathy. Evelyn decides to take matters into his own hands and attempts to police the couple’s morality by intervening in Carol’s affairs. His meddling, however, causes the carefully guarded facade of the Churt marriage to crack, forcing a confrontation about jealousy, social class, and what it truly means to “be a man.’ In a shocking and darkly comedic conclusion, Edward ends up bursting into laughter when he learns that Carol has ultimately slept with hisclosest friend.

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   How High the Moon, by Barbara Nell Beery, will run July 24 – Aug. 16 at Theatre West, directed by Asaad Kelada.

  Jennifer Ashe (Violet Thompson), Kathie Barnes (Millie), Lane Compton (Harrison), Mathew Gademeske (Russell), John Posey (Carl), Anya Profumo (Allison), Caroline Quigley (Amy), and Davis Than Schwartz (Walter).

   On July 4, 1952, the lives of neighboring families in the San Fernando Valley are forever changed. A young housewife questions her marriage, and an estranged son returns home. The play is about sibling conflict and family secrets during the housing boom in the San Fernando Valley.

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   The world premiere of Jeffrey Sweet’s A Change of Position will run July 30 – Aug. 23 (opening Aug. 1) at New Jersey Rep, directed by James Glossman.

  Ephraim Birney, Èilis, Todd Cerveris, and Sandy Clancy.

  Set in a Pennsilvania trailer park, the play follows a teenage girl whose difficult home life becomes even more complicated when one of her mother’s regular “clients” presents and unexpected proposition.

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   Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge will run Nov. 27 – Feb. 27, 2027  (opening Dec. 13) at La Mama, directed by Neil Pepe.

   Sam Rockwell (Eddie), Marin Ireland (Beatrice), and Alfred Molina (Alfieri).

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   Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, by August Wilson, will run Aug. 23  – Sept. 20 (opening Aug. 29) at  The Noise Within, directed by Gregg T. Daniel.

  Kai A. Ealy, Bert Emmett, Alex Morris, Gerald C. Rivers, Amber Liekhus, Jamar Gilbert, Francis Edemobi, Matt Moyer, Jim Nardina, and CJ Obilom.

Today’s Highlights:

  The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, by Agatha Christie, adapted & directed by Mark Shanahan, featuring Shereen Ahmed (Flora Ackroyd)  Anthony Cochrane a(Hercule Poirot), Joe Delafield (Ralph Paton), Allen Gilmore (Inspector Raglan), Erin Noel Grennan  (Caroline Sheppard),  Richard Ruiz Henry (Major Hector Blunt),  Tom Hewitt  (Parker), John Rapson (Dr. James Sheppard), Nicole Shalhoub (Helen Russell), and Karen Ziemba (Gertrude Ackroyd), opens at CT’s Westport Country Playhouse.

  Broad Strokes, by Cat Cohen & David Dabbon, directed by Alex Timbers, featuring Catherine Cohen, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Lucille Lortel Theatre.

  Guys and Dolls concert presentation, directed by Jeff Calhoun, featuring Julie Benco, Bonnie Milligan, Christopher Sieber, and Ryan Vasquez. closes at Theatre Aspen.

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   Paranormal Activity, by will begin previews Aug. 14 and open Aug. 25 at the August Wilson Theatre, directed by Felix Barrett.

  Eva Kaminsky (Etheline Cotgrave ), Cher Álvarez (Lou), Travis A. Knight  (James), and Shannon  Cochran (Carolanne), with  Caron Buinis, Caroline Hendricks, and Michael Holding.

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  Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, by Dylan MarcAurele, will run Oct. 7 – Nov. 1 (opening Oct. 13) at the Underbelly Theatre, directed by Alan Kliffer.

   Zheng Xi Yong, Joseph Dann, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, with Andrew Berlin, Sylvie Stenson, and May Tether.

  The play follows starry-eyed golden boy Shane Hollander on his journey from power center to power bottom.

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

  (note: 3 actresses will rotate as Dolly):  Katie Rose Clarke (Dolly Parton), Carrie St. Louis (Dolly Parton), and Quinn Titcomb (Dolly Parton), with Porter Wagoner (John Zdrojeski), and John Behlamnn (Carl Dean).

   Video: Sneak peek

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   A Christmas Carol will run Dec. 2-24 at Milwaukee Rep, adapted & directed by Mark Clements.

  Matt Daniels (Ebenezer Scrooge), Reese Madigan (Bob Cratchit), Mark Corkins (Ghost of Marley), Kevin Cantor (Ghost of Christmas Past), Todd Denning (Ghost of Christmas Present), Joran Anthony Arredondo (Fred), James Pickering (Mr. Fezziwig), Tami Workentin (Mrs. Fezziwig), Aja Alcazar(Belle), and George Lorime (Young Scrooge).

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  Red Bull Theater will present  How Shakespeare Saved My Life, written & performed by Jacob Ming-Trent, Sept. 15 – Oct. 18 at the Public Theater, directed by Tony Taccone.

   In the play, Jacob Ming-Trent dares to rescue himself from the “slings and arrows” of his past. Born with a gift for poetry but rejected as unfit to play the part of the poet, Ming-Trent invites us to take a deep dive into the crevices of his youth. His search for home is relentless, and the results are by turns hilarious and tragic. Calling on the Bard and a host of genius rappers, half-crazed preachers, and soulful poets to throw him a lifeline,  he takes us on a propulsive ride that reaffirms the power of language. It all adds up to one man’s attempt to reclaim his life, and through that journey we connect to the deeper parts of ourselves, and, ultimately, to each other.

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  The Festival, the first of it’s kind 3-day outdoor Broadway musical festival, will run Aug. 14-16 at Kingston, NY’s Hutton Brickyards, directed by Jerry Mitchell & D.B. Bonds, with choreography by Mitchell & Jon Rua.

 Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Alex Newell, Christopher Jackson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, , Adrienne Warren, Amber Ardolino, Ben Levi Ross, Cara Rose DiPietro, Casey Likes, Denée Benton, Eva Noblezada, Gianmarco Soresi, JJ Niemann, Jason Robert Brown, Jenn Colella, Julie Benko, Lauren Patten, Mandy Gonzalez, Mitch Wood, Norbert Leo Butz, Reeve Carney, Seth Rudetsky, Talia Suskauer, Tommy Bracco, Tom Kitt, Tyler Joseph Ellis, Adam Pascal, Aiko Nakasone, Anthony Rapp, Byron Utley,  Fredi Walker-Brown, Jesse L. Martin, Kristen Lee Kelly, Taye Diggs, Timothy Britten Parker, Rodney Hicks, and Wilson Jermaine Heredia Taye Diggs, Aiko Nakasone, Gianmarco Soresi, and Mitch Wood.

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  The world premiere of Jeffrey Sweet’s A Change of Position will run July 30 – Aug. 23 (opening Aug. 1) at New Jersey Rep, directed by James Blossman.

Ephraim Birney , Èilis Cahill, Todd Cerveris, and Sandy Clancy.

  Set in a Penslyvania trailer park, the play follows a teenage girl whose difficult home life becomes even more complicated when one of her mother’s regular “clients” presents and unexpected proposition. Filled with Jeffrey Sweet’s signature wit, and keen observations of human nature, this moving new play explores family, resilience, and the choices that can alter the course of life.

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  The upcoming concept album of John Ertman & Joseph Mathusek’s Alone  will be released Aug. 7 on all major streaming platforms.

  Alex Good (Mia), John Ertman (Jack), Laney Yoo (Cassie), Maddie Novak (Kelly), Gray Watson (Cam), and Andy Hartman (Ryan), with Declan Collins and Lilah Wiseman.

  The musical centers on Mia, a young woman chafing under her mother’s watchful eye and yearning for control over her own path. When what appears to be an unexpected pregnancy upends her world following a summer romance gone awry, Mia and her closest high school friends find themselves at the epicenter of vicious local gossip.

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  The world premiere of Jeffrey Sweet’s A Change of Position will run July 30 – Aug. 23 (opening Aug. 1) at Long Branch’s New Jersey Rep, directed by James Glossman.

  Ephraim Birney, Elis Cahill, Todd Cerveris, and Sandy Clancy.

  Set in a Pennsylvania trailer park, the play follows a teenage girl whose difficult home life becomes even more complicated when one of her mother’s regular “clients” presents an unexpected proposition.

Today’s Highlights:

  The Whoopi Monologues, directed by Whitney White, featuring Dominique Fishback, Kecia Lewis, Danielle Pinnock, Kerry Washington, and Kara Young, opens at Off-Broadway’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

  Guys and Dolls concert presentation, directed by Jeff Calhoun, featuring. Julie Benco, Bonnie Milligan, Christopher Sieber, and Ryan Vasquez. opens at Theatre Aspen.

   The Limelight Club at 8 PM at Three Clubs Hollywood, with music direction by Dwight Rivera, and special guests Bryce Ryness, Laura Schein & Clayton Farris, Juliette Goglia, Ryne Strom, and Benny Lipson.

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   A Miss Is As Good As A Mile by Jim Bernhard

Complete these titles with the name of a Miss.

Scroll down for the answers.

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  Birthright, by Jonathan Spector, has been extended through Aug. 23 at Off-Broadway’s MCC Theater, directed by Teddy Bergman.

Hale Appleman, Molly Bernard Eli Gelb, Abbi Jacobson, Liz Larsen, Nate Mann, and Zoë Winters.

What begins as a reunion among six young friends after a Birthright trip to Israel in 2006 becomes, over the span of 18 years, an exploration of identity, fracturing communities, and the struggle to stay connected across difference. Against a backdrop of political upheaval, the influence of social media on discourse, and profound generational change, their relationships become a battleground for competing histories, beliefs, and uncomfortable emotional truths.

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   Jason Graae’s It’s a Graae Night for Singing will take place Sun. Aug. 9 at 7 PM at NYC’s 54 Below, with music direction by Gerald Sternbach.

The concert will also be available to livestream here.

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   Paranormal Activity, by Levi Holloway, will begin  previews Aug. 14, and open Aug. 25 at the August Wilson Theatre, directed by Felix Barrett.

  Cher Álvarez (Lou), Travis A. Knight (James), Shannon Cochran (Carolanne), and Andrea Syglowski (Etheline Cotgrave,) with Caron Buinis, Caroline Hendricks, and Michael Holding.

  A story distinct from the film, the play follows a couple, Lou and James, who move from Chicago to London to escape their past, soon discovering that places aren’t haunted—people are.

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   The Price, directed by Elina de Santos, continues through July 19 at the Pacific Resident Theatre.

   Dana Dwses IEsther Franz), Richard Fancy (Gergory Soloman), Jason Huber (Walter Franz), and Scott Jackson (Victor Franz).

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   The annual Fire Island Dance Festival will run July 18 & 19 at NY’s Fire Island Pines, in support of Dancers Responding to AIDS.

  Set on an awe-inspiring waterfront stage overlooking the Great South Bay, the festival transforms its Fire Island Pines environs into a living theater where movement, community and nature combine. An unforgettable weekend of bold premieres, acclaimed dance companies and extraordinary performances.

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  Mark Sonnenblick’s Midnight at the Never Get, directed by David Cromer, continues through Sept. 12 at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

  Ben Platt, Gregor Milne, and Barry James.

  Set in 106, in Greenwich Village, the show follows the romance between a singer and an ambitious songwriter, Arthur Brightman, and show explores their efforts to stage an illegal nightclub act in a secret gay bar called The Never Get, where they perform queer love songs.

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  Birthright, by Jonathan Spector, continues through July 26 at MCC Theater, directed by Teddy Bergman.

 Hale Appleman, Molly Bernard Eli Gelb, Abbi Jacobson, Liz Larsen, Nate Mann, and Zoë Winters.

 How do you show up for the people you love? What begins as a reunion among six young friends after a Birthright trip to Israel in 2006 becomes, over the span of 18 years, an exploration of identity, fracturing communities, and the struggle to stay connected across difference. Against a backdrop of political upheaval, the influence of social media on discourse, and profound generational change, their relationships become a battleground for competing histories, beliefs, and uncomfortable emotional truths.

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   The world premiere of Dan Caffrey’s  Kaiju will run run Sept. 22 – Nov. 1 (opening Sept. 25) at North Hollywood’s Road Theatre, directed by Ken Sawyer.

   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).

   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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  Heated Rivalry: The The Unauthorized Musical Parody, by Dylan MarcAurele, will run Oct. 7 – Nov. 1 (opening Oct. 13) at the Underbelly 6th Floor Theatre, directed by  Alan Kiffer.

   Zheng Xi Yong, Joseph Dann, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, with Andrew Berlin,  Sylvie Stenson, and Sylvie Stenson, and May Tether.

  Inspired by the hit HBO Max series about a complicated romance between two professional hockey players, the piece follows starry-eyed golden boy Shane Hollander on his “journey from power center to power bottom.”

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  Answers: A Miss Is As Good As A Mile by Jim Bernhard

1-G. Driving Miss Daisy, play by Alfred Uhry

2-C. Miss Julie, play by Strindberg

3-F. And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, play by Paul Zindel

4-E. Miss Dolly Dollars, musical by Victor Herbert and Harry Smith

5-J. Miss Liberty, musical by Irving Berlin and Robert E. Sherwood

6-I. Miss Lonelyhearts, play with music by Howard Teichman and Jule Styne

7-A. Miss Lulu Bett, play by Zona Gale

8-D. Miss Margarida’s Way, play by Roberto Athayde

9-H. Miss Saigon,  musical by Boublil, Schoenberg, and Maltby

10-B. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, play by Jay Allen

]]> https://gracenotesstage.com/friday-july-10-2026/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:32:14 +0000 https://gracenotesstage.com/?p=58959  

This Weekend’s Highlights:

Friday, July 10:

  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, directed by Larry Raben, featuring Daebrreon Poiema (Narrator), Brian Justing Crum (Joseph), Thomas Hobson (Pharoah/Jacob), Harrison White (Potiphar), Jeffrey Laughrun (Reuben), Adam Lendermon (Simeon), Perry Marks (Levi), Neil Starkenberg (Dan), Jean Charles (Napthtali), Zane Camacho (Gad), Teronn S. Shrikian (Asher), Brody Tarrant Zebulun (Zeulun), Jerdan Cruz (Benjamin), and Ali Vesey (Mrs. Potiphar), with Johnisa Breault, Alexandra Skylar Kunin, and Sabrina Ryan, opens at Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West.

  North Hollywood’s Road Theatre Company‘s 17th Annual Playwrights Festival, opens.

   If/Then, by Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey, directed by Brayden Hade, featuring Jon Armijo, Ryan Axberg, Keenan Carver, Renee Cohen, Quin Domalaon, Danielle Johnson, Shaheen Kapambwe, Joelle Lewis, Natalie Luna, Nadia Salina Salvia, Stephanie Saunders, Jewell Valentin, Michael Vandie, and Judd Yort, with Amy Melendrez and Jason Rivera, opens at LA’s Chromolume Theatre at the Zephyr.

  The Wizard of Oz, directed by Richard Israel, featuring Hannah Sedlacek (Dorothy Gale), Eric Stanton Betts a(Huck/Scarecrow), Lucas Alifano (Hickory/Tin Man), Tom Anawalt (Zeke/Cowardly Lion), Becky Lythgoe (Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West), Noah Kaplan (Professor Marvel/The Wizard), Cassandra Marie Murphy (Aunt Em/Glinda), and Mike Baker (Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard), with  Samantha Bell, Aaron Michael-Rees Camitses, Bar Daniel, Sam Davidson, Josh Igarashi. Amanda King, Lauren Lorati, Nicholas Ley, Ali Marquez-Qadiri, Jacob Ray, Barbara Ann Reed, Spencer Reese, Xavier F. Reynoso, Angelica Roque, Bayley Tanenbaum, Calista Zajac,   CC Adeva, Ryan Bohmholdt, Kaylie Cho, Gibson Day, Malia Johnson, Amaeline Lynch, and Anna Marie Holland Melendrez, opens at CA’s Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks.

Saturday, July 11: 

  Defiantly Joni: A Singer/songwriter Bares Her Soul concert opens at LA’s Mark Taper Forum.

  Hot Summer Musicals, a world premiere of one-acts, featuring Olive Banny, Maggie Borgen, Eric V Crumley, Jeron Devonte, Isa Fuller, Joshua Gill, Christina Giordano, Cate Harbin, Christine Hughes, Ann Li, Alyssa Lomosad, Naledi Miga, Linda Nile, Gilad Nilo, Teni Oduntan, Jack Sweeney, and Anthony Zermeno, opens at LA’s Write Act Repertory at the Brickhouse Theatre

  The 28th Annual Broadway Barks” Star-Studded Dog and Cat Adoption Event, from 3-6:30 PM at Broadway’s Shubert Alley. Click here for complete information.

  Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre’s 2026 Gala, honoring Lin-Manuel Miranda, featuring Alec Baldwin, Joy Behar, Tovah Feldshuh, Will Roland, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley,  Luis A. Miranda Jr.,  Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, Scott Schwartz, Tracy Mitchell, and more, at 6 PM.  Click here for the link.

  The Book of Mormon, directed by Trey Parker & Matt Stone, featuring Blair Gibson (Elder Price), Conner Peirson (Elder Cunningham), Paige Peddie (Nabulungi), Colin Burnicle (Elder McKinley), Ian Carlyle (Mafala Hatimbi), Matthew Elliot-Campbell (General/Satan), with Ron Remke, Deon Adams, Carys Alyse Thomson, Josh Barnett, Jake Bishop, Charlie Booker, Char Burnett, Joseph Davenport, Jemal Felix, Patrick George. George Grayson, Callum Henderson, Harry Lake, Harrison Langham, Michael Lewis, Jacob McIntosh, Paige Miller, Zachary Miller, Sean Parkins, Stephen Rolley, Jack Rose, Robin Simões Da Silva, Kellah-M Spring, Kinshasa Sunrise, Aisha Williams, and Jason Yeboa, closes at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre.

  Care, by Alexander Zeldin, directed by Zeldin, featuring Linda Bassett, Rosie Cavaliero, Hayley Carmichael, Richard Durden), Aoife Gaston, Llewella Gideon, William Lawlor, Ethan Mahony and Charlie Web, closes at London’s Young Vic.

Sunday, July 12:

  Mexodus, written & performed by Brian Quijada & Nygel D. Robinson, opens at Pasadena Playhouse.

  Midnight at the Never Get, by Mark Sonnenblick, directed by David Cromer, featuring Ben Plat, Gregor Milne. and  Barry James, begins previews at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory.

  Girl, Interrupted, world premiere by Martyna Majok & Aimee Mann, directed by Jo Bonney, featuring Leela Bassuk, Ta’Rea Campbell, Gabi Campo, Juliana Canfield, Eileen Doan, Mano Felciano, King Princess, Gunnar Manchester, Mia Pak, Katherine Reis, Anna Roman, Sally Shaw, Emily Skinner, Rachel Stern, and Lauren Jeanne Thomas, closes at Off-Broadway’s Public Theatre.

  Mean Girls, directed by Mara Newbery Greer, featuring Abigail Isom (Cady Heron), Cecilia Ptetrch (Regina George), Sydi Moon (Gretchen Wieners), Gretchen Wieners (Sydni Moon), Karen Smith (Kaley Bender), Janis Sarkisian (Lyda Jade Hearlan)  Damian Hubbard (Jack Haroutunian), Quincy Hamton (Aaron Samuels), and Rayhan Khimji (Kevin Gnapoor, closes at Pittsburgh CLO.

  South Pacific, directed by William Carlos Angulo, featuring Paulo Szot (Emile de Becque), Taylor Louderman (Nellie Forbush), Loan Almedilla (Bloody Mary, .Michael Canu (Lt. Joseph Cable), bobby Conte (Luther Billis), Michaela Marfori (Liat), Robert Crenshaw (Stewpot), John El-Jor (Professor), Michael James Reed (Capt. George Brackett), Jeff Cummings (Cmdr. William Harbison), Grace Moore (Ngana), Josiah Paik (Jerome), and more, closes at the St. Louis Muny.

  Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous, by Pearl Cleage, directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, featuring Denise Burse (Betty Samson), Olivia Washington (Precious “Pete” Watson), Deborah Joy Winans (Kate Hughs), and Charlayne Woodard (Anna Campbell), with Pauline Dyer and Monica Parks, closes at LA’s Geffen Playhouse.

  A Beautiful Noise, directed by Michael Mayer, featuring Mary Page Nance (Marcia Murphey), Lisa Reneé Pitts (Doctor), Michael Accardo (Bert Berns/Kieve Diamond), Heidi Kettenring (Ellie Greenwich/Rose Diamond), Tiffany Tatreau (Jaye Posner), and Gene Weygandt (Fred Weintraub/Tommy O’Rourke), closes at Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre.

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   2026 Emmy Awards nominations:   

Click here for the complete list of nominees.

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    Video: Film trailer for London’s Giant, written by Mark Rosenblatt  and directed by Nicholas Hytner, starring John Lithgow.

  A world-famous children’s author under threat. A battle of wills in the wake of scandal. And one chance to make amends.

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   Casting has been announced for Week 2 (July 16-19) of the Blank Theatre’s 34th Annual Young Playwrights Festival at LA’s Skylight Theater. Tickets are free.

Click here for complete information.

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   Video  Watch Taylor Louderman “Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” in South Pacific at the St. Louis Muny.

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  Conor McPherson’s The Good Thief will run. Nov. 7 – Dec. 13 (opening Nov. 12)  at Irish Rep, directed by Justin Waldman.

  Christopher Fitzgerald.

  The play centers on a small-time Irish gangster who’s finally facing the consequences by telling his brutal past. The work premiered in Dublin in 1994.

Today’s Highlights:

  Ensemble Shakespeare Company‘s Julius Caesar, directed by Dylan Diehl, featuring Mark Dacascos, Pedro Garza, Dylan Diehl, Rob Hatzenbeller, Susannah Hoffman, Dennis Kear, Gerrard Lobo, Paul Marchegiani, Diego Millan, Celeste Moratti, Ella Olesen, Katie Pelensky, Matisse Ratron-Neal, Erin Roth, and Joe Staton. opens at Off-Broadway’s Flea Theater.

  The 2026 Blank theatre Young Playwrights Festival opens at LA’s Blank Theatre.

  Ethan Mathias in concert at 7 PM at NYC’s Green Room 42.

  Giant (filmed London production), starring John Lithgow, released worldwide. Click here to find a theatre near you.

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   2026 Emmy Awards nominations:

Click here for the complete list of nominees.

The awards ceremony will air on Mon. Sept. 14 at 8 PM ET on NBC.

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. A reading of Janice Kennedy’s The Woman Who Knew Too Much will take place Mon. July 27 at 7 PM at Beverly Hills’ Theatre Forty (link TBA), directed by Melanie MacQueen. Admission: suggested $10 at the door.

  Marie Broderick, Milda Dacys and Martin Thompson.

  An historical drama and play centered on the mysterious life and death of acclaimed journalist and television personality Dorothy Kilgallen. The storyline explores the lingering suspicions surrounding her unexpected 1965 death in New York and the sudden disappearance of her closely guarded portfolio concerning the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

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   Marin Ireland’s Pre-Existing Condition will begin previews Sept. 1 and open Sept. 14 at the Greenwich House Theater (27 Barrow Street), directed by Maria Dizzia.

(rotating) Lupita Nyong’o, Edie Falco, Phillipa Soo, Harni Nef, Susannah Flood, Greg Keller, Dael Orlandersmith, Sarah Steele, and more TBA.

  An unnamed woman (known as “A”) struggles to navigate trauma, grief, and the everyday indignities of moving forward after leaving a life-altering, abusive relationship.

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   NYC’s 92Y will presents its 2026-27 American Songbook Concert Series:

  Patti Lupone: Life in Notes (Oct. 1) at 7:30 PM.

  An Evening with Tituss Burgess (Oct. 26) at 7:30 PM.

  Diamonds and Rust: The Artistry and Activism of Joan Baez (Nov. 7 at 2 PM), featuring Andréa Burns.

  An Evening with Shaina Taub (Jan. 28 at 7:30 PM)

  An Evening with LaChanze (Feb. 22 at 7:30 PM)

  Brandon Victor Dixon (March 13-15)

  An Evening with Jason Robert Brown (Mar. 1)

  What’d I Say: The Genius of Ray Charels (Mar. 13), featuring Brandon Victor Dixon.

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   The national tour of Beauty and the Beast will run Aug. 12 – Sept. 6 at the Pantages Theatre, directed & choreographed by Matt West.

  Kyra Belle Johnson (Belle, Fergie L. Philippe (Beast), aStephen Mark Lukas (Gaston), Danny Gardner (Lumiere), Javier Ignacio (Cogsworth), Harry Francis (Le Fou), Holly Ann Butler (Madame), Cameron Monroe Thomas (Babette), and Levi Blaise Coleman & Kanoa Edgar (alternating as Chip), Christina Rose Hall (Mrs. Potts), and Aaron Kaburick (Maurice), with Vinny Andaloro, Benjamin Cheng, Spencer Dean, Julian Marcus De Guzman, Michael Dikegoros, Leigh-Ann Esty, Masumi Iwai, Darrell T. Joe, Emily Larger, Lena Matthews, Caleb McArthur, Melaina Rairamo, Ellen Roberts, Grace Marie Rusnica, Ben Sears, Michael Seltzer, Jasmine Pearl Villaroel, and Kate Wesler.

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  A reading of R.A. Shiomi’s Fire in the New World will take place  Thurs. July 16 at 5 PM at the Bruce Mitchell Room at 5 PM at NYC’s  Spaces@520 (520 8th Ave., third floor, directed by Ron Nakahara. here.

 Conlan Ledwith, Robert Meksin, James Patrick Nelson, Erin Quill, Camilla Shae, Moses Villarama, Cody Wilson, andJae Woo.

  The noir-style detective comedy follows hard-boiled detective Sam Shikaze fighting crime in the Powell Street area of Vancouver’s Japantown during the post-World War II years (specifically set in the 1960s).

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   LA Opera will present Candide Nov. 21 – Dec. 13 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, directed by Francesca Zambello.

   Duke Kim (Candide), Deanna Breiwick  (Cunegonde), Patti LuPone (Old Lady), and more TBA.

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  Pennsylvania’s Bristol Riverside Theatre has announced its 2026-27 season. Casting and additional information TBA.

 Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Oct. 6025), By Gordon Greenberg & Steve Rosen,  directed by Ken Kaissar.    In this take, the infamous Count Dracula isn’t just terrifying—he’s as sexy as a rock star, brimming with swagger and supernatural charm. But when he arrives in a quiet town, his grand plans quickly unravel. Mismatched
servants, bumbling heroes, and a wildly eccentric cast of characters send his sinister schemes spinning hilariously out of control.

  A Christmas Story: The Play (Dec. 1 – Jan. 3, 2027), by Philip Grecian, directed by Amy Kaissar.

   In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash (Dec. 1 – Jan. 3, 2027), by Jean Shepherd, directed byTBA.    In this adult version of the protagonist, Ralphie, returns to his hometown of Hohman, Indiana (referred to as Holden in the book) and spends hours drinking and swapping memories with his childhood friend, Flick, who now runs a local bar.

    Antigone (Feb. 2-021), adapted byKen Kaissar, directed by Amy Kaissar.  An electrifying retelling of the Greek classic, Antigone is the story of a young woman who refuses to obey an unjust law.

   Annie (Mar. 23 – May 2), directed by Victoria Rae Padgett.

  Fences (June 1-20), directed by Lisa Strum.

**********************

  Commonwealth Shakespeare Company‘s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will run July 22 – Aug. 9 at the Boston Commons, directed by  Steven Maler.

  Nick Cearley (Puck/Philostrate), De’Lon Grant (Theseus/Oberon), Nora Eschenheimer (Hippolyta/Titania), Paul Melendy (Bottom), Karen MacDonald (Quince), Michael Broadhurst (Flute), Meghan Carey (Hermia), Annika Burley (Helena), Jaime José Hernández (Lysander), Jack Greenberg (Demetrius), Brooks Reeves (Egeus/Starveling) Patrick Curran (Snout), Nicolas Bolton (Mustardseed), Evan Danyliw (Moth), and Bella Grace Harris (Fairy).

**********************

  Film:  The trailer for Mark Rosenblatt’s Giant has been released.  The production was filmed live at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre.

  Lithgow (Roald Dahl), Elliot Levey (Tom Maschler), Aya Cash (Jessie Stone), Rachael Stirling (Felicity Dahl), Tessa Bonham Jones(Hallie) and Richard Hope (Wally).

  The play takes place in Dahl’s kitchen, where a heated battle of wills unfolds. The core storyline centers on four main characters debating how to respond to Dahl’s pernicious remarks.

Today’s Highlights:

  Dukes, written & performed by Jane Wickline & Liva Pierce, directed by Henry Hornbuckle & Mabel Lewis, opens at Off Broadway’s at SoHo Playhouse.

  The  2026 Fire Island Dance Festival, in support of Dancers Responding to AIDS, opens at NY’s Fire Island Pines.

  Mexodus, written & performed by Brian Quijada & Nygel D. Robinson, begins previews at Pasadena Playhouse.

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 Broadway Grosses for the week ending July 5, 2026.

Click here for the complete analysis.

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  LA’s  Musical Theatre Gild will present Here’s to Us!—The Musical Theatre Guild Celebrates 30 Years written by Michael Kostroff, will take place Sun. Oct. 11 at 7 PM at Santa Monica’s Broad Stage, directed by Kim Huber, with music direction by Brad Ellis.

   TBA.

   The presentation will feature memorable songs from productions including Titanic, Fanny, The Pajama Game, Sunday in the Park with George, and many more.

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   Iceboy!Or, The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh, by Mark Hollman, Jay Reiss, & Erin Quinn Purcell, will now continue through Aug. 16 at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, directed by Marc Bruni.

  Megan Mullally (Vera Vimm), Nick Offerman (Eugene O’Neill), Grey Henson  ( Iceboy),  Cedric Yarbrough (Floyd), Sarah Stiles (Lambert), and Alex Goodrich (Frankenstein), along with Donterrio, Melanie Brezill, Will Koski, Linda Mugleston, Shawn Pfautsch Andrea San Miguel,Will Lidke, Leah Morrow, and Jeff Parker.

  The musical follows Broadway star Vera Vimm, who adopts a 40,000 year-old Neanderthal from the Arctic only to reel when he begins stealing the spotlight.

Video: sneak peek.

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   South Pacific, directed by William Carlos Angulo, continues through July 12 at the St. Louis Muny.

   Paulo Szot (Emile de Becque), Taylor Louderman (Nellie Forbush), Loan Almedilla (Bloody Mary, Michael Canu (Lt. Joseph Cable), bobby Conte (Luther Billis), Michaela Marfori (Liat), Robert Crenshaw (Stewpot), John El-Jor (Professor), Michael James Reed (Capt. George Brackett), Jeff Cummings (Cmdr. William Harbison), Grace Moore (Ngana), Josiah Paik (Jerome), and more.

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   I Put a Spell On You, the biggest Halloween, party, will return to  Webster Hall on Mon. Oct. 12. This year’s iteration is dubbed “A Sanderson Sister Act,” directed by Heath Saunders & Mack Brown.

Participants and additional informations TBA.

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  The cast album of  Jeffrey Scharf’ & Jimmy Calire’s Reunions, directed &  choreographed by Gabriel Barre, has been released on most platforms.

   Bryan Fenkart ( Sir Harry), Joanna Glushak (Dona Laura), Chilina Kennedy (Kate), Courtney Reed (Lady Sims), Daniel Torres (Edward/Juanito), and Chip Zien (Don Gonzalo), with Janet Aldrich, Keith Lee Grant, and Pearl Rhein.

  A musical adaptation of two famous one-act plays with a common theme: What happens when you rediscover the life you almost lived? The musical is divided into two acts with each act a different story.

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   Dolly: A True Original Musical, by Dolly Parton & Maria S. Schlatter, will begin previews Dec. 7 and open Jan. 19 (Parton’s 81st birthday) at the St. James Theatre, directed by Bartlett Sher, with choreography by Mandy Moore.

  TBA.

  The biomusical follows Dolly’s journey from barefoot beginnings in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee to her triumphs, trials, and trailblazing in Hollywood

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  The 2026 Emmy Awards will take place live on Mon. Sept. 14 at 8 PM at LA’s Peacock Theater, and  stream live on Peacock.

Nominations will be announced later today, and will be posted here tomorrow.

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     LA’s Actors’ Gang will present Free Shakespeare in the Park for Mamilies, offering Two Gentlebots of Verona  Aug. 1-23 at 11 AM at the Media Park in downtown Culver City.  Early registration is  recommended here.

  Not posted.

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  The world premiere of Iceboy! Or, The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write the Iceman Cometh, by Mark Hollman, Jay Reiss & Erin Quinn Purcell, will continue through Aug. 16 at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, directed by Marc Bruni.

  Megan Mullally (Vera Vimm), Nick Offerman (Eugene O’Neill), Grey Hendon (Iceboy), Cedric Yarbrough (Floyd), Sarah Stiles (Lambert), and Alex Goodrich   (Frankenstein), with Donterrio, Melanie Brezill , Will Koski, Linda Mugleston, Will Lidke, Leah Morrow, and Jeff Parker.

  The play follows Broadway star Vera Vimm, who adopts a 40,000 year-old Neanderthal from the Arctic only to reel when he begins stealing the spotlight.

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  The 2001 film adaptation of John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch, by John Cameron Mitchell, and songs by Stephen Trask, turns 25 this year, and the film is on tour to celebrate.

Click here to learn more…

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   Melissa Maney’s Hungry Woman continues through Aug. 30 at the SoHo Playhouse, directed by Daniella Caggiano.

   Julia Lester, Zoe Dean, and Sophie Zmorrod.

  The work explores a world in which men have gone extinct, covering 200 years of survival, identity, sexuality, motherhood, and power in the absence of patriarchy.

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   Documentary:  “Tyler Peck: Suspending Time” is now available for free.

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   Off-Broadway’s Pan Asian Rep (link not avaialble) will present a staged reading of R.A.Shiomi’s Fire in the New World on Thurs. July 16 at 5 PM at NYC’s Bruce Mitchell Room at Off-Broadway’s Spaces@520 (520 8th Ave., 3rd floor), directed by Ron Nakahara.

   Conlan Ledwith, Robert Meksin, James Patrick Nelson, Erin Quill, Camilla Shae, Moses Villarama, Cody Wilson, and Jae Woo. The stage directions will be read by Jonathan Wong Frye.

   The story follows tough-talking private eye Sam Shikaze as he investigates a mystery at the fading New World Hotel. Shikaze is hired by a prominent real estate developer to find his missing Japanese American wife. The investigation quickly escalates into a larger conflict when Shikaze discovers the developer is also scheming to bulldoze and gentrify the local community. Blending mystery and social commentary, the plot highlights the systemic displacement, racism, and anti-Asian sentiment that Japanese Canadians faced following the post-World War II internment era.

My apologies for the short post today. Many tech issues…..

Today’s Highlights:

  Mean Girls, directed by Mara Newbery Greer, featuring Abigail Isom (Cady Heron), Cecilia Ptetrch (Regina George), Sydi Moon (Gretchen Wieners), Gretchen Wieners (Sydni Moon), Karen Smith (Kaley Bender), Janis Sarkisian (Lyda Jade Hearlan)  Damian Hubbard (Jack Haroutunian), Quincy Hamton (Aaron Samuels), and Rayhan Khimji (Kevin Gnapoor, opens at Pittsburgh CLO.

  A Beautiful Noise, directed by Michael Mayer, featuring Mary Page Nance (Marcia Murphey), Lisa Reneé Pitts (Doctor), Michael Accardo (Bert Berns/Kieve Diamond), Heidi Kettenring (Ellie Greenwich/Rose Diamond), Tiffany Tatreau (Jaye Posner), and Gene Weygandt (Fred Weintraub/Tommy O’Rourke), opens at Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre.

  The Whoopi Monologues, directed by Whitney White, featuring Dominique Fishback, Kecia Lewis, Danielle Pinnock, Kerry Washington, and Kara Young, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

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Click here for the schedule of upcoming Broadway & Off-Broadway Closings:

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   Click here for the schedule of Upcoming and Current Free Live Stream Broadcasts for plays and musicals.

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   Newsies will run July 16-22 at the St. Louis Muny, directed by Denis Jones.

  Jack Roden (Jack Kelly), Michael Park (Joseph Pulitzer), Anastacia McCleskey (Medda Larkin), Bryce Williams (Davey), Kayla Pecchioni (Katherine Plumber), Nolan Almeida (Crutchie), and Jaron Bentley (Les), with Drew Battles, Arick Brooks, Omarion Burke, Jim Butz, Christian J. Collins, Matt Dean, Michael Di Leo, Zach Doran, Joel Douglas, Kylie Edwards, Johnny Fenton, Michael Halling, Brianna Kim, Jacob Kim, Miles Marmolejo, Joshua Messmore, Adolfo Ortiz-Feder, Evan Owen, Becca Perron, Rich Pisarkiewicz, Kevin Antonio Rodriguez, and Jonah D. Winston.

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   Video:  Matt Doyle leads “Put On Your Sunday Clothes” from Hello, Holly! at Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse.

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  Gingold Theatrical Group will present a script-in-hand performance of  Noël Coward’s This Was a Man on Mon. July 20 at The Players (16 Gramercy Park), directed by David Staller.

 A.J. Shively (Edward Churt), Wesley Taylor (Evelyn Bathurst), Jane Bruce (Lady Margot Butler), Stella Everett (Carol Churt), Vanessa Kai ( Zoe St. Merryn), Carman Lacivita (Harry Challoner, and Lor Robert Romford, with Zoe St. Merryn, and Carman Lacivita (Harry Challoner), with Lor Robert Romford.

The play follows Edward Churt, a painter whose carefully composed world begins to fracture as he confronts his wife Carol’s infidelity.

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  North Hollywood’s  Road Theatre Company will present its Summer Playwrights Festival July 10-29. The festival is one of the largest staged reading festivals in the nation, with playwrights from across the country and around the world participating  Click the link above for the complete schedule.

  The festival is one of the largest staged reading festivals in the nation, with playwrights from across the country and around the world participating.

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   Dead Man, written & directed by Ann Noble, will will have a limited run July 21, July 28 & Aug. 4 at the Echo Theater.

  Christian Haines, Jeffrey Johnson, Robin McDonald, Ann Noble.

  In this noir comedy clown mystery, a lone private eye investigates a crime everyone wants to forget: it will definitely take more than one clown to figure it out. Somebody’s dead. Somebody must find the killer. Different somebodies, but… you get the idea. Life is easier when everything’s black and white. Except for those pesky greys.

Today’s Highlights:

South Pacific, directed by William Carlos Angulo, featuring Paulo Szot (Emile de Becque), Taylor Louderman (Nellie Forbush), Loan Almedilla (Bloody Mary, .Michael Canu (Lt. Joseph Cable), bobby Conte (Luther Billis), Michaela Marfori (Liat), Robert Crenshaw (Stewpot), John El-Jor (Professor), Michael James Reed (Capt. George Brackett), Jeff Cummings (Cmdr. William Harbison), Grace Moore (Ngana), Josiah Paik (Jerome), and more, opens at the St. Louis Muny.

   Shifters, by Benedict Lomb, directed by Lynette Linton, featuring Heather Agyepong (Des) and Daniel Ezra (Man), begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Cherry Lane Theatre.

  Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater presents  Jason Robert Brown in Concert at 8 PM at the Harbor’s One Long Wharf.

  Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, by Dylan Marcaurele, directed by , 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).

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   Red, White, or Blue by Jim Bernhard

Complete the titles of these show songs with the color red, white, or blue:

1. “At the ____ Rose Cotillion” – Where’s Charley?
2. “Alice ____ Gown” – Irene
3. “Little ____ Hat” – 110 in the Shade
4. “My ____ Knight” – The Music Man
5. “____ and Black” – Les Miserables
6. “Black and ____” – Ain’t Misbehavin’
7. “____ Boys” – Hair
8. “Great ____ Father” – Purlie
9. “The Mirror-____ Night” – Spring Awakening
10. “The ____ Baron” – You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Scroll down for the answers…

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   Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will run July 10- 26 at Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West, directed by Larry Raben.

  Daebrreon Poiema (Narrator), Brian Justing Crum (Joseph), Thomas Hobson (Pharoah/Jacob), Harrison White (Potiphar), Jeffrey Laughrun (Reuben), Adam Lendermon (Simeon), Perry Marks (Levi), Neil Starkenberg (Dan), Jean Charles (Napthtali), Zane Camacho (Gad), Teronn S. Shrikian (Asher), Brody Tarrant Zebulun (Zeulun), Jerdan Cruz (Benjamin), and Ali Vesey (Mrs. Potiphar), with Johnisa Breault, Alexandra Skylar Kunin, and Sabrina Ryan.

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   Jazz in July: Echoes of Miles – Cool Jazz for hot Nights will run  July 15-25 at 8 PM at NYC’s 92Y.

  Terence Blanchard, Ron Carter, Ravi Coltrane, Nicole Glover, John Patitucci, Kate Kortum, Aaron Diehl, and more.

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  Pippin, directed by Matthew Gardiner, continues through July 26 at DC’s Signature Theatre.

   Cedrick Neal (Leading Player), with Brayden Banbino (Pippin), Eric Hissom (Charles), Maria Rizzo (Fastrada), Naomi Jacobson (Berthe), Awa Sal Secka (Catherine), Ryan Sellers (Lewis), and Ellison Bihm (Theo), with Ben Bogen, Calvin L’mont Cooper, Candice Hatakeyama, Georgia Monroe, Alanna Sibrián, Jacob Taylor Starks, Emily Steinhardt, Hank von Kolnitz, Dylan Arredondo, Alonso Nicolas Waller, Liz Weber, Veronica Quezada, and Ian Rubi.

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   Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr) has joined the London company of Hamilton through Sept. 5 at the Victoria Place Theatre.

   Stephenson Ardern-Sodje )Alexander Hamilton), Georgina Onuorah (Angelica Schuyler), Bente Mulan (Eliza Hamilton), Akmed Junior Khemalai (George Washington), Ashley J. Daniels (Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Alexander Bellinfantie (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Shak Mancel James (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Jasmine Jia Yung Shen (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds), and Daniel Boys (King George III), with Yuki Abe, Turrell Barrett-Wallace, John Browning, Milan Cacacie, Joshua Clemetson, Roxanne Couch, Yesy Garcia, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Riccardo Haerri, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Olivia Kate Holding, Sergi Ibanez, Jared Irving, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Lily Laight, Michael Lin, Avigalle Mendoza, Fallon Mondlane, Tamara Morgan, Liam Morris, Tim Nutt, Joshian Angelo Omaña, Aharon Rayner , Phoebe Samuel-Gray, and Daisy Ward.

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  What Became of Us, by Shayan Lotfi, with a rotating cast, continues through July 26 at DC’s Signature Theatre, directed by Ethan Heard.

Alma Cuervo (Q), Michael DeLorenzo (ZZ), Jo Yang (Q), and Stan Kang (Z).

  A sister and brother, the elder born in The Old Country and the younger born in This Country, share both big and small moments and memories from childhood through teenage rebellion, career successes, parenthood, and growing old. Their disparate perspectives lead to both fractures and forgiveness as they witness each other’s stories.

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  Brian Friel’s A Month in the Country will run Aug. 22 – Oct. 3 at the Donmar Warehouse, directed by Lyndsey Turner.

   Sophie Okonedo (Natalya Petrovna), Thomas Arnold (Arkady Islayev), Jessica Brindle (Katya), Susan Brown (Anna Islayeva), Rachelle Diedericks (Vera Aleksandrovna), Patrick Gibson (Aleksey Belyayev), Mark Hadfield (Herr Schaaf,), Michael Hodgson (Alfanasy Bolshintsov), Jonathan Livingstone (Matvey), Alistair Petrie (Michel Rakitin), Daniel Rigby (Ignaty Shpigelsky), and Amanda Wilkin (Lizaveta Bogdanovna).

  The play explores passion against propriety, as a cast of characters struggle to reconcile the lives they lead with the happiness they crave.

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   Hairspray continues through Aug. 8 at Dennis, Mass.’s Cape Playhouse, directed by Bill Fennelly.

 Alex Michaels (Edna Turnblad), Grace Carroll (Tracy Turnblad), Michael Brian Dunn Wilbur Turnblad), Keisha Gilles (Motormouth Maybelle), Ben Jackson Walker (Link Larkin), Maddy Le (Little Inez), Meaghan Maher (Penny Pingleton), Kate Marilley (Velma Von Tussle), Maya Musial (Amber Von Tussle), Lukas Poost (Corny Collins), and Jalen Xavier (Seaweed J. Stubbs), with Taylor Colleton, Talia Cutulle, Zeth Dixon, Adena Ershow, Madeline Glave, Jordyn Jones, Laura Jordan, Natalie Lacy, Jack Mastrianni, Kevin B. McGlynn, Elexis Morton, Ryan Norton, Isaiah Reynolds, Alanna Rishaan Porter, and Drew Tremblay.

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  Answers:  Red, White, or Blue by Jim Bernhard

1. “At the Red Rose Cotillion” – Where’s Charley?
2. “Alice Blue Gown” – Irene
3. “Little Red Hat” – 110 in the Shade
4. “My White Knight” – The Music Man
5. “Red and Black” – Les Miserables
6. “Black and Blue” – Ain’t Misbehavin’
7. “White Boys” – Hair
8. “Great White Father” – Purlie
9. “The Mirror-Blue Night” – Spring Awakening
10. “The Red Baron” – You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown