Today’s Highlights:

  The People Versus Lenny Bruce, world premiere by Susan Charlotte, directed by Antony Marsellis, featuring Johnny Anthony, Timothy Doyle, Dan Grimaldi, Ian Lithgow, Stephen Schnetzer, Jonathan Spivey, and Roberta Wallach, opens at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row.

  A Bright New Boise, by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Jack Fleischer, featuring  J.R. Russell , Lizzy McGroder, Jordan Oz, Christine Castanon, and Ryan Price, opens at LA’s Hudson Theaters.

  Take Me to Dollylwood, world premiere by Harris Singer, directed by Luke Wisniewski, featuring Harris Singer (The Playwright), Lisa Cohen (Playwright’s Mom), Sam Flynn, Brason Jones, Tomias Robinston, Paris Alexander, Earl Dax, Michelle Zabinski, Caroline Best, and Royce Johnson, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s La MaMa.

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  Duncan Sheik’s Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen will run this Fall (dates TBA) at The Night Egg at the Culture Club, directed & choreographed by Rob Ashford.

 TBA.

  A daring new musical about Colette, a witty young dreamer in 20th-century Paris, who finds her power through writing. While working at an elusive maison close called Night Egg, she begins chronicling the fantasies, confessions, and private sorrows of her eccentric clients, slowly transforming herself from object to observer—turning perversions into art. But underneath her sharp intelligence and growing independence, Colette has her own perversion she cannot outrun: a lingering, destructive attachment to Léon, her childhood love, whose toxic hold on her continues to blur the line between devotion and self-destruction.

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   Rajiv Joseph’s Archduke will run June 20 -July  25 (opening June 26) at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Lyndsey Turner.

  Chris Walley, Abraham Popoola, Stanley Morgan, Janice Connolly and Marc Wootton.

  An irreverent reimagining of a pivotal moment in history, Archduke blends mounting tension with biting wit in a timely European premiere for an age of restless young men. Set in Belgrade, 1914, three hungry young men are offered something to eat (and the chance to change the course of history). Their mission: kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand and set the century alight.

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Cursed – My Road to Hollywood, written & performed by Linda Mendoza, will run June 7-21 at Hollywood’s Hudson Guild Theater.

  This is no sob story. It’s the funny and heartwarming story of a woman who through perseverance, dedication, and hard work rose to the top of her profession, regardless of the family curse.

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 If you missed this year’s Miscast 26, click here to watch it for free.

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  A filmed version of the London production of  Mark Rosenblatt’s  Giant will be released in 18 countries.  Click here to find a screening near you.

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

  The narrative unfolds in the country house Dahl shares with his fiancée, Felicity “Liccy” Crosland. Inside, a heated debate erupts over how to manage the ensuing media scandal. Dahl’s Jewish literary agent, Tom Maschler, and an American publisher, Jessie Stone, pressure him to retract his inflammatory remarks. The play is a nuanced character study examining the collision between private prejudice and public responsibility, while the characters wrestle with whether an apology is necessary or if it is merely a superficial fix.

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   Hell Mouth, world premiere by Tom Jacobson, has been extended though June 6 at North Hollywood’s Road Theatre Company, directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky.

   Tomy Abatemarco (Russell/Spencer), Taylor Hilbert (Lois/Samara), and Danny Lee Gomez (Tim).

  Torn between his midwestern parents and the Beverly Hills owners of an unknown caravaggio hanging of Judas, Tim rediscovers himself while making the art history discovery of the century. Imagine your own mother on the Worst Dressed Women List.

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   Nightclub: A True Story will take place Wed. May 20 at NYC’s Green Room 42 (link TBA), directed by Charles Kirsch.

D’Jamin Bartlett and Mark Bornfield.

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   Case Closed??, written & directed byKeya Kalyan & Gayathri Krishnakumar, will run June 13-26 at Upstairs@ El Centro (1103B N. El Centro Ave.)

  Griffin Burns (Shinichi Kudo), Erica Mendez (Ai Haibara), Michael Sorich (Hiroshi Agasa), and Andrew J. Russell (Genta Kojima).

   A dark, absurd courtroom comedy that blurs the line between justice and performance. After a famous clown is found dead at a clown convention, his sister is put on trial in a very real courtroom, where testimony, evidence, and verdicts unfold before the audience. What begins as a seemingly straightforward legal proceeding quickly fractures, as witnesses contradict themselves, motives become murky, and the pursuit of truth starts to feel increasingly comical. Set entirely inside the courtroom, the play invites the audience to act as the jury, weighing evidence, questioning credibility, and ultimately determining the outcome of the trial.

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  The UK tour of Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting The Musical will run Oct. 19 – Mar. 27, 2027, directed by Caroline Jay Ranger.

Click here for tour dates.

   Sheridan Townsley (Sick Boy), Kieran Andrew (Spud), Frankie O’Connor (Begbie), Rebecca McKinnis (Cathy Renton), Robbie Scott (Mark Renton), Finlay Paul (Tommy), Rebecca McKinnis (Cathy Renton), Ashley russell (Coleen), Rosie Dignan (alison), Rosie Digman (Alison), Yana Harris (Kelly), and Sophie Hutchinson (Lizzie), with with Ally Kennard, Kieran Brown (also Resident Director), Melanie Marshall, Lewis Kidd, Samuel Stewart, Finlay McKillop, Ciara Ennis, Victoria Nicol, Kyra Fyvie, and Chris O’Mara.

  In 1996, CHOOSE LIFE sounded like a challenge. Now the landscape has shifted, but the hunger hasn’t. Addiction hasn’t disappeared – it's shifted. It’s quieter now, more embedded. Less needle, more screen. Less escape, more repetition. The modern addiction to mobile phones, faces stuck to screens, the same restless search for something to fill the space. The musical highlights the world we see changing around us, the obsceneconcentration of wealth, economic and political power in the hands of so few people. It addresses the modern culture of powerlessness.

Today’s Highlights:

  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, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Public Theatre.

  Go Down, Moses, by Dana Leslie Goldstein, directed by Brandon M. Weber, featuring Terence Archie, Philip Hoffman, Shania Adams, Lucas Bernhauer, Kaa’lah Bynes, Maddy Mackarey, Yarin Neuhaus, Jeremiah Packer, Vanessa, Donovan Price, Patrick Saint Ange, Celina Mylene Santana, and Renee Shohet, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s A.R.T. Theatres.

  Brigadoon, newly adapted by Alexandra Silber, directed & choreographed by Katie Spelman, featuring Tyne Daly (Widow Lundie), now replacing Mr. Lundie), Max Von Essen ( Tommy Albright), Betsy Morgan (Fiona MacLaren), Happy Anderson (Jeff Douglas), and Daniel Yearwood (Charlie Dalrymple), Kylie Victoria Edwards (Jean MacLaren),  Michael Scott Harris (Archie Beaton), Jessica Lee Keller (Maggie Anerson),Spenser Milford (Harry Meaton),  Donna Vivno Meg Brockie, and Geoffrey Wake (Andrew Maclaren), begins previews at Pasadena Playhouse.

  Eleanor, by Mark St. Germain, directed by David Ellenstein, featuring Kandice Chappel, previews at Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre.

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  Broadway Grosses for the week ending May 10.

Click here for the complete analysis.

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   The world premiere of Tom Jacobson’s Hell Mouth has been extended through June 6 at North Hollywood’s Road Theatre Company, directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky.

  Tony Abatemarco (Russell/Spencer), Taylor Hilbert (Lois/Samara), and Danny Lee Gomez (Tim).

   Torn between his Midwestern parents and the Beverly Hills owners of an unknown Caravaggio Hanging of Judas, Tim rediscovers himself while making the art history discovery of the century. Imagine your own mother on the Worst Dressed Women List.

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   Adrienne Warren will join the cast of  David Auburn’s Proof on Tues. June 30 at the Booth Theatre, directed by Thomas Kail.

The cast also includes Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle, and Jin Ha.

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    A reading of Douglas Lyons’ Pure Glitter will take place Sat. May 23 at 7:30 PM at LA’s LGBT Center, directed by Emerson Collins. The event is free with a suggested donation to the TransContinental Pipeline.

  Sachin Bhatt, Barrett Foa, Adrián Javier, Rory O’Malley Jean E.S. Powell,  and Chris Renfro.

The play explores friendship, chosen family, and vulnerability among a group of gay men in there 40s. The story centers on a 10th-anniversary surprise party that goes awry, leading to a night of drama, shade, and, ultimately, deep connection.

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

Casting TBA.

  Truly Howard Hughes (Sept. 9 – Oct. 4), by Frank Evans, Jennifer Paulson-Lee, James Scully, Frank Evans & Chad Gron,directed & Choreographed by Jennifer Paulson-Lee.    An unconventional love story following one of the 20th century’s most fascinating figures: aviator, filmmaker, businessman, and recluse, Howard Robard Hughes, Jr.. The story unfolds as Hughes revisits his extraordinary life during his final moments, confronting the one thing his power and fortune could never secure, and leaves us with a haunting question: …Wouldn’t you, if you could?

  Kilgallen (Nov. 28 – Dec. 27), world premiere by Chuck Strand, Emily Drossell & George Peterson.    A true crime musical about Dorothy Kilgallen, the most powerful female journalist of the 1950s. Brilliant, relentless, and unapologetically ambitious, Kilgallen moved among the celebrities, politicians, and power brokers who defined her era. When President Kennedy was assassinated, she became convinced that the truth was being buried, and set out to prove it. Even as she realized her life was in danger, she forged ahead. Dorothy died under suspicious circumstances on Nov. 7, 1965. The mystery remains unsolved today.

…. and more TBA

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  Off-Broadway’s MCC Theater has announced its 2026 Judith Champion PlayLabs Reading Series.  Free tix here.  Casting TBA.

   My Love My Love (May 4 at 6:30 PM), by Justice Hehir, directed by Joan Sergay,.    In 2012, Jane and Eric are scene partners for their college intermediate acting class.

  Is Cry You Cry’n? (May 11 at 6:30 PM), by Dhari Noel, directed by Marissa Joyce Stamps.  Grace is staging a green-card wedding: Tashie–recently coming from Trinidad with her son Likkle–is marrying her Americanized “cousin” Nap. Nap is bringing his “friend” as a witness. Four fraternity pledges are preparing for their last night of hell week before becoming full-fledged brothers: they make dances, crack jokes, and test one another. Both stories take place in the same basement, blurring the lines of identity, time, and belonging. “If cat mek kitten in an oven does that make it bun?” is a Trini saying our mothers might tell us when we dare suggest we are not really Trini. Is Cry You Cry’n? is about the dream this proverb aspires to make real.

   At the Confluence of Creeks (May 18 at 6:30 PM), by Sam Mueller.  Caleb is back at his family’s hunting cabin in rural Wyoming for the first time in a decade. He hasn’t been since he came out as trans but his estranged brother, Cain, has invited Caleb to come along for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hunt a bighorn sheep. Little do they know, there’s a bighorn sheep nearby pulling off his limbs and morphing into a man. The brothers are too busy collapsing under the weight of things they won’t say to each other to notice they might be the ones being hunted. A play that asks just how much weight an olive branch can withstand.

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   Cursed – My road to Hollywood, written & performed by Linda Mendoza, will run June 7-21 at Hollywood’s Hudson Guild Theatre.

   The funny and heartwarming story of a woman who through perseverance, dedication, and hard work rose to the top of her profession, regardless of the family curse.

Today’s Highlights:

   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, begins previews at NYC’s The Club (530 West 27th St. 6th floor).

  Pippin, directed by Matthew Gardiner, featuring 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, begins previews at DC’s Signature Theatre.

  MCC Theater‘s Miscast26 benefit in-person concert, honoring Roy Furman, Jill Furman, and Jose Useche, featuring Nicholas Christopher, Darren Criss, Jane Krakowski, Caissie Levy, Lea Michele, ruthie Ann Miles, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Tramell Tillman, 7 PM ET at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom. The concert also streams for FREE here,

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   Pasadena Playhouse has announced its 2026-27 season:

  The Visit (Sept. 9 – Oct. 4), by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, adapted by Maurice Valency, directed by Darko Tresenjak, starring Jefferson Mays.

   Passing Strange (Nov. 4-29), by Stew & Heidi Rodewald, directed by Zhailon Levingston.

  Real women Have Curves: The Musical (Apr. 4 – May 16, 2027), by Joy Huerta, Benjamin Velez, Lisa Loomer & Nell Benjamin.

  Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (June 16 – July 11), directed by Jessica Kubbansky, starring Alfred Molina.

…and more TBA…

Casting and additional information TBA.

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    Amazing Graves, offering 2 short plays, will take place Fri. June 5 at Santa Monica’s Broadwater Second Stage.

   I Hate How You Dress,  by Beth Polsky, directed by David Datz, featuring AnnaLisa Erickson, Janet Hoskins, Patti Lewis, Amanda Lynne, Tammy Mora and Michael Newton.  Four individuals in a cemetery get to say things they should have said long ago. Their conservations are monitored by two angels. Not all of the four will leave the graveyard alive.

 Our Cemetery, by Grant Gottschall, directed by Genny Wilson, featuring  Debra Kay Lee, Beebe Smith, Leon Acord, Rebecca O’Brien and Michael Dempsey.  Former classmates of a Bowling Green, Ohio high school meet fifty years later in their local cemetery. They gather to reminisce prior to their official 50^th high school reunion later that day. Some friendships are renewed, some rivalries are revived, and deep secrets are revealed, some of them unsettling.

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   The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards will take place Sun. May 17 at 7:30 PM at NYC’s Algonquin Hotel, hosted by  Marla Mindelle.

Click here for additional information.

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   The 2026 Theatre World Awards have been announced for Outstanding Debut Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production during the 2025-2026 theatrical season. The awards ceremony will take place Tues. June 2 at 2 PM at Broadway’s Longacre Theatre.

 Ben Ahlers (Death of a Salesman),  LJ Benet (The Lost Boys), Madeline Brewer (Becky Shaw), Adrien Brody (The Fear of 13), Ayo Edebiri (Proof),  Alden Ehrenreich (Becky Shaw), Luke Evans (The Rocky Horror Show), Will Harrison (Punch), River Lipe-Smith (Caroline), Leslie Manville  (Oedipus), Robert “Silk” Mason, Cats: The Jellicle Ball), and Sam Tutty (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).

Rachael Stirling (Giant) will receive the 17th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater.

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   Off-Broadway’s York Theatre has announced its 2026-27 season at  Theatre at St. Jeans.  Casting TBA.

  Truly, Howard Hughes (Sept. 9 – Oct. 4), world premiere by Frank Evans,  Jennifer Paulson-Lee, James Scully & Chad Gorn, directed & choreographed by Jennifer Paulson-Lee.   An unconventional love story following one of the 20th century’s most fascinating figures: aviator, filmmaker, businessman, and recluse, Howard Robard Hughes, Jr.. The story unfolds as Hughes revisits his extraordinary life during his final moments, confronting the one thing his power and fortune could never secure, and leaves us with a haunting question: …Wouldn’t you, if you could?

  Kilgallen (Nov. 28 – Dec.  27), world premiere by Chuck Strand, Emily Drossell & George Petersen.   A true crime musical about Dorothy Kilgallen, the most powerful female journalist of the 1950s. Brilliant, relentless, and unapologetically ambitious, Kilgallen moved among the celebrities, politicians, and power brokers who defined her era. When President Kennedy was assassinated, she became convinced that the truth was being buried, and set out to prove it. Even as she realized her life was in danger, she forged ahead. Dorothy died under suspicious circumstances on November 7, 1965. The mystery remains unsolved today.

   New2NY Series (Mar. 6 – Apr. 11, 2027).  Series information TBA.   A vital launching pad for new work. Be among the first to experience new musicals and help to shape what comes next. These lovingly and minimally staged concert presentations strip away the spectacle and focus on what matters: the writing, the music, and the storytelling.

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    Kristoffer Diaz & Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen will run May 26 – June 1 at the Pantages Theatre, directed byMichael Greif.

  Maya Drake (Ali), Kennedy Cuaghell (Jersey), Roz White (Miss Liza Jane) Desmond Sean Ellington (Davis), and Jon Avery Worrell (Knuck).

  Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire–searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you’ve never felt before. Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the 90s, the piece is a love story between a mother and daughter. It’s about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin.

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  The world premiere of Susan Charlotte’s ThePeople Versus Lenny Bruce, currently in previews, will open May 14 at Theatre Row, directed by Antony Marsellis.

  Johnny Anthony, Timothy Doyle, Dan Grimaldi, Ian Lithgow, Stephen Schnetzer, Jonathan Spivey, and Roberta Wallach.

  Based on lawyer Martin Garbus’s experiences, it explores his fight to protect Bruce’s free speech rights against a biased legal system that was determined to silence him.

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   Alicia Key’s Hell’s Kitchen will run May 26 – June 21 at the Pantages Theater, directed by Michael Greif.

  Maya Drake (Ali), Desmond Sean Ellington (Davis), Jon Avery Worrell (Knuck), Kennedy Caughell (Jersey), Roz white (Miss Liza Jane), Sean Holland (Riq),  with Temarciae Bain, Miya Bass, and more TBA.

  Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire–searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you’ve never felt before.

Today’s Highlights:

   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, opens at London’s Young Vic.

  Bubbling Brown Sugar benefit concert, by Loften Mitchell & Rosetta LeNoire, with music direction by Barnell White. featuring special guest Carla Hall, with Darlesia Cearcy, Darius de Haas, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Mel Johnson, Jr., Nicolas King, Doremshia Sumbry-Edwards, Anthony Wayne, Lillias White and Brittany Nicole Williams, at 6 PM at NYC’s Rosie’s Place at Penthouse 45 (432 W. 45th St.).

   4 Musical Tenors & Friends: Best of Broadway concert, featuring Michael Bragagnolo, Jan Kriz, Pavel Vitek, and Marian Vojtko, with special guests Daniel Assetta, Heather Makalani, and Rachel Zatcof, at 7:30 PM at Carnegie Hall.

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   Life in the Theatre by Jim Bernhard

Match these songs about life with their shows:

Scroll down for the answers…

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  MCC Theater’s  MISCAST26 will stream for FREE  here on Tues. May 12 at 7 PM ET.

  Alex Brightman, LJ Benet, Ali Louis Bourzgui, Sara Chase, Nicholas Christopher,  Darren Criss, Nikki M. James, Jane Krakowski, Caissie Levy, Lea Michele, Ruthie Ann Miles, Marla Mindelle, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom Jr., Christiani Pitts, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Emma Sofia, Shaina Taub, Tramell Tillman, Sam Tutty,  Brandon Uranowitz, Jessica Vosk, and more.

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   Lustily Ever After: The Musical, by Stephanie Bentley, will run June 9-23 (opening June 15) at Hollywood’s Broadwater BlackBox Theatre (6322 Santa Monica Blvd.), directed by Jenni Barber.

  Stephanie Bentley, Alex Ellis, Katie Lee, Grace Lord, Suzy Nakamura and Tristan Turner.

   Beautiful Riley leads an ordinary life, working in a bookstore. After an early heartbreak, she’s sworn off men, bonding with her best friend Kim and her little kitten.Things are about to change when Riley is seduced by the most handsome, most accomplished, wealthiest man in the world, Tristan. After Tristan apparently abandons her, Riley enters a mystical portal in a glowing book and finds herself called upon to heroically rescue a fantasy realm from the clutches of an evil queen.Will Riley ever be reunited with her true love? Will she find her way back to her kitten and her bestie? Will she earn her happily-ever-after?

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    NYC’s 92NY will offer 92 NY on Broadway: Giant Performance on  Wed. May 20 at 7:30 PM at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre, followed by a conversation with John Lithgow, Aya Cash, and Mark Rosenblatt.

Click the link above for additional information.

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   NYC’s 92nd Street Y will present Lyrics & Lyricists Jr., a family celebration of Broadway musicals, inspired by NYC’s celebrated American Songbook series, will run May 16-17, (both at 1:30 PM), directed by Megan Doyle.

Performers and additional information TBA.

The event will be with charm-filled performances of songs kids know and love from musicals including Annie, Wicked, Cats, and others, with our wonderful cast highlighting what makes these songs such classics. The show then becomes interactive, with kids in the audience taking on the role of junior theater critics! They write down (or even draw) and hand in their thoughts about each of the next songs they’ll hear — all new songs by next-generation songwriters, written for new musicals in the making. As if it’s opening night of a brand-new show, the kids capture and share their impressions, as the very first audience to hear the new songs performed.

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   A Bright New Boise, by Samuel D. Hunter, will run May 14-17 at the Hudson Theaters, directed by Jack Fleischer.

  J.R. Russell , Lizzy McGroder, Jordan Oz, Christine Castanon, and Ryan Price.

  Will, a disgraced evangelical who moves to Boise to reconnect with his adopted teenage son, Alex, while working at a Hobby Lobby. Set in a bleak breakroom, the play explores faith, grief, and connection as Will’s dark past threatens the lives of his coworkers.

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  Lyrics & Lyricists Jr: An All New Revue of Classic & Emerging Musical Theater Songs will run May 16 & 17 at 1:30 PM at NYC’s 92Y.

   After many presentations, with kids in the audience taking on the role of junior theater critics, the show then becomes interactive. They will be prompted to write (or even draw) and hand in their thoughts about each of the next songs they’ll hear – original pieces by next-generation songwriters, written for new musicals in the making. As if it’s opening night of a brand-new show, the kids capture and share their impressions, as the very first audience to hear the new songs performed. Imagine hearing “Tomorrow” from Annie before anyone else. Make a date with the young Broadway lover in your life, and join us for this fun and engaging production.

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    Broadway’s  Suffs is now available to stream for free here.

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

   Kyra Belle Johnson (Belle), Fergie L. Philippe (Beast), Stephen Mark Lukas (Gaston), Danny Gardner (Lumiere), Kathy Voytko (Mrs. Potts), Javier Iagancio (Cogsworth), Harry Francis (Le Fou), Kevin Ligon (Maurice), Holly Ann Butley (Madame de la Grande Bouche), Cameron Monroe Thomas (Babette), and Beatrice Goddard Beggs & Levi Blaise Coleman (Chip), with Vinny Andaloro, Benjamin Cheng, Spencer Dean, Julian Marcus De Guzman, Michael Dikegoros, Masumi Iwai, Darrell T. Joe, Emily Larger, Lena Matthews, Caleb McArthur, Sam Rose Pearson, Melaina Rairamo, Ellen Roberts, Grace Marie Rusnica, Ben Sears, Michael Seltzer, Jasmine Pearl Villaroel, and Kate Wesler.

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  Dick Scanlan’s Every Kind of Light: The Love and Lyrics of Alan & Maryilyn Bergman will run June 6-8 at NYC’s 92Y.

  Ann Hampton Callaway and Billy Stritch.

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  Answers:  Life in the Theatre by Jim Bernhard

1-F.  “Where is the Life That Late I Led?” – Kiss Me, Kate

2-D.  “To Life” – Fiddler on the Roof

3-H.  “It’s the Hard Knock Life”- Annie

4-G.  “The Love of My Life” – Brigadoon

5-J.  “The Glamorous Life” – A Little Night Music

6-C.  “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life” – Spamalot

7-A.  “Life Upon the Wicked Stage” – Show Boat

8-I.  “It’s a Fine Life” – Oliver!

9-E. “In My Life”  – Les Misérables

10-B. “I Got Life” – Hair

This Weekend’s Highlights:

Friday, May 8

  Broadway Bound! A Love Letter to American Musical Theatre, by John A. Goux, directed by Victoria Lavan, featuring Constance Mellors, Caroline Quigley, Lily Cadot, Coko Kirton, Emily Fabretti, Scottie Nevil, Victoria Lavan, Anibal Silveyra, David Mingrino, Michael Gabiano, Michael Van Duzer, and Beto Ruiz, with special guest vocalists Zach Gordon, Toni Lorene, Jerrell Melton, Vertreace Sanders, Harleigh Ford, Alyssa Rupert, and DC Carver, opens at LA’s Theatre West.

 Suffs, the recording of the Broadway production, by Shaina Taub, featuring Shaina Taub (Alice Paul), Nikki M. James (Ida B Wells), Jenn Colella (Carrie Chapman Catt), Grace McLean (President Woodrow Wilson), Hannah Cruz (Inez Milholland), Kim Blanck (Ruza Wenclawska), Anastacia McCleskey (Church Terrell), Ally Bonino (Lucy Burns), Tsilala Brock (Dudley Malone), Nadia Dandashi (Doris Stevens), Emily Skinner (Alva Belmont/Phoebe Burn), Jaygee Macapugay (Mollie Haay), and Laiala Drew (Phyllis Terrell/Robin), airs at 9 PM ET on PBS.

Saturday, May 9

  Ascent, world premiere by Henry Ong, directed by Diana Wyen, featuring Trieu Tran, Iris Liu, Russell Edge, and Jorge-Luis Pallo, opens at LA Skylight Theatre.

  Santa Monica International Jazz Festival closes at the Santa Monica Broad Stage.

  Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown & Cunningham Onstage, closes at LA’s Wallis Annenberg Center.

Sunday, May 10

  Tru, by Jay Presson Allen, directed by rob Ashford, featuring Jesse Tyler Ferguson, closes at Off-Broadway’s House of the Redeemer.

   Falstaff, conducted by James Conlon, featuring Craig Colclough (Falstaff) and Nicole (Alice Ford), with Ernesto Petti (Ford), Deanna Breiwick (Nannetta), Anthony  León (Fenton), Hyona Kim (Mistress Quickly), Sarah Saturnino (Meg Page), Yuntong Han (Bardolph), Vinícius Costa (Pistol), and Nathan Bowles (Dr. Caius), closes at LA Opera.

  Master Harold … and the Boys, by Athol Fugard, directed by Emily Mann & Tarell Alvin McCraney, featuring Ben Beatty (Hally), Nyasha Hatendi ( Willie), and and John Kani (Sam), closes at LA’s Geffen Playhouse.

  Mrs. Christie, by Heidi Armbruster, directed by Joanie Schultz, featuring Matt Bowdren (Archie,) Blake Hamilton Currie  (William / Collins),  Amira Danan ( Nancy / Chloe), Zoë Sophia Garcia ( Lucy), Dale Hodges ( Jane,) Betsy Hogg ( Charlotte / Mary), Alex Keiper (Agatha) and William Sturdivant ( Monsieur), closes at Milwaukee Rep.

  Hershy Felder: The Piano & Me: A New musical Play (and 16 other characters) closes at Santa Barbara’s New Vic.

Broadway Bound! A Love Letter to American Musical Theatre, by John A. Goux, directed by Victoria Lavan, featuring Constance Mellors, Caroline Quigley, Lily Cadot, Coko Kirton, Emily Fabretti, Scottie Nevil, Victoria Lavan, Anibal Silveyra, David Mingrino, Michael Gabiano, Michael Van Duzer, and Beto Ruiz, with special guest vocalists Zach Gordon, Toni Lorene, Jerrell Melton, Vertreace Sanders, Harleigh Ford, Alyssa Rupert, and DC Carver, closes at LA’s Theatre West.

   Theatre West‘s Southern Fried Funeral, by Dietz Osborne & Nate Eppler, directed by Kerr Lordygan, featuring Ted Burke, Angie Dunlap, Kevin DeLoughry, Michael Di Rosa,  Mark Hillard, Jane Ho,  Kate Landro, Laura Manasewich, Lori McKenna, Robert Polachek, and Andy Stetkevich, closes at Pasadena’s Ahiah Center (150 N. El Molino Ave).

  Hershy Felder: The Piano & Me: A New musical Play (and 16 other characters) closes at Santa Barbara’s New Vic.

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  DC’s Signature Theatre has announced its 2026-2-27 Season:

Casting and additional information TBA.

  Merrily We Roll Along (Aug. 25 – Nov. 1), directed by Matthew Gardiner, featuring Jason Gotay (Franklin Shepard), Jake Loewenthal (Charley Krigngas), and Awa Sal Secka (Mary Flynn).

  The Secret Garden (Dec. 8 – Feb. 21, 2027),  directed by Ethan Heard.

  The Monsters (Feb. 2 – Mar. 21), by Ngozi Anyanwu, directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene.  A poignant, funny, and tender story of sibling rivalry and devotion.

   A Mountain for Elodie (March 23 – April 25), by Benjamin Scheuer, directed by Séimí Campbell, featuring Millie Bobby Brown.    Elodie, a dutiful young woman,  agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to discover it is a trap.

  Latin History for Morons (Apr, 27 – June 13), by John Leguizamao. An hilarious in-your-face show about pride and heritage.

  Follies (May 18 – June 27), directed by Matthew Gardiner.

  Urinetown (June 1 – August 8)

  All the World’s a Stage (Oct. 20 – Dec. 20), world premiere by Adam Gwon, directed by Matthew Gardiner. A moving story about embracing who you are and the life-saving power of art by one of contemporary musical theater’s most exciting voices.

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  Every Brilliant Thing, by Duncan Macmillan & Jonny Donahoe, will run June 3-21 (opening June 6) at Santa Barbara’s New Vic, directed by Jenny Sullivan.

   Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper

  What makes life worth living? A child starts a list of every brilliant thing in the world, hoping to help their mother through depression. As the list grows – ice cream, the color yellow, the sound of laughter – the audience is invited on a heartwarming, interactive journey through life’s highs and lows, discovering joy in the simplest things.

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

  Boston’s Lyric Stage has announced its 2026-27 season:

Creative teams and casting TBA.

   All My Sons (Sept. 18 – Oct. 18)

  Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Nov. 13 – Dec. 31)

   The Mirror Cracked (Feb. 5-28), by Agatha Christie.

  King James (Mar. 19 – Apr. 11)

   Musical TBA

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   Going Solo at Bay Street will run June 5 – Aug. 14 at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater, offering Friday evening performances throughout the summer season:

   Mister Halston (June 5 & 12), 

   Cagney the Musical (July 10 & 17)

   Dear Evan Hansen  (Aug. 7 & 14)

  Cagney the Musical (July 10& 17)

  Dear Evan Hansen (Aug. 7 & 14)

  A new welcoming audience initiative has been designed for patrons attending performances on their own during Bay Street’s 35th Anniversary Summer Season.

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

  The Santa Monica Jazz Festival  continues through May 9  at various LA locations.

Click here for complete information.

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

  Off-Broadway’s York Theatre has announced its 2026-27 season. Creative teams and casting TBA.

   Truly Howard Hughs (Sept. 9 – Oct. 4), by James Scully, Frank Evans & Frank Gorn.

  New 2NY Series (Mar. 6 – Apr. 11), Titles TBA.

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  A Life in the Theatre, starring Penny Fuller, will take place Sun. May 17, at 7 PM at PA’s Bucks County Playhouse, directed by Bruce Barnes.

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

 The world premiere of Martyna Majok & Aimee Mann’s Girl Interrupted has been extended through June 28 at Off-Broadway’s Public Theater, directed by Jo Bonney.

  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.

  When Susanna admits herself to a psychiatric hospital, following a 15-minute session with a doctor she’d never met, she forms unexpected bonds with the young women inside as they search for connection and a way forward. Raw and unapologetic, this new play with music reveals that the people who witness our darkest moments are often those who truly see us.

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

  LA’s Blank Theatre has announced the winners of its 24th Annual Young Playwrights Festival.

Click here for the complete list.

Today’s Highlights:

  Go Down, Moses, world premiere by Dana Leslie Gosldstein, directed by Brandon M. Weber, featuring Terence Archie and Philip Hoffman, with Shania Adams, Lucas Bernhauer, Kaa’lah Bynes, Maddy Mackarey, Yarin Neuhaus, Jeremiah Packer, Vanessa Pliskow  Donovan Price, Patrick Saint Ange, Celina Mylene Santana, and Renee Shohe, begins opens at Off-Broadway’s A.R.T./New York Theatres.

   Oedipus El Rey, by Luis Alfaro, directed by Loretta Greco, featuring Juan Arturo (Oedipus), Gabe Martinez (Laius), Melisa Soledad Pereyra (Jocasta), Jaime Jose Hernandez (Creon), Victor Almanzar (Tiresias), and Javier David (El Sobador), opens at Boston’s Calderwood Pavilion.

  Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown & Cunningham Onstage opens at LA’s Wallis Annenberg Center.

  The People Versus Lenny Bruce, world premiere by Susan Charlotte, directed by Antony Marsellis, featuring Johnny Anthony, Timothy Doyle, Dan Grimaldi, Ian Lithgow, Stephen Schnetzer, Jonathan Spivey, and Roberta Wallach, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row.

  Eileen Barnet: It’s My Birthday and I’ll Sing If I Want To concert, at 8:30 PM at LA’s Catalina Jazz Club.

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

   Red Bull Theater‘s Cymbeline, Refinished, by Shakespeare & George Bernard, Shaw, will take place live on May 18  at 7 PM and Streaming on-demand May 19-24 at Off-Broadway’s Symphony Space, directed by Michael Sexton.

  Ra’Mya Latiah Aikens, Amir Arison, Tina Benko, Carson Elrod, Michael Karadsheh, Alfredo Narciso, Geoffrey Owens, Tom Pecinka, Vaughn Pole, Jay O. Sanders, and more TBA.

  One great playwright rewrites another, as George Bernard Shaw imagines a refreshingly feminist ending for Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. In the same vein as Shaw’s final work Shakes versus Shav—a 10-minute Punch and Judy show in which the two bards debate who’s the better writer—Shaw tries to improve upon “one of Shakespeare’s finest later works” that nonetheless “goes to pieces” in Act V. The reading will feature Shakespeare’s original play, with Shaw’s reimagined final act, giving us a seamless experience of the two singular geniuses.

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

  Nominations for the 70th annual Drama Desk Awards been announced here.

The ceremony will take place Sun. May 17 at 7:30 PM at NYC’s Town Hall.

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

   Off-Broadway’s Red Bull Theater will present its annual Running of the Red Bulls benefit gala on Mon. June 1 at 6 PM at NYC’s Bowery Hotel, hosted by Santino Fontana.

  John Lithgow and arts advocate Joanna Cole.

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

  A screening of “John Candy: I Like Me” will take place Tues. May 19 at 7 PM at the MPTF Louis B. Mayer Theater (23388 Mulholland Dr., Woodland Hills, CA 91364), followed by a conversation.

here.

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

  54 Sings Lerner & Lowe will take place Tues. May 19 at 7 PM at NYC’s 54 Below, hosted & music directed by Michael Portantiere.

  Meg Bussert, Martin Vidnovic,  Josie de Guzman, and Robert Cuccioli, Jay Aubrey Jones, Gerard Alessandrini , Ben Jones, Michael Padgett, and Megan Styrna.

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

   Celebrity Autobiography will run May 16 – Sept. 6 (opening May 18) at the Shubert Theatre, directed by Eugene Pack & Dayle Reyfel.

(opening night): Scott Adsit, Mario Cantone, Jeff Hiller, Jackie Hoffman, Christopher Jackson, Gayle King, Andrea Martin, Bobby Moynihan, Ben Mankiewicz, Lemam Thompson, Nia Vardalos, Rita Wilson, and more TBA.

(rotating): Brooke Adams, Pamela Adlon), Scott Adsit, Lewis Black, Christie Brinkley, Danny Burstein, Mario Cantone, Bob Costas), Tate Donovan, Chloe Fineman, Will Forte, Gina Gershon, Kathy Griffin, Jeff Hiller, Jackie Hoffman, Christopher Jackson, Ken Jeong, Gayle King, Stewart Lane, Susan Lucci, Ralph Macchio, Ben Mankiewicz, Andrea Martin, Donna McKechnie,  Eric McCormack, Bobby Moynihan,  Laraine Newman, Oscar Nunez, Cheri Oteri, Eugene Pack, Tiler Peck, Billy Porter, Dayle Reyfel, Phil Rosenthal, Tony Shalhoub, Sherri Shepherd, Molly Shannon, Jennifer Tilly, Kenan Thompson, Nia Vardalos, Bruce Vilanch, Rita Wilson, and .Alan Zweibel.

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

    The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards will take place May 17 at 7:30 PM at NYC’s Town Hall.

  here.

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

   Sweeney Todd will run June 5 – July 5 (opening June 6) at CT’s TheatreWorks Hartford, directed by Rob Ruggiero.

   Matt Faucher (Sweeney Todd), Jackie Burns (Mrs. Lovett), Carey Brown  (Beggar Woman), Willem Butler (Anthony Hope), Tristan David Caldwell (Adolfo Pirelli /Jonas Fogg), Lauren Maria Medina (Johanna), Brian Ray Norris (Beadle Bamford), Cole Thompson (Tobias Ragg), and Edward Watts (Judge Turpin).

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

   Evita will transfer to a Shubert Theater TBA in Spring 2027 (dates TBA).

Casting and additional information TBA.

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

   Video:  Highlights from Jesus Christ Superstar at CT’s Goodspeed.

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

  CrazySexyCool – The TLC Musical will run June 12 – Aug, 9 at  DC’s Arena Stage, written & directed by Kwame Kewi-Armah.

 Holli’ Gabrielle Conway(Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins,) Jade Milan (Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes), Stoney B. Woods (Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas), Felicia Curry (Dr. Nzinga/Christina, and Kennedy Holmes, with  Bryan Archibald, Trenton McKenzie Beavers, Aaron Bliden, Josh A. Dawson,  Nichole Forde, Deon’te Goodman, Ciara Alyse Harris, Bethany Hemmans, Justin Raynard Hicks,  Lindsey Jolyn Jackson, Malik Kitchen, Darius Jordan Lee, Madison McBrid, and Christopher Henry Young.

 The (mostly true)) story of unshakable sisterhood to the stage, featuring a powerhouse cast, high-octane choreography, and multi-platinum Billboard hits like “Waterfalls,” “Creep,” “Unpretty,” and of course, “No Scrubs.” Go beyond the fiery scandals, explosive creative clashes, and harrowing tragedies to experience this remarkable tale of defiance, triumph, and love.

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

   Samuel D. Hunter’s A Bright New Boise will run May 14 – 17 at the Hudson Theaters, directed by Jack Fleischer.

   J.R. Russell , Lizzy McGroder, Jordan Oz, Christine Castanon, and Ryan Price.

  A will, a disgraced evangelical, moves to Boise to reconnect with his adopted teenage son, Alex, while working at a Hobby Lobby. Set in a bleak breakroom, the play explores faith, grief, and connection as Will’s dark past threatens the lives of his coworkers.

Today’s Highlights:

  The Motion, by Christopher Chen, directed by Hana S. Sharif, featuring Barzin Akhavan, Peregrine Teng Heard, Nehal Joshi, Nancy Robinette, Nikkole Salter, and Eli El, opens at DC’s Arena Stage.

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  Broadway Grosses for the week ending May 3.

Click here for the complete analysis.

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

   The 2026 Tony Award nominations have been announced HERE.

The annual ceremony will take place Sun. June 7 at 7 PM at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Pink.

Additional information TBA.

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

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

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

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

   Lionel Richie in concert will take place Sat. Aug. 29 at 8 PM at the St. Louis Muny.

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

  Lincoln Center Theater‘s production of Ragtime will launch a national tour in the Fall of 2027, directed by Lear DeBessonet. Link and additional information TBA.

   TBA.

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

   Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens’ Anastasia will run June 5  – 28  (opening June 6) at CA’s La Mirada Theatre, directed & choreographed by Parker Esse, with music direction ty Ryan O’Connell.

  Lena Ceja (Anya/Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna  Romanov) Dillon Klena (Dmitry Sudayev) (Derek Klena Dmitry), Peyton Crim (Vladimir ‘Vlad’ Popov,) Richard Bermudez (Deputy Commissioner Gleb Vaganov), Sarah Wolter (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Suzanna Guzmán (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna Romanov), and Annabelle Bergold & Elayne Cowden (Young Anastasia/Alexei), with  Sofia Aniceto, Tucker Knowlton Boyes, Wes Dameron, Lauren Decierdo, Michael Deni, Christopher Ho, Anton Harrison LaMon, Tayler Mettra, Shanon Mari Mills, Natalie Palmgren, Rasha Willes-Samaha, Kyle Vaughn, Toni White,  Michael Laverde and Sabrina Marielle. 

  The musical transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past.  Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat.  Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. 

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

   The  inaugural Santa Monica International Jazz Festival continues through May 9 at Santa Monica’s Broad Stage, directed by Stanley Clark.

Click  the link above for all the details.

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

    Broadway.com announced the nominations in 24 competitive categories for the 26^th annual Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards. The nominees were selected by fans from across the globe who voted for all eligible candidates in the most democratic theater award of the year.

Click the link above for the complete list of nominations.

This year,Chess was the most nominated musical with 15 nominations while Proof was the most nominated play with 7 nominations. Nicholas Christopher led all performers with 4 nominations for his performance in Chess.

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

   Shaina Taub’s Suffs will air Fri. May 8 at 9 PM on PBS (check local listings). Click here  for additional information.

  Sahina Taub (Alice Paul), Nikki M James (Ida B. Wells), Jenn Colella (Carrie Chapman Catt), and Grace McLean(President Woodrow Wilson).

   The story of the American suffragist movement and the remarkable friendships, heartbreak, and action that brought women together—or, in some cases, tore them apart.

  Watch a preview here.

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

   Theater for the New City will present its 30th Lower East Side Festival of the Arts May 22-24, offering 3 days of freeshowings for live audiences.

  Multidisciplinary indoor performances will take stage from 6 PM – midnight each evening, utilizing two of TNC’s four theaters, from 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday, vendors and food sellers, including booths from nearby restaurants, will line the closed-off block of East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues. On Saturday afternoon inside in the Johnson Theater, there will be performances by and for children, curated by T. Scott Lilly, Danielle Hauser and Miguel Loyola, emceed by John Grimaldi. A fine art show, curated by Carolyn Ratcliffe, will be displayed throughout the fest in the theater’s lobby gallery. A film program will be presented Saturday from noon to 10:00 PM in the Cabaret Theater, featuring works by auteurs from the Lower East Side/East Village along with works that reflect the essence of the neighborhood. Over 20 films curated by Burak Tatar will be screened, accompanied by talkbacks with a number of the film makers. On Saturday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, an Outdoor Stage adjoining the theater will offer music and multi-discipline performances curated by Richard West, assisted by Didi Champagne. On Sunday from 4 PM to 7 PM in TNC’s Community Theater, there will be a “Poetry Jam with Prose on the Side” curated by Lissa Moira and emceed by Richard West and Didi Champagne.

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   Jenni Chiaramonte’s Doom Girls will run June 8-27 (0pening June 11) at Hollywood’s Broadwater Blackbox Theatre (6322 Santa Monica Blvd.), directed by Matt Morillo.

  Enni Chiaramonte, Cynthia Dane, Tamika Katon-Donegal, Nina Rancel and Alex Sarno.

  Three extraterrestrial secret agents—who are also bandmates—are called back into action to track down a dangerous fugitive hiding on the hellish planet known as Earth. Even worse, he’s disguised as… a podcast bro! It’s up to these secret agent/rockstar beings to save the universe…again!

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

  LA’s Blank Theatre has announced the winners of the theatre’s 34th annual Young Playwrights Festival.

  Roadtrip by Max Leventon, age 18, …… Running Gun by Ace Perez, age 17,…… In the Name of Love by Charlotte Long, age 18 …… Iphis and Ianthe by Mina Feldman, age 1 ……The Bolt and the Bumper by Abdullah Muzammil, age 16  …… Guesswork by Elle Prince, age 16 ……Who Would Believe SadieKessler? by Emma Wolff …… Young Girls by Emma Gordon, age 17 ….. Monsters by Katie Giglio, age 18 ….. Rocky Hotdog Picture Show by  Townes Powell, age 18 …..  Forgotten Fields by Kaizer Larson,  …… and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dating by Walton Hurley.

Today’s Highlights:

  The Sound of Music, directed by Jack O’Brien, featuring Cayliegh Capaldi (Maria Rainer), Kevn Early (Captain Georg von Trapp), Christine Noll (Mother Abbess), Nichalos rodriguez (Max Ketweiler), Kate Loprest (Elsa Schraeder),Ian Coursey (Rolf Gruber), John Adinson (Franz), John Adkison (Franz), Jennifer Maleke (Frau Schmidt), Corey Breenan (Admiral von Schreiber), Daniel Sullivan (Herr Zeller), Jennifer Malene (Frau Schmidt),Corey Goreenan (Admiral von Schreiber), Torben Mularski (Friedrich), Skylar Mattews (Louisa), Reece Boyle (Kurt), Haddie Mac (Brigitta), Berekley Waulk (Marta), Everly Beeson (Gretl), and Meredith Lustig (Sister Sophia), with Sydney K. Borchers, Alli Echelmeyer, Dylan Bradford, and Blaire Eilene Baker, opens at LA’s Pantages Theatre.

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   Mozart’s  Magic Flute will run May 30 – June 17 at LA Opera, conducted by James Conlon.

  Miles Mykkanen (Prince Tamino), Sydney Mancasola (Princess Pamina), Kyle Miller (Papageno), Aigul Khismatullina (Queen of the Night), Kwangchul Youn (Sarastro), Meridian Prall (Third Lady), and Ismaele (First Armored Man).

  Prince Tamino wakes up in a strange land with an even stranger quest: to deliver the Princess Pamina from the clutches of Sarastro. Joined by the loveable bird-catcher Papageno, these unlikely heroes will face uncharted lands and hidden dangers. But the Queen of the Night who sent them on this journey might be the most dangerous of all…

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

   Virginia Stage Company has announced its 206-27 season:

  Come From Away  (Sept. 2 – 20)

   Agatha  Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Jan, 20 – Feb. 7, 2027)

   The Heart Sellers (Oct. 7-18), by Lloyd Suh.

  A Merry Little Christmas Carol (Dec. 2-23),by Mark Shanahan, adapted from the novella by Charles Dickens.

   A Sherlock Carol Dec. 4-27) by Mark Shanahan

   John Proctor is the Villain (Mar. 3-20, 2027)

   Cabaret (April 14 – May 2, 2027)

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    Nominations for the 2026 Chita Rivera Awards have been announced for the 2025-2026 season. Click here for all the nominations.

The awards will be presented on Mon. May 18 at 7:30PM at the NYU Skirball Center.

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   Industry presentations of Joe Calarco’s America’s Mom will take place Wed. June 24 at Off-Broadway’s Open Jar Studios, directed by Hannah Ryan. Industry members interested in attending: email Info@AmpersandTheatrical.com.

   Laila Robins (Valerie), Abbey Lee (Stevie), and Maria Habeeb (Marta).

  The work explores the concept of family estrangement, following sitcom star Valerie making her Broadway debut when her daughter Stevie, who went no contact five years earlier, arrives at her dressing room following a performance.

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

  Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater will present the world premiere of Raffaele Pacitti’s Mister Halston, to run June 2-21, directed by Michael Wilson.

Matt McGrath

   Set against the glamorous and volatile worlds of 1970s and 80s New York, Mister Halston traces the meteoric rise, dazzling fame, and ultimate fall of one of America’s most iconic fashion designers. A strikingly personal portrait of the man behind the myth while revealing the human cost of ambition, artistry, and reinvention.

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

  The world premiere of Dirty Books, written and directed by Mara Lieberman, continues through July 12 at the Bated Breath Theater (39 W 14th Street, #301).

  Alaina Bozarth, Alexis Pratt, Sammy Rivas, Laura Walter, and Grayson Willenbacher, with Elisa Grace Davis, Claire Hampsey, and Camilo Zuqui.

  An immersive performance that plunges audiences into the heated battles over anti-obscenity laws and censorship in America. Inspired by the true stories of erotic fiction writers of the 1960’s and using Supreme Court-inspired transcripts, Dirty Books reveals the ingenuity and resilience of artists who thrived in the shadows of America’s anti-obscenity laws working in the soft-core adult publishing industry. Inside an intimate world of secret bookstores, banned novels, and underground desire, the audience collaborates with the company to compose an erotic story.

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

   William Finn’s Elegies: A Song Cycle will run Jun 14, June 19, and June 27 at the Chromolume Theatre, directed by Carol M. Becker.  Link TBA.

  Hollis Dohr, Christopher Fishburne, Andrew Gillespie, Myia LaShaun, Juliana Lustenader, Ella Raziel, Richard Rosales, Kendre Scott, and Judd Yort.

  An intimate and moving remembrance of departed friends and family — some lost to AIDS, the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, beloved pets, and even Finn’s own mother. Never morbid, the show is touching, funny, and ultimately buoyant. The styles and tones of the songs range from unabashedly optimistic to hilariously irreverent.

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

 Falstaff continues. through May 10 at LA Opera, conducted by James Conlon.

  Craig Colclough (Falstaff) and Nicole (Alice Ford), with Ernesto Petti (Ford), Deanna Breiwick (Nannetta), Anthony  León (Fenton), Hyona Kim (Mistress Quickly), Sarah Saturnino (Meg Page), Yuntong Han (Bardolph), Vinícius Costa (Pistol), and Nathan Bowles (Dr. Caius).

   The piece is set in Windsor, England, during the reign on Henry IV (1399-1413). It follows the vrain, aging Knight Sir John Falstaff, who attempst to seduce two weatlhy married womin, Alice For and Meg Page, to pay off his debts. The women discover his identical love letters, tricking him into a series of embarrassing traps—including a dunking in the Thames and a chaotic night-time fright—before all characters celebrate the folly of life in a final, witty fugue.

Today’s Highlights:

  The Censorship of Dreams, by Nora Sorena Case, directed by Arthur Makaryan, featuring Jes Dubber, Chris Jaymes, Kat Warnnusz-Steckel and Bryce Michael Wood, opens at Off-Broadway’s La MaMa.

  Bike Shop the Musical, by Elizabeth Barkan, Caroline Murphy & Youn-Young Park, directed by Gretchen Cryer, featuring Elizabeth Barkan, David Edwards, Jeff McCarthy, Amy Siller, and Joe Symon, opens at Off-Broadway’s Theater for the New City.

  The Judith Champion PlayLabs Reading Series opens at Off-Broadway’s MCC Theatre. All readings are free and open to the public, and will be followed by a light reception. Space is limited and seating is general admission.

  Off-Broadway’s The Tank will present its 2026 Gala-Off-Off Runway, honoring Stan Zimmerman , featuring Wilson Cruz, Rickie Vasquez , Paige Davis, and Pooya Mohseni, at NYC’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.

  What We Did Before Our Moth Days, by Wallace Shawn, directed by André Gregory, featuring Hope Davis, Maria Dizzia, John Early, and Josh Hamilton. closes at Off-Broadway’s Greenwich House Theatre.

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   This and That by Jim Bernhard

Provide the missing word in these titles.

Scroll down for the answers…

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

   David Hare’s Montauk will begin previews in Spring 2027 (dates TBA) at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre directed by Daniel Sullivan.

  Laura Linney, and more TBA.

  A visceral portrait of two artists with violently different approaches to art and life. Jared Speight is a stubborn titan of Long Island abstraction when star writer Roxy Margaux first becomes infatuated with his bravado. But over a decade of romantic and career entanglements, their different reasons for making art become painfully clear. Intelligent and intimate, this world premiere asks far-reaching questions about our passions and the sacrifices we make for them.

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

   NJ’s George Street Playhouse has announced its 2026-27 season:

   The Unexpected, written by & starring Kathryn Grody, will run Oct. 13 – Nov. 1, directed by Timothy Near.

  2Pianos 4 Hands (Dec. 1-20)

   Bad Dates: End Game (Mar. 16 – Apr. 4), by Theresa Rebeck, starring July White.

   The Cocktale Party Effect (Apr. 27 – May 16), directed by Jason Alexander.

   Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares (Aug. 16-30), by Todd Almond, directed by Annie

Tippe

   Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show (Nov. 13-14), written by & starring Vicki Lawrence.

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

   Adrien Brody received his Sardi’s portrait on Apr. 30, in celebration of his Broadway debut in Lindsey Ferrentino’s The Fear of 13.

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  Jonathan Spector’s Eureka Day will run May 28 – June 28 at Boston’s Huntington Theatre, directed by Margot Bordelon.

  Ken Cheeseman (Don), Nancy Lemenager (Suzanne), Eunice Woods (Carina), Sasha Diamond (Meiko), Japhet Balaban (Eli), and Ebonie Marie (Winter), with Jeff Church, Jihan Haddad, Christine Hamel, and Ebonie Marie.

  A new, wildly funny, on-the-pulse satire which asks if parents at a progressive, welcoming private school can uphold their harmonious shared values when Eureka Day faces an outbreak of the mumps. Jonathan Spector’s sharp comedy explores in surprising turns what happens when facts become subjective, when inclusivity turns performative, and a “community activated conversation” turns into an all-out brawl – with uproarious, fresh, and thought-provoking results. Margot Bordelon returns to direct following her hit production of John Proctor is the Villain. 

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

   The Sound of Music will run May 5-24 at the Pantages Theatre, directed by Jack O’Brien.

  Cayliegh Capaldi (Maria Rainer), Kevin Early (Captain Georg von Trapp), Christine Noll (Mother Abbess), Nichalos rodriguez (Max Ketweiler), Kate Loprest (Elsa Schraeder),Ian Coursey (Rolf Gruber), John Adinson (Franz), John Adkison (Franz), Jennifer Maleke (Frau Schmidt), Corey Breenan (Admiral von Schreiber), Daniel Sullivan (Herr Zeller), Jennifer Malene (Frau Schmidt),Corey Goreenan (Admiral von Schreiber), Torben Mularski (Friedrich), Skylar Mattews (Louisa), Reece Boyle (Kurt), Haddie Mac (Brigitta), Berekley Waulk (Marta),  Everly Beeson (Gretl), and  Meredith Lustig (Sister Sophia), with Sydney K. Borchers, Alli Echelmeyer, Dylan Bradford, and Blaire Eilene Baker.

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

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

  Truly, Howard Hughs (Sept. 9 – Oct. 4), by Frank Evans, Paulson-Lee & James Scully & Chad Gorn directed & choreographed by Jennifer Paulson-Lee.   The piece unfolds as Hughes revisits his life during his final moments, confronting the one thing his power and fortune could never secure.

  Kilgallen (), world premiere by Chuck Strand & George Petersen.    This true crime musical spotlights Dorothy Kilgallen, the most powerful female journalist of the 1950s who died under suspicious circumstances in 1965.

  Staged concert presentations of developing musicals will be announced soon.

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   Victoria Clark  will be honored May 11 at  NY Gilbert & Sullivan Players Annual Gala.

  An unforgettable evening of elegance, artistry, and celebration, NYGASP concludes its historic 51st season under new Artistic Director, James Mills. Ms. Clark will perform alongside company members highlighting a shared passion for Gilbert and Sullivan.

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   The Sound of Music will continue through May 26 at LA Opera, conducted by Lina González-Granados.

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  Answers:  This and That by Jim Bernhard

1-J. Artists and Models, musical by various authors

2-I. Love and Libel, play by Robertson Davies

3-F. Man and Boy, play by Terence Rattigan

4-G. Pigeons and People, play by George M. Cohan

5-C. Ways and Means, play by Noël Coward

6-A. Sex and Longing, play by Christopher Durang

7-H. Sticks and Bones, play by David Rabe

8-D. Summer and Smoke, play by Tennessee Williams

9-E. Susan and God, play by Rachel Crothers

10-B. Tea and Sympathy, play by Robert Anderson

This Weekend’s Highlights:

Friday, May 1

  George & Gracie: A Love Story, world premiere by Tami Workentin, directed by Laura Braza, featuring Tami Workentin & James Pickering, opens at Milwaukee Rep.

  Warsaw, world premiere by Paul Webb, directed by Caryn desai, featuring Suzanne Ford, Anna Van Valin, Elias Scoufaras, Spencer Del Carmen, and Bruce Nozick, opens at CA’s Long Beach’s International City Theatre.

  The Santa Monica International Jazz Festival opens at various Los Angeles locations. Click here for the complete schedule.

  The 2026 Chita Rivera Rivera Lifetime Achievement Award nominations  have been announced here, with the presentation to take place Mon. May 18 at NYU’s Skirball Center.

  The Censorship of Dreams, by Nora Sorena Case, directed by Arthur Makaryan, featuring Jes dubber, Chris Jaymes, Kat Warnnusz-Steckel and Bryce Michael Wood, previews at Off-Broadway’s La MaMa.

  Something Rotten, directed by Ilana Toeplitz Ranson, featuring Ohad Ashkenazi, Jonah Barricklo, Temma Beaudreau, Joy Clark, Lauren Dodds, Kristian Espiritu, Danny Hernandez, Elliana Karris, Kenneth Kelleher. Ryan Mardesich, Bryan Miner, Jennifer Preston, Indijhan Richard, Bobbie Steinbach, Jared Troilo, Colin Welter, begins previews at Lyric Stage Boston.

  The Music That Mankes Me Dance: The Songs of July Styne, directed & choreographed by Scott Thompson, featuring Annaliese van der Pol, Nick Adams, Lana Gordoon, and Angel Reda, with Rhett George, Neill Starkenberg, and Michael Zampino, previews at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre.

  The world premiere of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” livestreams on Disney+ and Hulu.

Saturday, May 2

  The Magic Flute, conducted by James Conlon, featuring Kyle Miller (Papageno), Aigul Khismatullina (Queen of the Night), and Kwangchul Youn (Sarastro), opens at LA Opera.

  Theatre West’s Southern Fried Funeral, by Dietz Osborne & Nate Eppler, directed by Kerr Lordygan, featuring Ted Burke, Angie Dunlap, Kevin DeLoughry, Michael Di Rosa,  Mark Hillard, Jane Ho,  Kate Landro, Laura Manasewich, Lori McKenna, Robert Polachek, and Andy Stetkevich, opens at Pasadena’s Ahiah Center (150 N. El Molino Ave).

  Millennials Are Killing Musicals, world premiere by Nico Juber, directed by Kristin Hanggi, featuring Emma Hunton, John Krause, Diana Huey, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Michael Thomas Grant, with Aynsley Burrico, Mitchell Gerrard, an Lana McKissac, opens at Burbank’s Colony theatre.

  The Music That Mankes Me Dance: The Songs of July Styne, directed & choreographed by Scott Thompson, featuring Annaliese van der POL, Nick Adams, Lana Gordoon, and Angel Reda, with Rhett George, Neill Starkenberg, and Michael Zampino, opens at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre.

  Primary Trust, by Eboni Booth, directed by Logan Vaughn, featuring Jasminn Johnson (Corrina/Wally’s Waiter/Bank Customers), Greg Stuhr (Clay/Sam/Le Pousselet Bartender), alphonso Walker Jr.(Kenneth), and Lance Coadie Williams (Bert), closes at CT’s Westport Country Playhouse.

  Red Bull Theater‘s Titus Andronicus, directed by Jesse Berger, starring Patrick Page, closes at Off-Broadway’s Signature Center.

  The Pushover, by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Kirk Gostkowski, featuring Rebecca De Mornay (Evelyn), Di D Zhu (Pearl), Christina Toth (Soochie), and Christopher Sutton (The Rapist), closes at Off-Broadway’s Chain Theatre.

Sunday, May 3

  Something Rotten, directed by Ilana Toeplitz Ranson, featuring Ohad Ashkenazi, Jonah Barricklo, Temma Beaudreau, Joy Clark, Lauren Dodds, Kristian Espiritu, Danny Hernandez, Elliana Karris, Kenneth Kelleher. Ryan Mardesich, Bryan Miner, Jennifer Preston, Indijhan Richard, Bobbie Steinbach, Jared Troilo, Colin Welter, opens at Lyric Stage Boston.

  Go Down, Moses, world premiere by Dana Leslie Gosldstein, directed by Brandon M. Weber, featuring Terence Archie and Philip Hoffman, with Shania Adams, Lucas Bernhauer, Kaa’lah Bynes, Maddy Mackarey, Yarin Neuhaus, Jeremiah Packer, Vanessa Pliskow  Donovan Price, Patrick Saint Ange, Celina Mylene Santana, and Renee Shohe, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s A.R.T./New York Theatres.

  Seagull the True Story, by Eli Rarey, created & directed by Alexander Molochnikov, featuring Gus Birney, Andrey Burkovskiy, Ohad Mazor, Myles McCabe, Quentin Lee Moore, Keshet Pratt, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Eric Tabach, and Elan Zafi, closes at Off-Broadway’s Public Theatre.

   Red Bull Theater‘s Titus Andronicus, directed by Jesse Berger, featuring Patrick Page, with Jesse Aaronson, Matthew Amendt, Blair Baker, McKinley Belcher III, Francesca Faridany, Enid Graham, Amy Jo Jackson, Adam Langdon, Anthony Michael Lopez, Anthony Michael Martinez, Howard W. Overshown, Olivia Reis, and Zack Lopez Roa closes at Off-Broadway’s Signature Center.

  Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous, by Pearl Cleage, directed by Jacqui Parker, featuring Patrice Jean Baptiste, Deannah “Dripp” Blemur, Inés De La Cruz,and Yasmeen Duncan, closes at Lyric Stage Boston.

  The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Phillip Breen, featuring Ora Jones (Mistress Page), Issy van Randwyck (Mistress Ford),  Chiké Johnson Master Page, Edward Kane (Master Ford), and Jason Simon (Sir John Falstaff), with Sam Bell-Gurwitz, Zach Bloomfield, Nate Burger, Rohan Degala, Dylan J. Fleming, Teddy Gales, Colin Huerta, Carmelo Kelly, James McCracken, Olivia Pryor, Nick Sandys, Justice Tatum, Paul Oakley Stovall, Olemich Tugas, Bret Tuomi, Nancy Voigts, and Alex Weisman, closes at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

  Mean Girls, by Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond & Nell Benjamin, directed & choreographed by Dana Solimando, featuring Katie Roche, (Cady Heron), Adrianna Rose Lyons (Regina George), Sarah-Anne Martinez (Gretchen Wieners), Grace Fluharty (Karen Smith), McKenna Michael (Janis Sarkisian)  Gavin Leahy as “Damian Hubbard,” Eric Myrick as “Aaron Samuels,” Shailen Patel Braun (Kevin Gnapoor),  Daryl C. Brown a(Mr. Hubbard), Daniel Dawson (Coach Carr), and Gwen Hollander (Mrs. Heron/Ms. Norbury/Mrs. George), with Sabrina Astengo, Alyssa Anne Austin, Eugene Boyd, Augusto Guardado, Brandon Halvorsen, Emmy J. Lane, Jenna Luck, Keturah McIntyre, Caroline Moulios, Barbara Ann Reed, Eric Renna, Clayton Michael Walke, Kevin Corte and Bailey Renee Miller, closes at CA’s La Mirada Theatre.

  The Music That Makes Me Dance: The Songs of July Styne, directed & choreographed by Scott Thompson, featuring Annaliese Van der Pol, Nick Adams, Lana Gordon, and Angel Reda, with Rhett George, Neill Starkenberg, and Michael Zampino, closes at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre.

  Twisted, by Twisted, directed by Marc Antonio Pritchett, featuring Crystal Yvonne Jackson, Isaiah Frazilus, and  Monty Renfrow, closes at LA’s Theatre West.

  Open Fist Theatre Company‘s Amerika or, The Man Who Disappeared, by Franz Kafka, directed by Dietrich Smith, featuring Oqalile, Tambrie Allsup, Matthew Goodrich, Jade Santana, Jack Sharpe, Grace Soens,  Jeremy D. Thompson, Emma Bruno, Maria Mastroyannis, Elliott Moore, Julien Thompson  and Pat Towne, closes at LA’s Atwater Village Theatre.

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    2026 Chita Rivera Rivera Lifetime Achievement Award nominationations have been announced here. with the presentation to take place Mon. May 18 at NYU’s Skirball Center