This Weekend’s Highlights:
Friday, January 20
Cornelia Street, world premiere by Simon Stephens & Mark Eitzel, directed by Neil Pepe, featuring George Abud, Norbert Leo Butz, Esteban Andres Crus, Gizel Jiménez, Jordan Lage, Kevyn Morrow, Mary Beth Peil, Lena Pepe, and Ben Rosenfield, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theatre.
Dino! An Evening with Dean Martin, directed by Jonathan Hetler starring Tally Sessions, begins previews at Milwaukee Rep.
Grease, directed by Karie Hayter, featuring Jenna Lea Rosen (Sandy Dumbrowski), Ryan Reyes (Danny Zuko), Dominque Paton (Betty Rizzo), Bella Hicks (Frenchy), Melissa Musial (Marty, Rianny Vasquez (Jan), Grant Hodges (Kenickie), Steven-Adam Agdeppa (Doody), Max Torrez (Sonny LaTieri), Jalon Matthews (Roger), Suzanna Guzmán (Miss Lynch), Todd Adamson (Vince Fontaine), Desmond Newson (Johnny Casino/Teen Angel), Monika Peña (Patty Simcox), James Tolbert (Eugene), and Taleen Shrikian (Cha-Cha DeGregorio), with Kristen Daniels and Adrian Villegas, previews at CA’s La Mirada Theatre.
London’s Cabaret FREE virtual live listening concert, starring Eddie Redmayne & Jessie Buckley, streams at 7 PM GMT (2 PM ET/11 AM PT) on YouTube.
The Diary of Anne Frank-LatinX, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, directed by Stan Zimmerman, featuring Genesis Ochoa, Emiliano Torres, Aris Alvarado, Rebecca Asquino, Mariangelica Cuervo, Charlie Farrell, David Burrola, Nikki Mejia, Danny Pardo, and Raquenel, closes at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
Saturday, January 21
Grease, directed by Karie Hayter, featuring Jenna Lea Rosen (Sandy Dumbrowski), Ryan Reyes (Danny Zuko), Dominque Paton (Betty Rizzo), Bella Hicks (Frenchy), Melissa Musial (Marty, Rianny Vasquez (Jan), Grant Hodges (Kenickie), Steven-Adam Agdeppa (Doody), Max Torrez (Sonny LaTieri), Jalon Matthews (Roger), Suzanna Guzmán (Miss Lynch), Todd Adamson (Vince Fontaine), Desmond Newson (Johnny Casino/Teen Angel), Monika Peña (Patty Simcox), James Tolbert (Eugene), and Taleen Shrikian (Cha-Cha DeGregorio), with Kristen Daniels and Adrian Villegas, opens at CA’s La Mirada Theatre.
Othello, directed by Clint Dyer, featuring Giles Terera (Othello) Rosy McEwen (Desdemona), and Paul Hilton (Iago), with Jack Bardoe, Joe Bolland, Rory Fleck Byrne, Kirsty J Curtis, Peter Eastland, Patrick Elue, Tanya Franks, Colm Gormley, Gareth Kennerley, Joshua Lacey, Martin Marquez, Katie Matsell, Amy Newton, Sabi Perez, Steffan Rizzi, Jay Simpson, and Ryan Whittle, closes at London’s National Theatre.
Merrily We Roll Along, directed by Maria Friedman, featuring Jonathan Groff (Franklin), Lindsay Mendez (Mary), Daniel Radcliffe (Charley), Sherz Aletaha (Scotty/Mrs. Spencer/Auditionee), Krystal Joy Brown (Gussie), Katie Rose Clarke (Beth), Leana Rae Concepcion (Newscaster/Waitress/Auditionee), Carter Harris & Colin Keane (Frank Jr. (alternate as Frank Jr.), Corey Mach (Tyler/Make-Up Artist), Talia Robinson (Meg), Reg Rogers (Joe), Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Dory/Evelyn), Brian Sears (Photographer/Bunker), Christian Strange (RU/Newscaster/Reverend), Vishal Vaidya (Jerome), Natalie Wachen (KT), and Jacob Keith Watson (Terry/Mr. Spencer, with Morgan Kirner, Amanda Rose, Evan Alexander Smith, Koray Tarhan, closes at Off-Broadway’s New York Theatre Workshop.
Bald Sisters, world premiere by Vichet Chum, directed by Jesca Prudencio, featuring Francesca Fernandez, McKenzie Coburn Goss, Wai Ching Ho, Jennifer Lim, and Nima Rakhshanifar, closes at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre.
Sunday, January 22
Pan Asian Rep‘s Memorial, world premiere by Livian Ye, directed by Jeff Liu, featuring Angel Lin and Nancy Ma (alternating as Maya & Nancy Ma), opens at Off-Broadway’s A.R.T. Theatres.
Dino! An Evening with Dean Martin, directed by Jonathan Hetler starring Tally Sessions, opens at Milwaukee Rep.
Merrily We Roll Along benefit performance, directed by Maria Friedman, featuring Jonathan Groff (Franklin), Lindsay Mendez (Mary), Daniel Radcliffe (Charley), Sherz Aletaha (Scotty/Mrs. Spencer/Auditionee), Krystal Joy Brown (Gussie), Katie Rose Clarke (Beth), Leana Rae Concepcion (Newscaster/Waitress/Auditionee), Carter Harris & Colin Keane (Frank Jr. (alternate as Frank Jr.), Corey Mach (Tyler/Make-Up Artist), Talia Robinson (Meg), Reg Rogers (Joe), Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Dory/Evelyn), Brian Sears (Photographer/Bunker), Christian Strange (RU/Newscaster/Reverend), Vishal Vaidya (Jerome), Natalie Wachen (KT), and Jacob Keith Watson (Terry/Mr. Spencer, with Morgan Kirner, Amanda Rose, Evan Alexander Smith, Koray Tarhan, at at Off-Broadway’s New York Theatre Workshop.
Broadway Sings For She Angels concert, directed by Will Nunziata, featuring Julie Halston, Paul Kreppel, Mauricio Martinez, Susie Mosher, Linda Purl, Marissa Rosen, Joan Ryan, and Nita Whitaker, and music direction by Ron Abel, at NYC’s Green Room 42, with music direction by Ron Abel, and hosted by Roma Torre, at 7 PM at NYC’s Green Room 42.
seven methods of killing kelie jenner, by Jasmine Lee-Jones, directed by Milli Bahatia, featuring Tia Bannon (Kara), Leanne Henlon (Cleo), and Leanne Henlon (Cleo), closes at Off-Broadway’s Public Theater.
Which Way to the Stage, by Ana Nogueria, directed by Ethan Heard, featuring Dani Stolloer (Judy), Mike Millan (Jeff), Michael Tacconi (Mark), and Nina-Sophia Pacheco (Actress.Bachelorette/Casting Director), with Leah Platt and Stephen Russell Murray, closes at DC’s Arena Stage.
New Los Angeles Theatre Company‘s Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, written & directed by Peter Ellenstein, starring John Rubinstein, closes at Hollywood’s Hudson’s MainStage Theatre.
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Reviews for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at London’s Theatre Royal Bath:
Hollywood Reporter (Leslie Felperin): After her roof-raising performance as Mama Rose in the recent West End revival of Gypsy, Imelda Staunton now blows the doors off with a hurricane-force rendition of Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Director James Macdonald’s finely tuned and neatly turned production… Conleth Hill…who gives just as good as he gets as an embittered, sardonic George… the quartet is filled out with nuanced, responsive performances from Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway as Honey and Nick…
Broadway World (Mickey-Jo Boucher): …Elizabeth McGovern is utterly magnificent as Martha, nimbly avoiding the pitfall of beginning too snidely and curdling with resentment. The brilliance of her Martha is an ever-present playfulness, her steely eyed gaze often pared with an irrepressible grin that betrays a vicious glee… George, played by Dougray Scott, is more slowly brought to a boiling point… Scott creaks in disparate octaves and laughs with the malice of a classic horror villain… Charles Aitken plays the Midwestern Biology professor Nick … Watching on in dismay as the adversarial hosts turn collaborators, his disintegrating bravado is excellently conceived.
Evening Standard (Henry Hitchings): …the radicalism and unconventional brilliance of Virginia Woolf, you’re likely to be scared stiff by Imelda Staunton’s Martha in this fierce revival… she gives a performance of wounding intensity… Martha transforms into a loud and outrageous truth-teller. In the frenzy of debate Staunton is sharper than an assassin’s dagger, yet she’s every bit as memorable in the play’s quieter moments — when she’s needy and feline — and also in its bleaker ones… Alongside her Conleth Hill is superb… the dynamic between him and Martha is unpredictable.
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The world premiere of Jenny Stafford’s Secret Hour will run Jan. 27 – Feb. 19 (opening Jan. 31) at Albany’s Capitol Rep, directed by Margaret E. Hall.
Marina Shay (Professor Kate Gordon), Joshua David Robinson (Ben), and Whit K. Lee (Leaf).
Married couple, Kate and Ben, a workaholic ethics professor, and an unemployed programmer have invented the perfect game for getting to the truth called “Secret Hour.” What started as a fun game to become closer as a couple, turns the tables and puts the couple to the test as to whether knowing the whole truth is really a good thing. When an automobile accident unexpectedly reveals Kate’s deepest and darkest secret, her marriage spins out of control. A delicious adult puzzle about lies and the games we play to keep life moving along on cruise control and what happens when the forces of the universe– or at least human nature– make sure we take the wheel and keep our eyes on the very bumpy road ahead!
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Linda Purl in the Theatre will take place Mon. Jan. 23 at 8:30 PM at NYC’s Birdland, with music direction by Tedd Firth.
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A new docuseries, “Surviving Hollywood” is currently in development, and will explore the trauma and injustice caused by abuse in the entertainment industry. Information on a host network or release date are TBA.
Anthony Rapp will act as the series host and guide, directing the program through interviews, archival footage, first-hand accounts, and previously unshared stories.
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Amas Musical Theatre presents Rona Siddiqui, Scott Elmegreen, David Coffman & Linda Chichester’s Hip Hop Cinderella Feb. 10-26 at the New Victory Theatre, directed by Christopher Scott, with music direction by Saul Nache.
The galaxy has lost its groove, and so has Cinderella! But it’s up to her and her rapping robot companion Runka to get it back. This futuristic remake of a classic fairytale is complete with a wicked stepmother, two social media obsessed stepsisters, and a dreamy prince who is throwing a Rap Competition to turn the beat around.
Video: Trailer
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& 
Julie Benko will return to NYC’s Birdland Jazz Club on Mon. Feb. 6 at 7 PM ET, with both live and livestream options.
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SpeakEasy Stage Company‘s Fairview, by Jackie Sibblies Drury, will run Feb. 17 – Mar. 11 at Boston’s Calderwood Pavilion, directed by Pascale Florestal.
Dom Carter, Lyndsay Allyn Cox, Yewande Odetoyinvo, and Victoria Omoregie.
When the play opens, we meet the Frasiers, a seemingly typical, middle class Black American family trying desperately to make everything perfect for Grandma’s birthday celebration. But not too far into the festivities, we see the Frasiers’ story through a whole new lens, leading to one of the most outrageous and jaw-dropping endings in theatre history.
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Amas Musical Theatre‘s 54th Annual Gala Benefit Concert: Oh, Henry, the music of Henry Kreiger will take place Mon. May 15 at 7 PM at Off-Broadway’s Penthouse 45 (432 West 45th Street), directed by Bill Russell.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Performers and additional information TBA.
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The Thirty Nine Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow, continues through Feb. 5 at Virginia Stage Company, directed by John Buchan.
James Taylor Odom, Kristen Hahn, Michael Di Liberto, and Steve Pacek.
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Two songs from Broadway’s Kimberly Akimbo cast album, starring Victoria Clark. The cast album will be released Feb. 14 on most platforms.
(Video) “Better”
(Video) “Anagram”
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The Noises Off UK tour continues through Mar. 11 at London’s Phoenix Theatre, directed by Lindsay Posner.
Felicity Kendal (Dotty Otley), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Belinda Blair), Matthe Kelly (Selsdon Mowbray), Alexander Hanson (Lloyd Dallas), Joseph Millson (Garry Lejeune), Sasha Frost (Brook Ashton), Pepter Lunkhuse (Poppy Norton Taylor), Jonathan Coy (Frederick Fellows), and Hubert Burton (Tim).