This Weekend’s Highlights:
Friday, May 3
Lucky Stiff, by Ahrens & Flaherty, directed by Gerry McIntyre, featuring Patrick Brady (Harry), Missy Dowse (Annabell), Janine LaManna (Rita), and Robert Anthony Jones (Vinnie), Anania (Dominique), Narisa Budnick (Landlady), Alexander Carney (Uncle Anthony), Quinn Corcoran (Bellop), Eric Michael Gillett (Luigi), and Richard Rowan (Solicitor), opens at Off-Broadway’s AMT Theatre.
Between Riverside and Crazy, by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Michael Longhurst, featuring Danny Sapani (Pops), Ayesha Antoine (Church Lady), Tiffany Gray (Lulu), Martins Imhangbe (Junior), Daniel Lapaine (Lieutenant Dave Caro), Sebastian Orozco (Oswaldo), and Judith Roddy (Audrey O’Connor), opens at London’s Hampstead Theatre.
The Sabbath Girl, world premiere by Cary Gitter & Neil Berg, directed by Joe Brancato, featuring Marilyn Caserta (Angie), Diana Di Marzio (Sophia), Rory Max Kaplan (Blake), Lauren Singerman (Rachel), and Max Wolkowitz (Seth), opens at Stony Point, NY’s Penguin Rep.
Just Another Day, by Dan Lauria, directed by Eric Krebs, featuring Dan Lauria and Patty McCormack, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Theatre 555.
My True Love: A Perfect Musical Fairytale, by Ben Boecker, directed by by Carolyn Popadin, featuring Mairead Connor, Corey Jennings, Ruben Fernandez, Andrew McNamara, Camille Larsen, Livi Rose, Kate Keating, Julian Schenker, Phoenix Gould, and Joe Kassner, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Players Theatre.
Switched industry reading, by Geoffrey Nauffts & Jonatha Brooke, with music direction by Nadia DiGiallonardo, featuring Erich Bergen, Heidi Blickenstaff, Aisha de Haas, Kate Jennings Grant, Ashley D. Kelley, Julia Knitel, Jo Lampert, Beth Malone, Brandi Porter, Douglas Sills, Jason Tam, Quinn VanAntwerp, and Kuhoo Verma. Inquiries: SwitchedtheMusical@gmail.com
Gutenberg! The Musical! cast album, starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, with Mel Brooks (in the role of Guest Producer), released on most platforms.
Saturday, May 4
Redemption Story, world premiere by Peregrine Teng Heard, directed by Sarah Blush, featuring Christine Toy Johnson, José Espinosa, Dee Beasnael, Emily Stour, Gregory Saint Georges, and Mitchell Winter, opens at Off-Broadway’s A.R.T.
Josie de Guzman:Back Where I Started concert, directed by Gerard Alessandrini, opens at NYC’s Green Room 42.
Fawlty Towers, adapted by John Cleese, directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, featuring Adam Jackson-Smith (Basil) Anna-Jane Casey (Sybil), Hemi Yeroham (Manuel), Victoria Fox (Polly), Paul Nicholas (The Major), Rachel Izen (Mrs. Richards), Steven Meo (Mr. Hutchinson (German Guest), Kate Russell-Smith (Miss Tibbs), Nicola Sanderson (Miss Gatsby), Greg Haiste (Mr. Thurston), Danny Bayne (Mr. Walt/Dr. Finn), Neil Stuart (Taxi Driver/Mr. Firkins/Mr. Kerr/Mr. Sharp), and Emma Fenney (German Guests), with Mia Austen, John Hasler, Dale Superville, Ben Jacobson, and Suzy Bloom, begins previews at London’s Apollo Theatre.
Peace of Mind: A Festival of Short Plays benefit, written by & directed by Jeff Locker, featuring Ron Sequeira, Jeff Locker, Sandi McCree, George McGrath, Olivia Stambouliah, Eric Gurierrez, Gabriel Sousa, G. Maximilian Zarou, Frances Brennand Roper, Joanna Kay, Cara Kluver, Sienna Tso, Coyote Perez, and Steven Frankenfield, at 7 PM at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
Josie de Guzman:Back Where I Started concert, directed by Gerard Alessandrini, closes at NYC’s Green Room 42.
Prelude to a Kiss, by Craig Lucas, Daniel Messé & Sean Hartley, directed by David Ivers, featuring Hannah Corneau (Rita), Jonathan Gillard Daly (Julius), Julie Garnyé (Leah), Jimmie “J.J.” Jeter (Taylor), James Moye (Rita’s Dad), DeAnne Stewart (Angie), and Karen Ziemba (Rita’s Mom), with Bella Hicks, Robert Knight, Caroline Pernick, Tristan J. Shuler, Rachel Lykins, and Robert Zelaya, closes at Costa Mesa’s South Coast Rep.
Eddie Izzard’s Hamlet solo show closes at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Sunday, May 5
Galileo, world premiere by Danny Strong, Michael Weiner & Zoe Sarnak, directed by Michael Mayer, featuring Raúl Esparza (Galileo), Jeremy Kushnier (Cardinal Maffeo Barberini), Madalynn Mathews (Virginia), Christian Magby and Alessandro Tarantola Brasso), awith Gabrielle Elisabeth, Adam Halpin, Michal Kolaczkowski, Claire Kwon, Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert, Michael J. Mainwaring, Alexander Mendoza, Brian Ray Norris, Chase Peacock, Noah Plomgren, David Rowen, DeMone Seraphin, Madeleine Spacapan, Erica Sweany, Zalah Brenae Vallien, and Adrian Villegas, begins previews at CA’s Berkeley Rep.
Sweeney Todd, directed by Thomas Kail, featuring Aaron Tveit (Sweeney Todd), Sutton Foster (Mrs. Lovett), Daniel Yearwood (Anthony), Joe Locke (Tobias), Ruthie Ann Miles (Beggar Woman), Maria Bilbao (Johanna), Jamie Jackson (Judge Turpin), John Rapson (Beadle Bamford),and Nicholas Christopher (Pirelli), with Nicholas Christopher, Jeanna DeWaal, Galyana Costillo, Jonathan Christopher, Dwayne Cooper, Kyrie Courter, Mia Gerachis, Timothy Hughes, Parul-Jordan Jansen, Alicia Kaori, Michael Kuhn, Megan Ort, Patricia Phillips, Mia Pinero, Keven Quillon, Lexi Rabadi, Nathan Salstone, Kristie Dale Sanders, Claire Saunders, Stephen Tewksbury, Daniel Torres, Felix Torrez-Ponce, Tug Watson, Delaney Westfall, and Hennessy Winkler, closes at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
Philadelphia, Here I Come, by Brian Friel, directed by Ciarán O’Reilly, featuring Ciaran Byrne, Peter Cormican, Terry Donnelly, Patrick Fitzgerald, Deirdre Madigan, David McElwee, Clare O’Malley, Ciarán O’Reilly, Tim Palmer, James Russell, AJ Shively, and Emmet Earl Smith, with Dan Macke and Polly McKie, closes at Off-Broadway’s Irish Rep.
MCC Theater’s Miscast24 benefit concert digital broadcast, honoring Jason Robert Brown and Nicole Suazo, featuring Gavin Creel, Leslie Rodriguez, Brian D’acy James, Lea Salonga, Ingrid Michaelson, Ryan Vasquez, Wayne Brady, Amber Iman, Mykal Kilgor, and Jinkx Monsoon, concludes its on-demand streaming broadcasts at 7 PM here.
Josie de Guzman:Back Where I Started concert, directed by Gerard Alessandrini, closes at NYC’s Green Room 42.
BATHHOUSE.PPTX, world premiere written & directed by Chay Yew, featuring Sam Gonzalez (Presenter), Claudia Acosta (Chela), Manuel C. Alcazar (Daniel), Esteban Andres Cruz (Mx. Vazquez), Yonatan Gebeyehu (Shaun), and Gilbert Diego Sanchez (Carlos), closes at Off-Broadway’s The Flea.
Gun & Powder, by Angelica Chéri & Ross Baum, directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, featuring Rickens Anantua, Reed Campbell, Carrie Compere, Meghan Olivia Corbett, Joann Gilliam, Francesca Granell, Aaron Arnell Harrington, Mary Claire King, Malik Shabazz Kitchen, Rayshun LaMarr, Zonya Love, Tiffany Mann, Tony Perry, Adam Roberts, Hank Santos, Christine Shepard, Katie Thompson, Aurelia Williams, and Jason SweetTooth Williams, closes at NJ’s Paper Mill Playhouse.
Tartuffe, directed by Richard Baird, featuring Kandis Chappell (Mme. Pernelle), Shanté Deloach (Mariane), Rogelio Douglas III (Damis), Bo Foxworth (Orgon), Katie Karel (Dorine), Melanie Lora (Elmire), Kate Rose Reynolds (Flipote/Police Officer/Laurent), Bruce Turk (Tartuffe), Jared Van Heel (Valere/M. Loyal), and Christopher M. Williams (Cleante), closes at Laguna Playhouse.
Blues for an Alabama Sky, by Pearl Cleage, directed by Jerrell L. Henderson, featuring Tarina J. Bradshaw (Angel Allen), Kendrix Brown (Leland Cunningham), Rachel Fobbs (Delia Patterson), James T. Lane (Guy Jacobs), and Gregory Warren (Sam Thomas), closes at Virginia Stage.
42nd Street Moon‘s Forever Plaid, directed by Daniel Thomas, featuring Edu Gonzalez-Maldonado, Justin P. Lopez, Kevin Singer, and Matt Skinner, closes at San Fransisco’s Gateway Theatre.
The Green Book Wine Club Train Trip, by Michelle Tyrene Johnson, directed by Jazmine Nichelle, featuring Dominique Howard, Princess Ja’Net, Brieyonna Monét, Jazmine Nichelle, Elena Nicholson, and Tasia Williams, closes at North Hollywood’s Loft Ensemble.
Group Rep‘s Could I Have This Dance?, by Doug Haverty, directed by Kathleen R. Delaney, featuring Sean Babcock (Errl Watkins), Anna Connelly (Monica Glendenning), Anica Petrovic (Amanda Glendenning), Lloyd Pedersen (Hank Glendenning), Clara Rodriquez (Jeanette Glendenning), and Andy Shephard (Coline McMann, closes at North Hollywood’s Lonny Chapman Theatre.
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Jen Silverman’s The Roommate will begin previews Aug. 29 and open Sept. 12 at the Booth Theatre, directed by Jack O’Brien.
Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow.
Sharon’s never had a roommate before — in fact, there’s a lot Sharon’s never done before, but Robyn’s about to change all that. The play follows the blossoming intimacy between two women from different backgrounds, as they navigate the complexities of identity, morality, and the promise of reinvention.
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Frank Wildhorn, Rikosakaguchi, Rinne B. Groff & Carly Robyn Green’s Your Lie in April – The Musical will run June 28 – Sept. 21 (opening July 5) at the Harold Pinter Theater, directed & choreographed by Nick Winston.
Casting TBA.
A romantic tearjerker, centering on young piano prodigy Kōsei Arima and his inability to play following his mother’s death. When Arima forms an unexpected friendship with violinist Kaori Miyazono, she slowly inspires him to perform again.
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David Neipris’ Pure Cinema will run June 8-27 (opening June 14) at the Broadwater Black Box Theatre (6322 Santa Monica Blvd.), directed by Matt Ritchey.
Bill Chott, Aaron Caponigro, and Lindsay Seim.
Two Hollywood Legends. One Meet. The play explores the intriguing and unexpected dynamic between Alfred Hitchcock and Mel Brooks. It’s 1977 and Hitchcock is in the twilight of his career when he invites Brooks to discuss the younger director’s idea for a new comedy. But what unfolds is the creation of “High Anxiety,” a film that satirizes Hitchcock himself. Not a project The Master of Suspense finds particularly beneficial at this pivotal moment in his life.
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Cats: The Jellicle Ball, a re-imaging of Cats, will run June 13 – July 14 (opening June 20) at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, directed by Zhailon Levingston & Bill Rauch, with choreography by Arturo Lyons & Omari Wiles..
Jonathan Burke (Mungojerrie), Emma Sofia Caymares (Skimbleshanks), André De Shields (Old Deuteronomy,) Sydney James Harcourt (Rum Tum Tugger), Antwayn Hopper (Macavity), Shereen Pimentel ( Jellylorum), Nora Schell (Bustopher Jones), Garnet Williams (Bombalurina), Teddy Wilson Jr. (Sillabub), Xavier Reyes (Jennyanydots), Bebe Nicole Simpson (Demeter), and Daya Huesca (Rumpleteazer, with Tara Lashan Clinkscales, Frank Viveros, and Shelby Griswold.
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Fiddler on the Roof will run July 19-25 at the St. Louis Muny, directed by Rob Ruggiero, with choreography by Parker Esse, and music direction by Darryl Archibald.
Adam Heller (Tevye), Jill Abramovitz (Golde), Samantha Massell (Tzeitel), Hannah Corneau (Hodel), Emerson Glick (Chava), Jed Resnick (Motel), Clay Singer (Perchik), and Andrew Alstat ((Fyedka), and more TBA.
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A benefit presentation of Beth Malone, Emily Saliers, and Mary Ann Stratton A Night With an Indigo Girl will take place Fri. May 24 at 7 PM at Off-Broadway’s Out of the Box Theatrics (154 Christopher Street).
Emily Saliers, Beth Malone, Elizabeth Stanley, and Claybourne Elder.
The evening will explore Saliers’ journey with the Indigo Girls, including selections of their music, a screening of Saliers’ documentary, and a Q&A.
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Jeff Goldblum & the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra will take place Sat. June 1 at 7:30 PM at Pittsburgh CLO.
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New York Rep will present the world premiere of Ashley Griffin’s The Opposite of Love May 28 – June 15 (opening May 30) at the Royal Family Performing Art Space (145 W. 46th St), directed by Rachel Klein.
Danny Gardner and Ashley Griffin.
An intimate story about a down-on-his-luck hustler and a trust fund baby who for an unlikely bond when she hires him to help overcome her sexual trauma. Can this unexpected connection transcend their darker inclinations in a world where love is a commodity?
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Video: Andrew Rannels and Josh Gad perform “Tomorrow is Tonight” from Gutenberg the Musical.
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Red Bull Theater will present a reading of Liz Duffy Adams’ Or, What She Will on Mon. May 6 at 7 PM at Off-Broadway’s Sheen Center, directed by Gaye Talor Upchurch.
b (yes, this is correct), Kelley Curran, and Santino Fontana
Sprung from debtors’ prison after a disastrous overseas mission, Aphra is desperate to get out of the spy trade. She has a shot at a production at one of only two London companies, if she can only finish her play by morning despite interruptions from sudden new love, actress Nell Gwynne; complicated royal love, King Charles II; and very dodgy ex-love, double-agent William Scott—who may be in on a plot to murder the king in the morning. Can Aphra Behn – poet, spy, and soon to be first professional female playwright — save Charles’ life, win William a pardon, resist Nell’s charms, and launch her career, all in one night?
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Red Bull Theater will present a workshop production of Titus Andronicus May 10 & 11 at Off-Broadway’s Sheen Center, directed by Jesse Berger.
Isabel Arraiza, Teagle F. Bougere, Jason Bowen, Kelley Curran, Clifton Duncan, Nate Miller, Alfredo Narciso, Patrick Page, Zachary Lopez Roa, and Derek Smith.
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Steve Ross: Finding Words for Spring will take place Mon. May 20 at 7 PM at NYC’s Birdland.
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Carson Kreitzer & Matt Gould’s Lempika will close May 19 at Broadway’s Longacre Theatre, directed by Rachel Chavkin. The musical will have play 27 previews and 41 regular performances.
Eden Espinosa (Tamara de Lempicka), Amber Iman (Rafaela), Andrew Samonsky (Taduesz Lempi), George Abud (Marinetti), Natlalie Joy Johnson (Suzy Solidor), Zoe Glick (Kizette), Nathaniel Stamply (Baron), and Beth Leavel )Baroness), with Mariand Torres, Alex Aquilino, Lauren Blackman, Stephen Brower, Kyle Brown, Holli’ Conway, Abby Matsusaka, Jimin Moon, Khori Michelle Petinaud, Ximone Rose, Nicholas Ward, Veronica Fiaoni, Michael Milkanin, Mary Page Nance, and Julio Rey.