This Weekend’s Highlights:
Friday, December 16
Joaquina Kalukango begins her run as the Witch in Into the Woods at Broadway’s St. James Theatre.
Jerry Seinfeld‘s new comedy show opens at NYC’s Beacon Theatre.
Theatre for a New Audience‘s Des Moines, by Denis Johnson, directed by Arin Arbus, featuring Johanna Day, Michael Shannon, Heather Alicia Simms, and Arliss Howard, opens at Off-Broadway’s Polonsky Shakespeare Center.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, directed by Kevin McAllister, featuring Jay Frisby, Kaiyla Gross, Patricia Hurley, and Nick Lehan, opens at VA’s Olney Theatre Center.
Barbara Minkus: 18 Minutes of Fame opens at LA’s Theatre West.
Ingrid Michaelson: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree concert, conducted by Steven Reineke, at 8 PM at Carnegie Hall.
Jason Graae’s Graaetest Hits – The Sequel concert, at 8 PM at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre.
Liz Callaway: To Steve With Love: Callaway Celebrates Sondheim concert, at 8 PM at Studio City’s Feinstein’s at Vitello’s. Live show tickets here. Livestream tickets (available for 2 weeks) here.
Saturday, December 17
Judy Carmichael: Let’s Swing! concert, at 8 PM at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre.
From Here to Eternity, by Tim Rice, Stuart Brayson, Donald Rice & Bill Oakes, directed by Brett Smock, featuring Jonny Amies, Jonathan Bentley, Desmonda Cathabel, Leonard Cook, Kyerron Dixon-Bassey, Sarah Drake, Dominic Adam Griffin, Cassius Hackforth, Robin Hayward, Callum Henderson, James Mateo-Salt, Rhys Nuttall, Jack Ofrecio, Jaden Oshenye, Eve Polycarpou, Adam-Rhys Charles, Carly Stenson, Alan Turkington, and Josephy Vella, closes at London’s Charing Cross Theatre.
The Brightest Thing in the World, world premiere by Leah Nanako Winkler, directed by Margot Bordelon, featuring Michele Selene Ang, Magan Hill, and Katherine Romans, closes at Yale Rep.
Harry Connick, Jr. – A Holiday Celebration 2022 Tour concludes its LA run at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre.
Sunday, December 18
Eureka’s Big Gurl Brunch & Bingo concert, starring Queen Eureka O’Hara, at 12 PM (doors open at 11 AM) at Hollywood’s Catalina Bar & Grill.
Ain’t No Mo’, by Jordan E. Cooper, directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, featuring Jordan E. Cooper (Peaches), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Passenger #5), Fedna Jacquet (Passenger #1), Marchant Davis (Passenger #2), Ebony Marshall-Oliver (Passenger #4), and Shannon Matesky (Passenger #3), with Nik Alexander, Jasminn Johnson, Michael Rishawn, Kedren Spencer, Brennie Tellu, and Emma Van Lare, closes at Broadway’s Belasco Theatre, after 22 previews & 21 regular performances.
Roundabout‘s The Bandaged Place, world premiere by Harrison David Reivers, directed by David Mendizábal, featuring Stephanie Berry (Geraldine Irby), Jake Ryan Lozano (Sam Yates), Sasha Camilli Manuel (Ella Irby), Anthony Lee Medina (Ruben Torres), and Jhardon Dishon Milton (Jonah Irby), closes at Off-Broadway’s Steinberg Center.
The New Group‘s Evanston Salt Costs Climbing, by Will Arbery, directed by Danya Taymor, featuring Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Jeb Kreager, Ken Leung, and Rachel Sachnoff, closes at Off-Broadway’s Signature Center.
Straight Line Crazy, by David Hare, directed by Nicholas Hytner & Jamie Armitage, featuring Ralph Fiennes (Robert Moses), David Bromley (Stamford Fergus), Alana Maria (Shirley Hayes), and Guy Paul (Henry Vanderbilt), with Judtih Roddy (Finnuala Connell), Helen Schlesinger (Jane Jacobs), Mary Stillwagon Stewart (Nicole Savage), and Danny Webb (Governor Al Smith), closes at Off-Broadway’s The Shed.
The Hours, world premiere by Kevin Puts & Phelim McDermott, with music direction by by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, featuring Renee Fleming (Clarissa Vaughan), Kelli O’Hara (Laura Brown), Joyce Didonato (Virginia Wolf), Denyce Graves (Sally), Kathleen Kim (Barbara/Mr. Latch), Sylvia D’Eramo (Kitty.Vanessa), John Holiday (Man Under the Arch/Hotel Clerk), Kyle Ketelsen (Richard), William Burden (Louis), Sean Panikkar (Leonard Woolf), and Brandon Cedel (Dan Brown), closes at NYC’s Metropolitan Opera.
A Man of No Importance, by Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens, directed by John Doyle, featuring Shereen Ahmed (Adele Rice), Jim Parsons (Alfie Byrne), Mare Winningham (Lily Byrne), Alma Cuervo (Miss Oona Crowe), Kara Mikula (Mrs. Curtain), Da’Von T. Moody (Breton Beret), Mary Beth Peil (Mrs. Grace), Thom Sesma (Mr. Carney), A.J. Shively (Robbie Fay), Nathaniel Stampley (Father Kenny), Jessica Tyler Wright (Mrs. Patrick), Joel Waggoner (Ernie Lally), and William Youmans (Baldy O’Shea), closes at Off-Broadway’s Classic Stage Company.
Sandra, by David Cale, directed by Leigh Silverman, featuring Marjan Neshat, closes at Off-Broadway’s Vineyard Theatre.
Vanessa Williams in concert closes at NYC’s 54 Below.
Clyde’s, by Lynn Nottage, directed by Kate Whoriskey, featuring De’Adre Aziza (Clyde), Kevin Kenerly (Montrellous), Reza Salazar (Rafael), and Garrett Young (Jason), with Danielle Davis, Lewon Johns, Maya Vinice Prentiss, Arik Vega, and Gage Wallace, closes at LA’s Mark Taper Forum.
Invincible – The Musical, world premiere by Bradley Bredeweg, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene, featuring Khamary Rose (Romeo), Kay Sibal (Juliet), Sharon Leal (Madame Capulet), Dionne Gipson (Madame Montague), Brennin Hunt (Paris), Ari Notartomaso (Benvolio), Julia Harriman (Nura), Jon Patrick Walker (Friar), Aaron Alcaraz (Mercutio), and Josh Strobl (Tybalt), with Steven Agdeppa, Gilliam Bozajian, Cameron Field, Sophia Hall, Nadja Hayes, Eric Myrick, Ian Joseph Paget, Lyric Rachae, Krystle Simmons, Kelsey Lee Smith, Ian Ward, and Kendyl Yokoyama, closes at Beverly Hills’ The Wallis.
Cinderella, directed by Peggy Hickey, featuring Emily Grace Tucker (Ella), Tracy Lore (Madame), Joanna Johnson (Charlotte), Aviva Pressman (Gabrielle), Patrick Ortiz (Prince Topher), Perry Ojeda (Sebastian), Daebreon Poiema (Marie), Nick Tubbs (Lord Pinkleton), and Jalon Matthews (Jean-Michel), with Richard Bulda, Michael Bullard, Rorey Chavarria, Quintan Craig, Lauren Decierdo, Erin Dubreuil, Missy Marion, Sarah Morgan, Alejandro MullerDahlberg, Noelle Elizabeth Roth, Callula Sawyer, and Adam Winer, closes at Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West.
The Play That Goes Wrong, by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields, directed by Fred Sullivan Jr., featuring Kelby T. Akin (Robert), Alexa Cadete (Annie), Nora Eschenheimer (Sandra). Dan Garcia (Jonathan), Mitch Kiliulis (Trevor), Michael Liebhauser (Chris), Marc Pierre (Max), and Dan Whelton (Dennis), with Margaret Clark, Patrick French, and Matt Ryan, closes at Boston’s Lyric Stage.
The Twelve Dates of Christmas, by Ginna Hoben, directed by Laura Agudelo, featuring Emel Ertugrul (Mary), closes at Virginia Stage Company.
Ain’t Misbehavin’, directed by Wren T. Brown, featuring Yvette Cason (Nell), Rogelio Douglas Jr. (Andre), Connie Jackson (Armelia), Marty Austin Lamar (Ken), and Angela Wildflower (Charlene), closes at Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre.
If I Forget, by Steven Levenson, directed by Jason Alexander, featuring Leo Marks (Michael Fischer), Síle Bermingham (Ellen Fischer), Valerie Perri (Holly), Samantha Klein, (Sharon), Jerry Weil (Howard), Jacob Zelonky (Joey), and Matt Gottlieb (Lou Fischer), closes at LA’s Fountain Theatre.
Fun Home, directed by Adam Karsten, featuring Kristen Howe (Alison), Victor Wallace (Bruce), Leslie Tinnaro (Helen), Cecily Dowd (Medium Alison), Keeley Karsten (Small Alison), Charlotte Wallace (Joan), Griffen Campbell (Christian), CJ Wealand (John), and Blake Devin Dwyer (Roy), closes at CA’s Coachella Valley Rep.
Ensemble Theatre Company‘s A Christmas Carol, adapted by Patrick Barlow, directed by Jamie Torcellini., featuring Mark Capri (Scrooge), Regina Fernandez, Bo Foxworth, Louis Lotorto, and Jenna Cardia, closes at Santa Barbara’s New Vic.
Theatre West & New Los Angeles Repertory Company‘s Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, world premiere by Richard Hellesen, directed by Peter Ellenstein, starring John Rubinstein, closes at LA’s Hudson Mainstage Theatre.
Barbara Minkus: 18 Minutes of Fame closes at LA’s Theatre West.
The Troubadour Theater Company’s Die Heart, world premiere adapted & directed & choreographed by Matt Walker, featuring Beth Kennedy, Rick Batalla, Mike Sulprizio, Cloie Wyatt Taylor, Chelle Denton, Luis Martinez, John Paul Batista, Bob Moran, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Heather Youmans, Philip McNiven, and Matt Walker, closes at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
Mrs. Dilber’s Fabulous Bedcurtains, world premiere by Arthur M. Jolly, directed by Tor Brown & Marc Leclerc, featuring Antwan Alexander II, Lemon Baardsen, Macedonia Bullington, Isaac Deakyne, Jennifer DeRosa, Raymond Donehey, Madylin Sweeten Durrie, Jay Hoshina, Robert Jolly, Maia Luer, Benjamin Marshall, Matthew Monaco, Ignacio Navarro, Sara Nilsen, TJ O’Brien, Bree Pavey, and Natasha Renae Potts, closes at North Hollywood’s Loft Ensemble.
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London’s current Menier Chocolate Factory production of Merrily We Roll Along will transfer to Broadway in Fall 2023 (theater and dates TBA), directed by Maria Friedman. Click here for more information and updates.
Daniel Radcliffe (Charley Kringas), Jonathan Groff (Franklin Shepard), Lindsay Mendez (Mary Flynn), Krystal Joy Brown (Gussie Carnegie), Katie Rose Clark (Beth Shepard), Reg Rogers (Joe Josephson), and more TBA.
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The Pasadena Playhouse is now offering a 20% discount for its upcoming Sondheim Celebration, using code Celebrate 20, which includes:
Tickets to Bernadette Peters in Concert … Sunday in the Park with George … and A Little Night Music.
Exclusive discounts to Eleri War: Acoustic Sondheim … Larry Owen’s Sondheimia … Company… and Sondheim UnScripted.
FREE tickets to the one-night-only productions of Into the Woods with Pasadena Unified School District and Song by Song by Sondheim
A Special Edition Commemorative Box of Sondheim Swag included with each order.
A ticket to the Summer 2023 production of Zora Howard’s Stew.
Access to book your tickets before they go on sale to the public.
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NATCO and SoHo Rep will present the world premiere of Public Obscenities, written & directed by Shayok Misha Chowdhury, to run Feb. 15 – Mar. 26 (opening Feb. 26) at SoHo Rep.
Tashnuva Anan (Shou), Debashis Roy Chowdhury (Pishe), Abrar Haque (Choton), Golam Sarwar Harun (Jitesh), Gargi Mukherjee (Pishimoni), NaFis (Sebanti), and Jakeem Dante Powell (Raheem).
Performed in Bangla and English, the play follows queer studies PhD student Choton, who returns to his family home in Kolkata with his Black American boyfriend Raheem. There, Choton makes a discovery and finds the limits of language in this play about “the things we see, the things we miss, and the things that turn us on.”
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The world premiere of Anna Miriam Brown’s His Story: The Musical will run May 5 – Sept. 10, 2023 (opening May 18) at the Colony Texas’ Broadway Tent at Grandscape (link TBA) , directed by Jeff Calhoun.
Casting and additional creative team TBA.
In this new contemporary pop musical based on the life of Jesus, a common-man-from-a-sketchy-family arrives in the big city and defies expectations. He speaks great wisdom, but chooses friends from the dregs of society and hangs out in the wrong part of town. Mocked by the establishment, he is adored by the people.
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On Wednesday, a mysterious set of social media accounts appeared online for Stephen Sondheim’s Square One -the musical he was working on at the time of his death, teasing an announcement was to be made for a Broadway run. In a timely fashion the next morning, social media accounts for the “production” shared an announcement that Bernadette Peters and Nathan Lane would star in a Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s final work.
The problem is, Square One is not coming to Broadway (for now, anyway) and the announcement was a hoax. A representative who worked with Sondheim at the time of his passing confirmed to BroadwayWorld that there are no plans for a production of the show at this time.
Note: This article did not appear in GRACE NOTES.
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Updated casting for the final weeks of Into the Woods, which closes Jan. 8 at the St. James Theatre.
Diane Phelan (Cinderella) will begin Dec. 26.
Sebastian Arcelus (Baker) will return Jan. 3.
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Grease will run June 2 – Oct. 28, 2023 at the Dominion Theatre, directed by Nikolai Foster, with choreography by Arlene Phillips.
Casting TBA.
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Chicago’s Porchlight Music Theatre will present New Faces Sing Broadway 1951 on Mon. Jan. 23 at 7:30 PM at Evanston SPACE, directed by David Fiorello, with music direction by Dr. Michael McBride, and hosted by David Girolmo.
Performers TBA.
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David Dean Bottrell Makes Love: a One-Man Show will take place Sat. Feb. 11 at 8 PM at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre, directed by Guy Stroman.
A comic whirlwind of totally true “love stories” — both spicy and tame — that weave together one man’s search to find and understand love.
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Grease will run June 2 – Oct. 28 at the Dominion Theatre, directed by Nikolai Foster, with choreography by Arlene Phillips.
Casting and additional information TBA.
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Off-Broadway’s MCC Theater will present its annual Miscast23 Gala on Mon. Apr. 3 at 6:30 PM at NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom.
Vanessa Williams and Lianny Toval.
Creative team, casting and additional information TBA
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To celebrate the anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision on Jan. 22, 1973, the Fountain Theatre will present a screening of Lisa Loomer’s Roe on Sat. Jan. 21 at 8 PM at LA’s LGBT Center, directed by Vanessa Stallings.
Aleisha Force (Norma) and Christina Hall (Sarah), with John Achorn, Kenya Alexander, Sufe Bradshaw, Pamela Dunlap, Susan Lynskey, Ed Martin, Rob Nagle, Karina Richardson, Xochitl Romero and Liv Shechter.
Filmed and livestreamed during the production’s final performance at the Fountain, Roe cuts through the headlines to reveal the real-life women — Norma McCorvey, known as “Jane Roe” and Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who argued the case — behind the landmark Supreme Court case that gave women the right to safe, legal abortion.
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The National Black Theatre has announced complete casting for the world premiere of a.k. payne’s Amani, to run Feb. 6 – Mar. 5 (opening Feb. 16) at Rattlestick Theater, directed by Josiah Davis.
Omari K. Chancellor (Robert Richards/Davion/Lamar Davis/A Series of Men), Kai Heath (Kofa), Denise Manning (Amani), Eden Marryshow (Smith), and Mars Rucker (Daisa).
The play follows the journey of Amani, who grows up building a rocket ship with her father, who vows to make it to outer space where his child can breathe easy, where there are no gangs to take his first love’s life, nor prisons to take Black boys’ best years. As Amani moves into adulthood, she seeks her voice and her own dreams.
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The world tour of Piaf! The Show, starring Nathalie Lermitte, will take place Wed. Jan. 25 at 7:30 PM at NYC’s Town Hall.
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Actors Theatre of Louisville continues its mixed-reality production of A Christmas Carol: Ghost Story through Dec. 23, adapted & directed by Robert Barry.
Gregory Maupin (Scrooge/Narrator/Voices of Chosts).
Journey into Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunted dreamscape as ghostly apparitions and ominous specters endeavor to redeem a broken man before it’s too late. This innovative mixed-reality adaptation combines Gregory Maupin’s dynamic live performance with a spirit world realized through motion-capture technology. bringing a contemporary lens to Dickens’ classic tale of awakening and transformation from greed to grace.
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. Jordan E. Cooper’s Ain’t No Mo’, directed by Stevie Walker-Web, has been extended through Dec. 23 at Broadway’s Belasco Theatre.
Jordan E. Cooper (Peaches), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Passenger #5), Fedna Jacquet (Passenger #1), Marchant Davis (Passenger #2), Ebony Marshall-Oliver (Passenger #4), and Shannon Matesky (Passenger #3), with Nik Alexander, Jasminn Johnson, Michael Rishawn, Kedren Spencer, Brennie Tellu, and Emma Van Lare.