This Weekend’s Highlights:
Friday, October 14
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, by August Wilson, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, featuring Maurice Emmanuel Parent (Seth Holly), Shannon Lamb (Bertha Holly), Robert Cornelius (Bynum Walker), Lewis D. Wheeler (Rutherford Selig), Stewart Eavn Smtih (Jeremy Furlow), Robert Ricardo Milord (Herald Loomis), Gray Flaherty & Alana Ross (alternating as Zonia Loomis, al-nisa Petty (Mattie Campbell, Eli Lapaix & Joshua McKenna (alternating as Reuben Mercer), Dela Meskienyar (Molly Cunningham), and Patrese D. McClain (Martha Pentecost), with Kadahj, Kelsey Fonise, David Kelly, Melanie Loren, and Damon Singletary, re-opens at Boston’s Huntington Theatre.
Fun Home, directed by Rob Ruggiero, featuring Aaron Lazar (Bruce), Christianne Noll (Helen), Sarah Beth Pfeifer (Alison), Ali Louis Bourzgui (Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby/Jeremy), Sam Duncan (John-Jasper), Myles Low (Christian), Skylar Lynn Matthews (Small Alison), Julia Nightingale (Medium Alison), and Cameron Silliman (Joan), opens at TheaterWorks Hartford.
5-Star Theatrical‘s The Addams Family, by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice & Andrew Lippa, directed by Kirsten Chandler, featuring Teri Hatcher (Morticia Addams), Ed Staudenmayer (Gomez Addams), Janelle Villas (Wednesday Addams), Leander Lewis (Pugsley Addams), Andrew Metzger (Uncle Fester), Aaron Laplante (Lurch), Samantha Wynn-Greenstone (Grandma Addams), Tristan Turner (Lucas Beineke), Benjamin Perez (Mal Beineke), and Trisha Rapier (Alice Beineke), with Luis Anduaga, Bernadette Bently, Amanda Boutaud, Cole Fletcher, Dahlya Glick, Lauren Han, Marlon Magtibay, David Wesley Mitchell, Mazie Rudolph, Landen Starkman, Dekontee Tucrkile, and Rianny Vasquez, opens at Thousand Oaks Bank of America PAC (formerly the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza).
All In The Timing, by David Ives, directed by Michael Yavnieli, featuring Patrick Warburton, Talon Warburton, Taylor Behrens, Bill Butts, Meadow Clare, Tania Gonzalez, Mark Kaan, Maram Kamal, and Melodie Shih, opens at LA’s Zephyr Theatre.
Farragut North, by Beau Willimon, directed by Peter Allas, featuring Chris Wong, Jack Esformes, Camryn Mann, Amy Motta, K.J. Powell, David Reyes, and Michael Rubenstone, opens at North Hollywood’s Theatre 68.
Tammy Faye, by James Graham, Elton John & Jake Shears, directed by Rupert Goold, featuring Katie Brayben, Andrew Rannells, Zubin Varla, Kelly Agbowu, Amy Booth-Steel, Ashley Campbell, Peter Caulfield, Danny Collins, Richard Dempsey, Fred Haig,Georgia Louise, Robyn Rose, Nicholas Rowe, Martin Sarreal, Steve John Shepherd, and Gemma Sutton, begins previews at London’s Almeida Theatre.
Roundabout Theatre Company‘s You Will Get Sick, world premiere by Noah Diaz, directed by Sam Pinkleton, featuring Marinda Anderson, Daniel K. Isaac, Linda Lavin, Nate Miller, and Dario Ladani Sanchez, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Laura Pels Theatre.
The Gold Room, world premiere by Jacob Perkins, directed by Gus Heagerty, featuring Scott Parkinson and Robert Stanton, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s HERE.
Damn Yankees, directed by Cynthia Ferrer, featuring Lesli Margherita (Lola), Norman Large (Joe Boyd), James Olivas (Joe Hardy), Jeff Skowron (Mr. Applegate), Teri Bibb (Meg), Katie Brown (Doris), Julie Cardia (Sister), Aurelia Michael-Holmgren (Gloria Thorpe), Kevin Symons (Welch), Matthew Henerson (Van Buren), Josh Alvarez (Smokey), Richard Bulda (Sohovick), Alejandro MullerDahlbert (Mickey), Daniel John O’Connor (Rocky), Logan Rice (Bryant), Brandon Keith Rogers (Henry), and Julian Xavier (Vernon), with Marissa Ruth Mayer and Monika Peña, previews at Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West.
Crimes of the Heart live & livestreamed concert, featuring Amanda McBroom, Michele Brourman and Larry Tuttle, at 8 PM at Studio City’s Feinstein’s at Vitello’s. Live tix here. Livestream tix here.
Saturday, October 15
Damn Yankees, directed by Cynthia Ferrer, featuring Lesli Margherita (Lola), Norman Large (Joe Boyd), James Olivas (Joe Hardy), Jeff Skowron (Mr. Applegate), Teri Bibb (Meg), Katie Brown (Doris), Julie Cardia (Sister), Aurelia Michael-Holmgren (Gloria Thorpe), Kevin Symons (Welch), Matthew Henerson (Van Buren), Josh Alvarez (Smokey), Richard Bulda (Sohovick), Alejandro MullerDahlbert (Mickey), Daniel John O’Connor (Rocky), Logan Rice (Bryant), Brandon Keith Rogers (Henry), and Julian Xavier (Vernon), with Marissa Ruth Mayer and Monika Peña, opens at Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West.
Wine in the Wilderness, by Alice Childress, directed by Brandon J. Dirden, featuring Crystal Dickinson, Brittany Bellizare, Ricardy Fabre, Korey Jackson, and Keith Randolph Smith, begins previews at NJ’s Two River Theatre.
Bonded live & livestreamed benefit reading, by Tyler Martin, directed by directed by Thomas Caruso, featuring Bellamy Young (Nellie), Tyler Martin (Emmett), and Brian Thomas Abraham (James), at 3 PM at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row.
Children of Eden concert presentations, by Stephen Schwartz & John Caird, directed by Derek Van Barham, featuring Randal Keith (Father), Koryn Hawthorne (Yonah), David Phelps (Adam/Noah), and Sam Tsui (Cain/Japheth), at 2 & 8 PM at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.
Straight Line Crazy, a screening London’s National Theatre production, by David Hare, directed by Nicholas Hytner, featuring Ralph Fiennes (Robert Moses), Alisha Bailey (Mariah Heller), Samuel Barnett (Ariel Porter), David Bromley (Stamford Fergus), Al Coppola (Sandy McQuade, Siobhán Cullen (Finnuala Connell), Ian Kirkby (Lewis Mason), and Alana Maria (Shirley Hayes), at 3 PM at UCLA’s James Bridge’s Theatre.
The Drifters Girl, by Ed Curtis, directed by directed by Jonathan Church, featuring Felicia Boswell, Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Marcus Ayton, Ashford Campbell, Ethan Davis, Vanessa Ela Young, Michael James Stewart, Alanna Leslie, Curtis Scott Aurora Baptiste, Amari Brown, Savanna Musoni, Savannah Skinner-Henry, and Shanyia Tsoto, closes at the London’s Garrick Theatre.
DRAG: The Musical, by Alaska Thunderf*ck, featuring Nick Adams, Joey McIntyre, Alysha Deslorieux, Alaska, Jujubee, Jackie Cox. Jan Sport, Lagoona Bloo, and Aria B. Cassadine, closes at Hollywood’s Bourbon Room.
Sunday, October 16
38th Marathon of One-Act Plays opens at Off-Broadway’s Ensemble Studio Theatre.
The Gold Room, world premiere by Jacob Perkins, directed by Gus Heagerty, featuring Scott Parkinson and Robert Stanton, opens at Off-Broadway’s HERE.
Swing State, world premiere by Rebecca Gilman, directed by Robert Falls, featuring Mary Beth Fisher (Peg), Kirsten Fitzgerald (Sheriff Kris), Anne E. Thompson (Dani), and Bubba Weiler (Ryan), with Jennifer Engstrom, Jessica Ervin, Laura T. Fisher, and Jack Lancaster, opens at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.
Write Act Rep‘s The Atheist Mother, by Willard Manus, directed by Judith Rose, featuring Sam Aaron (Irwin), Carlos Chavez (Billy), Taylor Donlan (Madelyn Murray O’Hair, Kevin Kelly (George), Helen Siff (Teresa & Woman Messenger), opens at LA Brick House Theatre.
Radio Golf, by August Wilson, directed by Gregg T. Daniel, featuring Christian Telesmar (Harmon Wilks), DeJuan Christopher (Roosevelt Hicks), Sydney A. Mason (Mame), Alex Morris (Joseph Barlow), and Gilbert Glennh Brown (Sterling Johnson), begins previews at Pasadena’s A Noise Within.
Niki Haris + Donna De Lory: Songs and Stories concert, at 7:30 PM at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club.
I’m Revolting, world premiere by Gracie Gardner, directed by Knud Adams, featuring Gabby Beans (Anna), Bartley Booz (Jonathan), Laura Esterman (Paula), Glen Fitzgerald (Jordan), Peter Gerety (Clyde), Emily Cass McDonall (Liane), Alicia Pilgrim (Reggie), Portia (Denise), and Patrick Vaill (Toby), closes at Off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theatre Company.
american (tele)visions, world premiere by Victor I. Cazares, directed by Rubén Polendo, featuring Clew, Raúl Castille, Ryan J. Haddad, Elia Monte-Brown, and Bianca “b” Norwood, closes at Off-Broadway’s New York Theatre Workshop.
York Theatre Company‘s Cheek to Cheek: Irving Berlin in Hollywood, by Barry Kleinbort, conceived, directed & choreographed by Randy Skinner, featuring Jeremy Benton, Darien Crago, Hayley Podschun, Danny Gardner, Darrell T. Joe, and Melinda Porto, with Corinne Munsch and Sean Quinn, with Corinne Munsch and Sean Quinn, closes at Off-Broadway’s Theatre at St. Jeans.
Ink’dWell, by Erin E. Adams, directed by Tabatha Gayle, featuring Britney Nicole Simpson (Kendra), Starr Kirkland (Ember), Tai Leshaun (Nia), Cherene Snow (Maya), and Landon G. Woodson (Isaac), closes at Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theatres.
Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, by Clark Young & Derek Goldman, directed by Goldman, starring David Strathairn, closes at Off-Broadway’s Polonsky Shakespeare Center.
Guys and Dolls, directed by Marc Bruni, featuring James Monroe Iglehart (Nathan Detroit), Jessie Mueller (Miss Adelaide), Steven Pasquale (Sky Masterson), Phillipa Soo (Sarah Brown), Kevin Chamberlin (Nicely-Nicely, Rachel Dratch (Big Jule), Jacqueline Antaramian (General Cartwright), Fred Applegate (Arvide), Eden Marryshow (Lt. Brannigan), Matthew Saldivar (Benny), Jimmy Smagula (Harry the Horse), Jacqueline Antaramian (General Cartwright), Eden Marryshow (Lt. Branigan), Akron Watson (Rusty Charlie), Allison Blackwell (Agatha), Colin Cunliffe (Sorrowful Jones), Michael Fatica (Liverlips Louie/Calvin), Tommy Gedrich (The Greek), Julia Harnett (Allison), Nathan Lucrezio (Scranton Slim), Kristen Faith Oei (Mimi), Lizz Picini (Ferguson), Deon Ridley (Society Max), Anthony Wayne (Angie the Ox), Tanner Wilson (Brandy Bottle Bates), and Kristin Yancy (Martha/Vernon), closes at the Kennedy Center.
No Place to Go, by Ethan Lipton, Eben Levy, Ian M. Riggs & Vito Dieterle, directed by Matthew Gardiner, featuring Bobby Smith, closes at DC’s Signature Center.
Oklahoma national tour, directed by Daniel Fish, featuring Sasha Hutchings (Laurey Williams), Sean Grandillo (Curly McLain), Christopher Bannow (Jud Fry), Sis (Ado Annie), Hennessy Winkler (Will Parker), Benj Mirman (Ali Hakim), Barbara Walsh (Aunt Eller), Hannah Solow (Gertie Cummings), Mauricio Lozano (Mike), Ugo Chukwu (Cord Elam), Mitch Tebo (Andrew Carnes), and Gabrielle Hamilton (Lead Dancer), with Gillian Hassert, Cameron Anika Hill, Hunter Hoffman, Scott Redmond, Gwynne Wood, Jordan Wynn, and Minga Prather, closes at LA’s Ahmanson Theatre.
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 Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.
Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord, written and performed by Wong, directed by Chay Yew, closes at La Jolla Playhouse.
North Carolina Theatre‘s Sister Act, directed & choreographed by Robert Hartwell, featuring Aisha Jackson (Deloris Van Cartier), Lavon Fisher-Wilson (Mother Superior), Nick Rasha Burroughs (Eddie Souther), Ray Dooley (Monsignor O’Hara), Sai Graham (TJ), Joel Ashur (Curtis Jackson), Jordan Clifton (Joey), Michael Schimmele (Pablo), Timothy Malboeuf (Ernie), Chandra Branch (Michelle), LaDonna Burns (Sister Mary Lazarus), Erin Wilson (Sister Mary Patrick), Anne Scramuzzo (Sister Mary Martin-of Tours), Lia Holman (Tina), Casey Wortham (Sister Mary Robert), and Tanesha Gary (Sister Mary Theresa), with Charlie Byrd, Kylie Robinson, Kate McMillan, Alejandra Parrilla, Blaire Thompson, Gerard M Williams, Carlits Victoria, Kate Blain, and Trevor Neal, closes at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
The Secret Comedy of Women, written by & starring Barbara Gehring & Linda Klein, closes at CA’s Huntington Beach Library Theatre.
WestFest 2022, offering presentation of new works, closes at LA’s Theatre West.
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Reviews for The Piano Lesson at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre:
NY Times (Maya Phillips): …Wilson makes poetry out of the mundane minutiae of daily African American life without forgetting how the past is present, alive and immediate like the melody of a song played by a piano that seems to have sprung to life… And yet even among Wilson’s outstanding and occasionally surreal plays, The Piano Lesson, both a family drama and a ghost story, stands out as one of the odder works. It’s a mix of themes and tones, both concrete and ethereal, ghoulish and comedic, but the imbalanced direction here, by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, overemphasizes the horror too literally; it works best on a metaphorical level.
Chicago Tribune (Chris Jones): …a starry, enjoyable Broadway revival… As Wilson’s diversely structured plays go, The Piano Lesson is perhaps the most moralistic and melodramatic yet also the most fun to watch… [Samuel L.] Jackson is terrific, especially in Act 1, as he crackles with life and humor… Act 1 is far stronger here than Act 2… But when it comes to Wilson’s poetry, visual metaphors and roiling ideas? All flowing here with eloquence and verve.
New York Stage Review (Frank Scheck): …The play is now receiving a powerful if imperfect Broadway revival featuring a stellar cast including Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, and John David Washington… Whether or not to preserve the legacy of the past, however horrific, is the compelling theme of this elemental drama… Unfortunately, the production falters in its more explosive moments… Richardson, an extremely talented actress here making her directorial debut, reveals her inexperience in the revival’s pacing issues and an overreliance on spooky sound and lighting effects and projections that threaten to become silly, especially in the show’s climactic moments.
Variety (Marilyn Stasio): …Director LaTanya Richardson Jackson emphasizes — indeed, embellishes — the spooky parts of the story… a rock-solid performance from Samuel L. Jackson… The spirited battle between brother and sister over the piano is the spine of the plot. But it suggests deeper issues… The play’s characters are so individually well-formed and collectively solid that their voices have a way of lingering in the mind, and Wilson’s language is dramatic lyricism of a very high order…
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New York Rep‘s reading of Winter Miller’s Spare Rib, in support of of the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, will take place Mon. Oct. 24 at 7:30 PM at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages, directed by Mia Walker. The reading will be followed by a talkback.
Kathleen Chalfant and more TBA.
The play follows two generations of abortion providers: Harriet, a member of the underground collective Jane in the early 1970’s, and Florynce, her daughter who is a contemporary abortion provider. The action rockets between three distinctive eras, the early 1970’s, 30 years later, and the present.
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Video: Trailer for “Matilda the Musical” film (released Dec. 9 in theaters and Dec. 25 on Netflix)
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Richard Maltby Jr. & David Shire’s Maltby & Shire: Revue #3 will take place Mon. Nov. 21 at 7 PM at NYC’s 54 Below.
Nikki M. James, Daniel Jenkins, Karen Ziemba, Kerry Butler, Jelani Remi, and more TBA.
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Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer & Henry Shields’ The Play That Goes Wrong will run Nov. 11 – Dec. 18 (opening Nov. 13) at Boston’s Lyric Stage Company, directed by Fred Sullivan Jr.
Kelby T. Akin, Alexa Cadete, Nora Eschenheimer, Dan Garcia, Mitch Kiliulis, Michael Leibhauser, Marc Alexander Pierre, and Dan Whelton, with Margaret Clar, Patrick French, and Matt C. Ryan.
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CT’s Goodspeed Musicals has announced its 2023 season:
Gypsy (Apr. 28 – June 18), directed by Jenn Thompson.
Summer Stock (July 7 – Aug. 27), world premiere, adapted from the film by Harold Arlen, Harry Warren, Gene DePaul, Johnny Mercer, Mack Gordon, Saul Chaplin, Jack Brooks, Ted Koeler, E.Y. Harburg, Billy Rose & Leo Robin
The 12 (Sept. 8 – Oct. 29), by Robert Schenkkan & Neil Berg, directed by John Doyle. The musical follows 12 disciples who come together to create a powerful moment following the death of their leader.
Dreamgirls (Nov. 10 – Dec. 30), directed by Lili-Anne Brown
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Second Stage Theater‘s Fall Gala will take place Mon. Oct. 17 at 6:30 PM at NYC’s 583 Park Avenue, directed by Elena Araoz, with music direction by Solon Snider Sway, and hosted by Michael Urie.
Brian Stokes Mitchell, Craig Bierko, Alex Boniello, Zachary Noah Piser, Will Roland, Gabriel Canepa, Kaylin Maggard, Taylor Massa, Noah Wang, Leana Rae Concepcion, Robi Hager, Brittney Mack, and Heather Alicia Simms.
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Steve Ross: Autumn Serenades 2022 will take place Mon. Oct. 24 at 7 PM at NYC’s Birdland.
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Broadway Podcast Network has launched its new series, “Rolling Calls,” created by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen.
Julie Halston, Richard Kind, Dan Rosales, Matt Doyle, Wesley Taylor, Luis Miranda, Erin Davie, Adam Heller, Brittney Mack, Andrea Macasaet, and Orville Mendoza.
A fictional 6-episode comedy about 23-year-old Walt Mendez, who gets a survival job at a struggling low level NYC talent agency. On his first day of work, his rage-aholic boss has a heart attack, leaving him alone, clueless and in charge. His shady ex-boyfriend conveniently resurfaces, coming on strong and making the job suddenly much more attractive. The story is heard through his headset at the office, making the listener a fly on the wall as Walt tried to conquer show business…if it doesn’t kill him first.
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Video: Sneak peek at Broadway’s KPOP at Circle in the Square (now in previews, opens Nov. 20).
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Industry readings of Jazy Falzone, Nick Naveda, Matt Gumley & Evan Jay Newman’s Fat Kid Rules The World will take place Oct. 27-28 at NYC’s New 42nd Street Studios, directed by Marc Erdahi, with choreography by Ellenore Scott.
Cole Ragsdale (Troy) and Jimmy Brewer (Curt), with Jeff Kready, Michael William Nigro, Yael “Yaya” Reich, Samantha Pauly, Mamie Parris, Sophia Alawi, Kerri George, Polanco Jones Jr., Jay McKenzie, Jenny Mollet, Daniel Quadrino, Alanna Saunders, Emerson Steele, and Michael Lee Brown.
Troy Billings is isolated at school, unsupported by his father and brother, mourning the loss of his mother, and ready to jump, but he steps back from the edge after a chance encounter with a local legend, Curt MacCrae, the lead guitarist of Troy’s favorite band, who draws Troy into his circle and helps him find a new beat.
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New York Rep‘s benefit reading of Winter Miller’s Spare Rib will take place Mon. Oct. 24 at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages, directed by Mia Walker. The reading, in support of Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project, will be followed by at talkback.
Kathleen Chalfant, and more TBA.
The play follows two generations of abortion providers: Harriet, a member of the underground collective Jane in the early 1970’s, and Florynce, her daughter who is a contemporary abortion provider. The action rockets between three distinctive eras – early 1970’s, 30 years later, and the present.
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Lauren Yee & Heather Christian’s new musical, A Wrinkle in Time, adapted from the novel of the same name, will be directed by Lee Sunday Evans. Dates for future productions, as well as additional creative team members, will be announced in 2023.
The musical features a teen heroine guided in her quest by three wise, celestial women. It tells the story of Meg Murry, who is transported on an adventure through time and space with her younger brother and friend, to rescue her father, a gifted scientist, from the evil forces that hold him prisoner on another planet, and threaten our own.