Today’s Highlights:
Appropriate, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Lila Neugebauer, featuring Sarah Paulson, Corey Stoll, Natalie Gold, Elle Fanning, Alyssa Emily Marvin, Graham Campbell, Lincoln Cohen, Michael Esper, and Everett Sobers, opens at Broadway’s Haye’s Theatre.
The Motive and the Cue, by Jack Thorne, directed by Sam Mendes, featuring Johnny Flynn Richard Burton), Mark Gatiss (John Gielgud), Tuppence Middleton (Elizabeth Taylor), Allan Corduner (Hume Cronyn), Sarah Woodward (Eileen Herlie), Rebecca Collingwood (Linda Marsh), Luke Norris (William Redfield), Laurence Ubong Williams (Hugh McHaffie), Elena Delia (Jessica Levy), Huw Parmenter (Clement Fowler), Shaun Yusuf McKee (Robert Milli), Adam Sina (Frederick Young), Ryan Ellsworth (George Voskovec), Daniel Krikler (Dillon Evans/Waiter), David Tarkenter (Alfred Drake), Kate Tydman (Christine Cooper), Mark Extance (Mick Burrows), and Stephanie Siadatan (Susannah Mason), opens at London’s Noël Coward Theatre.
Classical Theatre of Harlem‘s Brandon Victor Dixon: Here for the Holidays concert, hosted Ethan Hawke, at 8 PM at Harlem’s Ginny’s Supper Club (310 Malcolm X Boulevard).
Rogue Machine‘s Baby Foot, written & directed by Tim Venable, featuring Daniel Dorr, French Stewart, Hope Lauren, and Paul DeBoy, closes at at LA’s Matrix Theatre.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: Simon’s Boys by Jim Bernhard
Match these roles in Neil Simon plays with the actors who played them in the original Broadway productions:
| 1. Jake in Jake’s Women | A. Jack Albertson |
| 2. Joe Benjamin in God’s Favorite | B. Matthew Broderick |
| 3. Felix Unger in The Odd Couple | C. Alan Alda |
| 4. Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple | D. George C. Scott |
| 5. Al Lewis in The Sunshine Boys | E. Martin Short |
| 6. Willie Clark in The Sunshine Boys | F. Art Carney |
| 7. Sam Nash/Jesse Kiplinger/Roy Hubley in Plaza Suite | G. Vincent Gardenia |
| 8. Barney Cashman in Last of the Red Hot Lovers | H. Sam Levene |
| 9. Eugene Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs | I. James Coco |
| 10. Elliott in The Goodbye Girl | J. Walter Matthau |
Scroll down for the answers…
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A re-imagined production of The Who’s Tommy will begin previews Mar. 8, 2024 and open Mar. 28 at the Nederlander Theatre, directed by Des McAnuff, with choreography by Lorin Latarro, and music direction by Rick Fox.
Casting and additional information TBA.
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The return of Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss’ Unfriend will re-open Jan. 9, 2024 the Wyndham’s Theatre, directed by Gatiss.
Lee Mack (Peter), Sarah Alexander (Debbie), Frances Barber (Elsa Jean Krakowski), Nick Sampson (Neighbor), Muzz Khan (PC Junkin), Maddie Holliday (Rosie), and Jem Matthews (Alex), with Christopher Jordan, Cathy Walker, Charlie Richards, and Poppy Shepherd.
A British couple, Peter and Debbie, strike up a traveling friendship with the eccentric, Trump-loving American, Elsa. After innocently promising to keep in touch, they’re shocked when Elsa lets them know she’s coming to them. After looking her up on line, it becomes clear that she is a deadly danger, but one thing overrides their self-preservation instinct: their need to never be perceived as rude, even to a serial killer.
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The world premiere of Kate Douglas’ The Apiary will begin previews Jan. 31 and open Feb. 13 at the Tony Kiser Theater, directed byKate Whoriskey.
April Matthis, Nimene Wureh, Carmen M. Herlihy, and Taylor Schilling.
Set 22 years in the future, two lab assistants put a plan in motion to change the world, with the help of a few unusual volunteers.
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The national tour of Broadway’s Parade will launch in Jan. 2025 at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre, directed by Michael Arden, with choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant & Christopher Cree Grant.
Casting, tour schedule, and additional information TBA.
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A reading of Jeremy J. King & Sam Salmond’s Eighty-Sixed will take place Sat. Jan. 6, 2024 at Off-Broadway’s Second Stage Theater (link not reported), directed by Kevin Newbury, with music direction by Cynthia Meng.
Casting TBA.
New York City used to be a party town, but 1986 finds everyone paralyzed with fear of AIDS. Everyone, that is, except BJ Rosenthal, who’s determined to keep the party going. When an ex-lover becomes ill, BJ is forced to face the nightmare enveloping him and redefine his life. Based on the celebrated novel of its time and set to a soaring pop score pulsating with joy and heart wrenching melodies, Eighty-Sixed unearths an epidemic that shook the world to reveal a community’s ferocious fight to reclaim its future.
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All Roads Theatre Company will present staged & choreographed presentations of Mack & Mabel Feb. 16-18 at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre, with a creative team TBA.
Dermot Mulroney (Mack), Jenna Lea Rosen (Mabel), Caroline O’Connor (Lottie), Chad Doreck (William Desmond Taylor), Lee James (Frank Capra), Michael Shepperd (Soundstage Watchman), Robert Yacko (Kleinman), Glenn Rosemblum (Fox), Arthur L. Ross (Fatty Arbuckle), Myriam Ali (Ella The Pianist), with will include Nichole Beeks, Amanda Carr, John Dellaporta, Brody Ensor, Cole Fletcher, Skylar Gaines, Ariana Nicole George, Sylvie Gosse, Flynn Henry, Shira Jackman, Danielle LaRauf, David Leppert, Holden Maples, Mark Marchillo, Julia Marley, Donovan Mendelovitz, Alexandra Mitchell, Gabby Rosales, Iva Erwin, and Erica Schaeffer.**********************
York Theatre Company‘s The Jerusalem Syndrome continues through Dec. 31 at Theatre at St. Jeans, directed by Don Stephenson. Note change in cast listing below.
Farah Alvin, Dana Costello, Scott Cote, Andrea Fleming, James D. Gish, Alan H. Green, Danielle Lee James, John Jellison, Josh Lamon, Garrett Long, Karen Murphy, Jeffrey Schecter, Jennifer Smith, Chandler Sinks, Pablo Torres, Curtis Wiley, Lenny Wolpe, Laura Woyasz, and Jared Zirilli (replacing James D. Gish)
An original musical comedy that explores a real-life psychological malady that causes tourists in Israel—over 200 every year! — to believe that they are characters from the Bible. Meet an inept tour guide who turns into Moses, a professor in a troubled marriage who thinks she’s Abraham’s wife Sarah, and a resort tycoon with daddy issues who might be Jesus…not to mention multiple Virgin Marys and the Lord Herself. An outrageous romp, but it is also a story of hope in which the characters come to see that today, just like in the times of their biblical alter egos, miracles are happening all around us.
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Video: Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch perform “My Favorite Things”
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LA Theatre Works‘ National Theatre Live has announced upcoming screenings of London productions at UCLA’s James Bridges Theatre:
Dear England (Sat. Feb. 10, 2024 at 3 PM), by James Graham, starring Joseph Fiennes. A gripping examination of nation and game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game? 
here.
The Importance of Being Earnest (Sat. Jan. 27, 2024 at 3 PM), directed by & starring Brian Bedford. here.
Vanya (adapted by Simon Stephens) (Feb. 25). Andrew Scott brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ radical new version of Uncle Vanya. here.
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Manhattan Theatre Club will present the world premiere of Amy Herzog’s Mary Jane, to run Apr. 2 – June 2, 2024 (opening Apr. 21) at the Friedman Theater, directed by Anne Kauffman.
Rachel McAdams
Captivating, affecting and compassionate, it’s the story of a single mother in an impossible family situation. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, Mary Jane relies on unflagging optimism and humor, along with the wisdom of the women around her who have become a makeshift family, to take on each new day. But will inner strength and newfound friendships be enough to see her through?
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Cooper Jordan, Zoe Ann Jordan, Patrick Spencer & Anthony De Andelis’ SAW The Musical has been extended through June 23, 2024 (followed by a national tour) at LA’s Hudson Theatre Mainstage, directed & choreographed by Stephanie Rosenberg, with music direction by Leigh Pomeranz.
Danny Durr (Gordon), Adam Parbhoo (Adam), Gabrielle Goodman (Amanda/Alli/Jigsaw), and Donnell Johnson (Voiceover for Detective Tapp), with Andrew Caira, Patrick Voss Davis, James Lynch, Thomas Skea, Morgan Traud, Jessica Morilak, and Keaton Barry.
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Video: ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” performed by the cast of Broadway’s MJ The Musical.
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The world premiere of Anna K. Jacobs & Michael R. Jackson’s Teeth will run Feb. 21 – Mar. 31, 2024 (opening Mar. 12) at Playwrights Horizons, directed by Sarah Benson, with choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.
Alyse Alan Louis (Dawn O’Keefe), Courtney Bassett (Promise Keeper Girl Becky), Phoenix Best (Promise Keeper Girl Fiona), Will Connolly (Brad O’Keefe), Jason Gotay (Tobey/Truthseeker), Jenna Rose Husli (Promise Keeper Girl Trisha), Jared Loftin (Ryan/Truthseeker), Lexi Rhoades (Promise Keeper Girl Rachel), Wren Rivera (Promise Keeper Girl Stephanie), and Helen J Shen (Promise Keeper Girl Keke).
Based on the 2007 horror comedy film of the same name, Teeth follows evangelical Christian teenager Dawn O’Keefe, whose body bites back when men try to violate her.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz answers: Simon’s Boys
1-C. Jake in Jake’s Women – Alan Alda
2-G. Joe Benjamin in God’s Favorite – Vincent Gardenia
3-F. Felix Unger in The Odd Couple – Art Carney
4-J. Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple – Walter Matthau
5-H. Al Lewis in The Sunshine Boys – Sam Levene
6-A. Willie Clark in The Sunshine Boys – Jack Albertson
7-D. Sam Nash/Jesse Kiplinger/Roy Hubley in Plaza Suite – George C. Scott
8-I. Barney Cashman in Last of the Red Hot Lovers – James Coco
9-B. Eugene Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs – Matthew Broderick
10- E. Elliott in The Goodbye Girl – Martin Short