Today’s Highlights:
New York Stage and Film‘s 40th Anniversary Gala, honoring Douglas Harmon and Jane Harman, featuring Miguel CervantesHeather Christian, Kathryn Gallagher, John Gallagher Jr. Crystal Monee Hall, Amber Iman, Anaïs Mitchell (Hadestown), Brian Quijada (Mexodus), with appearances by Sopan Deb, Santino Fontana, Peter Gallagher Jessica Hecht, Vanessa Kai, Mark Linn-Baker, Julianna Margulies, Max Mayer, Rob Morrow, Reg Rogers, Richard Schiff ,Tony Shalhoub, John Patrick Shanley. John Slattery, Jon Tenney, Leslie Urdang, Frank Wood and more, at 6:30 PM at the theatre.
A Noel Coward Celebration benefit concert, in support of the The Actors Fund, starring Steve Ross and friends, at 7 PM at NYC’s Guild Hall (1 East 29th St.). The event is sold out.
Yesterday’s Bread free reading (with a suggested donation of $5), by Russ Pastena, directed by Danny Salles, featuring Mary Testa, Annie Golden, Joe Barbara, Josh Davis, Cara Rose DiPietro, Stephanie Gibson (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and Alec Ludacka, at 7 PM at Off-Broadway’s Theater for the New City.
Christmas Kisses concert, directed by Rob Ruggiero, starring Briana Maia, at 7 PM at TheaterWorks Hartford.
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Grace Notes Quiz: Down Time, by Jim Bernhard
Match these song titles with where they are headed “down.”
| 1. “Down __” – Sugar Babies | A. in the Depths |
| 2. “Down __” – George M. | B. the Road |
| 3. “Down __” – Million Dollar Quartet | C. My Back |
| 4. “Down __” – Purlie | D. on the Farm |
| 5. “Down __ on the 90th Floor” – Red, Hot, and Blue | E. by the Erie Canal |
| 6. “Down __” – Brigadoon | F. on McConnachy Square |
| 7. “Ease on Down __” – The Wiz | G. by the Riverside |
| 8. “How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down __?” – Ziegfeld Follies of 1919 | H. at the Gaiety Burlesque |
| 9. “It’s Delightful Down __” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes | I. Home |
| 10. “Ribbons Down __” – Hello, Dolly | J. in Chile |
Scroll down for the answers…
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Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon, by Will Friedwald, Adrian Galante, Ted Firth & Jack Lewin, will run Jan. 8 – Feb. 15 (opening Jan. 12) at Amas Musical Theatre, directed by David Zippel.
Adrian Galante, Hisary Kole, John Pagano, and Ta-Tynisa Wilson.
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Ann Hampton Callaway & Liz Callaway: BOOM! 15th Anniversary Concert will run Jan. 14-17 (all at 7 PM) at NYC’s 54 Below.
The performance will also be live-streamed (see link above).
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Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus will run Feb. 11 -Mar. 8 at Pasadena Playhouse, directed by Darko Tresnjak.
Kenajuan Bentley, Jared Andrew Bybee, Jennifer Chang, Matthew Patrick Davis, Michelle Allie Drever, Alaysha Fox, Matthew Henerson, John Lavelle,Brent Schindele, and Hilary Ward.
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Readings of new musicals at the 20th annual Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals will run Jan. 16-18 at CT.’s Goodspeed. Casting TBA.
Miss Hysteria, by laura Schein & Ben Zeadman. Director & cast TBA. 
The wrongly institutionalized Louise Gleizes, a young actress in 19th-century Paris, who strikes a bargain to perform symptoms of “hysteria” for freedom and discovers the power—and peril—of owning her own story.
F Word, by Alyssa Payne & Sara Matin. Tessa is a teenager on the brink of aging out of the foster care system, as she faces the future and finds family where she least expects it.
Foolproof, by Megan Laughran & Sonya Hayden. A brassy, toe-tapping musical comedy that reimagines the Three Stooges as three sisters, Mo, Mary, and Curly, who land punches and punchlines in their effort to apprehend a notorious robber, claim the cash reward, and save their family boutique.
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National Theatre Live will present a screening of Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession, by Suzie Miller, filmed in London, directed by Dominic Cooke, on Sat. Dec. 13 at 3 PM at UCLA’s James Bridge’s Theatre.
Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter Staunton.
Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright?
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The Phil Crosby Jazz Trio will take place Sun. Dec. 14 at 7 PM at Venice CA’s Pacific Resident Theatre.
latest dynamite small combo dedicated to only the finest American songbook interpretation and early traditional jazz and Americana! Featuring personal selections of songs made great by his illustrious grandfather, legendary iconic film and radio star Bing Crosby, as well as tunes from the heart and tales from ‘The road.”
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The world premiere of Will Friedwald, Adrian Galante, Tedd Firth & Jack Lewin’s Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon will run Jan. 8 – Feb. 15 (opening Jan. 12) at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater (10 West 64th St.), directed by David Zippel, with music supervision by Adrian Galante.
Hilary Kole, John Pagano, and Ta-Tynisa Wilson.
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Developmental Series: Boston’s Huntington Theatre will launch its Winter New Play Intensive in December 2025 (exact dates TBA).
An artistic work development series launched last winter where writers, theatre makers, and other performance artists convene and collaborate on new projects. Select readings and open rehearsals will be open to the public. During this focused time, The Huntington will be developing recent commissions, bringing writers to work in mini-residencies, and making new artistic relationships on projects that the theatre is considering for future production. The intensive is designed for cross-pollination between artists: a writer may be hearing their brand-new play for the first time while somewhere else in the building, another artist is preparing a production draft.
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Cole Porter & Arthur Kopit’s High Society will run May 19 – July 11 (opening May 27) at the Barbican Theatre, directed by rachel Kavanaugh, with choreography by Anthony Van Laast.
Helen George (Tracy Lord), Felicity Kendal (character not yet revealed), and more TBA.
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In Honor of Jean Michel Basquiat will run Jan. 7 -18 at New York Theatre Workshop, created & performed by Roger Guenveur Smith.
An intimate one-man show honoring his friend and collaborator Jean-Michel Basquiat. Weaving personal stories and historical anecdotes with his improvisational performance style, Guenveur Smith explores the legacy of one of the most defining artists of the 20th century and his enduring impact.
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Grace Notes Quiz Answers: Down Time, by Jim Bernhard
1-H. “Down at the Gaiety Burlesque” – Sugar Babies
2-E. “Down by the Erie Canal” – George M.
3-G. “Down by the Riverside” – Million Dollar Quartet
4-I. “Down Home” – Purlie
5-A. “Down in the Depths on the 90th Floor” – Red, Hot, and Blue
6-F. “Down on McConnachy Square” – Brigadoon
7-B. “Ease on Down the Road” – The Wiz
8-D. “How You Gonna Keep ‘Em Down on the Farm?” – Ziegfeld Follies of 1919
9-J. “It’s Delightful Down in Chile” – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
10. “Ribbons Down ____” – Hello, Dolly