Today’s Highlights:
James Monroe Iglehart begins his run as Billy Flynn in Chicago at Broadway’s Ambassador Theatre.
Bonnie and Clyde in Concert, directed by Nick Winston, featuring Jeremy Jordan (Clyde), Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie), George Maguire (Buck), Natalie McQueen (Blanche), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Preacher), and Liam Tamne (Ted), Casey Al-Shagsy (Stella), Simon Anthony (Cop/Bud/Archie/Deputy Johnson), Gillian Bevan (Cummie Barrow/Eleanor), Eloise Davies (Trish), Adrian Grove (Henry Barrow), Debbie Kurup (Governor Miriam Ferguson), Matthew Malthouse (Bob Alcorn), Jeremy Secomb (Judge/Sheriff Schmid), Russell Wilcox (Captain Frank Hamer), and Julie Yammanee (Emma Parker), opens at London’s Theatre Royal Drury.
54 Celebrates Mel Brooks concert, featuring John Bolton, Alexandra Silber, Brad Oscar, Fergie L. Philippe, Lee Roy Reams, Adam B. Shapiro, Sam Gravitte, Eric Ulloa, and Jason SweetTooth Williams, at 9:45 PM ET at 54 Below.
Everybody Rise: Signature Remembers Stephen Sondheim concert, directed by Matthew Gardiner, featuring Evan Casey, Natascia Diaz, Erin Driscoll, James Gardiner, Nicholas McDonough, Christopher Mueller, Katie Mariko Murray, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Nova Y. Payton, Christopher Michael Richardson, Maria Rizzo, Awa Sal Secka, Bobby Smith, Holly Twyford, John Leslie Wolfe), and Rachel Zampelli, concludes FREE streaming at 5 PM ET at DC’s Signature Theatre.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind, by Jim Bernhard
Fill in the missing word in these titles that have to do with “wind.”
| 1. ____ in the Wind, play by Maxwell Anderson | A. Blows |
| 2. ____ Wind, musical by Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Fank Mandel | B. Candle |
| 3. ____ the Wind, play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee | C. Willows |
| 4. The Cold Wind and the ____, play by S. N. Behrman | D. Maria |
| 5. The ____ Wind, play by Lillian Hellman | E. Whistle |
| 6. ____ Down the Wind, musical by Patricia Knop, Gale Edwards, Jim Steinman, and Andrew Lloyd Webber | F. Children |
| 7. Wind in the ____, musical by William Perry and Roger McGough | G. Warm |
| 8. “Any Way the Wind ____,” song from Hadestown | H. East |
| 9. “They Call the Wind ____,” song from Paint Your Wagon | I. Inherit |
| 10. ____ of the Wind, play by Jerry Devine | J. Searching |
Scroll down for the answers…
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Stephen Sondheim & Arthur Laurents’ Anyone Can Whistle will run Apr. 1 – May 7 at the Southwark Playhouse, directed by Matthew Rankcom, with music direction by Natalie Pound, and choreography by Lisa Stevens.
Alex Young (Mayoress Cora Hoover Hooper) and more TBA.
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Click here for a huge array of projects on Broadway on Demand that are FREE to stream.
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Video: Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald perform “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” from Porgy & Bess at Cambridge’s A.R.T. in 2011.
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Article: Denzel Washington, Corey Hawkins, and Alex Hassell discuss “Tragedy of Macbeth.”
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Far Gone, written & performed by John Rwothomack, will run Feb. 17-26 at the Mbili Theatre, directed by Mojisola Elufowoiu.
A gut-kicking, physical one-man show following a young boy’s journey from childhood innocence to child soldier. Seen through the eyes of those who love him and those who betray him.
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& 
Christine Pedi: A Pedi Party will begin a monthly concert series on Thurs. Jan. 20 at 9:30 PM ET at NYC’s Green Room, with music direction by Matthew Martin.
Special guests TBA.
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LAByrinth Theater‘s Through the Fire, written & performed by Victor Almanzar, will run Jan. 25 – Feb. 5 Theaters, directed by Elizabeth Canavan.
The play begins with a near-death experience that lands Almanzar in a Queens, NY hospital during the peak of the Covid pandemic. His life flashes before his eyes: his childhood in the Dominican Republic, his move as a youngster to NYC, gang life, drug life, identity struggles, love, and joining the Marines. A story of survival and self-forgiveness driven by Victor’s original Hip-Hop music.
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Liza Minelli has produced Michael Feinstein’s “Gershwin Country,” which re-imagines the songs of George & Ira Gershwin through the lens of country music. The album will drop Mar. 11 here.
Liza Minelli, Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Brad Paisley, and Rosanne Cash.
1. “Love is Here to Stay,” with Dolly Parton
2. “I’ve Got a Crush on You,” with Rosanne Cash
3. “Somone to Watch Over Me,” with Alison Krauss
4. “I Got Rhythm,” with Brad Paisley
5. “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” with Amy Grant
6. “Clap Yo’ Hands,” with Lyle Lovett
7. ” How Long Has This Been Going On?,” with Mandy Barnett
8. “Fascinating Rhythm,” with The Times Jumpers, with Vince Gill
9. “Soon,” with Lee Ann Womack
10. “O, Lady Be Good,” with Ronnie Milsap
11. “Embraceable You,” with Liza Minnelli
Audio: “Someone to Watch Over me,” with Alison Kraus.
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Broadway By The Year has announced its upcoming concerts, created, written, directed & hosted by Scott Siegel, all at NYC’s Town Hall.
The New Wave (Mar. 21), celebrating Lin-Manuel Miranda, Benj Paseck & Justin Paul, Bobby Lopez & Jeff Marx, and more.
From Ziegfeld to Moulin Rouge (June 27), celebrating Jukebox Musicals and Revues.
Almost on Broadway (Sept. 19), celebrating musicals that have played everywhere but Broadway.
A One Night Only History of Broadway Song & Dance (Sept. 19), celebrating tap, ballroom, jazz, ballet, and more!
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Be An #ArtsHer / Arts Workers United have announced that Carson Elrod will testify in a Congressional House Hearing be the Small Business Committee, chaired by Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07) on the Arts and Culture Sector titled “The Power, Peril, and Promise of the Creative Economy.” Be An #Arts has worked closely with Democratic and Republican representatives over the past eight months, advocating for a hearing on the Creative Economy.
The remote hearing will take place Wed. Jan. 19 at 10 AM ET, and will be the first in history to draw attention to the Arts and Culture economy in its entirety as a whole sector. Click here to view the meeting live.
Representing nearly 5.2 million American works, the arts sector is a major component of the economy. The Creative Economy was one of the hardest hit sectors, and the Omicron surge has provided even more challenges to an industry that largely relies on people being able to assemble together to witness live events. The hearing will provide recommendations for investments in key infrastructure and provide a roadmap for bringing arts, culture, and creativity into the center of long-term recovery.
* Instructions on the social media call-to-action can be found here.
* Learn more and/or donate here.
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The Road Theatre Company has updated its upcoming live 2022 performance schedule at North Hollywood’s Road on Magnolia. Casting TBA.
The Play You Want (Mar. 1 – Apr. 17, opening Mar. 4), world premiere by Bernardo Cubría, directed by Michael John Garcés.
Bright Half Life (Apr. 4 – May 22, opening Apr. 8), by Tanya Barfield, directed by Amy K. Harmon.
Beloved (May 9 – June 19, opening May 13), world premiere by Arthur Holden, directed by Cameron Watson.
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The world premiere of Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen & Ann McNamee’s Other World will run Feb. 23 – Mar. 20 at the Delaware Theatre Company, directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, with choreography by Karla Puno Garcia.
Bonnie Milligan, and more TBA.
The story of Sri and Lorraine, who are transported into Sri’s favorite video game and find themselves trapped. Racing against the clock, the pair must work together, discover their inner strengths, and connect with gamers and avatars in order to survive and find a way home.
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The sound track from Apple’s film “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” written & directed by Joel Coen, has a soundtrack by Carter Burwell. The film is now available on Apple TV+.
Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Kathryn Hunter, Jefferson Mays, Nancy Daly, and more.
Audio: Listen to the soundtrack.
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The Seagull will run June 29 – Sept. 10 (opening July 6) at the Harold Pinter Theatre, adapted by Anya Reiss and directed by Jamie Lloyd.
Emilia Clark (Nina), Tom Rhys Harries (Trigorin), Daniel Monks (Konstantin), Indira Varma (Arkadina), and Sophie Wu (Masha).
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Video: Liza Minelli on “CBS Sundy Morning”
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GRACE NOTES Quiz answers: Blowin’ in the Wind
1-B. Candle in the Wind
2-H. East Wind
3-I. Inherit the Wind
4-G. The Cold Wind and the Warm
5-J. The Searching Wind
6-E. Whistle Down the Wind
7-C. Wind in the Willows
8-A. Any Way the Wind Blows
9-D. They Call The Wind Maria
10-F. Children of the Wind