Today’s Highlights:
Relax … let go … let fly…
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Farm Folk by Jim Bernhard
Match these characters who are farmers or ranchers with their shows:
| 1. Laurey Williams | A. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers |
| 2. Lizzie Curry | B. The Wizard of Oz |
| 3. Jacob Yoder | C. Fiddler on the Roof |
| 4. Farmer McCarty | D. Of Mice and Men |
| 5. Fyedka | E. Oklahoma! |
| 6. Uncle Henry | F. State Fair |
| 7. Abel Frake | G. 110 in the Shade |
| 8. Adam Pontipee | H. Plain and Fancy |
| 9. George Milton | I. Desire Under the Elms |
| 10. Eben Cabot | J. Our Town |
Scroll down for the answers…
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The 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has announced the Judging Panel for the 48th Annual Award.
Judges: Julie Hesmondhalgh, Mara Isaacs, Mimi Lien, Benedict Lombe, Audra McDonald, and Ian Rickson.
The Winner of the 2026 Prize will be announced on Feb. 26 in a special invitation-only celebration at London’s Royal Court Theatre.
The award, founded in 1978, is the largest and oldest international prize honoring women+ playwrights for writing works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre.
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Lindsey Ferrentino’s The Fear of 13 will begin previews Mar. 19 and open Apr.15 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, directed by David Cromer.
Lindsey Ferrentino, Adrien Brody, and Tessa Thompson.
The first thing you should know is that this is true. It’s what actually happened. I know it seems like it’s a story – inside of a story – inside of a story. But that’s how it is for most people. At least the ones in here. Nick’s got a story to tell you. About how a routine traffic stop turned into a conviction for murder. About how he spent the next 22 years on death row. About how he finally petitioned the court to ask not for an appeal—but for his execution date. And about what happened next…
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Ha Ha Hamptons will take place Feb. 14 at 8 PM at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre.
Talia Reese, Rich Walker, Marla Schultz, and Dan Barry.
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Musical Theatre West’s Man of La Mancha, will run Feb. 13 – Mar. 1 at CA’s Long Beach’s Carpenter Performing Arts Center, directed by James Vásquez.
Ricard Bermudez (Miguel de Cervates/Don quixote), Shirene Agahi-Patterson (Antonia), Daniel Sares (Pedro/Captain of the Inquisition), Ammon Swofford (Anselmo), and Colleen Swift (Paco/Barber), with Reggie De Leon.
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The Surfcasters will present Dazed & Confused: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin on Sat. Feb. 28 at 8 PM at Long Island’s Bay Street Theater.
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The world premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s The Balusters will begin previews Mar. 21 and open Apr. 21 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, directed by Kenny Leon.
Renée Elise Goldsberry, Richard Thomas, Marylouise Burke, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, and Margaret Colin, with Kayli Carter, Ricardo Chavira, Michael Esper, Maria Christina Olivaras, and Jeena Yi.
The Vernon Point Neighborhood Association is a passionate bunch, whether squabbling over historically inaccurate porch railings or debating trash can protocol. Still, no one is prepared for the neighbor-versus-neighbor battle royale that ensues when a newcomer to the board suggests the unthinkable: installing a stop sign on the corner of the enclave’s prettiest block. A raucous, wild ride through a small community with big feelings.
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The world premiere of John Mellencamp & Naomi Wallace’s Small Town will run Oct. 1 – Nov. 1 at ME’s Ogunquit Playhouse, directed & choreographed by Kathleen Marshall.
TBA.
Step into the story of a small town in free-fall. Including John Mellencamp’s greatest hits, this isn’t just a musical—it’s a pulse-pounding story of the men and women living on the edge of the promise. Follow Jack and Diane, two star-crossed lovers refusing to let the world break them or bury their youthful fire. Through the echoes of “Hurts So Good,” “Lonely Ol’ Night,” “Small Town,” and the iconic “Jack and Diane,” witness a multigenerational community at a crossroads, making tough choices in a desperate bid for a better life.
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The New Group will present Elmer L. Rice & Thomas Bradshaw’s The Adding Machine, revised by Bradshaw, to run Mar. 24 – May 10 (opening Apr. 14) at Theatre at St. Clement’s, directed by Scott Elliott.
Sarita Choudhury, Michael Cyril Creighton, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Jennifer Tilly.
Mr. Zero, is just another cog: He can’t fulfill his own needs, much less those of his wife Mrs. Zero, or his workwife Daisy. But when his boss replaces him with a machine, Mr. Zero lashes out violently, thrusting him on a wild journey where he must engineer his own fate.
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TheFoundation of New American Musicals will present Musi-Cal, a concert of new musicals (see below), on Wed. Mar. 4 at 6:30 PM at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club. Performers TBA.
Gladiatrix, by Paul Bianchi, Sam Johnides & Tony Gonzalez
Sweet and Twenty, by Adam Carl & Julian Drucker.
Emotional Assistants, by RJ Gifford.
Coming Home to the Soul, by Catriona Fray, Jonny Perl, Danny Segura, Alena Bernardi, Danny Pravder, and Bella Hicks.
BFA: A New Musical Comedy, by Joe Nedder.
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The History of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 will take place Fri. Jan. 23 at 7 PM at NYC’s 54 Below, with music direction by Jarrett Winters Morley.
Casey Martin Klein (Pierre), Julia Kim Caldwell (Natasha), Ella Dolynchuk (Sonya), Lindsay Zaroogian (Marya), Bex Odoriso (Helene), Collin Matthew Flanagan (anatole), Shane Lonergan (Folokov), Julia Ty Goldbert (Mary), Vaheed and Talebian (Andrey), with Annabelle Skala and Jarrett Winters Morley.
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Answers: Farm Folk by Jim Bernhard
1-E. Laurey Williams – Oklahoma!
2-G. Lizzie Curry – 110 in the Shade
3-H. Jacob Yoder – Plain and Fancy
4-J. Farmer McCarty – Our Town
5-C. Fyedka – Fiddler on the Roof
6-B. Uncle Henry – The Wizard of Oz
7-F. Abel Frake – State Fair
8-A. Adam Pontipee – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
9-D. George Milton – Of Mice and Men
10-I. Eben Cabot – Desire Under the Elms