Today’s Highlights:
Empire: The Musical, by Caroline Sherman & Robert Hull, directed by Cady Huffman, featuring Danny Iktomi Bevins, Monique Candelaria, Devin Cortez, Morgan Cowling, Kaitlyn Davidson, Joel Douglas, Joseph Fierberg, Alexandra Frohlinger, Matt Gibson, Albert Guerzon, Julia Louise Hosack, Kiana Kabeary, Howard Kaye, TJ Newton, April Ortiz, Kennedy Perez, Paul Salvatoriello, J Savage, Robbie Serrano, and Ethan Saviet, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages.
Jamie deRoy & Friends benefit concert in support of the Entertainment Community Fund, directed by Barry Kleinbort, featuring Jason Graae, Cory Kahaney, Moipei Jim Vallance, Catherine Porter, and A.J. Shively, at 7 PM at NYC’s Birdland.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: Crime Scenes by Jim Bernhard:
Match the characters with the crimes they committed or were accused of committing:
| 1. Sadie in Sadie Thompson | A. Illegal gambling |
| 2. Shannon in Night of the Iguana | B. Presenting an obscene performance |
| 3. Claudius in Hamlet | C. Profiteering on defective military equipment |
| 4. Mame and Patrick in Mame | D. Attempted armed robbery |
| 5. Joe Keller in All My Sons | E. Rape |
| 6. Most of the company in Hello, Dolly! | F. Patronizing a speakeasy during Prohibition |
| 7. La Môme Pistache in Can-Can | G. Prostitution |
| 8. Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls | H. Serial murder |
| 9. Billy Bigelow in Carousel | I. Fratricide |
| 10. Sweeney in Sweeney Todd | J. Disorderly conduct in a restaurant |
Scroll down for the answers…
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The Music Man will run July 9-14 at Pittsburgh CLO, directed by Sarah Edward, with choreography by Mara Newbery Greer, and music direction by Robert Neumeyer.
Nikki Renée Daniels (Marian Paroo), Charles Esten (Harold Hill), Ryan Cavanaugh (Marcellus Washburn), and Cissy Rebich (Mrs. Paroo), Nick Alvino *Tommy Djilas), E. Clayton Conelious (Mayor Shinn), Kammie Crum (Zaneeta Shinn), Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Oliver Hix), Michael Greer (Charlie Cowell), Ashley Harmon (Alma Hix), Jenna Kantor (Ethel Toffelmier), Emmett Kent (Winthrop Paroo), Christine Laitta (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), Natalie McGovern (Amaryllis), Brady D. Patsy (Ewart Dunlop), Erin Stetor-Seaberg (Maud Dunlop), David Toole (Jacey Squires), Joseph Torello (Olin Britt), Savannah Lee Birdsong (Mrs. Squires), Rory Prichard (Gracie Shinn), and Allan Snyder (Constable Locke), with Sarah Bishop, Melissa Burke, Bobby Davis, Julian Marcus DeGuzman, Zach Doran, Lucas Fedele, Daniel Frontz, Sloane Griffith, Laura Guley, Hannah Gunderman, Lena Kready, Louise Elizabeth Kready, Brady J. Kuntz, Sawyer Lincoln, Anderson Miller, Layla Miller, Coty Perno, Myah Segura, Donovan Elliot Smith, Henry J. Thomas, Davis Wayne, and Sky Bennett.
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An Evening with Kelli O’Hara will take place. Thurs. Oct. 10 at 7:30 PM at NYC’s 92NY,
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Delia Ephron’s Left on Tenth will begin previews Sept. 26 and open Oct. 23 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, directed by Susan Stroman.
Julianna Margulies (Delia) and Peter Gallagher (Peter), with Peter Francis James and Kate MacCluggage.
A romantic comedy about second changes in life and love. When she least expects it, Delia, beloved novelist and screenwriter of “You’ve Got Mail,” makes a surprising connection with a man from her past and falls into her own romantic comedy. What starts with an unlikely spark blossoms into a love story that seems to defy all odds in the face of life’s challenges. Left on Tenth celebrates the messy, beautiful true story of two people with the courage to open their hearts again.” The play is based on Ephron’s best-selling memoir.
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The 2nd Annual Drag 2024 will take place Thurs. Aug. 8 at 7:30 PM at Theaterworks Hartford, hosted by Robin Fierce. which includes a gallery exhibition highlighting works from six local LGBTQ+ artists.
Plasma, Natalia Fierce, and Kenya Mone Heart.
A one night only event featuring music, dance, visual art, and storytelling.
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The Music Man will run July 9-14 at Pittsburgh CLO, directed by Sarah Edwards, with choreography by Mara Newbery Greer, and music direction by Robert Neumeyer.
Charles Esten (Harold Hill), Nikki Renée Daniels (Marian Paroo), Nick Alvino (Tommy Djilas), Ryan Cavanugh (Marcellus Washburn), E. Clayton Cornielious (Mayor Shinn), Kamie Crum (Zaneeta Shinn), Aaron Gallivan-Stierle (Oliver Hix, Salesman), Michael Greer (Charlie Cowell), Ashley Harmon (Alma Hix), Jenna Kantor (Ethel Toffelmier), Emmett Kent (Winthrop Paroo), Natalie McGovern (Amaryllis), Brady D. Patsy (Ewart Dunlop), Cissy rebich (Mrs. Paroo), Erin Stetor-Seaberg (Maud Dunlop), David Toole (Jacey Squires/Conductor), Joseph Torello (Olin Britt) Lucas Fedele (Salesman), Savannah Lee Birdsong (Mrs. Squires), Rory Prichard (Gracie Shinn, and more.
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Dick Scanlan & Malcolm Gets’ Cockeyed Optimist: Where Hammerstein Found His Hope will run Oct. 26-28 at NYC’s 92NY, directed by Scanlan, with music direction by Timothy Splain, and choreography by Richard Stafford.
Performers TBA.
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A reading of Jeanmarie Simpson’s When Churchyards Yawn will take place Sun. July 28 at 2 PM at Beverly Hills’ Theatre Forty (link NA), directed by Melanie MacQueen.
Kristin Towers-Rowles, John Leslie, David Westbay, Kevin Dulude, Todd Andrew Ball, Sami Stumman, Luise Heath, Lary Ohlson, Matt Landig, and Eric Keitel.
All of the deceased characters in Hamlet meet up in purgatory. There, they must all figure out how to get to Heaven. But if they can’t work together, they will be going to the Other Place!
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Video: Talia Suskauer and Elphaba standby Lissa deGuzman perform “As Long As You’re Mine”
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The world premiere of Gregg Ostrin’s The Spy Who Went Into Rehab has been extended through July 28 at LA’s Pacific Resident Theatre, directed by Cyndy Fujikawa.
Satiar Pourvesi, Jill Renner, Rachel Townsend, Stuart W. Howard, Alondra Andrade, and Cyndy Jujikawa.
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Evan Cabnet will succeed Carole Rothman as artistic director of Second Stage Theater.
Rothman will step down in August. Cabnet will join the organization in September 2024 and will officially launch his first season of programming in Fall 2025. Interim Artistic Director Bennett Leak will oversee the upcoming 2024-25 season.
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Maurice Hines: Tappin’ Thru Life, will take place Mon. July 29 at 7 PM at NYC’s Birdland.
John Manzari, Leo Manzari, Clint Homes, and Ann Hampton Callaway.
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Chicken Stories, world premiere written & directed by Marcus Folmar, will run Aug. 1 – 18 (opening Aug. 3) at Hollywood’s Broadwater Main Stage.
Lavel Schley, Darien Sills-Evans, Maurice G. Smith, Lanett Tachel, Colin McGurk, JP Payton, LaVonna Miller. and John Marshall Jones.
Chicken brings people together: families, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, coworkers. It is comforting, nourishing, and delicious. It can also spark tensions (e.g., My mother’s chicken is better than your mother’s chicken. Which local establishment makes the better wings?
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Video: Highlights from the Muny’s Dreamgirls, Starring Tiffany Mann, Aisha Jackson, Nick Rashad Burroughs
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: answers: Crime Scenes
1-G. Sadie in Sadie Thompson – Prostitution
2-E. Shannon in Night of the Iguana – Rape
3-I. Claudius in Hamlet – Fratricide
4-F. Mame and Patrick in Mame – Patronizing a speakeasy during Prohibition
5-C. Joe Keller in All My Sons – Profiteering on defective military equipment
6-J. Most of the company in Hello, Dolly! – Disorderly conduct in a restaurant
7-B. La Môme Pistache in Can-Can – Presenting an obscene performance
8-A. Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls – Illegal gambling
9-D. Billy Bigelow in Carousel – Attempted armed robbery
10-H. Sweeney in Sweeney Todd – Serial murder