Today’s Highlights:
The Philosophy of Modern Song reading, by Bob Dylan, directed by Michael Almereyda, featuring André De Shields, Odessa Young, and Meshell Ndegochello, at 7:30 PM at NYC’s 92NY.
Backstage Babble Live, both live & livestreamed concert, created by Charles Kirsch, featuring Loni Ackerman, Christine Andreas, D’Jamin Bartlett, Jim Brochu, Lori Tan Chinn, Josie De Guzman, Ken Jennings, Judy Kaye, Karen Mason, Michele McConnell, Teri Ralston, Thom Sesma, and Steven Skybell, at 7 PM at NYC’s 54 Below.
Steve Ross Sings Cole Porter: From Lists to Lusts concert, at 7 PM at NYC’s Birdland.
Julie Benko in concert, at 8 PM at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre.
Susan Edwards Martin: Unlimited in Concert, at 8 PM at Hollywood’s Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel. 
320-472-3330
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: Play, Orchestra, Play by Jim Bernhard
Fill in the missing musical instrument in each of these titles of plays or musicals.
| 1. ____s of the Lord by Vinnette Carroll | A. Organ |
| 2. Nude With ____ by Noel Coward | B. Flute |
| 3. Absence of A ____ by Ira Wallach | C. Piano |
| 4. The Little ____Grinder by James Halleck Reid | D. Harp |
| 5. Seven ____s by August Wilson | E. Violin |
| 6. The Grass ____ by Truman Capote | F. Horn |
| 7. The ____s Begin by Howard Irving Young | G. Trumpet |
| 8. Come Blow Your ____ by Neil Simon | H. Guitar |
| 9. Hans, the ____ Player by M. Louis Ganne and A. St. John Brennan | I. Drum |
| 10. The ____ Lesson by August Wilson | J. Cello |
Scroll down for the answers…
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MCC Theater‘s special ticket offer is available for Levi Holloway’s Grey House at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre. 
Get tickets here from $49 using code GHOFFER. The play is directed by Joe Mantello.
Laurie Metcalf (Raleigh), Titiana Maslany (Max), Paul Sparks (Henry), Sophia Anne Caruso (Marlow), Millicent Simmonds (Bernie), Cyndi Coyne (The Ancient), Colby Kipnes (Squirrel), Alyssa Emily Marvin (A1656), and Eamon Patrick O’Connell (The Boy).
When a couple crashes their car in the mountains, they seek shelter in an isolated cabin. Its inhabitants, though somewhat unusual, are eager to make their guests feel right at home. But as the blizzard outside rages on and one night turns into several, the couple becomes less and less sure of what’s true — about their hosts, themselves, and why that sound in the walls keeps getting louder.
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The world premiere of Kate Arrington’s Another Marriage has been extended through July 30 at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, directed by Terry Kinney.
Ian Barford, Caroline Neff, Tim Hopper, Judy Greer, Nicole Scimeca, Campbell, Krausen, Shaina Schrooten, Katherine Keberlein, and Chris Amos.
You meet. You marry. You have kids. That’s the way it always goes. Or is it? What if your story changes? What would it cost? Another Marriage is an intimate and beautifully rendered portrait of an ever-evolving relationship that may never be quite finished.
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Little Shop of Horrors will run July 25-31 at the St. Louis Muny, directed by Maggie Burrows, with choreography by William Carlos Angulo, with music direction by Andrew Graham.
Robin de Jesús (Seymour), Patti Murin (Audrey), Michael McGrath (Mr. Mushnik), Ryan Vasquez (Orin Scrivello), Nicholas Ward (Voice of Audrey II), Taylor Marie Daniel (Chiffon), Stephanie Gomérez (Ronnette), Kenndy Holmes (Crystal), and Travis Patton (manipulation of Audrey II).
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NYC’s Public Theater has laid off 19 percent of its staff as of July 13.
This move is said to have cost around 50 people their jobs. The cuts are due to falling revenue and rising costs.
This comes after several other historic theatre companies are cutting staff and programming, including Lookingglass Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Center Theatre Group.
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The world premiere Dr. Strangelove, adapted by Sean Foley & Armando Iannucci, directed by Foley, will open in Fall 2024 at a theatre TBA.
Theatre, casting, dates, and additional information TBA. Click here for the show’s website.
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Listen here: Patti LuPone talks about leaving Broadway and taking cell phones on NPR’s “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me.” In the interview, LuPone elaborated on her announcement that was quitting Broadway, stating that while she plans to no longer work on Broadway, she is not done with the stage: “What I want to do is I want to make my downtown debut. I want to work on East 4th Street.”When the host joked that she wants to do her career in reverse, she said “No, I want a Broadway salary–downtown!”
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Alyssa Williams, Hans Zanger, Taylor Guttadauro & Jaclyn Nash’s Two Thousand Miles: A New Musical will take place Wed. Aug. 30 at 9:30 PM at NYC’s 54 Below, directed by Giovanni Marine.
Anthony Bologna, Jamie Boswell, Rebecca Lynn Goldfarb, Matt Henningsen, Giovanni Marine, Michelle Shapiro, Morgan Smith, Nik Sorocenski, and Tori Tiernan.
The musical follows a group of childhood friends from California. At the heart of the musical is Davis, a 27-year-old playwright who is trying to graduate college while juggling his new Lupus diagnosis. The friends come together for Davis as they’re navigating life altering experiences of their own. Through their collective journeys, they show us how love can transcend illness and personal strife.
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Developmental readings of Mimi Zieman’s The Post Roe Monologues will take place July 31 – Aug. 1 at NYC’s Ripley-Grier Studios (Room 210), directed by Maria Torres. here.
Toni Di Buono, Emily Espisito, Badia Farha, Armando Gutierrez, Cass Morgan, and Daniella Troiano
The piece explores the real-world consequences of the overturning of Roe v. Wade Based on interviews and the experience of the author as an OB/GYN. The play is an intimate, character-driven evening that will compel conversation and compassion.
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Little Shop of Horrors continues through July 31 at the St. Louis Muny, directed by Maggie Burrows, with choreography by William Carlos Angulo, and music direction by Andrew Graham.
Robin de Jesús (Seymour Krelborn), Patti Murin (Audrey), Michael McGrath (Mr. Mushnik), Ryan Vasquez (Orin Scrivello and Others), Nicholas Ward (The Voice of Audrey II), Taylor Marie Daniel (Chiffon), Stephanie Gomérez (Ronnette), Kennedy Holmes (Crystal), and Travis Patton(Audrey II).
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The Bridges of Madison County will run Aug. 11 – Sept. 10 at PA’s Bucks County Playhouse, directed by Hunter Foster, with music direction by Keith Levenson.
Kate Baldwin (Francesca) and Nicholas Rodriguez (Robert), Bart Shatto (Bud), Thomas Cromer (Michael), Emily Pellecchia (Carolyn), Giuliana Augello (Marion/Chiara), Mark S. Megill (Charlie), Nikki Yarnell (Marge), and Sealth Grover (Paolo), with Natalie Myrick, Lucy Horton, Lara Hayhurst and Rutledge Varley.
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Call Fosse at the Minskoff, written & performed by Mimi Quillin, will take place July 20-23 at Vassar College’s Powerhouse Theater, directed by Michael Berresse.
There are “legends” and then there are legends. In this entirely true, middle age coming-of-age story, dancer and actor Mimi Quillin brings audiences along with her into the inner sanctum of two of the greatest giants the theatre world has ever known: Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. Quillin recounts her experience working with Fosse and Verdon on what would be their final collaboration, investigating the life-altering effects of proximity to true greatness, and revealing all the thrills and terrors of walking the high wire on the riskiest platform in entertainment.
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Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will present Macbeth July 19 – Aug. 6 at the Boston Common, directed by Steven Maler.
Faran Tahir (Macbeth), Joanne Kelly (Lady Macbeth), Marianna Bassham (Malcolm), Jesse Hinson (First Witch), Nael Nacer (Macduff), Maurice Emmanuel Parent (Banquo), Joe Penczak (Duncan/Siward), Daniel Rios Jr. (Ross), Fred Sullivan Jr. (Seargeant/Porter/Doctor), and Eviva Rose (Young Macduff), with Lily Ayotte, Nick Baum, John Blair, Elijah Brown, Annika Burley, Alexa Cadete, Jack Greenberg, Jessica Golden, Bella Grace Harris, Cleveand Nicoll, and Xander Viera.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz answers: Play, Orchestra, Play
1-G. Trumpets of the Lord by Vinette Carroll
2-E. Nude With Violin by Noel Coward
3-J. Absence of A Cello by Ira Wallach
4-A. The Little Organ Grinder by James Halleck Reid
5-H. Seven Guitars by August Wilson
6-D. The Grass Harp by Truman Capote
7-I. The Drums Begin by Howard Irving Young
8-F. Come Blow Your Horn by Neil Simon
9-B. Hans, the Flute Player by M. Louis Ganne and A. St. John Brennan
10-C. The Piano Lesson by August Wilson