Today’s Highlights:
Joy Woods begins her run as Catherine Parr in SIX at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
Little Girl Blue, written by & starring Laiona Michelle, directed by Devanand Janki, opens at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages.
Labyrinth Theatre‘s Through the Fire, written & performed by Victor Almanzar, directed by Elizabeth Canavan, begins FREE streaming at Off-Broadway’s 59E59 Theaters.
Unusual Acts of Devotion benefit reading, by Terrence McNally, directed by Zachary Quinto, featuring Niki M. James, Lois Smith, Brooks Ashmanskas, Arian Moayed, Rosie Perez, and Michael Urie, at 7:30 PM ET at Off-Broadway’s Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
The Convent of Pleasure livestream benefit reading, by Margaret Cavendish, directed by Kim Weild, featuring Heidi Armbruster, Becca Ayers, Talley Gale, Cloteal Horne, Anthony Michael Martinez, Rami Margron, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Josh Tyson, and more, at 7:30 PM ET at Off-Broadway’s Red Bull Theater.
A Concert for Ukraine benefit, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, featuring Lise Davidsen, Elza van den Heever, Jamie Barton, Piotr Beczala, and Ryan Speedo, livestreams at 6 PM ET at NYC’s Metropolitan Opera.
Dead Outlaw new musical presentation, by David Yazbek, Itamar Moses & Erik Della Penna, at 7 PM ET at 54 Below (also Mar. 18).
IAMA Theatre Company‘s Celestial Events, world premiere written by members of the IAMA ensemble, directed by Tom Amandes & Adrian Gonzale, featuring Alex Alcheh, Ryan Garcia, Tina Huang, Bailey Humiston, Andria Kozica, Melissa Jane Osbourne, Kacie Rogers, Adriana Santos, Sonal Shah, Lexi Sloan, Margaux Susi, and Jamie Wollrab, closes at Actors Company LA.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: Simon Says, by Jim Bernhard
1. Neil Simon’s older brother Danny was…a cardiologist…a TV comedy writer…a rabbi…an army colonel
2. Early in his career Simon was a writer for Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows,” along with all but one of the following…Carl Reiner…Woody Allen…Mel Brooks…Carol Burnett
3. Simon’s experience as a writer for Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” was incorporated into his play…The Odd Couple…Laughter on the 23rdFloor…The Sunshine Boys…Caesar and Cleopatra.
4. Simon’s first Broadway play was…Barefoot in the Park…The Odd Couple…Come Blow Your Horn…Arsenic and Old Lace
5. For which of the following musicals did Simon not write the book? Promises, Promises…Hello, Dolly!…Sweet Charity…Little Me
6. What was Simon’s role for A Chorus Line?…he originated the idea…he wrote the lyrics…he was an uncredited script doctor…he reviewed it for The New York Times
7. Which of Simon’s plays was his first to win a Tony Award for Best Play?…Barefoot in the Park…The Odd Couple…The Sunshine Boys…Biloxi Blues
8. Which of the following was not written by Neil Simon?…The Gingerbread Lady…Jake’s Women…Rose’s Dilemma…Same Time Next Year
9. For which of his plays did Simon win a Pulitzer Prize? Lost in Yonkers…The Odd Couple…Brighton Beach Memoirs…The Good Doctor
10. In 1983 Simon became the only living playwright to…skydive to a spot in front of the theatre for an opening night…run for Mayor of New York…have a Broadway theatre named for him…present the premiere of a new play at the Statue of Liberty
Scroll down for the answers…
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The New York Public Library offers a 1975 interview with Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince, which will be available for free (with registration) on Mon. Mar. 21 at 5:3o PM ET. 
Click here to register (required).
The rarely-seen interview, hosted by New Yorker writer and critic Brendan Gill, will cover Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Candide, Allegro, Do I hear a Waltz, and the (in development) Pacific Overtures.
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Britain’s 2022 BAFTA Film Award winners have been announced here
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“Death on the Nile,” directed by Kenneth Branagh, will be released Mar. 19 on Hulu (the film’s theatrical premiere was Feb. 11).
Kenneth Branagh, Glad Gadot, Armie Hammer, and Annette Bening.
Based on a 1937 Agatha Christie novel with the same name, the film follows detective Hercule Poirot and his vacation-turned-murder-pursuit after a coupe’s honeymoon bears a shocking tragedy. A sequel to “Murder on the Orient Express.”
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Theatre Aspen has announced its 2022 Summer season. Casting and additional information TBA.
Gypsy (June 28 – July 23), directed by Hannah Ryan, with music direction by Andy Einhorn.
Summer Cabaret Series (July 10, Aug. 7 & Aug. 14).
The Sound of Music in Concert (July 25-26).
Jersey Boys (Aug. 3-24), directed by Hunter Foster, with choreography by Ray Mercer, and music direction by Eric Alsford.
Solo Flights festival (Sept. 10-15).
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BC/EFA’s Red Buckets fundraising campaign will return to Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring productions Mar. 18 – May 1.
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Lloyd Schwartz’ Classic Couples Counseling will run Apr. 1 – May 8 at Theatre West, directed by Nick McDow Musleh.
Rick Simone-Friedland, Deanna Gandy, Cecil Jennings, Amelia Vargas, Brandon Foxworth, Mary Elisabeth Somers, Joe Nassi, Barbara Mallory, Bill Sehres, Anne Leyden, Ashley Taylor, and Constance Mellors.
Shakespeare’s most trouble character: Hamlet and Ophelia; Romeo and Juliet; Othello and Desdemona; Petruchio and Kate; and MacBeth and Lady MacBeth see help with their relationship problems in couples therapy… And this therapist is just the wrong person to help them… And their group session only makes things worse…much, much worse.
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Video: “The Aging Ingenue” Ep. 4, featuring Sara Jean Ford, Vishal Vaidya, Ashley Blanchet, and Will Reynolds. (4:04)
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Backstage Babble, hosted by 14-year-old theater aficionado Charles Kirsch, celebrates its 100th episode chatting with Harvey Fierstein about the publication of his new memoir, “I Was Better Last Night.”
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Jason Graae‘s delightful interview with Teri Ralston:
Jason: Hi most talented and delightful Broadway fixture Teri Ralston! Thank you for talking to Graae Notes @ Grace Notes! Let’s start with the main question our readers will undoubtedly want to know: When did you first work with me?
Teri: Well, how can one forget our first chance to work together in that memorable movie “Geppetto.” I just received another wonderful residual check for $.05, not to be out-done by my previous check for $.01.
Jason: Cha Ching! You had worked with the composer/lyricist of Geppetto, Stephen Schwartz, before The Baker’s Wife. What was your experience working on that legendary, albeit short-lived show?
Teri: I was in the original cast of The Baker’s Wife. I love working with Steve and he wrote a beautiful score. The song he wrote for me, “Chanson,” was not in the show originally, but was added later to open the show. We were on the road re-working the show for 8 months before opening on Broadway, so let’s just say, I was ready to move on to something else. I love that the show lives on though, and numerous productions have been done.
Jason: You have such an impressive Broadway legacy, Teri. Among many other credits, you originated roles in 2 Sondheim shows – Jenny in Company and the mellifluous Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music. What did you sing for your first audition for Sondheim and Hal Prince?
Teri: I came back to New York with the show Your Own Thing right out of college, literally the year I graduated. I’d had great training at San Francisco State University but I was very green. For my audition I sang “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have,” which seemed to be the song of the month and at least 6 people sang if before me… but I got the part.
Jason: The film of the recording of “The Original Cast Album: Company” is a cult classic. I can’t get enough of it. Any memories you have that we don’t see on the film?
Teri: The recording session was 14 hours. You see me in the film lying on chairs and the floor. However, a lot was edited from the film, particularly of Elaine Stritch. She had a little flask or something like that… and need I say more! They did quite a job editing , and came out with a wonderful documentary.
Jason: A Little Night Music followed. Did you know you were in a hit during rehearsals?
Teri: I was a little more seasoned by then, but still pretty green. I got to be involved early with A Little Night Music. Follies had lost money and Hal had a little trouble getting backers for Night Music and had to do backers auditions. He asked me to do the auditions with Steve, so I got to hear the music and learn it, some of it just as Steve wrote it… pretty amazing.
Jason: You will be the special guest star in the upcoming Sondheim Birthday Concert on Mar. 22, co-produced by Musical Theater Guild and the historic El Portal Theatre. Why Yes, I AM hosting. Thanks for asking! You were an original member of MTG, right?
Teri: I am so honored to be part of it. I was a founding member of MTC and was involved until I moved back to New York in 2006. I’m so looking forward to the event on Mar. 22.
Jason: I’m very excited to actually see and hear you on the 22nd, Teri. I think it might sell out, so I guess I’d better go learn my songs. Luckily, its’ Sondheim, so it won’t be too many lyrics.
Musical Theatre Guild & the El Portal Theatre present Live, Laugh, Love: A Sondheim Birthday Celebration on Tues. Mar. 22 at 7:30 PM PT at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre, with special guest Teri Ralston, hosted by Jason Graae, and featuring members of the Guild.
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The 2020 Olivier Awards will take place Sun. Apr. 10 at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Click here for the complete list of nominations.
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CT’s Goodspeed Musicals has announced its 2022 season:
Festival of New Musicals (Mar. 18-20), a series of readings, which includes A House Without Windows, by Anna Ziegler & Anna Jacobs, directed by Jenny Koons, with music direction by Vadim Feichtner… Hot, by Lynne Shandel & Sara Cooper, directed by Anne Yee… and The Gunfighter Meets His Match, by Abby Payne, directed by Estefanía Fadul, with music direction by Anessa Marie.
Anne of Green Gables (July 15 – Sept. 4), world premiere by Matte O’Brien & Matt Vinson, directed by Jenn Thompson, with choreography by Jennifer Thompson.
Cabaret (May 13 – July 3), directed by James Vásquez, with choreography by Lainie Sakakrura
42nd Street (Sept. 16 – Nov. 6), directed & choreographed by Randy Skinner.
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RIP: William Hurt died yesterday at the age of 71 of prostate cancer.
He was one of the 1980s foremost leading men in films such as “Broadcast News,” “Body Hear, ” and “The Big Chill.”
Despite his success in Hollywood, he told the NY times in 1990 that “theater is the language I speak better or am more tuned into than English. Even one moment onstage is a glacier of comprehension. That’s where the work is.”
On Broadway, he starred in Hurly Burly in 1984.
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A concert presentation of Jaime Lozano, Florencia Cuenca & Rachel Stevens’ Desaparecidas will take place Mon. Mar. 28 at 7 PM ET at NYC’s Joe’s Pub, with music direction by Jhoely Garay.
Daphne Rubin-Vega, Florencia Cuenca, Sonia de los Santos, Aline Mayagoitia, and Majo Rivero.
Featuring an all-female cast and band, the show explores the systematic oppression of women in the fight to end gender-based violence, and the killing of women and girls in Ciudad Juárez, México. The piece celebrates the individual lives of women in México, illuminating the challenge between embracing honored cultural customs while fighting for autonomy in a dangerous world of machismo.
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The Easter Bonnet Competition performance will remain on hiatus until April 2023.
The Red Bucket Follies will return this year on Dec. 5 & 6 at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre.
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“Betty Buckley Sings Stephen Sondheim” has been released here.
1. “Children Will Listen” (from Children Will Listen)
2. “Not While I’m Around (from Children Will Listen)
3. “I Remember” (Children Will Listen)
4. “Children and Art/Stay With Me” (Children Will Listen)
5. “No One Is Alone” (Children Will Listen)
6. “Sorry-Grateful” (Children Will Listen)
7. “Not A Day Goes By” (Children Will Listen)
9. “Pretty Woman” (Much More)
10. “Old Friends” (The London Concert)
11. “Finishing The Hat” (The London Concert)
12. “Marry Me A Little” (The London Concert)
13. “Send in the Clowns” (The London Concert)
14. “Every Day A Little Death” (An Evening at Carnegie Hall)
15: “Now You Know” (An Evening at Carnegie Hall)
16. “Something’s Coming” (An Evening at Carnegie Hall)
17. “Rose’s Turn” (An Evening at Carnegie Hall)
18. “Anyone Can Whistle” (Heart to Heart)
19. “Another Hundred People” (new live concert recording)
20. “I Know Things Now” (new live concert recording)
21. “Jet Song” (Ah, Men! The Boys of Broadway)
22. “Maria” (Ah, Men! The Boys of Broadway)
23. “Sweeney Todd Suite: “Not While I’m Around/Johanna/My Friends” (Ah, Men! The Boys of Broadway)
24. “I’m Still Here (Story Songs)
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Paradise Square has announced its rush ticket and digital lottery policies, which will begin Tues. Mar. 15 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
* General rush tickets ($32, including facility fee) will be available when the box office opens at 10 AM ET Tues-Sat. (12 PM ET Sunday) for that day’s performance(s).
* Limit of 2 tickets per customer
* Seat locations are based on availability.
* Digital Lottery (also $32, including facility fee) is available through the Telecharge Digital Lottery platform.
* A wide access to affordable tickets will be available through multiple social media networks
* The day before the performance, patrons man enter the lottery until 3 PM.
* Winners may purchase up to 2 tickets.
Click here to learn more about the show.
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The Broadway Women’s Alliance has announced “Here’s To The Ladies Who,” now available on its YouTube Channel, which features interviews with 100 women industry leaders, trailblazers, and activists, including Schele Williams, Amber Iman, Nicole Brewer, Heather Hitchens, Lauren Reid, Daryl Roth, Aaliytha Stevens, and Nicole Johnson
Video: Ep. 1: “How Did We Get Here” (26:55)
Episode 2 will drop Mar. 22, with new episodes available every 3 weeks through July 5.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz answers: Simon Says
1. Simon’s older brother Danny was a TV comedy writer.
2. Carol Burnett was not one of the writers for “Your Show of Shows.”
3. Laughter on the 23rd Floor incorporated Simon’s experience as a TV writer.
4. Simon’s first Broadway play was Come Blow Your Horn.
5. Simon did not write the book for Hello, Dolly! (Michael Stewart did).
6. Simon was an uncredited script doctor for A Chorus Line.
7. The Odd Couple was the first Simon play to win a Tony.
8. Same Time Next Year was by Bernard Slade.
9. Lost in Yonkers won the Pulitzer Prize.
10. In 1983 Simon became the first living playwright to have a Broadway Theatre (the Alvin) renamed for him.