Today’s Highlights:
The Glass Menagerie, directed by Jeremy Herrin, featuring Amy Adams, Paul Hilton, Tom Glynn-Carney, Lizzie Annis, and Victor Alli, opens at London’s Duke of York’s Theatre.
The Bedwetter, by Joshua Harmon, Sarah Silverman & Adam Schlesinger, directed by Anne Kauffman, featuring Ashley Blanchet, Rick Crom, Charlotte Elizabeth Curtis, Zoe Glick, Darren Goldstein, Caissie Levy, Charlotte MacLeod, Ellyn Marie Marsh, Bebe Neuwirth, Margot Weintraub, and Emily Zimmerman, opens at Off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theater.
Manhattan Theatre Club‘s Spring Gala, with music direction by Jason Michael Webb, featuring performances by the casts of Company, Girl From the North Country, MJ the Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, Paradise Square, SIX: The Musical, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and more, at NYC’s Cipriani 42nd Street.
Broadway Backwards benefit, in support of BC/EFA, written, directed & choreographed by Robert Bartley, featuring Alexandra Billings, Len Cariou, Jenn Colella, Matt Doyle, Claybourne Elder, Lena Hall, Lauren Patten, Bernadette Peters, George Salazar, Mary Testa, Brandon Uranowitz, Lillias White Michael R. Jackson, Joaquina Kalukango, Veanne Cox, J. Harrison Ghee, Z Infante, Norm Lewis, Bill Nolte, Ken Page, Eve Plumb, John Riddle, MiMi Scardulla, BD Wong, and the Broadway Inspirational Voices, at 8 PM ET at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre.
Broadway for Self Help Africa benefit concert, featuring Ryann Redmond, Jelani Remy, Emily Schultheis, CJ Pawlikowski, Jason Gotay, Cristina Rae, Antoine L. Smith, Michael Hartung, Chad Burris, James Harkness, Alexa Green, Angela Travino, Aveena Sawyer, Erica Evans, Jana Jackson, Jodi Snyder, Josh Daniel, Kerri George, and Meghan Picerno, at 7 PM ET at NYC’s Cutting Room.
Concert for Ukraine benefit, directed by Marc Bruni, featuring Angel Blue, Michael Feinstein, Denyce Graves, Evgeny Kissin, Isabel Leonard, Midori, Itzhak Perlman, Cécile, McLorin Salvant, Chris Thile, Jessica Vosk, Adrienne Warren, members of the Ensemble Connect, and the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, at 8 PM ET at Carnegie Hall.
Porchlight Music Theatre‘s Chicago Sings Sondheim benefit concert, directed by Michael Weber, featuring Larry Adams, Neala Barron, Brianna Borger, Justin Brill, Christine Bunuan, Lydia Burke, Billy Dwyer, Andres Enriquez, Nancy Godinez, Cecilia Iole, Paul-Jordan Jansen, Mark David Kaplan, Parker Guidry, Clare Kennedy, Becky Keeshin, Nik Robinson, Lorenzo Rush Jr., Laura Savage, Kelan M. Smith, and Genevieve Thiers, at 7 PM CT at Chicago’s Musem of Contemporary Art.
“Great Performances: Keeping Company with Sondheim” documentary screening & discussion, featuring Katrina Lenk, Patti LuPone, and Marianne Elliot, at 7 PM ET at NYC’s 92Y.
Broadway By The Year: From The Ziegfeld Follies To Moulin Rouge concert, created, written, directed & hosted by Scott Seigel, featuring Tony Danza, Tom Wopat, Anais Reno, Douglas Ladnier, and Danny Gardner, at 8 PM ET at NYC’s Town Hall.
Black Theatre Coalition‘s Hair in concert, directed by Amy Marie Haven, at 7 PM ET at NYC’s Stonewall Inn, with music direction by John Bronston, featuring Anna Anderson, LaDonna Burns, Taylor Fagins, Paula Galloway, Skylar Gamble, Hunter Hollingsworth-Harris, Trisha Jeffrey, Taylor Pattie, Kwame Michael Remy, Jasmine Michelle Smith, and Jeffery C. White.
The Twenty Four Hour Musicals presentation, written by Rebecca Naomi Jones, Lisa Loeb, Mary Faber, Lindsey Kraft, J. Holtman, Brad Silnutzer, Joey Orton, Steve Yockey, and Rachel Axler, directed by Mark T. Evans, and performed by Mary Faber, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Emily Kinney, Kether Donohue, Andrew Leeds, Angelique Cabral, Erica Chamblee, Gracie Gillam, Mary Chieffo, Mina Sundwall, Rena Strober, Shannon Purser, Timm Sharp, Lily Brooks O’Briant, Paravi, and John Arthur Hill, PT at 8 PM PT at LA’s Bourbon Room.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: How Sweet It Is! by Jim Bernhard
Fill in the missing words in these show titles—all of which are something sweet to eat:
1. Bubbling Brown ____, musical by Loften Mitchell with songs by Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, et al
2. Let ‘Em Eat ____, musical by George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind, George and Ira Gershwin
3. Milk and ____, musical by Don Appell and Jerry Herman
4. Hot ____, musical by Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, and Harry Brooks
5. The ____ Lady, play by Neil Simon
6. ____ in the Sky, play by Bernadine Angus
7. The ____ Shop, musical by George V. Hobart and John Golden
8. ____’s Last Jam, musical by George C. Wolfe, Jelly Roll Morton, and Susan Birkenhead
9. Cowardy _____, revue with songs by Noël Coward
10. _____, musical by Zelda Sears, Walter De Leon, and Vincent Youmans
Scroll down for the answers…
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2022 Drama League Awards. Click here for the complete list of winners.
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Jeanine Tesori & David Lindsay-Abaire’s Kimberly Akimbo will begin previews Oct. 12 and open Nov. 10 at the Booth Theatre, directed by Jessica Stone, with choreography by Danny Mefford, and music direction by Chris Fenwick.
Victoria Clark (Kimberly), Justin Cooley, Steven Boyer, Alli Mauzey, Bonnie Milligan, Fernell Hogan, Olivia Elease Hardy, Michael Iskander, and Nina White.
Kimberly is a bright New Jersey teenager with an aging disease that makes her look like a 72-year-old lady.
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A private industry reading of Ben Andron, John McDaniel, Jonnie Rockwell & Bill Russell’s Brave New World: The Musical will take place today in NYC, directed by Karen Carpenter.
Joshua Henry (World Controller Thomas Mond), Solea Pfeiffer (Lenina), Ephraim Sykes (John), Mary Testa (Linda), and Mike Wartella (Bernard), with Corey Brunish, Emma Degerstedt, Gabriel Sidney Brown, Gary Cooper, Tim Fraser, Sofia Khwaja, Kate Marilly, Ashley Matthews, Cal Mitchell, Anthony Sagaria, Deanne Stewart, Michael Wordly, and Claudia Yanez.
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Kritzerland presents June Tunes and a Tribute to Stephen Sondheim on Fri. June 3 at 8 PM PT at Studio City’s Feinstein’s at Vitello’s, directed & hosted by Bruce Kimmel, with music direction by Richard Allen.
Lottie Arnold, Daniel Thomas Bellusci, Danika Masi, Kerry O’Malley, Adrienne Stiefel, and Robert Yacko.
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The world premiere of Jacques Lamarre’s Secondo will run July 29 – Aug. 28 at TheaterWorks Hartford, directed by Rob Ruggiero.
Antoinette LaVecchia.
A decade ago, Giulia invited us into her kitchen for homemade Italian dinner and to share the hilarious highs and lows of her dating life. On the evening of her 10th wedding anniversary, we’re back together to discover how married life has provided unexpected delights and challenges. While Giulia rushes to prepare her anniversary dinner, we learn that a boyfriend from the past has resurfaced to complicate her recipe for a happy marriage.
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Group Rep will present Joseph Hayes’ The Desperate Hours June 3 – July 10 at North Hollywood’s Lonny Chapman Theatre, directed by Jules Aaron.
Jackson Bethel (Ralphie), Van Boudreaux (Robish), Fox Carney (Jesse Bard), Dave Buzzotta (Glenn Griffin), Katelyn Ann Clark (Harry Carson), Joseph Eastburn (Lt. Car Fredericks), Lareen Faye (Miss Swift), Lee Grober (Dan Hilliard), Bruce Nehlsen (Tom Winston), Kat Kemmett (Cindy Hilliard), Mason Kennerly (Chuck Wright), Duke Pierce (Hank Griffin), Steve Shaw (Mr. Patterson), and Gina Yates (Eleanor Hilliard).
A trio of escaped bank robbers who take a suburban family and hold them hostage by turning their tranquil, secluded home into a secret hideout from the law. Father, mother, daughter, and son are captive and have their mettle tested as they try to prevail over a terrifying situation.
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The Syracuse Stage Annual Gala will take place Thurs. June 23 from 6-9 PM ET, which will include a silent auction.
Performers TBA.
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Pittsburgh CLO has announced its Summer 2022 season:
Casting TBA.
The Drowsy Chaperone (June 21-26), directed & choreographed by Josh Rhodes, with music direction by James Cunningham.
Kinky Boots (July 5-10), directed by choreographed by Jerry McIntyre.
Godspell (July 12-17), directed Gabriel Barre, with choreography by Jon Rua, and music direction by Emily Marshall.
A Chorus Line (July 26-31), directed & choreographed by Baayork Lee.
Sister Act (Aug. 9-14), directed by Ameenah Kaplan, with choreography by Robbie Roby, and music direction by Ari Simon.
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Video: Highlights from Hello, Dolly at Pioneer Theatre Company, starring Paige Davis.
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A May 20 NYC reading of Marc Shaiman, Bob Martin & Rick Elice’s SMASH –The Musical confirmed that the musical is definitely in development.
Megan Hilty, Brooks Ashmanskas, Beth Leavel, Daniel Breaker, Krysta Rodriguez, Bonnie Milligan, Kristine Nielsen, Christian Thompson, Maddie Baillio, and more.
Stay tuned for updates…
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Open Fist Theatre‘s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will run June 25 – Aug. 13 at the Atwater Village Theatre, directed by James Fowler.
Phillip C. Curry (Oberon), Ash Saunders (Titania), Monazia smith (Puck), Michael Shepperd (Bottom), Debba Rofheart (Peter Quince), Malik Bailey (Mustardseed/Flute), Syanne Green (Peaseblossom/Staryling), Erica Mae McNeal (Cobweb/Snout), Azeem Vecchio (Moth/Snug), Bryan Bertone (Theseus), Heather Mitchell (Hippolyta), Alexander Wells (Egeus), Sandra Kate Burck (Hermia), Dylan Wittrock (Lysander), Anna-Laurie Rives & Ann Wilding (alternating as Helen), and Devon Armstrong & Nick Mizrahi (alternating as Demetrius).
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Video: Christopher Jackson performs “Listen” from Dreamgirls in MisCast 2022
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Off-Broadway’s Signature Theatre has announced its 2022-23 season (dates TBA). Scroll down for the season listing:
My Broken Language (Fall 2022), world premiere written & directed by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The play blends monologue, literary reading, live music, and movement to chart the story of six women who relive life en el barrios in Philadelphia in the ’90s.
A Bright New Boise (Winter 2023), by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Oliver Butler. A dark comedy centering on Will, a lapsed Evangelical who flees his Idaho hometown after a tragedy and forges connections with his Boise co-workers as he struggles to reconcile life with his faith.
Letters from Max: A Poet, a Teacher, and a Friendship (Winter 2023), by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Kate Whoriskey. The playwright shares letters and poems passed between herself and former student Max Rityo as the latter discusses terminal illness.
Grass, (Spring 2023), written & directed by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The play follows a mother and son on a road trip with stops in numerous Civil Rights museums.
TBA (Spring 2023): Writer & director TBA
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Happy 100th Birthday Judy Garland, starring Debbie Wileman, will take place Sat. June 25 at 7:30 PM ET at Carnegie Hall, conducted by Ron Abel.
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Primary Stages has announced has announce 2 additional productions as part of its 2022-23 season at 59E59 Theaters.
On That Day in Amsterdam (July 23 – Sept. 4, opening Aug. 11), by Clarence Coo, directed by Zi Alikhan. Casting TBA. One romantic day in Amsterdam with two young men, one a refugee and the other the American child of immigrants.
peerless (Sept. 24 – Nov. 6, opening Oct. 11), by Jiehae Park, directed by Margot Bordelon. Casting TBA. This comedic interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth follows two Asian American twins who resort to murder in order to get ahead in the cutthroat world of college admissions.
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NY City Center will present its Annual Gala Presentation of Parade Nov. 1-6, directed by Michael Arden.
Ben Platt (Frank) and Micaela Diamond (Lucille), with more TBA.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz answers: How Sweet It Is!
- Bubbling Brown Sugar
- Let ‘Em Eat Cake
- Milk and Honey
- Hot Chocolate
- The Gingerbread Lady
- Pie in the Sky
- The Candy Shop
- Jelly’s Last Jam
- Cowardy Custard
- Lollipop