Today’s Highlights:
The 2024 Dramatists Guild Awards, honoring Christopher Durang, Jocelyn Bioh, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Qui Nguyen, Adam Guettel. Austin Pendleton, and Ife Olujobi, presented at 6:30 PM at NYC’s Sony Hall.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike benefit staged reading, directed by Bartlett Sher, featuring Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce, Kristine Nielsen, David Hull, Shalita Grant, and Genevieve Angelson, at 6:30 PM at Broadway’s Vivian Beaumont Theater.
The Broadway Sitzproved Experience: She Loves Me: Stars in the House Variety Fundraiser, hosted by Seth Rudetsky & James Wesley Jackson, featuring Tony Yazbeck, Ta’Nika Renée Gibson, Gay Willis, Sal Viviano, Adam B. Shapiro, Brad Kane, Sally Mayes, and Lee Wilkof, livestreams at 7 PM ET HERE.
This Is Not A Dream, FREE play readings: Young Playwrights Ukraine, by Anna Brovarna, Taya Fedorenko, Uliana Klimchuk, Tanya Kostyniuk, Asia Pshenychna, Sasha Sereda, and Karina Syrota, directed by Jodie Markell, with a cast not reported, at 7 PM at Off-Broadway’s Vineyard Theatre.
Red Bull Theater‘s Or, What She Will reading, by Liz Duffy Adams, directed by Gaye Talor Upchurch, featuring b (yes, this is correct), Kelley Curran, and Santino Fontana, at 7:30 PM at Off-Broadway’s Sheen Center.
“Whoopi Goldberg: Bits & Pieces” conversation, at 5:45 PM at NYC’s 92NY.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: Play ‘Em Again, Sam! by Jim Bernhard
Match these so-called “jukebox musicals” with the pop artists whose songs provide their scores:
| 1. Jagged Little Pill | A. Bob Dylan |
| 2. Ain’t Too Proud | B. Jimmy Buffett |
| 3. Head Over Heels | C. Emilio Estefan and Gloria Estefan |
| 4. Escape to Margaritaville | D. Neil Diamond |
| 5. Once Upon a One More Time | E. Alanis Morissette |
| 6. Hell’s Kitchen | F. Billie Holliday |
| 7. A Beautiful Noise | G. The Go-Go |
| 8. Girl from the North Country | H. Alica Keys |
| 9. On Your Feet! | I. The Temptations |
| 10. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill | J. Britney Spears |
Scroll down for the answers…
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The 2024 Lucille Lortel Award winners have been announced.
Click here for the complete list of winners (scroll down)
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A reading of Christopher Monger’s Dear Dr. Thomas: A New Play for Voices will take place Tues. May 14 at 7:30 PM at NYC’s 92NY.
Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell, Lorna Bennett, Gopal Divan, Taylor Trensch and Betsy Zajko.
The one-act play details the back story of Thomas’ iconic play, Under Milk Wood – which premiered at 92NY on May 14, 1953 — as well as the poet’s time in New York and Wales in the early 1950s. It is an intimate portrait of an iconic poet struggling to remain dedicated to his craft and bring a masterpiece to life — and how that struggle impacted those around him, including Caitlin and the man who brought him to New York via that fateful letter, John Malcolm Brinnin, 92NY’s Poetry Center Director at the time.
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Write Act Rep will present the world premiere of Susan C. Hunter, Thomas J. Misuraca, Rochelle Perry, Jorge A. Pulido & Darrin Yalacki’s Write of Spring 2024, to run May 10 – June 1 at North Hollywoods’ Brickhouse Theatre, directed by Alicia Marie Agramonte, Susan Eiden, Roxie Lee, Anne Mesa, and Darrin Yalacki.
Oraldo Austin, Leticia Carrasco, Taylor Dam, Dorian Frankel,Mary Nakanishi, Shawn Plunkett, Yvette Price, Matt Roussel,Courtney South, Adam Wasser, and Annie Zhang.
A collection of 5 tales surrounding the theme of Spring, 5 one-act plays brought to life by 5 writers, 5 directors, and 10 actors.
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CA’s Musical Theatre West will present Oh, What a Night on Sun. Aug. 18 at 5 PM at Long Beach’s The Grand (4101 E. Willow Street).
Creative team and casting TBA.
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The New York premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Sally & Tom, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, has just been extended for the 4th time, now through June 2, at Off-Broadway’s Public Theater.
Sheria Irving (Luce/Sally), Gabriel Ebert (Mike/Tom), Sun Mee Chomet (Scout/Polly), Leland Fowler (Devon/Nathan), Kristolyn Lloyd (Maggie/Mary), Alano Miller (Kwame/James), Kate Nowlin (Ginger/Patsy), and David Petzold (Geoff/Cooper/Colonel Carey/Mr. Tobias).
The off-off-off-Broadway theater troupe Good Company is putting on a play about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. Writer Luce is cast as Sally; her romantic partner, and the play’s director, Mike, is cast as Tom—really, people, what could possibly go wrong?
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Red Bull Theater will present a workshop production of Titus Andronicus on May 10 (7:30 PM) and May 11 (2 & 7:30 PM) at Off-Broadway’s Sheen Center, directed by Jesse Berger.
Isabel Arraiza, Teagle F. Bougere, Jason Bowen, Kelley Curran, Clifton Duncan, Nate Miller, Alfredo Narciso, Patrick Page, Zachary Lopez Roa, and Derek Smith
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Joe Tyler Gold’s Shakespeare, Inc. will run May 10-26 at Pacific Resident Theatre, directed by Kiff Scholl.
Marwa Bernstein, Frank Demma, Anthony Foux, Linda Lodge, Jay Paulson, Penny Safranek, William Salyers, Sharron Shayne, Carole Weyers, Susan Wilder, and Lesley Williams.
A modern day interactive play where you control control the story. An intriguing story of a theatre legend. John Kenley was a theatre impresario who brought Hollywood stars like Gene Kelly and Ann Miller to Ohio’s summer stock stages. But when summer ended, he wintered in Florida where John disappeared… and Jean came to life. A new musical that features a Golden Age score and a gender-diverse cast.
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A reading of Gerald Sibleyras’ The Heroes: A reading to Benefit Freshly Brewed will take place Mon. May 12 at 7:30 PM at Chicago’s Understudy Coffee & Books (5531 N Clark St).
Jason Alexander, Daniel Breaker, and Michael Kostroff.
It’s August 1959, and three aging French veterans of the first world war, Philippe, Gustave, and Henri spend their days on the terrace of their home for retired military men. The three friends reminisce, banter, and plot a daring escape. Translated from the original French by the inimitable Tom Stoppard, the play is suffused with his signature wit and intellect.
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Now That’s What I Call Broadway, celebrating Broadway’s favorite musical theater moments and performances, will run May 31 – July 26 at NYC’s 54 Below, with music direction by Wes D’Alelio.
Kaelee Albritton, Rickens Anantua, Olivia Lacie Andrews, Ryan Byrne, Wes D’Alelio, Sydney Kamel, Gabriel Kearns, Liisi La Fontaine, Jaelle Laguerre, Aaron James McKenzie, Ricky Moyer, angel Sigala, and Ayanna Nicole Thomas.
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Ianne Fields Stewart, Jonathan Brielle & Sam Salmond’s A Complicated Woman will run May 10 – June 2 (opening May 29) at CT’s Goodspeed, directed & choreographed by Jeff Calhoun.
Nora Brigid Monahan (John/Jean), L Morgan Lee (Nina Mae), Christian Brailsford (L Morgan Lee), Klea Blackhurst (Myrtle), Danny Rutigliano (Lee Shubert), Dashiell Gregory (Carl), Zachary A. Myers (Muhlaysia), and Arewà Basit (Diamond), with Bryan Munar and Siena Rafter.
John Kenley was a theatre impresario who brought Hollywood stars like Gene Kelly and Ann Miller to Ohio’s summer stock stages. But when summer ended, he wintered in Florida where John disappeared… and Jean came to life. A Complicated Woman is a new musical that features a Golden Age score and a gender-diverse cast. Join us for the intriguing story of a theatre legend who had to navigate the joy, pain and pitfalls of leading a double life.
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My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky, written & performed by Jean Franzblau, will run June 10-29 at Hollywood’s Broadwater Second Stage,(6300 Santa Monica Blvd.) directed by Carly DW Bones.
Jean’s mom loved her new boyfriend and was crushed when the two of them broke up. As close as she is to her mother, she can’t bring herself to explain the reason — Jean would have to reveal that she’s a very kinky girl. She explores the early childhood hints that she was wired differently and generously shares her bumpy, awkwardly arousing journey towards self-acceptance. Ultimately, mama gets an earful. Content Notice: simulated sex and BDSM, sexually charged language, consensual power play, non-consensual sexual violence.
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The World According to Micki Grant, compiled, adapted and directed by Nora Cole, will run May 31 – June 29 at the WP Theater (at its new home at 2162 Broadway (at 76th St.).
Matelyn Alicia, April Armstrong, Patrice Benn and Shawn Bowers.
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Off-Broadway’s MCC Theater has extended its digital broadcast of MisCast24, now through May 12!
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GRACE NOTES Quiz ansers: Play ‘Em Again, Sam!
1-E. Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette
2-I. Ain’t Too Proud – The Temptations
3-G. Head Over Heels – The Go-Gos
4-B. Escape to Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
5-J. Once Upon a One More Time – Britney Spears
6- H. Hell’s Kitchen – Alicia Keys
7-D. A Beautiful Noise – Neil Diamond
8-A. Girl from the North Country – Bob Dylan
9-C. On Your Feet! – Emilio Estefan and Gloria Estefan
10-F. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill – Billie Holliday