Today’s Highlights:
Write Out Loud: From Contest to Concert Volume 5 concert, directed by Alex Goldie Golden, featuring songs by Callum Shannon, Kat O’Sullivan, Delaney Guyer, Kenny Youch, Veronica Mansout & abs wilson, Sophie Boyce & Fred Feeney, Alyanna & Mikaela Sy, Kaylee Ellis, Karis Bone, Finnigan B. Faye, Adam Clic & Jena Banes, Spencer Stanley, Yael Karoly, Kaia Rubin, Leilani Patao, and Asyssa Payne, performed by Jordan Barrow, Jaime Lyn Beatty, Jane Bruce, Jersha Cavaos, Liss deGuzman, Morgan Dudley, Cailen Fu, Yael Karoly, Pablo Laucerica, Kim Onah, Leilani Patao, Alyssa Payne, Kaia Rubin, AJ Shively, and Samantha Williams, hosted by Taylor Louderman, at 7 PM at NYC’s 54 Below.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: On Tour – Part 1 by Jim Bernhard
Match theses roles with the performers who played them in the first national tours:
| 1. Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard | A. Florence Henderson |
| 2. Mame Dennis in Mame | B. Penny Worth |
| 3. Eva Peron in Evita | C. Mary Martin |
| 4. Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! | D. Chita Rivera |
| 5. Rose in Gypsy | E. Celeste Holm |
| 6. Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music | F. Lauren Bacall |
| 7. Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady | G. Ethel Merman |
| 8. Margo Channing in Applause | H. Linda Balgord |
| 9. Charity in Sweet Charity | I. Anne Rogers |
| 10. Roxie Hart in Chicago (original production) | J. Loni Ackerman |
Scroll down for the answers…
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Complete casting has been announced for the world premiere of John J. Caswell’s Jr.’s Scene Partners, to Oct. 26 – Dec. 3 (open Nov.12 at) the Vineyard Theatre, directed by Rachel Chavkin.
Dianne Wiest (Meryl), Eric Berryman (Dr. Noah) Drake (Johanna Day (Charlize), Josh Hamilton (Hugo), Carmen H. Herlihy (Cassie), and Kristen Sieh (Pauline).
Winter, 1985. 75-year-old Meryl ditches ice-cold Milwaukee for sunny Los Angeles, hell-bent on becoming a movie star. She’s got big dreams, a little money, and a whole lot of nerve. But will the world ever know her for who she really is?
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Ivan Goll’s Methusalem or The Eternal Bourgeois will run Oct. 14 – Dec. 16 (opening Oct. 21) at Culver City’s Actors’ Gang Theatre, directed by Brent Hinkley.
TBA.
The oldest man in the world, Methusalem is a ruthless businessman with a troubled wife and robotic son who finds his daughter seduced by a revolutionary that would overturn his empire. Part dialogue, part dream, the play includes bizarre and surrealistic imagery, including anthropomorphic paintings, silent films, talking ids and superegos, and a bear rug coming to life to lead an animal revolution.
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William F. Brown & Charlie Smalls’ The Wiz, adapted by Amber Ruffin, will begin previews Mar. 29, 2024 and open Apr. 17 at the Marquis Theatre, directed by Schele Williams, with choreography by JaQuel Knight, and music direction by Allen René Louis.
Nichelle Lewis (Dorothy), Deborah Cox (Glinda), Melody A. Betts (Aunt Em / Evillene), Kyle Ramar Freeman (Lion), Phillip Johnson Richardson (Tinman), Avery Wilson (Scarecrow), and Wayne Brady (The Wiz), with Maya Bowles, Shayla Alayre Caldwell, Jay Copeland, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Judith Franklin, Michael Samarie George, Collin Heyward, Amber Jackson, Olivia Jackson, Christina Jones, Polanco Jones, Kolby Kindle, Mariah Lyttle, Kareem Marsh, Anthony Murphy, Cristina Rae, Matthew Sims Jr, Avilon Trust Tate, Keenan D. Washington, and Timothy Wilson.
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The Music Theatre Factory will present a developmental reading of Douglas Lyons & Ethan D. Pakchar’s Beau on Fri. Sept. 29 in NYC, directed by Josh Rhodes. Location and time not reported.
Jeb Brown (Beau), Andrew Ace Baker), Andrea Goss (Le-Ann/Karina), Max Sangerman (Ferris), Morgan Siobhan Green (Daphney), Ryan Halsaver (Larry), Amelia Cormack (Raven), and Derek Stoltenberg (Dennis), with Tuck Sweeney and Kelly McIntyre.
Eight actor-musicians tell the story of Ace Baker, a young man whose lie is altered when he discovers the grandfather his mother kept hidden is still alive.
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Celebration Theatre will present Circa: 40 Years of Celebration! on Wed. Oct. 18 at 7 PM at Hollywood’s LGBT Center.
Brittney S. Wheeler, Chris Maikish, Michael O’Hara, Nathan Frizzell, Parnell Damone Marcano, and Tom DeTrinis.
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Complete casting has been announced for the world premiere of John J. Caswell’s Scene Partners, to run Oct. 26 – Dec. 3 at the Vineyard Theater, directed by Rachel Chavkin.
Dianne Wiest (Meryl), Eric Berryman (Dr. Noah Drake), Johanna Day (Charlize), Josh Hamilton (Hugo), Carmen M. Herlihy (Cassie, and Kristen Sieh (Pauline).
Meryl, a 75-year-old who ditches ice-cold Milwaukee for sunny Los Angeles, is determined to become a movie star.
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Rogue Machine will present Baby Foot Oct. 14 – Nov. 20 at the Matrix Theatre, written & directed by Tim Venable.
Daniel Dorr, French Stewart, Hope Lauren, and Paul DeBoy.
Two seemingly mismatched souls find themselves on the cusp of a life-changing connection. Blackie’s first night in rehab intersects with Alexis’s 90-day release. A long night’s journey into day drives their sensation seeking impulsivities full throttle into the same lane where hearts and minds are torn between the seductive allure of the drug and an elusive promise of a brighter, sober future.
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Robert Schenkkan & Neil Berg’s The Twelve continues through Oct. 29 at CT’s Goodspeed, directed by John Doyle.
Akron Lanier Watson (Pete), Wonzaā Johnson (Andrew), Wesley Taylor (Tom), Etai Benson (Jimmy), Gregory Treco (Simon), Kyle Scatliffe (John), Kelvin Moon Loh (James), Mel Johnston Jr. (Tee), Brandon J. Ellis (Phil), Rob Morrison (Bart), F. Michael Haynie (Matt), Adrienne Walker (Mags), and Rema Webb (Mother Mary), with Matt Caplan, Dion Simmons Grier, and Aurelia Williams.
Jerusalem. The disciples are in disarray. Torn apart by the unthinkable death of their leader, see how twelve ordinary individuals come together to create one of the most powerful movements ever known. Filled with power and passion, The 12 is a universal story of love and how each of us must eventually navigate the loss of whatever we hold most dear. Join us for a profoundly moving musical that you will never forget!
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Audio: “If This Is Love” from Ingrid Michaelson’s The Notebook Musical, featuring Michaelson.
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Interact Theatre Company‘s Life Sucks, by Aaron Posner, currently in previews, will open Sept. 30 and continue through Oct. 29 at the Broadwater Main Stage (1076 Lillian Way), directed by Barry Heins.
John Ross Bowie (Vanya), Anne Gee Byrd (Babs), Steve Vinovich (The Professor), Olivia Castanho (Sonia), Erin Pineda (Ella), Lily Rains (Pickles), and Marc Valera (Dr. Aster).
In this brash reworking of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya, a group of old friends, ex-lovers, estranged in-laws, and lifelong enemies gather to grapple with life’s thorniest questions—and each other.
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Industry readings of Amanda Grren, Curtis Moore, Gabrielle Allan & Jennifer Crittenden’s Feamale Troubles will take place Sept 28 (2:30 PM) & 29 (11 AM) at NYC’s Open Jar Studios, directed by Christopher Gattelli.
Krystina Alabado, Kevin Del Aguila, Amanda Green, Lilli Cooper, Lillias White, Lesli Margherita, Ryann Redmond, Kate Rockwell, Matthew Saldivar, Alanna Saunders, Trent Saunders, Jake Swain, Sav Souza, Rachel Stern, and Frank Viveros.
Unmarried Elinor Benton finds herself surprisingly “knocked up” in 19th century England. Facing ruin, she and her girlfriends embark on a raucous journey to find the one notorious woman who can help them with their “female troubles.” The musical asks the trenchant question, “Can you believe this sh*t is still happening in 1810?”
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Sandra Tsing Loh’s Madwomen of the West will run Nov. 11 – Jan. 1, 2024 (opening Dec. 11) at the Actors Temple Theatre, directed by Thomas Caruso.
Caroline Aaron, Marilu Henner, Melanie Mayron, and JoBeth Williams.
Welcome to Jules’ stunning Brentwood mansion, where hangry (she’s on a sugar cleanse) Marilyn is throwing a surprise birthday brunch for Claudia, who hates birthdays. Champagne corks pop—and tempers flare—when their long-estranged celebrity friend Zoey crashes the party, fresh from her TED Talks.
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One Night with Anthony Rapp will take place Mon. Oct. 23 at 8:30 PM at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club.
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Yesterday’s Broadway Forever free concert was postponed, due to expected severe weather, and had now been rescheduled to Sun. Oct. 15 at 11 AM at NYC’s Lou Gehrig Place (East 161st Street, at Grandview Place).
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: On Tour
1-H. Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard – Linda Balgord
2-E. Mame Dennis in Mame – Celeste Holm
3-J. Eva Peron in Evita – Loni Ackerman
4-C. Mrs. Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! – Mary Martin
5-G. Rose in Gypsy – Ethel Merman
6-A. Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music – Florence Henderson
7-I. Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady – Anne Rogers
8-F. Margo Channing in Applause – Lauren Bacall
9-D. Charity in Sweet Charity – Chita Rivera
10-B. Roxie Hart in Chicago – Penny Worth