Today’s Highlights:
* Romantics Anonymous live production, by Christopher Dimond & Michael Kooman, directed by Emma Rice, featuring Marc Antolin (Jean-René), Carly Bawden (Angélique), Me’sha Bryan (Suzanne/Mimi), Harry Hepple (Ludo/Remi), Laura Jane Matthewson (Young Woman), Sandra Marvin (Magda/Brigitte/Dr. Maxim), Philip Cox (Father/Pierre/Receptionist), Gareth Snook (Mercier/Mumbler/Marini), and Omari Douglas (Salesman/Fred), livestreamed from London at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT here.
* Jim Caruso’s Cast Party variety show streams at 8 PM ET here.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz: Once Upon A Time…by Jim Bernhard
Match these descriptions of musicals, all based on fairy tales, with the correct titles:
| 1. A 1993 musical based on a Disney animated film, which was based on a fairy tale originally written by Gabrielle Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in the 18thcentury. | A. Goldilocks |
| 2. Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, originally produced on TV, based on material found in both “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” and Perrault’s “Mother Goose Tales.” | B. Pinocchio |
| 3. A 1959 musical, starring Carol Burnett, with music by Mary Rodgers, based on a Hans Christian Andersen tale. | C. The Little Mermaid |
| 4. A 1987 musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine that draws on several fairy tales from various sources, including “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Rapunzel,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Snow White,” and “Jack and the Beanstalk.” | D. Into the Woods |
| 5. A 1975 musical adapted from a Eudora Welty novella, which was loosely based on one of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales.” | E. Awaking Beauty |
| 6. A 2008 musical based on a Hans Christian Andersen tale and a Disney film. | F. The Robber Bridegroom |
| 7. A 1928 British musical, in which gender roles are reversed, based on a story in both “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” and “Perrault’s Mother Goose Tales.” | G. Once Upon A Mattress |
| 8. A 1958 musical by Jean and Walter Kerr, Leroy Anderson, and Joan Ford, which is not about the fairy tale heroine whose name it uses for its title. | H. Cinderella |
| 9. A 1938 musical, a project of the WPA, based on an Italian tale by Carlo Collodi, which was on Broadway two years before a Disney film based on the same material. | I. Beauty and the Beast |
| 10. A 2008 musical by Alan Ayckbourn and Denis King, a parody sequel to a fairy tale that appears in both “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” and Perrault’s “Mother Goose Tales,” which was billed as “not suitable for young children” | J. Mr. Cinders |
Scroll down for the answers…
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Video: “Stars in the House,” with a Broadway 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee cast reunion, featuring Derrick Baskin, Deborah S. Craig, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Dan Fogler, Lisa Howard, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jose Llana, Jay Reiss and Sarah Saltzberg. (1:22:20)
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Video: “Stars in the House” celebrates a “Fame” TV show reunion, with Debbie Allen, Jesse Borrego, Michael Cerveris, Loretta Chandler, Lee Curreri, Cynthia Gibb, Erica Gimpel, Valerie Landsburg and PR Paul. (1:38:20)
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Video: “Plays in the House” presents Project Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra, featuring Jeff Applegate Rajesh Bose, Brenda Braxton, Robert Cuccioli, Dan Domingues, Jonathan Hadley, and Mirirai Sithole. (2:29:52)
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Dancing for Democracy, the first Mondays for BIDEN benefit event, created to find a virtual place for busy artists, humanitarians, parents, and Joe Biden supporters, will take place Mon. Oct. 5 at 9 PM ET here.
Annaleigh Ashford, Laura Benanti, Chris Gatelli, Nikki M. James, Kathleen Marshall, Jerry Mitchell, Sergio TRujillo, Adrienne Barbeau, Danny Burstein, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Robert La Fosse, Beth Malone, Rory O’Malley, Valarie Pettiford, Jessica Lee Goldyn, JoAnn M. Hunter, Jess LeProtto, Gerry McIntyre, Josh Walden, James Kinney, and more.
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The Actors Fund has announced new members of the Board of Trustees:
Debbie Allen, Nancy S. Macmillan, Elizabeth Reiko Kubota Whitney, and Allison Wright.
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CT’s Westport Country Playhouse will present “Playhouse at the Drive-in,” a one-night-only benefit event and screening of special filmed performances and a short-form documentary celebrating the theater’s 90-season history, on Sat. Oct. 17 at 6:30 PM ET, at Westport’s Remarkable Theater Drive-in (47 Imperial Avenue).
Kate Baldwin, Britney Coleman, Tina Fabrique, The Naughton Family (James Naughton, Greg Naughton, Kelli O’Hara, and Keira Naughton), Brenda Pressley, Amanda Robles, André De Shields, Jane Alexander, Lissy Newman, Christopher Plummer, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Thomas, and many more who have been associated with the historic theater.
In-person: Gates open at 5 PM ET for a cocktail hour and picnic dinner. The screening from attendees’ own cars and online begins at 6:30 PM
Screening at home: Begins at 6:30 PM ET.
Due to the pandemic, “Playhouse at the Drive-in” has replaced the theater’s annual Fall Gala fundraiser.
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Some of Judy Kuhn‘s fabulous performances:
Video: “Colors of the Wind” (“Pocahontas”) (2017)
Video: “Nobody’s Side” (Chess) (2006)
Video: “A Heart Full of Love” (Les Miz), with Michael McGuire and Frances Ruffelle (2020)
Video: Broadway medley, with Audra McDonald and Marin Mazzie (2008).
Video: “Tonight” (West Side Story), with Larry Kert (1993)
Video: ” (She Loves Me) (Press reel – 1993)
Video: “Don’t Rain on My Parade”(My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies – 1998)
Video: “Meadowlark (The Baker’s Wife concert – 2002)
Video: “I Dreamed a Dream” (Les Miz) (1998 concert)
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TheaterWorks Hartford has announced its 2020-21 season:
* At the River I Stand (Sept 27 – Oct 10), by Alani ILongwe & Rowen Casey, directed by Taneisha Duggan, featuring Tina Fabrique, Harvy Blanks, Rodrick Covinton, and Christina Sajous. 
Inspired by the events that transpired during the infamous Sanitation Workers’ Strike of 1968, the musical follows an eclectic group of Black musicians who travel to Memphis to produce a benefit concert in support of local workers in the throes of a racially charged labor dispute.
* Russian Troll Farm: a workplace comedy (Oct. 20-24 – live/Oct. 25 – Nov. 2/recorded). ZOOM into the office of a Russian troll farm bent on impacting the 2016 election. If the provocative play proves too appalling, the absurd laughs will keep you glued to your screen.
* The Who and The What (Nov. 15-28), by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Aneesha Kudtarkar. Fiery Loyalty to family and a ground-breaking, revisionist look at the life of the Prophet can’t exist under the same roof.
* Christmas on the Rocks (Nov. 29 – Dec. 31), by John Cariani, Jenn Harris & Matthew Wilkas, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lamarre, Theresa Rebeck, Edwin Sanchez, conceived by Rob Ruggiero. Your favorite kids from Christmas stories return, all grown up, shaken, stirred, and served with a twist.
* Untitled Project (Jan. 10-30, 2021), by James Anthony Tyler. This project will trace the story of characters trying to be the best versions of themselves.
* The Sound Inside (Feb. 7-27), by Adam Rapp, directed by Rob Ruggiero. An unconventional friendship between a creative writing professor and one of her students seems to fill a void in both their lives, but how deeply can they rely on each other?
* Mr. Parent (Workshop Mar. 7-27), conceived & directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian, based on stories from Maurice Emmanuel Parent. A heartbreaking and funny real-life adventure, as an actor turns to teaching for a steady paycheck, and learms that it’s less a job and more a constant, visceral reminder of his success… and failure.
* Fun Home (Apr. 11-30), directed by Rob Ruggiero.
* Untitled Project (Workshop: May 9-29), by Harrison David Rivers.
……and three more plays to come……
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Scenes from Angels in America, in support of amfAR’s Fund to Fight COVID-19, will take place Thurs. Oct. 8 at 8:30 PM ET here, with an introduction by Tony Kushner, who contextualizes COVID-19 in relation to the early day of the AIDS epidemic. The event will be followed by a live talkback.
Glenn Close (Roy Cohn), Paul Dano/BrianTyree Henrey/Andrew Rannells (share the role of Prior Walter), Linda Emond (Angel 1), Nikki M. James (Angel 2), Patti LuPone (Angel 3), Daphne Rubin Vega (Angel 4), Laura Linney (Hannah Pitt), Vella Lovell/Lois Smith (share the role of Harper Pitt), Jeremy O. Harris/S. Epatha Merkerson/Larry Owens (share the role of Belize), and Brandon Uranowitz (Louis Ironson).
The selected scenes will focus on the experience of living through a plague, reaching through suffering to find hope, as well as America striving and failing to reach its ideals of freedom,
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North Hollywood’s Road Theatre Company presents a reading of Aja Houston’s A Terrorist is Spelled K-A-R-E-N on Sun. Oct. 3 at 7 PM PT, directed by Inger Tudor.
Kacie Rogers, Paris Perrault, and Christian Telesmar.
Grocery stores. Parks. Sidewalks, Restaurants. At home. Black couple Toni and X fight daily for their survival as they move through these commonplace spaces that are regularly targeted by the American terrorist group KAREN. When one member violently attacks X, Tony struggles to help put the pieces of his should back together that KAREN sought to annihilate.
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The Play That Goes Wrong will return to the Duchess Theatre on Nov. 19. Audience capacity has been reduced to comply with COVID-19 Secure guidelines
Casting and additional information TBA.
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CA’s Rubicon Theatre Company presents a “Streamathon” on Wed. Sept. 30 from 5 PM-Midnight PT, which includes musical performances, celebrity readings, giveaways from local merchants. Click the link above for the complete schedule.
Bryan Cranston, Dan Lauria, John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, Joe Montegna, Priscilla Lopez, Jim Pickens Jr, Joe Spano, Norm Lewis, Hugh Panaro, Amanda McBroom, George Hall, David Burnham, Sylvie Davidons & Trevor Wheetman, Beverly Ward & Kirby Ward, Peter Scolari, Kim Brockington, Lou Diamond Phillips, Reno Wilson, and Tony Shalhoub.**********************
LA Opera presents Living Room Recital: Taylor Raven on Thurs. Oct. 1 at 4 PM PT.
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LA Opera presents Opera Happy Hour on Tues. Sept. 29 at 4 PM PT (scroll down).
Jeremy Frank is back at the piano (with a drink in hand) to take a look at how deception and intrigue ensure that the right sets of lovebirds end up together at four of opera’s most famous weddings.
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Video: Julie Garnyé sings “Being Alive” from Company
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Off-Broadway’s York Theatre presents a cast reunion of Hallelujah Baby! (2000 & 2018), directed by Hope Clarke (2000) & Gerry McIntyre (2018), hosted by James Morgan and Charles Wright, on Tues. Sept. 29 at 7 PM ET.
Jen Cody, Latoya Edwards, Thursday Farrarr, Aaron Lazar, Jarran Muse, Vivian Reed, Tally Sessions, Stephanie Umoh, Dathan Williams… and more.
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Video: Jeremy Irons reads T.S. Elliot’s “Four Quartets.“ (1:24:21)
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LA’s Fountain Theatre presents the world premiere of France-Luce Benson’s Talking Peace on Tues. Sept. 29 at 7 PM PT, directed by Dr. Daphne Sicre.
Paule Aboite, Miriam Ani, Janelle Lawrence, Celestine Rae, and Lisa Rosetta Strum.
A healing circle comes undone when an outsider finds her way in, forcing the 5 women to deconstruct what it means to be Black, BIPOC, and bound by sisterhood.
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Audio: T.S. Elliott reads and reflects on poetry. (45:55)
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Video: “Flying Free: Wicked-Inspired Songs,” featuring “Better Alone,” an original song by teenagers Briana Dent & Bianca Marlino, performed by LaChanze.
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GRACE NOTES Quiz answers: Once Upon A Time…
1-I. Beauty and the Beast
2-H. Cinderella
3-G. Once Upon A Mattress
4-D. Into the Woods
5-F. The Robber Bridegroom
6-C. The Little Mermaid
7-J. Mr. Cinders
8-A. Goldilocks
9-B. Pinocchio
10-E. Awaking Beauty