Today’s Highlights:
The Thanksgiving Play, by Larissa FastHorse, directed by Rachel Chavkin, featuring D’Arcy Carden, Katie Finneran, Scott Foley, and Chris Sullivan, opens at Broadway’s Hayes Theatre.
The Good Person of Szechwan, adapted by Nina Segal, directed by Anthony Lau, featuring Leon Wan, Nick Blakeley, Melody Brown, Aidan Cheng, Jon Chew, Callum Coates, Togo Igawa, Suni La, Camille Mallet de Chauny, Louise Mai Newberry, Tim Samuels, Ami Tredrea, and Leon Wan, opens at London’s Lyric Hammersmith.
Shadow/Land, world premiere by Erika Dickerson-Despenza, directed by Candis C. Jones, featuring Joniece Abbott-Pratt (Ruth), Lizan Mitchell (Magalee), and Christine Shepard (Grand Marshal), with Lynette R. Freeman, Perri Garrney, and Joy-Marie Thompson, begins previews at Off-Broadway’s Public Theater.
Der Rosenkavalier, by Straus, featuring Lise Davidsen, Erin Morley, Simon Young, René Barbera, Katharine Goeldner, Thomas Ebenstein, Brian Mulliban, and Kang Wang, closes at NYC’s Metropolitan Opera.
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Reviews for Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre:
NY Times (Jesse Green): Aerial mishaps and half-wit actors turn a fantasy into a farce. But, like Peter, not all the jokes land… Many of the same disasters happen chez Darling as happened at Haversham Manor, or close variations on them. Let’s just say that Peter doesn’t fly so much as flail while airborne. He, too, is knocked unconscious… with a game Neil Patrick Harris in a guest role, the jokes and mishaps are still funny, if not quite as magical the second time around… For one thing, if you are already familiar with the Cornley modus maloperandi, you will spot some of the setups the moment you take your seat… And though it’s always hilarious to see floorboards fly up and smack actors in the face, the professionalization of fake trauma may have outstripped the comedy of it…
Theatermania (Zachary Stewart): …two hours of artfully choreographed chaos… stunts that will make you gasp and howl with laughter… a script that is notably more sophisticated than Play That Goes Wrong, with an ever-mounting bill of calamity that entirely derives from the thinly veiled motives and perverse incentives of the characters. Just when you think they cannot possibly top themselves, they do. And under the airtight direction of Adam Meggido, this creates a platform for some of the most inventive performances of the season… In an evening of great performances, Zamit stands out in the double role of Mrs. Darling/Tinker Bell, successfully executing some of the quickest changes I have ever seen, and turning the instances when she doesn’t quite make it into comic gold…
The Wrap (Robert Hofler)… There’s only so many times you can laugh at an actor purposefully giving a bad performance… Peter Pan Goes Wrong is something of a snuff play. As far as body counts go on the Broadway stage, among new plays, only Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore clocked in more real-time “deaths,” although two of those were cats… the show that would be better titled Peter Pan Got Snuffed… Beyond [Neil Patrick] Harris’ very physical performance and all the staged deaths, the high point of “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is extremely low tech and of even lower humor…
Time Out (Adam Feldman): …I do not wish to add to the humiliations of this well-intentioned company—whose members larkishly assume false names in the program—by rehashing their debacle in detail, though in retrospect one wonders if it was wise to present their show under the title Peter Pan Goes Wrong… An air of amateurishness set in from the start in pre-show announcements by stage manager Chris Leask, who was later obliged by circumstances to step into the production, and co-directors Henry Shields and Henry Lewis, who also starred in the play… This Peter Pan simply doesn’t fly. Roberto Surace’s costumes and Ella Wahlstrom’s sound design were unreliable at best, and often much worse. And although it seems unbelievable, reports indicate that the production has been beset by such troubles throughout its run.
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RIP: Todd Haimes, longtime artistic director and guiding light of Roundabout Theatre Company, passed away Apr. 19 following complications of osteosarcoma. He was 66.
Mr. Haimes, known widely for his tireless work transforming Roundabout from a 150-seat Off-Broadway company into one of the largest not-for-profit theatres in the United States, led the company for the last 39 years.
Born May 7, 1956 in New York City, Mr. Haimes joined Roundabout in 1983 when the company was operating in a Chelsea movie house. Initially the managing director, Mr. Haimes took out loans in his own name to keep the company afloat in his first weeks before the board of directors voted to shut down the enterprise. He fought back, and, at 26, was able to convince a board member to donate enough money to buy him the time to implement sweeping expenditure cuts, marketing improvements, and staff changes. Amongst his wide-reaching changes was an adjustment to curtain times to entice earlier theatre goers, discounts for children, and special events for different audience demographics. Remarkably, he turned the company around, growing it into one of the most powerful forces in the American theatre.
In 1989, Mr. Haimes became the producing director of Roundabout, rising to chief executive in 2015. In 1991, Mr. Haimes brought Roundabout to Broadway, where it soon became a bastion of revivals of classic work, as well as a home for new work.
With Haimes’ guidance, Roundabout has grown to encompass three Broadway theatres: Studio 54, the American Airlines, and theStephen Sondheim; and Off-Broadway’s Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.
In total, Mr. Haimes was involved in 141 Broadway productions, in addition to his countless contributions to the Off-Broadway theatre ecosystem. Roundabout is responsible for one of the most expansive theatre education program in the country, which reaches more than 4,000 students annually, alongside extensive technical training programs to help underprivileged students find careers in the backstage aspects of theatre.
During Mr. Haimes’ tenure, Roundabout won 34 Tony, 58 Drama Desk, 73 Outer Critics Circle, 21 Lucille Lortel, and 14 Obie Awards. In 2013, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lucille Lortel Awards, and in 2021 he received a portrait at Sardi’s Restaurant, an honor which he particularly valued.
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Transport Group‘s concert presentation of Maury Yeston & Arthur Kopit’s Nine will take place Mon. June 26 at 8 PM at NYC’s Merkin Concert Hall, directed by Jack Cummings III, with music direction by Joey Chancy, and material written by Hannah Oren.
Santino Fontana (Guido), and more TBA.
The concert will feature the show’s original 25-piece orchestrations (by Jonathan Tunick), as well as backstage stories about the original Broadway production.
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Additional casting has been announced for The Wizard of Oz, to begin preview June 23 and open July 6 at the London Palladium, directed by Nikolai Foster, with choreography by Shay Barclay. The production will also include original songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice.
Christina Bianco (Glinda), Jason Manford (Cowardly Lion), Ashley Banjo (Tin Man), Gary Wilmot (The Wizard), Dianne Pilkington (Wicked Witch of the West), Louis Gaunt (Scarecrow), and more TBA.
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Ann Hampton Callaway — Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration! has announced new tour dates. Click here for the complete schedule.
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Initial casting has been announced for Pittsburgh CLO‘s 2023 Summer Season:
Anything Goes (June 13-18), directed by Ameenah Kaplan, with choreography by Mara Newbery Greer, with music direction by James Cunningham, featuring Liz Leclerc (Hope Harcourt), Jeff Howell (Moonface Martin), Geoff Packard (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Rashidra Scott (Reno Sweeney), A.J. Shively (Bill Crocker), and Andrea Weinzierl (Erma).
Into the Woods (June 27 – July 2), directed by Scott Weinstein, with choreography by William Carlos Angulo, and music direction by James Cunningham, featuring Patti Murin (Baker’s Wife), Manu Narayan (The Baker), Joe Serafini (jack), Elizabeth Stanley (The Witch), Kyla Jordan Stone (Cinderella), and Jordan Tyson (Little Red Riding Hood).
The Sound of Music (July 11-16), directed & choreographed by Marc Robin, with music direction by Thom Culcasi, featuring Daniella Dalli (Mother Abbess), Maddie Dick (Liesl Von Trapp), Blake Hammond (Max Detweiler), Will Ray (Captain Von Trapp), Katie Sine (Elsa Schraeder), and Hanley Smith (Maria).
Once On This Island (July 25-30), directed & choreographed by Gerry McIntyre, with music direction by James Cunningham, featuring Melessie Clark (Mama Euralie), Zephaniah Divine (Agwe), Darius Harper (Papa Ge), Najah Hetsberger (Ti Moune), Mason Reeves (Daniel Beauxhomme), and Haily Thomas Erzulie).
Guys & Dolls (Aug. 8-13), directed by Darren Lee, with choreography by Mark Esposito, and music direction by James Cunningham, featuring Nikki Renée Daniels (Sarah Brown), John Treacy Egan (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Jeff Dready (Sky Masterson), Chris Laitta (General Cartwright), Leli Margherita (Miss Adelaide), and Matt Saldivar (Nathan Detroit).
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Aug. 22-27), directed by Dontee Kiehn, with choreography by Charlie Sutton, and music direction by James Cunningham, featuring Kennedy Caughell (Sony), Natasica Diaz (Marya), Jason Gotay (Anatole Kurgin), Sandra Okuboyejo (Natsha Rostova), Nick Rehberger (Pierre Bezukhoy), and Lili Thomas (Hélène Bezukhov)
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Michael R. Jackson in concert continues through Apr. 30 at Lincoln Center.
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The world premiere of Emma Hall, Charlie Parham, Tom Rasmussen & Hatty Carman’s Starter for Ten, to run Feb. 29 – Mar. 30, 2024 at the Bristol Old Vic, directed by Charlie Parham.
Casting and additional information TBA.
Based on the coming-of-age novel by David Nicholls, the piece is set in 1980s Bristol during the legendary British quiz show “University Challenge.” A 2006 film version starred James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, James Corden, and Rebecca Hall.
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David Mamet’s Oleanna will run June 3-25 at the Zephyr Theatre, directed by Miguel Perez.
Claire Wagner and Jean-Michel Richaud.
The play explores the complex issues of political polarization, lack of trust in institutions, #MeToo and gender inequality, cancel culture and free speech and mental health & well-being. It’s a timely work that reflects the struggles we face in society toady. Through the story of a university professor and a student, the play exposes the power dynamics and manipulation of a university professor and a student, Oleanna exposes the power dynamics and manipulation that exist in our society today and the dangers that arise when we fail to communicate with one another.
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The Cherry Orchard, adapted & directed by Robert Falls, has been extended through May 7 at Chicag0’s Goodman Theatre.
Kate Fry (Lubov Ranyevskaya), Will Allen (Semyon Yepikhodov), Kareem Bandealy (Lopakhin), Janet Ulrich Brooks (Carlotta), Felipe Carrasco (Yasha), Stephen Cefalu (Petya Trofimov), Matt DeCaro (Boris Semyonoy-Pishchik), Christopher Donahue (Leonid Gayev), Amanda Drinkall (Dunyasha), Alejandra Escalante (Varya), Francis Guinan (Firs), Sam Hubbard (Stationmaster), John Lister (Postmaster), Bill McGough, Tyler Meredith, Flavia Pallozi, Tiffany Scott, Eric Slater, and Raven Whitley.
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John Gallagher, Jr. in concert will run May 17-21 at Lincoln Center.
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The Scottsboro Boys will run May 4-21 at San Francisco’s 42nd Street Moon, directed by Brandon Jackson, with music direction by Diana Lee, and choreography by Kimberly Valmore.
Michael Patrick Gaffney (Interlocutor), Jaiden Griffin (Eugene), Albert Hodge (Mr. Bones), Elizabeth Jones (The Lady), Kahlil Leneus (Andy), Miles Meckling (Willie), Royal Mickens (Leroy), Marcus Pagie (Haywood), Jon-David Randle (Charlie), Anthony Rollins-Mullens (Mr. Tambo), Mercury Van Sciver (Olien), Dedrick Weathersby (Clarence), and Alegandro Eustaquio (Ozzie).
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& 
Red Bull Theater continues its live & livestreamed readings of Titus Andronicus through Apr. 30 at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row, directed by Jesse Berger.
Patrick Page (Titus Andronicus), Elizabeth Marvel (Tamora), and Dion Johnstone (Aaron the Moor), with Teagle F. Bougere, Jason C. Brown, Juliana Canfield, Zachary Fine, Jason Butler Harner, Maurice Jones, Howard Overshown, and Socorro Santiago.