Today’s Highlights:
Company, directed by Marianne Elliott, featuring Katrina Lenk (Bobbie), Patti LuPone (Joanne), Matt Doyle (Jamie), Christopher Fitzgerald (David), Christopher Sieber (Harry), Jennifer Simard (Sarah), Terence Archie (Larry), Etai Benson (Paul), Bobby Conte (P.J.), Nikki Renée Daniels (Jenny), Claybourne Elder (Andy), Greg Hildreth (Peter), and Rashidra Scott (Susan), with Kathryn Allison, Britney Coleman, Jacob Dickey, Javier Ignacio, Anisha Nagarajan, Nicholas Rodriguea, Heath Saunders, Tally Sessions, and Matt Wall, opens at Broadway’s Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
Trouble in Mind, by Alice Childress, directed by Nancy Medina, featuring Daniel Adeosun, Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Joe Bannister, Emma Canning, John Hollingworth, Rory Keenan, Gary Lilburn, Tanya Moodie, and Cyril Nri, opens at London’s National Theatre.
The Ilene Graff Holiday Show concert, with special guests Todd Graff, Glenn Rosenblum, and Harlan Boll, and music direction by Ben Lanzarone, at 8:30 PM PT at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club.
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Kimberly Akimbo at Off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theatre Company:
NY Times (Jesse Green): The sweetest love scene on a New York stage right now involves neither Left Bank bohemians, Orpheus and Eurydice nor even that freak with the mask. Rather, it’s between a tuba-playing, Elvish-speaking high school über-nerd and a girl who looks like his grandmother… In the funny and moving new musical…Victoria Clark brings her to life so believably and gorgeously that you find yourself rooting for a kiss you might otherwise find creepy… That’s no surprise… (in musicals), she makes music not an afterthought to character, but the thought itself. What is surprising is that Kimberly Akimbo, based on the 2000 play of the same name by David Lindsay-Abaire, manages a similar feat… with music by Jeanine Tesori and a book and lyrics by Lindsay-Abaire — remakes the original on new terms, with songs that beautifully tell us new things… Each of these subjects produces a wonderfully unexpected song that forwards the plot while deepening the characterizations.
Theatermania (David Gordon): Broadway and Hollywood have a habit of casting adults as teenagers, and so often, it doesn’t work… Now, we have 62-year-old Tony winner Victoria Clark as a 16-year-old in David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s new musical Kimberly Akimbo at the Atlantic Theater Company, but she winds up presenting the counterargument — she’s incredible, and the show is pretty damn delightful, too… the writers are exploring both the follies of youth and the misfortune of time, and I wish they and director Jessica Stone had leaned a little further into that darkness… Clark’s open-faced and vulnerable performance… As a result, the musical doesn’t feel as deep as the play, which really keeps this material from reaching its full potential… a cast that couldn’t be better… elicited a performance of megawatt comic proportions out of [Bonnie] Milligan, who steals the show every single time she’s on stage.
DC Metro Arts (Deb Miller): …along with the touching poignancy in Kimberly Akimbo is an uproarious coming-of-age comedy, zany familial dysfunction, and an uplifting reminder to all of us to find happiness in life whenever, wherever, and while it’s still possible… Jessica Stone’s engaging direction captures the perfect mix of lively over-the-top dark humor punctuated with tender moments of profound heartrending reality… Victoria Clark turns in a thoroughly irresistible, sensitive, and heartwarming performance…believably embodying her adolescent behavior, mindset, and mannerisms, affectingly balanced with the very adult challenges of dealing with her unstable family, her outsider status, the blossoming of first love, and her impending mortality… laughably unlikeable and ridiculously insensitive parents are Steven Boyer…nd Alli Mauzey as Pattie…perfect comic timing by the riotous powerhouse Bonnie Milligan.
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Shoshana Bean: Sing Your Hallelujah concert will play on both coasts:
Dec. 13 at 8:30 PM ET at NYC’s Apollo Theatre.
Dec. 18 at 7 PM PT at LA’s Immanuel Presbyterian Cathedral.
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Casting has been announced for upcoming productions at 59E59 Theaters:
Whisper House (Jan. 11 – Feb. 6, opening Jan. 20), by Duncan Sheik & Kyle Jarrow, directed by Steve Cosson, with chorography by Billy Bustamante. 
Samantha Mathis, Alex Boniello, Jeb Brown, Wyatt Cirbus, Molly Hager, and James Yaegashi. More here.
The Collision/The Martyrdom (Jan. 16 – ????, opening Jan. 22), offering two one-act plays with the same cast, directed by Lily Riopelle & Nadja Leonhard-Hooper. Samantha Mathis (Lily), Alex Boniello (Male Ghost), Jeb Brown (The Sheriff), Alex Boniello (Male Ghost), Wyatt Cirbus (Christopher), Mollyw Hager (Female Ghost), and James Yaegashi (Yasuhiro). 
A dark and thrilling musical ghost story. More here.
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A film version of James Goldman & Stephen Sondheim’s Follies is in development.
Timeline, casting, and additional information TBA.
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RIP: Composer Keith Herrmann died on Dec. 5 at the age of 69.
Born in Brooklyn in March 1952, Herrmann has served as composer and musical director for several Broadway shows, including Whoopee! (1979), Censored Scenes From King Kong (1980), Onward Victoria (1980), Cats (1982) and Romance/Romance, which earned him a Tony nomination and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Original Score.
Off-Broadway, Herrmann served as composer and co-producer of the cult favorite Prom Queens Unchained. His musical Suspect had a sold-out run at the New York International Fringe Festival and The Homework Machine, which he co-wrote with Mark Cabaniss, enjoyed a sold-out world premiere at the Boston Children’s Theatre in 2014.
In addition to theater, Herrmann also wrote numerous jingles, television scores and original musical material for a variety of performers. He scored the Emmy-winning ABC-TV after-school special Taking a Stand and received a Telly Award for the A&E Network presentation of Romance/Romance. Herrmann was also represented on the Tri-Star animated holiday video Buster and Chauncey’s Silent Night.
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Complete casting has been announced for Change Agent, to run Jan. 21 – Mar. 6 (opening Feb. 3) at DC’s Arena Stage, written & directed by Craig Lucas.
Andrea Abello, Regan Linton, Jeffrey Omura, Kathryn Tkel, and Luis Vega.
A fictional play inspired by historic events, this is apolitical thrill ride that explores how one woman fought bring humanity to policy and expand the consciousness of a nation through her friendships and proximity to power.
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Click here to access all productions.
What a Wonderful World (livestreams Dec. 11 at 8:30 PM ET). The musical features a score of classic and contemporary pop hits made famous by artists including Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, Kelly Clarkson, R.E.M., Imagine Dragons, Kenny Chesney, The Romantics, Shawn Mendes, Hootie & The Blowfish, Nancy Sinatra, and many more.
Great Christmas Cookie Bake Off! (through Dec. 12). In this musical, eight young cookie chefs have been selected from all over the country to battle it out for first prize at the Cookie Coliseum.
Paddington Saves Christmas (continues through Jan. 4)
The Nice List (continues through Jan. 15). FREE, although donations to Feeding America are strongly encouraged), featuring Telly Leung, Ann Harada, James Monroe Iglehart, Don Darryl Rivera, Julia Mattison, Nick Kohn, and Jennifer Barnhart. The piece aims to celebrate the power of the human spirit as we come together for the happiest time of the year. The Elves in the story are just like the millions of employees and families right now that are navigating the world working remotely, communicating in new ways and discovering that the power of empathy and laughter through music can bring us comfort in these challenging times.
Mr. Dicken’s Hat (through Jan. 16), by Michael Hollinger. In a cozy Victorian shop sits the hat of Charles Dickens, who once used it to carry water to the victims of a train wreck (that’s true!). When a pair of bumbling thieves plots to steal it (that’s imaginary!), young Kit sets out to foil their plan, save the hat, and free her father from debtors’ prison. This warm winter’s tale is filled with original music, lovable characters, and loads of good cheer.
Estella Scrooge (through Jan. 21), directed by John Caird, featuring Lauren Patten, Danny Burstein, Betsy Wolfe, Carolee Carmello, Patrick Page, Clifton Duncan, EM Grosland, and more.
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A Little Night Music will run in 2022 (dates TBA) at MA’s Barrington Stage (link TBA), directed by Julianne Boyd, with choreography by Robert La Fosse and music direction by Darren R. Cohen.
Dates, casting, and additional information TBA.
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NYC’s The Town Hall has announced is 2022 Broadway by the Year season. Creative teams and casting TBA.
The New Wave (Feb. 14 at 8 PM ET), celebrating songs from Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon, Rent, and more.
From the Ziegfeld Follies to Moulin Rouge: Celebrating Jukebox and Revue Musicals (Mar. 21 at 8 PM ET)
Almost on Broadway (May 23 at 8 PM ET), celebrating the brilliant songs born Off-Broadway and in shows that played everywhere but Broadway.
A One Night Only History of Broadway Song and Dance (June 27 at 8 PM ET), celebrating the explosion of dance on the Great White Way, created, written, hosted and directed by Scott Siegel, with music direction by Ross Patterson.
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The Drama League‘s DirectorFest 2022 will return Jan. 19-22 at Off-Broadway’s A.R.T.
WEEK 1 (Jan. 19-22):
She Talks to Beethoven, by Adrienne Kennedy, directed by Keenan Tyler Oliphant. Casting TBA.
Girlfriend, by Todd Almond & Matthew Sweet, directed by Sivan Battat.
WEEK 2 (Feb. 2-5):
The Seventeenth Chapel, by Aditi Brennan Kapil, directed by Reen Dutt.
A Number, by Caryl Churchill, directed by Ryan Dobrin.
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A New Year’s Eve Gala with Linda Purl will take place Fri. Dec. 31 at 7:30 & 10:30 PM ET at NYC’s Triad Theater, with music direction by Mark Berman.
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Video: Steven Spielberg, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, and more, share how they prepared for “West Side Story.”
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Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theater has announced it 2022 Summer Mainstage Season. Casting and creative teams TBA.
Windfall (May 31 – June 19), by Scotter Peitsch, directed by Jason Alexander. Five office workers in Columbus, Ohio toll under the heavy hand of a maniacal boss and dream of a better life. When the boss’s antics become too much to bear, they bet their every last cent on a one billion dollar lottery jackpot. But the prospect of winning brings out the worst in these best friends.
Anna in the Tropics (June 28 – July 24), by Nilo Cruz, directed by Marcos Santana. The play centers on a sultry and steamy cigar factory in 1929 Tampa, Florida, where the lives of a Cuban-American family are challenged by the vices and temptations that surround them. The factory owner, Santiago, wrestles with a gambling addiction that’s emboldened by his half-brother, while his daughters, unhappy in their respective relationships, long for the affection of the factory’s handsome lector. Romance, lust, and jealousy collide as the family confronts the discontent in their lives, as a wave of modernization threatens to dispel the very traditions they hold dear.
Ragtime (Aug. 2-28), directed by Will Pomerantz.
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& 
Shana Farr & Steve Ross: Let it Snow will take place both in-person and live streamed on Tues. Dec. 14 at 7 PM ET at NYC’s St. John’s in the Village (218 West 11th St.)
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Video: Lin-Manuel Miranda discusses his “Tick…Tick…Boom!” directorial process. (13:01)
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Art Lab will host a new concert series, The Muse Sessions, premiering Mon. Jan. 10 at 8:30 PM ET at NYC’s Birdland:
Damon Daunno, Shuler Hensley, Christiani Pitts, and Rachel York, performing songs by Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Stephen Sondheim, and more.
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A benefit concert presentation of Nice Work If You Can Get It will stream here Fri. Dec. 17 at 8 PM ET, to honor the memory of Rebecca Luker, who passed away in December 2020 from complications of ALS, hosted by Judy Kaye.
Donate here. All proceeds will benefit Project ALS.
Jesse Walker (Jimmy Winter), Ricky DeRosa (Cookie McGee), Dinanda Klaassen (Billie Bendix), Bemba Balsirow (Chief Berry), Estelle Balsirow (Duchess Estonia Dulworth), Serge Balsirow (Duke Mahoney), Helene Ciappetta (Millicent Winter), Cooper Grodin (Senator Max Evergreen), Lola Maltz (Jeannie Muldoon), and Haley Rice (Eileen Evergreen).