Today’s Highlights:
Hello Dolly, directed by Dominic Cooke, featuring Imelda Staunton (Dolly), Andy Nyman (Horace Vandergelder), Jenna Russell (Irene Molly), Tyrone Huntly (Barnaby Tucker), Harry Hepple (Cornelius Hackl), and Emily Lane (Minnie Fay), with Leo Abad, Craig Armstrong, Lindsay Atherton, Gemma Atkins, Alan Bradshaw, Jabari Braham, Kevin Brewis, Jenni Bowden, Daisy Boyles, Samara Casteallo, Olly Christopher, Brendan Cull, Hayley Diamond, Jacqueline Hughes, Ashlee Irish, Jodie Jacobs, Shirley Jameson, Paul Kemble, Emily Langham, Michael Lin, Amira Matthews, Laura Medforth, Matt Overfield, Tom Partridge, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Edwin Ray, Phil Snowden, Kraig Thornber, Gavin Wilkinson, and Liam Wrate, opens at the London Palladium.
A Little Night Music, directed by Hunter Foster, featuring Julia Murney (Desiree Armfeldt), Lora Lee Gayer (Countess Charlotte), Mike McGowan (Fredrik Egerman), Lauren Maria Medina (Anne Egerman), Lily Philbrook (Fredrika), Mike Schwitter (Frid), Steven Telsey (Henrik Egerman), Nik Walker (Count Carl-Magnus), Gianna Yanelli (Petra), Jennifer Allen Mrs. Segstrom), Colin Anderson (Mr. Erlanson), Lianne Marie Dobbs (Mrs. Anderson), Michael Halling (Mrs. Lindquist), and Lillie Langston (Mrs. Nordstrom), with Scarlett Thomas, Whitney Daniels, Chad Marge, and Francesca Mehrotra, opens at ME’s Ogunquit Playhouse.
A Celebration of the life of composer Steven Lutvak concert(who died last year at the age of 64), at 3 PM at NYU’s Skirball Center. 
here.
Broadway in Bryant Park free concert, featuring Adi Roy, Sonya Balsara, Michael James Scott, Tshidi Manye, Gilbert Domally, Jacqueline René, Ben Jeffrey, Jim Ferris, Charissa Hogeland and Chad Burris, at 3:30 PM at NYC’s Bryant Park.
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David Foster, Susan Birkenhead & Bob Martin’s BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical will begin previews Mar. 11, 2025 and open Apr. 5 at the Broadhurst Theatre, directed & choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, with music direction by Andrew Resnick.
Casting TBA.
The musical follows Betty as her dream of an ordinary day off from being a super-celebrity in her black-and-white world leads to an adventure of color, music, and love in New York City—one that reminds her and the world, “You are capable of amazing things.”
Video: Highlights from the pre-Broadway production in Chicago.
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Marin Ireland’s Pre-Existing Condition has been extended through Aug. 17 at Off-Broadway’s Connelly Theater, directed by Maria Dizzia.
Marine Ireland (through Aug. 17) and Edie Falco (Aug. 6-17)
The play explores the challenges, shared community, and everyday indignities of learning to move forward after a life-altering, harmful relationship.
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The Laurie Beechman Theatre will permanently close in August, on a date TBA. The decision was made due to the high cost of conducting business and the continuing fallout from the pandemic.
Originally opened in 1983 as the West Bank Cafe Downstairs Theater Bar, the space was renamed for late Broadway and cabaret icon Laurie Beechman following her death in 1998, at the age of 44. The theatre, located at 42nd Street and 9th Avenue, has long served as one of NYC’s most prominent cabaret venues, hosting play readings, concerts, and more over its long run. Notably, comedian Joan Rivers used to work out material with regular shows at the space, including the final performance she gave before her 2014 death.
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Young Frankenstein will run Aug. 1 – 25 (opening Aug. 3) at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre, directed & choreographed by Gerry McIntyre.
Sean Bell (The Monster), Aaron Choi (Hermit), Veanne Cox (Frau Blücher), Matthew Hydzik (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), James Romney (Igor), Kyla Stone (Inga, and Aléna Watters (Elizabeth Benning), with Savannah Cooper, Bradley William Gibbins, Brady Miller, Linda Neel, Christina Emily Jackson, Cullen J. Zeno.
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Simply Barbara: The Book Tour, starring Steven Brinberg, will take place Wed. Oct. 16 at 8:30 PM at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club.
The event will pay tribute to the 40th Anniversary of “Yentl,” the 50th Anniversary of “The Way We Were,” and the 60th Anniversary of Funny Girl on Broadway.
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The Merchant of Venice 1936 will return Dec. 28 – Jan. 25, 2025 at the Trafalgar Theatre, directed by Brigid Larmour.
Tracy-Ann Oberman (Shylock) and more TBA.
The production transports the bard’s classic to 1930s Britain, where tensions in London’s East End are rising, and its inhabitents are close to breaking point. When Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists voice their plan a march through the Jewish neighborhood, the fragile peace threatens to shatter. Shylock, a widow, single mother and survivor of attacks on Jewish people in Russia, runs a small business from her home in Cable Street. The industrious and resilent refugee is desperate to protect her daughter’s future, at any cost. When the charming merchant Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high-stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her vengeance, and if she does, who will pay the ultimate price?
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Tina Landay, Date Diaz & Idina Menzel’s Redwood will begin previews Jan. 24 and open Feb. 13 at the Nederlander Theater, directed by Tina Landau.
Idina Menzel (Jesse) and more TBA.
Jesse, a successful businesswoman, mother, and wife, seems to have it all — although her heart is broken. At a turning point, Jesse leaves everyone behind, gets in her car, and drives to the ancient forests of Northern California, where a chance meeting and a leap of faith change her life forever.
Audio: Idina Menzel performs “Great Escape from Redwood”
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A national tour of David Lindsay-Abaire & Jeanine Tesori’s Kimberly Akimbo will launch Sept. 22 at the Denver Center, with choreography by Danny Mefford. Click here for additional information.
Carolee Carmello, and more TBA.
Based on David Lindsay-Abaire & ‘s 2000 play of the same name, the piece follows Kimberly Levaco, a New Jersey teenager with a rare disorder that causes her to age four times faster than normal.
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Virginia Stage Company has announced its 2024-25 season:
Arsenic and Old Lace (Sept. 4-22), directed by Nicolas Minas.
Dracula (Oct. 16 – Nov. 3), by Kate Hamill)
A Sherlock Carol (Dec. 4-29), directed by Steve Pacek.
A Merry Little Christmas Carol (Dec. 8-23)
Fat Ham (Jan. 29 – Feb. 16, 2025)
Little Shop of Horrors (Mar. 12-30)
Every Brilliant Little Thing (local tour Aug. 20-23)
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The Marvelous Marilyn Maye will take place Tues. Dec. 3 at 8:30 PM at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club.
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Darko Tresnjak & Oran Eldor’s Ask for the Moon will run July 19 – Aug. 11 (opening Aug. 7) at CT’s Goodspeed, directed by Tresnjak, with choreography by Karla Puno Caria, and music direction Ian Axness.
Ali Ewoldt (Charlotte St. Clair), Luba Mason (Helene Huber), Alex Dreschke (Body Double), and Jamison Stern (Schroeder/Persimmon/Micha/Grider).
Set sail on the Jewel of the Sea ocean liner with a scheming widow, a vengeful lawyer, and a volatile nurse. Enjoy the vocal stylings of Misha and Grisha, the squabbling Carpathian twins. Get the latest fashion tips from Persimmon De Vol, stylist par excellence. But only venture into the Poseidon Suite at your own peril.
Video. In rearsal.
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John Lloyd Young: Unchained Melodies will take place Tues. Aug. 20 at 8:30 PM at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club.