Today’s Highlights:
The Keep Going Songs, by The Bengsons, directed by Caitlin Sullivan, featuring Abigail Bengson and Shaun Bengson, opens at Lincoln Center’s Claire Tow Theater.
Theater Breaking Through Barriers’ I Ought to Be in Pictures, by Neil Simon, directed by Nicholas Viselli, featuring Makenzie Morgan Gomez (Libby), Pamela Sabaugh (Steffy), and Chris Thorn (Herb), opens at Off-Broadway’s Theatre Row.
The Hope Theory, world premiere written & performed by master illusionist Helder Guimarãese, opens at LA’s Geffen Playhouse.
Distractions at the Crash Site: Short Plays by Steve Yockey, directed by Ryan Bergmann, featuring Lisa Clifton, Krista Conti, Henry Cruz, Cat Davis, Grace Eboigbe, Sierra Marcks, Ron Morehouse, Trevor Olsen, Gabby Sanalitro, and Joel Scher, with Rebecca Light, opens at Hollywood’s Theatre of NOTE.
Jeff Daniels: A Man in Full conversation, at 8 PM at NYC’s 92NY.
MCC Theater‘s Miscast24 benefit concert, honoring Jason Robert Brown and Nicole Suazo, featuring Gavin Creel, Leslie Rodriguez, Brian D’arcy James, Lea Salonga, Ingrid Michaelson, Ryan Vasquez, Wayne Brady, Amber Iman, Mykal Kilgor, and Jinkx Monsoon, concludes its on-demand streaming broadcasts at 7 PM.
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MA’s Williamstown Theatre‘s Festival 2024 will run July 12 – Aug.2, offering developmental readings and workshops.
Too much to post here. Click the link above for the complete schedule of events.
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The world premiere of Rob Ulin’s Judgement Day continues through May 26 at Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel.
Jason Alexander (Sammy Campo), Daniel Breaker (Father Michael) and Candy Buckley (Angel), with Maggie Bofill (Tracy), Olivia Denise Dawson (Della), Joe Dempsey (Jackson), Michael Kostroff (Monsignor), Ellis Myers (Sammy/Casper), and Meg Thalken (Edna).
Sammy Campo is a staggeringly corrupt, morally bankrupt lawyer who’s threatened with eternal damnation by a terrifying angel after a near-death experience. In a desperate attempt to redeem himself, Sammy forms an unlikely bond with a Catholic priest who is having his own crisis of faith. people any damn good?” Filled with razor-sharp wit, this deliciously devious comedy rollicks through the timeless questions of Western philosophy—“morality,” “faith,” and “Are people any damn good?”
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We’re Not Your Cup of Tea, a fundraiser for LA’s Theatre West and Asian American Drug Addiction Program for this AAPI Heritage Month, will take place Sat. May 11 at 8PM.
Evie Abat, Cyndy Fujikawa, Marcel Licera, Meg Lin, Pamela Najera, Apoorva, and Xtina.
By fusing the power of storytelling with advocacy, these artists aim to tackle critical issues and celebrate the vibrant diversity of the Asian American community. This collaboration isn’t just about entertainment, it’s about empowerment.
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Broadway Cares’ Red Buckets Spring Fundraising Competition, which saw 45 Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring shows raise funds through audience appeals over a six-week period, brought in a whopping $4,702,394.
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CT’s Westport Country Playhouse has announced its 2024-25 season:
The 29 Steps (Oct. 22 – Nov. 9), adapted by Patrick Barlow.
A Sherlock Carol (Dec. 17-22), by Mark Shanahan.
Broadway Scores at the Playhouse concert (Jan. 23-26, 2025)
Native Gardens (Feb. 18 – Mar. 25), by Karen Zacarias.
Theater People (Mar. 25 – Apr. 12), by Paul Slade Smith.
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The world premiere of Ben Decter & Kristin Hanggi’s It’s All Your Fault, Tyler Price! will run Nov. 7 – Dec. 15 at Hollywood’s Hudson Theatre, directed by Hanggi.
Casting TBA.
The play follows Jackson, a middle school boy with big feelings who’s in big trouble after punching his bullying classmate, Tyler Price, for mocking his sister, Lucy, after she sings about wanting a bat mitzvah. Lucy attends the same school, but in the special day class. She has epilepsy and related learning challenges – lots of them. Jackson’s principal insists Jackson explain himself to the entire school in order to avoid expulsion. With music he steals from his composer dad, Jackson stages a scrappy, heartfelt musical. Through each family member’s bravery, we watch healing begin for all.
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An unauthorized parody reading of Mommie Dearest will take place Tues. May 14 at 7:30 PM at Hollywood’s Celebration Theatre, adapated by Nathan Frizzell, and directed by Alli Miller.
Sam Pancake (Faye Dunaway is Joan Crawford), and Jonnie Reinhart (Christina Crawford), with Nathan Frizzell and Daniele Gaither.
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Barry Edelstein’s world premiere adaptation of Henry VI, Parts I, II, and III, will run June 30 – Sept. 14 (opening July 19) at San Diego’s Old Globe, directed by Edelstein.
Elizabeth A. Davis (Margaret), William DeMeritt (York), Sofia Jean Gomez (Warwick), Mahira Kakkar (Eleanor/Mortimer/ Iden, Ian Lassiter (Gloucester/Edward), Jake Millgard (Charles/Bolingbroke/King Louis), Keshav Moodliar (King Henry), Victor Morris (Salisbury), Gregg Mozgala (Suffolk/Richard), Mike Sears (Cardinal/Old Clifford/Father), Ella Serrano (Rutland), Tally Sessions (Talbot/ Cade), and Cassia Thompson (Joan/Prince Edward).
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KiKi Ebson: My Buddy: The Other Side of Oz will take place June 15 (at 7 PM) & June 16 (at 2 PM) at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre.
This funny, nostalgic, musical and emotionally moving tribute to a great dad and Hollywood icon. The ultra-entertaining music-infused show is about Buddy Ebsen, the beloved star of stage, TV, and films. Kiki promises most folks will see her father’s story as evocative for their own emotional trek with their dads.
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Leslie Uggams and Liz Callaway have joined the honorary Board at Off-Broadway’s York Theatre Company.
The join the current Board, which includes Lynn Ahrens, Gretchen Cryer, André De Shields, Stephen Flaherty, Nancy Ford, John Kander, Robert Kimball, Richard Maltby, Jr., Alan Menken, Austin Pendleton, Susan H. Schulman, Stephen Schwartz, David Shire, Elisa Loti Stein, Eric Stern, Susan Stroman, Betty Cooper Wallerstein, Lillias White, and Maury Yeston.
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Watch clips of the 2024 Tony nominated productions:
Video: Best Musicals
Video: Best Musical Revivals
Video: Best Revivals of a Play
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Your Lie in April – The Musical, by Frank Wildhorn, Riko Sakaguchi, Carly Robyn Green, & Tracy Miller, will run June 28 – Sept. 21 (opening July 5) at the Harold Pinter Theater, directed & choreographed by Nick Winston.
Casting TBA.
A romantic tearjerker, centering on young piano prodigy Kōsei Arima and his inability to play following his mother’s death. When Arima forms an unexpected friendship with violinist Kaori Miyazono, she slowly inspires him to perform again.
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My Buddy: The Other Side of Oz, written by & starring Kiki Ebsen, will run June 15-16 at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre.
This ultra-entertaining music-infused show is about Buddy Ebsen, the beloved star of stage, TV, and films. Kiki promises most folks will see her father’s story as evocative for their own emotional trek with their dads.
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Jeff Augustin & The Bengsons’ Where the Mountain Meets the Seas will run May 21 – July 7 at DC’s Signature Theatre, directed by Timothy Douglas.
Isaac “Deacon Izzy” Bell (Jonah) and Robert Cornelius (Jean).
After he learns of his estranged father’s death, a son recreates the cross-country trip his Haitian immigrant parents took before he was born. As he traces their journey across America, and bonds with the music his father adored, time blurs and erases the distance between them. Lyrical storytelling and an evocative folk score drive father and son to rediscover love, each other and their everlasting bond.
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The 25th anniversary revival of Reefer Madness will run May 30 – July 21 at LA’s The Whitley, directed & choreographed by Spencer LIff, with music direction by David Lamoureux
Anthony Norman (Jimmy Harper), Darcy Rose Byrnes (Mary Lane), J. Elaine Marcos ( Sally De Bain), and Nicole Parker (Mae Coleman).
