GRACE NOTES: Thursday, May 21, 2026

 

Today’s Highlights:

 

  Can I Be Frank, written & performed by Morgan Bassichis, directed by Sam Pinkleton, opens at Off-Broadway’s SoHo Playhouse.

 

  Romeo and Juliet, directed by Bryn Boice, featuring Evan Danyliw (Romeo/Gregory), Anna Kate Gossett (Juliet/Balthasar), Kandyce Whittingham (as Friar/Lord Montague), Alexandra White (Nurse/Lady Montague), Kayla Sessoms (Mercutio/Prince/Abraham), Sandy Clancy (Lady Capulet/Page), Alex Leondedis (Lord Capulet), Nicolas Bolton (Benvolio/Friar John), Dani Grace Nissen (Tybalt/Apothecary), and Sofonyas (Paris/Sampson), opens at Boston’s Commonwealth Shakespeare Company.

 

  Crossing Delancey, by Susan Sandler, directed by Jonathan Fahn. featuring Ari Hagler, Matt Landig, Sharron Shayne, Holly Sidell, and Amy Tolsky, opens at LA’s Theatre 40.

 

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  Beaches, by Iris Rainer Dart, Thom Thomas & Mike Stoller, directed Lonny Price & Matt Cowart, will close Sun. May 24 at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre, after 32 previews and 84 regular performances.

 

  Jessica Vosk (Cee Cee Bloom) and Kelli Barrett (Bertie White), with Samantha Schwartz (Little Cee Cee), Zeya Grace (Little Bertie), Bailey Ryon (Teen Cee Cee),  Emma Ogea Teen Bertie), Ben Jacoby (Michael Barron), and Brent Thiessen (John Perry).

 

  Although the Broadway run is ending early, a national tour is slated to launch in 2027.

 

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  Video: Sizzle reel for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at PA’s Bucks County Playhouse, directed by Eric Rosen. The production continues through May 17.

 

 Elizabeth A. Davis (Margaret), Lucas Dixon (Brick), Wayne Duball (Big Daddy), Kate Levy (Big Mama), Tony Roach (Gooper), Bree Elrod (Mae), Gene Gillette (Dcotor Gaugh), and David Stiler (Reverend Tooker).

 

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   Singularities and Safety Pins, written & performed by Carmella Riley, will take place June 13 & 20 at Burbank’s Colony Theatre, directed by Jennifer Green.

 

 A woman uses humor and science to help her navigate a look back at her mother’s battle with cancer. This solo show explores themes of grief, loss and the perils of motherhood.

 

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   TheaterWorks Hartford will present Drag 2026 on Sun. June 14 at 7 PM.

 

   Jane Don’t, Robin Fierce, and more TBA.

 

  A one night event featuring music, dance, and storytelling.

 

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   Group Rep will present John Grisham’s A Time to Kill (adapted by Rupert Holmes) May 22 – June 28 atNorth Hollywood’s Lonny Chapman Theatre, directed by Tom Lazarus.

 

  Patrick Anthony, Reed Michael Campbell, Dominic Ryan Gabriel, Jennifer C. Holmes, Hudson Long, Michael C.Mahon, Adam Mattson, Rosney Mauger, Sherrick O’Quinn, Anica Petrovic, James, Lawrence Powell, Steve Rozic, Mark Stancato, Neil Thompson, Sandra Tucker,Troy Whitaker and Steve Young.

 

  The story of a young, idealistic-and-untested lawyer, Jake Brigance, defending a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, for taking the law into his own hands following an unspeakable crime committed against his young daughter. Grisham has described his novel as “very autobiographical,” and the drama is based on a case he witnessed where a 12-year-old victim gave the most harrowing testimony he had ever heard.

 

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    John Lithgow will receive the 13th Annual John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the 80th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony on Tues. June 2 at Broadway’s Longacre Theatre.

 

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  The Ethel Merman Disco Project with Carly Ozard & Friends will take place Fri. June 19 at 7 PM at NYC’s Green Room 42, with music direction by Darnell White.

 

  Carly Ozard, Darnell White, and more TBA.

 

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   The 2026 Fire Island Dance Festival, in support of  Dancers Responding to AIDS will run July 18–19 at Fire Island Pines, NY.

 

Click here for the for the complete schedule and additional information.  Tickets are also available here.

 

 The festival returns this summer to its awe-inspiring waterfront stage, featuring three world premieres from celebrated artists and the festival debut of one of the world’s preeminent ballet choreographers. Enjoy the  diverse and dynamic performances unfold on a sweeping stage overlooking the Great South Bay.

 

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  Steven Brinberg presents his latest Simply Barbra show celebrating the 50th anniversary of “A Star is Born,” on Mon. June 29 at 8 PM at NYC’s Green Room 42 with musical director Christopher Denny.

 

  TBA.

 

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   There’s Something Seriously Wrong with Cyrus: How I Went from a Hot Mess to a Hot Bitch, written by & performed by Cyrus Deboo, will run June 7 & 13 – June 21 at the Zephyr Theatre ( 7456 Melrose Avenue), directed by Lynn Johnson.

 

  Cyrus Deboo is the son of traditional immigrant parents, a father from India and a mother from Iran. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he becomes aware that his family is different from other families. He is also aware that he is different than most of the other boys around him. They want to play football; He wants to dress and dance like Madonna. He has to confront homophobia: his own and other people’s. As he becomes more aware of his sexuality, he finds himself socially awkward with both straight and gay people. But, he has friends who love and guide him through his young years. Eventually, he’ll meet one special guy. Will Cyrus’ very traditional parents accept who he has become? More importantly, will Cyrus accept who he has become?

 

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   A free reading of Douglas Lyons’ Pure Glitter will take place Sat. May 23 at 7:30 PM at West Hollywood’s’s LGBT Center, directed byEmerson Collins.

 

Guillermo Diaz (Stan), Adrián Javier (Tony), Rory O’Malley (Blair), Jean E.S. Powell ( Rance), Chris Renfro (Niko), and Barrett Foa (Dwight).

 

  The play explores the messy, beautiful bonds of chosen family.

 

  Click here to donate to the Trans Continental Pipeline.

 

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   Jesus Christ  Superstar, directed by Tatiana Pandiani, continues through Aug. 9 at CT.’s Goodspeed, directed by Tatiana Pandiani.

 

  Justin Matthew Sargent (Jesus), Austin Lesch (Judas), Stephanie Zaharis (Mary), Devin Kolluri (Pilate), Nicolette Antonia Shin (King Herod), Jamar Darling (Caiaphas), Jamari Darling (Caiaphas), and Kevin Trinio Perdido (Annas), with  Jordan Alexander, Elijah Dawson, Jack Hale, Michael James, Eleni Kontzamanys, Alex Lauren, Kathy Liu, Adam Mandala, Thabitha Moruthane, Mikaela Rada, Matthew Saggiomo, Garrick Vaughan, Dakota Hoar, Selena Robinson,

 

 

 

 

 


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