Today’s Highlights:
* Incidental Moments of the Day world premiere virtual reading, written & directed by Richard Nelson, featuring Stephen Kunken (Tim), Sally Murphy (Jane), Maryann Plunkett (Barbara), Laila Robins (Marian), Jay O. Sanders (Richard), and Charlotte Bydwell (Lucy), streams at 7:30 PM ET here (and available through Nov. 5).
* Live & In Color presents Days of Re-Creation, a seven-part series of short plays: Karens by BD Wong, The Strong Friend, and Company (Sky and Water) by Masi Asare, SoilMates by SEVAN, To the Stars, With Love by Nandita Shenoy (Rage Play), The Nerd by Lauren Yee, S.C.R.I by AriDy Nox, and La Egoista by Erlina Ortiz, directed by Andréa Burns, Dennis Corsi, Tiffany Nichole Greene, Devanand Janki, Alan Muraoka, and Aneesh Sheth, and featuring Sherz Aletaha, Anastasia Barzee, Jonathan Burke, Kimberly Chatterjee, Cindy Cheung, Marc delaCruz, Angel Desai, Jared Dixon, Linedy Genao, Kai Heath, Kennedy Kanagawa, Lacretta, L Morgan Lee, Brandi Porter, Gabriela Cristina Rivera, Sushma Saha, SEVAN, Jason Veasey, C. Kelly Wright, and Sunny the cat, streams at 7 PM ET here.
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Video: “Best of Stars in the House” (1:27:22)
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Chicago’s Goodman Theatre will present Cheryl L. West’s adaptation of Fannie Lou Hamer, Speak On It! Sept. 17 – Oct. 3 at nine outdoor locations, directed by Henry Godinez.
E. Faye Butler
How “woke to the vote” are we, nearly 60 years after the Voting Rights Act demolished those discriminatory barriers that kept people of color from exercising their civil liberty? There is courage in the face of fire, hope in tomorrow, and we all have a stake in our country.
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Video: Robbie Fairchild looks back at his Miscast 2018 experience, dancing “Let Me Dance for You” from A Chorus Line.
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“Ratched,” starring Sarah Paulson, will be released on Sept. 18 on Netflix.
Video: Final trailer
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Broadway Treats: A Canine and Kitty Rescue Production, in support of Animal Lighthouse Rescue, will stream on Sun. Sept. 20 at 8 PM ET, hosted by Alexa Cepeda. 
here.
Eva Noblezada, James Monroe Iglehart, Mare Winningham, Ashley Park, Solea Pfeiffer, Ryan Vasquez, Colton Ryan, Austin Scott, Aaron Alcaraz, Kathryn Allison, Isa Briones, Jordan Brown, Chaundre Hall-Broomfield, Julia Harriman, Dorcas Leung, and Jonalyn Saxer.
ALR rescues cats and satos (stray dogs) from Puerto Rico with their sister shelter in Puerto Rico (El Faro de los Animales) and a dedicated team of volunteers in NYC, ALR helps homeless cats and dogs find their forever home.
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RIP: Dame Diana Rigg has passed away at the age of 82.
Rigg played Emma Peel in the TV series “The Avengers “(1965-68), Countess Teresa di Vicenzo, wife of James Bond, in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969) and Olenna Tyrell in “Game of Thrones” (2013-17).
She has also had a career in theatre, including playing the title role in Medea, both in London and New York, for which she won the 1994 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She was made a CBE in 1988 and a Dame in 1994 for services to drama.
Rigg made her professional stage debut in 1957 in The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1959. She made her Broadway debut in the 1971 production of Abelard & Heloise.
Her film roles include Helena in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (1968), Lady Holiday in “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), and Arlena Marshall in “Evil Under the Sun” (1982). Rigg won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for the BBC miniseries “Mother Love” (1989), and an Emmy Award for her role as Mrs. Danvers in an adaptation of “Rebecca” (1997). Her other television credits include “You, Me and the Apocalypse” (2015), “Detectorists” (2015), and the “Doctor Who” episode “The Crimson Horror” (2013) with her daughter, Rachael Stirling.
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The 2020 Horton Foote Prize has been awarded to Lloyd Suh for his play The Chinese Lady.
The play follows the true story of Afong Moy, one of America’s first female Chinese immigrants who was subsequently made a carnival attraction. The prize includes a $50,000 reward.
Awarded since 2010, the biennial prize is named in honor of the late playwright, and recognizes excellence in American theatre.
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RIP: Dramatist Ronald Harwood died of natural causes on Sept. 8 at the age of 85.
Born in Cape Town on Nov. 9, 1934, Harwood studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before becoming a writer. His first novel, “All the Same Shadows,” was published in 1961. His first screenplay, “Private Potter,” followed in 1962.
Plays include March Hares (1964), The Dresser (1982, Tony nomination), Taking Sides (Broadway 1996), Quartet, Tea With Stalin, Ivanov, The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold, and more. Harwood earned Olivier nominations for Quartet, Taking Sides, and The Dresser.
Screenwriting accolades include “The Pianist,” The Dresser,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” “Australia,” “Oliver Twist,” “Being Julia,” “Love in the Time of Cholera,” and more.
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Monica L. Patton & Robert “Bobby” Daye’s D!scomfort is currently in development, directed by Tamara Tunie.
Timeline, casting, and additional information TBA.
Set in present-day Louisiana, the musical spotlights the Dejoies, an old-money family torn apart by greed, addiction, undiagnosed mental illness, and a family secret.
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Sean Hayes & Todd Milliner will create a one-hour drama series, “The Stratford” for NBC.
Timelines, casting, and additional information TBA.
Inspired by the Bard, the series will offer a contemporary look at some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters, set within a luxury hotel as a young man hunts for his father’s killer.
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iViva Broadway! Hear Our Voices, in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month, will stream Thurs. Oct. 1 at 8 PM ET here (and available through Oct. 5), directed & choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, and hosted by Andréa Burns. Proceeds will go to BC/EFA and Broadway Bridges.
Performances from Broadway musicals and new works: Arrabal, Passing Through, and Kiss My Aztec!
Lucie Arnaz, Gloria Estefan, John Leguizamo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda, Chita Rivera, Antonio Banderas, Christopher Jackson, Karen Olivo, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Olga Merediz, Carlos Gomez, Luis Salgado, Anthony Ramos, Nina LaFarga, Eliseo Román, Seth Stewart, Quiara Alegria Hudes, Moisés Kaufman, Matthew Lopez, Josh Segarra, Benjamin Velez, Gloria Estefan, John Leguizamo, Luis Miranda, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Thalia, Angelica Beliard, Chad Carstarphen, KC de la Cruz, Zachary Infante, Yani Marim, Jesús E. Martinez, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Joél Pérez, Al Rodrigo, Desireé Rodriguez, Richard Henry Ruiz, Yassmin Alers, Natalie Caruncho, Henry Gainza, Linedy Genao, Carlos E. Gonzalez, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Christopher Hernandez. Emmanuel López Alonso, Omar Lopez-Cepero, Hector Maisonet, Anthony Lee Medina, Marielys Molina, Doreen Montalvo, Christie Prades, Carmen Sanchez, Martín Solá, Eric Ulloa, Vajen Van Den Bosch, and Tanairi Sade Vasquez.
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Houston’s TUTS has rescheduled its 2020-21 season, due to Covid-19:
* Come From Away (May 18-30)
* Rock of Ages (Aug. 10-22)
* 1776 (Sept. 28 – Oct. 10), direct from Broadway
* Sister Act (Nov. 2-14)
* The Little Mermaid (Dec. 7-24)
* South Pacific (Feb. 8-20, 2022)
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“A Chorus Crime,” by Kevin Hammonds, Drew Paryzer, Caroline Prugh & Jacob Thompson, an interactive digital theatrical experience, will take place Sept. 18 & 24, both at 8 PM ET here.
Jennifer Babiak, Samantha Blain, Lynn Craig, Kim Morgan Dean, Michael Indeglio, Michael Pilato, Mary Stout, and Olivia White, with Jacob Thompson as the MC.
Travel back in time to 1976 to help detective Sydney Styles solve a murder mystery, as the gossip columnist and amateur sleuth finds herself in the middle of another murder when a costume mistress is offed by a chorus girl — but which one is the killer? It’s up to you to help crack the case. As you make your way through acting classes, voice lessons—and even the gym—you are given the chance to question each suspect. In addition, for each dance move, acting tip, and vocal scale you master, you will unlock more information that will help reveal the murderer.
In order for the interactive component to work, audiences use a web-based software called Gamiotics (not an app), designed by Dave Keane, which allows for real-time interaction during the course of the show using smartphones as they watch the performance unfold on Zoom.
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MD’s Olney Theatre Center has offered a virtual version of The Humans, directed by Aaron Posner, and filmed with actors in 6 different locations. The play may be streamed through Oct. 4.
Dani Stoller (Brigid), Jonathan Faviv (Richard), Mictchell Hébert (Erik), Sherri L. Edelen (Deirdre), Kimberly Gilbert (Aimee), and Catie Flye (Fiona)
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CT’s Goodspeed Theatricals have announced its 2-show 2021 season:
* South Pacific (June 11 – Aug. 22, 2021), directed by Rob Ruggiero. More here.
* Anne of Green Gables (Sept. 10 – Nov. 14, 2021), by Matte O’Brien & Matt Vinson, directed by Jenn Thompson. More here.
The theatre has made special arrangements with the unions representing the actors, directors, choreographers and designers to allow us to record our shows and make them available for members, subscribers and single ticket buyers to watch online.
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Musical Theatre West presents its Great American (Virtual) Songbook Sing-A-long on Fri. Sept. 11 at 7 PM PT (and rebroadcast on Wed. Sept. 16 after 3 PM PT).
Paul Garman, Julie Garnyé, Michael Scott Harris, Jeffrey Landman, Barry Pearl, Adam Wylie, and many more.
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John Caird & Paul Gordon’s Estella Scrooge will be released just in time for Christmas (exact date and link TBA), directed by Caird, with music supervision by Brad Haak, and choreography by Natalie Lamonte.
The musical will be digitally captured live, using green-screen technology, intricate story-boarding, and virtual sets.
Betsy Wolfe (Estella), Clifton Duncan (Philip Nickleby), Patrick Page (Mr. Merdle), Carolee Carmello (Marla Havisham), Danny Burstein (Ebenezer Scrooge), Megan McGinnis (Betty Cratchit), Lauren Patten (Dawkins), Adam Hapin (Bob Cratchit), Sarah Litzsinger (Sissy Jupe), Tom Nelis (Dedlock), EM Grosland (Smike), Phoenix Best (Charity/Mercy), David Bryant (Mr. Podsnap), Gabrerille Reid (Mrs. Pumblechook), Samual Lee Roberts (Mr. Flopson), Michael Francis McBride (Mr. Dombey), Michele Lee (Mrs. Noggs), Kristen Faith Oei (Ms. Skiffins), William Youmans (Magwitch/Bagstock), Kevyn Morrow (Jasper Jagers), Brooklin Shuck (young Essy), Joziyah Jean-Felix (Young Pip), and Willow McCarthy (Tiny Tammy).
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Disney+ will air “Once Upon a Snowman,” with Josh Gad again as Olaf, beginning Oct. 23.
The film will follow Olaf’s first steps as he comes to life and searches for his identity in the show mountains outside Arendelle.
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Video: James Monroe Iglehart, Javier Munos and Lexi Lawson perform “Satisfied” from Hamilton… at Miscast 2018
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Article: “Bernie Telsey on 20 years of Miscast”