Today’s Highlights:
Prelude to a Kiss, world premiere by Craig Lucas, Sean Haartley & Daniel Messé, directed by David Ivers, featuring Hannah Corneau (Rita), Jonathan Gillard Daly (Julius), Julie Garnyé (Leah), Jimmie “J.J.” Jeter (Taylor), James Moye (Rita’s Dad), Chris McCarrell (Peter), DeAnne Stewart (Angie), and Karen Ziemba (Rita’s Mom), with Bella Hicks, Robert Knight, Caroline Pernick, Tristan J. Shuler. Rachel Lykins and Robert Zelaya, begins previews at Costa Mesa’s South Coast Rep.
High Maintenance, world premiere by Peter Ritt, directed by Stan Zimmerman, featuring Tommy Dickie (Thesbot Prime), Kris Frost (Alan), Alex Ingram (Samm), Ivy Khan (Laura), Merrick McCartha (Gus), Christian Prentice (Roger), and Tamiyka White (Vera), begins previews at North Hollywood’s Road on Magnolia.
The Fabulous Invalid readings, by Drew Droege, performed by Drew Droege, Eric Patrick Harper, Max Jenkins, Matthew Wilkas, and Pete Zias, conclude at Off-Broadway’s SoHo Playhouse.
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The previously announced Broadway debut of creator & director Gerald Alessandrini’s Forbidden Broadway on Broadway: Merrily We Stole a Song will arrive at the Hayes Theatre a little earlier than originally announced. Previews are now set to begin July 15 ahead of an Aug. 5 opening night. The limited run is expected to close Nov. 1.
In addition to a 5-member cast (TBA), the production will also welcome weekly guest stars.
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A pre-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends will run Feb 8 – Mar. 9, 2025 (opening Feb. 13) at LA’s Ahmanson Theatre, devised by Cameron Mackintosh and directed by Matthew Bourne & Julia McKenzie, with choreography by Stephen Mear. The Broadway production will begin previews Mar. 25, 2025 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, and more TBA.
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Oedipus, newly adapted by Ella Hickson, will run Jan. 21 – Mar. 29 (opening Feb. 4), 2025 at the Old Vic, co-directed by Matthew Warchus & Hofesh Shechter, with choreography by Shechter,
Rami Malek and Indira Varma.
The classic tale follows King Oedipus, tasked by his subjects to avenge the murder of the old King Laius in hopes that it will fulfill an oracle’s prophecy.
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Gingold Theatrical Group will present a script-in-hand performance of Noel Coward’s I’ll Leave it to You on Mon. Apr. 29 at 7 PM at Symphony Space, directed by David Staller.
Veanne Cox (Mrs. Anne Dermott), Dan Domingues (Oliver Dermott), Evie Shuckman (Evangeline Dermott), Susannah Perkins (Sylvia Dermott, Vishaal Reddy (Bobbie Dermott), Daniel Davis (Thomas Jay Ryan), Susan Cella (Mrs. Crombie), Devin Kessler (Faith Crombie), Aaron Lee Battle (Narrator: Griggs)
Left a widow with four grown-up children, Mrs. Dermot turns to her mysterious brother Dan for help. Uncle Dan arrives to find an idle family ready to live on his money. He announces that he is doomed to die in three years and that he will leave his money to the member of the family who has made good by then. Each sets to with such determination that Oliver becomes a successful inventor, Evangeline a novelist, Bobbie a composer and Sylvia a film star; even Joyce, finishing her school career, distinguishes herself. Now he tells the family his riches are a myth and his previous announcement was only a means to raise the family from lethargy. Sylvia alone sees Uncle Dan’s wisdom and berates the others for their narrow-minded attitude. At heart, they are all genuinely attached to the wily uncle.
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Songbook Sundays: It Might As Well Be Rodgers & Hammerstein will take place Sun. Apr. 21 at 5 & 7:30 PM at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, with music direction by Tedd Firth.
Karrin Allyson, Jenn Gambatese and Tyreek McDole.
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Christina Hamm’s Nina Simone: Four Women will run Apr. 16 – May 12 at Milwaukee Rep, directed by Malkia Stampley, with music direction by Malkia Stampley & Pamela Baskin-Watson.
Alexis J Roston (Nina Simone), Matthew Harris (Sam), Gabrielle Lott-Rogers (Sarah), Brittney Mack (Sweet Thing), and Toni Martin (Sephronia).
The creator of some of our nation’s most powerful Civil Rights anthems, Nina Simone shook the world with her music. After the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Simone’s tribute song “Four Women” transformed her from gifted pianist to trailblazing activist, charting a new course as an agent of change and healing.
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The Troubies will present Duran DurAntony & Cleopatra June 7-16 at Burbank’s Colony Theatre.
Are you feeling HUNGRY LIKE A WOLF For one of Shakespeare’s most NOTORIOUS tragedies, Antony & Cleopatra – combined with the music of 80’s WILD BOYS, Duran Duran? Watch the Troubies COME UNDONE as they tell the twisted tale of love, lust, and sharp objects where the RIO GRANDE becomes the Nile
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Red Bull Theater‘s Macbeth will offer workshop performances Apr. 20 (7:30 PM) & 21 (2 PM) at the Sheen Center, directed by Nathan Winkelstein.
Jason Bown, Jason C. Brown, Stephen Moyer, Kristine Nielsen, Jason O’Connell, Olivia Reis, Miriam Silverman, Derek Smith, Zuzanna Szadkowski, Raphael Nash Thompson, and Ayana Workman.
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Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Tim Maner & Alan Steven Hewitt’s Lizzie the Musical will run Oct. 17 – Nov. 10 (opening Oct. 20) at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, directed & choreographed by William Whelton. Casting TBA.
The musical explores the life of Lizzie Borden.
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Broadway Podcast Network, co-founded by Dori Berinstein & Ala Seales, has launched its new website and listening platform.
With over 180 theatre and theatre-adjacent podcasts, audio dramas, parodies, radio plays, live video events, and more, BPN is deeply engaged with avid theatre goers globally, having recently surpassed 11 million downloads.
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Maryland’s Olney Theatre has announced its 2024-25 season:
Eisenhower: This Piece o Ground (Sept. 27 – Oct. 20), by Richard Hellesen, directed by Peter Ellenstein, performed by John Rubinstein.
Frozen (Oct. 24 – Jan. 5, 2025), directed by Alan Muraoka, with choreography by Kelly Crandall d’Amboise, starring Awa Sal Secka (Elsa) and Alex Bard (Anna)
A Christmas Carol (Nov. 29 – Dec. 29), a solo adaptation written & performed by Paul Morella.
Waitress (Feb. 13 – Mar. 30), directed & choreographed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Sleepova (Mar. 26 – Apr. 27): by Matilda Feyisayo, and directed by Paige Hernandez. The work is about four Black British teenagers and their sleepover parties.
Little Miss Perfect world premiere (June 15-22), by Joriah Kwamé, directed by Zhailon Levingston. The story of high school senior Noelle, who is expecting to achieve nothing less than perfection against all odds.
Kim’s Convenience (June 25 – July 27), by Ins Choi.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (July 17 – Aug. 10), adapted by Ben Cunis & Paata Tsikurishvili, directed by Tsikurishvili. In Synetic’s version of the play, two pairs of love-drunk teens happen upon a band of aspiring actors and more than a little fairy dust.
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Linus Karp’s Diana: the Untold and Untrue Story will run Apr. 17 – May 5 at the Kings Head Theatre, directed by Karp.
Linus Karp (Diana), Camilla Joseph Martin (Charles), Camilla Joseph Martin (Charles and Camilla), Geri Allen (The Queen), and Zina Badran as God.
A camp portrayal of The People’s Princess and the other royals, highlighting Diana’s groundbreaking stances on social and queer issues.