Today’s Highlights:
The House of Bernarda Alba, adapted by Alice Birch, directed by Rebecca Frecknall, featuring Harriet Walter (Bernarda Alba), Isis Hainsworth (Adela), Rosalind Eleazar (Angustias), and Thusitha Jayasundera (Poncia), Lizzie Annis ( Martirio), Pearl Chanda (Magdalena), Bryony Hannah (Maid), Marcia Lecky (Prudencia), Eileen Nicholas (Maria Josefa), and Eliot Salt (Ameila), with Esma Akar, Livia Court, Sicily Rose De Bernardini, Catharine Humphrys, Asha Kingsley, Celia Nelson, Ellouise Shakespeare-Hart, Georgia Silver, Imogen Mackie Walker, Charlotte Workman, James McHugh, and Michael Naylor, opens at London’s Lyttelton Theatre.
A Christmas Carol, directed by Mark Clements, featuring Matt Daniels (Scrooge), Jordan Anthony Arrendo (Fred), Mark Corkins (Ghost of Marley), Todd Denning (Ghost of Christmas Present), Carrie Hitchcock (Mrs. Fezziwig), Kevin Kantor (Young Scrooge), Reese Madigan (Bob Cratchit), James Pickering (Mr. Fezziwig), Rána Roman (Mrs. Cratchit), Aja Wiltshire (Belle) Tami Workentin (Ghost of Christmas Past), Savannah Carlson (Belinda Cratchit), Lex V. Crump (Martha Cratchit), Hannah Finley (Emily Cratchit), Scarlet Hirano (Want), Zoah Hirano (Sniffer/Ignorance), Ira Kindkeppel-Longden (Matthew Cratchit), Ziva Lavoe (Turkey Kid), Calvin Marks (Boy Scrooge), Phoebe Thompson (Teen Scrooge), Charlie Van Den Elzen (Peter Cratchit), Valentina Vega (Tiny Tim) and Jace White (Thomas), with Meadow Clouse, Willow Clouse, Isla Marks, Olivia Hinds, Nora Nelles, Lainey Techtmann, and Quinn Sison, opens at Milwaukee Rep.
The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical, by Dan Knechtges & Megan Larche Dominick, directed & choreographed by Dan Knechtges, featuring Julia Krohn (Cheryl), Brooke Wilson (Olga), Kevin Cooney Charlie), Nicolas Garza (Doug/Niles), and Kiara Caridad (Kelli), with Trey Lewis and Sophia Clarke, opens at Houston’s TUTS.
Having Our Say, by Emily Mann, directed by Laiona Michelle, featuring Inga Ballard (Sadie) and Rosalyn Coleman (Bessie), begins previews at NJ’s George Street Playhouse.
An Evening with Rainn Wilson event, at 8 PM at Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre.
“How Great Thou Art: A Sacred Celebration” concert, featuring Kristin Chenoweth, Patti LaBelle, Sani Patty, Will Liverman, Tyler Hughs, Haselden Ciaccio, Stephanie Duckworth, and Luke Frazier, airs at 8 PM on PBS (check local listings).
**********************
Ann Hampton Callaway & Liz Callaway: Yuletide Revelry will run Dec. 24-30 (livestreaming Dec. 27) at NYC’s 54 Below, with music direction by Alex Rybeck.
**********************
London’s Royal Court Theatre has announced the launch of its “Living Archive,” their first ever stand-alone online archive.
The digital archive holds information on every play which has ever been presented on the Royal Court stages from when it opened its doors in 1956 to the present day, totalling almost 2000 works by over 1000 writers.
The independent website will be accessible to all and can be navigated by users through pathways created by guest curator-writers. It has been designed to challenge preconceptions around what we archive, who gets to decide what is archived and how we mark historic projects. The site also features an interactive portal, where visitors are encouraged to contribute to the archive themselves.
Living Archive evolved out of Living Newspaper, a project the Royal Court undertook in 2020. Living Newspaper raised questions around the politics of archiving, and who gets to decide what is remembered. This led to a series of research and development performances which took place in the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs over two weeks in June 2022. The performances in turn led to the Living Archive website, which has been in development since last year. In line with the Royal Court’s commitment to supporting and developing writers, the archive is, in the first instance, being targeted at emerging writers. This will expand and grow with time.
**********************
Hanyak, written & performed by Tanna Frederick, will run Dec. 8-10 at Studio City’s Two Roads Theatre, directed by Jenny Sullivan.
The title Hanyak alludes to the Czech family roots of the story’s protagonist, a young woman from the Midwest who comes to Hollywood, like many others before her, in pursuit of a dream. She becomes involved creatively and romantically with a famous and accomplished older man. They make well-received arthouse films together. It’s a vibrant, glamorous life, until the day she must come to grips with the fact that there is a price to pay for the fulfillment of your Hollywood dreams.
**********************
Open-Door Playhouse will present Right Down Santa Clause Lane, written & directed by Ann Noble, which will debut Dec. 13 (link not yet live).
Kim Hlavac, Michael Perlmutter, Deidra Edwards, Rob Banks, and Rob Nagle.
Jeff McKnight, a ruthless corporate executive, discovers that firing the employees of his recently acquired company is not so easy as their Christmas spirit is way more ‘real’ than even his grinch-heart can handle.
**********************
“Making Shakespeare: The First Folio,” which offers the first published collection of William Shakespeare’s full plays, is available to watch here.
With only half of Shakespeare’s plays published before his death, often in inaccurate and incomplete versions, the First Folio is the first published collection of Experience the First Folio’s fascinating story and see how Off-Broadway’s Public Theater keeps Shakespeare alive for today’s audiences.
**********************
So Many Stars will run Dec. 2-10 (Saturdays at 8 PM / Sundays at 2 PM) at LA’s Theatre West, directed by Victoria Lavan.
Alyssa Rupert, Constance Mellors, Harleigh Ford, Michael Van Duzer, Paul Cady, Rick Simone-Friedland, Scottie Nevil, and Victoria Lavan.
Bryce Charles, Vertreace Sanders, Jaylen Ty’ron, and Charles Johnson
**********************
The new adult animated musical comedy, “Hazbin Hotel” will premiere Jan. 19, 2024 on Amazon Prime.
Erika Henningsen (Charlie Morningstar), Darren Criss (Saint Peter), Jeremy Jordan (Lucifer Morningstar), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Carmilla Carmine), Patina Miller (Sera), Stephanie Beatriz (Vaggie), Jessica Vosk (Lute), Alex Brightman, Keith David, Kimiko Glenn, Blake Roman, Alastor Amir Talai, Christian Borle, and Joe Perez.
The series follows the princess of Hell, Charlie Morningstar as she sets about fulfilling her seemingly impossible dream of opening a hotel to rehabilitate sinners. With the help of her devoted manager and girlfriend, Vaggie, and their reluctant first patron, pornographic film actor Angel Dust, she’s determined to make her dream become a reality. But when things go awry, her plan attracts the attention of the powerful “Radio Demon” Alastor (Talai) who wants to help Charlie run the hotel for his own amusement.
Video: “Happy Day in Hell”
**********************
Off Broadway’s York Theatre will present a private industry reading of Gary William Friedman, Stevie Holland, Robert Lorick & Mel Shapiro’s Merton of the Movies: the Musical will take place Mon. Dec. 4 at Off-Broadway’s Theatre at St. Jean’s, directed by Joseph Hayward, with music direction by Griffin Strout. 
& 
: boxoffice@yorktheatre.org.
Oliver Prose (Merton), Lauren Molina (Beulah Baxter), Hana Culbreath (Sarah), Nina Hennessey (helen Montague), Alan M-L Wager (Amos Gashwiler/Henny Henshaw), Courtney Dease (Jeff Baird), Ariana Valdes (Tessie Kearns), Trevor Martin (Harold Parmalee), Blair Brown (Fione), and Drew Tanabe (Tommy Tilbert/Ziggy Rosenblatt).
The story of a small-town lad who fantasizes about making it big in Tinseltown during the Silent Film era and just what happens when his naive illusions collide with the cold-hearted unpredictability of movie making.
**********************
The 2024 St. Louis Muny season has been announced. Creative teams and casting TBA.
Les Misérable (June 17-23)
Dreamgirls (June 27 – July 3)
The Little Mermaid (July 8-16)
Fiddler on the Roof (July 19-25)
Waitress (July 30 – Aug. 5)
In The Heights (Aug. 9-15)
Anything Goes (Aug. 19-25)
**********************
Off-Broadway’s Public Theater production of Richard III, starring Danai Gurira (Richard III), is now available for streaming on PBS. Click here to watch.
**********************
Loyd Suh’s The Heart Sellers, currently in previews, will open Nov. 29, and continue through Dec. 23 at Boston’s Calderwood Pavilion, directed by May Adrales.
Jenna Agbayani and Judy Song
Jane and Luna run into each other in the grocery store on Thanksgiving in 1973 and find they have much in common: each are recent Asian immigrants, a bit homesick and lonely with hardworking absentee husbands, and adjusting to a new country filled with new opportunities. Over sips of wine and a questionable frozen turkey, they dream of disco dancing, learning to drive, and even a visit to Disneyland, and share their hopes and challenges for making a new home in a new land with grace and dignity. A funny, moving, and big-hearted new play.
**********************
The 43rd Annual John Lennon Tribute Concert, in support of Theatre Within, will take place Sat. Dec. 2 at 8 PM at Off-Broadway’s Town Hall.
Rosanne Cast, Marc Cohn, Judy Collins, Bettye LaVetter, and more TBA.
**********************
Kate Prince’s Message In A Bottle dance & theatre show, featuring the songs of Sting, is available for streaming here.
Set to the songs of 17-time Grammy winner Sting, this is the story of a migrant family, featuring a mix of dance styles.