HAPPY HOLIDAY!
GRACE NOTES will return Monday, July 8
Holiday Highlights:
Wednesday, July 3
I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire, by Samantha Hurley, directed by Tyler Struble, featuring Tessa Albertson (Shelby), Kyle Birch (Brenda Dee Cankles), and Anders Hayward (Tobey Maguire), opens at London’s Southwark Playhouse.
Liz Callaway & Jason Graae: Happily Ever Laughter concert opens at NYC’s 54 Below.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, directed by Anders Corcoran, featuring Natalie Weiss (Carol King), Michael Perrie Jr. (Gerry Goffin), Nikki Mirza (Cynthia Weil), Calvin McCullough (Barry Mann), Bobby Smith (Don Kirschner), Kaiyla Gross (Chirelle), Jay Frisby (Drifter), Donna Migliaccio (Genie), Connor James Reilly (Righteous Brother), Ian Anthony Coleman (Drifter), Kalen Robinson (Janelle), Quadry Brown (Drifter), Ariana Caldwell (Little Eva), Tori Gomez (Betty), Montel B. Butler (Drifter), Kurt Boehm (Righteous Brother), Lily Burka (Marilyn), Simone Brown (Shirelle), and Christian Montgomery, begins previews at MD’s Olney Theatre.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, directed by Casey Hushion, featuring Kyra Kennedy (Carole King), Marrick Smith (Gerry Goffin), Samantha Massell (Cynthia Weil), Jacob Ben-Shmuel (Barry Mann), Brian Fenkart (Don Kirshner), and Suzanne Grodner (Genie Klein), with Tavis Cunningham, Seth Eliser, Kevin Hack, Jana Djenne Jackson, Andrea Levinsky, Prentiss E. Mouton, Jay Owens, Olivia Palmer, Thomas Ed Purvis, Isaiah Reynolds, Tavia Riveé, Aaron Robinson, Danielle Summons, Bronwyn Tarboton, Giselle Amarisa Watts, and Mikayla White, closes at NJ’s Paper Mill Playhouse.
Dream Girls, directed by Robert Clater, featuring Tiffany Mann (Effie Melody White), Aisha Jackson (Deena Jones), Courtnee Carter (Lorrell Robinson), Charl Brown (Curtis Taylor, Jr.), Nick Rashad Burroughs (James “Jimmy” Thunder Early), Ron Himes (Marty), Aramie Payton (C.C. White), Robby Clater (Wayne) and Natalie Kaye Clater (Michelle Morris) with Travante S. Baker, Lamont Brown, Ian Campayno, Kylie Edwards, Lexie Faith, Julia Grondin, Sophia Hillman, Kennedy Holmes, Dan Horn, Gabriel Kearns, ZaKeyia Lacey, Nathaniel Mahone, Collin Milfort, Pershard Owens, Alanna Porter, Kayla Rush, Ranease Ryann, Owen Scales, Duncan Smith, TJ Staten and Richard E. Waits, closes at the St. Louis Muny.
The Abnormal Heart, written & performed by Parker Mills, directed by Marilyn McIntyre, closes at LA’s Matrix Theatre.
Thursday, July 4
Skeleton Crew, by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Matthew Xia, featuring Tobi Bamtefa (Reggie), Branden Cook (Dez), Pamela Nomvete (Faye), and Racheal Ofori (Shanita), opens at London’s Donmar Warehouse.
Friday, July 5
Your Lie in April – The Musical, by Frank Wildhorn, Riko Sakaguchi, Carly Robyn Green, & Tracy Miller, directed & choreographed by Nick Winston, featuring Zheng Xi Yong (Kōsei Arima), Rumi Sutton (Kaori Miyazono),Rachel Clare Chan, Joanna Ampil, and Dean John-Wilson, with Eu Jin Hwang, Julie Yammanee, Jade Albertsen, Lauren Chia, Hannah Yun Chamberlain, Imogen Rose Hart, Yuki Abe, Chris Fung, Ernest Stroud, JoJo Meridith, Michael Lin, Samuel How and Jason Wang-Westland, opens at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre.
Saturday, July 6
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, directed by Anders Corcoran, featuring Natalie Weiss (Carol King), Michael Perrie Jr. (Gerry Goffin), Nikki Mirza (Cynthia Weil), Calvin McCullough (Barry Mann), Bobby Smith (Don Kirschner), Kaiyla Gross (Chirelle), Jay Frisby (Drifter), Donna Migliaccio (Genie), Connor James Reilly (Righteous Brother), Ian Anthony Coleman (Drifter), Kalen Robinson (Janelle), Quadry Brown (Drifter), Ariana Caldwell (Little Eva), Tori Gomez (Betty), Montel B. Butler (Drifter), Kurt Boehm (Righteous Brother), Lily Burka (Marilyn), Simone Brown (Shirelle), and Christian Montgomery, opens at MD’s Olney Theatre.
The Baker’s Wife, directed by Gordon Greenberg, featuring Lucie Jones (Genevieve), Clive Rowe (Baker), Bobbie Chambers (Niece), Mark Extance (The Teacher), Josefina Gabrielle (Denise), Jack Gardner (Philippe), Hana Ichijo (Niece), Michael Matus (Marquis), Robyn Rose (Niece), David Seadon-Young (Antoine), Matthew Seadon-Young (Priest), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Dominique). Sutara Gayle (Therese), Norman Pace (Claude), Liam Tamne (Barnaby), and Finty Williams (Hortense) with Bart Lambert, David Pendlebury, and Annabelle Williams, begins previews at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory.
32nd Annual Summer Gala: Maybe They’re Magic, celebrating Stephen Sondheim, directed by Will Pomerantz, featuring Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, and Dr. Georgette Grier-Key (outstanding community leader), at 7 PM at Sag Harbor’s Bay Street Theatre.
Broadway Modern Masters concert, directed by Jason Danieley, featuring Victoria Clark, Micaela Diamond, Mandy Gonzalez, Joshua Henry, Darius de Haas, and Bryce Pinkham, at 8 PM at MA’s Tanglewood.
NAATCO‘s Isabel, world premiere by reid tang, directed by Kedian Keohan, featuring Sagan Chen, Haruna Lee, and NiNi, closes at Off-Broadway’s Abrons Arts Center.
Liz Callaway & Jason Graae: Happily Ever Laughter concert closes at NYC’s 54 Below.
Sunday, July 7
Merrily We Roll Along, directed by Maria Friedman, featuring Daniel Radcliffe (Charley Kringas), Jonathan Groff (Franklin Shepard), Lindsay Mendez (Mary Flynn), Krystal Joy Brown (Gussie Carnegie), Katie Rose Clarke (Beth Shepard), and Red Rogers (Joe Josephson), with Sherz Aletaha, Leana Rae Concepcion, Morgan Kirner, Corey Mach, Talia Robinson, Amanda Rose, Jamila Sabares-Klemm, Brian Sears, Evan Alexander Smith, Christian Strange, Koray Tarhan, Vishal Vaidya, Natalie Wachen, and Jacob Keith Watson, closes at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre.
The Welkin, by Lucy Kirkwood, directed by Sarah Benson, featuring Tilly Botsford, Paige Gilbert, Ann Harada, Jenn Kidwell, Mary McCann, Emily Cass McDonnell, MacKenzie Bercer, Sandra Oh, Dale Soules, Danny Wolohan, Haley Wong, HannahCabell,GlennFitzgerald, Nadine Malouf, Susannah Perkins, and Simone Recasner, closes at Off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theater Company.
Miss Julie 1925, by August Strindberg, adapted & directed by Robert Greer, featuring Natalie Menna (Julie), Mike Roche (Jean), and Holly O’Brien (Christine), closes at Off-Broadway’s Theater for the New City.
Ella The Ungovernable, by David McDonald, directed by David McDonald & Michele Baldwin, featuring Christian Neal (Ella), Tyra Hughes (Alice), Ebony Nixon (Althea), Shadenia Sivad (Marie) and Michele Baldwin (Tempie), closes at Off-Broadway’s Theater for the New City.
Hair, directed by Matthew Gardiner, featuring Jordon Dobson (Claude), Olivia Puckett (Sheila), and Mason Reeves (Berger), Susannah Blackwell (Lorrie), Patrick Leonardo Casimir (Walter), AlexDe Bard (Emmaaretta), Jamie Goodson (Suzannah/Mother), Caroline Graham (Crissy), Noah Israel (Woof), Amanda Lee (Dionne), Keenan McCarter (Steve/Father), Nolan Montgomery (Jonathan/Margaret Mead), Nora Palka (Jeanie), and Solomon Parker III (Hud), Gregeroy Twomey (Paul/Hubert), with Garvey X. Dobbins, Lily Gilan James, Nia Alyana Meeks, and Ethan Turbyfill, closes at DC’s Signature Theatre.
Where the Mountain Meets the Sea, by Jeff Augustin & The Bengsons, directed by Timothy Douglas, featuring Isaac “Deacon Izzy” Bell (Jonah) and Robert Cornelius (Jean), closes at DC’s Signature Theatre.
The Ballad of Johnny and Jane, world premiere by Robert Cary, directed by Des McAnuff, featuring Christopher Ryan Grant (Johnny Cash), Van Hughes (John Carter Cash), and Patti Murin (June Carter Cast), Maddie Shea Baldwin (Anita), Paula Leggett Chase (Carrie), Drew Wildman Foster (Carl Smith/Jack Cash/ Marshall Grant), Gabriella Joy (Vivian), Bart Matthew Shatto (Ray Cash/Sam Phillips/W.S. Holland), and Correy West (Luther Perkins/Rip Nix), with Summer Broyhill, Michael Louis Cusimano, Cody Ingram, and Baily Day Sonner, closes at La Jolla Playhouse.
Camelot, directed by Jeffrey B. Moss, featuring Nick Apostolina (Squire Dap/Mordred), Jacob Caltrider (Sir Dinadin), Jason Heil (Merlyn/Sir Gareth), Scott Hurst, Jr. (Lionel), Brian Krinsky (Lancelot), Jered McLenigan (Arthur), Eben Rosenzweig (Tom of Warwick), Noah Weibel (also as Tom of Warwick), Lauren Weinberg (Guenevere), and Elias Wygodny (Sir Sagramore), with Cole Fletcher, closes at CA’s North Coast Rep.
The Sandwich Ministry, by Miranda Rose Hall, directed by Katie Lindsay, featuring Jayne Taini, Jordan Hull, and Maha Chehlaoui, closes at LA’s Skylight Theatre.
Group Rep‘s You Can’t Take It With You, by Kaufman & Hart, directed by Leota Rhodes, featuring Linda Alznauer (Gay Wellington), Patrick Anthony (De Pinna – shared role), Cynthia Bryant (Rheba – shared role), Matthew Clair (Mr. Kirby – shared role), Rebecca Del Sesto (Alice- shared role), Lareen Faye (Mrs. Kirby – shared role), Theresa Ford (Rheba – shared role), Christian George (FBI Agent), Brenda James (Penny), Paul Anthony Kelly (Tony-shared role), Jessica Kent (Alice -shared role), Koushik (De Pinna-shared role), Tom Kramer (Henderson), Cassidy Le Clair (Essie – shared role), Kevin Michael Moran (Mr. Kirby – shared role), Lloyd Pedersen (Grandpa), Ryan Rathbun (Tony – shared role), Danny Salay (Kolenkhov), Tack Sappington (Ed – shared role), Holly Seidcheck (Essie – shared role), Vansh Sha (Ed – shared role), Sara Shearer (Duchess Olga – shared role,), Suzan Solomon (Duchess Olga – shared role), Lawrence Toffler (Paul), and Sammie Wayne, IV (Donald), closes at North Hollywood’s Lonny Chapman Theatre Theater.
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Broadway Grosses for the week ending June 30.
Click here for the complete analysis.
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Broadway and Vine‘s 2024 Concert Series will run July 9 – Oct. 13 at Napa Valley’s Carneros Resort Vineyard Lawn.
Ariana DeBose (July 9-10), Darren Criss (July 25), Aaron Lazar (Aug. 28), Shoshana Bean (Sept. 23) and Alan Cumming (Oct. 13), with more TBA.
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Dolly Parton & Maria S. Schlatter’s Hello, I’m Dolly will open on Broadway in 2026, directed by Bartlett Sher. Dates, theater, casting and additional information TBA.
Click here for the show’s website.
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John Lloyd Young: Unchained Melodies will take place Tues. Aug. 20 at 8:30 PM at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club.
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Young Frankenstein will run July 19 – Sept. 1 at Pittsburgh CLO, directed by Joel Ferrell, with music direction by Robert Neumeyer.
Dan Deluca (Dr. Frederick Frankenstein), Tim Hartman (Monster), Theo Allyn (Frau Blücher), Susana Cordón (Elizabeth Benning), Daniel Krell (Inspector Hans Kemp/Bertram Batram, The Hermit), and Alex Sheffield (Inga), with J. Alex Noble and Mandie Patsy.
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Varla Jean Merman: The Errors Tour will run Oct. 8 – 9 at Hollywood’s Catalina Jazz Club, directed by Michael Schiralli.
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Mo Rocca & Candice Bergen: Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs will take place in person & online on Mon. July 15 at 7 PM at NYC’s 92NY.
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MA’s Williamstown Theatre Festival has announced upcoming events:
Dragon Mama, Part II of the Dragon Cycle (through July 14), written by & starring Sara Porkalob, directed by Andrew Russell. 
With her powerful voice and an evocative collection of ‘90s R&B hits, Porkalob vividly brings to life the complex tapestry of her mother Maria’s early years and queer identity, affirming the power of family, the importance of self-discovery, and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to dream beyond their circumstances.
Death, Let Me Do My Show, (through July 14), written by & starring Rachel Bloom, directed by Seth Barrish. A one woman musical comedy that is definitely NOT about the ever-present specter of death. Bloom’s new show is filled with raunchy and escapist material that will in NO way explore the pandemic and all the tumultuous events that ensued in her personal life. NOTHING will stop Rachel from partying like it’s 2019!
Alex Edelman’s New Comedy Offering (July 20-21). Edelman returns to Williamstown with a fresh batch of all new comedy. Called “one of the funniest minds of his generation – or maybe any generation” (Washington Post), this new stand-up show will delight and enlighten. Edelman will be joined by Williamstown’s very own comedian, Maggie Crane, who according to Entertainment Now, allows us “to not only find the funny, but also to find the empathy.”
Pamela Palmer (July 23 – Aug. 10), world premiere by David Ives, directed by Walter Bobbie, featuring Tina Benko (Pamela Plamer), Clark Gregg (The Detective), Max Gordon Moore (The Husband), and Becky Ann Baker (The Mother). A noir spin on an existential romance. Pamela Palmer lives a seemingly perfect life with her husband at Wishwood, but has a bizarre suspicion something’s wrong, only for them both to become entangled with the detective she hires to investigate.
Sylvia Sylvia Sylvia (July 19 at 3 PM), by Beth Hyland, directed by Caitlin Sullivan. A once-celebrated novelist, grappling with writer’s block, confronts the ghosts of her past, threatening to unravel both her sanity and her artistic vision.
….and more….
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Ragtime will run July 11-20 (opening July 12) at Ithica’s Hangar Theatre, directed by Michael Lluberes.
Ben Cherry (Tateh), Jaden Dominique (Sara), Eric Davie (Mother), Bill English (Father), Clyde Voce (Coalhouse Walker Jr.), Tori Bligen & Gemma Phipps (alternating as Coalhouse Walker III), Greg Bostwick (Harry Houdini/Henry Ford), Kemari Bryant (Harlem Man), Sydney Carmona (Evelyn Nesbit), Richard N. Coleman (Booker T. Washington), Dexter Conlin (Youner Brother), Enaw Elonge (Instrumentalist), Hugo Lloyd (Little Boy), Gabriella Rubacky (Little Girl), Ephraim Takyi (Harlem Man), Crystal Renee Wright (Sarah’s Friend), and Audrey Rose Young (Emma Goldman).
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Video: “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” in Yiddish With Julie Benko and Allyson Briggs.