Today’s Highlights:
* MasterVoices: Myths and Hymn virtual concert, Adam Guettel’s theatrical song cycle, featuring Renee Fleming, Annie Golden, Joshua Henry, Capathia Jenkins, Norm Lewis, Jose Llana, Kelli O’Hara, Elizabeth Stanley, and more, streams at 6:30 PM ET here.
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GRACE NOTES Quote of the Week: “Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor.” ~ Into the Woods
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Video: Stars in the House, with a “Star Search” reunion, featuring Rosie O’Donnell, Sam Harris, Marty Thomas, Penny Mealing, and Michael Berresse. (1:24:15)
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Governor Cuomo has outlined his intent to reposition the stage as a cultural hub in the first half of 2021.
The public-private initiative, under the banner New York Arts Revival, will support numerous performances and events, beginning with its official launch Feb. 4.
At least 150 artists are on board to take part, including Renée Fleming, Hugh Jackman, Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, and Wynton Marsalis. Additionally, among the participating organizations he mentioned in his Jan. 12 State of the State address were the National Black Theatre, Ballet Hispánico, and Ars Nova.
The offerings (details TBA) will range from pop-up performances to arts events in both outdoor spaces and spaces with the flexibility to accommodate social distancing, such as Park Avenue Armory and St. Ann’s Warehouse. Those two particular venues (along with the aforementioned National Black Theatre) were among a cohort that, in October, pressured Cuomo to allow for COVID-conscious re-openings in spaces that could allow for it, as he had granted for bowling alleys and museums.
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Steppenwolf Theatre Company will stream the new play, Red Folder, written & directed by Rajiv Joseph, beginning Jan. 27, narrated by Carrie Coon.
An “illustrated short,” The plot is described cryptically as follows: “The red folder belongs to a first grader. It is the source of all his woes. Years later, he seeks vengeance.”
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* Kennedy: Bobby’s Last Crusade (Jan. 15-31 here), written by & starring David Arrow, directed by Eric Nightengale. The solo play focuses on Kennedy’s short, electrifying run for President in 1968. Follow Bobby from his announcement to entering the race to his last speech at the Ambassador Hotel. The play combines many of his famous speeches, as well as his private apprehensions and some of the more personal moments of his exhilarating campaign.
* “The Last Play at Shea” documentary (begins Jan. 22 here), written by Mark Monroe, directed by Paul Crowder, hosted by Alec Baldwin, featuring interviews with Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Roger Daltrey, and Don Henley. The film chronicles the intersecting histories of the landmark Shea Stadium and Billy Joel.
* “Carole King: Natural Woman” documentary (begins Jan. 29 here). A celebration of the King’s life and career from 1960’s New York to the music mecca of 70’s Los Angeles to the present, and includes new interviews, rare home movies, performances, and photos.
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Robert Icke & Duncan Macmillan are developing a “1984” five-part limited streaming series on Apple +, based on their stage adaptation of the novel.
Timeline, casting, and additional information TBA.
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A concert staging of Linnie Reedman & Joe Evans’ Gatsby — A Musical, will stream Feb. 12-14 at Cadogan Hall, directed by Reedman, with music direction by Henry Brennan.
Ross William Wild (Jay Gatsby), Charlotte Wakefield (Daisy Buchanan), Emma Williams, Mark Antolin, Blake Patrick Anderson, Chanice Alexander-Burnett, Lauren Chinery, Robert Grose, Oliver Mawdsley, Tristan Pegg, and Marc Rhys.
Set seven years after the events of the novel, Daisy Buchanan revisits Jay Gatsby’s mansion after leaving that world behind, set on confronting her past by reliving the dream she shared with Gatsby.
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New York Theatre Workshop has announced upcoming events in January:
“The Wright Stuff” (FREE! Begins Jan. 19 here), by Doug Wright, offering conversations with Andy Borowitz, Aasif Mandvi, Nancy Giles, Paul Rudnick, and Jenny Hagel. Wright believes that comedians have become the most potent truth tellers in an era of misinformation, often, exceeding news sources in bringing crucial stories to the country’s attention. FREE.
“Reflections of Native Voices Festival” (Jan. 25 – Feb. 7). The festival features theatre, music, and native dance performances by visionary Indigenous artists from across the country. Projects: “Don’t Feed the Indians: A Divine Comedy Pageant,” “Everything is a Circle,” by Ikidowin, “Este Cate,” by Nicholson Billy, “Duke,” by Moses Goods, and “Tipi Tales from the Stoop,” by Murielle Borts-Tarrant.
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A benefit reading of Jon Robin Baitz’s Three Hotels, in support of BC/EFA, will stream Tues. Jan. 26 at 8 PM ET here (and available through Jan. 30), directed by Moisés Kaufman.
Bobby Cannavale and Marisa Tomei.
The play unfolds through monologues set in hotel rooms in Morocco, the Virgin Islands, and Mexico, as a married couple reflect on their lives as players in the game of international business.
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A newly passed Open Culture bill, sponsored by Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, will support the financial viability of outdoor performances, allowing artists to present ticketed events in public spaces.
The program is slated to begin in March.
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The soundtrack from “One Night in Miami,” featuring Terrence Blanchard, Leslie Odom Jr, L.C. Cooke, Billy Preston, Jeremy Pope, and Sam Cooke, will be released Jan. 15 on iTunes.
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Ellen Reid & Roxie Perkins’ p r i s m (2018 production) will stream Jan. 26 – Feb. 8 at LA Opera, directed by James Darrah and conducted by Julian Wachner.
Rebecca Jo Loeb and Anna Schubert.
The winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Music, this deeply moving work focuses on a mother and daughter who lock themselves away from the outside world following a traumatic event. But when the girl’s memories contradict her mother’s stories of the past, she must choose between discovering the truth or holding on the comforts of the only life she’s ever truly known. What happens to memories when you try to change them?
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After an extensive national search, Goodspeed Musicals has selected Donna Lynn Hilton as the new Artistic Director and David B. Byrd as the new Managing Director.
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Gary Morgenstein’s A Black and White Cookie will be presented Thurs. Jan. 21 at 7 PM ET here, and Sun. Jan. 24 at 3 PM ET here, directed by Joan Kane.
Morry Schorr, Roslyn Seale, Julie T. Pham, Mansoor Najee-ullah, and Chris collins-Pisano.
Harold Wilson, a gruff, conservative African American senior, has finally reopened his East Village newsstand following the coronavirus lockdown. Then an exorbitant rent increase forces him to close after 30 years, and reluctantly retire to Florida with his niece. Enter Albie Sands, an eccentric 1960s Jewish radical, who persuades Harold to fight the landlord. Overcoming their many differences, Harold and Albie form a powerful and unlikely friendship to confront corporate greed – and prejudice.
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LA’s Fountain theatre has received approval from the City of Los Angeles to install a temporary outdoor stage for the purpose of presenting live performances and other events during the pandemic.
Installed in what is now the theater parking lot, the new performance area will be able to accommodate 50-84 audience members. It will feature seven rows of chairs, each six feet apart, as well as 12 hi-top tables positioned six feet apart for use by patrons from the same “bubble” households. Every aspect of the outdoor performance area will be COVID-10 safety guidelines.
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“Broadway Profiles with Tamsen Fadal” is the first weekly nationally syndicated Broadway entertainment program, covering 97% of US television households. Learn more and watch all episodes here.
Said Fadal, “Even though Broadway is the heart of New York City, the entire country is feeling its loss during this time. Until the day we can celebrate live theatre together again, my hope is that “Broadway Profiles” keeps the spirit of Broadway alive for the ever-expanding audience across the country.”
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The Kurt Weill Foundation has voted unanimously to establish the annual Rebecca Luker Award in honor of the performer.
The award will be given to an outstanding performance of a selection from the Golden Age of American musical theater by a finalist in the foundation’s annual Lotte Lenya Competition.
Rebecca was a regular judge and advocate for the program, most recently as part of the 2020 semifinals. Click here to learn more.
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Chicago’s Goodman Theatre has announced its Reimagining Tomorrow fundraiser, to stream Mon. Feb. 22 at 6 PM CT.
Robert Falls, Liesel Tommy, Willa J. Taylor, Zoraida Sambolin, Loretta Cooney, Jacquelyn Robinson, and Carol Wood.
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Hershey Felder – Before Fiddler – Live From Florence will stream Feb. 7 at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET at Laguna Playhouse.
Before Fiddler on the Roof there was Sholem Aleichem and the music of the old world.
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“Six by Sondheim” (2013 HBO documentary), offering rarely seen archival performance footage and original stages productions created exclusively for the film, featuring Audra McDonald, Darren Criss, America Ferrera, and more, will be released Feb. 9 on Blu-ray. (86 min.) 
here.