GRACE NOTES: Wednesday, June 28, 2023

 

Today’s Highlights:

  The Public Theater‘s Hamlet, directed by Kenny Leon, featuring Ato Blankson (Hamlet), Brandon Gill (Guildenstern), Tyrone Mitchell Henderson (Osric/Priest), Greg Hildreth (Gravedigger), Colby Lewis (First Player), Warner Miller (Horatio), Daniel Pearce (Polonius), Solea Pfeiffer (Ophelia), Nick Rehberger (Laertes), John Douglas Thompston (Claudius), Lorraine Toussaint (Gertrude), and Mitchell Winter (Rosencrantz), with Safiya Kaija Harris, Jaylon Jamal, TrÍ Lê, Cornelius McMoyler, Laughton Royce, Lance Alexander Smith, and Lark White. Rounding out the company as understudies will be Liam Craig, Myxolydia Tyler, William Oliver Watkins, and Bryce Michael Wood, opens at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre.

  Uncle Vanya, directed by Jack Serio, featuring David Cromer (Vanya), Will Brill (Astrov), Julia Chan (Yelena), Will Dagger (Telegin), Martin Ireland (Sonya), Bill Irwin (Serebryakov), Nathan Malin (Yefim), Ann McDonough (Maria), and Virginia Wing (Marina), begins previews at at a private loft in NYC’s Flatiron District.

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  Broadway Grosses for the week ending June 25. Click here for the complete analysis.

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  The world premiere of Penelope Skinner’s Lyonesse will run Oct. 17 – Dec. 23 (opening Oct. 25) at the Harold Pinter Theatre, directed by Ian Rickson.

  Kristin Scott Thomas (Elaine)  and Lily James (Kate).
 
  Elaine is a reclusive actor who disappears in mysterious circumstances; 30 years later, she feels ready to tell her story—summoning Kate, a young film executive, to her remote Cornish home to assist with her comeback.

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  The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show will take place Mon. July 24 at 7 PM at LA’s Bourbon Room.

  Nick Cearly and Lauren Molina.

  Barrett Foa, Nicole Parker, Garrett Clayton, Emma Hunton, Kirsten Vangsness, Lesli Margherita, Brett Ryback, Brittany Campbell, Janaya Jones, Emerson Collins, and Blake McIver.

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  Video:  First look at The Who’s Tommy at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.

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  Ramiz Monsef’s The Ants continues through July 30 at the Geffen Playhouse, directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh.

Hugo Armstrong (The Brain), Nicky Boulos (Nami), Megan Hill (Meredith), Jeremy Radin (The Pizza Guy), and Ryan Shrime (Shahid).

A breathtaking house on a hill – complete with the most state-of-the-art security that excessive wealth can buy—should feel like a refuge for Nami, whose recent firing and eviction have forced him to crash at his brother and sister-in-law’s luxury home. But on this dark and fateful night, a violent uprising outside leaves the three trapped in what they think is an impenetrable fortress. A horror play infused with darkly humorous social commentary, The Ants asks why we spend so much money protecting ourselves instead of investing in our shared humanity. 

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  Tom Dangora, Taylor Crousore, Scott Foster & Billy Recce’s  A Musical About Star Wars – of Why Star Wars is the Greatest Thing is the Galaxy, Much Much Better than Star Trek will re-open July 7 at the AMT Theatre, directed by Tom & Michael D’Angora, with choreography by Ashley Marinelli.

  Taylor Crousore (Scott), Stone Mountain (Taylor), and Maggie McDowell (Emily).

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  A Tribute to Howard Ashman and Alan Menken has announced additional performers for the concert on July 2 & 3 at NYC’s 54 Below The July 2 performance will also be livestreamed.

Melissa Errico, Alex Lugo, John Yi, Jana Djenne Jackson, Cameron Loyal, Nic Mains, Audrey Belle Adams, Juwan Crawley, Chiubeze Ihuoma , Katherine D’Souza, Tymothee Harrell, Ali Regan, Gryphyn Karimloo, Tristan David Caldwell, Nadia Duncan, Rachel Lloyd, and Leslie-Payton Alston.

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  The world premiere of  Luca Malacrino, Caitlin Morris, Alex Hanno, and Bill Prokopow’s Sound Trip, an interactive audio experience redefining live theatre, will offer two encore performances  — June 30 at 7 PM and July 1 at 7:30 PM at Hollywood’s Broadwater Black Box (6322 Santa Monica Blvd).

A revolutionary interactive audio show that is destined to be a game-changer in the live theatre, captivating audiences with its immersive approach and intriguing narrative. The show seamlessly weaves immersive audio experiences with live performances, inviting audience members to step into roles without rehearsal. Guided by wireless headphones providing dialogue, inner thoughts, and physical cues, participants transform from spectators into active contributors to the narrative.

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  Lynn Nottage & John Legend’s musical Imitation of Life (based on the film) is currently in development, directed by Liesl Tommy.  A private industry reading took place in April.  The novel (by Fannie Hurst) was published in 1933. The 1934 film was directed by John Stah, and starred Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers, followed by a second version the film in 1959.  A timeline for the. musical has not been announced.

  The film & musical confronts the complexities and contradictions of racial identity, economic exploitation, and the limits of the American dream. The story centers on Delilah Johnston, a black mother in 1920s Atlantic City, and her daughter Peola who “passes” as white. Delilah must navigate her friendship and business partnership with Bea Pullman while trying to hold on to Peola, who is determined to build a bold and dangerous new life.

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  Video:  First look at The Who’s Tommy at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, featuring Adam Jacobs (Captain Walker), and Alison Luff (Mrs. Walker), John Ambrosino (Uncle Ernie, )Bobby Conte (Cousin Kevin), and Christina Sajous (Acid Queen), and more.

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  “A Capital Fourth” will be broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on July 4 beginning at 8 PM ET, conducted by Jack Everly, and hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro.

  Ruthie Ann Miles, Adrienne Warren… the Broadway company of A Beautiful NoiseThe Neil Diamond Musical, featuring Will Swenson and Robyn Hurder…  Renée Fleming… the rock-and-roll band Chicago…  Boyz II Men… Belinda Carlisle… Babyface… Maddie & Tae…  Charles Esten…  and Elmo & Cookie Monster.

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  The Avett Brothers & John Logan’s Swept Away will run Nov. 25 – Dec. 30 at DC’s Arena Stage, directed by Michael Mayer.

  John Gallager Jr., Stark Sands, Wayne Duvall, Adrian Blake Enscoe, and more TBA.

  The musical is set in 1888 and follows the four survivors of a shipwreck as they each face the consequence of what it takes to stay alive.

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  Julie Sings Jule, an evening with Julie Benko performing songs by Jules Styne, will take place Mon. July 24 at 7 PM at NYC’s Birdland, with music direction by Jason Yeager.

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  Keeper, written & performed by Michelle Murphy, will present an encore performance on Sat. July 8 at 7:30 PM at Hollywood’s Actors Company.

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  Disco Fever, a syncopated celebration of the music of Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Diana Ross and more, will run July 25 – Aug. 13 at DC’s Signature Theatre, with music direction by Mark G. Meadows.

  Kaiyla Gross and Tobias A. Young.

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  The world premiere of Flayed, written & performed by Josiah Blount, will offer two performances on Sat. July 1 at 4 PM and Wed. July 5 at 8 PM at Hollywood’s Broadwater Black Box.

  The story of a man on the verge of a breakdown, or maybe, spiritual  enlightenment. Joshua Marsh is fresh out of pastor’s college and delivering his first sermon to a conservative church in Southwest Virginia. This trial run sermon will determine if he joins the church staff as an Associate Pastor, something he’s longed for his whole life. However, Joshua is queer, deeply closeted, and on the precipice of a mental breakdown. As his sermon progresses, his pristine public self begins to falter and his messy, complex, internal world is revealed. His mind is a fantasy landscape full of eclectic characters who express all his sinful rage, lust, and violence. Will he be able to hide the hell fire within? Or will his whole identity go up in flames?

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   Watch all the performances from the 2023 Jimmy Awards:

 Video:  Opening number

  Video:  Broadway Medley 1

  Video:  Broadway Medley 2

  Video:  Tribute to Touring Broadway

  Video:  Broadway Medley 3

  Video:   Broadway Medley 4

  Video:   Musical Tribute: Musicals Inspired by Shakespeare

  Video:   Solo Performance: Maya Sharma

  Video:  Solo Performance: Corbin Drew Ross

  Video:   Solo Performance: Samia Posadas

  Video:    Solo Performance: Christian Strong

  Video:    Solo Performance: Anna Wright

  Video:    Solo Performance: Omar Andre Real

   Video:   Solo Performance:  Lauren A. Marchand

   Video:    Solo Performance:  Langston Lee

   Video:     Closing Number

 


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