Today’s Highlights:
Othello, directed by Clint Dyer, featuring Giles Terera (Othello) Rosy McEwen (Desdemona), and Paul Hilton (Iago), with Jack Bardoe, Joe Bolland, Rory Fleck Byrne, Kirsty J Curtis, Peter Eastland, Patrick Elue, Tanya Franks, Colm Gormley, Gareth Kennerley, Joshua Lacey, Martin Marquez, Katie Matsell, Amy Newton, Sabi Perez, Steffan Rizzi, Jay Simpson, and Ryan Whittle, opens at London’s National Theatre.
A Merry Little Christmas, adapted by & starring Mark Shanahan, opens at Virginia Stage.
Invincible – the Musical, world premiere by Bradley Bredeweg, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene, featuring Khamary Rose (Romeo), Kay Sibal (Juliet), Sharon Leal (Madame Capulet), Dionne Gipson (Madame Montague), Brennin Hunt (Paris), Ari Notartomaso (Benvolio), Julia Harriman (Nura), Jon Patrick Walker (Friar), Aaron Alcaraz (Mercutio), and Josh Strobl (Taybalt), with Steven Agdeppa, Gillian Bozajian, Cameron Field, Sophia Hall, Nadja Hayes, Eric Myrick, Ian Paget, Lyric Rachae, Krystle Rose Simmons, Kelsey Lee Smith, Ian Ward, and Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama, opens at Beverly Hills’ The Wallis.
Manhattan Theatre Club‘s The Collaboration, by Anthony McCarten, directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, featuring JeremyPope (Jean-Michel Basquiat), Paul Bettany (Andy Warhol), Krysta Rodriguez (Maya), and Erik Jensen (Bruno Bischofberger), with Matthew Griffin and Amaia Arana, begins previews at Broadway’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
Between Riverside and Crazy, by Stephen Adly Guirgis, directed by Austin Pendleton, featuring Common (Junior), Stephen McKinley, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, and Michael Rispoli, begins previews at Broadway’s Haye’s Theatre.
Mandela, world premiere by Laiona Michelle, Greg Dean Borowsky & Shaun Borowsky, directed by Schele Williams, featuring Michael Luwoye (Nelson Mandela), Danielle Fiamanya (Winnie Mandela), Gregory Armand (Vusi), Zion Battles (Bongani), Earl Carpenter (Prime Minister), Stewart Clarke (Warden), Hanna Dimtsu (Nomsa), Lerato Gwebu (Adelaide Tambo/Evelyn Mase), Prudence Jezile (Praise Singer), Akmed Junior Khemalai (Walter Sisulu), Blue Makwana (Gugu), Kayleigh McKnight (Susan/Erika), Posi Morakinyo (Thembi Mandela), Sneziey Msomi (Albertina Sisulu/Maki Mandela), Nomfusi Ngonyama (Zeni Mandela), Ryan O’Donnell (Joe Slovo), Adam Pearce (Kobus), Bolthale Phora (Kgatho Mandela), Shiv Rabheru (Ahmed Kathrada), Will Richardson (Piet), Leanne Robinson (Zindzi Mandela), and Ntsikelelo Nicholas Vani (Oliver Tambo), begins previews at London’s Young Vic.
Ain’t Misbehavin’, directed by Wren T. Brown, featuring Yvette Cason (Nell), Rogelio Douglas Jr. (Andre), Connie Jackson (Armelia), Marty Austin Lamar (Ken), and Angela Wildflower (Charlene), begins previews at Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre.
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Reviews for Best of Enemies at London’s Noël Coward Theatre:
The Guardian (Arifa Akbar): …James Graham’s fabulous, frenetic play concerns the clash between Gore Vidal, speaking for the New Left, and William F Buckley Jr on the New Right, in the lead-up to the presidential elections. It seems to trace a line from that moment to the birth of pugilistic, celebrity-led TV politics that feeds our culture wars, fuels Twitter’s silos and has enabled the likes of Donald Trump (as it is heavily hinted) and Matt Hancock of the jungle… directed by Jeremy Herrin, some of those associations seem strained, but this is a fascinating moment captured with immense intelligence and verve… this West End transfer is well-oiled and still feels enveloping and immersive…
London Theatre (Marianka Swain): …showing how a TV debate during the 1968 American Presidential election contributed to our current catastrophic polarisation. With Zachary Quinto joining the cast for this West End transfer…and a different but equally combustible context, Graham’s play is as compelling and thought-provoking as ever… Those two debaters are the serious-minded…brought together by the head of failing TV network ABC, which trails behind its rivals… The casting of black actor David Harewood as Buckley is a masterstroke… Buckley’s warring motivations: ambition and ego, yes, but also a genuine concern for the future of his country…
Evening Standard (Nick Curtis): James Graham’s dynamic, intoxicatingly thoughtful play… The play’s decoding of the way politics, media and fame interact has deepened since its original run at the Young Vic in 2021… David Harewood reprises his superlative performance as Buckley, finding dignity in the man’s pomposity and extravagant facial tics… Zachary Quinto as a purringly self-satisfied, borderline-cruel Vidal – less charming than his predecessor in the production, Charles Edwards, but ultimately much more vivid… Seamlessly directed by Jeremy Herrin and stylishly designed by Bunny Christie, it’s a dazzling night out altogether.
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Broadway Grosses for the week ending Nov.27. Click here for the complete analysis.
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Chita: The Rhythm of My Life will take place Sun. Dec. 11 at 2 PM at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Concert Hall.
George Dvorsky and Lisa Mordente.
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A live & livestreamed reading of Michael Leon’s Red Eyes will take place Mon. Dec. 12 at 7:15 PM at Off-Broadway’a Theatre 71, directed by Jorge Donoso.
Reynaldo Pinielle, Zuleyma Guevara, Camila Pérez Stantiago, Nate Betancourt, and Maribel Martinez.
Carlos is a man “whose sexual desires come with terrifying results—the visions of a haunting Red-Eyed figure.” Following an argument with his fiancé (and their wedding’s subsequently being put on hold), Carlos has to confront his behavior. Via a journey through repressed memories, he faces the toxic masculinity, trauma, and crushing grief which have plagued him since childhood.
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Video: The cast of & Juliet performs “Problem/Can’t Feel My Face” on “The Tonight Show.”
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Amy Herzog’s radical new production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House will run Feb. 13 – May 14, (opening Mar. 9) at the Hudson Theatre, directed by Jamie Loyd.
Jessica Chastain (Nora Helmer) and more TBA.
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Frank Dain will be honored Sun. Dec. 4 at 6 PM for his 20 years of cabaret performances, at NYC’s Chelsea Table & Stage.
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RIP: Dancer Susan Kikuchi died Nov. 14 of natural causes at the age of 74. He passing came 18 days after the celebration of life for her mother, Yuriko, who died in March at the age of 102.
Ms. Kikuchi was immediately immersed in the dance world by her mother, studying at the Alvin Ailey school, and with the Martha Graham company, of which her mother was a key member. Ms. Kikuchi grew up in the company, and she served as a key source of information on Graham’s choreography, staging acclaimed productions throughout the country.
In 1951, her mother brought her along to rehearsals for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I when she was cast by Jerome Robbins as Eliza in the “Small House of Uncle Thomas” ballet.
In 1989, she again danced the role of Eliza for Mr. Robbins in his revue Jerome Robbins Broadway, for which she was again the dance captain. Off-Broadway, Ms. Kikuchi reconstructed Mr. Robbins’ original choreography for numerous productions, participating in 15 total productions of the musical throughout her career, including the 2004 national tour, where she danced the role of Uncle Thomas.
Ms. Kikuchi was also a part of the original Broadway productions of Flower Drum Song and Pacific Overtures.
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Kansas City Actors Theatre has announced its 2023-23 season. Dates, casting, and additional information TBA.
Gaslight (Angel Street), by Patrick Hamilton, directed by Cinnamon Schultz, featuring and John Rensenhouse.
Grand Horizons, by Bess Wohl, featuring Victor Raider-Wexler and Jan Rogge.
Skeleton Crew, by Dominique Morisseau
Little Women, adapted by Kate Hamill, directed by Darren Sextro, featuring Teisha Bankston, Hillary Clemens, and Christina Schafer.
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The Troubadour Theater Company will present the world premiere of Die Heart Dec. 8 – 18 (opening Dec. 9) at Burbank’s Colony Theatre, adapted, directed & choreographed by Matt Walker, with music direction by Ryan Whyman.
Beth Kennedy, Rick Batalla, Mike Sulprizio, Cloie Wyatt Taylor, Chelle Denton, Luis Martinez, John Paul Batista, Bob Moran, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Heather Youmans, Philip McNiven, and Matt Walker.
The Troubies leave no stone unturned and no glass un-shot, as they blow the roof off the Colony Theatre and hold the audience hostage with the classic Christmas film “Die Hard” combined with the music of Heart.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Michael Harrison have joined forces for a new musical theatre partnership. Entitled Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, the company will find and develop musicals and create new productions from Lloyd Webber’s existing catalogue.
Says Lloyd Webber, “Our partnership will build on our relationship. Michael has also brilliantly revived the annual Palladium pantomime.…On a personal level, I am thrilled. I will now concentrate on composing knowing that I have a first-rate producer to collaborate with in the future.”
Previous projects and business at Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and Michael Harrison Entertainment will continue to operate outside of the new company.
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Chita: The Rhythm of My Life will take place Sun. Dec. 11 at 2 PM at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center.
George Dvorsky and Lisa Mordente.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, the longest-running show in Broadway history, has postponed its closing date and will now play through April 16, 2023. at the Majestic Theatre. Upon closing, the musical will have played 13,981 performances.
Ben Crawford (The Phantom), Emilie Kouatchou & Julia Udine (rotating as Christine), Jason Forbach (Raoul), Nehal Joshi (Monsieur André), Craig Bennett (Monsieur Firmin), Raquel Suarez Groen (Carlotta Giudicelli), Maree Johnson (Madame Giry), Carlton Moe (Ubaldo Piangi), Paul Adam Schaefer (returns Dec. 7), and John Riddle (returns Jan. 2) and a rotating cast as Meg Giry.
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The all-star West End Sondheim tribute concert, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends will premiere on BBC Two, as well as stream via iPlayer during this holiday season, on a date TBA, directed by Matthew Bourne & Maria Friedman.
. Michael Ball, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Petula Clark, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Haydn Gwynne, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia McKenzie, Julian Ovenden, Bernadette Peters, Siân Phillips, Jon Robyns, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stemp, Gary Wilmot, and Michael D. Xavier, with Shan Ako, Christine Allado, Holly-Anne Hull, Ashley Campbell, Anna-Jane Casey, Desmonda Cathabel, Josefina Gabrielle, Louis Gaunt, Amy Griffiths, Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden, Ian McLarnon, Jeremy Secomb, Jordan Shaw, and Matthew White.
Video: Snippets from the original concert.
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Amy Hezog’s new version of A Doll’s House will run Feb. 13 – Apr. 30 (opening Mar. 9) at the Hudson Theatre, directed by Jamie Lloyd.
Jessica Chastain (Nora Helmer), and more TBA.