Events
More Theatre News: Keen After Hours, Broadway For Biden Pep Rally, Spotlight on Plays Series and We The People: America Rocks!
Drama Desk and Obie Award-Winning Keen Company presents Keen After Hours, connecting audiences with luminaries of the theatre – FREE! Every Monday Night at 6:30pm. Up Next: Four Time Oscar Nominee Marsha Mason, Followed by John-Andrew Morrison & Jasminn Johnson, and Tony Award Nominee Lilli Cooper.
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Special Keen After Hours on October 12th: Hear/Now Launch Party with Playwrights Pearl Cleage, Kate Cortesi, finkle, James Anthony Tyler, and Melissa Li & Kit Yan
Together with Broadway for Biden, Broadway’s podcast, The Fabulous Invalid (Jamie DuMont, Rob Russo, Jennifer Simard), Eric Ulloa’s podcast, Do You Hear the People Sing? A Theater Person’s Guide to Saving Democracy, and the Broadway Podcast Network, are excited to announce a very special virtual Broadway For Biden Pep Rally, to be held Wednesday, October 14 at 8:00 PM ET, only at http://bpn.fm/peprally.
Hosted by playwright and actor Eric Ulloa, the Broadway for Biden Pep Rally will kick off with Broadway luminaries Joel Grey and Donna Murphy and will also include appearances from Harolyn Blackwell, James Monroe Iglehart, Telly Leung, Caissie Levy, Lesli Margherita, Patti Murin, Zachary Prince, Brandon Uranowitz, stage manager Matthew DiCarlo, the one and only Leslie Uggams, and company members from Broadway’s Beetlejuice, Tony Award nominee Alex Brightman, Sophia Anne Caruso, and Dana Steingold, along with NYC City Council member, Democratic Nominee for US Congress, NY-15, Ritchie Torres.
“The lights of Broadway may be dark due to this administration’s failure to control COVID-19, but the passion and activism of the Broadway community shines bright, as we fight for the leadership and change that arrives with a Biden-Harris Administration,” said Host Eric Ulloa. “To kick off the last few weeks before the election, we give you a Broadway Pep Rally to cheer on the future we can’t wait to see arrive when Joe and Kamala take center stage.”
The Broadway for Biden Pep Rally is a rev-up to the final weeks before the November election and is organized to cheer supporters into the last moments of campaign work that will put our best foot forward, ready people with a voting plan, and create ideas for getting as many voters to the polls as possible. The pep rally will also include personal reasons and policy proposals that make the Broadway community all in for Biden.
Broadway for Biden is an inclusive online community dedicated to bringing together professional theater makers and theater lovers around the country to raise awareness on key issues in the 2020 presidential election, increase voter turnout, and raise funds to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House this November. The grassroots volunteer organization has a robust online presence and is activating the national theater community and the fans who love it by hosting one-of-a-kind events, disseminating information, and amplifying the stories of individuals within the theater world’s diverse community to build connections and humanize the issues at stake in this year’s election.
Broadway for Biden’s top priority is electing the Biden-Harris ticket this November, and it takes inspiration from the campaign’s motto, “Build back better,” in every action. Since its first event held this summer, the organization has united a staff comprised of more than 50 volunteers from all facets of the theater industry, working collaboratively in a collective vision for a better future for Broadway and America. To learn more, get involved, or to make a donation, visit BroadwayforBiden.com, and connect on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok: @broadway4biden.
Broadway Best Shows announces “Spotlight on Plays Series with seven new plays announced! starring Morgan Freeman, Laurie Metcalf, Phylicia Rashad, John Malkovich, Alan Cumming, Constance Wu, Patti LuPone and many more.
October 20: Kenneth Lonergan’s This Is Our Youth Starring Lucas Hedges, Paul Mescal, Grace Van Patten. Directed by Lila Neugebauer.
October 29:David Mamet’s Race Starring David Alan Grier, Ed O’Neill, Alicia Stith, and Richard Thomas. Directed by Phylicia Rashad.
November 12: David Mamet’s Boston Marriage Starring Patti LuPone, Rebecca Pidgeon, Sophia Macy. Directed by David Mamet.
November 19: Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya Starring Alan Cumming, Samira Wiley, Constance Wu, Ellen Burstyn, Manik Choksi, K. Todd Freeman, Mia Katigbak, Anson Mount. Narrated by Gabriel Ebert. Directed by Danya Taymor. Adapted by Neil LaBute.
December 3: Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still Starring the Original Broadway Cast: Eric Bogosian, Brian d’Arcy James, Laura Linney, Alicia Silverstone. Directed by Daniel Sullivan
December 10: Robert O’Hara’s Barbecue Starring Carrie Coon, Colman Domingo, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Annie McNamara, S. Epatha Merkerson, Laurie Metcalf, David Morse, Kristine Nielsen, TamberlaPerry, Heather Simms. Directed by Robert O’Hara.
A Benefit for The Actors Fund. All performances at 8pm.
TheaterWorksUSA (Barbara Pasternack, Artistic Director; Michael Harrington, Executive Director) has mounted a fully staged, socially distanced live production of their hit, Lortel nominated Off-Broadway musical, We The People: America Rocks! Filmed live (without an audience) on the Paper Mill Playhouse stage on October 4, and produced in association with Paper Mill Playhouse, the capture will be streamed to families across the country prior to Election Day and made available to schools and theaters through the academic year. The recording will premiere on Stars in the House at 8pm ET on October 24.
Rock out with America’s original “boy band” — The Founding Fathers! Join George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin as they trade in their powdered wigs for power chords to help an ambitious teen. On a quest to win her school election, Dawn cares more about padding her college applications than making her school a better place. With the help of these Fab Four, she discovers that “We the People” have the power to raise a patriotic ruckus and make a difference!
Directed by Gordon Greenberg (Holiday Inn, Guys & Dolls West End) and choreographed by Michele Lynch (Dirty Dancing), We The People: America Rocks! features a book by Joe Iconis (Be More Chill) and songs from Brad Alexander and Kevin Del Aguila (Dog Man: The Musical); Sam Forman and Eli Bolin (Coop); Joe Iconis; Tommy Newman; Adam Overett; Erik Weiner, Mark Weiner, Jordan Allen-Dutton – and a brand-new finale from Douglas Lyons & Ethan Pakchar (Beau).
This recording of We The People: America Rocks! stars Rashidra Scott (Company, Ain’t Too Proud) with Zach Piser (Dear Evan Hanson) as John Adams, Josh Breckenridge (Come From Away) as Thomas Jefferson, Orville Mendoza (Peter and the Starcatcher) as John Adams, and Dan Rosales (Godspell) as George Washington. The production features lighting design by Tony Award winner Jeff Croiter (Peter and the Starcatcher), scenic design by Adam Koch, costume design by Lora LaVon, wigs and hair by Ashley Rae Callahan, music direction by Miriam Daly, orchestrations by Greg Pliska (War Horse). Video capture and editing is by Super Awesome Friends with additional audio mixing by Dan Rudin. Brendan O’Brien was production coordinator and Ryan Juda was COVID compliance officer.
Park Terrace Hotel
Hotel Chocolat kicked-off the holidays and unveil the Velvetiser‘s pop-up for the season.
Velvetiser’
Apple Pie Hot Chocolat from Velvetiser’
We miss the fireworks at the Bryant Park Christmas Tree lighting ceremony but we did watch Ofreh sing Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). Click here to hear her husband Andy Karl singing “Sleigh Bells”.
Rice paper stuffed with vegetables
Reconnecting with Diva Gals Daily Samantha Bessudo Drucker
Diva Gals Daily Maureen Martin
Diva Gals Daily Delaina Dixon with Hot Chocolat
A salted caramel rum old fashion
From the balcony of the Park Terrace Hotel
From the balcony of the Park Terrace Hotel
From the balcony of the Park Terrace Hotel
There was plenty of holiday cheer, a holiday sing-along and plenty of European style hot chocolate, festive cocktails and bites. What a way to start the season.
Tonights tree lighting was hosted by Broadway performer Mauricio Martínez and Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Jenn Colella, the Tree Lighting event featured live skating performances from Olympic skaters Mariah Bell, Karen Chen, Ryan Bradley, and World Champion skating pair Alexa Knierim and Brandon Fraizer, as well as Ice Theatre of New York, Figure Skating in Harlem, and The Skyliners.
However I was across the street at the Park Terrace Hotel where Hotel Chocolat kicked-off the holidays and unveil the Velvetiser‘s pop-up for the season.
t where Andy Karl and his wife Orfeh. Here is Andy singing “Sleigh Bells”.
The tree before
The tree before
The bottom of the tree
The tree after
The igloos
The ice
The ice skaters
Tomorrow look for the performances from Jenn Colella and Mauricio Martínez.
There is an immersive exhibition devoted to the prolific and unclassifiable painter, Marc Chagall (1887–1985) at the Hall des Lumières, 49 Chambers Street. This unique digital exhibition presents his entire oeuvre, revealing a work rooted in its times, at the crossroads of the artistic and cultural novelties of his century and in constant renewal.
Paris and New York, are the emblematic capitals of modern art and represents two crucial stages in the artist’s long career. Paris was his chosen city, and thanks to the avant-garde movements of the 1910s, it provided the young Russian painter with a pool of experimental work, which he enriched with his own cultural references. New York was primarily a place of exile during the 1940s, and yet it gave the artist’s creativity fresh impetus. After the war, several exhibitions and major commissions reinforced the links between Paris and New York and brought Chagall back to the United States, up until the 1970s.
During this immersive exhibition, all the themes and images present in the artist’s repertoire are projected onto the walls of the Hall des Lumières, like intertwined cut-out images. They are complemented by short extracts of classical music, klezmer, and jazz, which were also part of Chagall’s cultural universe. His fantastic bestiary, his marvellous characters from circuses, fables, and the opera, as well as biblical episodes and references to Russian culture, poetically evoke the artist’s rich life experiences, which naturally resonates with the collective experiences of his people and generation.
Hall des Lumières, mission is to inspire visitors to enjoy art beyond the frame with their exhibitions and unique programming. With the help of advanced visual mapping technology and audio equipment, Hall des Lumières continues to provide dynamic art experiences with a mission to make art and culture more accessible to all.
Manhattanhenge happens at sunset, a Reverse Manhattanhenge happens during sunrise. It happens twice a year when the rising sun perfectly aligns with NYC’s grid. This year Reverse Manhattanhenge takes place on Wednesday, November 29th. The best time to watch this spectacular view is at 6:59am. The next one will occurJanuary 11th at 7:20am.
The best place to catch this phenomena is at the major streets such as 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd and 57th Street
G.H. Harding
A CHER STEAL — This year’s 97th edition of the Macy’s Day Parade was a rather underwhelming one, save for Chicago – inexplicably singing “Your My Inspiration” – and the always, indefatigable Cher, singing a track “DJ Play a Christmas Song” off her new holiday-themed album. The first few bars will terribly auto-tuned, but that seemed to disappear and Cher’s vocals rang full and bold.
She was, typically, a pro. Mixing effortlessly and emotionally with the dancers in a terrific set. Some pundits reported the clip was shot days earlier, but she was live and, just sensational. I wish more of today’s performers possessed her vigor and skills. That’s why most of the current acts, here today, will be gone tomorrow.
As we went to press, we learned that this parade was Macy’s most-watched edition ever! Congrats.
Sacred Songs/Daryl Hall
HALL VS. OATES — Some terrible news appeared in Wednesday’s media that Daryl Hall had taken out a TRO against partner-John Oates. I’ve loved what these two have done for decades and I loved Hall’s solo albums; especially the one he did with Robert Fripp in 1977 Sacred Songs. His record company at the time (RCA) hated it so much, they held up its release for three years.
I also well remember them in the 80’s when it seemed you could’t turn on a radio without hearing their music. 29 of their 33 singles were major chart hits on Billboard. But I do go back to them even in the 70’s, with their terrific “She’s Gone” which basically launched them. And, my favorite album of their War Babies, produced by Todd Rundgren. Quick note: That album sounds as good and relevant as it did when it came out in 1974.
The problem seems to arise from Oates wanting to sell his portion of certain songs to Primary Wave Artists – which ironically owns several of their songs already. It’s a small point, but that seems to be the issue. In all actuality, it’s another case of a classic-rocker selling his music.
In Oates’ book several years ago (Change of Seasons: A Memoir), he hardly mentioned Hall and regrettably that animus has apparently reared its angry head. They’re Philly boys, I’m from Philly and it’s just an awful coda to what was one of music’s major success stories. Sad all around.
SHORT TAKES — Terrific article in this week’s Closer on Micky Dolenz. Check it out here: https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/micky-dolenz-on-telling-stories-on-stage-and-in-his-book/
btw: Dolenz tapes KTLA’s Countdown To 2024 this week in LA …
Phil Quartararo
I first met Phil Quartararo in the lobby of the old Mondrian Hotel in LA with John Sykes and we struck up a friendship that lasted until he passed last week. He was at Virgin for a time and worked with the artists there including The Spice Girls and Paul Abdul. In these fast-changing-times in the music business, he remained somewhat behind the scenes of late, but admitted he missed working with the artists. Phil was a guy you never ever heard a bad word about. Huge loss. Here’s Billboard’s take on Phil:
… As you’ve not doubt read, there is trouble in the Marvel-comic kingdom. The latest Captain Marvel movie (The Marvels) didn’t perform nearly as well as everyone hoped for and their newest star, Jonathan Majors as Kang, is tied up in several court matters.
Dr. Doom
So, we hear that Kang is out and Doctor Doom is in. Stay tuned …
Last week for David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s Here Lies Love. If you’ve not seen this, it is a must-see one. Sad to see it go …
And Forbes’ James M. Clash has released Amplified; culled from his terrific interviews with the icons of rock ‘n roll; including Grace Slick; Art Garfunkel; Ginger Baker; Micky Dolenz; and Roger Daltry. Here’s the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJZYW2J?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_WKCSH7AC0ZTK18RZF4ED&language=en-US NAMES IN THE NEWS — Steve Leeds; Kate Hyman; Bono; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Peter Abraham; Bobby Bank; Dina Pitenis; Frank DiLella; Donnie Kehr; Steve Leber; Don Wardell; Anne Adams; Billy Smith; John Boulos; Kimberly Cornell; Sam Rubin; Nexstar; and ZIGGY!
Talking to The Creatives Of War Words
Park Terrace Hotel, Hotel Chocolat and Ofreh
Bryant Park Tree Lighting and Andy Karl
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