Broadway
Music News: KPOP, Kimberly Akimbo, Bistro Awards
Sony Masterworks Broadway, along with producers Tim Forbes and Joey Parnes, premiere the new track “Amerika (Checkmate)” from KPOP – Original Broadway Cast Recording – listen here. Following the release of “Super Star” and “Upduryuh (Bow Down),” “Amerika (Checkmate)” is the third track to be made available from the forthcoming Original Cast Recording of KPOP, which is set for digital release on Monday, May 8 and on CD Friday, May 12. Featuring vocals by KPOP boy group F8, “Amerika (Checkmate)” debuts today alongside an accompanying performance video – watch here.
Starring K-pop super star Luna as MwE, KPOP, the new Broadway musical, premiered on November 27, 2022 at Circle in the Square Theatre. Directed by Teddy Bergman, KPOP features a book by Jason Kim; choreography by Jennifer Weber; music, lyrics, music production and arrangements by Helen Park; and music and lyrics by Max Vernon and was conceived by Woodshed Collective and Jason Kim. KPOP also starred Julia Abueva, BoHyung, Major Curda, Jinwoo Jung, Jiho Kang, Amy Keum, James Kho, Marina Kondo, Eddy Lee, Joshua Lee, Jully Lee, Lina Rose Lee, Timothy H. Lee, Abraham Lim, Kate Mina Lin, Aubie Merrylees, Min, Patrick Park, Kevin Woo, Zachary Noah Piser, and John Yi.
Ghostlight Records announced that Kimberly Akimbo: Original Broadway Cast Recording will be released on CD on Friday, May 19. The CD is available for pre-order starting today, Friday, April 7. The CD booklet features complete lyrics, color photography and liner notes by Washington Posttheater writer Peter Marks. The album hit #2 on Billboard’s “Cast Album” chart when it was released in digital and streaming formats earlier this season. The recording was produced by Jeanine Tesori, John Clancy, and David Stone, with Kurt Deutsch serving as executive producer. Listen to the album, or pre-order the CD, at https://ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/KimberlyAkimbo.
Kimberly Akimbo, the critically-lauded new musical currently on Broadway at the Booth Theatre, is produced by David Stone, Atlantic Theater Company, James L. Nederlander, LaChanze, John Gore, Patrick Catullo and Aaron Glick. The show features book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Tony Award-winner Jeanine Tesori, and is based on the critically-acclaimed play of the same name by David Lindsay-Abaire, with choreography by Danny Mefford, and direction by Jessica Stone. Kimberly Akimbo had its world premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company, where it opened to rave reviews last winter. The production’s Music Director is Chris Fenwick. Kimberly Akimbofeatures orchestrations by John Clancy, with additional orchestrations by Macy Schmidt.
The “sublime cast” of Kimberly Akimbo features Tony Award-winner Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza, Gigi) as Kimberly, Justin Cooley (who is making his Broadway debut), Tony Award nominee Steven Boyer (Hand to God, Time and the Conways), Alli Mauzey (Cry Baby,Wicked), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Olivia Elease Hardy (Broadway debut), Fernell Hogan (The Prom, Mean Girls US Tour), Michael Iskander (Broadway debut), and Nina White (Broadway debut).
Winner of “Best Musical” awards from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle, the Drama Desk Awards, the Lucille Lortel Awards, and the Outer Critics Circle Awards, Kimberly Akimbo opened to unanimous rave reviews on November 10, 2022 at Broadway’s Booth Theater. The musical was included on more “Best of the Year” lists than any other new musical or play.
Kim is a bright and funny Jersey teen, who happens to look like a 72-year-old lady. And yet her aging condition may be the least of her problems. Forced to maneuver family secrets, borderline personalities, and possible felony charges, Kim is determined to find happiness in a world where not even time is on her side.
KimberlyAkimboTheMusical.com @akimbomusical
Art
Ahead of the Broadway Opening of Lempicka The Longacre Theatre Is Showcasing Art Work By Tamara de Lempicka
The Longacre Theatre (220 W 48th St.), soon-to-be home of the sweeping new musical, Lempicka, is showcasing a curated selection of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka’s most famous works. Eschewing traditional theatrical front-of-house advertising, the Longacre’s façade now boasts prints, creating a museum-quality exhibition right in the heart of Times Square. The musical opens on Broadway on April 14, 2024 at the same venue.
The Longacre’s outdoor exhibition includes works of Self Portrait (Tamara in a Green Bugatti) (1929), Young Girl in Green (1927), Nu Adossé I (1925), The Red Tunic (1927), The Blue Scarf (1930), The Green Turban (1930), Portrait of Marjorie Ferry (1932), Portrait of Ira P. (1930), Portrait of Romana de la Salle (1928), and Adam and Eve (1932).
Starring Eden Espinosa and directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, Lempicka features book, lyrics, and original concept by Carson Kreitzer, book and music by Matt Gould, and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.
Spanning decades of political and personal turmoil and told through a thrilling, pop-infused score, Lempicka boldly explores the contradictions of a world in crisis, a woman ahead of her era, and an artist whose time has finally come.
Young Girl in Green painted by Tamara de Lempicka (1927). Oil on plywood.