Broadway

Theatre News: Alan Cumming as Uncle Vanya, Radial Park For Holiday Parties,TRU Producer Boot Camp and Thoughts of a Colored Man

Published

3 years ago

November 18, 2020

The “Spotlight on Plays” series continues with Anton Chekov’s Uncle Vanya on Thursday, November 19 at 8PM EST/ 5PM PST. This is a world premiere of Neil LaBute’s adaptation of Chekov’s masterpiece, directed by Danya Taymor.

The production stars Tony Award winner Alan Cumming as “Uncle Vanya,” Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn as “Maria,” Manik Choksi as “Waffles,” K. Todd Freeman as “Serebryakov,” Mia Katigbak as “Marina,” Anson Mount as “Astrov,” Samira Wiley as “Sonya,” Constance Wu as “Yelena.” Tony Award winner Gabriel Ebert is the Narrator.

The “Spotlight on Plays” events are livestreamed at 8PM EST/5PM PST. Uncle Vanya will be available until Monday, November 23. Tickets for all events are on sale now and sold exclusively on TodayTix. Ticket buyers can access the events through the TodayTix app or todaytix.com at a “Pay What You Can” rate starting at $5. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to The Actor’s Fund.

The fall series will continue with a reunion with the original Broadway cast of Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still (December 3) and Robert’s O’Hara’s Barbecue (December 10).

To learn more about “Spotlight on Plays” series, visit Broadways Best Shows Spotlight on Plays.

Uncle Vanya is Executive Produced by Jeffrey Richards and Produced by Patty Baker/Good Productions, Barbara Freitag, Jim Glaub, Rebecca Gold, Jayne Baron Sherman, Iris Smith, Jacob Soroken Porter and The Shubert Organization.

Stark Production Group Founder and President, Jeremy Shepard, the creator and co-producer of the theatrical drive-in experience Radial Park at Halletts Point Play, and Round Seven Media Founder and President, Marco Shalma, co-producer of Radial Park, today announced a new endeavor, Radial Park Presents.

Radial Park Presents provides custom entertainment services, from concerts to fully staged shows and everything in between, featuring Broadway’s brightest talents, for customers seeking extra-special entertainment at their next event.

“We’ve been making sure ‘The show goes on!’ with our Broadway at the Drive-In, Radial Park, since October,” said Shepard. “We have been overwhelmed with positive responses, especially from our actor and singer friends. This new company will provide a unique opportunity to help them during this ongoing Pandemic, while also providing custom, on demand, entertainment options for those looking to celebrate the holidays, or any special occasion, in a big – and safe – way.”

For more information, or to make a booking, contact Melissa at Stark Production Group at: Melissa@StarkProductionGroup.com or call 212 586 2744.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces a new virtual adaptation of their TRU Producer Boot Camp: Essentials of Self-Producing on Sunday, December 6 from 1pm to 6:30pm ET. Learn to view your creative work from a business perspective and understand the need to think differently. Make smarter choices, not only now but for the future of your show. It all seems a little overwhelming at times, but we will break it down into easily digestible bites. Boot Camp costs $75 for TRU members and $100 for all others. To register, visit https://truonline.org/events/self-producing-2020/.
“Health and safety continue to be a priority during these challenging times,” asserts TRU executive director Bob Ost. “Still, we can use the resources available to us to support our community in staying creative and positive while isolation rules our lives. One by one we are transitioning our programs to virtual format, and celebrating the advantage of being accessible to artists far beyond the New York area.”
COVID-19 scholarships are available to participants. To apply, fill out the online scholarship application at https://forms.gle/BeGgYecFcaJUsNk18 and send a brief email to TRUnltd@aol.com requesting financial help.
“I’m just an artist” no longer cuts it when you make the move from page to paying audience – you must be the CEO of your brand! In this groundbreaking half-day workshop we will look at how artists can successfully take on the challenging role of producer to generate their own opportunities. The ones who are most successful have to master a range of business skills, don a variety of hats, and learn to be expert jugglers.
Facilitators Emileena Pedigo of The Show Goes On Productions, former managing producer of Midtown International Theatre Festival; and Bob Ost, writer-producer, executive director of TRU, will lead a terrific lineup of industry professionals. Guest speakers include:

dramaturg/director/producer Cate Cammarata of CreateTheater.com;
general manager/producer Lisa Dozier-King of LDK Productions (NYMF, Be More Chill, A Letter to Harvey Milk, The Crusade of Connor Stephens, Bedbugs the Musical, F#%king Up Everything, Sistas the Musical);
production advisor/strategist and producer Blair Russell of Blair Russell Productions (Slave Play, off-Broadway’s long-running immersive Sweeney Todd) and Show Shepherd, a strategic theatrical development company;
entertainment attorney Lee Feldshon of Feldshon Law PLLC;
marketing expert and omnipreneur Mathew Heggem;
Dorothy Marcic of Dr. Dorothy Productions, self-producing writer (off-Broadway long-running Sistas!, This One’s for the Girls, Respect); and others TBA.

Curriculum:12:45 – check-in
1:00 – 1:30 -“Why Are You Doing This?” with Bob Ost & Emileena Pedigo

If you don’t know where you’re going, you can’t know how to get there.
Aligning with a vision of your work.
Understanding your property and identifying your audience.
Building a Road Map and setting attainable S.M.A.R.T. Goals.
Adapting to the new virtual world: new technology, teams and audiences.

1:30 – 2:15 – “Legal Protections and Antidotes” with Lee Feldshon

Agreements: collaborator, options, contractors and more.
What you need to know when you ask for money. And what your responsibilities are.
Pre-existing and underlying rights, intellectual property protections.
New concerns in these virtual days.

2:30 – 3:00 – “Planning Ahead” with Blair Russell of Show Shepherd

Having a vision of what this play could be and how far it can go.
Thinking and planning beyond your project (5/10 year plan).
How to plant the seeds for the next step.
The impact the pandemic has had on the development process.

3:00 – 3:30 – “Wearing Many Different Hats” with Dorothy Marcic

You are no longer “just an artist” – the different hats of any entrepreneur.
Keeping identities separate – know who you are in each situation.
Thinking in spreadsheets and understanding the business.
Finding your team. It’s never a one-man show, even if it sometimes feels like it.

3:45-4:30 -“Knowing What You Need to Make It Happen” with Lisa Dozier-King

How your goals affect your choices (budget, venue, creative team and more).
Effective use of virtual performance for development.
The development options: table read, staged reading, showcase, festivals, cabaret and more.
How much do things really cost? How much should you pay people, & how to have those conversations? Including review of actual budgets.
The most uncomfortable ask: friends and family.
How to get help when you think you can’t afford it.
Developing leadership and management skills.
How to put together and manage your creative team.

4:30-5:00 – “Marketing, Promotion and Self-Promotion” with Mathew Heggem

Self-producing and branding in the virtual age.
Identifying your audience (Lean Startup Model).
The marketing basics: website, postcards, social media, TDF and papering.
Effective networking: creating brand ambassadors for your art.

5:15-5:45 – “Finding & Creating Opportunities” with Cate Cammarata

Producing virtually: platforms, unions and international reach.
Getting your plays out there in the world: licensing, and getting the most out of it.
Researching and booking tours.
Fringes and festivals.

5:45 – Keynote Speech
6:00 – Q&A/warmdown
*Curriculum is subject to change.
For more information, visit https://truonline.org/events/self-producing-2020/.

Brian Moreland, Ron Simons, Diana DiMenna, Samira Wiley, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, announced that Thoughts of a Colored Man, the new play by Keenan Scott II, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, will open on Broadway in the upcoming season at a Shubert theater to be announced.

Thoughts of a Colored Man will mark the Broadway debuts of both Scott and Broadnax. Scott’s new play The Migration LP is in development at New York Stage & Film and Broadnax most recently directed Katori Hall’s new play The Hot Wing King at Signature Theatre.

Producer Brian Moreland said, “Keenan’s play has been one of my favorite journeys. From our very first reading in 2017, his voice was raw, pure, and honest for our world today. Steve’s direction brings unbridled tenderness to the experience of the contemporary Black male with a full range of humanity. More than ever, it is vital for Broadway and theaters across America to make room for the next generation of theater makers: to celebrate their communities, to feel their heartache, and to hear the stories they are ready to tell. The entire producing team is humbled to play a small role in bringing Keenan Scott II and Steve H. Broadnax III to Broadway.”

Thoughts of a Colored Man had its critically acclaimed world premiere at Syracuse Stage under the artistic direction of Robert Hupp in fall of 2019 with a subsequent run later that year at Baltimore Center Stage (Stephanie Ybarra, Artistic Director).

Robert Hupp said, “Thoughts of a Color Man demonstrates the important role non-profit regional theater plays in the ecology of Broadway. Syracuse Stage, along with Baltimore Center Stage, was proud to premiere Thoughts of a Colored Man. Giving this play its first artistic home was a distinct honor, and we are thrilled to know Keenan’s powerful work will be among the first productions to reopen Broadway. It is the right play for right now.”

Up Next

Dylan McDermott, Phylicia Rashad, Roberta Maxwell, Austin Pendleton and More For Night of The Iguana

Don't Miss

NAMT’s 32nd Annual Festival Of New Musicals Has Tickets Available to the Public

Suzanna Bowling

Suzanna, co-owns and publishes the newspaper Times Square Chronicles or T2C. At one point a working actress, she has performed in numerous productions in film, TV, cabaret, opera and theatre. She has performed at The New Orleans Jazz festival, The United Nations and Carnegie Hall. She has a screenplay and a TV show in the works, which she developed with her mentor and friend the late Arthur Herzog. She is a proud member of the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle and was a nominator. Email: suzanna@t2conline.com

Broadway

Melissa Etherridge My Window A Rock Goddess Spiritual Journey

Published

1 day ago

September 30, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Oscar and Grammy winner Melissa Etheridge’s autobiographical musical My Window is an informative, riveting, raw, intimate and musically thrilling alsmost 3 hours of entertainment. With 22 albums to her name, Etheridge is a female rock goddess and is on par with Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Ann Wilson, Grace Slick, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry and the incomparable Janis Joplin.

I originally saw this show when it opened at New World Stages almost a year ago and Etheridge’s theatrical solo show has only gotten better and tighter. She invites theatergoers into an exhilarating evening of storytelling and music. Starting with her birth, we learn about her childhood in Kansas, groundbreaking career highlights, coming out, her lovers, the drugs she has taken, her spiritual journey, her wives, her kids, cancer and what makes Melissa who she is. She is charming, revealing, illuminating as she bares her heart & soul to all who attend.

Photo by Jenny Anderson

In between learning about this bluesy warrior are her confessional lyrics, the raspy, smoky vocals and classics numbers like “Like The Way I Do,” “Twisted Off To Paradise,”“I’m the Only One,” “Come to My Window,” “I Want to Come Over”.

Photo by Jenny Anderson

Winning a tiny trophy gave way to winning a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocalist in 1998 and again in 1995. Before that in 1993 Etheridge came out publicly, early on in her career. In 2005 Etheridge took the Grammy stage after having cancer to join in a tribute to Janis Joplin. She appeared hairless. Etheridge also won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2007 for “I Need To Wake Up” for the film “An Inconvenient Truth.”

Photo by Jenny Anderson

It turns out Etheridge has always loved musical theatre, as she treated us to a wonderful rendition of “On Broadway.” She did make her Broadway debut in a weeklong stint as St. Jimmy in Green Day’s American Idiot in 2011, but she doesn’t talk about that.

Melissa Etheridge My Window, is wonderfully is written by Etheridge with additional material by Linda Wallem-Etheridge (“Nurse Jackie” showrunner, “That ’70s Show”). The direction by Amy Tinkham is succent and well done.

Everything about this production is well done from the scenic design by Bruce Rodgers, lighting design by Abigail Rosen Holmes, fabulous projection design by Olivia Sebesky and the sound design by Shannon Salmon, which keeps this show clear and clean.

Kate Owens is hysterical as the Roadie/ Stage Manager. This little girl is a star in the making with her rubber face and facial expressions galore. She adds to this show immensely and I definitely want to see more of what she can do.

This is a must see show for anyone LGBTQIA. The message is positive and life affirming. This is a women who owns her talent, charisma and choices, which makes this a joy to watch.

Photo by Jenny Anderson

Melissa Etheridge My Window: Circle In The Square, 235 West 50th Street. Closes November 19th.

Broadway

Barry Manilow’s and Bruce Sussman’s Harmony Meets The Press Part 2

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Yesterday we told you how the cast and creative’s met the press

The cast and creatives

In today’s edition hear director Warren Carlyle, Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman describe their show.

The it was a treat as the cast sang 5 songs from the show. Including “Harmony,” Hungarian Rhapsody,” “Where You Go’ and “Stars in the Night.”

Hear The Harmonists Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey, along with Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess and Julie Benko.

The hit song of the show will be the gorgeous ballad “Every Single Day” sung by Danny Kornfeld.

Harmony begins previews at the Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.

Photo’s by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Broadway

The Glorious Corner

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

G. H. HARDING

G.H. Harding

JESSE L MARTIN — We caught the debut of Jesse L. Martin’s The Irrational Monday night and really enjoyed it. I’ve been aware of Jesse since his role in Broadway’s Rent and he’s really tremendous. He was great on Law & Order as Ed Green (10 years and 9 seasons); and his role on the CW’s The Flash (as Joe West) was simply terrific.

The show, based on the book by Dan Ariely and created by Arika Mittman, certainly reminds one of The Mentalist or Instinct. This first case isn’t wondrous by any means, but Martin’s charisma carries it all through.

Lauren Holly (NCIS) is in it too, thought her one-scene was over and out in a flash.

I hear the third episode of the show is magnificent, so stay tuned. Don Johnson said many years ago that Don Johnson was made for TV … so is Martin!

Will Swenson and Neil Diamond

SWENSON OUT — (per Deadline) Will Swenson will play his final performance as Neil Diamond in Broadway’s A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical on Sunday, Oct. 29, producers announced today.

A replacement for the starring role will be announced at a future date.

“It’s been the thrill of a lifetime to get to stand in Neil’s shoes,” Swenson said in a statement. “It’s been such an incredible honor to get to know Neil, to tell his powerful story, and bring his amazing songs to Broadway audiences every night. I’m immensely proud of the moving, beautiful show we made. I will miss it very much.”

A reason for Swenson’s departure was not disclosed, but his planned departure date suggests a year-long contract coming to a close: He and the bio-musical began previews at the Broadhurst Theatre last Nov. 2 (official opening was Dec. 4).

“Making A Beautiful Noise with Will Swenson was a deep and wonderful experience,” said director Michael Mayer. “The true affection he has for Neil’s work and life is palpable in every aspect of his tremendous performance. I will miss him terribly, of course, but will always treasure our time together, and very much look forward to the next show we do.”

Swenson has been one of Broadway’s go-to leading men since his breakthrough performance in 2009’s Hair, and he has since starred on the New York stage in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Little Miss Sunshine, Waitress and Assassins, among many other shows.

In addition to Swenson, the cast of A Beautiful Noise features a principal cast of Mark Jacoby as the aged Neil Diamond, Robyn Hurder and Shirine Babb.

The musical includes a score of Diamond’s hits, a book by Anthony McCarten, direction by Mayer, and choreography by Steven Hoggett.

He’s pretty tremendous as Diamond. I didn’t see the show straight away, but absolutely loved it when I did. His exit of kind of short notice … but let’s see what happens.

SHORT TAKES — How about those snappy new graphics for NBC’s Today Show. Introduced a week ago, they certainly look more relevant and certainly more fun. They did the same for Nightly News a week ago. Per TVNewser:The network said the decision to unveil a new logo and graphics for Nightly was made as a way of appealing to younger viewers who primarily consume news using digital media. It’s safe to assume is true for Today, the youngest-skewing of the linear morning shows that boasts a robust digital presence. Here’s their whole story:

https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/nbcs-today-unveils-new-graphics-package/535209/#:~:text=The%20new%20design%20highlights%20the,effects%20as%20the%20previous%20design%20%E2%80%A6

The Rolling Stones

The next Rolling Stones single, “Sweet Sounds of Heaven,” is tremendous. Mick hasn’t sounded this good in years and Lady Gaga is an added treat. Magnificent! Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEJd5xtbEPY …

Donnie Kehr

Donnie Kehr and Cori Gardner’s Rockers On Broadway (their 30th edition) is coming up on Monday, October 16 at SONY Hall.

Debbie Gibson

Joining honoree Melissa Etheridge will be KT Tunstall and Debbie Gibson, Simon Kirke, Dan Finnerty and Ty Taylor … Happy Bday Chuck Taylor!

NAMES IN THE NEWS –— Anthony Noto; Tom & Lisa Cuddy; Paul Lester; Ian Harrison; Magda Katz; Pete Townshend; Miko Blanco; Brad LeBeau; Mal Evans; Derek Taylor; Andrew Sandoval; Rick Rubin; Bill Adler; Cory Robbins; Manny Bella; Race Taylor; Scott Shannon; Buddy Blanch; Steve Walter; Benny Harrison; and BELLA!

Broadway

Theatre News: Here We Are, Some Like It Hot, A Beautiful Noise, All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented The Villain and The Laramie Project

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

The curtain rose last tonight on the first performance of the final Stephen Sondheim musical. Here We Are, the new musical from David Ives and Sondheim, is on stage at The Shed’s Griffin Theater (545 W. 30^th Street), with an Opening Night on Sunday, October 22, for 15 weeks only.

Directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, the cast of Here We Are will feature Francois Battiste, Tracie Bennett, Bobby Cannavale, Micaela Diamond, Amber Gray, Jin Ha, Rachel Bay Jones, Denis O’Hare, Steven Pasquale, David Hyde Pierce, and Jeremy Shamos. The understudies for Here We Are are Adante Carter, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Bradley Dean, Mehry Eslaminia, Adam Harrington, and Bligh Voth.

Here We Are is inspired by two films, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Exterminating Angel, by Luis Buñuel.

Here We Are will include choreography by Sam Pinkleton, set design and costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Tom Gibbons, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, musical supervision and additional arrangements by Alexander Gemignani, hair & make-up design by Wigmaker Associates, and casting by The Telsey Office.

Tickets are on sale on TheShed.org.

For each performance, a limited number of $25 tickets will be available via a weekly lottery, which will open for entries on the TodayTix app each Sunday at 12:01 AM for the coming week’s performances and will close at 12:00 PM on the day before each performance. Winners will be notified by push notification and email between 1 – 4 PM on the day before their selected show, and will have 30 minutes to claim their tickets in the app. Entrants may request 1 or 2 tickets, and entry is free and open to all.

Via TodayTix’s mobile rush program, a limited number of $40 same-day rush tickets will be available for that day’s performance of Here We Are at 9:00 AM each day on a first-come, first-served basis. Users can download the app and “unlock” rush tickets by sharing the program on social media ahead of their desired performance day.

The most award-winning musical of the 2022-2023 season, Some Like It Hot, will play for 13 more weeks through Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre (225 West 44^th Street) before launching a national tour and West End production.

Awarded Best Musical by The Drama League, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle, Some Like It Hot received over 20+ major awards throughout the 2022-2023 season, including four Tony Awards for Best Lead Actor in a Musical (J. Harrison Ghee), Best Choreography (Casey Nicholaw), Best Orchestrations (Charlie Rosen & Bryan Carter) and Best Costumes in a Musical (Gregg Barnes). J. Harrison Ghee made history as the first non-binary performer to take home the Tony Award in their category.

A national tour will launch in September 2024 and a West End production will follow in 2025, produced by The Shubert Organization and Neil Meron in partnership with Ambassador Theatre Group.

At the time of the final performance, the production will have played the Shubert Theatre for over a year, for a total of 483 performances.

Will Swenson and the cast. Photo by Julieta Cervantes.

Will Swenson, who is electrifying audiences with his star turn in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical, will play his final performance as ‘Neil Diamond – Then’ at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44^th Street) on Sunday, October 29. Casting for the role of ‘Neil Diamond – Then’ will be announced at a future date.

The unofficial commencement of “spooky season” takes place this Friday, September 29, when Tony Award® Nominee and Grammy Award® Winner Patrick Page returns to the New York stage in All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented The Villain, a new work created and performed by Mr. Page, based on the villains of William Shakespeare. Directed by Simon Godwin, the solo show will play the DR2 Theatre (103 E 15^th Street) beginning Friday, September 29, with an Opening Night set for Monday, October 16, for 14 weeks only.

Tickets are now available at allthedevilsplay.com, Telecharge or by visiting the DR2 Theatre box office (103 E 15^th Street).

Julie White

Julie White and Brandon Uranowitz will join Ato Blankson-Wood in a staged benefit reading of The Laramie Project. Moises Kaufman and the Members of Tectonic Theatre Project’s The Laramie Project, will bedirected by Dustin Wills (Wolf Play, Wet Brain). The event, which will raise funds to support the work of The Trevor Project, will take place on Monday, October 16^th at 7:00 PM at Peter Norton Symphony Space, and is being produced by District Productions. Additional casting is soon to be announced. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/vp-the-laramie-project-a-benefit-staged-reading

Broadway

Barry Manilow’s and Bruce Sussman’s Harmony Meets The Press

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2023

Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Harmony, has been in rehearsals for 3 weeks and yesterday morning, they meet the press.

Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow, wrote the original music.

Bruce Sussman

Bruce Sussman, who wrote the book and lyrics

Warren Carlyle

director/choreographer Warren Carlyle

Ken Davenport

and producer Ken Davenport started the show off to a harmonious roll. Harmony begins previews Wednesday, October 18, ahead of a Monday, November 13 official opening night.