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Theatre News: Sweeney Todd, Harmony, Six, Lempicka and Jonathan Tunick’s Caricature at Sardi’s

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Tony Award winners Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster to Star in Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Tveit and Foster begin performances on Friday, February 9, 2024, for 12 weeks only. Their final performance will be Sunday, May 5, 2024. As previously announced, Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford will play their final performance as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett on Sunday, January 14, 2024.


Broadway is a family! And last night, the six Queens from Broadway’s musical hit SIX invited their newest neighbor on West 47thStreet, the six Harmonists from the new musical Harmony to their stage to welcome them to Broadway.

On the stage of the Lena Horne Theatre, the Queens Hailee Kaleem Wright, ZoeJensen, Marilyn Caserta, Aubrey Matalon, Holli’ Conway and Taylor Iman Jones presented each of the Harmonists with a Union Jack bag celebrating their British roots containing a bottle of Hayman’s London Dry Gin. The Harmonists, Sean Bell, DannyKornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey, honored their Jewish roots with a reciprocal gift of Junior’s traditional rugelach to each.

Six, the Tony-Award® winning musical by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is playing at the Lena Horne Theatre (256 West 47th Street) and Harmony, the new musical by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle, is currently in previews at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) in advance of a November 13th opening night.

Based on an unbelievable true story, Harmony tells the tale of the most successful entertainers you’ve never heard of. . . until now. In the 1920s and 30s, The Comedian Harmonists sold millions of records, made dozens of films, and sold-out the biggest theaters around the world.  Their heavenly harmonies and musical comedy antics catapulted these six talented young men from singing in the subway tunnels of Berlin to international superstardom.

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the Six wives of Henry VIIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into Euphoric Celebration of 21st Century girl power! The new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their heads over.

Lempicka, the sweeping new musical portrait celebrating the gripping true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka, will open on Broadway this spring at the Longacre Theatre (220 W 48th St). Eden Espinosa, who originated the titular role in critically acclaimed performances at Williamstown Theatre Festival and La Jolla Playhouse, will star in the production. Performances begin on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 ahead of an official opening night on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Tickets are now on sale at telecharge.com.

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.

Marisa de Lempicka, President of Tamara de Lempicka Estate, LLC stated, “When I first saw this show inspired by the life and times of Tamara de Lempicka, my great-grandmother, I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes. The music, the story, the choreography, the set, and the incredibly talented cast, directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, were truly moving. We feel so happy and proud that Tamara’s art and life story keep inspiring new generations, almost one hundred years later, and that her resilience and iconic creativity are being portrayed in this extraordinary production.”

“Tamara de Lempicka’s life spanned some of the most consequential eras in modern history, and her deep and complex story is an ideal subject for exactly the kind of show I love to both see and create: one that is simultaneously intimate and epic,” stated director Rachel Chavkin. “I think Carson and Matt are visionary storytellers — Carson is an under-recognized leader in the new play field, known for exquisite sparseness and thematic density, and Matt is a wild heart whose music fuses contemporary vibes with classical musical theater…and simply makes your heart swell. How lucky for all of us to have this piece brought to life by a performer as dynamic and brilliant as Eden Espinosa.”

Following its world premiere at Williamstown Theatre Festival, the production played at La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director).

By Magda Katz: EGOT winner orchestrator Jonathan Tunick joined Sardi’s Wall of Fame.

Jonathan Tunick

Tunick’s orchestrations can be heard in 3 productions this season, Here We Are, Merrily We Roll Along and Sweeney Todd. Casts and creatives from Mr. Tunick’s productions were in attendance to salute the famed orchestrator.

David Hyde Pierce

On hand were:  Josh Groban, Judy Collins, Micaela Diamond. Jonathan Groff, Maria Friedman, Rachel Bay Jones, Amber Gray, David Hyde Pierce and more

Jonathan Tunick and Leigh Berry

Jonathan Tunick, Max Klimavicius

Jonathan Tunick, Cast of Here We Are

Josh Groban Judith Lurman

Jonathan Tunick, Jonathan Groff

Judy Collins, Maria Friedman and Jonathan Tunick

 

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

Art

Ahead of the Broadway Opening of Lempicka The Longacre Theatre Is Showcasing Art Work By Tamara de Lempicka

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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.