By my count, I’ve attended 234 performances of theatre, dance, music, opera, and cabaret during 2019. Out of a field that large, it’s hard to pick just ten, but nevertheless, here are my top ten (ok, eleven) favorite shows I saw in 2019.
All tagged Ain't Too Proud
Ephraim Sykes will star as Michael Jackson in "MJ" the musical on Broadway; Martin McDonagh's "Hangmen" will play a limited engagement at Broadway's Golden Theatre; "Tootsie" will close on January 5th; "Hadestown" recoups; Imelda Staunton will star in "Hello, Dolly!" on the West End; Dominic Cooke will direct “Follies” film; The Drama Book Shop will reopen in a new location in 2020; RIP Laurel Griggs
REVIEW: Adrienne Warren’s star turn in “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical”
Adrienne Warren gives a spell-binding, jaw-dropping, star turn in “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical”. There’s nothing earth-shattering about the show’s conception, construction, or execution—but not much that offends, either. “TINA”, among the best of its sub-genre of bio-musicals, is a rather unremarkable musical as far as the form is concerned but a terrific entertainment that tells a good story and does it well. See it for Adrienne Warren’s transcendent performance.
REVIEW: “Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation”
After a five year hiatus, the Broadway parody revue “Forbidden Broadway” is back with a new edition that makes fun of Broadway shows, actors, and personalities through sketches that satirize the form. Mostly funny, this iteration is undercut by a tinge of bitterness and resentment toward shifting cultural mores and trends on Broadway. But, in the end, it’s still the same scrappy, low-budget comedy revue that’s been playing, off and on, since 1982.
"Hadestown" and "The Ferryman" take home the top prizes at the Tony Awards; "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Adronicus" closes several weeks ahead of schedule; Dave Chapelle books the Lunt Fontanne; Ed Harris to replace Jeff Daniels in "To Kill a Mockingbird"; "Ain't Too Proud" will launch a national tour in 2020; "Xanadu" tour with Ginger Minj and Jinkx Monsoonwill planned; Lin-Manuel Miranda to have cameo in forthcoming "In the Heights" film adaptation; plans for the Times Square Theatre; John Mellencamp musical is in development
FEATURE: 2019 Tony Award Nominations
The 2019 Tony Award Nominations were announced this morning by Bebe Neuwirth and Brandon Victor Dixon. Take a look at the list and read my analysis of the surprises and snubs.
REVIEW: Get ready, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” is out of sight
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” is a seamless, slick, and exuberantly entertaining new musical that reclaims the “jukebox” genre with an energetic, fast-moving, and engrossing portrait-like study of The Temptations. This show looks good, sounds good, and feels good, and is easily one of the best catalogue musicals ever to grace The Great White Way.
Scott Rudin to produce "Hillary and Clinton" by Lucas Hnath starring Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow; "Girl from the North Country" eyes the Walter Kerr Theatre; "TINA: The Tina Turner Musical" poised for Broadway in fall 2019; Dominique Morisseau named a MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant" recipient; "Dear Evan Hansen" to open in London in fall 2019; "The Phantom of the Opera" to launch a new world tour in February; TKTS booths now display prices (vs. percentage discounts) at all locations; French singer Charles Aznavour dead at 94
"Gettin' the Band Back Together" to close September 16th; "Mrs. Doubtfire" musical in development; "Cats" film to premiere on December 20, 2019; "Queen of New York" music video from “King Kong”; the debate over "jukebox musicals" continues; RIP Paul Taylor and Carole Shelley
"Ain't Too Proud" books the Imperial; "The Illusionists" returns to the Marquis for the holidays; Laura Benanti to replace Lauren Ambrose in "My Fair Lady"; Cuba Gooding Jr. returns to "Chicago"; "Beetlejuice" announces full cast; "Waitress" headed to London, "Anastasia" to our U.S./world; "The Play that Goes Wrong" recoups; look at "Hello, Dolly!" finances; RIP Neil Simon, Craig Zadan, Barbara Harris, Brian Murray, and Vivian Matalon
Roundabout revival of "Kiss Me, Kate" will play Studio 54 beginning February 14th; Sasson Gabay joins “The Band’s Visit” June 26th; jukebox musicals are courting top talent, including playwrights Lynn Nottage and Dominique Morisseau; The New Group announces its 2018-2019 season, including "Clueless: The Musical"; book recommendations and a must read letter from the Dramatists Guild
New lottery for tickets to "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"; Shakespeare in the Park season and first two 2018-2019 Manhattan Theatre Club plays announced; "Dave" to play D.C., "Tootsie" to play Chicago, "Ain't Too Proud" to play Los Angeles and Toronto; Grammys recap