"American Utopia" will return to Broadway this fall; Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf to lead a Broadway revival of "Death of a Salesman"; Disney to release a filmed version of "Hamilton" on Broadway; Spike Lee to film "American Utopia"; "Sing Street" cast album comes out March 26th; Rebecca Luker reveals she has been diagnosed with ALS; Jeremy Jordan to replace Gideon Glick in "Little Shop of Horrors"; RIP Kevin Conway, Paula Kelly, Lynn Cohen, and Orson Bean
All tagged Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
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.
"MJ The Musical" will play Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre; Martin Scorsese's new film, "The Irishman", will screen at Broadway's Belasco Theatre; TimeOut's Helen Shaw is the new theater critic for New York Magazine/Vulture; "Slave Play" extends by two weeks; "A Christmas Carol" and “Evita” casting announcements; Joe Mantello to receive prestigious “Mr. Abbott” Award; Kerry Washington joins “The Prom" movie; "A Night with Janis Joplin" will screen; "The Life of Pi" might be headed to Broadway in 2021; Kathleen Marshall tapped to direct and choreograph "Sideways" musical; RIP Bruce Anthony Davis
Ben Whishaw will star as Marilyn Monroe in "Norma Jean Baker of Troy" at The Shed; Eileen Atkins and Jonathan Pryce will star in “The Height of the Storm” on Broadway; is a new production of “Parade” in the works?; new "Harry Potter” cast announced; watch the Kennedy Center Honors; RIP groundbreaking Japanese-American ballerina Sono Osato
FEATURE: Top 10 Shows of 2018
By my count, I’ve attended 246 performances of theatre, dance, music, opera, and cabaret during 2018. Out of a field that large, it’s hard to pick just ten, but nevertheless, here are my top ten favorite shows I saw in New York (including no new musicals and only three Broadway shows!).
REVIEWS: “King Kong” and “The Making of King Kong”
In this comparative review, I take a look at the $35M “King Kong” musical on Broadway—complete with its thrilling stagecraft and lackluster material underneath—and the decidedly low-budget Off-Off-Broadway play, “The Making of King Kong”—a playful deconstruction of the “Kong” myth and its attendant problems of white patriarchy, colonialism, and sexism.
Roundabout to mount Fiasco Theatre "Merrily We Roll Along" in 2019; City Center announces its 75th anniversary; Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman writing musical adaption of “Some Like It Hot”; Ben Levi Ross to lead tour of “Dear Evan Hansen”; national tour and cast album update; Drama League and Chita Rivera Awards winners; Tony winner Ruthie Ann Miles loses unborn child following death of her 2 year old daughter
Tony Award Nominations announced; "Angels in America" extends to July 15th; "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" releases a music video; "Spamalot" will receive a film adaptation; Chazz Palminteri joining "A Bronx Tale"; Carey Mulligan bringing "Girls & Boys" to New York; winners of the Lucille Lortel Awards, New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, and Outer Critic's Circle Awards
FEATURE: 2018 Tony Nominations
Take a look at the 2018 Tony Award Nominations - I highlight some surprises, snubs, and quirks.
REVIEW: “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is Pure Magic
Harry Potter makes his Broadway debut in a new play that is an astonishing thrill ride packed with plentiful twists and turns in a production that marks a triumph of stagecraft and skillfully captures the spirit and sensibility of the beloved book series and film franchise. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is pure magic, and a must-see for any Harry Potter fan or acolyte.
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