Phylicia Rashad to direct Charles Randolph-Wright's "Blue" at the Apollo Theater; Shakespeare in the Park season will be “Richard II” and “As You Like It”; "The Notebook" to premiere in Chicago; reimagined “Aida" will premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2021; "Hairspray" national tour launches in the fall; "The Karate Kid" musical in development; "Almost Famous" headed to Broadway? "The Phantom of the Opera" turns 32; RIP: Margo Lion, Joseph P. Patria Jr., and Peter Larkin
All tagged Mean Girls
"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
"Hadestown", "Kiss Me, Kate", "The Ferryman", and "The Waverly Gallery" take home the top prizes at the Drama League Awards; "What the Constitution Means to Me" is among the 2019 Obie Award winners; Marisa Tomei to helm Broadway revival of "The Rose Tattoo" and Mary Louise Parker to star in "The Sound Inside" at Studio 54; Barry Manilow will hold residency at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre; Broadway-aimed "Magic Mike" musical cancels Boston tryout; "The Inheritance" and "Almost Famous" appear poised for Broadway
Actors’ Equity and the Broadway League reached an agreement to end five week strike; "The Height of the Storm" to play MTC's Friedman Theatre on Broadway; "The Band's Visit" wins Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album; Off-Broadway's Davenport Theatre closes; Adrienne Warren to reprise her celebrated performance as Tina Turner on Broadway; "Beetlejuice" and “Hadestown” announce Broadway casts; Laura Benanti extends run in "My Fair Lady"; Krystina Alabad to replace Ashley Park in "Mean Girls"; "Wicked" movie sets December 2021 release date; RIP Albert Finney and Cy Lee
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!).
Lawsuit reveals construction damage to the August Wilson Theatre; BC/EFA’s "Gypsy of the Year" fundraiser renamed the "Red Bucket Follies"; full cast announced for Roundabout "Kiss Me, Kate"; Bertie Carvel and Jonny Lee Miller to star in “Ink”; Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" announces development lab; "The Preacher's Wife" musical likely headed to La Jolla; Rosie O'Donnell will co-star in a revival of "Funny Girl", but no Lady Gaga; Broadway community teams with March For Our Lives for a benefit concert on October 22nd; must read interview with Patti LuPone and NYT article about plays; RIP Ira Gasman and Carol Hall
"Network" will play the Belasco; Taylor Mac’s "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus", starring Nathan Lane and Andrea Martin, will play the Booth; Glenda Jackson-helmed "King Lear" cast announced; "Titanic" and “Pal Joey” revivals in the works; “The Rivals” and “Marie” are Broadway-aimed; Tony Awards to remain on CBS; 2018 Theatre Hall of Fame inductees announced; profile of Jennifer Simard; 72 plays and musicals to see; "Theater Talk" ends after 25 seasons; RIP Marin Mazzie
Kerri Russell joining Adam Driver for "Burn This"; Alex Brightman and Sophia Anne Caruso announced for "Beetlejuice"; Jennifer Simard will replace Kerry Butler in "Mean Girls"; Anne Kauffman is the new Artistic Director of City Center's Encores! Off-Center; "The Beast in the Jungle" and "Hundred Days" to release albums; IFC’s "Documentary Now!" series will parody "Company" cast album documentary; 12 most revived plays since 1950
Rosemary Harris to replace Diana Rigg in "My Fair Lady"; Hugh Dancy and Megalyn Echikunwoke join "Apologia"; "School Girls” cast reuniting for encore run; MTC expands "30 Under 30” program to age 35; TKTS pilots price listing; “Mean Girls” to offer free fan performance; “Sweat” to tour the Midwest; “Be More Chill” sells out; “Moulin Rouge” aiming for summer 2019 Broadway bow; Tommy Tune hints at “Grand Hotel” revival; Ruthie Ann Miles returns to the stage; Charlotte Rae dead at 92
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
FEATURE: 2018 Tony Nominations
Take a look at the 2018 Tony Award Nominations - I highlight some surprises, snubs, and quirks.
REVIEW: “Mean Girls” is fetch!
Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls” the musical is a triumphant burst of high-energy fun, artfully written and brilliantly executed. This stage adaption is every bit as funny as the now-iconic 2004 film, and even more effective at delivering its message of self-confidence and kindness, thanks to good writing, great design, a boffo cast, and the guiding hand of director/choreographer Casey Nicholaw. In a season of too few musicals, “Mean Girls” is a standout.