Katie Macken

SAG, WGA strike: 2 Hell's Kitchen restaurants invite striking actors, writers to eat for free
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SAG, WGA strike: 2 Hell’s Kitchen restaurants invite striking actors, writers to eat for free

By Katie Macken — 1 year ago

For the SAG, WGA strike,  2 Hell’s Kitchen restaurants invite striking actors, writers to eat for free.

Striking workers in the entertainment industry aren’t just receiving support from the  wealthy top Hollywood actors.  They’re also getting help from small businesses, like two restaurants in New York City.

 

Just around the corner from the Theatre District: Marseille and Nizza

Just around the corner from the Theatre District on 9th Avenue by 44th Street are two restaurants: Marseille and Nizza. Both owned by the same company.

They both are now offering free meals to striking actors and writers any night of the week after 9 p.m.

“It’s just our way of giving back to the community that has supported us for so long,”

PR Director Steven Hall

The restaurants are asking strikers to present their union card and take care of their own liquor bill, tax, and tips.

At the end of the strike, if the entertainers can pay back for all their meals, great. If they can’t, their running tab will be forgiven.

MELISSA ETHERIDGE Comes To Broadway - 9 weeks only - This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre
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Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre

By Katie Macken — 1 year ago

Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre

Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway - 9 weeks only - This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre

Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre

Grammy and Academy Award-winning rockstar Melissa Etheridge will debut her acclaimed theatrical event, Melissa Etheridge: My Window on Broadway in a limited nine-week residency at the Circle in the Square Theatre (235 West 50th Street) beginning Thursday, September 14, with an official opening night of Thursday, September 28, 2023. Tickets are on sale now at Telecharge.com.

Melissa Etheridge: My Window on Broadway

 

Etheridge said:

“I truly love Broadway, and it’s long been a dream of mine to tell my story and share my music there.

I never felt more connected to this community and New York audiences than I did after telling my life story off-Broadway last year.

The intimacy of the live theatrical stage is like no other, and Circle in the Square is going to be a magical home for my show’s Broadway debut. I can’t wait to come back to the City! It’s a deeply personal experience to be able to tell these stories again, in a fresh and exciting way, and reconnect with my fans and theatergoers.”

Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway - 9 weeks only - This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Melissa Etheridge has lit up airwaves and arenas across the world for more than two decades with instant classics like “I’m the Only One,” “Come to My Window,” “I Want to Come Over,” and more. Melissa Etheridge: My Window is an intimate experience like never before, inviting theatergoers into an exhilarating evening of storytelling and music. From tales of her childhood in Kansas to her groundbreaking career highlights – with all of life’s hits and deep cuts between – Etheridge opens her heart and soul on stage to fearlessly dazzle audiences of all generations.

 

In October 2022, Etheridge celebrated the world premiere of Melissa Etheridge Off Broadway: My Window – A Journey Through Life. The three-week, sold-out engagement was performed at New World Stages in New York City. The New York Times calls the show “honest and searing. The smoky-voiced, out-and-proud trailblazer finds her own way in ‘My Window’…. pairing completely charming tales with staggeringly beautiful renditions of her songs.”  Theatermania says My Window is “A GREAT Party. Etheridge delights us with a dry sense of humor and a whole lot of tremendous music as she recounts her life. She’s an amazing performer – had me in the palm of her hand!” Queerty declares, “Etheridge’s star power is undeniable, she delivers the emotional ferocity that is the very definition of rock ‘n roll. And her stories have the well-crafted arc and casualness of sitting at your favorite bar with a bestie.”

Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway - 9 weeks only - This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre

Melissa Etheridge Comes To Broadway – 9 weeks only – This Fall with MY WINDOW; Begins Sept 14 at Circle in the Square Theatre

The Broadway residency is produced by Michael Cohl and EMC Presents; in association with Larry Mestel, Deborah Klein, and Steven Greener for Primary Wave Music. Glenn Orsher serves as Executive Producer.

Melissa Etheridge: My Window is written by Melissa Etheridge, with additional material by Linda Wallem-Etheridge (“Nurse Jackie” showrunner, “That ‘70s Show”), and directed by Amy Tinkham (Aerosmith’s “Deuces Are Wild” Las Vegas Residency, Dancing with the Stars Live). The creative team includes scenic design by Emmy Award nominee Bruce Rodgers (Super Bowl Halftime shows since 2010), lighting design by Abigail Rosen Holmes (Phish, David Byrne’s “Contemporary Color”), projection design by Olivia Sebesky (James Taylor, Chad Deity), and sound design by Colle Bustin (West Side Story).

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE & TICKETING

Tickets start at $99.50 plus fees and are on sale now at Telecharge.com. The regular performance schedule is Wednesday at 7 pm, Thursday at 7 pm, Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 8 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. (Note: There are also several Monday and Tuesday evening performances.) The performance schedule varies; check the website for the most up-to-date information.

ABOUT MELISSA ETHERIDGE

Melissa Etheridge (Writer/Performer) stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won a Grammy® in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993). The collection featured the massive hits, “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest-charting album, Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single, “I Want to Come Over.” Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.

 

In February 2007, Melissa Etheridge celebrated a career milestone with a victory in the “Best Song” category at the Academy® Awards for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the Al Gore documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. As a performer and songwriter, Etheridge has shown herself to be an artist who has never allowed “inconvenient truths” to keep her down. Earlier in her recording career, Etheridge acknowledged her sexual orientation when it was considered less than prudent to do so. In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, a health battle that, with her typical tenacity, she won. Despite losing her hair from chemotherapy, Etheridge appeared on the 2005 Grammy® telecast to sing “Piece of My Heart” in tribute to Janis Joplin. By doing so she gave hope to many women afflicted with the disease.

 

On October 7, 2016, Melissa Etheridge released Memphis Rock & Soul, her first album since 2014’s critically lauded This Is M.E. Recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, the album received stellar reviews from the likes of Entertainment Weekly, Parade, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and more. She followed that up with the release of The Medicine Show in April 2019. For The Medicine Show, Melissa reunited with celebrated producer John Shanks and sounds as rousing as ever, bringing a new level of artistry to her 15th studio recording. The Medicine Show deals with universal themes of renewal, reconciliation, reckoning, compassion, and, most profoundly, healing.

 

In June 2020, Etheridge launched her own live-streaming subscription and single-ticket concert platform, Etheridge TV, and has done over 200 live stream events since 2020.

 

On September 17, 2021, Melissa released a new album called One Way Out. The 9-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s that never made the cut….until now! The time is finally right, and fans will finally get a deeper glimpse into who Melissa was then.

'Harmony' Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman musical Sets Broadway Fall Opening
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‘Harmony’ Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman musical Sets Broadway Fall Opening

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman Musical ‘Harmony’ Sets Broadway Fall Opening

Harmony, the musical that played a sold-out run at New York’s National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene last spring, will move to Broadway this fall.

Previews will begin at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre on Wednesday, October 18, with Monday, November 13 as the official opening night.

Harmony chronicles the real-life story of The Comedian Harmonists, who sold millions of records in the 1920s and ’30s, made dozens of films, and sold out major venues around the world. The official synopsis “Their heavenly harmonies and musical comedy antics catapulted these six talented young men from singing in the subway tunnels of Berlin to international superstardom. What happened next is the story of Harmony.”

The musical features an original new score by Manilow with lyrics and book by Sussman. Warren Carlyle (The Music Man, Hello, Dolly!) is the director and choreographer, with Ken Davenport, Sandi Moran and Garry Kief producing.

 

“Broadway is where we always dreamed we would be,”

said Manilow and Sussman in a joint statement.

 

“Dreams really do come true.” Said Carlyle, “I’m so thrilled that we are bringing the amazing, true story of Harmony to Broadway. It’s a great honor and privilege to both direct and choreograph such an important story.”

Joining the producing team are Hunter Arnold, Marco Santarelli, Jonathan and Rae Corr, Adam Riemer, Scott Abrams, Amuse, Inc., Patty Baker, Tom and Michael D’Angora, Susan DuBow, Michelle Kaplan, Steve Kyriakis & Matt Donaldson, Harold Matzner, and Neil Gooding Productions. Harmony is produced in association with Wilfried Rimensberger and Stiletto Entertainment.

SMASH Heads to Broadway in the 2024-2025 Season, directed by Susan Stroman, Produced by Steven Spielberg
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SMASH Heads to Broadway in the 2024-2025 Season, directed by Susan Stroman, Produced by Steven Spielberg

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

SMASH Heads to Broadway in the 2024-2025 Season, directed by Susan Stroman, Produced by Steven Spielberg

SMASH is setting its sights on Broadway with an award-winning creative team, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron, and Steven Spielberg who will serve as lead producers. The stage musical adaptation, inspired by the fan-favorite NBC series on which they all worked together, is slated for Broadway in the 2024-25 season.

SMASH Heads to Broadway in the 2024-2025 Season, directed by Susan

SMASH Heads to Broadway in the 2024-2025 Season, directed by Susan

The production will be helmed by 5-time Tony-winning director Susan Stroman, with a score by the Tony- and Grammy-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Some Like It Hot, Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns, etc.), who wrote over two dozen songs for the television show, many of which will be used in the musical.

They will also be writing additional new material. The book will be co-written by two of Broadway’s most seasoned craftsmen, Tony-winner Bob Martin (The Prom, The Drowsy Chaperone) and Tony-nominated Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher). And Smash’s Emmy-winning choreographer, Joshua Bergasse, will reprise his role for the stage adaptation. 101 Productions, Ltd. will serve as General Management.

www.SmashBroadway.com

Steven Spielberg, whose original idea led to the NBC series, commented: “Smash is near and dear to my heart, and it was always my hope that a musical inspired by the show would eventually come to the stage. We now have an incredible creative team, and I’m looking forward to completing theSmash journey which began with my producing partners over ten years ago.”

 

Robert Greenblatt added, “Speaking for myself and Neil Meron, we’re elated that Steven wanted to join us as we bring Smash to the stage, as we’ve always felt that Shaiman and Wittman’s incredible score belonged on Broadway. And collaborating with the incomparable Susan Stroman, one of the best directors of musicals, plus first-class bookwriters, Rick Elice and Bob Martin, and our original choreographer, Josh Bergasse, is pure joy.”

Neil Meron commented, “Ever since the show ended in 2012, not a week goes by that someone doesn’t ask us when will they see Smash as a musical. We think we’ve come up with something the die-hard series fans will love but that will also be exciting for people who never saw an episode of the show. And above all else it will be a valentine to the Broadway musical and the exhilarating rollercoaster ride of bringing one to life.”

Many of the songs Shaiman and Wittman wrote for the television show —including the Emmy-nominated “Let Me Be Your Star” — will be used in the new musical. And while the story will follow the harrowing and hilarious process of mounting “Bombshell” (the musical about the life of Marilyn Monroe), the stage version of Smash will also depart liberally from the series.

The critically-acclaimed Smash debuted on NBC in February 2012 to raves from The Los Angeles Times (“A triumph”), The San Francisco Chronicle (“It’s so good you can’t help wondering why no one thought of it before”), The Hollywood Reporter (“Excellent, a bar-raiser for broadcast networks and superior to Glee”), and The Huffington Post (“One of the strongest new shows of the season”), among many others.

Smash was groundbreaking in its ambitiousness and developed a devoted following, but its popularity has only grown in the following years. The cast performed a charity benefit concert of the songs from “Bombshell” at the Minskoff Theatre in June of 2015 which sold out in fifteen minutes. It was filmed and eventually streamed during the early days of the pandemic in 2019 as a benefit for The Actor’s Fund (Entertainment Community Fund).

Susan Stroman’s work on Broadway is voluminous, including one of the biggest hits of all time, Mel Brooks’ The Producers, for which she won Tony Awards for both direction and choreography. Her other achievements include Tony Awards for choreography for Crazy For You, Show Boat, and Contact. She is represented this year in the West End by the well-received revival of Crazy For You, and on Broadway with New York, New York that has a score by the immortal team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Neil Meron has collaborated previously with Shaiman and Wittman, first on the motion picture of the musical Hairspray starring John Travolta, and then on the NBC live adaptation starring Harvey Fierstein. Meron is one of the lead producers (with Greenblatt as Co-Producer) of the current Shaiman and Wittman Broadway musical, Some Like It Hot, which opened to raves in December of 2022 at the Shubert Theatre.

The celebrated songwriters previously adapted another Steven Spielberg property for Broadway, the musical Catch Me If You Can, which was based on his 2002 hit film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. They also collaborated on the score for the box office hit, Mary Poppins Returns; and Shaiman is an Emmy-winner and seven-time Oscar nominee for his scores for motion pictures.

Rick Elice is co-writer of the mega–hit Jersey Boys, as well as The Addams Family, The Cher Show, and Peter and the Starcatcher. Bob Martin began his Broadway career both starring in and writing the book (Tony Award) for The Drowsy Chaperone. He co-wrote the book to the musical The Prom and co-created the television series Slings and Arrows. Martin and Elice are currently adapting The Princess Bride for the stage; Martin is also writing the book for the upcoming Broadway-bound musical, Boop; and Elice is writing the new musical, Water For Elephants.

Since Smash, Joshua Bergasse has become an acclaimed choreographer on Broadway where he was Tony-nominated for his elaborate ballets in the recent revival of On The Town. He collaborated with Shaiman and Wittman as choreographer for their musical adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and he also choreographed the revival of Lerner & Lowe’s Gigi starring Vanessa Hudgins.

Steven Spielberg is the most successful director in film history and the recipient of every major award including four Oscars, three Emmys, numerous Golden Globes and the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, to name just a few. His list of producing credits for film and television through his two companies — DreamWorks and Amblin’ — is in a class by itself. He is also active on Broadway. His multi-faceted philanthropic work includes the creation of the USC Shoah Foundation in 1994.

Over the past thirty years, Robert Greenblatt ran Fox Broadcasting, Showtime, NBC, HBO, and the Turner Networks, and oversaw the launch of HBO Max in 2020. Between executive stints, he became an award-winning producer on Broadway (three Tony Awards, two Oliviers) and on television, where he won Golden Globe and Peabody Awards for HBO’s Six Feet Under. He produced Annie Live! with Neil Meron in 2021 and is currently executive producer of Julian Fellowes’ The Gilded Age on HBO.

Neil Meron is a busy producer on Broadway (Some Like It Hot, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Promises, Promises) and in film and television. He produced (with the late Craig Zadan) the Best-Picture, Chicago, the film version of Hairspray, The Bucket List, Bette Midler’s star turn in Gypsy for CBS, numerous television movies, and six live television musicals: The Sound of Music Live!, Peter Pan Live!, The Wiz Live!, Hairspray Live!, Annie Live!, and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!, for which he was awarded the Emmy.

The musical adaptation will be based in part on the television series created by Theresa Rebeck which was produced by Universal Television. Executive producers  included Rebeck, Steven Spielberg, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, David Marshall Grant, and Joshua Safran. It was produced in association with DreamWorks Television and Storyline Productions.

WP Theater's 2023 Gala Honors Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose, Broadway League Chair Lauren Reid May 8
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WP Theater’s 2023 Gala Honors Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose, Broadway League Chair Lauren Reid May 8

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

WP Theater’s 2023 Gala Honors Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose, Broadway League Chair Lauren Reid May 8.

WP Theater (Producing Artistic Director Lisa McNulty, Managing Director Michael Sag) is thrilled to announce the honorees of its 2023 Annual Gala, celebrating extraordinary achievement by Women+ artists and industry leaders.

Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose will be presented with the Trailblazer Award

Broadway League Chair & John Gore Organization President Lauren Reid will be honored with the Ceiling Breaker Award.

 

WP Theater’s 2023 Gala Ceremony

 

The ceremony at The Edison Ballroom (240 W 47th St, NYC) on Monday, May 8, 2023.

WP Theater Board Member and Tony Award-nominated producer Rachel Sussman and WP Theater Board Member Joseph P. Petito Esq. will serve as the gala co-chairs.

Each year, WP honors truly outstanding women who have taken risks, pushed limits, and broken ground in a wide variety of fields, celebrating their unique accomplishments.

Since its inception, the event has paid homage to luminaries such as Gloria Steinem, Whoopi Goldberg, Debra Messing, Audra McDonald, Eve Ensler, Dame Judi Dench, Kerry Washington, Vanessa Redgrave, and Chita Rivera, to name just a few.

WP Theater’s Annual Gala delivers an inspiring, entertaining, star-studded night

featuring performances and special messages from the brightest Broadway & Off-Broadway talent – in celebration of the accomplishments of vital women+ across many disciplines in New York and beyond.

WP Theater’s 2023 History

 

WP THEATER now in its 45th Season, is the nation’s oldest and largest theater company dedicated to developing, producing and promoting the work of Women+ at every stage in their careers. For over four decades we have served as leaders at the forefront of a global movement towards gender parity, and the example we set and the artists we have fostered have grown into a robust and thriving community of artists in theater and beyond.

WP Theater received a 2018 Lucille Lortel Award, a 2019 Obie Award, and a 2020 Drama Desk Award, all for Outstanding Body of Work, recognizing WP’s unique place and vital work in the theatrical landscape. WP empowers Women+ of all kinds to reach their full potential and, in doing so, challenges preconceptions about the kinds of plays women write and the stories they tell. As the premiere launching pad for some of the most influential Women+ theater artists today, our work has had a significant impact on the field at large.

Nearly every prolific female theater artist has been through our doors, including 2019 Tony Winner for Best Direction of a Musical, Rachel Chavkin, 2018 Tony Winner for Best Direction of a Play, Rebecca Taichman, 2013 Tony Winner for Best Direction of a Play, Pam MacKinnon, 2013 Tony Winner for Best Direction of a Musical, Diane Paulus, 2018 Pulitzer Prize Winner Martyna Majok, and two-time Pulitzer Prize Winner Lynn Nottage.

These powerful women found an artistic home at WP and are a testament to our role as a driving cultural force.

When we say Women+ we mean: cis women, trans, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming people and all gender identities which have been systematically oppressed throughout history in the theater and beyond.

Lea Michele's Broadway Sensation ‘Funny Girl’ Sets Closing Date
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Lea Michele’s Broadway Sensation ‘Funny Girl’ Sets Closing Date

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

Lea Michele’s Broadway Sensation ‘Funny Girl’ Sets Closing Date

Life on Broadway is coming to a close for the company of “Funny Girl.” The Broadway revival extended its run, but the show will play its final performance on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023.

Its closing date is nearly exactly one year after Lea Michele joined the cast.

The revival of “Funny Girl” first opened in April 2022 led by Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice. But she and Jane Lynch, who was replaced by Tovah Feldshuh as Fanny’s mother, departed the production in August after the production was plagued with poor reviews and modest turnout.

“Funny Girl” likely would have closed sooner without the casting changes.

But box office results have been on the upswing since last September and seats at the August Wilson Theater have remained well-sold, even setting multiple house records. By the time the cast, including Ramin Karimloo as Nicky Arnstein and Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan, takes its final bow, the Broadway revival will have played 599 performances and 30 previews.

As previously announced, “Funny Girl” will launch a tour in September, starting Providence, R.I., before continuing to more than 30 North American cities. 

“Funny Girl” follows Brice on her improbable rise to fame and her stormy relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein. The musical features theater classics like “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and “People.” In a unique arrangement, Julie Benko, who has become a fan favorite at the August Wilson Theater, performs the role of Fanny Brice every Thursday and while Michele is out.

The musical debuted on Broadway in 1964, starring Barbra Streisand, and received several Tony nominations. The revival marks the first time “Funny Girl” has returned to the Great White Way in 58 years.

Michele certainly had tough shoes to fill, but critics have favorably compared her performance to Streisand’s star-making turn. 

Olivier Award-Winning LIFE OF PI Announces Broadway Cast
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Olivier Award-Winning LIFE OF PI Announces Broadway Cast

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

Olivier Award-Winning LIFE OF PI Announces Broadway Cast

Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaption of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel LIFE OF PI will premiere at Broadway’s Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45th Street) with three Olivier Award-winning performers making their Broadway debuts.

Recreating their critically acclaimed performances for Broadway will be “Best Actor” winner Hiran Abeysekera in the role of “Pi” and “Best Supporting Actor” winners Fred Davis and Scarlet Wilderink join the “Richard Parker” puppeteering team.

Recreating their critically acclaimed performances for Broadway

“Best Actor” winner Hiran Abeysekera in the role of “Pi”

and “Best Supporting Actor” winners Fred Davis

The Broadway production of the five-time Olivier Award-winning London production of LIFE OF PI will feature Brian Thomas Abraham as Cook/Voice of “Richard Parker,” Rajesh Bose as Father, Avery Glymph as Father Martin/Russian Sailor/Rear Admiral Jackson,

Mahira Kakkar as Nurse/Amma/Orange Juice, Kirstin Louie as Lulu Chen, Salma Qarnain as Mrs. Biology Kumar/Zaida Khan, Sathya Sridharan as Mamaji/Pandit-Ji, Daisuke Tsuji as Mr. Okamoto/Captain, Sonya Venugopal as Rani,

with Nikki Calonge, Fred Davis, Rowan Ian Seamus Magee, Jonathan David Martin, Betsy Rosen, Celia Mei Rubin, Scarlet Wilderink and Andrew Wilson as Royal Bengal tiger “Richard Parker.”

Mahnaz Damania, Jon Hoche, Usman Ali Mughal, Uma Paranjpe and David Shih round out the 24-member cast with Adi Dixit as the “Pi” alternate.

Olivier Award-Winning LIFE OF PI Announces Broadway Cast

Olivier Award-Winning LIFE OF PI Announces Broadway Cast

LIFE OF PI begins performances Thursday, March 9, 2023, and opens Thursday, March 30, 2023.  Prior to the Broadway engagement, LIFE OF PI made its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University.

 

LIFE OF PI is directed by Max Webster, with Set and Costume design by Olivier Award winner Tim Hatley, Puppetry and Movement Direction by Olivier Award winner Finn Caldwell, Puppet Design by Olivier Award winners Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, Video Design by Olivier Award winner Andrzej Goulding, Lighting Design by Olivier Award winner Tim Lutkin, Sound Design by Carolyn Downing, Original Music by Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy by Jack Bradley, Wig Design by David Brian Brown, and Casting by Stewart/Whitley.

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – LIFE OF PI is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy name Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Tickets for LIFE OF PI on Broadway are available at Telecharge.com (212.239.6200) and at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre box office and range from $49 – $199 (including $2 facility fee).

The playing schedule for LIFE OF PI is as follows: Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Please note there will be no 2pm performance on Wednesday, March 15, and March 22.  Beginning Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the LIFE OF PI performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, Wednesday and Friday at 7:30pm, and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm.

Euphoria's Maude Apatow will make her Broadway Debut in 'Little Shop of Horrors' February 2023.
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Euphoria’s Maude Apatow Makes Broadway Debut in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Feb 2023

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

Euphoria’s Maude Apatow will make her Broadway Debut in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ February 2023.

The three-time Best Musical Revival Award-winning production of Little Shop of Horrors, now in its third florid year Off-Broadway, will welcome television and film star Maude Apatow (HBO’s “Euphoria”, Netflix’s “Hollywood”) as Audrey from February 7 – April 2, 2023.

Maude Apatow Makes Broadway Debut

Apatow will make her New York stage debut alongside Tony Award Winner Matt Doyle (Company) as Seymour. Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Ohio State Murders) returns to the company as Dr. Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. beginning January 24, and D’Kaylah Unique Whitley (Dear Evan Hansen, Aida) joins the cast as Ronnette beginning January 17.

“I have long admired the emotional intelligence and vulnerability Maude has displayed on television and in film. She’s a natural fit for Audrey,”

says director Michael Mayer.

“It delighted me to learn that, as a child, Little Shop was her gateway into her lifelong love of performing, and that this show gets to be her professional stage debut. We’re thrilled to have her become a part of the Little Shop legacy.”

“We are overjoyed to welcome another incredible performer to the show. With her beautiful voice and immense talent, we cannot wait to see Maude light up the stage alongside Matt Doyle’s brilliant portrayal of Seymour,” says producer Robert Ahrens, on behalf of his partners. “Audiences are also really in for a treat with D’Kayla’s joyous & spunky Ronnette, and Bryce’s hilarious Dr. Orin Scrivello is not to be missed.”

Maude Apatow’s Broadway Debut Joins Acclaimed Cast

Little Shop of Horrors currently stars Doyle as Seymour, Tony Award Winner Lena Hall(Hedwig, “Snowpiercer”) as Audrey (through Feb 5), Andrew Call (Groundhog Day, Rock of Ages) as Dr. Orin Scrivello D.D.S. (through Jan 22),

Tony Award Winner Brad Oscar(Something Rotten!, The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde) as Mushnik, Aaron Arnell Harrington(RENT 25th Anniversary Tour) as The Voice of Audrey II, Tiffany Renee Thompson as Crystal, Khadija Sankoh as Chiffon, Joy Woods as Ronnette (through Jan 19), Josh Daniel, Camryn Hampton, Michael Iannucci, Weston Chandler Long, Chelsea Turbin, and Teddy Yudain.

With a book and lyrics by Grammy and Academy Award winner Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast), and music by Tony and Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Aladdin, Newsies), the 2020 Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk Award-winning Best Musical Revival of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening).

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS began previews at Westside Theatre on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 and opened to widespread critical acclaim on Thursday, October 17, 2019. Ben Brantley of The New York Times deemed the show a “Critic’s Pick,” declaring that “a certain carnivorous plant has been re-potted in Hell’s Kitchen, and I am delighted to report that it’s thriving there.

Michael Mayer’s delicious revival…summons the shivery elation I felt seeing the musical at the East Village’s Orpheum nearly four decades ago. It restores the show to its original scale and sensibility, reminding us of the special potency of grisly things that come in small, impeccably wrapped packages.” The Hollywood Reporter describes the production as “wildly exuberant and irresistible.

This terrific revival will only deepen the devotion for those lucky enough to catch it.” Time Out gives the musical “Four Stars! A deeply satisfying revival… with a marvelous cast. What kind of deal with what kind of devil are you willing to cut to see it?”

Following the theater industry’s extended suspension of operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production re-opened its doors on September 21, 2021, to sold-out audiences hungry for the thrill of live theater again.

Washington Post critic Peter Marks wrote in 2022, “I’m back at Little Shop of Horrors because, friends, I needed to laugh today. Hearing the glorious Menken/Ashman score sung by this cast fills the prescription. [A return trip] is WORTH IT.”

Seymour is a down-on-his-luck florist with a crush on his co-worker Audrey. When he discovers a mysterious – and voracious – plant, suddenly Seymour and Audrey are thrust into an epic battle that will determine the fate of the entire human race. LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS first premiered Off-Broadway in 1982, where it made audiences laugh, scream, and give up gardening for good. The musical has since catapulted into a global phenomenon, with productions across the world from Broadway to London’s West End, to Asia and Australia – plus a hit 1986 film adaptation directed by Frank Oz that starred Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin. Now, the musical has made its highly-anticipated return home to Off-Broadway, in an intimate new production directed by Michael Mayer that offers an unprecedented opportunity to get close — maybe too close — to an incredible plant with an insatiable appetite.

Mayer is joined on the LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS creative team by Choreographer Ellenore Scott (Funny Girl, Mr. Saturday Night), Tony-nominated Scenic Designer Julian Crouch (Hedwig and the Angry Inch); Two-time Tony-winning Lighting Designer Bradley King (Hadestown, Natasha Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812); Emmy-winning Costume Designer Tom Broecker (Everyday Rapture); Tony-winning Sound Designer Jessica Paz (Hadestown); Emmy-nominated Puppet Designer Nicholas Mahon (Pyeongchang Olympics Opening Ceremony) and Hair and Makeup Designer Tommy Kurzman (My Fair Lady). Original puppet design is by Martin P. Robinson, Puppets are by Monkey Boys Productions, and Grammy nominee Will Van Dyke (Pretty Woman) serves as Music Supervisor, Orchestrator & Arranger.

This production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is the recipient of multiple theater awards and nominations including: four Outer Critics Circle Honors (Outstanding Revival, Outstanding Director: Michael Mayer, Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Jonathan Groff, and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Christian Borle); The Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, as well as, Distinguished Performance Nominations for Jonathan Groff and Christian Borle; two Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for Christian Borle, in addition to an Outstanding Actress nomination for Tammy Blanchard and Outstanding Scenic Design nomination for Julian Crouch; the Lortel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical for Christian Borle, as well as, a Best Revival Nomination, an Outstanding Lead Actor nomination for Jonathan Groff and an Outstanding Supporting Actress nomination for Ari Groover; and a 2021 Grammy Award Nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is produced by Tom Kirdahy, Robert Ahrens, Hunter Arnold, Mickey Liddell, Caiola Productions, Curt Cronin, John Joseph, DDM Productions, DeSantis-Baugh Productions, Elizabeth Dewberry & Ali Ahmet Kocabiyik, Wendy Federman, Roy Furman, Deborah Green, Kayla Greenspan, Marguerite Hoffman, Sally Cade Holmes, Latitude Link, Seriff Productions, Silva Theatrical Group, and Eric Gelb/Oliver Roth. Casting is by Jim Carnahan, C.S.A./Jason Thinger, General Management is by Live Wire Theatrical/ Chris Aniello, Production Management is by Tinc Productions and Production Stage Management is by Ryan Gohsman.

TICKETS & SAFETY PROTOCOLS:

Tickets starting at $59 are on sale now through January 7, 2024, at Telecharge.com/212-239-6200. Group ticket sales are now available through January 7, 2024. The regular performance schedule is: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2 & 8pm, and Sundays at 2 & 7:30pm. Holiday Week schedules may vary.

The Westside Theatre and the producers of Little Shop of Horrors are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for audiences, performers, and staff. All audience and staff members will be required to follow all CDC, NYS, NYC health guidelines, as well as those established by the production, at the time of performance. Please note that these guidelines are subject to change — for up-to-date information, visit http://westsidetheatre.com/covid-19/

www.LittleShopNYC.com @LittleShopNYC

'Evil Dead' Hero Bruce Campbell Presents: 'Bruce-O-Rama' at Patchogue Theater
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‘Evil Dead’ Hero Bruce Campbell Presents: ‘Bruce-O-Rama’ at Patchogue Theater Sat April 15

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

‘Evil Dead’ Hero Bruce Campbell Presents: ‘Bruce-O-Rama’ at Patchogue Theater Sat April 15

“Evil Dead” Hero Bruce Campbell Hosts Two Events in One Fun Night

 

PART 1: PLAY A GAME! Hosted by Bruce Campbell, LAST FAN STANDING is not your father’s trivia contest. As the only interactive game show created exclusively for fans of pop culture, LAST FAN STANDING tests your knowledge about the things that really matter: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Superheroes, Gaming. Everyone in the audience gets to play. Fans answering the most questions correct in the fastest amount of time will come up on stage with Bruce for the Final Face-Off, and one player will be crowned Last Fan Standing! Followed by a brief break for the crew to clear the stage and for fans to buy more stuff!

PART 2: WATCH A GROOVY BRUCE MOVIE! Bruce will introduce a cult favorite he’s been in and take questions before the screening. It’s a lively half hour of anecdotes, insults and random cash giveaways.

BUT WAIT – NOW HOW MUCH WOULD YOU PAY? In addition to these two events, depending on the type of ticket purchased, fans can also take home a custom, autographed poster of the event and a portrait-grade photo with the man himself! Let the good times roll at Bruce-O-Rama!

Tickets and info and Patchogue Theatre.

Broadway's Funny Girl Sets New Box Office Record at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre
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Broadway’s ‘FunnyGirl’ Sets New Box Office Record at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre

By Katie Macken — 2 years ago

Broadway’s Funny Girl New Box Office Record at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre

The smash hit revival of FUNNY GIRL set a new box office record at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street) for the week ending January 1, 2023. FUNNY GIRL’s gross for the nine-performance week was $2,405,901.00.

The previous August Wilson Theatre house record was set by FUNNY GIRL the week ending December 18, 2022, with a weekly gross of $2,005,696.80 over eight performances.

Produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani, FUNNY GIRL stars Emmy Award Nominee Lea Michele as Fanny Brice

Tony and Olivier Award nominee Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein,

2022 Tony & Drama Desk Award Nominee & Chita Rivera Award Winner Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan, and four-time Tony Award nominee Tovah Feldshuh as Mrs. Rosie Brice at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52nd Street).

They are joined by Peter Francis James as Florenz Ziegfeld, Ephie Aardema as Emma/Mrs. Nadler, Debra Cardona as Mrs. Meeker, Toni DiBuono as Mrs. Strakosh, Martin Moran as Tom Keeney

And an acting company that includes Miriam Ali, Amber Ardolino, Daniel Beeman, Colin Bradbury, Kurt Csolak, John Michael Fiumara, Leslie Donna Flesner, Candice Hatakeyama, Masumi Iwai, Aliah James, Jeremiah James, Danielle Kelsey, Stephen Mark Lukas, Alicia Lundgren, John Manzari, Liz McCartney, Connor McRory Katie Mitchell, Justin Prescott, Mariah Reives, Barbara Tirrell, Leslie Blake Walker, and “Fanny Brice” alternate Julie Benko, who performs the role every Thursday.

Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs this brand-new FUNNY GIRL, featuring the classic score by Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Bob Merrill, (comprising additional songs from Styne & Merrill). The original book by Isobel Lennart, from an original story by Miss Lennart, is revised by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.

FUNNY GIRL features choreography by Ellenore Scott, tap choreography by Ayodele Casel, scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn, costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kevin Adams, sound design by Tony Award winner Brian Ronan, hair & wig design by Campbell Young Associates.

Music direction and supervision by Emmy Award winner Michael Rafter, casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA and Jason Thinger, orchestrations by Chris Walker, dance, vocal and incidental music arrangements by Alan Williams, and additional arrangements by David Dabbon and Carmel Dean.

This bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway.

Featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” Michael Mayer’s bold new production marks the first time FUNNY GIRL has returned to Broadway since its debut 58 years ago.

Tickets to FUNNY GIRL are now on sale through Sunday, May 28, 2023 at https://seatgeek.com/funny-girl-tickets. Prices start at $69.00.

Powered by Lucky Seat, a limited number of tickets will be available for every performance of FUNNY GIRL for $47.50 per ticket.

Digital lotteries will begin each Monday at 10AM ET and close the day prior to the performance at 10:30 AM ET. Winners will be notified at approximately 11 AM ET the day prior to the performance via email and SMS.

Once notified, winners will have a limited time to claim and pay for their ticket(s). Lottery entrants must be 18 years or older.

Tickets are non-transferable. All sales final. No exchange, no refunds. Ticket limits and prices are at the sole discretion of the show and are subject to change. For additional rules, and information on how to enter, visit”https://www.luckyseat.com/shows/funnygirl-newyork.

A limited number of standing room tickets are available at the box office on the day of the performance if it is sold out. Standing room tickets are first come, first serve.

Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis and David Babani together with Gemini Theatrical, Accidental Jacket and Sony Masterworks Broadway recently announced the digital release of FUNNY GIRL – New Broadway Cast Recording,which is now available wherever you stream music.

Produced by David Caddick and David Lai and featuring the classic score by Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics), the physical CD is set for release on Friday, January 20, 2023 and available here.

The album is co-produced by Sonia Friedman, Scott Landis, David Babani, Michael Mayer, Brian Gillet, Huck Walton, Sean Keller and Marc Levine. The album is executive produced by Evan McGill and associate producers are Joanna Drowos, Abby Green and PickleStar Theatricals.

FUNNY GIRL is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, David Babani, Roy Furman, No Guarantees, Adam Blanshay Productions, Daryl Roth, Stephanie P. McClelland, Lang Entertainment Group, Playing Field, Gavin Kalin, Charles & Nicolas Talar, Fakston Productions, Sanford Robertson, Craig Balsam, Cue to Cue Productions, LenoffFedermanWolofsky Productions, Judith Ann Abrams / Peter May, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Elizabeth Armstrong, Jane Bergère, Jean Doumanian, Larry Magid, Rosalind Productions, Iris Smith, Kevin & Trudy Sullivan, Julie Boardman / Kate Cannova, Heni Koenigsberg / Michelle Riley, Mira Road Productions / Seaview, In Fine Company, Elie Landau, Brian Moreland, Henry R. Muñoz III & Kyle Ferari Muñoz,  MaggioAbrams / Brian & Dayna Lee.

Follow FUNNY GIRL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram @FunnyGirlBway. www.FunnyGirlOnBroadway.com

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