Howard Kagan News

Special Offer: Charlotte d’Amboise, Mark Evans and Alex Newell Star in World Premiere Musical Comedy

The rising costs of production are putting a squeeze on many theatres - from Long Wharf to the Edinburgh fringe. While some of these costs are inflation related and are sure to come back down in the long term, it does leave the question of what theatres and producers can do as they try and recover from the past two years of challenges.

Dave Malloy, whose work was last seen on Broadway in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, is taking legal action against the show's producers. The composer claims that he is owed 'hundreds of thousands of dollars' from producer Howard Kagan for recent productions in Japan and Korea.

The Right Girl, featuring music and lyrics by 11-time Academy Award nominee and Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren, and direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, will have its world premiere this October 13, 2021 at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, New York.

Barrington Stage Company will premiere a filmed presentation of new musical, The Right Girl, on November 1. The musical was co-written by Louisette Geiss, who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment.

Every spring the new crop of Drama League Directing Fellows come to New York City for a week of immersion with theater professionals. Bonnie Comley, Vice President of the Board for the Drama League and her husband six time Tony Winner, Stewart F. Lane hosted a dinner at the new Bond45 for a pre-theater meal and conversation about commercial producing. Also, at the table to share their expertise was another multi Tony Award winning couple, Janet Kagan (also a Drama League Board member) and Howard Kagan and the Drama League's Executive Artistic Director, Gabriel Stelian-Shanks and Program Director, Sherri Eden Barber.

According to Deadline, Inclusion Media, a company founded by Tony-winning Broadway producer Howard Kagan, has just bid on the now bankrupt Weinstein Company

Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, while very well loved, had a run that many believed to be far too short. But the producers aren't ready to give up on this show yet. What do we know about what's next for Great Comet?

Today on social media, cast member Sumayya Ali shared her thoughts, writing 'I cannot BELIEVE articles are still being published about our show. At this point, I feel obligated to add my voice. Here it goes.....'

On Tuesday, October 3rd Broadway Backstory podcast podcast presents their episode on NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. Broadway Backstory is a documentary-style podcast which, through conversations with writers, composers, producers, actors, directors and more, finds out how shows develop from and idea to a full Broadway production.

The New York Times has reported that following public outcry, Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin has withdrawn from his scheduled run in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this week, Tony and Emmy Award winner Mandy Patinkin will make his long-awaited return to Broadway in NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, starring as 'Pierre' from August 15 - September 3 only. Okieriete 'Oak' Onaodowan, currently playing the role, will play his final performance as 'Pierre' on August 13.

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this week, Tony and Emmy Award winner Mandy Patinkin will make his long-awaited return to Broadway in NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, starring as 'Pierre' from August 15 - September 3 only. Okieriete 'Oak' Onaodowan, currently playing the role, will play his final performance as 'Pierre' on August 13.

As BroadwayWorld reported earlier this week, Tony and Emmy Award winner Mandy Patinkin will make his long-awaited return to Broadway in NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, starring as 'Pierre' from August 15 - September 3 only. Okieriete 'Oak' Onaodowan, currently playing the role, will play his final performance as 'Pierre' on August 13.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Today's big news: Daphne Rubin-Vega will appear at REBEL VERSES today!

So what happened to Oak? Producer Howard Kagan explains: 'This continues our show's remarkable history of having great actors and singers see the show as audience members, only to tell us they are inspired to join the cast! Whenever possible we will accommodate them as we did here with Mandy and his Homeland TV schedule. Oak, who was scheduled to appear as Pierre for this period graciously agreed to make room for Mandy, and we sincerely hope that Oak will return to us in the fall or winter. He is a terrific Pierre.'

Tony and Emmy Award winner Mandy Patinkin will make his long-awaited return to Broadway in NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, starring as 'Pierre' from August 15 - September 3 only.

Multi-platinum recording artist Ingrid Michaelson has joined the cast of Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 as Sonya. Michaelson will be performing the role from July 3 to August 15, while Brittain Ashford, who originated the role of 'Sonya' takes a temporary leave from the show. Ashford will return to THE GREAT COMET on August 16. Ingrid Michaelson will not be performing August 2 through August 6.

The 62nd Annual Drama Desk Awards, hosted by Michael Urie, were held at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street) just last night, June 4th.

Dave Malloy, creator of the twelve-time Tony nominated new musical NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, made his Broadway performing debut in the show last night, stepping into the role of 'Pierre' for 10 performances across May and June 2017. Last night the company toasted the newly minted three time Tony nominee, as he made his Broadway performing debut. BroadwayWorld is taking you inside the special occasion below!