Heather Lind News

What a difference sixteen years can make.  A toddler can become a voter, an innovation can become a cliché and, in the case of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, a tense drama can turn into fluff romantic comedy.

It would certainly be an interesting experience for modern playgoers to travel back in time and see how The Merchant of Venice was first received by Shakespeare's audiences.  Those only familiar with the play's famous, 'Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions...' speech, spoken by the moneylender Shylock, might just assume the author meant it to be a drama attacking anti-Semitic tendencies of the day.

A big thank you to the folks at New Line Theatre for bringing this entry from Jason Robert Brown's blog to my attention.  It seems the Tony-winning composer/lyricist was involved in a lengthy email exchange with a young fan who didn't understand why it was wrong for her to be offering free Internet sheet music downloads of his songs.  If you've seen Sherie Rene Scott's Everyday Rapture, prepare for some déjà vu.

The Public Theater presents THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. The show began performances on June 9 and runs through August 1. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the curtain call and opening night party for the production, which runs in repertory with THE MERCHANT OF VENICE this summer.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, began performances for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, June 12. The Public Theater began Shakespeare in the Park performances of A Winter's Tale, directed by Michael Greif on June 9. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, broke the house record at the Longacre Theatre last week for the third time. The show grossed $747,615.62 at the 1,057-seat playhouse for the week ending June 27, breaking its previous record of $687,824.90 for the week ending June 20.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, began performances for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, June 12. The Public Theater began Shakespeare in the Park performances of A Winter's Tale, directed by Michael Greif on June 9. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

On Monday, June 21, The Public Theater hosted its annual gala, this year honoring sponsors Bank of America and Bernard Gersten. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, running in repertory with THE WINTER'S TALE, gave a special performance as part of the gala event. BroadwayWorld celebrated with The Public's friends and supporters and brings you a sampling of the celebrity gala attendees below!

Last night, June 21, The Public Theater hosted its annual gala, this year honoring sponsors Bank of America and Bernard Gersten. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, running in repertory with THE WINTER'S TALE, gave a special performance as part of the gala event. BroadwayWorld celebrated with The Public's friends and supporters and brings you coverage of gala arrivals below.

Last night, June 21, The Public Theater hosted its annual gala, this year honoring sponsors Bank of America and Bernard Gersten. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, running in repertory with THE WINTER'S TALE, gave a special performance as part of the gala event. BroadwayWorld celebrated with The Public's friends and supporters and brings you curtain call coverage of The Merchant of Venice below.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Revival, broke the house record at the Longacre Theatre last week for the second time. The show grossed $687,824.90 at the 1,057-seat playhouse for the week ending June 20, breaking its previous record of $673,706.50 for the week ending May 11.

Kelsey Grammer, currently starring in his Broadway musical debut in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, will be a guest on CBS' 'The Early Show' on Saturday, June 19. In the New York area, 'The Early Show' airs on WCBS Channel 2 between 7:00 and 9:00 AM. Check local listings.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, June 12. The Public Theater begins Shakespeare in the Park performances tonight, June 9, with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif (yesterday's scheduled opening was cancelled due to the rain). Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. BroadwayWorld brings you the latest batch of MERCHANT production shots below!

Katie Couric speaks with Kelsey Grammer, Tony Award nominee for 'La Cage aux Folles.' Grammer talks about playing Dr. Frasier Crane, overcoming personal tragedies, and being a conservative in Hollywood.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

Kelsey Grammer and Douglas Hodge, the Tony Award-nominated stars of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES on Broadway, are featured on this weekend's edition of NY1 Onstage. On Stage airs Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM and again from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM. It repeats on Mondays from 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM and Tuesdays from 12:30 AM to 1:00 AM.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES has won the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will continue its popular Shakespeare Salon series on Monday, May 24 at 6 p.m. Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein will moderate a discussion on 'Making Shakespeare in the Park: Onstage and Backstage,' featuring a cross-section of cast, crew and creative team members from this summer's repertory productions of The Winter's Tale and The Merchant of Venice at Shakespeare in the Park.

Douglas Hodge is this year's recipient of the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Musical for LA CAGE AUX FOLLES.