Isabella Byrd News

Award-winning playwright Patricia Loughrey and composer Thomas Hodges announce that five-time NYMF alum Erin Leigh Peck (Motherfreakinghood, Grease! on Broadway) will step into the lead role of Margaret Evans in their original LGBTQ musical Sonata 1962.The production, which will make its Off-Broadway debut this August as part of the 2018 New York Musical Festival's Next Link Project, was originally slated to star Becca Ayers who has had to step out of the show due to booking a Broadway contract.

 Australian playwright and composer Luke Byrneis excited to announce his original new musical Between the Sea and Sky will make its Off-Broadway debut later this summer as part of the 2018 New York Musical Festival's (NYMF) Next Link Project. Featuring an original book, music & lyrics by Mr. Byrne, Between the Sea and Skywill play a 5-performance run at The Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row beginning July 31, 2018.

Award-winning playwright Patricia Loughrey and composer Thomas Hodges, whose critically acclaimed play Dear Harvey has been making waves across the nation since its debut in 2010, are thrilled to announce their original LGBTQ musical Sonata 1962 will making its Off-Broadway debut this August as part of the 2018 New York Musical Festival's (NYMF) Next Link Project.

Illustrious alumni will guest-curate this summer's 25-year anniversary edition of Ice Factory 2018, New Ohio Theatre's Obie Award-winning festival. Ice Factory 2018 will present eight new works over eight weeks, June 27 - August 18, at New Ohio Theatre, located at 154 Christopher Street between Greenwich and Washington Streets in New York City.

Williamstown Theatre Festival has announced casting and creative team additions to the 2018 season including Tony Award winners Natasha Katz and Clint Ramos, as well as details on additional programming and special events for the 2018 summer season.

Deidrie Henry returns to The Armory to star as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Lanie Robertson's riveting portrait of Holiday's life told through an imagined final performance in a small bar in South Philadelphia in 1959. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill begins preview performances on May 26, opens on June 1, and runs through July 1 on the U.S. Bank Main Stage.

Deidrie Henry returns to The Armory to star as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Lanie Robertson's riveting portrait of Holiday's life told through an imagined final performance in a small bar in South Philadelphia in 1959. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill begins preview performances on May 26, opens on June 1, and runs through July 1 on the U.S. Bank Main Stage. Bill Fennelly returns to The Armory to direct after previously directing Gypsy, Black Pearl Sings and, most recently, Little Shop of Horrors. Deidrie Henry, who most recently played Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire at The Armory, will be joined on stage by Abdul Hamid Royal, the production's music director who also plays the role of Jimmy Powers, along with local musicians Charles Neal (drums) and Andre St. James (bass).

Deidrie Henry returns to The Armory to star as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Lanie Robertson's riveting portrait of Holiday's life told through an imagined final performance in a small bar in South Philadelphia in 1959. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill begins preview performances on May 26, opens on June 1, and runs through July 1 on the U.S. Bank Main Stage. Bill Fennelly returns to The Armory to direct after previously directing Gypsy, Black Pearl Sings and, most recently, Little Shop of Horrors. Deidrie Henry, who most recently played Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire at The Armory, will be joined on stage by Abdul Hamid Royal, the production's music director who also plays the role of Jimmy Powers, along with local musicians Charles Neal (drums) and Andre St. James (bass).

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) celebrated opening night of LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

On the heels of her acclaimed production of Hadestown on the NYTW stage and her Broadway debut with Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, three-time Obie Award winner Rachel Chavkin returns to New York Theatre Workshop with Caryl Churchill's incisive drama LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. In 1647 England, power is shifting and, amid the chaos and confusion, revolutionaries across the country are dreaming of a new future.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) announced today a one-week extension for LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, by NYTW Usual Suspect and five-time Obie Award winner Caryl Churchill (Love and Information; A Number) directed by NYTW Usual Suspect, Tony Award nominee, & three-time Obie Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, NYTW's eighth collaboration with Churchill, began previews on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, and will open Monday, May 7 at New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. 4th Street New York, NY 10003). LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, which was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, May 27, will now run through Sunday, June 3, 2018.

Deidrie Henry returns to The Armory to star as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Lanie Robertson's riveting portrait of Holiday's life told through an imagined final performance in a small bar in South Philadelphia in 1959. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill begins preview performances on May 26, opens on June 1, and runs through July 1 on the U.S. Bank Main Stage. Bill Fennelly returns to The Armory to direct after previously directing Gypsy, Black Pearl Sings and, most recently, Little Shop of Horrors. Deidrie Henry, who most recently played Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire at The Armory, will be joined on stage by Abdul Hamid Royal, the production's music director who also plays the role of Jimmy Powers, along with local musicians Charles Neal (drums) and Andre St. James (bass).

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) is proud to announce that open captioning will be available at every performance of LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, by NYTW Usual Suspect and five-time Obie Award winner Caryl Churchill (Love and Information; A Number), directed by NYTW Usual Suspect, Tony Award nominee, & three-time Obie Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812).

Tori Amos' 'Raspberry Swirl' pumps throughout the theater as I enter it, and I cannot help but feel as though I have been transported into some sort of concert. I almost instantly settle into the energy as I recognize several artists I like in the preshow music. A theme arises: These artists are all women. These artists are all women whose careers and specifically selected songs are about female empowerment. I take this knowledge in, and enjoy the music. I think I know what kind of show I'm about to see.

Due to audience demand, City Theatre is announcing a one-week extension of the uplifting one-man drama,The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by Academy Award-Winner James Lecesne.

City Theatre's 2017-18 season continues with the uplifting one-man drama The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by Academy Award-Winner James Lecesne. Keith Randolph Smith (Sunset Baby, November 2015) stars as Chuck DeSantis, a small-town detective recounting the disappearance of a gay teenager named Leonard Pelkey, and the community who helped him uncover the truth. Directed by Laura Savia, Associate Artistic Director of internationally renowned Williamstown Theatre Festival, the play runs January 20 February 18, 2018, in the Lester Hamburg Studio Theatre. Tickets are on sale now.

The Warren Miller Performing Arts Center (Executive Director John Zirkle) in Big Sky, Montana announced today it will present the world premiere of LEVITY, featuring Tony Award winner Michele Pawk as Connie, for three performances January 19 through January 21, 2018. Written by Stephanie DiMaggio and directed by Stella Powell-Jones, this new play was developed during WMPAC's summer acting workshop and is the first world premiere production ever to premiere in Big Sky.

The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) announced today the winners of the 2017 NYMF Awards for Excellence, which were awarded on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Hudson Terrace (621 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036). The 2017 NYMF Award for Best Musical Sponsored by Play-by-Play was awarded to GENERATION ME, with the Show-Score Best of Fest Awards for Readings, Concerts/Events and Productions, going to CHRISTMAS IN HELL, DORIAN GRAY, and ERROL AND FIDEL, respectively. GENERATION ME took home the most awards, with GEORAMA: AN AMERICAN PANORAMA TOLD ON 3 MILES OF CANVAS, ERROL AND FIDEL, and FREEDOM RIDERS taking home multiple prizes as well.

The New York premiere of the new Australian musical, Errol and Fidel, with book by Boyd Anderson and Guy Anderson, music by Peter Kaldor, John Kaldor and Doug Oberhamer, and lyrics by Boyd Anderson, is an Official Selection of the 2017 New York Musical Festival, and the only international production chosen this year. It will be directed by Michael Bello, with choreography by Justin Boccitto and music direction, arrangements & orchestrations by Doug Oberhamer. Errol and Fidel had the honor of opening the festival on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 7:00pm and will play a total of five performances at Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

An official selection of the 2017 New York Musical Festival's Next Link Project and produced by Wayward Creatives Entertainment, The Goree All-Girl String Brand has been named as the recipient of this year's Kevin Spacey Foundation (KSF) Artists of Choice USA in Musical Theater.