Martha Plimpton News

As you already know, the 2019 Tony Awards Show is coming this Sunday night, and of course, I have plenty to say about them, and it is so much more fun to dish with friends.

Second Stage Theater has just announced that JESSE TYLER FERGUSON will co-star opposite the previously announced Jesse Williams in the Broadway production of Richard Greenberg's Tony Award-winning play, TAKE ME OUT. Directed by Scott Ellis, TAKE ME OUT will begin previews April 2, 2020 and officially open on April 23, 2020 at Second Stage's Hayes Theater (240 West 44th street). Ferguson will play the role of Mason Marzac, the money manager who develops a surprising and all-encompassing love for baseball.

The Eleventh Annual Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit took place on Monday June 3rd, at 6pm, celebrating the company's 16th Season and honoring director Daniel Sullivan, actor Condola Rashad, and the American Theatre Wing with the 2019 Matador Awards for Excellence in Classical Theater. Proceeds from the evening will support all of Red Bull Theater's programs including its Off-Broadway productions of The White Devil and Mac Beth, Revelation Readings series, and its Shakespeare in Schools initiative.

Multiple Award Winning (Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk, etc.), Broadway power producing couple, and founders of Broadway HD, Bonnie Comley and Stewart Lane, stopped by for a chat about what's the latest happening with them and Broadway HD, including the release of the recent, West End Production of 42ND STREET, choreographed by Tony Award© Nominee, Randy Skinner, currently streaming on their service.

Randy Skinner is an award-winning director, choreographer, and performer whose work has encompassed Broadway, off-Broadway, regional, and Los Angeles productions. He sits with me to chat about his life, some of the many fabulous people that he'd worked with, and of course, the preservation of his work as a dancer and choreographer.

I had the chance to sit with these fabulous two women nominated for their work in Choreography. First, 2019 Drama Desk Nominee, Lorin Latarro, for her work on last summer's TWELFTH NIGHT, and 2019 Tony Award Nominee, Camille A. Brown, for her work on CHOIR BOY.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a drama about Europe to immersive Shakespeare and open-air opera, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

Last week I went to the Drama Desk Award Nominations Reception at Green Room 42, here in NYC.  This is one of the last few events where you get to meet some of the newest folks doing theater OFF Broadway and On Broadway.  You also get a chance to chat to some of the actors who are nominated for this year's Tony Awards, as well.

Red Bull Theater Founding Artistic Director, Jim Bredeson - Red Bull Managing Director, and the Board of Trustees of Red Bull Theater are pleased to announce that the Eleventh Annual Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit on Monday June 3rd, at 6pm, will celebrate the company's 16th Season and honor director Daniel Sullivan, actor Condola Rashad, and the American Theatre Wing with the 2019 Matador Awards for Excellence in Classical Theater. Proceeds from the evening support all of Red Bull Theater's programs including its Off-Broadway productions of The White Devil and Mac Beth, Revelation Readings series, and its Shakespeare in Schools initiative.

Quentin Mare, a versatile and daring stage actor cast in such wide-ranging productions off and on Broadway as King Lear, Coram Boy, Tom Stoppard's Rock n Roll, Happy Now?, and most recently, Lost Lake, passed away early Sunday morning, April 21, of natural causes. Mare was 49 and lived in New York City.

THE GREEN ROOM 42 Broadway's newest intimate concert venue will present Buckingham Nicks, from Brad Simmons, Michael Holland, and Jon Weber, on Friday, May 3 at 9:30 PM. In this one-night-only event, three of New York City's most in-demand music directors will reinterpret and honor the extraordinary artists Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Before they joined Fleetwood Mac, the dynamic duo released one masterpiece self-titled album. Soon after, their luscious hit songs ( Rhiannon, Monday Morning, Landslide, and Don't Let Me Down Again ) were in heavy radio rotation. And then, the Rumours album gave us Dreams, Go Your Own Way, I Don't Want To Know, and The Chain.

SINCERELY OSCAR is the latest addition to the Off Broadway musical scene, celebrating one of Broadway's greatest lyricist, Oscar Hammerstein. With a book by Doreen Taylor, who also stars along with Azudi Onyejekwe, this show/musical revue takes you through some of the most fantastic and iconic songs associated with Mr. Hammerstein, and a few more deep cuts from shows of which you might not know.

Racing into the record book to set the mark as the longest-running primetime live-action series in television history, NBC has renewed “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for a 21st season.

The Donmar Warehouse's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat by Lynn Nottage announces casting for the West End transfer to London's Gielgud Theatre for a limited 6 week run from Friday 7 June 2019 for 50 performances only.

Gingold Theatrical Group held its Golden Shamrock Gala 2019, honoring humanitarian and award-winning creator of Godspell, Pippin, and Wicked, Stephen Schwartz, on Saturday, March 16th at 3 West Club (3 West 51st Street). Among some surprise guests performers were Stephen Schwartz himself, along with Claybourne Elder, Melissa Errico, and Alison Fraser.

Kiss Me, Kate officially opened last night, March 14, at Roundabout's Studio 54. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, June 2, 2019. Check out photos from the star-studded red carpet below!

The first time that I met Tony and GrammyAward nominated, composer/lyricist, Andrew Lippa, it was just before the Broadway opening of BIG FISH. It was my first big 'show' that I covered at Sirius XM. I was also introduced to now, 2 time Tony Award nominee and personal diva, Kate Baldwin, and 6 time Tony Award winning Costume Designer, William Ivey Long.

Gingold Theatrical Group (David Staller, Artistic Director) has announced that its Golden Shamrock Gala 2019 will honor humanitarian and award-winning creator of Godspell, Pippin, and Wicked, Stephen Schwartz. Among some promised surprise guests performers will be Stephen Schwartz himself (!), along with Claybourne Elder, Melissa Errico, and Alison Fraser.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a press event with the cast of BEETLEJUICE The Musical. I love going to these events. It's the best time to be at the beginning of a show's journey on the Great White Way. I got the chance to talk to the main cast (Rob McClure, Alex Brightman, Sophia Anne Caruso, Kerry Butler, Adam Dannheisser, and Leslie Kritzer), the composer/lyricist, Eddie Perfect, and the director, Alex Timbers.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) and WP Theater (Producing Artistic Director Lisa McNulty and Managing Director Michael Sag) just celebrated opening night of Hurricane Diane, by Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George (The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence). Directed by Tony Award nominee, two-time Obie Award winner and NYTW Usual Suspect Leigh Silverman (Violet), Hurricane Diane will play for a limited run through Sunday, March 10, 2019.