For the past 3 years, I have been able to cover the New Dramatists Luncheon, and each time, I am amazed at the people that I get to meet when doing a red carpet. It's nice to see some new faces and a dream to see the familiar ones. This year's honoree is 2x Academy Award winning/ Tony Award winning and current nominee for his performance in Eugene O'Neill's THE ICEMAN COMETH, Denzel Washington.
Just last night, the 2018 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were handed out to recipients in 19 categories, with three honorary awards also bestowed. The Lortel Awards were distributed in a ceremony at NYU Skirball Center hosted by Meteor Shower co-stars Laura Benanti and Jeremy Shamos. This year's event was once again a benefit for The Actors Fund.
For many of us of a certain age, SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK, was the cornerstone to everything we kids learned about Civics, Mathematics, Parts of Speech, and so much more. It was one of those moments that made our Saturday Mornings literally sing. After learning about nouns, various multiplication tables, and of course, how a bill turns into law, I felt like I had tapped into a new world of learning.
Last month, I had the opportunity to talk to playwright, Phillip Dawkins, about his latest play, THE GENTLEMAN CALLER. We chatted about the men who are about to start previews in the New York premiere of the play, Juan Francisco Villa and Daniel K. Isaac. I was very specific that I wanted to chat with them. Sometimes, you get exactly what you ask. Both Juan and Daniel braved spending time with me, and we had a fantastic chat about the show, their careers, and being non-traditionally cast in the roles of Tennessee Williams and William Inge, respectively.
Morgan James, Torya Beard, and Richard Ameliushave partnered with PledgeMusic to for an exciting new concept album featuring the only all-female cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Superstar Cynthia Erivo has just been announced as the project's Mary Magdalene.
Darius De Haas, described by The New York Times as "electrically thrilling," by Variety as "a performer who can reveal the sorrows, pains and joys of the composer's richly layered repertoire with an intensity and honesty that easily envelops and mesmerizes the listener," and by the Jazz Times as "blessed with a gorgeous voice and a keen theatrical sophistication," brings his brand new concert and vocal magic to Feinstein's/54 Below, April 26th and 27th.
I am so fortunate that I live, work, and cover theater in a town like New York. It never fails to surprise me at how much talent is brimming over in New York. When I meet young actresses like Stephanie Courtney aka Sayonne, I am very excited to talk to them, because they are really embarking on a wonderful journey, especially when they are as grounded as this young diva to be. Many times, I feel like the proud and fun fairy godfather to so many of these performers.
The ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) honored longtime event chair members and ASPCA volunteers Laura Zambelli Barket and Mindy Fortin as well as actress and animal advocate Cecily Strong this evening at the ASPCA's 21st annual Bergh Ball. Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi returned as the Masters of Ceremonies, while Sam French kept the crowd dancing throughout the evening at The Plaza Hotel. Other VIP guests in attendance included, Nina Agdal, Arriana and Dixon Boardman, Mark Gilbertson, Wes Gordon, Jessica Hart, Gillian Hearst, Carolina Herrera, Orfeh, Andy Karl, Linda Lloyd Lambert, Luann De Lesseps, Mark Badgley, James Mischka, Chuck & Ellen Scarborough, Jessica Shyba, Brad Walsh, Veronica Webb, and many others.
Any actor worth their salt will tell you that every great play begins with the words on the page. Because of the worlds that playwrights (and Librettists) create, many people, even more than actors, have jobs inside and outside of the theater. So any chance to talk to a young playwright as delightful and talented as Chicago-based playwright, Philip Dawkins, I will take. His current opus, The Gentleman Caller is currently in rehearsals to make its New York debut at Cherry Lane Theater, as it coincides with its simultaneous World Premiere production, still running at Chicago's The Raven Theater, through May 27, 2018.
The 2018 theatre awards season is quickly approaching, and keeping track of all of the important dates for the many ceremonies and their corresponding nomination announcements is no easy feat. Stay up to date on all the need-to-know facts with BroadwayWorld's Awards Season Calendar below!
FABULOUS NEWS, The Actors Fund will present a one-night benefit concert of When Pigs Fly, featuring the cast from the recently canceled production. I went to the major press event for the show and managed to secure some fab interview moments with the entire cast and some of the creatives.
One of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of all time, it was a forgone conclusion that PRETTY WOMAN would add ': The Musical' to its title at some point.
The out of town tryout of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL opens officially tonight in Chicago, and BroadwayWorld is taking you behind the scenes on opening night!
The out of town tryout of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL opens officially tonight in Chicago, and BroadwayWorld is taking you behind the scenes on opening night!
The out of town tryout of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL has already begun performances in Chicago, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show's stars, Samantha Barks and Steve Kazee in their iconic new roles. Check out a first look at the duo in action in a clip from 'You and I.'
The out of town tryout of PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL has already begun performances in Chicago, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show's stars, Samantha Barks and Steve Kazee in their iconic new roles. Check out the first photo below!
Performances begin tonight, Tuesday, March 13, for the Chicago World premiere engagement of the Broadway-bound PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will play a strictly limited 5-week engagement at Broadway In Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL) and will begin performances on Broadway on Friday, July 20, 2018, at The Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street), with an official opening night of Thursday, August 16, 2018.
