Dear Readers, you know I find one person shows to be problematic. Often, they get into maudlin territories and end up being someone else’s therapy on stage. So, I was dubious when Seattle Shakespeare Company announced Debra Ann Byrd’s one woman show “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey” to start off their 2023. As Byrd stepped onto stage at the Center Theatre, I took it as a good sign that we didn’t get the cliché, “Oh, I didn’t see you there” as if we’d intruded on her private moments. Instead, we got not words but song and movement offering up prayers to her ancestors who got her to where she is today. And then what followed was 90 minutes of a raw, well-paced, well-constructed look into this amazing woman who broke down the barriers erected in front of her by centuries of selfish oppression. Also, what followed was a hell of a way to start off 2023.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is bringing an acclaimed play to the stage in West Chester this February. The Mountaintop was written by then 28-year old, Black female playwright, Katori Hall, and opened in a small pub in south London. A producer saw the show and supported it in a production in the West End where it went on to take the UK theatre award season by storm winning the Laurence Olivier Award for “Best New Play.”
The Writer in Residence programme is part of the Bush Theatre's commitment to celebrating legacy and providing opportunities for writers at every level of their career. Following Trish Cooke's inaugural residency, which was followed last year by Vinay Patel, Tanika Gupta will support the Bush Theatre's literary and programming teams in 2023 by mentoring emerging artists, as well as writing a full-length play during her residency.
Casting has been announced for the European première of Head Over Heels at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester set to the music of the iconic 1980's all-female rock band The Go-Go's.
While the highly anticipated in-person return of SF Sketchfest brings over 200 shows to venues across the city, for the first time ever, SF Sketchfest will be making its special programming accessible to audiences around the world with livestream viewing available for select festival events.
During a recent event at The Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland, Dame Judi Dench took to the piano for a rendition of 'Waterloo' by ABBA, playing and singing alongside Scottish singer Sharleen Spiteri. Watch the video of their impromptu performance now!
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) kicks off the new year with the regional premiere comedy Grand Horizons by award-winning playwright Bess Wohl. It's out with the old and in with the new (sort of) in this raucous story about a senior couple's divorce. Bess Wohl's Tony-nominated comedy is a hilarious, heartbreaking commentary on marriage, family, and the wisdom that comes with age—or not. Playing January 14-February 5, 2023. Directed by Brian Robertson.
Tennessee Shakespeare Company brings the classically exquisite story of Cyrano de Bergerac to its Owen and Margaret Wellford Tabor Stage, featuring an expansive design team and cast of AEA actors that includes TSC's Producing Artistic Director Dan McCleary in the title role.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical danced onto Netflix's most-watched films list in the #2 spot with 41.06M hours viewed. Starring Academy Award winner Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull and Alisha Weir as Matilda, the inspirational tale was in the Top 10 in 89 countries.
Comedienne Rita Rudner will star in the upcoming World Premiere of STAGED, written by Martin Bergman & Rita Rudner and directed by Martin Bergman at Laguna Playhouse. See how to purchase tickets!
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that stage and screen actor Stephen Greif has died at age 78. His screen and stage career included appearances with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others.
Netflix has released a compilation featuring every song in the new film adaptation of Matilda the Musical. The new video features 'When I Grow Up,' Emma Thompson singing 'The Smell of Rebellion,' Alisha Weir singing 'Quiet,' Lashana Lynch performing 'My House,' 'Revolting Children,' and the new song written for the film, 'Still Holding My Hand.'
As the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) celebrates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio in 2023, the Company today announced the opening of submissions for its new nationwide playwriting competition 37 Plays: an ambitious and ground-breaking new initiative open to anybody from anywhere in the UK.
Watch the students of Crunchem Hall take on Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull in two scenes from Matilda the Musical on Netflix! Joining Thompson in the new film is Alisha Weir as Matilda, Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey, Sindhu Vee as Miss Phelps, and Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough as Mr. and Mrs. Trunchbull. Watch the new video now!
Tier5 will present the world premiere production of James Cougar Canfield's Legend of the Chalk Circle: A queer retelling of one of Brecht's most beloved works. The production will take place at the American Theatre of Actors - Sargent Theatre and run from Thursday, March 9th through Sunday, March 26th.
Netflix has shared a new 'Dance, Maggots, Dance!' featurette, going behind the scenes of the musical numbers in the new film adaptation of Matilda the Musical. The featurette also includes interviews with Emma Thompson, Alisha Weir, Lashana Lynch, director Matthew Warchus, and more. Watch the new video now!
As the year draws to a close, Cara Joy David offers us a preview of some of the decisions facing the Administration Committee of the Tony Awards. We’ve also got good news out of Washington, as the NEA received increased funding in the most recent budget passed by Congress and a look at the uncertain future of Victory Gardens Theater.
Netflix has released videos of full musical numbers from the new film adaptation of Matilda the Musical. Watch 'Miracle,' 'Naughty,' 'School Song,' 'The Hammer,' 'Bruce,' 'Quiet,' 'My House,' and 'Revolting Children' now! The cast of the film includes Emma Thompson, Alisha Weir, Lashana Lynch, and more.
