Tomoko Akaboshi News

Arts organization Tutti has announced the launch of two new programs to help musicians from ethnically and racially underrepresented communities make connections in the Broadway music scene and build deeper relationships with Broadway professionals.

On the 485th anniversary of Anne Boleyn's execution, the new musical Boleyn has released a music video for the song “To Be Brave” featuring Jackie Burns (Wicked, If/Then, Hair). The song “To Be Brave” takes place moments before Anne Boleyn’s execution in the show.

Arena Riffs is a three-part commissioned music series that features three different composer and lyricist teams with musical selections infused with sounds of folk, indie and hip-hop. 

Tony-nominee Grey Henson is the lead musical performer in the season one finale episode of the podcast, [insert movie here]: The Musical!

The Broadway Sinfonietta, a trailblazing new all-female orchestra founded by Egyptian-American Orchestrator and Music Director Macy Schmidt, launches today with an orchestral performance of “You’re Gonna Hear From Me,” featuring 18 musicians (the majority of whom are women of color), with vocals from Broadway star Solea Pfeiffer. 

This week features new music from Ethan Slater, Telly Leung, and more, plus the off-Broadway cast recording of Broadbend, Arkansas, the script for James Graham's play Ink, and more!

A star-studded cast of Broadway performers present a virtual performance of the Opening Number from the new musical a?oeThe Valley'. The musical has Book and Lyrics by Jamie Maletz , Music by Eric Fegan, and Direction by Will Nunziata.

Need something new to listen to, read, or watch? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases, including Frankie! The Musical (Caitlin Kinnunen), Royalties (Darren Criss), The Perfect Fit: The Musical (Laura Benanti), Robbie Rozelle and more!

Broadway Records announced Laura Benanti and Nikki Renee Daniels will star in the upcoming 'Remote EP' release of the award-winning new musical The Perfect Fit, written by 13-year-old musical sensation Joshua Turchin. The 'Remote EP' is the first musical concept EP ever recorded entirely virtually.

The world premiere musical THE VISITOR was originally scheduled to open at The Public Theater tonight, April 15. In honor of Opening Night, The Public has just released a music video of David Hyde Pierce (Walter), Ari'el Stachel (Tarek), and the cast of THE VISITOR performing the song 'Heart In Your Hands.'

The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) announced complete casting today for the world premiere musical THE VISITOR, with music by Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Kitt, lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner Brian Yorkey, book by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Brian Yorkey, and choreography by Lorin Latarro.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director Tim Sanford, Managing Director Leslie Marcus) today announced the cast and creative team of Unknown Soldier, a sweeping, elegiac chamber musical that melts time, spanning three generations as it follows a woman's journey to unearth the secrets buried in her family's past. With a book and lyrics by Daniel Goldstein, making his New York writing debut, Unknown Soldier is also the last work from the late, beloved Michael Friedman (music and lyrics) to be premiered in the city. Together, they created a work that profoundly illustrates the search into the existences of those who've passed, connecting the love and loss, hope and regret of two womena?'and a country forever scarred by wara?'across a century. Unknown Soldier follows Ellen Rabinowitz, a woman who's inherited her grandmother's homea?'and with it, a clue that her understanding of her family and of herself are incomplete. Directed by Trip Cullman and choreographed by Patrick McCollum, this New York premiere production will take place in the Mainstage Theater at Playwrights Horizons (416 West 42nd Street), February 14-March 29, 2020.

Ucross, a prestigious artist residency program and creative laboratory for the arts in northeast Wyoming, premiered its "Ucross Spotlight" series on Wednesday, June 19, with a bold, intimate conversation between playwright alums Michael R. Jackson, Billy Porter, and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, as well as choreographer Raja Feather Kelly on the themes present in Jackson's provocative new musical A Strange Loop. The panel took place at the world-famous Playwrights Horizons theater following a performance of the show, with major themes of the conversation including reconciling with religion as a member of the LGBTQ community and "watering down" queer art for straight audiences. It is the first of many planned Ucross Spotlight events, which will celebrate its alumni's art and offer a first-hand look at their creative process.

In response to critical acclaim and popular demand, Playwrights Horizons , in association with Page 73 is pleased to announce a three-week extension of the world premiere production of Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop, to July 28 (from the initially-announced closing date of July 7).

Ucross, a prestigious artist residency program and creative laboratory for the arts in northeast Wyoming, is proud to announce the debut of "Ucross Spotlight": a nationwide series of performances, live readings, moderated panels, and cultural events featuring its esteemed alumni. "Ucross Spotlight" will debut on Wednesday, June 19, at Playwrights Horizons (416 West 42nd Street), with a conversation between Michael R. Jackson, Billy Porter and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, moderated by Jacobs-Jenkins.

Playwrights Horizons (Artistic Director Tim Sanford, Managing Director Leslie Marcus), will, from today, May 13, through Thursday, May 16, accept entries for the Live for Five online lottery, giving out $5 tickets to the world premiere production of 2019 Whiting Award Winner Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop, (May 24-July 7), presented in association with Page 73 (Producing Artistic Director Michael Walkup, Managing Director Amanda Feldman). Directed by Stephen Brackett (Be More Chill, Buyer and Cellar) and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly (Playwrights: If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhf**ka; Ugly (Black Queer Zoo), Fairview), A Strange Loop explores the thoughts of Usher, a black, queer writer working a job he hates while writing his original musical: a piece about a black, queer writer, working a job he hates while writing his original musical. Michael R. Jackson's blistering, momentous new musical (and his professional debut) follows a young artist at war with a host of demons-not least of which are the punishing thoughts in his own head-in an attempt to capture and understand his own strange loop.

The holidays continue! Joe's Pub presents year round favorites but with sparkles and extra glamour. And of course, the beloved Sandra Bernhard is here to lead us into the New Year!

Producers of the Tooting Arts Club production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street just announced that New York audiences can now 'attend the tale' through December 31, 2017 with a new block of tickets on sale today. Plus, a limited number of tickets at each performance (starting tonight!) will be available through a TodayTix digital lottery. Sweeney Todd, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book byHugh Wheeler from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, and directed byBill Buckhurst, officially opened last night at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street).   

Throughout the holiday season, BroadwayWorld will be bringing you our exclusive photo coverage from inside the recording room. Below, go behind the scenes with the company of AMAZING GRACE as they record 'The First Noel.'