WPA Theater News

Today's top stories: The Little Mermaid Live, Grand Horizons on Broadway, and more!

In this week's episode, Ilana chats with Marin Ireland! Marin Ireland has been seen on Broadway in Big Knife, After Miss Julie, reasons to be pretty (Tony nom, Theatre World Award). Selected Off-Broadway: Blue Ridge (Atlantic), Summer and Smoke (Transport Group/CSC), Three Sisters (CSC), Marie Antoinette, Blasted (Soho Rep), Maple and Vine (Playwrights Horizons), In the Wake, The Ruby Sunrise (Public), Lie of the Mind (New Group); Cyclone (Obie Award; Studio Dante), Far Away (NYTW), The Harlequin Studies (Signature), On the Exhale (Drama Desk nom, Solo Performance, Roundabout), Ironbound (Drama Desk nom, Rattlestick, Geffen Playhouse), Kill Floor (LCT3). Other: 4.48 Psychosis (Royal Court US tour), Troilus & Cressida (Wooster Group/RSC). Film: The Family Fang, Glass Chin (Independent Spirit Award nomination), 28 Hotel Rooms, Flint, Sparrows Dance, The Irishman, others. TV: 'Sneaky Pete,' 'The Slap,''Masters of Sex,' 'Girls,' 'The Divide,' 'Homeland', 'Mildred Pierce,'others.

Dining with Ploetz, an evening of one-acts, will play at Theater for the New City September 5 - 22. Opening night is slated for Friday, September 6 at 8:00 pm. Written by playwright and published author Richard Ploetz, the production features three dark comedies, Goldfish, Memory Like a Pale Green Clock and Bone Appetite.

James Corden is back hosting his talk show, fresh off hosting the 2019 Tony Awards the night before. Corden decided to share a special moment during a commercial break when he asked Billy Porter to sing some karaoke -- and Billy absolutely crushes 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' from the Broadway classic Gypsy.

Billy Porter stopped by Live with Kelly and Ryan on Monday to talk about his iconic award show outfits, including the one he wore last night to the 2019 Tony Awards.

Everyone at Radio City Music Hall for this year's Tony Awards was given a special treat as Billy Porter was coaxed into singing 'Rose's Turn' in karaoke during one of the ceremony's commercial breaks! Check out the video below!

This April Gallery Players brings their production of STEEL MAGNOLIAS to the stage on the 30th anniversary of the release of the film of the same name.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents How to Write a Musical That Works, part 1: The World and The Want, the first workshop in a 3-part series. One of the programs in TRU Beginnings: Opportunities for Early Development of New Work, it will take placeon Sunday, December 9, 2018.

Good morning BroadwayWorld! Today's top stories: the cast recording of Pretty Woman is now available, the National Tour of Miss Saigon launches today, and more!

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents its annual free introductory panel Thursday, September 20, 2018: WHO IS TRU? A Free Introduction to Our Community and Programs at 7:30pm (doors open for networking at7pm) at The Playroom Theatre, 151 W. 46th Street, 8th fl., NYC. This panel is free but please reserve using the bright red reservation box athttps://truonline.org/events/who-is-tru/, or call at least a day in advance (or much sooner) for reservations: 212-714-7628; or e-mail TRUStaff1@gmail.com.

Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) announces How To Write a Musical That Works feedback workshop #3: Reckoning and Resolution onSunday, August 5, 2018 from 10am-6pm at Studios 150, 150 W. 46th Street, 7th floor Studio 7.5. Submission deadline is extended to July 27, 2018.

Pittsburgh CLO will fill the Benedum Center with magic and wonder fit for all ages with Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, July 27 - August 5. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ran for a staggering 13 years and over 5,000 performances on Broadway. Now, Pittsburgh CLO brings this treasured story to life for a new generation, continuing the organization's commitment to providing young patrons the opportunity to enjoy live musical theater at home in Pittsburgh. Tickets are now available by phone at 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or by visiting the Box Office at Theater Square. Select half-price tickets for children 3-14 are sponsored by Giant Eagle, offering an affordable option for families to enjoy this timeless tale together.

McCarter is proud to welcome a group of esteemed and emerging playwrights and theater artists to Princeton for the Sallie B. Goodman Artists' Retreat. The annual Retreat in June is a centerpiece of McCarter's LAB, a platform and creative incubator devoted to ongoing theatrical development and artist cultivation. The 2018 Retreat will take place from June 6 - June 13.

Director and playwright Stan Zimmerman has found his quartet of actors for his new comedy Knife to the Heart, co-written with Christian McLaughlin. The show will play a limited run of 3 WEEKS ONLY for 9 performances (May 4-20) at the Dorie Theatre, part of The Complex on LA's famed Theatre Row (6476 Santa Monica Blvd, LA CA 90038). Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. The cast includes Chelsea Kane ('Baby Daddy'), Todd Sherry ('Parks & Recreation'), Josh Zuckerman (A Delicate Ship) and four-time Emmy-nominee Patricia Richardson ('Home Improvement'). Tickets are $35 for Reserved Seating /$25 General Admission/$30 at the door, if available, and can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com. A special preview performance is Friday May 4 with an Opening Night of Saturday May 5.

Producers Darlene Kaplan, Laura Janik Cronin and Scott Newsome, in association with Alec Seymour, present the Off-Broadway premiere of The Stone Witch, a play by Shem Bitterman (A Death in Colombia, Influence).  Performances begin Monday, March 12, 2018 for an open-ended engagement atThe Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).  Opening Night is Sunday evening, March 25, 2018 at 6:30PM.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the second workshop in the series How to Wrote a Musical That Works, Conflict & Obstacles, onSunday, February 25, 2018 from 10am - 6pm at NOLA Rehearsal Studio, 244 W 54th St., 5th floor, Studio 5. Submission fee is $10 for members, $20 for non-members. If accepted, it will be applied to a participation fee of $100 ($80 for TRU members). Those not selected will be invited and encouraged to attend the workshop as observers. The price is $55 ($35 for TRU members). Go to https://truonline.org/events/feedback-workshop-2-2018, click the link to download the application, fill it out, and email toTRUPlaySubmissions@gmail.com to sign up. If accepted, the workshop includes 2 seats for the entire day workshop as well as your presentation slot. Space is limited. Any additional attendees from the musical team (including music director, additional collaborators and cast members) who wish to observe the entire workshop must reserve in advance and will be charged $25 per person.

Producers Darlene Kaplan, Laura Janik Cronin and Scott J. Newsome, have announced, today, the cast and creative team for the Off-Broadway premiere of The Stone Witch, a play by Shem Bitterman (A Death in Colombia, Influence). Performances begin Monday, March 12, 2018 for an open-ended engagement at The Westside Theatre - Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). Opening Night is set for Sunday evening, March 25, 2018 at 6:30PM.

Cruel Intentions: The Musical has turned the 90s nostalgia level up to eleven.

Today is Billy Porter's birthday and also the 20th Anniversary of his first album, BILLY PORTER: UNTITLED (on A&M Records). To celebrate both, he's re-releasing the album today, in a special 20th Anniversary Edition available for free on SoundCloud.