BWW Review: Andy Mientus with Teen Commandments Introduce 'Manhattan Kids' Musical at Feinstein's/54 Below, Debuting New Musical Theatre Style Along the Way
by Casey Mink - Aug 9, 2016
Andy Mientus won a fictional Tony Award on television before ever actually having appeared on Broadway. However, following his concert debut with Teen Commandments at Feinstein's/54 Below on August 2, the first of a two-show engagement, it became clear that his fake Tony win may very well have been prophetic.
The evening did not consist of a traditional, career-introspective set, and though there were a few covers (a mashup of Justin Bieber's 'What Do You Mean?' with Beyonce's 'XO' a highlight among them), as well as a selection from Spring Awakening, which Mientus appeared in this past season on Broadway as well as on tour in 2008, the intent was to introduce Manhattan Kids, a new musical that Mientus has been intermittently at work upon for years, alongside Teen Commandments (made up of Brett Moses, synth and piano; Van Hughes, bass and acoustic guitar; Nicholas LaGrasta, guitar, bass, keyboard, and computer; and Hampus Öhman-Frolund, drums). Though the majority of the plot was not divulged, through the selections performed it was made clear that the musical is audacious in both its story and its musical style.
Nikki M. James, Jose Llana and Andrew Kober to Lead the Public's TWELFTH NIGHT Musical Adaptation
by BWW News Desk - Aug 3, 2016
The Public Theater will kick off the 2016-17 season in September with a free Public Works musical adaptation of TWELFTH NIGHT, conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub, with music and lyrics by Shaina Taub. Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, TWELFTH NIGHT will once again feature over 200 actors and community members alongside five equity actors, including this year Nikki M. James as Viola and Jose Llana as Orsino.
Rachel Chavkin & Anais Mitchell's HADESTOWN to Record Live Cast Album This Week
by BWW News Desk - Jun 28, 2016
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW), Dale Franzen and Mara Isaacs announced today that HADESTOWN, a new folk opera written by celebrated singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell and developed with and directed by the three-time OBIE award-winning director Rachel Chavkin (The Royale; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), will record a live cast album at the evening performances on Tuesday, June 28 and Wednesday, June 29.
Laura Michelle Kelly, Brandon Victor Dixon & More Set for Site-Specific RAGTIME Concert on Ellis Island
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 23, 2016
The Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime will receive a one-night site-specific developmental concert on Ellis Island on August 8, 2016. An all-star cast of Broadway and Off-Broadway veterans including Olivier winner Laura Michelle Kelly, Tony and Grammy nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, Emmy winner Michael Park, Robert Petkoff, Shaina Taub, and five-time Emmy nominee Georgia Engel will perform a selection of songs from the American musical with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Sammi Cannold will direct the concert in anticipation of a full production in 2017.
Maxamoo's Theater and Performance Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring RIZING, HADESTOWN, SHREW!, #LIBERATED, WAR, More
by Maxamoo - Jun 15, 2016
On Maxamoo June 15th Episode they discuss RIZING, HADESTOWN, SHREW!, #LIBERATED, WAR. Diep, David, and Lindsay discuss and dissect the latest in NYC theater. But first, a big thank you for Liz Richards for creating these gorgeous and hilarious pieces of Maxamoo swag. Get your favorite Maxamooism at our store.
HADESTOWN Receives Final Extension at New York Theatre Workshop
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 8, 2016
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) announced today a final extension for HADESTOWN, a new folk opera written by celebrated singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell and developed with and directed by the inventive three-time OBIE award-winning director Rachel Chavkin (The Royale; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812). HADESTOWN will now play additional performances through Sunday, July 31, 2016. Previews for HADESTOWN began Friday, May 6, 2016, and officially opened on Monday, May 23, 2016 at New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. 4th Street New York, NY 10003).
HADESTOWN Creators Set for PERSON PLACE THING Live Show with Randy Cohen at NYTW
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 1, 2016
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) and FABnyc will co-present a live show with the popular public radio show and podcast Person Place Thing with writer and humorist Randy Cohen, featuring HADESTOWN's celebrated singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell and inventive two-time Obie award-winning director Rachel Chavkin at New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. 4th Street New York, NY 10003) on Monday, June 6 at 7:00 pm. The evening will also include musical interludes from HADESTOWN and a brief audience Q&A. Tickets are $10 and be purchased at www.fabnyc.org.
Photo Flash: First Look at Nabiyah Be, Damon Daunno, Amber Gray, Patrick Page and More in Chavkin & Mitchell's HADESTOWN at NYTW
by BWW News Desk - May 20, 2016
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) presents HADESTOWN, written by celebrated singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell and developed with and directed by the inventive two-time OBIE award-winning director Rachel Chavkin (Three Pianos; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812). HADESTOWN is currently in previews for an opening next Monday, May 23, 2016, and will play through Sunday, June 12, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
Chavkin & Mitchell's Starry HADESTOWN Begins Tonight at NYTW
by BWW News Desk - May 6, 2016
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) presents HADESTOWN, written by celebrated singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell and developed with and directed by the inventive two-time OBIE award-winning director Rachel Chavkin (Three Pianos; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812).
New York Theatre Workshop Names 2050 Fellows for 2016-17 Season
by Tyler Peterson - May 5, 2016
New York Theatre Workshop has announced the playwrights and directors selected for the 2016/17 Season 2050 Fellowship. The playwrights are Beto O'Byrne, Ming Peiffer, and Francis Weiss Rabkin and the directors are Danny Sharron, Stevie Walker-Webb, and Mo Zhou.
NYTW's 2016-17 Season Will Include Daniel Craig & David Oyelowo-Led OTHELLO & More!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 21, 2016
New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) (Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director Jeremy Blocker) has just announced its complete 2016/17 Season. The season will kick-off in Fall 2016 with NAT TURNER IN JERUSALEM by NYTW 2050 Fellow Nathan Alan Davis(Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea), directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian (The Convert). It is followed by the previously announced production of William Shakespeare's OTHELLO, directed by NYTW Usual Suspect and Tony Award winner Sam Gold (Fun Home) and featuring David Oyelowo (Royal Shakespeare Company's The Histories, Selma) in the title role and Daniel Craig (Betrayal, Spectre) as 'Iago', in Winter 2016. Spring 2017 will bring THE OBJECT LESSON, by Geoff Sobelle (all wear bowlers), directed by NYTW Usual Suspect David Neumann (Restless Eye), with scenic installation by Steven Dufala. The season will conclude with NYTW Usual Suspect Mfoniso Udofia's SOJOURNERS and HER PORTMANTEAU, presented in repertory, directed by NYTW Usual Suspect and former 2050 Fellow Ed Sylvanus Iskandar (The Mysteries). Performance schedules, casting and full creative teams will be announced at a later date.