Changes - 1980 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 2

On Friday, June 6th, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another phenomenal installment of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre's Decades in Concert series, Decades in Concert: 80S (2025). Of the three so far, this one has been my favorite!

A new version of the classic, The Pirates of Penzance, is currently commanding the stage at Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre on 42nd Street—formerly the American Airlines and before that, the Selwyn. This revisal of the beloved show is titled: Pirates! The Penzance Musical.

9 to 5: The Musical is a stage adaptation of the 1980 film of the same name, featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. This outlandish musical comedy features a book by Patricia Resnick, and is based on the screenplay by Resnick and Colin Higgins.

Following a successful run at The Barn Theatre followed by runs at Theatre Royal Bath and Cambridge Arts Theatre, I'm Sorry, Prime Minister will be transferring to the West End at the Apollo Theatre.

The newest musical from Royal City Musical Theatre (RCMT) has clocked in and is ready to work overtime to charm audiences with its humor and inspiring story. From April 25 to May 11, 9 to 5: The Musical will play at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster, BC. This high-energy production brings Dolly Parton’s catchy and infectious score and Patricia Resnick’s witty book to life. Filled with sass and sparkle topped off with a whole lot of soul, 9 to 5 takes audiences on a nostalgic ride. Being an adaptation of the classic 1980 film, 9 to 5 is a story of female empowerment, showing the resilience of women in the face of workplace sexism and inequality. 

Last week, legendary rock and roll band, AC/DC played a long-awaited sold out show in Vancouver as part of the North American leg of their POWER UP 2025 concert tour. Marking their first tour in nearly a decade, the iconic Australian band played a setlist filled with some of their most popular songs, reigniting the fire and love for rock and roll in British Columbia. With a roaring audience and an electrifying opening set by The Pretty Reckless, band members Angus Young (lead guitar), Brian Johnson (vocalist), Stevie Young (rhythm guitar), Matt Laug (drums), and Chris Chaney (bass) took the stage to play a show that Vancouver would never forget. 

Amadeus was written by Peter Shaffer in 1979 and premiered at the Royal National Theatre in London. The play made its Broadway debut in 1980, running for an impressive 1,181 performances. It earned five Tony Awards, including Best Play, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play. In 1984, it was adapted into a film, which won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Pirates! The Penzance Musical, the swashbucking new take on a Gilbert and Sullivan classic, opens on Broadway tonight! The new adaptation delivers a fresh take on the tongue-twisting Major-General, the rabble-rousing Pirate King, and more! Read the reviews!

Riccardo Muti in ecstatic interpretations at Carnegie Hall with “the orchestra of his life”, the Vienna Philharmonic with which he celebrates 54 years of artistic partnership with works that have shaped their common path.

'Mystic Pizza,' the marvelous new musical, is now being performed at Paper Mill Playhouse (PMP). It is based on the fan-favorite 1988 Metro Goldwyn Mayer rom-com by the same name with story and characters by Amy Holden Jones. 

Curated in collaboration with musical director Sy Johnson, acclaimed director Sheldon Epps first staged BLUES IN THE NIGHT in 1980 as a musical revue. The show follows three women and one man, each offering a different take on love and loss. Structured around legendary songs by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, et al., it debuted on Broadway in 1982 and earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical.

Steely Dan’s sophisticated jazz pop fourth album, 1975’s Katy Lied, with such standouts as “Black Friday,” “Bad Sneakers” and “Doctor Wu,” will return to vinyl for the first time in more than forty years on January 31, 2025.

Two stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle intertwine—'The Final Problem” and “The Adventure of the Empty House”—and have been adapted and are directed by East Lynne veteran Mark Edward Lang.

Stories include the opening of nominations for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards and the donation from Ken Ludwig to save Hall’s Croft. Financial difficulties are impacting institutions like the University of the Arts and Seattle’s theater scene, prompting a rethinking of models and operations.

After over 40 years, StrawHat Auditions announced it will cease operations on October 1st due to industry changes, increased costs, and the inability to secure a future succession plan. Learn more about the change.

This time, the reader question was: How often do Broadway theatre names change? 

Incorporating many elements of traditional puppet shows, Alex and Olmsted's newest piece, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MON AMI, is a miniature adventure in Paree, er, Paris. It tiny, enchanting and exquisite, like a chocolate truffle in a gleaming box. Much of this script is adult-targeted, but it IS suitable for children, even young ones.

The Pageant of the Masters is an annual theatrical celebration that brings famous works of art to life through live reenactments, transforming classical and contemporary pieces into living masterpieces accompanied by original live music and storytelling. The Pageant began in Laguna Beach in 1932 where its continued to grow and evolve for over 90 years, continuing to attract over 200,000 patrons each summer.

Playwright Donja R. Love refers to 'Beauty' as an offering, in the spiritual sense of the word; and it truly is one of the most uplifting cycles, in times of trouble and misunderstanding, we are likely to see.  Director Malika Oyetimein has marshalled a stellar cast, and guided this show with great care and compassion.

Almost every county has at least one summer outdoor Shakespeare performance, but there is only one that gives audiences the closest experience to see Shakespeare performed at The Globe just outside London. Drum roll, please! It’s Curtain Call’s 21st Shakespearean play on the beautiful grounds of Sterling Farms in Stamford.

BroadwayWorld talks to Juan Rebuffo about San Francisco Playhouse's exciting new production of 'Evita' running June 27 to September 7. The native Argentinian serves as the production's dramaturg and cultural consultant.

Opening on 20 July 2024, Reimagining the Renaissance is an exploration of one of the most crucial, famous and vibrant periods in art history. The free exhibition runs at the Art Gallery of South Australia until 13 April 2025.

The Ashton Worldwide (2024-2028) international festival continues at the Royal Opera House with the Royal Ballet on the mainstage in Ashton Celebrated. The company is performing two mixed bills with slight repertoire changes.

ArtsUP! LA is presenting Broadway Bound: Songs & Scenes from Tony Award-Winning Musicals, a new jukebox musical created and directed by Laurie Grant, featuring Rex & Friends, all extraordinary musicians with different disabilities and perfect pitch. Rex & Friends will take you on a fantastic trip of a young man hearing Broadway music for the first time, featuring songs and scenes from acclaimed musicals that you know and love. The show opens May 3rd and runs through May 18th at The Blue Door in Culver City, CA. I decided to speak with Laurie about the creation and history of Rex & Friends, her experience working with people with disabilities, what motivated her to create this new jukebox musical, and the format for the show.