First Down - 2022 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 10

Loosely inspired by the writings of famed British diarist Samuel Pepys, it explores the origins of pop culture as developed during the reign of King Charles II in the Stuart Restoration (1660-1688).

Overall, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE—now on stage at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through August 10, 2025—comes off as guaranteed musical candy for Neil Diamond devotees, thanks to its current form as a polished, tidy, nostalgia-baiting jukebox musical loaded with familiar hits, sprinkles of sparkle, and enough vocal authenticity to make fans of his music swoon. The impressive performances—from the lead vocals to the 'Beautiful Noise' ensemble's hypnotic, lyrical dance moves—bring a measurable level of enjoyment. But as a deep-dive drama? It's, well… just fine. The show's narrative stakes are satisfactory, but a bit paper-thin. While certainly clever in concept, the book often sacrifices real, emotional complexity for palatable, crowd-pleasing moments, and this therapy-session-as-framing-device never truly develops into the kind of character exploration one hopes for in a definitive bio-musical.

Writer and director Rynn Vogel and her husband, Adam J. Jefferis talk about their latest Shakespeare mashup, Roswell That Ends Well, running weekends, August 2–24, at Media Park in downtown Culver City.

The Hollywood Bowl signals a return to its annual summer musical tradition with a bold new staging of Jesus Christ Superstar, led by Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert.

Cinderella is preparing to enchanting family audiences at Shakespeare North Playhouse this Christmas – and the full cast for the award-winning theatre’s seasonal show has been revealed.

Today’s subject Jonathan Rockefeller is currently living his theatre life bringing “Suuuuny days” to Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater as the book writer and director for Sesame Street the Musical. The shows will continue its DC residency through August 31st.

James Trickey is throwing it all away. A hotly anticipated debut hour from award-winning new act and chartered accountant (but in a cool way) which explores what it means to risk everything. Expect to laugh, learn and crucially, laugh again.

Audiences from all walks of life can enjoy this story of family and identity up-close in an immersive production at Area Stage in South Miami. With a unique audience experience, innovative staging, and solid performances by a talented young cast, “Disney’s Tarzan” can please audiences from ages 4 to 104.

Out 8/15, Cat & the Hounds is a bold new album that revives the spirit of early 1920s Black jazz and blues with historical insight and contemporary urgency, featuring GRAMMY-nominated vocalist Catherine Russell. Read a conversation about the album.

The Louisville Orchestra is continuing the lauded “In Harmony” tour this September, bringing free music and community events to six more Commonwealth stops. Learn more!

Two years of cancellations because of Covid helped lead to the dissolution of Capital Fringe in January after 20 years. To salvage the idea — and help the creators who had in some cases spent years on creating their own upcoming Fringe productions — a new, smaller District Fringe was established this summer up at the University of the District of Columbia.

After runs in Chicago and on Broadway, Good Night, Oscar arrives at the Barbican Centre in London this month. The show, starring Sean Hayes as the titular character, follows famed character actor and pianist Oscar Levant on an unforgettable night as a guest star on Jack Paar’s late-night television talk show. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Ben Rappaport, who plays the role of Jack Paar in Good Night, Oscar. We discussed what it’s been like to be a part of the show since 2022, how he has worked on the role and how it feels to be bringing the show to the West End.

Laguna Playhouse will present the final show of its 2024/2025 season, the boot-scootin’, foot-stompin’, dancin’ in the aisles, country music party of the year, Honky Tonk Angels, written by Ted Swindley, choreography by Jill Gorrie, musical direction by John Massey and direction by David Ellenstein.

Read our review of MY FAIR LADY, playing now at Union Avenue Opera through July 12. This beloved musical has everything going for it: absolutely captivating melodies by Frederick Lowe, lovely clever lyrics by Alan Lerner, and plenty still of the incomparable wit of that old master George Bernard Shaw, from whose play, Pygmalion, the musical is adapted.

The new national tour of the iconic musical Beauty and the Beast is now traveling across America. Read the reviews as they come in here and learn more about the production!

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this July with a full slate of nightly performances! See the full lineup here and learn how to purchase tickets!

Theater On The Edge's acclaimed Cinematic Theater Experience will return this summer with The Sunset Limited by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy.

Theater On The Edge's acclaimed Cinematic Theater Experience will return this summer with The Sunset Limited by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy. Learn more!

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 27, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

The Pitch Perfect franchise, which currently consists of three films and a television series, will receive a new spin-off series from writer and actor Joel Kim Booster.

GRAMMY®-winning Icelandic-Chinese artist, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey has premiered “Lover Girl,” the latest single from her highly anticipated forthcoming album.

​The Den Theatre has revealed upcoming August 2025 shows at the theatre's Wicker Park stages. Learn more about the August lineup here and see how to purchase tickets.

Rock legend Billy Idol is set for the release of new vinyl re-pressings of three classic albums: Charmed Life, Whiplash Smile, and his first-ever solo release, the Don’t Stop EP, are all due August 15.

Just In Time’s origin story as well as overall conceit has much in common with one of Broadway’s very first jukebox musicals, which was ahead of its time. In 1985, Leader of the Pack, telling the story of pop singer-songwriter Ellie Greenwich, opened at the Ambassador on Broadway. Learn all about pop music bio-musicals here!

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs written by Iman Qureshi, and directed by Hannah Hauer-King, is now playing at Kiln Theatre. Read the reviews for the production here!