March of the Falsettos

Chromolume Theatre will present William Finn's ELEGIES: A SONG CYCLE at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, directed by Carol M. Becker, at the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles for three performances only.

The large majority of our 41 Broadway theaters were built to be Broadway theaters. Other than the Winter Garden, which was originally a horse exchange, the Nederlander, which was originally a carpenter’s shop, and the Broadway and Lunt-Fontanne which were originally movie theaters, every current Broadway house was intended from the beginning to present Broadway shows. As for off-Broadway? The opposite is true.

It wasn’t until later on in theatre history that revivals began including shows that weren’t initially well received or financially successful in their initial engagements. As musical theatre continued to evolve, and more shows entered the canon, a consensus began to grow about shows being worthy of additional exploration even if they hadn’t been hits the first time around. What about musicals that had been ahead of their time, musicals that had fallen prey to circumstances, early works by writers who became successful later on, and of course, shows that found an audience after closing via their cast recordings?

Second Stage Theatre’s 43rd Street off-Broadway house, right near 8th Avenue, recently changed hands and is now the home of Studio Seaview . Seaview’s first production in the space is Angry Alan, starring John Krasinski. They have renovated and updated the space since Second Stage switched off-Broadway locations to now present shows at the Signature.

A strange, insistent music is coming back to Broadway. BroadwayWorld has just learned that Lincoln Center Theater will soon present Ragtime at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Performances begin September 26. Member onsale May 13. Public onsale May 28.

FALSETTOS, originally written as two-one act musicals set in 1979 and 1981, respectively, feels simultaneously dated and prescient. In this co-production from Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Company, director Nick Bowling leads a first-rate ensemble that preserves the musical as a period piece but also makes it feel utterly alive. Lauren Nichols’s set design evokes a 1970s retro roller rink and Theresa Ham’s costume designs also use extremely ‘70s colors (and each character wears a signature color). But many of the show’s central themes hit now as ahead of their time and eerily relevant. In particular, the musical’s reverence for Jewish culture and tradition and its unabashed embrace of queer love are especially moving at a time when anti-Semitism and homophobia seem tragically on the rise in America.

BroadwayWorld spoke to Meredith Shedden, Bowtie Productions’ AD and the production’s director, about the joys of working with the quirky cult favourite musical.

TimeLine Theatre Company has announced details for the world premiere of Dhaba on Devon Avenue by Madhuri Shekar, directed by Chay Yew and presented in a co-production with Writers Theatre.

Ms. Tucker Will See You Now, writer and performer Laural Meade’s rollicking cabaret theater piece, continues at the historic Gardenia Supper Club in Hollywood with a monthly engagement through the end of 2023. Learn more about how to catch the show here!

Get ready for the world premiere musical 'ON CEDAR STREET' at Berkshire Theatre Group, starring Stephen Bogardus and Lana Gordon. Experience the magic and unforgettable performances in this spectacular new production. Don't miss out on this enchanting musical event!

It was a part of life only understood completely, if experienced, and its impact continues to be felt today in ways you can sometimes predict, although oftentimes it invokes unexpected memories that take you completely unaware. That explains why I’ve taken so long to compose this review of Falsettos – which ends its three-weekend run this weekend at Nashville’s The Barbershop Theatre in another superb Street Theatre Company musical production – and which I saw last week during its last Sunday matinee performance.

A story created from two one-acts written nearly a decade apart, Falsettos pairs 1980s March of the Falsettos and 1990s Falsettoland, two acclaimed Off-Broadway musicals, with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by William Finn and James Lapine.

Complete casting has been announced as rehearsals commence for Shucked, the new Broadway musical comedy. Check out all of the bios, ticket information and more.

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for Sunday in the Park with George, the first production of the theater’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim. See performances dates and how to purchase tickets!

Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced the latest news for the theater’s upcoming six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim January 26 through June 11, 2023. 

The national tour cast of Oklahoma! will perform on The Late Late Show with James Corden tonight. The production stars Sasha Hutchings and Sean Grandillo, joined by Christopher Bannow, Sis, Hennessy Winkler, Benj Mirman, Barbara Walsh, Hannah Solow, Mauricio Lozano, Ugo Chukwu, Jordan Wynn, and more.

The Los Angeles premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! directed by Daniel Fish opens Thursday, September 15 at 8 p.m. at Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre. The tour will mark the first time a First-Class Equity production of Oklahoma! has toured North America in more than 40 years. This bold interpretation will play through October 16.

Casting has been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Bartlett Sher's critically acclaimed and multi award-winning production of Lerner & Loewe's much loved MY FAIR LADY, which comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 8 March – Sunday 26 March 2023.

Center Theatre Group will present the Los Angeles premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “OKLAHOMA!” directed by Daniel Fish at the Ahmanson Theatre from September 13 through October 16, 2022.

What did our critic think of FALSETTOS | LIEFDE IN TIJDEN VAN CRISIS at DeLaMar? Falsettos is a combination of two one-act musicals, March of the Falsettos (1981) and Falsettoland (1990), the last two shows in a trio of one-acters (the first one was In Trousers).Music and lyrics by William Finn (Dutch translation by director Koen van Dijk). Book by James Lapine.

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the 2022/2023 Season featuring a six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim.  The State Theater of California’s Sondheim Celebration will begin in January 2023 and extend into June.  Find out what shows are included and the full schedule.

Starlight will present the Kansas City premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! at Starlight Theatre from May 13-15.

Broadway Dallas and Broadway Across America will present the Dallas premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! at the Winspear Opera House from May 31 – June 12, 2022 as part of the Germania Insurance Broadway Series presented by Broadway Dallas. 

Antrim Playhouse, Rockland County's longest running community theatre will present the Tony Award-winning musical, FALSETTOS. Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm from March 25th to April 10th.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the Washington, D.C. premiere of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater April 5–10, 2022.