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Play On! 1997

Opened: March 20, 1997
Closing: unknown

Play On! - 1997 Broadway History , Info & More

Run Type Unknown
Market Broadway
Previews March 04, 1997 (19 previews)
Based on Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

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¡CÓMO EL GRINCH ROBÓ LA NAVIDAD! to Make World Premiere at The Old Globe
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 16, 2026


The Old Globe announced the full cast for the world premiere of the fully-staged Spanish-language production of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, directed by James Vásquez and starring Martín Solá as El Grinch.

DreamWrights Center Marks 30th Anniversary Season in York, PA
by Rachel Stone - Oct 16, 2026


DreamWrights Center for Community Arts in York, PA announced its 2027 season, featuring eight main productions including THE HOBBIT, PIPPIN, FUN HOME, and THE CRUCIBLE, plus a studio series with cabarets and play readings.

Dead Air Network Announce New Single Burn This After Reading
by Rachel Stone - Oct 15, 2026


DIY punk and post-punk band Dead Air Network, featuring Pat A.V., Dave H., and Blanks 77 drummer Chad Phillips, releases new single drawing on decades of New Jersey punk history.

Onyekachi Iwu Wins 2026-2027 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2026


Vineyard Theatre named Nigerian American playwright Onyekachi Iwu as the recipient of the 2026-2027 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, which includes a cash prize and yearlong residency.

Review: BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL Has Plenty of Bite at Music Theater Heritage
by Andrew Burrill - Oct 12, 2026


There are plenty of musicals about people who feel like outsiders. Few take that idea quite as literally as BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL.

Kalliope Barlis Voted Top Ten Finalist 2026 Ladies Of Laughter Competition
by Marissa Faith Curley - Oct 11, 2026


Building Your Best Inc. has announced that New York City stand-up comedian Kalliope Barlis has been named one of Top Ten Finalists in the 2026 Ladies of Laughter National Competition. She will perform before a panel of industry judges at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Video: Alan H. Green Reflects on PLAY ON! at Chicago Shakespeare
by Joshua Wright - Oct 9, 2026


Alan H. Green, who made his Broadway debut in the original PLAY ON! 29 years ago, discusses returning to the show at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where he now plays Rev.

DREAMGIRLS Original Broadway Cast: Where Are They Now?
by Michael Gioia - Oct 17, 2026


BroadwayWorld looks back on the 1981 Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls,' which ran for more than 1,500 performances, and what members of its cast are up to now.

Review: BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL at Second Generation Theatre
by Michael Rabice - Oct 9, 2026


Sometimes a musical comes along that perplexes and enchants simultaneously, but whose description may sound off-putting. BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL now playing in a fabulous production by Second Generation Theatre is such a production. Part Marvel comic come to life on stage, it is also a mix of a graphic novel meets SWEENEY TODD , and part ROCKY HORROR SHOW with a smattering of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS sprinkled with FATHER KNOWS BEST.

Eva Marie Saint, Oscar and Emmy-Winning Actress, Dead at 102
by Rachel Stone - Oct 7, 2026


Eva Marie Saint, an Academy Award-winning actress known for ON THE WATERFRONT and NORTH BY NORTHWEST, died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles. Her career spanned more than 70 years in film, television, stage and radio.

HOW SOON IS NOW? to Play Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 7, 2026


The new indie musical HOW SOON IS NOW? will arrive at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre as part of a national tour. Written by Siân Owen and directed by Adam Quayle, the production features a live soundtrack of 1990s indie classics.

OCTKNOWBER NIGHTS to Bring 7 Shows of Local Theatre to Know Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 6, 2026


Know Theatre of Cincinnati will present OCTKNOWBER NIGHTS, a Halloween-themed festival featuring comedy shows, staged readings, and experimental works by local artists.

Syndee Winters Will Return to THE LION KING Tour as Nala
by Stephi Wild - Oct 6, 2026


The North American tour of THE LION KING will feature Syndee Winters returning to the role of Nala, as well as new cubs Anthony Fraire, Jaxon Ipapo-Glass, and Anaszia Kelly.

JUNKHOUSE to Perform at OLG Stage, Fallsview Casino with New Single 'Hot Hot Sun'
by Rachel Stone - Oct 6, 2026


JUNKHOUSE, the Hamilton roots rockers, released the new single 'Hot Hot Sun' and will perform at OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. The track marks the band's first release of 2026.

Lawrence Schulman's GARLAND Volume III to Publish via BearManor Media
by Rachel Stone - Oct 6, 2026


Music historian Lawrence Schulman's third volume of critical writings on Judy Garland will collect material written between 2023 and 2028, featuring a foreword by Will Friedwald and an afterword by John Kelsch.

North Coast Repertory Theatre Will Present TED TALKS AND TALKS
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 3, 2026


An intimate evening with Ted Leitner, the legendary broadcasting voice of the San Diego Padres, Aztecs, Channel 8 Sports, KFMB-AM Radio and more: up-close, un-filtered, and un-scripted – just like he's always been. 'Uncle Teddy' shares hilarious and moving stories about SD sports legends including Tony Gwynn, Jerry Coleman, Junior Seau, Trevor Hoffman, Bill Walton and Ted Williams as he reflects on a 4-decades long career.

FAULTY TOWERS THE DINING EXPERIENCE to Mark 15 Years in West End
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 30, 2026


Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, the international immersive dining phenomenon will celebrate 30 years worldwide and 15 years in the West End in 2027, alongside its 4,000th West End performance.

THE JULIA VARIATIONS and COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA Set For Old Skool Playwrights Festival
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2026


None of the Above Theatre Company will open its 45th season with the Old Skool Playwrights Festival, featuring Robert Liebowitz's world premiere THE JULIA VARIATIONS and a revival of COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA at American Theatre of Actors.

GREAT MUSICIANS OF OUR TIME to Premiere on PBS
by Rachel Stone - Sep 24, 2026


A six-part PBS series offers intimate documentaries of classical music artists including violinists Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman, guitarist Andrés Segovia, and pianists Vladimir Ashkenazy, Evgeny Kissin and Daniil Trifonov.

Review: BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center
by Jeffrey Kare - Sep 24, 2026


Buena Vista Social Club is the latest in a long line of jukebox/biomusicals. This one in particular is set in Havana, Cuba from the 1950s to the 1990s. The story follows four prominent musicians. Over the course of their lives, they experienced the effects of communism and the rise of Fidel Castro, as well as their eventual collaboration in 1997 on the landmark album.

Photos: THE CHERRY ORCHARD In Rehearsal at the Harold Pinter Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 23, 2026


See rehearsal photos of Kristin Scott Thomas, Stephen Mangan and the company of The Cherry Orchard, taken by Johan Persson. Ian Rickson’s production will begin performances October 3 at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK to Play at Goldrich Cultural Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2026


The Goldrich Cultural Center will present the return of  'The Diary of Anne Frank,' based on the posthumously published diary of the young German girl who lived in hiding in Amsterdam with her family in World War II.

When Broadway Musicals Are Reimagined- A Complete History
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 4, 2026


The discourse surrounding reasons for reviving musicals on Broadway is a relatively recent phenomenon. These days, if a show is announced for a revival, a sentence that often follows is: “Why are they reviving it?” 

Cast Set For Matthew Bourne's CINDERELLA 2026-27 Tour
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2026


New Adventures unveiled the full cast for the Olivier Award-winning production's 30th anniversary tour, opening at Theatre Royal Plymouth in November 2026, followed by stops in Salford, London, and 14 additional UK venues through 2027.

Photos: HOW SOON IS NOW? in Rehearsal in Salford
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2026


All new rehearsal photos have been released of How Soon is Now?, which is making its world premiere this October in Salford ahead of a UK Tour. Check out the photos here!

Play On! History

Other Productions of Play On!

1997   West End London Production
West End
2025   West End
West End

Play On! - 1997 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
Play On! awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1997 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor - Musical Andre De Shields
1997 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations Luther Henderson
1997 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Andre De Shields
1997 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tonya Pinkins

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