The City and the Town - 2023 - West End Articles Page 13

​​​​​​​In today’s culture, it is hard to find anyone who doesn’t have some experience with the story of Peter Pan. For many, their first exposure to the “boy who refused to grow up” was through Walt Disney’s classic 1953 animated film. Others first journeyed off to Neverland with Peter and Wendy by reading the original 1904 play by J.M. Barrie. And in between (and beyond) have come many different iterations of this timeless adventure. But for musical theatre fans, there is just one PETER PAN – the classic 1954 stage musical which starred Mary Martin and was captured for posterity through a 1955 NBC broadcast. So how does one take a story with its beautiful score but also some troublesome stereotypes and bring it to an audience in 2025? That is just what Larissa FastHorse and the team bringing PETER PAN to life on the stage at the fabulous Fox Theatre have done – taken a classic and updated it for a new generation. And in the role of Tiger Lily, Bailey Frankenberg has a front row seat to what makes this story so magical. I had the chance to catch up with Bailey and hear all about her career and what it is like to play an iconic (but updated) heroine as well as serve as Fight and Flight captain for the show.

The American Academy in Rome revealed that Estonian-American composer and animator Lembit Beecher has won a 2025-2026 Rome Prize, the rigorous competition supporting innovative fellows in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Learn more!

Main Street Theater (MST) is celebrating 50 years of engaging theater for curious and thoughtful audiences of all ages. 2025-2026 marks the 50th Season for Main Street Theater and will include seven productions.

Davalois Fearon Dance will premiere Up/right at the 2025 Vision Festival, presented by ArtsForArts, with support from the Bronx Council on the Arts Cultural Vision Fund and Dance Fund.

The Last Five Years stars Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren, Tina Fey, Ed Helms with Samantha Bee, Alex Newell and more come to 92NY as part of the Film, Television and Theater Talks series.

Voyage Theater Company has announced the renewal of its PARTS UNKNOWN Play Reading Series residency at the 53rd Street New York Public Library with VOICES FROM UKRAINE, an evening of new short plays by Ukrainian playwrights.

Inspired by conversations Rosenbaum had with Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein, the International City Theatre in Long Beach is presenting the American premiere of The Violin Maker, a new play based on the true story of how he gathered and restored ruined violins that survived the Holocaust to create the remarkable collection known throughout the world as the “Violins of Hope.” I decided to speak with playwrights Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum and Ronda Spinak (artistic director of The Braid) about the play’s creation and history, especially why it is so important to tell the Violins of Hope maker’s story.

National Black Theatre (NBT) in association with The Flea Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the NYC premiere of Chiaroscuro. Performances run May 27 - June 22 at The Flea Theater.

HERO Theatre has announced the cast for the world premiere of The Young Dolphins written and directed by Elisa Bocanegra, performing at the Rosenthal Theater at Inner-City Arts in Los Angeles. The Young Dolphins is a co-production with Inner-City Arts.

Carnegie Hall has revealed the summer schedule for Carnegie Hall Citywide, a free concert series that brings a mix of live performances to venues throughout New York City.  Learn more!

TV psychologist Natalia Kholodenko will present Lara's Journey for her Ukraine seminar on April 22nd in a collaboration with leading artists. From heartbreak to hope, TV psychologist Natalia Kholodenko has become the guiding light for millions of Ukrainian women navigating the devastation of war.

Dobama, Cleveland's Off-Broadway Theatre has revealed its 2025/26 Season; a line-up of five extraordinary new plays that are all Cleveland and Regional premieres. Learn more!

The 20th annual South East European Film Festival is bringing to Los Angeles U.S. premieres, European talent, and an Industry Accelerator with panels and workshops from April 30 – May 7.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint to present the world premiere of The Brown Doll. Written by Cilla Silvia (Opening Night, Pretty Woman) and directed by Niloo Far-Khan. Performed by Sharan Atwal, Farah Ahmed, Rachel Ogilvy and Mehren Yar.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has unveiled its 2025–26 season running from September 17, 2025, through May 3, 2026. Learn more about the season programming here!

This time, the reader question was: There are only three states in America without known Broadway musicals set within their borders. Can you guess which three? WE're breaking it down state by state.

“We couldn’t be more excited to share this new season with all our loyal Broadway fans. The season really does represent the last several years of Broadway at its best, freshest, and most creative, alongside two beloved classics.” CAPA President Chad Whittington

Rehearsals are now in full swing for Studio Theatre's fully immersive production of Paradise Blue, the modern classic by Dominique Morisseau, part of her acclaimed Detroit Trilogy.

Steve Earle has announced his Fifty Years of Songs and Stories, a solo acoustic tour sprawling journey across over 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada. The tour will kick off on May 25 at the Princess Theater Centre for the Performing Arts in Decatur, AL.

Tickets are on sale for CALLING US HOME' - THE MUSICAL in Harare, Zimbabwe as part of its multi-country tour across the African continent. Learn more here!

 Irvine Barclay Theatre, one of Orange County’s top performing arts venues, will kick off its 35th season of bringing top-tier artists to Southern California with a community celebration of music and dance.

SoHo Playhouse has announced the lineup for the 2025 Lighthouse Series, running April 4 - 20, 2025.

Award-winning Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Matt Andersen is coming to New York City on May 9th at Iridium as part of his 2025 Spring tour. Take a look here for his full list of tour dates.

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater will present a full slate of nightly performances all April long. See the full lineup, including Nicole Henry and more, and learn how to purchase tickets.

New York City Ballet has revealed its 2025-26 season featuring world premiere ballets by Justin Peck and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.