The Two and Only - 2004 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 5

New York City's leading chamber choir, Musica Viva NY, will present EL CAMINO: Talbot, Casals and Victoria, a one-night only winter concert on the Upper East Side at All Souls NYC.

This January, the Jersey Shore Arts Center will become the staging ground for a masterclass in psychological warfare. Under the sharp, unflinching direction of Theo Devaney, Edward Albee’s seminal masterpiece, At Home at the Zoo, finds new life in a production that promises to be as visceral as it is intellectual. At the heart of this revival are two powerhouses of the craft: three-time Emmy winner and daytime icon Christian Jules LeBlanc and acclaimed Off-Broadway actor and Ruth Stage Chairman Matt de Rogatis.

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?

For the last couple of years or so, theatre nerds everywhere have been besotted with the film version of the hit musical Wicked. After the debut of the first installment, anticipation only grew for Part Two, which dropped this past November. But amid all the brouhaha and ballyhoo over the cinematic offerings, the origins of the musical itself were pushed to the background.

The idea of the concept album took flight at the same time as the idea of the rock musical. A concept album introduces audiences to the score of a musical by deliberately releasing an album of the songs before any live production exists at all. The concept album ostensibly stands on its own terms.

This season, three plays are receiving Broadway debuts which already made significant noise off-Broadway in their original productions, years ago. Becky Shaw, Bug, and Marjorie Prime will all be opening on Broadway in early 2026 in brand new productions. The first and last are spending time on Broadway at the Hayes under the auspices of Second Stage while Bug is being presented by Manhattan Theatre Club at their home, the Friedman. 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s holiday season engagement is underway at New York City Center, marking a new chapter for the company under Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, who was appointed in November 2024. The five-week engagement runs from December 3, 2025, through January 4, 2026, and the December 11 program showcased a dynamic range of work, including two world premieres that highlighted both innovation and legacy.

The Paris revival remains polished and efficient, but once again raises a familiar question: has Chicago become more concert than theatre?

The hilarious and irreverent comedy has become a vital part of every Christmas season in Los Angeles since 1995, and dedicated fans have been returning over the years to laugh at all the riotous antics. 

What did our critic think of AJR ACOUSTIC SET at Newport Music Hall?

You certainly won’t find the location of Almost, Maine on any map. That’s because the inhabitants of this upper Maine settlement never bothered to properly incorporate their area into a town. That’s a clue for what lies ahead in Almost, Maine, which opened this weekend at Wichita Community Theatre. The clever uplifting play is a collection of brief vignettes, loosely linked and confined to this remote area. As imagined by playwright John Cariani, Almost, Maine is often as mysterious as its title. Twenty-one actors play various townsfolk who come and go in nine scenes.

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will present its Winter/Spring 2026 Weekend Concert Series, a fifteen-concert season curated by Abrams Curator of Music George Steel.

Gulfshore Playhouse will launch of the Next Wave Festival, a dynamic new play festival showcasing cutting-edge theatrical voices from across the country. Taking place January 31 - February 1, 2026.

New plays will ring in the new year at The Goodman when the popular annual New Stages Festival returns. This year’s line-up features the newest works by some of the country’s hottest playwrights.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s 2025-26 season–which raises the curtain on AILEY's next era under the leadership of new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, the renowned dancer and educator.

Internationally-acclaimed Ballet Hispánico has announced the lineup for their December Diálogos, their signature conversation series led by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro.

Amid achieving critical acclaim as Glinda in the two-part film of Wicked, Ariana Grande is eager to return to the stage. During a conversation with Nicole Kidman, the superstar shared that she would be open to appearing on Broadway again in the future.

Go inside the lives of a group of California teens in the Public Theater world premiere of INITIATIVE, an epic new play by Emerging Writers Group alumnus Else Went and directed by The Public Theater’s inaugural Directing Fellow Emma Rosa Went. Read the reviews!

With Ariana Grande moving her primary focus to acting, she has shared that her 2026 Eternal Sunshine tour will likely be the last one for the foreseeable future.

Following the release of Wicked: For Good, Ariana Grande will return to host Saturday Night Live for the third time on December 20. During the episode, Cher will take the stage as musical guest.

Sharpe Dunaway is no stranger to being in the spotlight, whether it be behind a microphone, behind the drums, or behind the video camera. And though he’s enjoyed his success and attention, he beams with pride when he talks about his children, father to Quint, Grey, and London (the youngest one who is taking great strides in the same vein as her father). In a free-wheeling conversation with Broadway World, Sharpe and his daughter London—a budding music journalist, concert photographer, and frontwoman in the making—dig into craft, community, and the power of doing the work. 

In honor of the Aida’s 25th anniversary, BroadwayWorld spoke to stars Heather Headley (Aida), Adam Pascal (Radames), Sherie Rene Scott (Amneris), Schele Williams (Nehebka), as Thomas Schumacher (original producer and Disney Theatrical Group chief for its first three decades), lyricist Tim Rice, and book writer David Henry Hwang to compile an oral history of the show’s early days, transition to Broadway, and legacy beyond the boards.

During his prolific and storied career, Sondheim collaborated with many other artists, from book writers to directors, from actors to musicians. Seeing Sondheim’s regular collaborators, close friends, one-time associates, mentors, and rare connections make appearances in his collection was both moving and illuminating.

Beginning Monday, November 10, PBS will air a special lineup of programs to commemorate Veterans Day with historical explorations, musical tributes, and the annual Veterans Day special.

After the Wicked mania comes to an end, Ariana Grande is excited to return to her stage roots. The superstar, who plays Glinda in the two-part film, has shared that she will be appearing in a to-be-announced stage production.