Threepenny Opera Revival

What is a pro-shot and how is it different than an adapted film? Pro-shot is an abbreviation for professionally shot, denoting a stage play that was captured in its native habitat: a theatre. In general, a pro-shot seeks to film the exact experience that audience members would have at a live performance of the show, in contrast with a feature film which actually adapts the piece into a new form, including different locations, the removal of theatrical aesthetic, and changes to make the script work as a film as opposed to as a live theatrical show.

Nearly 50 years after its debut, Chico Buarque’s landmark musical returns in a vibrant new staging. Directed by Jorge Farjalla, Ópera do Malandro dives into Rio de Janeiro’s bohemian underworld to expose corruption, desire and hypocrisy with sharp humor and unforgettable songs. Inspired by Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera and infused with elements of Afro-Brazilian spirituality, the production blends satire, ritual and popular culture in an immersive, festive experience. Featuring a large, star-studded cast the show reaffirms the enduring power—and provocation—of one of Brazilian musical theatre’s most iconic works.

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?

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.

Before her passing in 2024, Broadway legend Chita Rivera was originally attached to appear in the film adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman, which hit theaters earlier this month. 

BroadwayWorld is saddened to learn of the passing of Robert M. Wilson, artist, theater and opera director, architect, set and lighting designer. Learn more about Wilson's life and career here.

NYU Skirball will present Award-winning actress Isabelle Huppert in a tour de force performance of Mary Said What She Said at NYU Skirball. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Richard Foreman, playwright and founder of the Ontological-Hysteric Theater, passed away in Manhattan on Saturday, January 4 at the age of 87.

NYU Skirball’s Winter/Spring 2025 season will feature Robert Wilson, Isabelle Huppert, Florentina Holzinger, and more. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Goodspeed Musicals will present the U.S. premiere of Maggie as its third production of the 2024 season. A heartwarming story about home, family and community, Maggie will run at The Goodspeed from Aug. 23 - Oct. 20. Check out video from inside the rehearsal room as Christine Dwyer and the show's cast perform the song, 'Everyone's Gone.'

Goodspeed Musicals will present the U.S. premiere of Maggie as its third production of the 2024 season. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Betty Buckley is set to return to Joe's Pub this spring. Learn more details and see how to purchase tickets!

Broadway veteran Betty Buckley has joined the cast of upcoming Blumhouse horror film, 'Imaginary.' Buckley and Tom Payne round out the cast, alongside Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, Matthew Sato, and Veronica Falcón. 

ETT (English Touring Theatre) has announced their new production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, and further programming for 2023.

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!

Leapin’ Lizards! The full cast and creative team has been announced for the all-new tour of the iconic Tony Award®-winning musical ANNIE. In the title role of Annie is Ellie Pulsifer, a 12-year-old actress from South Florida, making her tour debut. 

San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) announced that Sam Woodhouse will step down as Artistic Director in September 2022 after leading the company for 46 years. At the end of this season, San Diego REP will have produced 333 productions under Woodhouse’s leadership - more than 50 of them were world premieres.

Theatro Sao Pedro announces its 2022 season. The lyrical series will include eleven titles: La Serva Padrona; Livietta and Tracollo; The Capulets and the Montechios, by Bellini; West Side Story; Lecture on Waterbirds; Threepenny Opera, by Weill; Ariadne in Naxos, by Strauss; Viva La Mamma, by Donizetti and El Barberillo de Lavapies, among others.

Six of the most lauded and influential performing artists across the worlds of pop, hip-hop, jazz, musical theater, and classical music will receive honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee in virtual commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 8.

Innovation requires the genius to recognize the possible and the single-minded drive to make it a reality. The fourteenth volume of National Sawdust's Digital Discovery Festival celebrates four remarkable artistic minds whose phenomenal creative talent have brought vital innovations to the worlds of music, theater, visual art and opera.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that jazz icon and actor Annie Ross has passed away at age 89.

National Sawdust's physical doors are still closed but, thanks to a generous grant from the Alphadyne Foundation, the mission of providing artists the resources and support they need to create and present new work continues with the Digital Discovery Festival, featuring over 100 artists from May through August. All past and present Digital Discovery Festival events are accessible on the newly-constructed Live@NationalSawdust website, as well as on Facebook Live, entirely free of charge.

Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tracy Letts takes a brutally comedic look at Wheeler, a 50-year-old divorcee in the throes of a mid-life spiral. Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Tony-Award winning Broadway, film and TV actress/singer Betty Buckley is fresh off her year long acclaimed run in the First National Tour of the new production of the Broadway Hit Hello, Dolly! She is preparing to kick off the 2019-2020 Cabaret Series at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts at the Samueli Theater October 17 a?' 19 in Costa Mesa.

Second Stage Theater has announced complete casting for the Broadway production of Tracy Letts's Linda Vista. Directed by Dexter Bullard, the production will feature Ian Barford (Wheeler), Sally Murphy (Margaret), Caroline Neff (Anita), Chantal Thuy (Minnie), Jim True-frost (Paul), Cora Vander Broek (Jules) and Troy West (Michael).