Category: Broadway

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‘Newsies: The Broadway Musical’ Streaming Free Benefiting Actors Fund Of America

(image via Newsies Facebook page)
On Friday, August 21, at 7 pm ET you can be the “The King of New York” and “support everyone in entertainment” that have been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Via Playbill:

“The Tony Award-winning NEWSIES: the Broadway Musical will stream in its entirety, for free for one night only on Playbill.com as a benefit for The Actors Fund.

“This special arrangement is made possible by Disney Theatrical Productions and Disney+. The evening will also feature filmed appearances by cast members and will conclude with a brand-new video, featuring cast members from the Broadway and North American Tour productions of NEWSIES.”

Captured live at The Hollywood Pantages Theatre in 2016, NEWSIES stars  Jeremy Jordan, reprising his Tony Award-nominated performance as “Jack Kelly,” Kara Lindsay as “Katherine,” Ben Fankhauser as “Davey” and Andrew Keenan-Bolger as “Crutchie,” with NEWSIES North American Tour stars Steve Blanchard as “Joseph Pulitzer,” Aisha de Haas as “Medda Larkin” and Ethan Steiner as “Les.”

Here’s the original Broadway cast of NEWSIES performing on the 2012 Tony Awards:

Based on the 1992 film which wasn’t a box office success but developed a loyal following, Disney Theatrical Productions brought in Harvey Fierstein to work on the true story of the 1899 paperboy strike that pitted them against publishing titan, Joseph Pulitzer.  The stage production became an instant hit running for 1,005 performances on Broadway. NEWSIES went on to win countless awards including two Tony Awards – one for Alan Menken and Jack Feldman’s “Best Score” and a second for Christopher Gattelli’s stunning “Best Choreography” of 16 acrobatic, high-flying paperboys. In advance of the special event, cast members Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Aisha de Haas, Ben Fankhauser,  Jeremy Jordan, and Kara Lindsay got together for a very special NEWSIES reunion episode of Stars In The House with Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley to talk about the show and the one night only streaming benefit.

NEWSIES the Broadway Musical – Friday, August 21st, 7 pm ET benefiting the Actors Fund of America. If you’re so moved, consider making a donation (no matter how large or small) here.

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Randy Rainbow’s Musical Tribute To Harris: “Kamala!”

Randy Rainbow serves up a musical homage to Democratic vice-presidential pick Kamala Harris set to the title tune of the 1960 Tony Award-winning Lerner and Loewe musical, Camelot.

And though Trump calls her phony, mean and nasty There’s no doubt she’s more qualified than he She sold me when I saw her come for Kavanaugh For no one makes a grown man cry like she can Kamala!

 

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Stars In The House Remembers ‘Carrie The Musical’

(image via the original poster for the Broadway production of Carrie)
Michael and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Saturday night’s edition of Stars in the House which brought together the creative team and actors from the 1988 Broadway musical Carrie. Adapted from the 1976 movie of the same name by Stephen King, the musical was first produced at Stratford-upon-Avon in England starring Linzi Hately as Carrie and Broadway veteran Barbara Cook as her mother, Margaret White. Directed by Terry Hands and choreographed by Debbie Allen, the cast also included Charlotte d’Amboise (Song & Dance), Gene Anthony Ray (Fame), R&B star Darlene Love, and Sally Ann Triplett. In order to achieve the effects of Carrie’s telekinetic powers, the production boasted an elaborate technical design in terms of sets and lights utilizing lasers. According to theater lore, Cook tendered her resignation on opening night when she was nearly decapitated by a set-piece.
Betty Buckley and Linzi Hately in ‘Carrie’ (production photo)
Tony Award winner Betty Buckley (who had played the gym teacher in the film) was summoned to save the show as it transferred to Broadway. But after 16 previews and 5 performances, the producers pulled out their money following mixed reviews despite packed houses and standing ovations each night. In a time before smartphones, little video footage exists of the Broadway production although, during last night’s streaming reunion, it was revealed cast member and soon-to-be Tony Award winner Scott Wise had planted an old-school video camera in the back of the audience before the audience was admitted in hopes of capturing footage. Apparently, Wise’s camera was able to capture Act One before the battery ran out of juice. Just to give you a peek into the power and sensitivity Buckley brought to the role, this is the haunting “When There’s No One.”

The show, capitalized at a then-enormous $8 million, was considered the most expensive flop in Broadway history. I was on the road performing in CATS at the time, but my bestie Carlye saw the closing night performance. According to her well-informed opinion, while much of the show proved problematic I’ve never forgotten her final assessment – that the scenes between Buckley and Hately were some of the most thrilling musical theater she’d ever experienced. Playbill put together a terrific recap of some of the existing footage along with interviews with cast members including Charlotte D’Amboise here. Here’s the full reunion show from last night hosted by SiriusXM’s Seth Rudetsky & James Wesley. The creative team of Lawrence D. Cohen, Michael Gore, and Dean Pitchford share the history of creating the book and score and are then joined about halfway through by Buckley, Hateley, D’Amboise, and Triplett. Over the past four months, the streaming series has brought theater fans the backstage stories they’ve longed for (for free!) while raising over $442,000 for The Actor’s Fund in donations.

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News Round-Up: July 17, 2020

Broadway star Norm Lewis
Some news items you might have missed: • What To Watch This Weekend: I’ll definitely be watching Tony Award nominee and all-around super-talent Norm Lewis in concert with SiriusXM’s Seth Rudetsky at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. Broadway audiences know the oh-so-handsome Lewis from his performances in Phantom of the Opera, Once on This Island, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Chicago and more. Continue reading “News Round-Up: July 17, 2020”

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New Music: Ty Taylor & Matt Zarley Reimagine ‘Close Every Door’ From JOSEPH…

L-R Ty Taylor, Matt Zarley (courtesy photo)
  Indie artists Matt Zarley and Ty Taylor have been friends for over 27 years – ever since they appeared on Broadway in the 1993 revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In fact, the two talented men were both understudies for the title role. Taylor and Zarley went on to additional featured appearances on the Great White Way (like Grease and Tommy, respectively) before moving on to successful careers as recording artists as well. The two had been discussing recording together and they hit on the perfect song for the duo considering their shared experience with Joseph. “When Ty and I first discussed collaborating on something together, he suggested we do a reimagined version of ‘Close Every Door,’ says Zarley. “We collectively agreed that we should do it with a more acoustic approach, sort of reminiscent of the Indigo Girls and that type of sound. As a result, we settled on just an acoustic guitar and bass as the instrumentation.” Set in a prison cell, Joseph laments his situation and assures himself he can make it to the other side of his imprisonment. But the coronavirus pandemic put the project on pause for a few months. When they reconvened for the project, both felt the new world of ‘sheltering at home’ coupled with the homicide of George Floyd had created a new perspective for the song. Taylor says he looked at issues like “brutality and imprisonment, things that are thrust upon us wrongfully” as he revisited the song. In the video’s introduction, he shares, “It’s fueled with a whole different backstory than I’d ever planned.” Shot in black and white (see what they did there?), the new guitar-driven track (thank you very much, Mike Messer, on guitar) is infused with a pop/soul flavor that instantly reinvents the song. Plus, check out the moments at the 2:40 and 4:30 marks as each singer respectfully takes note of the other’s riffs. Props to Zarley for the creative, current feel on the editing of the video.

Since 2015, Zarley has been producing his “UnCOVERED” series of cover songs requested by fans. In addition to reimagining pop songs by artists like Sara Bareilles, Sam Smith, Whitney Houston, and George Michael, he’s also explored songs from Broadway shows like Dear Evan Hansen, Ghost the Musical, and Waitress. Check out the full “UnCOVERED” series on YouTube here.

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Tonight: Don’t Miss ‘Bernadette Peters – A Special Concert’

Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert

Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert For the first time online, experience an extraordinary evening with Broadway legend Bernadette Peters in concert. The free stream of Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert is set for Friday, July 10 at 8pm ET. Peters, a three-time Tony Award recipient and star of TV and film, will be joined by actor and friend Michael Urie to talk about the concert, share inside Broadway stories and celebrate Peters’ illustrious career. The concert, which was filmed in 2009 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre, features extraordinary performances of songs by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and more. The evening also includes the legendary Mary Tyler Moore, who co-founded the annual pet adoption event Broadway Barks with Peters, and appearances by furry friends looking to find their forever homes. “I’m delighted to be able to share this incredible evening again, which has only been seen by those who were inside the Minskoff Theater,” Peters said. “I hope this evening will bring joy to those who now get to experience it while still making a real difference for people in need across the country, and in our industry through support of Broadway Cares.” While the concert stream is free to all, VIP and sponsorship opportunities also are available that provide exclusive virtual experiences with Peters and recognition during the stream. To learn more and watch, click here.

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Broadway Actor Adam Perry’s 109 Days Of COVID-19

Broadway actor Adam Perry backstage at Frozen (image via Instagram)
Adam Perry, who’s appeared in numerous Broadway shows (Frozen, Rocky, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Anything Goes, Promises, Promises, A Chorus Line, Wicked) shared his ongoing journey with the coronavirus having lived with symptoms now for over 100 days. For months now, the myth of the coronavirus has been that it “only affects the elderly.” But Perry, who has been in peak physical condition for years thanks to dancing on Broadway and hitting the gym regularly, says his experience with COVID-19 has been “terrifying.” “There is nothing like the feeling of not being able to breathe,” he told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Erin Burnett OutFront.

Since testing positive for the virus on March 17, Perry says his ongoing symptoms start with a cough and then develop into tightness in his chest. Even more disconcerting, every time the veteran Broadway performer thinks he’s beaten the disease, his symptoms return. “I would feel better for a few days and then it would just come and smack me again,” Perry said. “I had two days of symptoms and then felt like a million bucks for three days. So I thought I was off the hook, thought I beat it, but then it came back with a vengeance.” A serious concern for Perry today is struggling with his ‘new normal.’
Adam Perry (center) in Broadway Bares in 2017 (image via Instagram)
“I have been doing eight shows a week for 15 to 20 years,” he said. “Now the capacity is not the same. I am just praying daily that it will get back to normal and I will be able to do things again.” The 39-year-old actor shared on his Facebook page that watching the news of new COVID-19 cases surging across the country left him in tears. “I cried watching the news tonight,” wrote Perry. “Cases are spiking. The president makes jokes about coronavirus. People shame others for wearing masks. The country is making it a partisan issue.” Perry urged viewers to “come together, wear a mask, socially distance for as long as we can until there’s a vaccine because this thing has an infinite variable of outcomes for people.” He added that, in his view, there’s “a short term, long term, and ‘we just don’t know,’ so it’s just really important that people take care of each other.” He added, “I just really don’t want other people to have to experience what I experienced.” Watch Perry’s recent appearance on CNN above along with just a few posts from his Instagram account showing how fit the Broadway veteran has stayed over the years.

 

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Cuntry gal in Cabela’s & vintage Ralph Lauren 🎣

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Pines lighting tho 🌲🧚🏻‍♂️🌲 📷: @lapidustudio

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Golden Pride 💛🏳️‍🌈💛 📸: @esp_bymike

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Jan 1st. Is it summer yet? 🙄 🌊photography by @lapidustudio

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Natural tho 🌿 Photo by @kevinmcdnyc 📷

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⚓️🌊⚓️ 📷: @kylekrieger

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Broadway Theaters To Remain Dark Until January 2021

(photo: Ludovic Bertron/Flickr)
From the New York Times:

Broadway will remain closed for at least the rest of this year, and many shows are signaling that they do not expect a return to the stage until late winter or early spring.

The Broadway League said Monday that theater owners and producers will refund or exchange tickets previously purchased for shows through Jan. 3. Given the unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic that has prompted the shuttering of Broadway, the League said it was not yet ready to specify exactly when shows will reopen.

“Returning productions are currently projected to resume performances over a series of rolling dates in early 2021,” the League said in a statement.

Among the logistical issues industry leaders are discussing with government and medical officials: “screening and testing, cleaning and sanitizing, wayfinding inside theaters, backstage protocols and much more.”

Since March 12, all 41 Broadway theaters have been dark due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Pride Plays Presents Free Livestream Of ‘The Men From The Boys’

  A star-studded cast of Pride Plays’ livestream of Mart Crowley’s The Men from the Boys is set to include Mario Cantone, Charlie Carver, Rick Elice, Telly Leung, Lou Liberatore, Carson McCally, Kevyn Morrow, Denis O’Hare and James Joseph O’Neil. The Men from the Boys revisits the beloved characters from the iconic gay-themed play, The Boys in the Band,  years after the events of the original play. The free stream at 7 pm Eastern this Friday, June 26, will be directed by Zachary Quinto, who starred in the recent Tony Award-winning revival of Crowley’s The Boys in the Band. Sponsorship and VIP opportunities, which include a post-show Zoom party with Quinto and Pride Plays producer and celebrated actor Michael Urie, are also available. The Pride Plays season, which is presented by Playbill, benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. With every dollar donated, you’ll support those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses, as well as champion organizations working toward social justice and anti-racism.

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Trailer: Original Cast Of ‘Hamilton’ Coming To Disney+ July 3

Disney+ dropped the first trailer for the upcoming filmed version of the original cast of Broadway blockbuster, Hamilton. Get ready to return to the room where it happened on July 3. Shot at The Richard Rodgers Theatre in June 2016, the filmed version features the entire original Broadway cast, including Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler, Jonathan Groff as King George, and Christopher Jackson as George Washington.