VIDEO: On This Day, September 8- SPAMILTON Opens Off-Broadway
On this day in 2016, the Hamilton parody, Spamilton, opened off-Broadway
On the Shelf: 27 Theatre Artists Reveal What They’ve Been Reading Since the Theatre Shutdown
Since the temporary shutdown of Broadway and theatres around the world began in March, Playbill has been reaching out to artists to see how they are physically and creatively responding to a changed world. As the six-month anniversary of the Broadway shutdown approaches, we’re looking back at how these artists have been keeping busy. Below, take a look at what more than 25 theatre folk have been reading.
To see more about these and other performers profiled in our Checking In With… series, click here.
Kate Baldwin
The Glass Hotel was a haunting and melancholy read.
Angel Blue
In April, I finished reading The Soul of America by Jon Meacham. It took me about eight months to finish the book.
Andréa Burns
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Jenn Colella
I am reading Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza. He combines quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, and genetics to show you, the reader, that you are not doomed by your genes and hardwired to be a certain way for the rest of your life. This time in our history feels like a genuine opportunity for a major reset, so I am working diligently to change old patterns that are no longer serving me.
Hannah Corneau
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
André De Shields
Thomas Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, Joseph Campbell’s The Hero With a Thousand Faces, Wayne W. Dyer’s There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, and Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
Colman Domingo
I’ve been reading a lot of architecture books because I’m a nerd. Specifically, The Chief: The Life of William Randolph Hearst. It is excellent, and he’s a fascinating man.
Darius de Haas
I just got through reading The Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Concert That Awakened America. I love reading more and more about specific periods in this country’s history and seeing the cyclical nature of how we as a nation have dealt with different issues—be it race, politics, equal rights, or what have you. I think everyone has to just allow themselves the time to find what they’re drawn to.
Nathan Lee Graham
I’m currently starting to read Jeffrey C. Stewart’s book The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke, who was considered the father of the Harlem Renaissance. She’s a very thick read, and I’m sure it will be fascinating!
Lena Hall
There is a book series called The Survivalist by Arthur Bradley, which is an easy and fun read. Also, the book series One Second After, One Year After, The Final Day by John Matherson are also awesome. These books make me feel like no matter how bad the world may seem to be right now, it could be way worse.
Sheldon Harnick
Rather than recommending a book or a film, my advice would be to stay abreast of what is going on in the world by reading the New York Times carefully and selectively every day.
Robert Horn
I’m rereading all the James Kirkwood novels.
Rachel Bay Jones
The Overstory, by Richard Powers, life-changing novel about trees and tree people (which we all are); and Upstream by Mary Oliver. Anything by Mary Oliver, but especially this book of short essays about nature and thought and art is such a good place to hang my mind right now. Also, for anyone who is doing any writing or is a word nerd like me, Dreyer’s English is a fabulous style guide. It’s comforting to me to be humorously told the rules of language, and to marvel at the complexity of something that humans actually did really well, this language thing. Ooh, and Summerland, by Michael Chabon, is a sweet and wonderful and smart fantasy, and I know it’s written as a YA novel, but oh God I love him and it, and you will, too. The audiobook version, which he reads himself, is even better and goes down easy.
Judy Kuhn
Here are a few recent favorites: A Change of Time by Ida Jessen, Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, Milkman by Anna Burns, Tell Me How It Ends and Lost Children Archive, both by Valeria Luiselli. I am now trying to read escapist fiction like John Le Carré and Hilary Mantel. I have a huge stack of books I want to read and now have the time to read them!
Chad Kimball
Just read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, about a Christian Dutch family, who during World War II, hid hundreds of Jewish friends and neighbors across all of Holland. They are caught, and you can imagine their fate, but it’s a harrowing account of an even scarier time in our history and puts things in perspective.
Bradley and Danielle King
Brad ordered a book from Bookshop.org (great way to support your local indie store!) called How to Cheat at Everything that walks you through the history of most of the con games and hustles on the street—that’s been fascinating.
Telly Leung
I’m reading a lot of plays. Julia Cho, Lauren Yee, and Matthew Lopez are among some of the playwrights on the list. I also have so many friends who are using this time to write, and I’ve enjoyed reading outlines and drafts from my talented writer friends.
Dawnn Lewis
I love reading heartfelt “checking on you” texts from loved ones. I’m in the middle of reading Becoming Michelle Obama and recently finished London Bridges by James Patterson, Lethal Agent by Vince Flynn, and Daily Guideposts.
Andrea Macasaet
I am a sucker for fiction and a good story! Recently finished the book and series of Little Fires Everywhere. It is an amazing story to begin with, and the series heightened the stakes of the piece even more with glorious storytelling by Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington! Ugh. Huge fan of this! I am currently reading American Dirt and find myself reading until my eyes can’t hold open anymore. Drug cartel. Mom and son trying to find freedom and safety. Murder. Love. Family. So many feelings. Hooked after the first seven pages.
Karen Mason
I am reading The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. Great book!
Marsha Mason
I am reading more and viewing more on my computer and TV…Toni Morrison’s books, cooking books, Maya Angelou’s poetry,
Michael McElroy
I’m teaching a master class on Zoom this summer with musical theatre students at University of Melbourne/Victoria College of the Arts on the Negro spiritual to Contemporary Gospel to its influence on the Broadway musical stage. I’ve been reading books on slavery and the history of African American music. Not the lightest reading but excited to bring my culture and heritage through art to a group of students who know very little about it. Our focus has been on African American musical art forms. We’ve explored Negro spirituals, gospel, and eventually how these African American art forms have influenced musical theatre. In my research preparing for this class I have submerged myself in the musical forms created by the stripping of identity and humanity from a group of people and transformed into a response that ultimately restored identity and worth. And in the middle of that comes the pandemic and the loss of life in our country that has magnified how far we have not come. It’s been emotional, empowering, painful, and inspiring.
Justin Peck
I’ve been in a phase of reading a lot of books on creative process, while I have the time right now—Elia Kazan’s Kazan On Directing, Jerome Robbins‘ By Himself, Stephen Sondheim’s Finishing the Hat. But I’m also really looking forward to starting The Overstory, which was recommended to me by my sister-in-law, Jeanette Delgado.
Michael James Scott
Michelle Obama’s Becoming (I recommend doing the audio book because she is reading it, so it’s like you’re having a kiki with her in your car or wherever you’re listening to it).
Tony Shalhoub
I just finished a brilliant and compelling novel by Jan Eliasberg titled Hannah’s War. It’s a book of historical fiction based on an extraordinary female nuclear physicist prior to—and during—WWII.
Leslie Uggams
Well, we are in the midst of a landmark cultural and political shift right now that should absolutely encourage everyone to read up on Black history. Start at 1619 and move forward to present day.
Nance Williamson
Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics; An American Caddie in St. Andrews is an easy read.
21 Books Broadway Stars Are Currently Recommending
11 Books That Were Adapted Into Musicals
From Hamilton to Matilda, we’re highlighting just 11 of many shows based on books for National ReadaBookDay Which one is your favorite
Join Tim Dolan on a Virtual Tour of Broadway With Playbill Social Selects September 16
Head back to the Theatre District (virtually) September 16 by joining Broadway Up Close’s Tim Dolan for a tour of Broadway’s historic theatres on 47th Street and beyond. At This Theatre is part of Playbill Social Selects, which brings theatre-related experiences to homes worldwide.
Click here for tickets. The event, starting at 8 PM ET, costs $12.99 and comes with a downloadable map to follow Dolan’s virtual footsteps as he brings participants to some iconic performance spaces in New York City, including the August Wilson Theatre, the Gershwin Theatre and Studio 54. The September 16 route is based on the company’s “Hippies, Disco, and Dogs, Oh My!” tour.
READ: The Broadway Walking Tour Made for Theatre Fans, History Buffs, and Broadway Newbies
Combining his storytelling skills as an actor and his love for Broadway history, Tim created Broadway Up Close Walking Tours in 2010. Over the past decade, the company has established six different tour experiences. In 2019, he opened a freestanding gift shop in the middle of Times Square that offers custom Broadway merchandise.
On the small screen, Dolan was featured on Season 2 of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. In theatre, Tim was the Dance Captain in the Off-Broadway revival of Once Upon A Mattress, starring Jackie Hoffman and John “Lypsinka” Epperson. He also performed as Abraham in the long-running hit musical Altar Boyz.
For a full list of Playbill Social Select events, click here.
13 College Scholarships for Arts Students
It’s Back to School Week at Playbill, which also unfortunately means back to paying for school for college students. We rounded up 13 scholarships, mostly aimed at students looking to earn degrees in the arts, that could help lighten your college price tag.
Deadlines vary, so we recommend you research these great opportunities now so that when the time comes, you can apply to as many as possible. Also please note: Due to COVID-19, some scholarships may not be issued this year, but this list is up-to-date as of press time even if applications have not opened for the 2021–2022 school year.
Educational Theatre Association Scholarships: This group of performing art scholarships is open to students at various levels of theatre study (from graduating high school senior to college senior). ($500–$4,000)
- The Educational Theatre Association Board of Directors Scholarship is a one-time scholarship created with donations by, and in honor of, past and current members of the EdTA Board of Directors. One applicant will receive a one-time scholarship to be applied to tuition and fees associated with full-time enrollment at an accredited college or university. This award is intended for undergraduate students currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university who are upcoming sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Upcoming freshman and graduating seniors are not eligible. Applicants must be Alumni of the International Thespian Society and pursuing a career in theatre education.
- The Bob and Marti Fowler Future Theatre Educator Scholarship is a one-time scholarship awarded to a student pursuing a theatre education major and who demonstrates leadership qualities, an excellent work ethic, the ability to work effectively as a member of a production team, strong character, academic ability, organizational skills, and experience in different aspects of theatre.
- The Christopher L. Hunt Scholarship is a one-time scholarship created with donations in honor of the late Chris Hunt, Director of Marketing at EdTA. This scholarship is intended for inducted Thespians who plan to use skills learned through theatre in a career focused on business or marketing.
- The Educational Theatre Association Presidents’ Leadership Scholarship is a one-time scholarship created with donations from and in honor of past and current EdTA board presidents. This scholarship is intended for inducted Thespians who successfully demonstrate leadership abilities.
- The Michael J. Peitz Leadership Scholarship is a one-time scholarship awarded to an inducted Thespian of the International Thespian Society, the student honorary organization of the Educational Theatre Association, who successfully demonstrates leadership abilities.
- The Alan D. Engelsman and Penny Lu Engelsman Scholarship is a one-time scholarship awarded to a high school senior who will be pursuing an education major in theatre, technical theatre, playwriting or English.
- The Melba Day Henning Scholarship is a one-time scholarship intended to be awarded to an undergraduate student currently enrolled full-time in theatre education study at an accredited college or university who are upcoming juniors or seniors. In addition, part-time or full-time graduate students are also eligible to apply. Applicants must have completed their freshman year to apply.
Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship: The Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian-American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications. ($1,000)
John L. Dales & George Heller Memorial Scholarships: Since its inception, the John L. Dales Scholarship Competition has awarded more than $6 million to more than 1,632 SAG-AFTRA members for study in higher education. Recipients must be experienced members who need further education in theatre at a U.S. accredited university, college, junior college, or trade/vocational school.
Dorian De Long Arts & Music Scholarship: The Dorian De Long Arts and Music Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school student who intends to pursue advanced education in the study of arts. ($1500–$2000)
Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship: Open to student performers wishing to pursue further education and professional development. This scholarship offers roughly 16 regional awards ($500 each); select recipients are invited to take week-long, expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C., for courses, and to present their scholarship audition to a panel. The top two will receive $2,500 scholarships.
Nellie Love Butcher Music Scholarship: The Nellie Love Butcher Music Scholarship is a one-time preferred amount of up to $5,000 awarded annually to a male and female music student who is pursuing an education in piano or voice.
National Arts Foundation: YoungArts’ signature program is an application-based award for emerging artists ages 15–18 or in grades 10–12 from across the United States. Selected through a blind adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of highly accomplished artists, YoungArts winners receive valuable support, including financial awards of up to $10,000, professional development and educational experiences working with renowned mentors, and performance and exhibition opportunities at some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions.
VIDEO: On This Day, September 5- Happy Birthday, Carol Lawrence!
On this day we celebrate, Tony nominated actress, Carol Lawrence
VIDEO: Watch Laura Bell Bundy, Hailey Kilgore, Judy Kuhn & More in BELTING FOR BIDEN- Live Now!
Broadway for Biden, in partnership with Broadway Sessions, Women for Biden-Harris, and Women of Color for Biden-Harris, will present its first performance fundraiser for the Biden-Harris campaign, Broadway Sessions Presents Belting for Biden, tonight, September 3, 2020 at 900pm EST.
In the News: Josephine Baker Bio-Play to Be Presented Outdoors, Heartbeat Opera Announces New Season, More
Read on for some recent theatre headlines and videos you may have missed.
Josephine Will Be Presented Outdoors at The Morris Museum
Josephine: A Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play, a one-person musical play about the late Josephine Baker, will be performed on the Morris Museum’s outdoor Back Deck September 17–18 at 7 PM in Morris Township, New Jersey. Josephine, which continues the museum’s season of socially distant performances, was created by Tymisha Harris, Michael Marinaccio, and Tod Kimbro, with a book by music director Tod Kimbro. Harris stars in the piece, combining cabaret, theatre, and dance to tell the story of the first African-American international superstar who appeared in the Folies Bergère in Paris and became known as The Black Venus. For ticket information, click here.
Lauren Patten, Chantal Bilodeau, More Will Lead Broadway Green Alliance Panels
The Broadway Green Alliance is returning with a fall slate of #GreenQuarantine learning sessions, including programs led by Jagged Little Pill star Lauren Patten and The Arctic Cycle Artistic Director Chantal Bilodeau. All events take place at 1 PM ET on Zoom. Things kick off with “How to Succeed in Creating a Sustainable TV and Film Shoot” September 10, hosted by Emellie O’Brien, founder and CEO of Earth Angel. Charles de Segundo, founder of Impact Delta and Climate Reality Leader, leads “Money Makes the World Go ‘Round: Using Your Investments to Take Climate Action” September 17. Next month, Patten welcomes Anthony Oyakhilome Justice, Sarah Goody, and more young climate activists for “It’s Not a Moment, It’s a Youth Climate Movement” October 1. Bilodeau focuses on the narrative with “Why We Tell the Story: Climate Storytelling” October 8.
Radio Free Birdland Presents Telly Leung September 3
The Radio Free Birdland concert series continues September 3 at 7 PM ET with a concert from Godspell, Allegiance, and Aladdin star Telly Leung. Featuring musical direction by Gary Adler and J.J. Johnson on viola, the evening will chart Leung’s musical journey from Brooklyn to Broadway. Expect songs by Kander and Ebb and Kelly Clarkson, plus tunes from The Lion King, Allegiance, Rent, and Aladdin. The pay-per-view concert series, presented Tuesday and Thursday nights, features a mix of Broadway, jazz, and cabaret performers. Each show is filmed with three cameras and socially distanced musicians. Longtime Birdland staffers Ryan Paternite produces and directs, and Jim Caruso serves as producer. Click here for more information.
Heartbeat Opera’s 2020–2021 Lineup
Heartbeat Opera will begin its upcoming season with a series of digital soirées. Dubbed The Secret Sauce, the seven streaming events will take place September 14–20 via Zoom and offer a retrospective look at the indie classic arts company through videos, interviews, sneak peeks, and more. Hosts will include Jeanine Tesori, Julia Bullock, and Liz Diamond. Breathing Free, a virtual song cycle featuring excerpts from Beethoven’s Fidelio and works by such Black artists as Harry T. Burleigh, Langston Hughes, and Anthony Davis, will premiere this winter. The lineup concludes in spring 2021 with Heartbeat’s first commission: The Extinctionist. Based on the play by librettist Amanda Quaid, the opera is composed by Daniel Schlosberg and follows a woman who comes to realize the only effective way she can save future generations from climate change is to sterilize herself. Louisa Proske will direct.
Los Angeles Orchestra Fellowship Recipients Revealed
Violist Wilfred Farquharson, violist Jay Julio Laureta, horn player Malik Taylor, and cellist Myles Yeazell have been selected as the second class of the Los Angeles Orchestra Fellowship, a partnership between Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and USC Thornton School of Music. The quartet of BIPOC musicians will receive a range of practical and in-the-field experience, mentorships, and compensation and housing benefits throughout the three-year training program. The Fellowship was developed in response to a 2016 report that indicated that less than 5% of America’s orchestra workforce is African-American, Hispanic, or Native American.