runDisney Hosts THE LION KING Themed Virtual 5Ks This Summer
This summer,runDisney will celebrate 6 years of therunDisney Virtual Series with three specialThe Lion King-themed 5K events.
VIDEO: SIX Creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Give Tips on Encourage a Young Writer Day
Today is Encourage a Young Writer Day The writers of the hit musical Six, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, have created a video doing just that.
Meet the Stars of Stage Door: Bryce Pinkham Wants to Sing You a Song!
Today, we’re getting to know Tony nominee Bryce Pinkham, with whom you can book a shoutout today
VIRTUALLY BREATHLESS Benefit Adds Kara Lindsay, Ali Ewoldt, Max von Essen, Aaron Lazar and More
On Thursday, May 6th, 2021, Broadway performers invite you to ‘plug in for PH’ as they shine a light on Pulmonary Hypertension PH at the 6th annual ‘Breathless on Broadway’ in celebration of World PH Day.
In the News: Peppermint, Monét X Change, and Manila Luzon Cackle as Witches on Macbeth Podcast
Plus: April 8, 2021, was proclaimed “André De Shields Appreciation Day” by NY State Senator Brad Hoylman. But really, isn’t that every day?
Read on for more theatre headlines you may have missed in today’s news.
Tune Into a New Macbeth From Play On Podcasts
Something fierce this way comes. RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Peppermint (also of Broadway’s Head Over Heels), Monét X Change, and Manila Luzon appear as The Witches in Play On Podcast’s Macbeth. The first in a series of audio Shakespeare re-imaginings from Next Chapter Podcasts and Play On Shakespeare, the podcast features a modern English translation by Migdalia Cruz. Edward Torres directs, with Chinaza Uche as Macduff and Flor de Liz Perez as Lady Macduff. Episode 1 debuted April 9. To listen, click here.
Senate Proclamation Declares André De Shields Appreciation Day
New York State Senator Brad Hoylman bestowed Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner André De Shields with yet another honor…his very own day. During filming for the virtual production of the York Theatre benefit The Musical of Musicals, Sen. Holyman arrived “on set” at The West Bank Café with proclamation in hand declaring April 8, 2021, “André De Shields Appreciation Day.” Producer Tom D’Angora arranged the surprise to honor the extensive charity work and activism, along with the public appearances, Mr. De Shields has done for the community this year. For more information on the April 18 benefit, visit YorkTheatre.org.
‘Our Voices Are Strong’: Read André De Shields and Telly Leung’s Speeches About the Power of Theatre
Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre Presents The Wiz
This Christmas season, Hope Mill Theatre will stage the first new U.K. production of The Wiz in ten years. The 1975 Tony Award-winning musical has a book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, and original orchestrations by Harold Wheeler. The Hope Mill production will be directed by Matthew Xia, artistic director of Actor’s Touring Theatre, with musical supervision and new orchestrations by Sean Green and choreography by Leah Hill. Ameena Hamid will co-produce, along with ChuChu Nwagu in place as assistant producer. The production runs November 24–January 16, 2022, operating with any current COVID measures that are in place at that time. Priority booking reservations for the limited tickets can be made here.
Mandie Rapoza’s Fragments Will Return for Live Performances in May
After a sold-out premiere at Dixon Place in 2019, the performance art piece Fragments, a live audio story will return with in-person presentations, reconstructed as a live audio installment, in May. The piece features an array of live dance, video projections, and original composition in its story of an Alzheimer’s patient wrestling with moments of her past including a childhood involvement with the Hitler Youth. The work features live dance performances by Hannah Balagot and Celia Mei Rubin (The Great Comet), with virtual appearances from Autumn Hurlbert (Legally Blonde), Patrick John Moran, Sophie Lee Morris, James Patterson (Gigi), Jennifer Smith (Anastasia), and Oumou Traore. Fragments is directed and choreographed by Mandie Rapoza, with a script by Brian Kettler and an original score by Kate Marlais. In accordance with New York State guidelines, all performances will accommodate socially distanced seating at a maximum of 10 people per performance. The play runs Saturdays and Sundays May 1-16 at NYC’s Liberated Fitness. For ticketing and more information, click here.
Stars in the House Celebrates Broadway Cares With Executive Director Tom Viola April 9
Stars in the House, the daily live streamed concert series created by Playbill correspondent and SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky and producer James Wesley, shines its spotlight on Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ annual Easter Bonnet Competition April 9.
Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola will join the hosts as they look back at highlights from the annual fundraiser. The event typically marks the culmination of the spring fundraising period as Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring productions collect money (in signature red buckets) for the non-profit organization. The ceremony serves as an annual pageant for shows, with casts presenting sketches and custom-made, extravagant headwear before the grand totals are revealed. The 2020 event was canceled due to the pandemic.
Watch the stream above beginning at 8 PM ET.
READ: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Launches Red Bucket Match-Up Fundraising Campaign
Stars in the House launched March 16 last year to promote support for The Actors Fund and its services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It has also raised funds for the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund in support of the Black Lives Matter movement as well as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
New shows—streaming Tuesday–Saturday at 8 PM ET—feature performances by stars of stage and screen, in conversation and song with Rudetsky and Wesley. Peter Flynn serves as streaming director.
Click here to watch previous episodes.
To make a tax-deductible donation to The Actors Fund visit StarsintheHouse.com/Donate.
Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola Receives the GMHC’s Howard Ashman Award
Meet the Stars of Stage Door: How Nic Rouleau Played Matchmaker with a HELLO, DOLLY! Fan
Today, we’re getting to know Broadway favorite Nic Rouleau, with whom you can book a shoutout today
Can You Finish the Missing Lyrics to Waitress?
Based on the 2007 film of the same name, Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, who is stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna must weigh her commitments against a rare shot at freedom and recognition.
The Broadway production opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre April 24, 2016, making history as the first Broadway musical to have four women in the four top creative spots: composer Sara Bareilles, book writer Jessie Nelson, director Diane Paulus, and choreographer Lorin Latarro. The production played 33 previews and 1,544 regular performances before closing January 5, 2020, earning four Tony nominations including Best Original Score and Best Musical.
Test your theatre knowledge—how well do you know the Tony-nominated score?