Meet Myles Frost. He’s a Washington, D.C. who enjoys school musicals, playing golf, and spending time with family. Earlier this year, it was announced that he’ll star as the King of Pop when MJ the Musical it opens on Broadway later this season. Check out his story in the first episode of the show’s new docuseries Startin’ Somethin’ above.
MJ, inspired by the life and art of Michael Jackson, will begin previews December 6 at the Neil Simon Theatre ahead of a February 1, 2022, opening night. The bio-musical features a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and a score comprised of familiar pop hits. Christopher Wheeldon directs and choreographs.
Myles Frost Regina Mogilevskaya
As previously announced, the cast will also feature Quentin Earl Darrington as Joseph Jackson and Rob, with Whitney Bashor as Rachel, Gabriel Ruiz as Alejandro, Antoine L. Smith as Berry Gordy and Nick, Joey Sorge as Dave, John Edwards as Jackie Jackson, Ayana George as Katherine Jackson, Apollo Levine as Quincy Jones and Tito Jackson, Tavon Olds-Sample as Michael, Lamont Walker II as Jermaine Jackson, and Zelig Williams as Marlon Jackson.
Rounding out the ensemble are Raymond Baynard, Kali May Grinder, Oyoyo Joi, Carina-Kay Louchiey, Renni Anthony Magee, Aaron James McKenzie, Aramie Payton, Kamille Upshaw, Ryan VanDenBoom, and Darius Wright.
Frost landed the title role after Tony nominee Ephraim Sykes left citing scheduling conflicts. “All of his talents point towards a new rising star. I’m very much looking forward to working with him to shape the role of Michael Jackson,” Wheeldon said in a statement at the time.
The production will feature sets by Derek McLane, lighting by Natasha Katz, costumes by Paul Tazwell, sound design by Gareth Owen, projection design by Peter Nigrini, and hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe, music direction by Jason Michael Webb, musical supervision by David Holcenberg, and orchestrations by Holcenberg and Webb. Casting is by Rachel Hoffman of Telsey + Company.
The Broadway productions ofIs This A RoomandDana H.will conclude their limited engagement on Sunday, November 14 at BroadwaysLyceum Theatre149 W 45thStreet, New York, NY.Dana H.will play its final performance at 2pm on Saturday November 13, 2021.Is This A Roomwill play its final performance at 3pm on Sunday November 14, 2021.
Douglas Carter Beane’s Fairycakes opens October 24 Off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theater after starting previews October 14. The send-up of A Midsummer Night’s Dream pairs up characters from different fairy tales as they fall in love—and into mischief.
As previously announced, Fairycakes stars Mo Rocca as Geppetto, Kristolyn Lloyd as Peaseblossom, Sabatino Cruz as Pinocchio, Jackie Hoffman as Moth, Kuhoo Verma as Cinderella, Z Infante as Cobweb, Ann Harada as Musterseed, Jamen Nanthakumar as Changeling, Julie Halston as Titania/Elizabeth, Arnie Burton as Oberon/Dirk, Chris Myers as Puck, and Jason Tam as Prince/Cupid.
Directed by Beane, the production features scenic design by Shoko Kambara and Adam Crinson, costume design by Gregory Gale, lighting design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, and music contributions by Lewis Flinn. Ellenore Scott choreographs and serves as associate director.
When you think ‘haunted houses’ you probably don’t picture the inside of a theatre. But with an over 100 year history, many of Broadway’s most famous houses are positively teeming withreports of the supernatural.
The Committee of Theatre Owners will honor the late, Tony-winning playwright and librettist Terrence McNally November 3 (which would have marked his 83rd birthday) by dimming the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute at 6:30 PM.
Mr. McNally, a five-time Tony Award recipient whose plays often featured explorations of contemporary gay life and a reverence for classical music, died March 24, 2020, at the age of 81. The playwright faced complications due to the coronavirus; he was a lung cancer survivor and lived with COPD. Read Playbill’s complete obituary here.
ACelebrationofLife, memorializing Mr. McNally’s life and career, will take place November 1 from 4 PM–6 PM at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. The celebration will include readings, performances, and tributes honoring Mr. McNally’s impact on the theatre community. The celebration is free and open to the public, and masks and proof of vaccination will be required. Doors will open at 3:30 PM.
Tom Kirdahy, Mr. McNally’s husband, said in a statement, “The theatre community brought so much joy to Terrence’s life, and our life together. He would be honored and humbled to know that the lights of Broadway will be dimmed in his memory. I am brimming with gratitude and pride.”
“Terrence McNally was one of America’s greatest playwrights, and his impact on theatre is so immense that it is hard to measure,” added Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League. “He was a part of the community and his love for the theatre was evident in everything that he did. He made a difference, and we will miss his spirit and his contributions to Broadway and the theatre but we have the memories of all that he contributed.”
Look Back at the Shows Terrence McNally Brought to Broadway
Scheduled to air on December 2, the new live musical will also feature Harry Connick, Jr. as Daddy Warbucks,Nicole Scherzinger asGrace, Jane Krakowski as Lily St. Regis, Tituss Burgess as Rooster Hannigan,and Celina Smith as Annie. Get a first look at Taraji P. Henson in costume now
A new singing nanny takes over Broadway October 21 as Mrs. Doubtfire returns to performances at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. The musical had played only three preview performances prior to the pandemic shutdown in March 2020. Opening night is set for December 5.
Tony nominee Rob McClure returns to the title role—or rather, a single father disguised as the title role in order to spend more time with his children. Returning cast members include Jenn Gambatese as Miranda Hillard, Peter Bartlett as Mr. Jolly, Charity Angél Dawson as Wanda Sellner, Mark Evans as Stuart Dunmire, J. Harrison Ghee as Andre Mayem, Analise Scarpaci as Lydia Hillard, Jake Ryan Flynn as Christopher Hillard, Avery Sell as Natalie Hillard, and Brad Oscar as Frank Hillard.
Also returning are Cameron Adams, Calvin L. Cooper, Kaleigh Cronin, Maria Dalanno, Casey Garvin, David Hibbard, KJ Hippensteel, Aaron Kaburick, Erica Mansfield, Brian Martin, Alexandra Matteo, Sam Middleton, LaQuet Sharnell Pringle, Akilah Sailers, Jaquez André Sims, Travis Waldschmidt, and Aléna Watters, with Jodi Kimura joining the cast. Original ensemble member Doreen Montalvo passed away in October 2020 following a sudden illness.
The musical comedy, based on the 1993 movie, features a score by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick and a book co-written by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. The trio previously collaborated on the 2015 Broadway musical Something Rotten!.
Mrs. Doubtfire is directed by Jerry Zaks and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, with music supervision by Ethan Popp. The show has a scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, sound design by Brian Ronan, hair and wig design by David Brian Brown, and make-up design by Tommy Kurzman.
The production played made its pre-Broadway premiere at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre in 2019.
