Today’s top stories include the first production photo from The Music Man, featuring Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster, and the full castA Strange Loop is officially headed for Broadway in Spring 2022. It was also announced yesterday that Jagged Little Pill has officially closed following suspended performances due to COVID-19.
The Music Man officially begins previews tonight on Broadway Meet the cast bringing the iconic musical back to the stage
The Broadway revival of The Music Man, starring Tony winners Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster as Harold Hill and Marian Paroo, respectively, begins previews December 20 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Opening night is set for February 10, 2022.
In addition to Jackman and Foster, the production stars Tony winners Shuler Hensley as Marcellus Washburn, Jefferson Mays as Mayor Shinn, Jayne Houdyshell as Mrs. Shinn, and Marie Mullen as Mrs. Paroo, along with Remy Auberjonois as Charlie Cowell, Gino Cosculluela as Tommy Djilas, Emma Crow as Zaneeta Shinn, Benjamin Pajak as Winthrop, Kayla Teruel as Amaryllis, Garrett Long as Ethel Toffelmier, Linda Mugleston as Alma Hix, Jessica Sheridan as Maud Dunlop, Rema Webb as Mrs. Squires, Tony nominee Phillip Boykin as Olin Britt, Eddie Korbich as Jacey Squires, Daniel Torres as Ewart Dunlop, Nicholas Ward as Oliver Hix, and Max Clayton as the standby for Harold Hill.
Rounding out the ensemble are Nick Alvino, Jordan Beall, Ronnie S. Bowman Jr., Maria Briggs, Audrey Cardwell, JT Church, Kammie Crum, Aydin Eyikan, Carlee Flanagan, Ethen Green-Younger, Emily Hoder, Curtis Holland, Eloise Kropp, Ethan Lafazan, Kayla LaVine, Andrew Minard, Sean Montgomery, Tanner Quirk, Lance Roberts, Daniel Patrick Russell, Ann Sanders, Sherisse Springer, Mitchell Tobin, Kathy Voytko, Branch Woodman, and Ryan Worsing.
The Music Man, which features a book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, tells the story of what happens when con artist Harold Hill arrives in River City and falls in love with the straight-laced librarian, Marian. It first opened on Broadway December 19, 1957, at the Majestic Theatre. A 2000 revival played the Neil Simon Theatre.
Jerry Zaks directs the new production of the musical, which also features choreography by Warren Carlyle, sets and costumes by Santo Loquasto, sound design by Scott Lehrer, lighting by Brian MacDevitt, vocal and dance arrangements by David Chase, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, and music direction by Patrick Vaccariello.
Earlier this year, Kate Horton was named executive producer following the departure of Scott Rudin, who announced his intentions to step down from his theatrical ventures as allegations of workplace abuse and intimidation came to light. Remaining on the producing team are Barry Diller and David Geffen.
Rush tickets are available for same-day performances, subject to availability, at the box office and cost $49. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to a maximum of two tickets per person.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Jagged Little Pill are the latest Broadway shows to cancel performances due to breakthrough COVID cases detected among the company.
The first, which had previously canceled select performances at the Lyric Theatre for both for COVID and non-COVID matters since reopening, will be dark December 18 and 19. Jagged Little Pill, after canceling its December 16 performance at the Broadhurst Theatre, will now stay closed through December 21.
Affected ticketholders will be refunded at their point of purchase.
Cursed Child and Jagged Little Pill intend to resume December 21 and 22, respectively, though as is the case with all shows facing similar challenges, these dates are subject to change; check the shows’ official websites and Playbill’s regularly updated Broadway Performance Schedule as the situation develops.
Despite robust measures being in place, breakthrough COVID-19 cases have been detected within the Los Angeles company of A Christmas Carol.
Despite robust measures being in place, breakthrough COVID-19 cases have been detected within the Los Angeles company of A Christmas Carol.
A Musical About Star Wars, which was forced to close in 2020 due to the pandemic, reopens Off-Broadway December 17 for a two-week run at The American Theatre of Actors.
The return engagement of the musical comedy celebrating the blockbuster films features its original stars: Taylor Crousore, Scott Richard Foster, and Emily McNamara.
In the show, Taylor (Crousore) and Scott (Foster) find themselves bonding in a Staten Island Blockbuster Video over their love of the sci-fi franchise. Together, the self-proclaimed “Millennial Falcon” and “Gen-X Winger” create a musical that celebrates the magic, the fandom, and the legacy of all things Star Wars.
Created by Tom D’Angora and written by D’Angora, Crousore, and Foster, the musical features an original score and lyrics by Billy Recce. Tom and Michael D’Angora direct with choreography by Alex Ringler, production design by Brendan McCann, costumes by McCann and William Bailey, lighting design by Erik Petersen, music direction by Ed Goldscheider, and stage management by Brent Jones.
The show opened May 4, 2019, at Theatre Row and subsequently transferred to the larger St. Luke’s Theatre. The original cast album is available through Broadway Records. For more information, visit AMusicalAboutStarWars.com.
(Updated December 17, 2021)
The Broadway production of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Hamilton has canceled its 8 PM December 15 performance at the Richard Rodgers Theatre due to breakthrough cases of COVID-19 in the company, according to the production’s social media postings.
All ticket holders will be refunded at their point of purchase. Additional information about upcoming performances will be announced.
The Broadway staging of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical resumed performances September 14 following the coronavirus shutdown.
The current cast includes Miguel Cervantes as Alexander Hamilton, Krystal Joy Brown as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, Jin Ha as Aaron Burr, Mandy Gonzalez as Angelica Schuyler, Kyle Scatliffe as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, Tamar Greene as George Washington, Euan Morton as King George, Fergie L. Philippe as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison, Aubin Wise as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds, and Daniel Yearwood as John Laurens and Phillip Hamilton.
Hamilton is directed by Thomas Kail and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler. The production features a set by David Korins, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, casting by The Telsey Office’s Bethany Knox, and general management by Baseline Theatrical. The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, and The Public Theater.
A string of Broadway shows—including Wicked, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Ain’t Too Proud, Mrs. Doubtfire, Chicago, and Freestyle Love Supreme—have had to cancel performances day-of as COVID infections swell once again, with many citing breakthrough cases directly.