Broadway In Hollywood has announced theirnew 2022-23 season entitled, ‘Simply the Best’- the first full season announcement in two years, consisting ofeight Broadway national tour productions which will play both the Pantages and Dolby Theatres in Hollywood.
The world lost one of its most illustrious and beloved musical theatre artists today: Stephen Sondheim, the composer-lyricist behind such landmark musicals as Sweeney Todd, Follies, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, and Company.
We’re taking a look back at the beginning of the theatrical legend’s career and his first-ever Playbill bio. Though Sondheim made his Broadway debut contributing background music to N. Richard Nash’s play The Girls of Summer in 1956, his first Playbill bio would come a year later with West Side Story, for which Sondheim penned lyrics. Straight from the Playbill Vault, read this piece of Broadway history below.
Written with composer Leonard Bernstein and book writer Arthur Laurents, West Side Story, a modern take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, would go on to become a true Broadway classic. A new film adaptation of the piece is due to release December 10.
The Star Trek: Discovery star returns to the New York stage in Bryna Turner’s new comedy at Lincoln Center/LCT3.
The world premiere of Bryna Turner’s At the Wedding officially opens March 21 at Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3’s Claire Tow Theater Off-Broadway, for a run through April 17. Preview performances for the new comedy began March 5.
Mary Wiseman (Thérèse Raquin, Star Trek: Discovery) leads the cast as Carlo, a heartbroken lesbian who attends her ex-girlfriend’s hetero wedding.
READ: Bryna Turner and Jenna Worsham Talk Queer Comedy and the Radical Act of Telling Every Day Stories
The cast also includes Jorge Donoso, Rebecca S’manga Frank, Keren Lugo, Carolyn McCormick, Will Rogers, and Han Van Sciver.
Jenna Worsham directs the production, with scenic design by Maruti Evans, costumes by Oana Botez, lighting by Oona Curley, and sound by Fan Zhang. Katie Kennedy is the stage manager.
Led by Artistic Director Evan Cabnet—under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director André Bishop—LCT3 is committed to producing the work of new playwrights, directors, and designers and appealing to new audiences.
Han Van Sciver and Mary Wiseman
Marc J. Franklin
Mary Wiseman and Keren Lugo
Marc J. Franklin
Rebecca S’manga Frank and Mary Wiseman
Marc J. Franklin
Will Rogers and Mary Wiseman
Marc J. Franklin
Mary Wiseman
Marc J. Franklin
Mary Wiseman
Marc J. Franklin
Mary Wiseman and Carolyn McCormick
Marc J. Franklin
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This afternoon, Broadway veteran Joel Hatch has played his final show with the company of the hit musical, Come From Away. A member of the original cast, Joel Hatch has been with the show since it opened on Broadway just over five years ago on March 12th, 2017. He portrayed ‘Claude others’other characters throughout the production.Gene Weygandtwill begin performances in the roles on Tuesday, March 22. Gene joins the company directly from the Australia cast of Come From Away.
The West Coast premiere of playwright Jeremy O. Harris’ unflinching new work Slave Play reopened the Center Theatre Group Mark Taper Forum with the highest grossing five-week engagement in the storied theatre’s more than 50-year history.
The show features music and lyrics by Nolan Williams, Jr. and a book co-written by Williams with Nikkole Salter.
The world premiere of Grace begins performances March 19 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. The musical features music and lyrics by Nolan Williams, Jr. and a book co-written by Williams and Nikkole Salter.
Grace examines the history of Black culinary tradition and the challenges faced by Black-owned businesses as it follows a day in the life of the Minton family, who gathers to mourn the loss of their matriarch and decide the future of the family restaurant in a changing Philadelphia neighborhood.
The cast features David Hughey, Arica Jackson, Raquel Jennings, Rayshun LaMarr, Jarran Muse, Solomon Parker III, Nova Y. Payton, and Virginia Ann Woodruff. Understudies are LaDonna Burns, Jay Frisby, Duawne Starling, and Kai B. White.
READ: Nolan Williams Jr. Explores the Intersection of African American Food Traditions and Theatre in Grace
Grace is directed and choreographed by Robert Barry Fleming, with music direction by Williams and orchestrations by Joseph Joubert. The production also has scenic design by Jason Ardizzone-West, costume design by Dominique Fawn Hill, lighting design by Xavier Pierce, sound design by David Budries, and hair and wig design by Nikiya Mathis. Sheldon Epps serves as creative consultant and Martine Kei Green-Rogers as dramaturg. New York casting is by Stephanie Klapper. The production stage manager is Craig A. Horness, the stage manager is Jessica R. Aguilar, and the assistant stage manager is Taryn Friend.
The production runs through May 14 at Ford’s, by special arrangement with Dale Mott/Edgewood (Thoughts of a Colored Man, A Strange Loop) and NEWorks Productions.
Visit Fords.org.
