by Webmaster | Jul 10, 2021 | New Musical News Feed
As previously announced, Waitress is set to return to Broadway September 2 with Sara Bareilles starring as Jenna. The production is scheduled play a limited engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre through January 9, 2022.
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.
In honor of the show’s return, we’re taking a look back at the many performers who have baked pies at the Brooks Atkinson over the years. Originated by Tony winner Jessie Mueller, the character has since been played by Stephanie Torns, Betsy Wolfe, McPhee, Nicolette Robinson, Bareilles, Shoshana Bean, Alison Luff, and Jordin Sparks.
Look back at each actor’s turn as Jenna below.
A Look Back at the Jennas of Waitress on Broadway
Read: Can You Finish the Missing Lyrics to Waitress?
by Webmaster | Jul 8, 2021 | New Musical News Feed
On this day in 2016, original Hamilton cast members, Leslie Odom Jr.,Phillipa Soo, and Ariana DeBose along with themusical’s star and composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, took their final bows in the hit musical.
by Webmaster | Jul 8, 2021 | New Musical News Feed
Charmed Life, From Soul Singing to Opera Star, which was playing Urban Stages when the pandemic shuttered theatres around the world in March 2020, reopens the Off-Broadway venue beginning July 9.
Lori Brown Mirabal’s play with music, which stars the writer and performer, will officially open at the Urban Stages Theatre July 14. Vincent Scott directs the production, currently scheduled to continue through August 1.
Charmed Life is a musical journey from Mirabal’s hometown of Nashville to opera stages across the world. She toasts entertainment luminaries, including Oprah, Cab Calloway, and Luciano Pavarotti, that had a hand in her rise, and salutes the Black opera singers who paved the way.
Mirabal’s performance highlights include Carmen in the New York City Opera national tour of Carmen, Bess in the European tour of Porgy and Bess, Queenie in the Broadway revival of Show Boat, and Ella in the national tour of Bubblin’ Brown Sugar.
Attendees will be asked to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask.
For more information, visit UrbanStages.org.
(Updated July 9, 2021)
by Webmaster | Jul 7, 2021 | New Musical News Feed
Today, we’re getting to know Broadway vet Will Connolly, with whom you can book a shoutout today
by Webmaster | Jul 7, 2021 | New Musical News Feed
“How does he do that?” whispered Sofía Vergara to fellow judge Simon Cowell during Donovan Hoffer’s America’s Got Talent audition. “I don’t know,” replied Cowell.
The popular TikTok-er awed the audience (and host Terry Crews) with his performance of “Think of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera. After a standing ovation from all four judges—Vergara and Cowell, along with Howie Mandell and Heidi Klum—Donovan was advanced to the next round of the NBC competition.
“So, what’s the dream, Donovan?” asked Cowell. “The dream is to be a Broadway performer,” Donovan answered. Oh, Mr. Producer, check out the video above.
by Webmaster | Jul 6, 2021 | New Musical News Feed
After a contentious dispute between the Metropolitan Opera and IATSE Local One, the union representing stagehands, the two parties have reached an agreement that could keep the NYC institution on track to reopen in September. Details of the deal are still under wraps, according to The New York Times.
The Met is slated to welcome back in-person audiences in September, with a September 11 presentation of Verdi’s Requiem prior to the Met premiere of Terrence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones beginning September 27. But while season plans were announced a full year prior to these target dates, labor negotiations proved to be a necessary and uncertain hurdle, in addition to the myriad precautions surrounding a post-COVID reopening.
Met stagehands were furloughed in April 2020 and have been locked out since December. Due to the long lead time required to construct the Met’s sets, work was outsourced to the West Coast and Wales during the hiatus and lockout. An agreement will have to be finalized (a process that includes a vote by union members) before in-house preparations can start up.
Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, previously stated that payroll costs would need to be cut by 30 percent across its unions, a step IATSE called “extremely unreasonable” at the start of the lockout.
Meanwhile, negotiations are still underway with the company’s orchestra. Another union, the American Guild of Musical Artists (representing members of the Met’s chorus), arrived at a new contract in May. Concessions, The Times reports, included reducing the chorus size and initial 3.7 percent pay cuts.
