Worrying enhances creativity, some new studies suggest, which is surely a cause for celebration in the back stages, posh offices, warren holes, wait stations and (at least in one case) police holding cells where actors, playwrights, producers and other theater people congregate.
The Week in New York Theater
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Newsies is closing on Broadway on August 24, after 1005 performances. National tour begins in October.
Closing today: Mothers and Sons
Adult actor playing a child is too often a dance of cuteness cliches, writes Tim Etchells of Forced Entertainment.
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Update on Into The Woods changes: Sondheim released a statement that no he wasn’t censored and Into the Woods won’t have ALL those changes.
She had to wear a blond wig in Annie, but now Ruthie Ann Miles stars in Here Lies Love – one of many Asian actors getting jobs. Planned “The King and I” and “Miss Saigon” Broadway revivals are not the only source of a “bonanza” for Asian actors.
Daniel Radcliffe preparing for a role:”I know the song I want to play if I want to get angry… I create a playlist for every part.”
Refreshing Q&A with “The Kilroys,” pushing to get more work by women playwrights on stage. Joy Meads: Theater’s gender disparity not due to “shadowy smoke-filled rooms full of avowed misogynists.”The bias is systemic
Drama schools do NOT teach actors how to memorize lines. Actors learn tricks on their own. (eg walking helps)
Cease and desist letters: Using the law to enforce your artistic vision.
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Richard Greenberg collaborates for 11th time with Manhattan Theater Club in “The Swing of the Sea” a play about a dead father, his two sons and a lover. Opens May, 2015.
Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids) and Annaleigh Ashford (Kinky Boots,Masters of Sex) join James Earl Jones and Kristine Nielsen in You Can’t Take It With You. Opens September 28, 2014.
Artists are increasingly taking charge of their own projects, a “radical response to a critical situation.”
Two lessons Andrew Roblyer has learned while starting This Is Water theater company: 1.You have to communicate even your struggles to your company. 2. People come first, even at expense of the project.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 21 Chump Street: The Musical (mini-musical anyway)
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Sharing the Tony stage, Jason Robert Brown shared his secret with Carole King: His dad was her upstairs neighbor in Brooklyn.
For the first time last year, NYC surpassed LA in number of one-hour TV pilots shot: 24 in NYC; 19 in L.A. (LAT)
When movie theaters HD-cast live theater shows, it does not decrease live theatergoing (at least not in the UK)
They brought us Lombardi, Magic/Bird, and Bronx Bombers. Now Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo have bought the rights to the life of boxer Joe Louis.
Eli Wallach, veteran of film, TV and 26 Broadway shows, has died at age 98. “I’ll retire when I die.” pic.twitter.com/A9WjdeLfaj
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 25, 2014
Actors Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson, who were married for 66 years — until his death last night. pic.twitter.com/vvfm6z4i4V
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 25, 2014
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Set designer Es Devlin has worked w/Miley Cyrus & Philip Glass, Olympics & Broadway. http://t.co/vV4dM1nBhf pic.twitter.com/DVwEEMel9d
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 26, 2014
The New Group star-studded forthcoming season:
1. Sticks and Bones: Holly Hunter, Bill Pullman
2. Rasheeda Speaking,” Dianne Wiest,Tonya Pinkins
3. The Spoils starring Jesse Eisenberg
Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers; composer of Once Upon A Mattress & author of Freaky Friday, has died at age 83.
On day his good pal Mary Rodgers dies, Sondheim honors Jonathan Larson by attending #tickTickBoom w/@Lin_Manuel. #composerheaven
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 27, 2014
MT @Lin_Manuel I gave a letter from Dubose Heyward & a Porgy program that I found in a bookshop to Sondheim pic.twitter.com/9bSvW9e2eZ
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 27, 2014
The male Puerto Rican Meryl Streep? MT @celiakb There is nothing @Lin_Manuel can’t do. Nothing.
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 26, 2014
For every rocker-helmed hit on Broadway – Cyndi Lauper, Green Day,Elton – there is a flop – Phish, Paul Simon, Elton John. Now Sting steps up. More than you want to know about Sting and his Broadway-bound musical The Last Ship, now opened in Chicago
Shia LaBeouf Taken from Cabaret in Handcuffs: Social Media Unleashed
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Don’t worry about worrying. Studies show worry can enhance creativity.
@NewYorkTheater That explains why I’m creative. I’ve got about a million semi-legitimate things to worry about at any given point in time.
— Luke M. Jones (@lukemjones) June 27, 2014
@NewYorkTheater that’s certainly what i’m banking on.
— Isaac Butler (@parabasis) June 27, 2014
@NewYorkTheater Ok cool! Now I can worry less about worrying LOL!
— Eric Lenox Abrams (@EricLenoxAbrams) June 27, 2014
We fail our returning combat veterans – just like Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. Latest in Stefan Wolfert series
Critics: Should you (do you) ever review the work of a friend?
@NewYorkTheater What you never saw CITIZEN KANE and poor Joe Cotton’s dilemma. Answer is no.
— Robert Falls (@RobertFalls) June 27, 2014
@RobertFalls @NewYorkTheater “he thought by finishing that review he could show me he’s an honest man.”
— Pippin Parker (@PippinParker) June 27, 2014
Russell Warne: Yes, because the theatre community is small here. It’s never a problem because I’m honest & professional, and they are too.
Wendy Rosenfield: I don’t. I told my editor I can’t review my best friend’s work, & keep a distance from everyone else. It’s hard because of course they’re the ppl with whom you have the most in common, but it’s bad professional practice. I believe. I’ve also been asked to come to readings or edit scripts & I won’t if there’s a chance I’ll review them.
There are small parts AND small actors
Has somebody in a bit part ever ruined an entire production for you as a theatergoer?
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) June 28, 2014
@NewYorkTheater Yes. I’ve seen distracting ensemble members who sour me to an entire musical.
— Russell Warne (@Russwarne) June 28, 2014
@NewYorkTheater Yes. Ok, not just a bit part. But the Enjolras in the UK & Toronto company of #LesMiz. He added jazz hands.
— Todd (@roadwarrior07) June 28, 2014
@NewYorkTheater not bit parts – but featured parts! :-0. I have a few sad stories!
— Renee (@SingingMomR) June 28, 2014
@newyorktheater YES. Ensemble member in HAIR was faking their way through the show. Perhaps ill but very obvious they were not singing.
— Irene Patino (@IreneAPatino) June 28, 2014
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10 crimes Hollywood committed against Broadway shows (eg casting Russell Crowe in Les Miz)
Happy #Pride everyone! In tribute, we will alter the final scene in Mice & Men this weekend. Instead of a shooting, George will spoon Lennie
— chris o’dowd (@BigBoyler) June 28, 2014
