Three New York theater artists were awarded the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowships, including Lin-Manuel Miranda,
Just a few days earlier, Miranda offered a first listen and the entire lyrics for the original cast album of Hamilton – which was reason enough to give him an award.
Nine new theater artists were inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame:
playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America)
songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Rocky, Once on this Island)
director Julie Taymor (The Lion King)
director Robert Falls (artistic director of the Goodman Theater)
actor Stacy Keach (Macbird, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Other Desert Cities)
lighting designer Ken Billington (veteran of nearly 100 Broadway shows, including Chicago and the forthcoming Dames at Sea)
Broadway publicist Merle Debuskey (more than 200 Broadway shows, including those by Arthur Miller, Lorraine Hansberry, and Michael Bennett)
actor Roger Rees, posthumously
Founded in 1971, the Theater Hall of Fame honors lifetime achievement.
Branden Jacobs-Jensen & @domorisseau win Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards + $50,000 each. pic.twitter.com/9obHg8RQkW
— Jonathan Mandell (@NewYorkTheater) September 22, 2015
Many Emmy winners with theater backgrounds. Complete list of Emmy winners. (Scroll down to read Viola Davis’s speech.)
The Week in New York Theater Reviews
My review of Fulfillment If Bradshaw’s signature X-rated touches feel gratuitous in “Fulfillment,” the play is nevertheless fulfilling in many ways– a well-acted (bravely acted!), smoothly directed, smart, at times funny, more often horrifying and ultimately thought-provoking glimpse into our pursuit of happiness. Full review of Fulfillment 
My review of The New Morality Unearthed by the indispensable Mint Theater, whose mission is to “excavate buried theatrical treasures,” the play is being given the Mint’s usual quality production, with a pleasing set and costumes, and a capable seven-member cast that almost made me put aside my longtime lobbying for a legal ban on American actors using British accents on New York stages. Still, for all the skill on display under the direction of Jonathan Bank, the Mint persuaded me only that “The New Morality” is a rediscovered historical and anthropological treasure, not a theatrical one. Full review of The New Morality 
My review of Sommerfugl It’s not so surprising that the story of the person who underwent what is described as one of the first publicly acknowledged transgender surgeries is being told more than once, given how much attention the “T” in “LGBT” is finally getting Full review of Sommerfugl
My review of Spring Awakening The Deaf West production of Spring Awakening at the Brooks Atkinson tangibly enhances an acclaimed musical about rebellious and repressed adolescents. By cleverly pairing deaf actors who are signing with hearing actors who are singing, Deaf West has made the show the most accessible on Broadway, but also forged it into something theatrically exceptional. 
My review of Daddy Long Legs n a program note for Daddy Long Legs, director John Caird wonders why the 1912 novel on which the musical is based isn’t considered a great American classic. I wonder the opposite – why its problematic premise has inspired a 16-character Broadway play, at least seven movies and now a two-character Off-Broadway musical, which has been bopping around regionally and internationally for half a dozen years.
My review of Fondly, Collette Richland During the intermission for the Elevator Repair Service’s “Fondly, Collette Richland,” at the same time that a noticeable number of theatergoers fervidly exited New York Theatre Workshop for good, an avant-garde director I know came up to me and said “I’m loving this. But it should be at 3 in the morning.” I agreed with the director… and also with the exiting theatergoers. Full review of Fondly, Collette Richland
The Week in New York Theater News
This season’s Tony Awards will take place June 5, 2016. Shows must open by April 26, 2016 to be eligible. (And,if you haven’t heard, the Tony Awards will NOT be taking place at Radio City; probably at the much smaller Beacon Theatre)
Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams will star on Broadway in David Harrower’s play “Blackbird” nine years after Daniels appeared in the same role as a man who abused a young girl who has now grown up. Previews begin in February at the Belasco, with a planned March opening. (Photograph shows the 2007 production with Alison Pill)
Culture Project cancels (or postpones) Staceyann Chin’s Motherstruck, directed by Cynthia Nixon. “we do not have the resources to produce” it.
With its new Thixteen program, Primary Stages is offering middle school and high school students FREE tickets to its shows.
Arthur Miller’s Incident at Vichy, opens November 15 at Signature Theater with Jonny Orsini, Richard Thomas et al
RSVP for Judith Malina’s free memorial on October 4th at 7pm in the Ellen Stewart Theatre! http://t.co/Lb4mrX5GRe pic.twitter.com/Jz2OB493L1
— La MaMa E.T.C. (@LaMaMaETC) September 21, 2015
Critic John Lahr on Critics As The Enemy
Scenes from the 29th annual Broadway Flea Market
