When Hillary Clinton quoted the musical “Hamilton” at a climactic moment in her climactic acceptance speech as the Democratic candidate for the president of the United States, it capped a national political convention that was unusually replete with Broadway stars, and Broadway moments.
Back in New York, the 18th annual Broadway Barks with new co-host Gloria Estefan was followed a day later by the first Broadway revival of Cats, one of Broadway’s longest-running musicals.
What was your most memorable experience at the New York International Fringe Festival over the past 20 years? Answer in order to enter the contest for a free pass to any and all shows at the 2016 Fringe, which this year runs August 12 to August 28th
The Week in New York Theater Reviews
The first Broadway revival of Cats, which is neither wholly reimagined nor an exact replica of the original, is unlikely to turn off Cats-lovers, nor win over Cats-loathers. Those with an open mind will most appreciate it as a showcase for the energetic young cast, and what they do best – which is to dance.
So here we are, on our hands and knees in a public square as if we’re religious penitents, but most of the people crawling up the steps of Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn are poets and performance artists, or at least secular theatergoers, in this latest 0f Elastic City‘s “Walks,” which is also the last of Elastic City’s Walks.
The Week in New York Theater News
Lincoln Center’s play about the first Middle East peace accord, “Oslo,” closing at its Off-Broadway Mitzi Newhouse Theater in August, will reopen in its Broadway theater, Vivian Beaumont, on April 13.
An American in Paris will close October 9, 2016, months earlier than it had previously announced.
It’s not alone: Over a third of Broadway shows will close by 2017. Why? “Election years are tough on Broadway,” but also “Broadway runs on a fairly regular four-year cycle, at the end of which sales flatten out before rising again.”
Many Gonzalez, who created the role of Nina Rosario in “In The Heights” and is currently appearing on the TV shows “Madam Secretary” and “Quantico,” will return to Broadway in October to play Angelica Schuyler in “Hamilton.”. She succeeds Renée Elise Goldsberry.
(Joshua Henry and Jonathan Kirkland will portray Aaron Burr and George Washington, respectively, in the Chicago production of “Hamilton.”)
Jenn Gambatese, best known for creating the role of Jane in the Broadway musical “Tarzan,” will join the cast of “School of Rock—The Musical” on August 9, replacing Sierra Boggess as Principal Rosalie Mullins.
Terrific performance artist Karen Finley presents “Unicorn Gratitude Mystery” (Three new works, the first entitled “Unicorn,” etc.), July 31-Aug 21 Laurie Beechman Theater
The real Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons return to Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theater October 21-29. (six blocks from “Jersey Boys,” the musical based on his life and his group.)
Starting August 2, a branch TDF’s TKTS ticket booth will be selling tickets at Lincoln Center’s at David Rubenstein Atrium for three months.
Grand Paradise has been extended yet again, to December 31
The Flamingo Kid, a musical based on 1984 film by the late Garry Marshall, aims for Broadway 2018, with a score by Robert L Freedman (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.)
The Lady Liberty Theater Festival will feature plays by Monica Bauer and Aizzah Fatima taking aim at Islamaphobia, September 7-25
Harry Potter on Stage
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is playing at the Palace to rave reviews.
That’s the Palace in London. But will it come to Broadway?
“I’d love it to go wider than that,” J.K. Rowling told the BBC. I’d like as many Potter fans to see it as possible.”
The producers of the Harry Potter play told the New York Times that they’re thinking about it. “…Next week we’re going to sit down, have a cappuccino and start talking about what’s next,” says Sonia Friedman. “Of course, it would be disingenuous to think New York and Broadway weren’t part of our thinking.”
Meanwhile, fans are mobbing book stores for the play script. 
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” a play written by Jack Thorne (albeit based on a story co-conceived by Rowling), will surely soon become the most read play of all time.
Click on book cover to learn more, and/or to purchase.
RIP Marni Nixon, 86, who dubbed Natalie Wood in “West Side Story”, Audrey Hepburn in “My Fair Lady,” etc
Broadway and the West End will dim lights next Wednesday in memory of theater owner/producer James M. Nederlander
The photographs of the stars at the red carpet for the opening of Cats, such as Lesli Margherita, really brought out their eyes.
Preview of “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” at the weekly Broadway in Bryant Park lunchtime concert.
“Waitress” cast members Henry Gottfried and Stephanie Torns sing “Bad Idea”
