It was one of those weeks when “theater” gets redefined in the post-modern media age, thanks to several events in a row:
Broadway for Hillary fundraiser, livestreamed
The third and final debate between Clinton and Trump
…and then the spoof of the debate on Saturday Night Live
Rocky Horror Show remake on Fox TV
Hamilton’s America documentary, still available for viewing online
The Week in New York Theater Reviews
The Cherry Orchard
The Roundabout commissioned Stephen Karam, the author of the Tony-winning hit The Humans, to write a new adaptation, and hired Simon Godwin, the associate director of the UK’s National Theatre, to make his Broadway directorial debut.
Karam and Godwin strive to keep “Chekhov’s world intact” (as a program note puts it) but have it “refracted through the sensibilities of 21st century America.”…There are just too many fine, nuanced productions in memory for theatergoers to feel the need for an updated version, or to tolerate one that, to put it charitably, could use more time to find the proper balance.
Full review of The Cherry Orchard
Plenty
Of all the crazed, destructive, female characters that the stage has given us, Susan Traherne may be among the least interesting, at least as performed by Rachel Weisz…’Plenty’ is far more oblique and disjointed than some of Hare’s other work; the scenes feel like shorthand, and are not all in chronological order…’Plenty’ features a beautiful movie star, foul language, guns and gunshots, actual smoking, even both male and female nudity, and still ends up feeling dull.
The Front Page
The best way to sum up the fourth Broadway revival of The Front Page, the 1928 play about Chicago newspapermen, is the way their ads do: Nathan Lane, John Slattery, John Goodman, Jefferson Mays, Holland Taylor….Robert Morse. The show’s appeal, in other words, rest largely in its star turns, which often feel like cameos…There is on exception…Through the alchemy of his barking brilliance, Nathan Lane turns the entire third act into more or less a one-man show
The Week in New York Theater News
It’s official: Groundhog Day, with songs by Tim Minchin (Matilda) and starring Andy Karl, is set to open April 17 at August Wilson Theater
Bandstand, a musical about a 1940’s swing band, starring Laura Osnes and Corey Cott, set to open April 26. (Theater to be determine)
Allison Janney and John Benjamin Hickey to star in Broadway revival of John Guare’s ‘Six Degrees of Separation,” to open in April.
Announcing the birth of Sally James McDonald-Swenson, daughter of @AudraEqualityMc & @willswenson. (No Twitter name yet.) pic.twitter.com/g6lY7wnJvv
— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) October 20, 2016
The @HelloDollyBway revival will feature 2 Dolly Levis – @BetteMidler for 7 shows a week, @DMurphyOfficial on Tuesday evenings. pic.twitter.com/gS3Z0mkAyQ
— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) October 20, 2016
The American Theater Wing’s Henry Hewes Design Awards went this year to:
Original @HamiltonMusical cast @Anthony_Ramos1,leaving Nov 20th, to play Mars in @SpikeLee‘s @Netflix series #ShesGottaHaveIt pic.twitter.com/Hr37BqEDv4
— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) October 20, 2016
Replacing Ramos as Hamilton’s son in @HamiltonMusical: @Jordan_Fisher, in his Bway debut. (He was HOT as Doody in #GreaseLive.) pic.twitter.com/lCHJU1bGo0
— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) October 20, 2016
Canadians Say: Cheer Up Americans, You’re Great
#TellCanadaThanks for liking our theater https://t.co/l7Zi0VJxdU
— New York Theater (@NewYorkTheater) October 18, 2016
You have produced many amazing, creative, and diverse playwrights, plays and practices. Keep up the good work. #tellamericaitsgreat
— alt.theatre (@alt_theatre) October 18, 2016
Dancing With the Stars’ Mark Ballas made his Broadway debut this week as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (second from left.) Show closes 1/15/17
The Tooting Arts Club production of Sondheim and Wheeler’s Sweeney Todd that opens Valentine’s Day at Barrow Street Theater, and will offer actual (though not human) pies for sale, has added American actors to the cast: Matt Doyle, Alex Finke, Betsy Morgan, and Brad Oscar.
Ars Nova theater battling commercial producer of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 for agreed-upon credit.
$40 digital lottery launched for The Encounter
The McKittrick (home of Sleep No More) presents the National Theater of Scotland’s The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart,Nov 16=Jan 8
