The most stageworthy news of the past week, let’s face it, were the speeches at the Democratic National Convention.
“…the miracles of democracy and community”: AOC at the DNC, video and transcript
“Trust me, America. If you think you’re tired of Donald Trump, talk to a New Yorker– NY Gov. Kathy Hochul,
“Kamala Harris has a resume; Donald Trump has a rap sheet” — Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
“Hope is making a comeback” Michelle Obama and Barack Obama at the DNC, videos and transcripts
“Let us choose joy” Oprah speaks to the DNC, video and transcript.
Full Transcript of Kamala Harris’s Democratic Convention Speech
“There’s a reason we refer to ‘the national stage’ and the ‘theater of politics,’ writes NY Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman to justify her writing about what the speakers were wearing. “Costume is an intrinsic part of any drama, for both the stars and the supporting cast. It is woven into the creation and communication of character.” (Kamala’s choice of navy blue for her acceptance speech, for example, Friedman saw as a deliberate contrast with Hillary’s suffrage-white. Michelle Obama’s “almost futuristic, militaristic” jacket signaled “this election is going to be a fight.”)
Broadway is certainly getting in the act. A new group called Broadway for Harris is launching a Zoom call this evening, the latest of dozens of what the Washington Post calls “identity-driven virtual calls to channel renewed enthusiasm by raising money, recruiting volunteers and growing email lists for the Harris ticket,” which began with some 40,000 attending a “Black Women for Harris” call but there has been a new one daily (“Latinas for Harris,” “White Dudes for Harris”) expanding beyond any traditional identity politics (“Cat Ladies for Kamala,” “Dead Heads for Kamala”)
The Broadway for Harris organizing committee features dozens upon dozens of familiar names: eg Alan Cumming, Audra McDonald, Lin-Manual Miranda, Tony Kushner.
This is a post from director Kenny Leon’s Thread account (He seems to have stopped using his Twitter account)
The 2024 Democratic National Convention gave Broadway fans a new, if obscure, reason to cheer the nomination of Kamala Harris. Those who knew of the direct connection between Trump and Broadway (he was one of the producers of the 1970 play “Paris is Out” by Richard Seff) might have been reassured to learn that there is a Broadway producer in the Harris family too, and a more successful one: Meena Harris is a three-time Broadway producer, of “A Strange Loop,” the recent revival of “Death of a Salesman” and currently of “Suffs.” She is Kamala’s niece – her sister’s adult daughter. It’s Meena’s young daughters who stole the show by explaining how to pronounce their great aunt’s name.
The Week in New York Theater News
Complete cast of “Swept Away,” opening November 10 at Broadway’s Longacre Theater: The returning principal cast members from the show’s run at Berkeley Repertory and Arena Stage including John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening), Tony Award nominee Stark Sands (Kinky Boots), Adrian Blake Enscoe (Apple TV+’s “Dickinson”), and Wayne Duvall (1984).Also returning from the show’s run at Arena Stage include ensemble members Hunter Brown, Matt DeAngelis, Cameron Johnson, Brandon Kalm, Michael J. Mainwaring, Orville Mendoza, Tyrone L. Robinson, and John Sygar. New to the cast are Josh Breckenridge, Rico LeBron, John Michael Finley, Chase Peacock, Robert Pendilla, and David Rowen.
Cast announced for Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis’s concept album, based on the 1979 film The Warrior adapted from a story about Ancient Greece for New York street gangs, to be released October 18:
The Hurricanes: Billy Porter as Granger, Michaela Jaé as Yaya and Mykal Kilgore as Élan
The Orphans of Staten Island: Utkarsh Ambudkar as Sully, Casey Likes as Jesse and Wu-Tang-Clan’s Ghostface Killah and RZA
The Turnbull AC’s: Marc Anthony as Tato, Luis Figueroa as Miguel, Flaco Navaja as Jesús and Chris Rivers as The Bronx
My Play Went to Broadway. Then a Death Changed Everything.
Alex Edelman on grieving the death of Adam Brace, who was both his best friend and the indispensable director of “Just for Us.” “Adam thought that solo shows should answer the question: What is our place in the world? I looked after the jokes, and he looked after that.” Then the show went to Broadway – and Adam Brace suddenly died.
