Rock & Roll Man/New World Stages – Julie Benko/Harmony – Back to the Future the Musical – The New Group/FreeFest – LCT3/Let’s Call Her Patty – MTC/Prayer for the French Republic
Julie Benko is set to join the company of Harmony, the new musical by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, playing the role of “Ruth”. The production will begin previews at Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre (243 W 47th St.) on Wednesday, October 18, ahead of an official Opening Night on Monday, November 13. Benko joins the previously announced Chip Zien, who stars as “Rabbi,” along with the six Comedian Harmonists Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman and Steven Telsey. Further casting and additional news about Harmony will be announced in the coming weeks. The production is choreographed/directed by Warren Carlyle.
Julie Benko makes the leap to originating her first role on Broadway from her current breakout acclaimed performance as alternate for Fanny Brice in the Broadway hit musical revival of Funny Girl. She is the recipient of the 2023 Theatre World Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theatre which will be presented on June 5th. Tickets are now on sale starting at $59 via www.telecharge.com, or by calling (800) 447 7400 or (212) 239-6200.
The New York premiere of Rock & Roll Man, the new musical celebrating the life of the legendary Alan Freed with a book by Gary Kupper & Larry Marshak and Rose Caiola, original music and lyrics by Gary Kupper, Vintage Rock & Roll Elements developed by Marshak Classic Music LLC and Gary Kupper Music, and direction by Randal Myler. Rock & Roll Man begins performances on Saturday, June 3and opens on Wednesday, June 21 at New World Stages, Stage 3 (340 West 50th Street, NYC). The cast stars Tony Award®-nominee Constantine Maroulis as Alan Freed and Emmy Award®-winner Joe Pantoliano as Leo Mintz/Morris Levy, with Bob Ari as J. Edgar Hoover, Rodrick Covington as Little Richard and Valisia LeKae as LaVern Baker. Ensemble members include Jamonté, Andy Christopher, Autumn Guzzardi, Anna Hertel, Matthew S. Morgan, Dominque Scott, Eric B. Turner, Natalie Kaye Clater, Lawrence Dandridge, AJ Davis;and Swings Joe Barbara, Chase Peacock, and Bronwyn Tarboton.
Back to the Future in Rehearsal: Colin Ingram-Producer (Photo Andy Henderson)
The official first day of rehearsals for BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical was Monday, May 22nd. Cast, creatives, production team, and producers are working full throttle ahead to learn the entire show before previews begin on Friday, June 30th. John Rando, director, and Chris Bailey, choreographer, have been working with the cast to stage the Act 1 closing number, “Something About That Boy.” (Photo Andy Henderson)
The New Group announces the debut of FreeFest, a weeklong festival of FREE play readings and panel discussions, featuring new works that embrace radical expression. The festival, a new venture in the New Group/New Works program, will provide a public platform for artists to showcase their creative expression and further their writing process. FreeFest runs June 14 – 16, with readings taking place at 4:00pm on each day. All readings and panel discussions will take place in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036).
Conceived and curated by The New Group’s Director of Artistic Projects Shariffa Ali, the inaugural festival will feature free readings of two plays and one musical: Culture Shock, by Gloria Majule, directed by Shariffa Ali; Bocking by Preston Crowder, directed by Stevie Walker-Webb; and Rocky Mountain High: A New Comedy Musical, with Book & Lyrics by Kia Beth Kofron & Cooper Kofron and Music by Mark Hollmann & Drew Gasparini, directed by Marc Acito. The Artistic Producer of Freefest is Adrian Alea. Visit www.thenewgroup.org/FreeFest
Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3 announced the world premiere production of LET’S CALL HER PATTY, a new play by Zarina Shea, directed by Margot Bordelon, which will begin performances Saturday, July 15 and run for six weeks only through Sunday, August 27 at the Claire Tow Theater (150 West 65 Street). Opening night is Monday, July 31. LET’S CALL HER PATTY will feature Arielle Goldman, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, and Rhea Perlman.
MTC will produce the Broadway premiere of Prayer for the French Republic, written by Drama Desk Award winner Joshua Harmon and directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer, as the second production of Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2023-2024 Broadway season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Performances will begin Tuesday, December 19, 2023, with opening night set for Tuesday, January 9, 2024. www.manhattantheatreclub.com
