TODAY’S THEATRE TALK

 

REOPENING: “Nearly Two Thirds of U.S. Venues Plan Fall 2020 Comeback, Study Shows” by American Theatre – “The study, titled “Arts and Culture 2020 Comeback,” finds that as many as 63 percent of U.S. venues are planning some kind of return to live performance in the fall of 2020 … The delivery method and specifics for these returns to performance … include a mix of socially distanced live performance, open-air gatherings, and streamed or recorded performances delivered online.” http://bway.ly/1ygqjx

PLAY ON: “Seeking Shakespeare in the Park This Summer? Turn on Your Radio” by The New York Times’ Michael Paulson – “The [Public Theater] said Thursday that it has been working with WNYC to record Shakespeare’s “Richard II” as a four-part serial broadcast that will be aired July 13 to 16 and will also be available as a podcast. The radio production, directed by Saheem Ali, will feature much of the same cast that had been scheduled to perform in Central Park, starring André Holland in the title role and now including Phylicia Rashad as the Duchess of Gloucester.” http://bway.ly/1ieoap

CANCELLED: “Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center Cancel Fall Performances” by The New York Times’ Sarah Bahr – “Lincoln Center … anticipates over $1.3 million in lost ticket revenue from the cancellation of fall events, Isabel Sinistore, a spokeswoman, said in an email. … Synneve Carlino, a spokeswoman for Carnegie Hall, said the hall is projecting a deficit of approximately $8 million for the fiscal year ending June 30.”

AWARDS: “Drama League announces 2020 winners” by Broadway News’ Caitlin Huston – “Danny Burstein was awarded the Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award for his role in “Moulin Rouge!” … “Moulin Rouge!” also took home the award for Outstanding Production of a Musical, with “The Inheritance” winning Outstanding Production of a Play. “A Soldier’s Play” won the play revival category and “Little Shop of Horrors” won the musical revival category.” http://bway.ly/krghuu

UNIONS: “SDC to release hiring data in effort to combat racism” by Broadway News’ Caitlin Huston – “The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society has announced new measures it will take to combat racism within the industry. Among the initial steps, the union said it will publish detailed hiring statistics, including race, in July for the 2019-2020 season in all of its jurisdictions. These statistics will be made public each year going forward, in the hopes of effecting change. … In addition to publishing statistics, the union said it will strive to listen to and create a safe work environment for its Black members, as well as further future employment opportunities.” http://bway.ly/arzxwy

“Actors Equity Association Resolves to Take Action in Black Lives Matter Movement” by BroadwayWorld – “” … we will address the systemic racism both inside our union and its structures … we will commit to negotiating provisions into our agreements with employers that ensure the safety and well-being of our BIPOC members … “” http://bway.ly/2lxudd

FIRST IN THE BRIEFING:
Barrington Stage Company will produce BSC BASH: On With The Show!, a free virtual party and fundraiser, which will be streamed on June 27 at 7:30 PM. BSC BASH will feature performances by Alexandra Silber, Elizabeth Stanley, Alyssa Umphress, Jordan Craig, Alan H. Green, and Jeff McCarthy.

Red Bull Theater will host a RemarkaBull Podversation with Kate Burton on June 22. Burton will join host Nathan Winkelstein for a conversation focused on Prospero’s famous ending soliloquy from Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

LIN-MANUEL: “Lin-Manuel Miranda Pens Special ‘Hamilton’ Lyric For John Bolton’s “Cash-In” Book ‘The Room Where It Happened’” by Deadline’s Greg Evans – “Lin-Manuel Miranda has weighed in on John Bolton’s lift of a Hamilton lyric for use as the title of his memoir The Room Where It Happened. … ” http://bway.ly/lkng78
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel): “Let me tell you what I wish I’d known … When I was young and dreamed of glory … You have no control … Who lives, who dies, who [borrows your song title to write a cash-in book when they could have testified before Congress] … tells your story” http://bway.ly/tsomcj

OFF-BROADWAY: “Resident Artists at The Flea Speak Out About Racism and Culture of Intimidation and Fear” by Playbill’s Olivia Clement – ” … a June 16 letter signed by The Resident Artists of The Flea … circulated on social media, which pointed to collective experiences rooted in “racism, sexism, gaslighting, disrespect, and abuse.”” http://bway.ly/a4foo7
— “The Flea Announces Production Pause to ‘Reflect on Misalignment of Values'” by BroadwayWorld – ” … The Flea has just announced that it will pause production activity to ” … transform [their] institutional culture and producing model. … Artists at The Flea will no longer be volunteers. All artists will be paid for their work.”‘ http://bway.ly/5fjsok

REGIONAL:
“Chicago’s Mercury Theater closing permanently, due to fallout from COVID-19 pandemic” by The Chicago Sun Times’ Miriam Di Nunzio – “The theater’s executive director cited extreme loss of revenue due to the mandated shutdown brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.” http://bway.ly/7pc8gn

ACROSS THE POND:
“Lloyd Webber suggests government considering theatre singing ban” by The Stage’s Georgia Snow – “Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed he has seen a piece of advice being considered by government that suggests singing may not be allowed in theatres in order for venues to reopen in a Covid-secure way. … he did not know whether these suggestions, which would prevent any musicals from reopening, would make the final guidance being drawn up around reopening.” http://bway.ly/rr0asp
— “Lloyd Webber plans to trial Covid-19 safety measures at London Palladium” by The Guardian’s Chris Wiegand – “Lord Lloyd Webber told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday that he would be using similar methods that ensured the swift reopening of a touring production of his musical The Phantom of the Opera in South Korea. … The production in Seoul … uses equipment such as thermal imaging cameras to measure temperature and self-cleaning antibacterial door handle covers.” http://bway.ly/101n2h

“Pretty Woman extends booking period by an extra month until early February” by London Theatre Direct’s Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels – “The show will now be booking at London’s Piccadilly Theatre until 6 February 2021 in an open-ended run … ” http://bway.ly/poi2mb

BENEFIT: “BC/EFA to Sponsor Streamed Presentation of The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, Featuring André De Shields & More” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “The presentation will take place on June 28 at 7PM ET and benefit Massachusetts’ Provincetown Theater … ” http://bway.ly/q0lxpo

PRIDE:
“Mario Cantone, Kevyn Morrow, Telly Leung, and More Star in Pride Plays’ The Men From the Boys” by Playbill’s Ruthie Fierberg – “Zachary Quinto directs the live stream of Mart Crowley’s sequel to his Off-Broadway hit.” http://bway.ly/wdumnq

 

“Be More Chill Stars George Salazar and Jason Tam, More, Round Out Lineup for Playbill’s Pride Spectacular” by Playbill’s Ruthie Fierberg – ” … George Salazar and Jason Tam are among the final stars who complete the lineup for Playbill’s Pride Spectacular concert June 28 at 8PM ET … ” http://bway.ly/j688hr

FESTIVAL: “Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and New York Theatre Salon Present Global Forms Theater Festival” by BroadwayWorld – “Running June 22-28, 2020, and showcasing over 30 theater artists from 28 different countries, this week-long theatrical event celebrates and uplifts the work of international and immigrant theater artists living in the United States and abroad.” http://bway.ly/ubw45j

 

ONLINE: “Cast of Yiddish-Language Fiddler on the Roof to Reunite for Performance” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “Cast members of the Yiddish-language production of Fiddler on the Roof will reunite to sing numbers from the hit musical and answer questions from the audience on June 23 at 7PM ET.” http://bway.ly/u3j5da

SOCIAL LIFE MAGAZINE: “The Powerbrokers: Broadway in the Hamptons” by Social Life – “Due to the pandemic, the lights went down on the Broadway theaters in March and the Tony Awards have been postponed, and we can’t wait for the curtains to go up again. As we feverishly await Broadway’s return, we’ve compiled a short list of theater luminaries you may spot around the Hamptons.” http://bway.ly/eo7pj2
— LINKEDIN: Bonnie Comley – “#Broadway is experiencing an intermission, so I am truly thrilled that Justin Mitchell and Social Life Magazine decided to recognize “The Powerbrokers: Broadway in the Hamptons”” http://bway.ly/85st1k

BROADWAY BABY: “Thomas Kail and Michelle Williams Welcome First Child Together” by Broadway.com‘s Beth Stevens – http://bway.ly/wr05yh

IN MEMORIAM: “Ian Holm, star of Lord of the Rings, Alien and Chariots of Fire, dies aged 88” by The Guardian’s Andrew Pulver – “Holm became a leading figure at the RSC, winning an Evening Standard best actor award for Henry V in 1965 … He also earned plaudits for his work with Pinter, playing Lenny in the premiere production of The Homecoming (which won him a Tony award after its transfer to Broadway) and then in the 1973 film version, directed by Hall. Not least of all from Pinter himself, who is reported to have said of Holm: “He puts on my shoe, and it fits!”” http://bway.ly/xwebed