Today’s Theatre Talk

 

KPOP – The Broadway Musical continues its international search for cast in a Global Virtual Open Casting Call. Producers Tim Forbes and Joey Parnes are following social distancing guidelines as they search for talented performers of Asian descent in their 20s to submit audition materials. Learn more at kpopbroadway.com/casting.

Hadestown and Major League Baseball Players – releasing two exclusive videos celebrating Spring Training and an eventual Broadway re-opening. Hadestown composer Anaïs Mitchell and cast members Grammy Award^® winner Reeve Carney, Tony Award winner Andre Dé Shields, Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Kay Trinidad and the Hadestown band are joined by Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Steven Brault, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman and MLB All-Star Josh Bell, MLB Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, New York Yankees legend and World Series Champion Bernie Williams, and MLB All-Star and World Series Champion Nick Swisher, along with Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.

The video of “Wait For Me” with new lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell featuring Steven Brault and Reeve Carney sharing the part of Orpheus and Josh Bell and Andre Dé Shields sharing the role of Hermes and the Hadestown Fates Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Kay Trinidad can be downloadedat: https://www.dropbox.com/s/l5nc8lmu4dqxe11/Hadestown_MLB_Wait%20For%20Me_v5.mp4?dl=0

The video of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” can be downloaded at:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/u8gc6qccbkfspz2/Hadestown_MLB_Take%20Me%20Out%20to%20the%20Ballgame_v9.mp4?dl=0

 

Broadway League announces show closures through 2020″ by Broadway News’ Caitlin Huston  http://bway.ly/af6il0 “The Broadway League announced Monday that all shows will be closed through the end of 2020. Ticket refunds will be processed through Jan. 3. As previously reported, the Jan. 3 date is not intended as a return date but rather a means to process ticket refunds. … As the League envisions it, the return of theater will involve “full houses,” suggesting that social distancing measures are not in consideration. … Actor’s Equity praised the decision to keep theaters closed.

Broadway’s Daryl Roth: ‘It’s a war’ prepping for return of theater” by Page Six’s Cindy Adams – ““Working on arranging the configuration. Off-Broadway’s more flexible than Broadway since our seats are movable. Look, it’s a war. We’ll work out how our audiences are safely gathered, then we have to battle the backstage purity. Keep our stagehands and crews safe … ” [Daryl Roth said.]” http://bway.ly/pclwl4

Cirque du Soleil files for bankruptcy, lays off 3,480 previously furloughed employees” by Fast Company’s Christopher Zara – ” … Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group … said today it would seek protection from its creditors under Canadian bankruptcy law.

MTV Video Music Awards to Take Place in Brooklyn With Governor Cuomo’s OK” by Rolling Stone’s Jon Blistein  “The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will take place at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn on August 30th, according to an announcement from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. …”

 

Kelli O’Hara, Denée Benton, Javier Muñoz & More Stars Offer Online Workshops for Stagedoor Manor” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “This virtual performing arts education platform will provide a connection between young people and their favorite stage and screen performers through live workshops, Q&A sessions and other digital programming.” http://bway.ly/c4cwvm

Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson to Star in Freeform’s Love in the Time of Corona” by Playbill’s Ryan McPhee – “Broadway couple Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson will take on meta roles in Love in the Time of Corona, an upcoming, four-part limited series from Freeform. … Odom Jr. and Robinson will also serve as executive producers …” http://bway.ly/gczawk

Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert Will Be Streamed to Benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS” by Playbill’s Andrew Gans – “Bernadette Peters: A Special Concert, which was filmed in 2009 at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre, will stream July 10 … . … the evening will also feature a conversation between Peters and Tony nominee Michael Urie …” http://bway.ly/m01ms1

The Undefeated’ Sets ‘Hamilton’ Roundtable With Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry And More From Tony-Winning Musical” by Deadline’s Dino-Ray Ramos – “… Disney+ and TheUndefeated.com will put more shine on the groundbreaking musical with the special The Undefeated Presents: Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter, which will debut on the same day.” http://bway.ly/csu92j

 

Icon Carl Reiner has died at the age of 98 from natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills. From sewing machine repairman to star . . . writer, comic, producer, actor, icon. https://www.theaterpizzazz.com/icon-carl-reiner-passes-away-from-natural-causes/

 

ACROSS THE POND:
“Six Will be the First West End Musical to Perform Again After Lockdown, Joining Utilita Live From the Drive-In” by BroadwayWorld – “Six will perform an 8-show week in each venue with customers arriving by car but able to step outside, picnic and party while they watch the festival-style live stage show from their own dedicated area next to their vehicle.” http://bway.ly/myn656

Dame Helen Mirren: Theatres need urgent help to preserve our nation’s identity” by The Evening Standard’s Jessie Thompson – “Oscar winner Dame Helen, 74, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What is at stake … is the loss of a cultural history and an identity of our nation that is embedded in what it means to be British.” http://bway.ly/9ips06