“Hoping for a Theater Bailout? Better Head to London” by The New York Times’ Jesse Green – “For months I’ve been waiting for industry groups to galvanize themselves into meaningful action, as they did in Britain — and as Black theater artists have proved can be done here, too. …

Imagine for a moment that Jeffrey SellerScott Rudin and Thomas Schumacher, commercial producers who know a great deal about wrangling concessions, assembled a dream team delegation that also included Lin-Manuel MirandaMary McColl, Equity’s executive director; Charlotte St. Martin, the Broadway League’s president; Oskar Eustis, the Public Theater’s artistic director, and Todd Haimes, the Roundabout Theater Company’s chief executive. Bring in regional theater heads like Joseph Haj at the Guthrie in Minneapolis and Maria Manuela Goyanes at Woolly Mammoth in Washington. Let Jeff Daniels and Audra McDonald join them as they buttonhole representatives. Have Stephen Adly Guirgis write the script.

If they did not succeed in obtaining relief,they might at least demonstrate,as the British have done with surprising success, that the theater is the crown jewel of our democracy too,not just the beating heart of a (dying) cash Machine.”http://bway.ly/fwm2d5

#ArtsHero Grassroots Campaign Aims to Secure Government Arts Funding by August 1 – by Playbill’s Dan Meyer – “The campaign, having created a resource hub for activists, encourages institutions, board members, employees, artists, administrative staff, audience members, and cultural consumers to participate.” http://bway.ly/fkv3o6

 

“New List of Unproduced Plays Tallies Those Disrupted by Pandemic” by The New York Times’ Sarah Bahr – “Trying to salvage a spring and summer of shelved and scrapped scripts, the Kilroys, a group of Los Angeles-based female-identified playwrights and producers, is spotlighting new plays and musicals by female, transgender and nonbinary writers that have had their runs disrupted by the pandemic. More than 140 planned productions by writers ranging from the Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok to the comedian Sarah Silverman appear on the group’s sixth annual list, released on Tuesday.” http://bway.ly/ggqv5r

 

Ben Platt Wants To Return To Broadway – Q&A” by Deadline’s Greg Evans – “DEADLINE: Were there any stage projects in the works when COVID hit? PLATT: There were a couple. I was really excited about the prospect of doing some sort of classic dramatic piece, a straight play, and sort of experiment with the experience of getting to have the live Broadway lifestyle without all of the stress of maintaining my vocal ability and all that.” http://bway.ly/aw3n1x

COMING UP:

*ZOOM TONIGHT At THE LAMBS: INTERVIEW and the true story of Michael Elihu Colby (The Algonquin Kid) whose childhood days at Manhattan Manhattan’s famous Algonquin Hotel comprised a vivid tapestry of encounters with glittering Broadway, Hollywood, and recording stars from the Marx Brothers to Ella Fitzgerald, Laurence Olivier to Leonard Cohen, Helen Hayes to Maya Angelou. In years to come, Michael would find his own place in the world of Manhattan musicals, rehearsing his own shows-with future Broadway luminaries-at the hotel. Join Zoom Meeting (on July 8 – 7 PM)
via computer, tablet or smartphone 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4565362118?pwd=Y0wweHRFTW84aS9YVVdqNzZNdVlFUT09
Meeting ID: 456 536 2118
Password: 781874LA

 

Shakespeare@ Home, the new audio-play series presents Episode Two of Richard II on Thursday, July 9th at 7PM for free download. Artistic Director Sean Hagerty of Shakespeare@ has created this new, all-free ‘radio play’ season of Shakespeare as a response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Presented with original music and sound design, the radio plays are adapted and directed by Sean Hagerty.  Mr. Hagerty has partnered with Emmy-winning Sonic Designs to capture the lost art and thrill of radio drama, all without leaving the confines of quarantine. Shakespeare@Home will continue the company’s acclaimed tradition of delivering accessible interpretations of classic works for a new audience with a focus on international and cross-cultural exchange.  There will be no cost to download and listen on-line at www.shakespeare-at.org.  Episode One of Richard II is still available to download as well.

TONIGHT – The Acting Company launches all new Alumni Spotlight Series, a free virtual program of readings and concerts celebrating the multiple talents of our alumni actors and helping us to stay connected during social distancing!  New short play Tea by Dakin Matthews, premiering at 7:30 PM on our YouTube channelDonations are encouraged to support The Acting Company and Covid-19 charity Brooklyn for Life!, founded by alumnus Jeffrey Wright.

 

Stephen Spinella will join Nathan Winkelstein on July 13 as part of Red Bull Theater’s RemarkaBull Podversation to discuss his approach to text and the character of Jacques from Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

The Acting Company Announces New Partnership, Fall 2021 Tour” by American Theatre – “The Acting Company has announced plans to relaunch its national repertory touring program in fall 2021 in a new partnership with touring consultant Marc Baylin and Alliance Artist Management.

CONCERTS:


— “Megan Hilty, Cheyenne Jackson & Norm Lewis Join Virtual Summer Concert Series”
 by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – http://bway.ly/fxwyse
— “Audra McDonald, Michael Feinstein, More on Deck for Upcoming Live With Carnegie Hall Programs” by Playbill’s Ryan McPhee – http://bway.ly/k0z0ym

Judith Light, Santino Fontana, Cherry Jones and More Join Lineup for Homebound Project” The benefit stream will begin at 7pm on Wednesday, July 15, and run through 7pm on Sunday, July 19.

James Monroe Iglehart to Host Becoming the Genie Virtual Benefit” by BroadwayWorld – “The concert will benefit two organizations, Katie’s Art Project and Ronald McDonald House.

 

Lin-Manuel Miranda responds to ‘Hamilton’ slavery criticism” by CNN’s Lisa Respers France – “Miranda tweeted … “All the criticisms are valid.” “The sheer tonnage of complexities & failings of these people I couldn’t get,” he tweeted. “Or wrestled with but cut. I took 6 years and fit as much as I could in a 2.5 hour musical. Did my best. It’s all fair game.”

 

Nick Cordero’s GoFundMe Page Raises Nearly $1 Million After His Death from COVID-19 at 41–  The original GoFundMePage, created to raise $400,000 for help with the medical bills and financial hardships brought about by the Waitress A Bronx Tale star’s health battle has raised nearly $1 million dollars now.

Fans Launch Petition to Rename Longacre Theatre in Memory of Nick Cordero –  Over 13K friends, family and fans have signed a petition to rename the Longacre Theatre (the home of Nick’s last Broadway musical, A Bronx Tale) in his memory

 

MORE NEWS:

CLOSING: TheaterWorksUSA announced that their facilities at TWStudios: Chelsea will not reopen. According to a statement from the organization, “the COVID-19 pandemic has created a situation that makes it impossible for TheaterWorksUSA to maintain these spaces while we are unable to produce live theater.” http://bway.ly/itzue5

BOROFF: “‘Hamilton’ Producer Received Emergency Small Business Loan” by Broadway Journal’s Philip Boroff – “Seller’s Adventureland LLC got a $150,000 to $350,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan via Signature Bank. … National Artists Management Co., which is controlled by Barry and Fran Weissler, the lead producers of the long-running revival Chicago, received a $350,000 to $1 million loan, according to the data. … The Roundabout Theatre Co. got a $5 million to $10 million PPP loan and Lincoln Center Theater received $2 million to $5 million.” http://bway.ly/wg5b0j

BOOK: “Tony Winner Anaïs Mitchell to Release Book About the Making of Hadestown” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “Working on a Song: The Lyrics of Hadestown will take readers inside Mitchell’s more than decades-long journey of building the musical from the ground up, detailing her inspiration and breaking down the show’s lyrics.” http://bway.ly/qagf4t

 

ACROSS THE POND:
“Culture Secretary says outdoor performances may begin shortly” by Official London Theatre – “When asked for further information regarding the reopening of outdoor theatres, the Culture Secretary [Oliver Dowden] said: “I hope by… mid-July we will be able to make that announcement in respect of outdoor performances and we are working with institutions to understand how they are doing that…”” http://bway.ly/7b0r5q

“Socially distanced protests meant to criticise the UK Government’s approach towards the art sector postponed” by London Theatre Direct’s Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels – “… the planned demonstration will now be put on hold in light of the UK Government’s recently announced £1.57 billion rescue package for the arts.” http://bway.ly/038iyd