In the Heights-Chasing Broadway Dreams – PBS Great Performances in November

 

 

“Actors’ Equity releases coronavirus testing guidelines for theaters” by Broadway News’ Caitlin Hutson – “Actors’ Equity has released guidelines for COVID-19 testing as theaters plan reopening strategies. Under the guidelines, actors, stage managers and any other staff members who will interact with the cast and crew should be tested for the coronavirus at least once a week. The test itself should be made free of charge to cast and crew and results should be made available within 48 hours.

Drawing on examples from other theaters and producers, Equity highlighted five COVID-19 tests that meet its criteria and have been proven to show few false negatives, as well as few false positives. The protocol for testing remains subject to change as the prevalence of the virus evolves. Any theater or producer wishing to reopen with Equity members will first have to submit a health and safety plan for approval by the union.” http://bway.ly/f0fom1

“Broadway may be dark — but people are working like hell to bring it back” by New York Post’s Johnny Oleksinski – “One Broadway source said that, while the end goal is a unified strategy for a robust Broadway comeback, we could see a few slimmed-down auditoriums and one-man shows here at first — at least “in the short term.” … However, a major breakthrough happened two weeks ago that, [Charlotte St. Martin] said, could lead to an on-schedule reopening night on New York stages. “For the first time, we got positive — what I call ‘cautiously optimistic’ — indications from the medical professionals that we’re working with,” St. Martin said of the league’s infectious-disease expert approving a 15-second coronavirus quick test for use by actors and crew members.” http://bway.ly/bucc97

“Will Broadway Be Back in Early 2021? Charlotte St. Martin is ‘Cautiously Optimistic'” by BroadwayWorld – “”I would consider myself to be cautiously optimistic at this stage,” said Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin in a recent interview with MetroFocus. “The conversations are going that in the first quarter of the year we plan to be back unless we get some kind of bad news.”” http://bway.ly/dq8j18

“Actors’ Equity Files Grievance Against Walt Disney World for Retaliating Over Request for Testing at Disney World” by BroadwayWorld – “”Since our public request that Disney test performers in the park, there have been more than 114,000 new coronavirus cases in Florida,” said Mary McColl … “Rather than agree to testing of performers, Disney has decided to retaliate against workers fighting for a safe workplace during this pandemic.”” http://bway.ly/a9q0h2

“NYC cancels parades, street fairs through the end of September” by New York Post’s Nolan Hicks and Carl Campanile – “City Hall put the kibosh on the summer parade and street fair season Thursday, extending the Big Apple’s coronavirus closure of major public gatherings until at least Sept. 30.” http://bway.ly/7kuxxc

“My Best Friend’s Wedding Musical Postpones Premiere to Fall 2021” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the musical will now open on September 20, 2021 at the Manchester Palace Theatre ahead of a U.K. and Ireland tour.” http://bway.ly/rujlw4

“Wicked extends run in London’s West End to November 2021” by London Theatre Direct’s Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels – “Wicked extends until 27 November 2021 … performances confirmed as cancelled up to and including 31 October 2020 … ” http://bway.ly/0zilm3

ACROSS THE POND:
“U.K. Allows Outdoor Theater and Music Performances From July 11” 
by Variety’s Manori Ravindran – “Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden gave the greenlight for outdoor theater, opera, dance and music shows with socially distanced audiences. This allows outdoor opera at Glyndebourne, Sussex and plays at Cornwall’s Minack Theatre to go ahead, in addition to the West End’s “Six The Musical” drive-in performances.” http://bway.ly/ond3ml

DOWN UNDER: “Melbourne’s coronavirus restrictions deal ‘devastating’ blow to arts companies” by The Guardian’s Elissa Blake – “Industry forced into worst-case scenario planning as plans to reopen crushed for another four months” http://bway.ly/dg5vf3

 

TV: “She Loves Me, In the Heights Documentary, The King and I, Much Ado About Nothing, More Will Air on PBS This Summer” by Playbill’s Andrew Gans – “PBS’ Great Performances will present Broadway at Home … beginning July 24 with the 2016 revival of She Loves Me.” http://bway.ly/axg8vd

ONLINE:
— “Paula Vogel’s Bard at the Gate Will Present the World Premiere of Christina Anderson’s Good Goods” 
by Playbill’s Dan Meyer – “The virtual reading will take place in October with an exact date to be announced.” http://bway.ly/xelpzw
— “Karen Ziemba And Patrick Page Lead TheatreWorks’ Shakespeare in Vegas Online Reading” by BroadwayWorld – http://bway.ly/zhhg8a

ON THE RADIO: “Lupita Nyong’o Joins The Public Theater and WNYC’s Richard II as the Narrator” by BroadwayWorld – “Richard II will be broadcast over four nights from Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m. EST on WNYC 93.9 FM and AM 820 … ” http://bway.ly/2peuk4

“How many people saw ‘Hamilton’? For now, that’s a secret” by AP News’ David Bauder – “Disney+ … will not release information on how many people subscribed in time to get “Hamilton” or how many watched until its next quarterly earnings report, a spokeswoman said.” http://bway.ly/oxau75

“Disney Plus Announces Hamilton: History Has Its Eyes On You, Hosted by Robin Roberts” by BroadwayWorld – “Hosted by ABC News’ “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts, “Hamilton: History Has Its Eyes On You” is an intimate discussion about the groundbreaking film that has become a global phenomenon and features “Hamilton”‘s creator, its director and cast members of the original Broadway production.” http://bway.ly/wih33o

IN MEMORIAM: Jujamcyn Theaters (@Jujamcyn): “We are so sad to learn of the passing of Danny Duran, a beloved Jujamcyn team member for 30+ years who prepared the St. James Theatre for guests & welcomed them nightly in his role as Head Porter. He has left an indelible mark & will continue to be remembered.” http://bway.ly/0qjxhk