TODAY’S THEATRE TALK

 

Apple Family Productions announces the world premiere of INCIDENTAL MOMENTS OF THE DAY: The Apple Family: Life on Zoom, the final play in the pandemic trilogy, written and directed by Tony Award winner Richard Nelson, on Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The third play, written by Nelson from his home in Rhinebeck, New York, will be available to watch for free on YouTube and also at www.theapplefamilyplays.com and will continue for eight weeks through November 5. Nelson’s latest world premiere play will benefit Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation in the US and the Theatre Artists Fund in the UK.

 

New York Stage and Film is announcing the 2020 Artists/Projects-in-Residence, part of its ongoing NYSAF NOW programming: Shairi Engle, Morgan Green, Khiyon Hursey, Monet Hurst-Mendoza, Jian Jung, Ilya Khodosh, Sandra Tsing Loh, Molly Beach Murphy, Phanésia Pharel, Brian Quijada, Christina Quintana (CQ), Nygel D. Robinson, Keenan Scott II, Susan Tenney, Lucie Tiberghien and Lily Wolff. NYSAF provides residencies and mentorships for artists to support them in a range of ways, from readings and one-on-one notes sessions to rehearsals and creative networking. Each process is unique and addresses the needs of artists as they articulate them. This year, NYSAF has expanded this programming in response to the COVID pandemic to offer more opportunities for more artists. www.newyorkstageandfilm.org

“NBC looking to revitalize Broadway with splashy primetime special” by Page Six’s Ian Mohr – “NBC is planning to launch a splashy primetime Broadway special in October, Page Six has exclusively learned, in which casts from top Broadway shows will perform. The network has reached out to all Broadway shows, we hear, to participate in the special so far. But theater insiders tell us there’s now backstage drama at some of the shows as producers scramble to participate, and their stars get ready for the big night.  http://bway.ly/75g9h5

 

Airbnb Offers Experiences Led by Artists Around the World, Right at Home” by Airbnb – “New Airbnb Online Experiences will feature Tituss Burgess, Ann Reinking, three original Broadway princesses and cast and crew members from favorite Broadway and West End musicals, including Chicago, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical and Ain’t Too Proud. In collaboration with The Actors Fund, Airbnb will help artists earn income while entertainment industry remains closed.” http://bway.ly/9yh0rh

ALBUM: “Family Guy Creator Seth MacFarlane to Release Showtunes Album” by TheaterMania’s David Gordon – ” … MacFarlane will release his sixth studio album, Great Songs From Stage & Screen, on August 28 on the Republic Records/Verve Records label. … The set covers compositions by revered musical writing legends that include Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Lerner and Loewe, and Henry Mancini. Songs include “I Loved You Once in Silence” (Camelot), “Ten Minutes Ago” (Cinderella), “Love Is Only Love” (Mame/Hello, Dolly!), “Mind If I Make Love to You?” (High Society), and “All Er Nothin'” (Oklahoma!), among others.” http://bway.ly/930fjz

 

At Theaters, Push for Racial Equity Leads to Resignations and Restructuring” by The New York Times’ Michael Paulson – “Now there is a second wave: changes to leadership and practices at a handful of theaters around the country. The theaters are mostly small, and it remains unclear how calls for change in the industry will (or won’t) affect life at larger institutions, many of which have been programmatically and financially hobbled by the coronavirus pandemic. But there are indications — on Broadway, Off Broadway, and at regional theaters — that the charges of systemic racism aired this summer, along with the advocacy of several organizations pressing for change, are having an initial impact.” http://bway.ly/mfxwo2

NYC: “New NY State COVID Guideline Bans Ticketed Events at Bars” by BroadwayWorld – “The rule on the State Liquor Authority web site permits incidental music, but prohibits events such as ticketed performances and events with cover charges.” http://bway.ly/grosma

“AudienceView and TheaterMania Celebrate Young Playwrights with Launch of New Virtual Festival” by AudienceView – “AudienceView‘s consumer platform and online community, TheaterMania, is excited to announce the expansion of its inaugural Young Playwrights Contest into an online festival following the success of the nationwide competition. The festival, which is scheduled to become an annual tradition, will stream live via the TheaterMania Young Playwrights Festival website from Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30, 2020. The event will be produced, directed, written and performed entirely by students. … “We kicked off our first Young Playwrights Contest as we saw high school productions across the United States being canceled due to COVID-19. We thought this would be an excellent project for students to work on from home because it encourages individual expression and gives young people a voice while encouraging the art of writing for the stage,” said Rosemary Maggiore, Publisher of TheaterMania and Vice President of Consumer Brands for AudienceView.” http://bway.ly/phfkdu

 

As Indoor Theatre Remains a No-Go, Barrington Stage Company Rethinks Fall Slate of Concerts, Readings, More” by Playbill’s Ryan McPhee – “The Berkshires venue … has shifted a significant portion of its fall offerings as indoor theatres remain shuttered until the state reaches Phase 3, Step 2 of Governor Charlie Baker’s re-opening plan.” http://bway.ly/n3hlme

FILM: “Nik Dodani and Colton Ryan Join Universal’s ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Adaptation” by Deadline’s Justin Kroll – “Dodani will play Jared, Evan’s enterprising family friend, and Ryan will play Connor, a troubled high school senior who is a catalyst for the plot of the musical.” http://bway.ly/f6ejcx

 

“Gloria Steinem Biopic ‘The Glorias’ to Skip Theaters, Debut on Amazon Prime” by Variety’s Dave McNary – “Roadside Attractions is shifting Gloria Steinem biopic “The Glorias” from a theatrical launch to a streaming release on Amazon Prime Video on Sept. 30.” http://bway.ly/le2122

ONLINE: “That ’70s Show Reunion: Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith to Star in Online Play” by TheaterMania’s David Gordon – “Presented by Barrington Stage Company, Jeffrey Hatcher’s [Three Viewings] will be broadcast September 23-26 for a minimum donation of $25.” http://bway.ly/qnokaw

 

ACROSS THE POND: 
“Cameron Mackintosh’s theatre firms to make more than 850 people redundant” by The Guardian’s Mark Brown – “The company has declined to give any numbers but the entertainment union Bectu said the figure was around 185 for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd and 669 for Delfont Mackintosh.” http://bway.ly/2619ec

“The Old Vic’s Three Kings, Starring Andrew Scott, Announces New Dates” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “Originally set to begin on July 29 and then on August 7, performances will now run from September 3 through September 5.” http://bway.ly/939q15

“Sound Installation Blindness Extends at London’s Donmar Warehouse” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – ” … the sound installation will now be available through September 5.” http://bway.ly/di8zwv