Vineyard Theatre Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce additional special guests joining the [title of show] show Vineyard Theatre Virtual Variety Show show hosted by Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Jeff Bowen. Streaming Saturday, May 30 at 8:00 pm ET, the show is directed by Michael Berresse and Matt Vogel with musical direction by Larry Pressgrove, edited by Matt Vogel, music editing by Rob Preuss and Jeff Bowen, and orchestrations by Rob Preuss.

The cavalcade of stars making appearances include Courtney Balan, Laura Benanti, Jeff Blumenkrantz, David Cale, Victoria Clark, Billy Crudup, Micaela Diamond, Rachel Dratch, Barrett Foa, Ryan J. Haddad, Christopher J. Hanke, Benjamin Howes, John Kander, Judy Kuhn, Rick Lyon, Audra McDonald, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joe Morton, Julia Murney, Alex Newell, Kelli O’Hara, Nathan Salstone, Douglas Sills, Ryan Spahn, and Michael Urie. 

They join the previously announced special guests including Bill Irwin, Cheyenne Jackson, Linda Lavin, Leslie Odom Jr. & Nicolette Robinson, Steven Pasquale Phillipa Soo, Zachary Quinto, Brooke Shields, and The Lopez Family Singers (Lindsay Anderson, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Annie Lopez, Bobby Lopez, & Katie Lopez).

In the spirit of a classic variety show, the [title of show] show Vineyard Theatre Virtual Variety Show show will feature new material from the cast and creators of [title of show] and Now. Here. This., and renowned special guest artists from theatre, film and television sharing performances, sketches, reflections, special quarantine talents, and more.

Access to the show is available with a donation of $25 or more made before 12:0o pm ET on Saturday, May 30 through this link: https://donate.onecause.com/vineyardtheatre. Donors will receive a registration email followed by a pre-show email with an exclusive link sent an hour before performance time to stream the show.

The 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards. The evening will feature appearances by an all-star line-up of Drama Desk Awards alumni and friends, including Drama Desk Award winner James Corden, two-time Drama Desk Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, Drama Desk Award winner Alan Cumming, two-time Drama Desk Award winner Santino Fontana, Drama Desk Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, two-time Drama Desk Award winner Jesse Tyler Ferguson, two-time Drama Desk Award winner Jane Krakowski, three-time Drama Desk Award winner Patti LuPone, five-time Drama Desk Award winner Audra McDonald, Drama Desk Award winner Cynthia Nixon, two-time Drama Desk Award nominee Ashley Park, Drama Desk Award nominee Andrew Rannells, Drama Desk Award winner Ali Stroker, five-time Drama Desk Award winner Susan Stroman, and others.

It has also been announced that the special celebration of the theater season will benefit The Actors Fund and its imperative work to provide emergency financial assistance. Donations can be made at actorsfund.org/dramadeskdawards.

In addition to paying tribute to those lost in the the theater community this year (including the recent loss of playwright and activist Larry Kramer), the ceremony will celebrate the life and legacy of American theater producer and director Hal Prince with the Drama Desk Awards’ first-ever Harold Prince Award lifetime achievement honor.

The event, hosted by Frank DiLella, will also feature a first look at the brand-new Drama Desk Awards statuette. Tune in this Sunday, May 31, at 7:30 PM ET on Spectrum News NY1. The awards special also will stream on NY1.com, and DramaDeskAwards.comhttp://bway.ly/r0q9zi

 

Let’s Stay (In) Together

 

The Apollo Theater announced today the initial line-up of exciting performers and special guests for “Let’s Stay (In) Together: A Benefit to Support the Apollo Theater,” on Tuesday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. The special musical event will stream live at  apollotheater.org and will showcase guest artists performing the music of Apollo legends and highlight the Theater’s 86-year contribution to arts and culture.

The evening will feature performances by Captain” Kirk Douglas of TheRootsKool&TheGangGaryClark Jr. Robert RandolphMichael McDonaldRay ChewLil Buck and Jon Boogz, and more, as well as special appearances by Dionne WarwickDoug E. Fresh, and Roy Wood Jr.  Let’s Stay (In) Together” is part of Apollo Sound, which celebrates Black Music Month in June and will illuminate the power of music to transform perspectives, connect and build community, and heal in the face of adversity.

“Actors’ Equity outlines safety plans for the reopening of theaters” by Broadway News’ Caitlin Huston – “”We are working with our colleagues in Equity and the other unions as together, we will bring Broadway back,” the Broadway League said in a statement to Broadway News. “We all want the same thing, a safe and healthy environment for the casts, crews, and theatregoers.“” http://bway.ly/yeeuvs

MISCAST: “MCC’s 20th Annual Miscast Gala Is Going Online” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “Viewers are encouraged to tune in to Miscast20 on June 20 at 8PM ET on the MCC YouTube channel. The talent lineup will be revealed at a later date.” http://bway.ly/a5th45

READINGS: “Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney, and More Tapped for Midnight Theatricals’ Reading Series” by Playbill’s Olivia Clement – “The three new plays that will be developed are Wings! by S. Asher Gelman, directed by Hunter Bird; The Sleeping World by Crystal Skillman, directed by Chloe Treat; and Back by Matthew Webster, directed by Gabriel Vega Weissman.” http://bway.ly/vy3dw2

ON THE ROAD: “PPAC announces 2021 Broadway season” by ABC 6’s Jason Lawrence – “Broadway musical theater will return to the stage at the Providence Performing Arts Center in January, according to an announcement the venue released … ” http://bway.ly/eq7pt0

ACROSS THE POND:
“The Crown’s Matt Smith & Claire Foy to Reunite in Lungs at the Old Vic for Socially Distanced Performances” by Broadway.com‘s Lindsey Sullivan – “With minimal staging and accessible only to audiences via camera and livestream, [Old Vic: In Camera] will serve as both an exciting creative experiment and a means of supporting the box office while London theaters remain shut down … ” http://bway.ly/5qskhb

“Emilia Clarke, Jessica Chastain to Return for Rescheduled West End Productions” by Variety’s Manori Ravindran – “An Emilia Clarke-fronted production of “The Seagull” and the Jessica Chastain-starring “A Doll’s House” have been postponed, though both actors are to return for rescheduled dates.” http://bway.ly/34jbqs