New Tony nominators announced; "Hillary and Clinton" closes a month early; “The Prom” and “Be More Chill” to close August 11th; Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Freestyle Love Supreme" books the Booth, "Deren Brown: Secret" books the Cort, "Girl from the North Country" books the Belasco, Tracy Letts' "The Minutes" will arrive on Broadway in February, and Jeremy O. Harris’ “Slave Play” rumored for Broadway; Netflix film adaptation of August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" to star Viola Davis; Richard Kind joins “Kiss Me, Kate”; check out Joel Grey’s latest book of photography; Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford to bring their "Sunday in the Park with George" to the West End
All tagged Kiss Me Kate
"Hadestown", "Kiss Me, Kate", "The Ferryman", and "The Waverly Gallery" take home the top prizes at the Drama League Awards; "What the Constitution Means to Me" is among the 2019 Obie Award winners; Marisa Tomei to helm Broadway revival of "The Rose Tattoo" and Mary Louise Parker to star in "The Sound Inside" at Studio 54; Barry Manilow will hold residency at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre; Broadway-aimed "Magic Mike" musical cancels Boston tryout; "The Inheritance" and "Almost Famous" appear poised for Broadway
FEATURE: 2019 Tony Award Nominations
The 2019 Tony Award Nominations were announced this morning by Bebe Neuwirth and Brandon Victor Dixon. Take a look at the list and read my analysis of the surprises and snubs.
"Hadestown" leads in Outer Critics Circle nominations, followed by "Tootsie" and "Oklahoma!"; Disney plans revival of "Beauty and the Beast"; “Sea Wall/A Life" headed to Broadway this summer; Phylicia Rashad to direct "Blue" on Broadway next spring; Mel Brooks will play a two night residency at the Lunt Fontanne Theatre; MCC announces 2019-2020 season; "The Boys in the Band" cast to reunite for Netflix adaptation; "Survivor: The Destiny's Child Musical" will premiere in Houston; Noah Galvin to join the cast of "Waitress"; “The Lehman Trilogy" eyes Broadway; "Nowhere Boy" musical in development; "The Prom" to receive YA novel treatment; cast album news update; RIP Harvey Sabinson
REVIEW: Roundabout’s satisfying but uneven “Kiss Me, Kate”
The Roundabout Theatre Company’s new Broadway revival of “Kiss Me, Kate” is occasionally too darn hot, but mostly just too darn meh. Some key casting mistakes keep this well-appointed production from soaring where it should, but the choreography is a knockout and the musical itself so structurally sound and well-written that it cannot fail to entertain—uneven as it is, but still satisfying.
Actors’ Equity and the Broadway League reached an agreement to end five week strike; "The Height of the Storm" to play MTC's Friedman Theatre on Broadway; "The Band's Visit" wins Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album; Off-Broadway's Davenport Theatre closes; Adrienne Warren to reprise her celebrated performance as Tina Turner on Broadway; "Beetlejuice" and “Hadestown” announce Broadway casts; Laura Benanti extends run in "My Fair Lady"; Krystina Alabad to replace Ashley Park in "Mean Girls"; "Wicked" movie sets December 2021 release date; RIP Albert Finney and Cy Lee
Lawsuit reveals construction damage to the August Wilson Theatre; BC/EFA’s "Gypsy of the Year" fundraiser renamed the "Red Bucket Follies"; full cast announced for Roundabout "Kiss Me, Kate"; Bertie Carvel and Jonny Lee Miller to star in “Ink”; Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" announces development lab; "The Preacher's Wife" musical likely headed to La Jolla; Rosie O'Donnell will co-star in a revival of "Funny Girl", but no Lady Gaga; Broadway community teams with March For Our Lives for a benefit concert on October 22nd; must read interview with Patti LuPone and NYT article about plays; RIP Ira Gasman and Carol Hall
Roundabout revival of "Kiss Me, Kate" will play Studio 54 beginning February 14th; Sasson Gabay joins “The Band’s Visit” June 26th; jukebox musicals are courting top talent, including playwrights Lynn Nottage and Dominique Morisseau; The New Group announces its 2018-2019 season, including "Clueless: The Musical"; book recommendations and a must read letter from the Dramatists Guild
"1984" ineligible for Tonys; "Kiss Me, Kate" headed to Broadway in 2019; Lin-Manuel Miranda to play in Puerto Rico "Hamilton"; "King Kong" arrives in New York next fall; new technology coming for theatregoers with hearing and vision loss; columnist Liz Smith dead at 94