Curtain Call: Legends, Revivals and World Premiere
Rex Features
Broadway: The cast of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical celebrated their first Broadway performance on October 12. With Tony nominee Adrienne Warren in the titular role, the musical follows the life and legacy of the rock and roll legend from her origins in Nutbush, Tennessee to global frame and fortune. The musical will open officially at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater on November 7, following its world premiere in London in April 2018. Audiences can hear familiar favorites such as “River Deep, Mountain High” and “(Simply) the Best,” while learning the background of one of music’s biggest stars.
Following the trend of Broadway musicals paying homage to musical giants such as Carole King, Cher and now Tina Turner, a new musical following the life and career of Michael Jackson sets projected dates and theater. Following a cancelled premiere in Chicago and a new name, MJ changed from Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough, the new musical has officially secured a spot in Broadway’s 2020-2021 season at the Neil Simon Theater. Directed by Christopher Wheeldon with a book written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, the musical is set to premiere on August 13, 2020.
With a static season with few new shows set to open on Broadway after the half-dozen that closed this past summer, new cast announcements remain the most important Broadway news. Among these exciting new cast members is Kenita R. Miller, who will join the cast of Come From Away on October 15 in the role of Hannah and others. Broadway alum, Miller has previously starred in Once on this Island, Xanadu and The Color Purple.
Similarly, Krystal Joy Brown will join the company of Hamilton as Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. Most recently, Brown portrayed Diana Ross in Motown, but in the past has appeared in Big Fish, Leap of Faith and Hair. She will join the cast beginning December 10.
Other casting announcements include Al Roker reprising his role as the diner owner, Joe in Waitress alongside Jordin Sparks, currently playing Jenna. The stars are among the last to join the company before the musical closes on January 5, 2020.
AMERICAN THEATER
Off-Broadway/ Regional: Obie Award winner Lileana Blain-Cruz will direct the revival of Fefu and her Friends, written by the late María Irene Fornés at the Polonsky Shakespeare Theater this Fall. This production promises a unique experience for each viewer, as the audience is split up into four groups. The groups then move around the theater to experience the story in four different ways from four different points of view. The story follows a strictly female cast, made up of Brittany Bradford, Juliana Canfield and Jennifer Lim, among others. The women take the audience through conversations surrounding life, gender and friendship. Previews will begin on November 16 with a November 24 opening and will run until December 8.
The world premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner, Stephen Adly Guirgis’s new play, Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven, will begin this Fall with Atlantic Theater Company. Directed by Obie Award winner, John Ortiz, the drama gives audience members a harrowing look into a New York City women’s halfway house. Joining the previously announced cast including Victor Almanzar and Sean Carvajal are David Anzuelo and Patrice Johnson Chevannes. The show will begin previews on November 14 and open on December 9.
In a new hybrid theater experience, creator and director Zoey Martinson will transform the HERE Arts Center in downtown Manhattan into a new multisensory installation entitled The Black History Museum... According to the United States of America. Tracing the origins of blackness, the audience will be immersed in past and present cultural history through visual art, theatrical performances, sound installation and dance. One aspect of the installation includes dozens of love letters written by slaves on American plantations. The installation will run from November 1-24, but tickets are available for purchase now.
Eve
International: Directed by Mark Stewart, Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert began performances on October 11 at the Tokyu Theatre Orb in Tokyo. Running until October 14, the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera stars Declan Bennett, Ramin Karimloo, Joanna Ampil and Telly Leung.
On October 20 at London’s Cadogan Hall, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra presented a one-night only performance of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, the musical featured the same score of the 2013 Broadway classic with an updated book written by Douglas Carter Beane. Filipino-British actress Christine Allado played the title role with Hamilton alum Sam Oladeinde among the rest of the cast. The performers were accompanied by a 21- piece orchestra, making for an unforgettable and exclusive affair.
Lolita Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s novel, Life of Pi, will transfer to the West End next year, directed by Max Webster. The story follows a cargo-ship sunk in the Pacific Ocean, leaving a 16-year old boy and a myriad of animals fighting to stay alive. Puppeteers bring the 450-pound Bengal tiger to life on stage like never before, directed under Finn Caldwell. Performances will begin on June 2020 followed by an official July 9 opening.