#12 - Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again

What's Up Broadway?

We need to rally as a community. If two of the best reviewed shows since the pandemic are closing early, Broadway isn't back yet.

Broadway News:

• Lackawanna Blues extends again! The Broadway premiere production starring Ruben Santiago-Hudson has extended for the final time. The Manhattan Theatre Club staging will now play through November 12. The solo show was forced to cancel several performances and twice delay opening night due to a back injury sustained by Santiago-Hudson, who wrote, directed, and stars in the production.
• The Broadway League Announced that the Jimmy Awards will return in-person to the Minksoff Theater in 2022. The Jimmys recognize the best in high school musical theatre performers nationwide and will be back on June 27, 2022 at 7:30 PM ET.
• Tony, Emmy, and Grammy nominee Vanessa Williams will headline a concert presentation of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ Anyone Can Whistle. The performance, set for March 10, 2022, at Carnegie Hall, is part of MasterVoices' newly announced 2021–2022 season.
• On November 3rd, The Committee of Theatre Owners will honor the late, Tony-winning playwright and librettist Terrence McNally by dimming the lights of all Broadway theaters for one minute at 6:30pm. November 3rd would have been his 83rd birthday.
• Amazon Studios released the first teaser trailer for its upcoming film Being the Ricardos, a look inside a week in production of the iconic sitcom I Love Lucy. The film stars Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball and Javier Bardem and Desi Arnez.
• Patricia Dayleg has been hired to serve as the director of equity, diversity, and inclusion for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Funny Girl on Broadway. She officially began October 18, following 10 years in government and community-based nonprofits. In the newly created role, Dayleg is responsible for the development and execution of the vision of a more inclusive and diverse workforce.

Casting:

• Casting is complete for the San Francisco engagement of Jack Thorne's adaptation of A Christmas Carol which recently won five TONY Awards. Performances at Broadway San Fran’s Golden Gate Theatre are scheduled for November 26–December 26. Joining the previously announced Obie winner Francois Battiste as Ebenezer Scrooge will be Tony nominee Nancy Opel as Ghost of Christmas Past and Amber Iman as Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs. Fezziwig.
• Tony winner Lillias White has joined the cast of the New Group's world premiere production of Black No More. Lillias is currently playing Matron Mama Morton in the Broadway revival of Chicago. The new musical is inspired by George S. Schuyler’s 1931 Afrofuturist novel of the same name and set during the Harlem Renaissance. The musical will be presented from January 11–February 27, 2022, at The Pershing Square Signature Center. Opening night is scheduled for February 8.
• Ari’el Stachel has departed the company of The Visitor, a new musical currently in previews at The Public Theater. A statement from the Off-Broadway company calls the development a “mutual decision.” A spokesperson for The Public confirmed that performances are currently expected to continue as scheduled. Ahmad Makshoud will assume the role of Tarek.

Follow @BwayPodNetwork on Twitter. Find co-hosts on Twitter at @AyannaPrescod, @CLewisReviews, and @TheMartinAcuna.

Tickets for Is This A Room and Dana H. playing in rep at the Lyceum Theatre on Broadway are on sale NOW! Purchase HERE!

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