What's Up Broadway? - TopPodcast.com

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#18 - A Bit Of A Year, featuring Robin de Jesús! Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

It's the end of a season. The final episode of What's Up Broadway? features a surprise interview with Robin de Jesús, who stars as Michael in tick, tick...BOOM steaming now on Netflix!All three co-host Ayanna Prescod, Christian Lewis, and Martín Acuña wrap up theater memories of 2021 and what we look forward to in 2022.

See you in January 2022!

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

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#17 - Happy Trails, Stephen Sondheim Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

A Broadway titan is gone but not forgotten.

Broadway News

Second Stage Theater is partnering with Assemble Stream to offer simulcasts of its current Broadway production of Lynn Nottage’s play, CLYDE’S, for the final two weeks of its run. Those dates are January 4 – 16, 2022.
Girl from the North Country was the only Broadway musical nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Chicken & Biscuits, Is This A Room and Dana H. close on Broadway.
American composer, Stephen Sondheim has died at the age of 91 on November 26, 2021.

Casting

Ciara Renée has stepped into the role of Jenna in the return Broadway engagement of Waitress, succeeding Jennifer Nettles. Joshua Henry will take over the role of Dr. Pomatter in Waitress on Broadway, and current cast member Tyrone Davis, Jr. will take over the role of Ogie this week.

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

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#16 - 'Revival Red' is on The Music Man Marquee Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

Broadway News

The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS, which airs from 9 AM until noon, will feature live performances from the casts of Broadway's Chicago and Waitress.
Kinky Boots Tony Award winner Billy Porter has landed a spot on Insider's 100 People Transforming Business, which "profiles 100 business leaders across 10 distinct sectors who are innovating, sparking trends, and tackling global challenges." The Broadway veteran has also made a splash on television, winning an Emmy Award for his work on Pose and becoming the first gay Black man to be nominated and win in any lead acting category at the Primetime Emmys. Porter also won a Grammy Award for his lead vocals on the Kinky Boots cast recording, making him just an Academy Award shy of achieving EGOT status.
Caroline or Change is getting a cast recording this December.

Casting

HBO's new limited series The Gilded Age debuts January 24, 2022, on the network and its streaming service, HBO Max and it’s star studded. The 1880s-set drama from Julian Fellowes co-stars two-time Tony winners Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon. A slew of additional theatre folk populate the series, including several Tony-winning recurring guest stars: Audra McDonald, Nathan Lane, Kelli O'Hara, Donna Murphy, Debra Monk, Michael Cerveris, Katie Finneran, Bill Irwin, and Celia Keenan-Bolger—as well as Tony nominees Kristine Nielsen, Patrick Page, Douglas Sills, John Douglas Thompson, Carrie Coon, and Denée Benton. The nine-part limited series follows Marian Brook, the daughter of a Southern general who, upon being orphaned, moves to New York City to live with her aunts.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's production of Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop begins performances November 22.The D.C. production, produced in association with Playwrights Horizons (where the musical premiered) and Page 73, features original cast members Antwayn Hopper as Thought 6, L Morgan Lee as Thought 1, John-Michael Lyles as Thought 3, James Jackson, Jr. as Thought 2, John-Andrew Morrison as Thought 4, and Jason Veasey as Thought 5. Jaquel Spivey joins the cast as Usher, the part created Off-Broadway by Larry Owens.

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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#15 - I Wanna be in the BOOM Where it Happens Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Andrew Garfield is dynamite! Get it? Because Tick... Tick... BOOM? Awe, never mind.

Broadway News:

Producers announced on Thursday that Chicken & Biscuits will play its final performance on Nov. 28. The news comes after the new play announced an extended cancellation of performances through Nov. 18 due to COVID-19 cases in the company. The production will now resume performances on Nov. 19.
An HBO documentary following the making of tonight's sold-out, one-night-only, reunion concert of Spring Awakening benefitting The Actors Fund, is now in production. Produced by RadicalMedia, the documentary will follow the original stars as they come together for the first time in 15 years. The documentary will debut on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max next year, bringing the story of this one-night-only musical performance to fans and audiences across the globe.
Billy Crystal will return to Broadway this spring in a musical adaptation of “Mr. Saturday Night.” Crystal will play comedian Buddy Young Jr., the role he originated in the 1992 Columbia Pictures film. The Broadway cast will include Randy Graff, David Paymer and Chasten Harmon. The musical will play the Nederlander Theatre starting March 1, 2022, ahead of a March 31 opening night. “Mr. Saturday Night” features a score by Jason Robert Brown and lyrics by Amanda Green. Crystal wrote the book to the musical, alongside Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, all of whom were screenwriters for the film.
Lucy Moss who is the co-writer and director of the international hit musical Six, will direct the musical adaptation of Legally Blonde for the summer 2002 season at London's Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. The musical, featuring a score by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and a book by Heather Hach, will open the venue's 90th anniversary season, running May 13 to July 2.

Casting:

Devin Kawaoka and Jonathan Chad Higginbotham will join the cast of Jeremy O. Harris’ “Slave Play.” Kawaoka will join the company as Dustin and Higginbotham will play Philip. Both actors will make their Broadway debuts with the production. They join returning cast members Ato Blankson-Wood, Chalia La Tour, Irene Sofia Lucio, Annie McNamara and Paul Alexander Nolan. As previously announced, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy will take over the role of Kaneisha. “Slave Play” is scheduled to begin performances at the August Wilson Theatre on Nov. 23, ahead of an opening night on Dec. 2. The limited return engagement will play through Jan. 23. The play originally ran at Broadway’s Golden Theatre from September 2019 to January 2020.
Joshua Boone will join the previously announced Broadway cast of Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew,” Manhattan Theatre Club announced Monday. Boone, who previously appeared in “Network” on Broadway, joins Phylicia Rashad, Chanté Adams, Brandon J. Dirden and Adesola Osakalumi to complete the full cast. The Broadway premiere is directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. “Skeleton Crew” will begin performances at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Dec. 21, ahead of a Jan. 12, 2022 opening.
Two-time Grammy nominee and Theater World Award winner Conrad Ricamora will star as Seymour in the three-time Best Musical Revival Award-winning production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS beginning January 11, 2022. Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, American Son) will play his final performance on January 9, 2022 at the Westside Theatre.

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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Nollywood Dreams - Live interview with playwright Jocelyn Bioh Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

Join Ayanna Prescod of What’s Up Broadway? live in conversation with playwright Jocelyn Bioh.

Prescod chats with Bioh about her latest play, Nollywood Dreams, bringing African comedy to New York City, and how she is constantly changing and elevating traditional theater. This conversation took place on Thursday, November 4, 2021 and is brought to you by Broadway Podcast Network and MCC Theater.

Photos by Daniel J Vasquez. More info via http://bpn.fm/wub and https://mcctheater.org/.

Watch the video of this event here: https://youtu.be/sE2edX5as6Y

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#14 - So Much Waitress News Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

I mean, who doesn't love Cynthia Erivo and Arianna Grande!?

Broadway News:

Patrick Page returns to Hadestown on November 9, 2021.
The newly imagined Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will return to the Lyric on Friday, November 12th. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child originally cast a spell over the world as an epic two-part event. Now, the show has been boldly restaged as one singular performance by the award-winning creative team for its return to North America. With just one ticket in hand, audiences will enjoy all the adventure the continuation of Harry's story entails in one magical afternoon or evening.
Due to popular demand, both Dana H. and Is This A Room running in rep at the Lyecum are extending their previously announced early closing date. They will both run through the Thanksgiving holiday. Is This A Room will now play through November 27, and Dana H. will now run through November 28.
Kristin Chenoweth is heading to Lincoln Center. The Tony and Emmy Award winner will headline a one-night-only concert at the Metropolitan Opera December 13.
NYC will welcome back spectators to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The November 26 televised special will see performances from the Broadway casts of Six, Moulin Rouge!, and Wicked, plus NBC's upcoming Annie Live!. The parade will be broadcast 9 AM–noon EST on NBC. Additional performers include Kristin Chenoweth and Darren Criss, both of whom have new holiday albums out this year, along with Jordan Fisher, The Rockettes, Ballet Hispánico, and the cast of Girls5Eva.

Casting:

Ciara Renée is headed to Waitress on Broadway! She will take over the role of Jenna on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Jennifer Nettles, as previously announced, will play her final performance on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Waitressis back on Broadway for a limited engagement now through January 9, 2022 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Also two-time Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry will take over the role of Dr. Pomatter and current cast member Tyrone Davis, Jr. will take over the role of Ogie on Monday, November 29.
The New Group announced that Ephraim Sykes will join the cast of the world premiere production of Black No More. This new musical, inspired by George S. Schuyler's 1931 novel of the same name, features Book by John Ridley, Music and Lyrics by Tariq Trotter, Choreography by Bill T. Jones, Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Daryl Waters and Direction by Scott Elliott. A strictly limited engagement will play January 11 through February 27, 2022 at The Pershing Square Signature Center with Opening Night on Tuesday, February 8.
Oscar nominee and two-time Emmy winner Greg Kinnear will make his Broadway debut as Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkin’s stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird beginning January 5, 2022, at the Shubert Theatre. Kinnear will succeed Tony nominee and Emmy winner Jeff Daniels, who will play his final performance January 2.
The complete cast is set for Wild: A Musical Becoming. Idina Menzel will headline the world premiere production at the American Repertory Theater’s Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Performances begin December 5, with the run scheduled through January 2, 2022. Menzel, Jabvier Munoz and YDE from Nickelodeon’s The Haunted Hathaways and School of Rock will star as a mother-daughter pair in the musical, penned by V (formerly Eve Ensler) and musicians Justin Tranter and Caroline Pahnell. The environmentalism-themed story follows the family as they grapple over the future of their family farm.

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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#13 - Audra No. 7 Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

You're never too old to make your Broadway debut!

Broadway News:

Emilie Kouatchou made her debut as the first Black Christine Daaé on Broadway in The Phantom of The Opera. She will play Christine this week on Wednesday, November 3rd, Thursday, November 4th, and Saturday November 6th’s matinee. Next week she’ll lead on Monday November 8th, Thursday the 11th’s matinee and Saturday the 13th’s matinee. The following week she’ll play on Monday November 15th, Thursday the 18th and Saturday the 20th’s matinee. And during the last week of November she’ll play on Monday the 22nd, Thursday the 25th and Saturday the 27th to round out the month.
Audra McDonald is coming back to Broadway in Adrienne Kennedy’s Ohio State Murders. This will make Kennedy’s Broadway playwriting debut at the age of 90. Ohio State Murders will be directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, who last directed A Soldier’s Play before the Broadway shutdown.
We received a first look at Celina Smith as Annie in the upcoming Annie Live on NBC. Joined by Sandy the dog, the picture features Smith in Annie's iconic red dress. The photo also included Harry Connick Jr. as Daddy Warbucks and Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan. The live musical will air on NBC on December 2nd. Right in time for the holidays.
The iconic Broadway snow globes have arrived back to Times Square. The “show globes” portray scenes inspired by Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of the Temptations, Dear Evan Hansen, The Lion King, and Wicked. They will be on display through December 26 in the Broadway Plaza between 45th and 46th Streets.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Universal Studio’s adaptation of Wicked was set to begin shooting in March in Atlanta. But the production’s start has now been pushed to June, and it will relocate to the U.K. Reports are saying the delay will allow the filmmakers to get production efficiencies in-line, as Wicked will be the first production to shoot on stages at Universal’s recently built Sky Studios in Elstree. Jon M. Chu is set to direct.
Times Square is getting an exciting new performance space. The new indoor/outdoor stage is part of TSX Broadway, a 46-story tower currently under construction in Duffy Square at 1568 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets and is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2023.

Casting:

Adrienne Warren took her final bow as Tina Turner on Halloween. She originated the role in London in 2018. She is now moving on after a deserved TONY Award and much praise. Nkeki Obi-Melekwe will now fill the role of Tina full time.
Alex Hairston, Libby Lloyd, Anthony Murphy, Kristen Faith Oei and Michael Williams will join the cast of Diana for its return to Broadway next month. As previously announced, Jeanna de Waal will star as Diana, alongside Roe Hartrampf as Prince Charles, Erin Davie as Camilla Parker Bowles and Judy Kaye as Queen Elizabeth. “Diana” is scheduled to resume preview performances at the Longacre Theatre on Nov. 2 ahead of an opening night on Nov. 17.
Spring Awakening, will reunite for a special, one-night-only benefit concert. The concert will star original cast members Skylar Astin, Gerard Canonico, Lilli Cooper, Jennifer Damiano, Christine Eastbrook, John Gallagher, Jr., Gideon Glick, Jonathan Groff, Robert Hager, Brian Johnson, Lea Michele, Lauren Pritchard, Krysta Rodriguez, Stephen Spinella, Phoebe Strole, Jonny B. Wright, and Remy Zaken. Directed by the original director, Michael Mayer, the concert will take place on Monday, November 15 at 7 pm ET at The Imperial Theatre. The theater is the current home of Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations.

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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#12 - Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

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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#11 - Schitt is coming to Broadway Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Dana H. has opened! Red carpet interviews and more inside this episode!

Broadway News:

Manhattan Theatre Club announced a one-week extension of “Lackawanna Blues,” following the cancellation of several performances. The play starring Ruben Santiago-Hudson was put on pause for a few days after Hudson sustained a back injury. So happy that this show is extending for a bit. I still have yet to see it. “Lackawanna Blues” will now play the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through Nov. 7.
Davon Williams was named Executive Director of Broadway Black. Broadway Black was founded in 2012 by Drew Shade and is a one-of-a-kind multi-media platform dedicated to highlighting the achievements and successes of Black theatre artists on and off the Broadway stage. Davon is an international performer, a delegate for the Actors' Equity Association, and a TED Talk alum and I know personally how thrilled Drew is that Davon is part of his team.
Creative Goods Merchandise has launched a new buying program allowing theatergoers to purchase merchandise from their seats. Patrons can purchase items by scanning a QR code, which will appear on signs around the theater, and place the order on their mobile devices. The merchandise will then be available to pick up in the theater after the show. The program is now available at “Waitress” “Hamilton” and “Tina”. “Company,” “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Jagged Little Pill,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “MJ The Musical” will have the program available as the shows reopen.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Traditional in-theatre red bucket fundraiser has been put on hold until 2022 in an effort to help shows return back safely back to their eight shows a week schedule. You can still donate on the Broadway Cares website.
The Book of Mormon will celebrate their return by holding a free fan performance on Thursday, November 4th. Those who wish to enter for the chance to attend are instructed to share who their metaphorical mission companion is.

Casting:

“Schitt’s Creek” star Noah Reid will join the cast of “The Minutes” when the play returns to Broadway this spring. He replaces Armie Hammer, who withdrew from the production, citing a focus on his health and family, last spring. The departure came as Hammer faced allegations of sexual assault.
Erich Bergen will rejoin the cast of Waitress as Dr. Pomatter for select performances during its return Broadway engagement at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. He previously performed the role for stints in the summers of 2018 and 2019 during Waitress's initial Broadway run. Also joining the cast of Waitress on October 19 are Nik Dodani, taking over the role of Ogie, Ben Thompson, taking over as Earl, and Jennifer Nettles, stepping into the lead role of Jenna.
The Play That Goes Wrong has announced its casting for its return to New World Stage off-Broadway on October 15. The company will feature Jesse Aaronson as Max, Ryan Vincent Anderson as Trevor, Brent Bateman as Robert, Bartley Booz as Dennis, Matt Harrington as Chris, Ashley N. Hildreth as Annie, Chris Lanceley as Jonathan, and Maggie Weston as Sandra. The cast also includes Damien Brett, Laura D’Andre, Ellie MacPherson and Sid Solomon.

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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RED CARPET INTERVIEWS - Chicken & Biscuits, and SIX Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

This episode feature interviews from SIX and Chicken & Biscuits Opening Nights.

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

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