CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE, BECK CENTER & PHSQUARE UPDATES, HAIRSPRAY LIVE!, EQUITY SETS RULES FOR THEATRES TO OPEN, PLAYGROUND FESTIVAL and more!

CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LAURA KEPLEY SHARES AN UPDATE ABOUT 2020-2021 THEATRICAL SEASON

https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/4/messages/100399?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sb2dpbi55YWhvby5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHhFJ2XZQprnZnAYEsK4QGdIrOHKv3Ol76TAQ404hdD0M0JCXFR-d-Ly42hS9EqSRg1KXTNcKIkzhRFiyVQjgAk0MftaZARs1sbXHNEB2DZDd3VkiZhT7f7nQrpchLyhrzUFTql

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BECK CENTER ISSUES INFORMATION ABOUT SHOW TICKET REFUNDS, SPRING TUITION AND SUMMER CAMPS

https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/100504?.src=fp&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sb2dpbi55YWhvby5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHhFJ2XZQprnZnAYEsK4QGdIrOHKv3Ol76TAQ404hdD0M0JCXFR-d-Ly42hS9EqSRg1KXTNcKIkzhRFiyVQjgAk0MftaZARs1sbXHNEB2DZDd3VkiZhT7f7nQrpchLy

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PLAYHOUSE SQUARE LAYS OFF/FURLOUGHS 193 EMPLOYEES

Playhouse Square President and CEO Gian Vernaci, stating that, “We must take the necessary measured to overcome the impact caused by the crisis so that Playhouse Square can return to a place of strength, continue our not-for-profit mission and welcome out audience back safely,” announced the laying off/furloughing of 193 employees.

HARVEY FIERSTEIN-LED HAIRSPRAY LIVE! WILL STREAM FOR FREE THIS WEEKEND

NBC's 2016 broadcast of Hairspray Live! will stream for free this weekend via the Shows Must Go On YouTube channel. It will stream for 48 hours beginning at 2pm ET on Friday, May 29.

https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/harvey-fierstein-led-hairspray-live-will-stream-_91038.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=28may2020

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ACTORS’ EQUITY UNION SAYS ‘EPIDEMIC MUST BE UNDER CONTROL’ BEFORE LIVE THEATER RESUMES

According to Actors’ Equity there are four “core principals” for Theaters to open:

1. The epidemic must be under control, with effective testing, few new cases in the area and contact tracing. 

2. Individuals who may be infectious can be readily identified and isolated, with frequent, regular and accurate testing with speedy results. 

3. The way we audition, rehearse, perform and stage manage may need to change and the venues we work in may need to undergo changes in order to reduce the risk. 

4. Efforts to control COVID-19 exposure must be collaborative, involving Equity members, employers, the union and all others involved in the production of theatre.

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PLAYGROUND FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS ZOOMFEST

In response to the extended shelter-in-place orders and theater closures, this year’s PlayGround Festival of New Works and a special 25th Anniversary Celebration are going digital! 

The five-week online PLAYGROUND ZOOM FEST (May 11-June 14) will feature 25 real-time live-streamed performances, including three fully-produced off-book premiere presentations: DISBELIEF by Garret Jon Groenveld (May 30 & May 31), a #MeToo telling of the Cassandra myth, directed by Tracy Ward; THE RENDERING CYCLE by Genevieve Jessee(June 6 & June 7), a theatrical journey through 400 years of the African Diaspora, directed by Margo Hall (original development by Lauren Spencer); and BEST OF PLAYGROUND 24 (June 13 & June 14), featuring 10-minute plays. 

The festival will also include developmental staged readings of four new full-length plays by PlayGround alumni — TRANSLATIONS by Victoria Chong Der (May 25), SAPIENCE by Diana Burbano (May 29), BURST by Rachel Bublitz (June 1), and THE NESTING INSTINCT by Tom Bruett (June 5) — as well as short plays by this year’s top high school dramatists as part of the 12th annual Howard & Lenore Klein Foundation Young Playwrights Contest. 

Tickets for the premiere presentations start at $15 (additional discounts and radical accessibility options are available) and all other readings and events are free of charge. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit https://playground-sf.org/zoomfest.

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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM WEEK 2 OF AT-HOME #LIVINGROOMTHEATRE

As stay-at-home safety measure continue, creativity is the cure to cabin fever. Playbill and Concord Theatricals teamed up to provide fodder for everyone to keep their dramatic juices flowing.

With scripts from Concord Theatricals’ vast catalog, we served up eight scenes you could perform from shows like A Chorus Line, Annie Get Your Gun, Eurydice, Native Gardens, Our Town, Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Sound of Music, and The Wizard of Oz.

Rehearsed and recorded over Zoom, decorated with “scenic design” of backgrounds, donned in homemade costumes, take a look at the performances below. If you feel inspired, click here for the scene scripts. It’s time for the show!

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STARS IN THE HOUSE, THE DAILY LIVE STREAMED CONCERT SERIES

Tony winner Laura Benanti (Gypsy, She Loves Me, My Fair Lady) again guest hosts Stars in the House, the daily live streamed concert series created by Playbill correspondent and SiriusXM Broadway host Seth Rudetsky , May 25 at 2 PM. 

New shows air daily at 2 PM and 8 PM ET, featuring performances by stars of stage and screen, in conversation and song with Rudetsky and Wesley. Click here to watch previous episodes.

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BRITISH POLITICAL DRAMA THIS HOUSE WILL STREAM FOR FREE

The NT Live re-broadcast of James Graham’s British political drama This House will stream for free May 28 at 2 PM ET. Watch the performance above or on the National Theatre’s YouTube; the video is available until June 4 at noon ET.

This House is an insight into the workings of politics by Tony-nominated playwright Graham. The show debuted in 2012, receiving two sold-out runs at the National Theatre before transferring to the West End.

The National Theatre at Home series will also present Coriolanus with Tom Hiddleston on June 4.

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Berko: SEE CLE-CENTRIC BANDSTAND, RESULTS OF MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS’ PLAYWRIGHTING FESTIVAL, NEOHIOPAL, GOOD-BYE GEAUGA LYRIC THEATER GUILD, FUN AT CPH

TUNE IN TO THE CLEVELAND-CENTRIC BANDSTAND LIVE STREAM--MAY 25

The streaming service Broadway on Demand will honor Memorial Day with a special live stream of the musical Bandstand on May 25. A live pre-show celebration, A Salute to Bandstand will begin at 8:00 PM, featuring the show's stars Laura Osnes and Corey Cott.  To watch, click here. 

Cott went to Chagrin Falls High School.  He is best known for his performance in Newsies on Broadway.

Story--Danny Novitski (Cott), a jazz pianist, comes home to Cleveland from World War II, and like many others, can’t get back into his previous life pattern.  In his case, as a local club piano player.  

“Bandstand—The New American Musical,” the Broadway hit musical, is Cleveland-centric.  It tells the tale of a post war band which was founded in CLE.  The dialogue includes references to the Ohio Theatre, Halle’s Department Store, “The Plain Dealer,” Public Square, and The Cleveland Limited train which ran to New York.

My capsule judgement for the review of the Broadway production stated: “Bandstand” isn’t a great musical, but the well-conceived production has the music, story line, dancing and patriotism to make the show a touring company favorite when it hits the hinterlands.”  

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WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 42^ND ANNUAL MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS’ PLAYWRIGHTING FESTIVAL AT DOBAMA THEATRE.

Though the scripts will not get productions this year because of the virus, the competition still went on.  To see the Kids’ Playwrighting Festival winners go to:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwHNVxDSKhjlmDPbxxJKJppSFdB?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

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KEEP AWARE OF WHAT’S GOING ON IN CLEVELAND ARTS AND THEATRE

What’s going on in theatre, and the rest of arts in Cleveland?  A free service is available at https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/99978?.src=fp.  Go to the site and sign up for the announcements.

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GEAUGA LYRIC THEATER GUILD

It is with profound regret that the remaining four members of the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild’s Board of Trustees have submitted their resignations under the bylaws of the organization. The Board has labored to save the organization over the last four months since learning the full scope of the issues and debt burden that we uncovered in January. But in the end, our efforts could not overcome those challenges as well as recent circumstances. 

It is our sincere hope that the arts and live theater will flourish again in Geauga County, in better times and under better circumstances. 

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CPT STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

On Mondays at 6:00pm (EST) starting May 25 through June 15, join Cleveland Public Theatre Director of Community Ensembles Faye Hargate and Cleveland Act Now Teaching Artists as they guide participants in interactive storytelling workshops celebrating creativity, community, and family. These intergenerational workshops are geared for the entire family—parents / guardians are encouraged to attend, but they are not required. 

Learn more about this weekly series, find important information, and register your household ($1 registration fee) by clicking here or scrolling down for more details.

News about Beck Center, Tony Awards, HOLIDAY INN, PLAYS BY AND ABOUT THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY and more

BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS CANCELS REMAINDER OF THEATER SEASON
 
Beck Center has cancelled all theater productions for the remainder of this season.  This includes METEOR SHOWERS, DISGRACED and SOMETHING ROTTEN.  For refunds and information call 216-521-2540 X 10 between 9am and 5 pm.
 
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 TONY AWARDS CELEBRATION

Tony nominee Lonny Price will direct a Tony Awards celebration that will stream live June 7 (the date originally announced for the 2020 ceremony) at 6 PM ET.

Produced by the recently launched streaming platform Broadway On Demand with support from the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League (co-presenters of the annual ceremony), the one-hour event will be available on TonyAwards.com and BroadwayOnDemand.com.

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IRVING BERLIN'S HOLIDAY INN STREAMS FOR FREE

Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn streams for free May 30 at 8 PM ET during a watch. 
Theatre lovers can follow along with Playbill Twitter and Instagram, and Irving Berlin Twitter and Instagram, for trivia, fun facts, and giveaways throughout the event. Use the hashtag #HolidayInnMusical on social media to join the the fun. 

Click here to access the stream. Holiday Inn will be available for 48 hours following the live viewing party. Viewers are encouraged to support industry professionals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by making a tax-deductible donation to The Actors Fund, by visiting this link.

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LIVE STREAMED READINGS OF PLAYS BY AND ABOUT THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY

In celebration of Pride, Playbill and Pride Plays will present four live streamed readings of plays by and about the LGBTQIA+ community every Friday in June in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. 

Pride Plays will stream readings directly on Playbill.com beginning June 5 with Brave Smiles...Another Lesbian Tragedy by The Five Lesbian Brothers. 

On June 12, Donja R. Love’s one in two, “a portrait of what it means to be black and queer in America today.  

June 19 will see Masculinity Max by MJ Kaurman, one of the most exciting playwrights working today.”

The final play is the Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Play-- The Boys in the Band. 

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THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!, STARRING CARRIE UNDERWOOD AND AUDRA MCDONALD, WILL STREAM ON YOUTUBE
 
The generally negatively reviewed when it previewed on live television the adaptation of Rogers and Hammerstein’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC, starring Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti, and Christian Borle, which launched a series of live TV musicals for NBC, will stream May 22 beginning at 2 PM ET on YouTube. The stream, which will be available for viewing above, will continue for 48 hours.
 
Go to:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5AtR2jJjTs
 
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THE SETH [RUDETSKY] CONCERT SERIES 

Kelli O’Hara, Jeremy Jordan, and Jessie Mueller have joined a virtual lineup of Broadway stars taking part in The Seth Concert Series with Sirius XM host and Playbill contributor Seth Rudetsky. While normally held in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the performances will be held indoors from the stars' homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Up first is Tony winner Kelli O’Hara (The King and I; Kiss Me, Kate) May 31 and June 1. 

Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies Bonnie & Clyde) follows June 14–15. 

Since her Tony-winning turn in Beautiful—The Carole King Musical, Mueller (performing June 21–22) has gone on to originate the role of Jenna in Waitress and played Julie in the 2018 revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel.

Concerts take place at 8 PM ET on Sundays and 3 PM ET on Mondays. For tickets, visit TheSethConcertSeries.com.

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CLEVELAND OPERA FOR ALL, GREASE SING-ALONG, CPH ON-LINE CLASSES, BROADWAY  and more…  Roy Berko  (Member:  Cleveland Critics Circle, American Theatre Critics Association)   CBS TO AIR GREASE SING-A-LONG ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TONY SUNDAY   A sing-along version of the 1978 blockbuster Grease, based on the 1971 Broadway musical, will be broadcast on CBS next month as part of the network's Sunday Night Movies lineup.  Grease Sing-A-Long will air June 7 at 8:30 PM ET. The musical heads to the network on the day initially reserved for another celebration of theatre: the 74th annual Tony Awards.  ••••••••••••••••••• OPERA FOR ALL ONLINE   Cleveland Opera Theater’s pioneering Opera for All Online programming is presenting “Explore Opera,” an interactive educational program.  For information go to:  www.clevelandoperatheater.org/explore   ••••••••••••••••••• CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE FREE ON-LINE CLASSES To find out about Cleveland Play House’s free on-line classes go to:   https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/education/in-school/remote-learning •••••••••••••••••••••

BROADWAY ON DEMAND The new streaming service Broadway on Demand launches May 17. The "30 Days of Opening Nights" series marks its official kickoff and includes filmed presentations of Broadway titles, classes, concerts, interviews, and more. Among the filmed performances featured is Broadway's Allegiance, which makes its online streaming premiere May 29 following various showings in movie theatres. Members of the original 2015 Broadway company, including George Takei and Telly Leung, will also take part in a virtual red carpet. Earlier, Bandstand will air as part of a Memorial Day celebration May 25. Base membership is free, though the service will also include a Premium subscription option and occasionally feature ticketed pay-per-view events.   For more information, visit BroadwayOnDemand.com.   •••••••••••••••••••••• BOMBSHELL IN CONCERT The Actors Fund has teamed up with PEOPLE to offer a special one-night-only streaming event of “Bombshell in Concert,” featuring a reunion of original cast members from the NBC fan-favorite series Smash. The special event will stream Wednesday, May 20 at 8:00 PM ET exclusively on PEOPLE.com, PeopleTV, and PEOPLE’s Facebook and Twitter. The evening will be introduced by two-time Academy Award winner Renée Zellweger and, during intermission, Julie Klausner (Difficult People) will host a live, virtual reunion with the show’s original cast members including Christian Borle, Brian d’Arcy James, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, Katharine McPhee, Debra Messing, Leslie Odom Jr. •••••••••••••••••••••••• ALL BROADWAY SHOWS SUSPENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6 The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway theatre industry, has released an official statement: “With the ongoing suspension of Broadway performances due to COVID-19 continuing until further notice, the Broadway League is updating information regarding performance cancellations and ticketing protocol. While a date to resume performances is yet to be determined, Broadway theatres are now offering refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased for performances through September 6, 2020.”

SEE THE NANCE, ACT ONE, HAMILTON, ALLEGIANCE, and PRIDE SPECTACULAR CONCERT, BUT NOT SHOWS AT KARAMU OR CAIN PARK

LINCOLN CENTER:  BROADWAY FRIDAYS--CAROUSEL, ACT ONE, THE NANCE

Lincoln Center Will Stream Kelli O'Hara and Jessie Mueller in Carousel, Nathan Lane in The Nance, Santino Fontana in Act One
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts will launch its new series “Broadway Fridays,” featuring freedigital streams of past Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts.

Up first: June 5 at 8 PM, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel.

The performance with the New York Philharmonic features Tony winner Kelli O'Hara, Nathan Gunn and New York City Ballet dancers Robert Fairchild and Tiler Peck.

June -- Douglas Carter Beane's dark comedy The Nance, starring Tony winner Nathan Lane. 

James Lapine's Act One, about the life of Moss Hart, will be presented June 19 starring Tony winners Tony Shalhoub, Andrea Martin, and Santino Fontana. 

These archival broadcasts will be made available every Friday on Lincoln Center’s online arts portal #LincolnCenterAtHome and on Lincoln Center’s Youtube and Facebook pages. 

Additional Broadway offerings will be announced later. 

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2020 CAIN PARK SEASON IS CANCELED

A message from Cain Park: “It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce the cancellation of the Cain Park 2020 season after careful consideration for our patrons, artists, and staff. During these unprecedented times, the health and well-being of our community is at the heart of our decision-making. We look forward to a time when we can all gather again to enjoy the music, theater, dance and art in Cain Park.”

Tickets purchased for the 2020 Cain Park season will be automatically refunded. There is nothing you need to do but stay safe and healthy. 
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HAMILTON STARRING ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST, TO BE RELEASED ON DISNEY+

The Walt Disney Company, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeffrey Seller and Thomas Kail announced that Hamilton will be released on Disney+ on July 3, 2020. The presentation is the premiere of the filmed version of the original Broadway production, featuring the entire original cast.
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KARAMU HOUSE LAUNCHES AN ONLINE SUMMER ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE- AND HIGH-SCHOOLERS 

Karamu House launches its online arts education program in order to continue its summer arts education programming for students entering grades seven through 12. This year’s Summer Arts Intensive not only continues to offer performing arts study—including vocal performance, drama, and dance—but also courses in costume design (in partnership with the Center for Inspired Learning) and short film (in partnership with Cuyahoga Community College). 

The Summer Arts Intensive includes interactive online activities, live instructional classes, and one-on-one private sessions during a four-week period; the first session of classes begins Monday, June 1, 2020. 
For more information, visit www.karamuhouse.org.

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THE BROADWAY Q&A SERIES

The Growing Studio is partnering with Playbill to launch The Broadway Q&A Series, a free, weekly video series that will feature live interviews with Broadway professionals and faculty from major university theatre programs. The series will launch with Tony Award–winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman Monday, May 18 at 1PM ET. 

The series will continue with hour-long live interviews with Broadway professionals on Mondays and Wednesdays, and a session with a faculty member from two major university theatre programs each Friday. All streams will be hosted on Playbill.com and on Playbill's YouTube channel from 1–2 PM ET. Following the stream, interviews will be available on demand on Playbill.com.

Also scheduled to appear on the series are Jerry Zaks (May 20), Marc Shaiman (May 25), Warren Carlyle (May 27), Scott Ellis (June 1), Marc Bruni(June 3), JoAnn Hunter (June 8), Sam Gold (June 10), Andy Blankenbuehler (June 15), Jack O'Brien (June 17), Bartlett Sher (June 22), Lorin Latarro (June 24), Walter Bobbie (June 29), Jerry Mitchell (July 1), Sergio Trujillo (July 6), Denis Jones (July 8), Andrew Lippa (July 13), Alex Lacamoire (July 15), Kathleen Marshall (July 22), and Stafford Arima (July 27).

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PLAYBILL TEAMS UP WITH PRIDE PLAYS FOR MULTIPLE LIVE STREAM PRODUCTIONS THROUGHOUT JUNE

Each Friday in June, throughout June in celebration of Pride Month Playbill will present a live streamed theatrical event from the LGBTQIA+ theatrical canon on its website, as well as features, interviews, and more with the artists. 
Additional details, including titles and involved artists, will be announced shortly. 
The online festival will culminate in a Pride Spectacular Concert June 28 (Pride Sunday), featuring community performers sharing messages of pride and singing songs old and new. 

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NEW STREAMING SERVICE BROADWAY ON DEMAND ADDS ALLEGIANCE

The upcoming streaming service Broadway on Demand has revealed some of the offerings it will provide in its initial rollout. The "30 Days of Opening Nights" series begins with the platform's official launch May 17, and includes filmed presentations of Broadway titles, classes, concerts, interviews, and more.

Among the filmed performances featured is Broadway's Allegiance, which makes its online streaming premiere May 29 following various showings in movie theatres, while Bandstand will air as part of a Memorial Day celebration May 25.

Broadway on Demand will host the one-night-only A Night of Covenant House Stars benefit May 18, with Morgan Freeman and Usher now joining a lineup that already includes host Audra McDonald, Meryl Streep, Dolly Parton, Stephanie J. Block, and Dionne Warwick.

For more information, visit BroadwayOnDemand.com.
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AUDIO STREAMING VERSION OF JAMES INVERNE'S PLAY BRINGS TO LIFE THE TRUE STORY OF VIOLINIST JASCHA HEIFETZ

An audio version of James Inverne's A Walk With Mr. Heifetz, which made its world premiere in January 2018 Off-Broadway is currently available for streaming through June 2 on YouTube.

The play imagines the moment after famed Russian violinist Jascha Heifetz performed at a concert in pre-Israel Palestine in 1926. Legend has it that he had a conversation with Yehuda Sharett, composer and brother of future Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett, which would inform an important conversation with the leader 20 years later. 

A Walk With Mr. Heifetz streams for free to raise awareness for two Israeli charities, the AICF (America Israel Cultural Foundation) and Meir Panim. The AICF helps young Israeli artists when they need support; Meir Panim brings nutritious meals to Israel's poor with a special concentration on youth and Holocaust survivors. 
A Zoom discussion between the playwright, members of the cast, and Yael Medini, the daughter of Moshe Sharett, is also available for streaming by clicking here.

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Dobama’s 60th anniversary, No KeyBank shows until January, 2021 or Broadway until September, Radio on the Lake Theatre, CATS, and more……

 

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROY BERKO:  A TRIBUTE TO DOBAMA ON ITS 60^TH ANNIVERSARY

Late last year Dobama invited a dozen or so people to do a series of interviews meant to focus a spotlight on the theatre’s 60^th anniversary.  As an original member of the Dobama community I was one of those honored to be asked to participate.  Here is my interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEPvpKohvsg&feature=youtu.be
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LATEST NEWS FROM PLAYHOUSE SQUARE—KEY BANK BROADWAY SERIES

Gina Vernaci, CEO and President of CLE’s Playhouse Square, announced on May 11, 2020 that the organization has set a 2020-2021 schedule:  PRETTY WOMAN THE MUSICAL, January 5-24, 2021; THE PROM, March 9-28, 2021; AIN’T TOO PROUD, April 6-25, 2021; MOULIN ROUGE THE MUSICAL, May 5-June 6, 2021; MY FAIR LADY, June 8-22, 2021; HADESTOWN, July 6-25,2021; JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, August 5-22, 2021.  

She also stated, “Playhouse Square is working on plans to host a variety of activities and performances for fans to enjoy in 2020, including some from its resident companies Cleveland Play House and Great Lakes Theater.” 

Representatives of the organization will be contacting subscribers with options which include account credit, subscriptions or donating the value of the tickets to PHSquare.

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RADIO ON THE LAKE THEATRE

Radio on the Lake Theatre, dedicated to the preservation, creative development and educational outreach of the radio theater genre, announces a new online series. Radio on the Lake Presents...utilizes modern technology to connect with actors, directors and artists from across the United States to perform and record radio plays. The new series will present scripts from the golden age of radio drama as well as works from emerging contemporary playwrights.

New episodes of Radio on the Lake Presents... will drop Sunday evenings at 9 pm, and will be archived on our website. The plays are also available on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, SoundCloud, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Our first two performances, Zero Hour and The Hitchhiker, are now available. For more information, visit www.artsradionetwork.com/the-radio-plays

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BEN PLATT LIVE FROM RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL 
Tony winner Ben Platt's solo concert at Radio City Music Hall, filmed September 29 last year, will make its debut on Netflix next month: BEN PLATT LIVE FROM RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL will drop on the streaming platform May 20. Watch the new trailer above.
The performance, the final date of Platt's concert tour, featured songs from his debut solo recording, Sing to Me Instead, his new single “Rain,” and several covers. The broadcast marks the second Netflix project for the actor, who also starred in Ryan Murphy's The Politician.
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CATS

The YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On continues to air free, full-length recordings of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, with the filmed staging of Cats available May 15 at 2 PM ET for 48 hours. And join Playbill on Twitter for a live watch party at 7 PM ET, May 15.
Returning to the Cats stage as Grizabella for the 1998 presentation was Elaine Page, who originated the role in the West End. Ken Page also returned as Old Deuteronomy after originating the role on Broadway. Joining the pair are John Mills as Gus the Theatre Cat, Bryn Walters as Macavity, and Jacob Brent as Mistoffelees.

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CHAUTAUQUA CANCELS SUMMER PROGRAMS
Chautauqua Institution's board of trustees voted unanimously to cancel all in-person programming on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, N.Y., for summer 2020. 

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BROADWAY SHUTDOWN EXTENDED THROUGH THE SUMMER DUE TO ONGOING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS 

As the weather warms and the prospect of softer regulations looms, the Broadway League has confirmed that productions will now offer refunds and exchanges for performances through September 6 as Broadway remains dark over the summer. An exact return date has yet to be determined.
Ticketholders for performances through September 6 will be contacted via email by their point of purchase with information regarding refund and exchange options.

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Info while hunkering in 5/10/2020

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE ANNOUNCES SUMMER PLANS FOR “FROZEN” and “HAMILTON”

No one knows for sure, but according to Playhouse CEO and President Gina Gernaci, present plans call for FROZEN to open on August 15, 2020, three weeks later than originally planned.  This will be followed on September 22 by HAMILTON.  

All of this depends on the logistics of how to seat patrons, how they will enter the theatre, how to protect the cast, orchestra members, Playhouse Square personnel and the performers and technicians.  And, then there is the issue of how many of you will want to come.  Present surveys show that many will not make public appearances until there is vaccine and they “feel safe” to mix with masses of other people.

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CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA/BLOSSOM ANNOUNCEMENTS

•The Cleveland Orchestra announces cancellation of summer concerts at Blossom Music Center and Severance Hall
•2020 Blossom Music Festival and 2020 Summers@Severance seasons cancelled
•Two movie programs at Blossom are rescheduled to 2021 Festival season; 2020 Blossom Lawn Ticket Books will be valid for 2021 Festival; other tickets can be exchanged for future credit
•Orchestra’s annual free summer “Star-Spangled Spectacular” community concert to be rescheduled at a future date

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MUSICAL THEATRE PROJECT PRESENTS “AMERICAN IN PARIS” FILM AND DISCUSSION

·       Watch TMTP Artistic Director Bill Rudman's introduction (below) with insight and things to look for in the film.

·       Stream An American in Paris available on Amazon Prime(https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.0aa9f72b-932c-52c3-d145-64373feb7381?autoplay=1), iTunes, GooglePlay, YouTube (some fees may apply).

·       Join us Friday, May 1st at 7 PM on Zoom* for a LIVE streamed post-film discussion complete with Q&A. The link for our discussion is :https://zoom.us/j/98060526330?pwd=eFBjVTBvZnVMT0pmUisyT0M4bHBXUT09

·       The password to participate is: TMTPMOVIES

·       Can't watch live? Email us your questions and comments ahead of time to Bill@MusicalTheaterProject.org and we'll do our best to get them in the conversation and share the video of the Q&A with you soon!

*Zoom is a FREE online video conferencing platform. No account is necessary to participate in this conversation.

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13 Bernadette Peters Videos Getting Us Through #StayatHome

Watch highlights from the career of the three-time Tony Award recipient.

https://www.playbill.com/article/13-bernadette-peters-videos-getting-us-through-stayathome?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PlaybillPost

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21 Theatre-Related Online Resources for Kids and Families to Get You Through COVID-19

Here is a list of remote classrooms, virtual craft and dance workshops, celebrity bedtime stories, and much more.

https://playbill.com/article/19-theatre-related-online-resources-for-kids-and-families-to-get-you-through-covid-19

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A Funny Thing Happened to Whoopi Goldberg on the Way to Broadway

Revisit the EGOT winner's turn as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with this interview that's something familiar, something peculiar.

https://www.playbill.com/article/the-daily-distraction-a-funny-thing-happened-to-whoopi-goldberg-on-the-way-to-broadway?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PlaybillPost

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Please stay safe!  Respect other’s space and health!  

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