Roy Berko: Here and there and everywhere…Entertainment in the Pandemic 12.6.2020

 Roy Berko:  Here and there and everywhere…Entertainment in the Pandemic

ONE NIGHT ONLY, THE BEST OF BROADWAY

Tina Fey hosts NBC's One Night Only: The Best of Broadway, a primetime special celebrating the resilient Broadway community and featuring the Great Bright Way's top productions. The special airs Thursday, December 10, at 8 pm Eastern/Pacific. The two-hour show benefits Broadway Cares and features new performances from Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Chicago, Jagged Little Pill, Diana: The Musical, Jersey Boys, Mean Girls and Rent, with an appearance by the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, plus Josh Groban, Jake Gyllenhaal, Billy Porter, Vanessa Williams and dozens more

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BWU grad talks about SPRING AWAKENING

Colton Ryan, who appears in a lead role on television’s “Girl from the North Country”  talks about an ambitious production of Spring Awakening from his alma mater, Baldwin Wallace University.  American Theater magazine just chronicled how the musical theater department pulled it off, masks and all.  (Read my review at www.royberko.info)

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CLE PLAYREADING GROUP

Imagine cozying up by your fireplace (or space heater) with a warm blanket, mug of cocoa or glass of wine on a cold evening, and reading a play with some really cool people. The authors range from William Shakespeare to Caryl Churchill, and topics from murder mystery to musical comedy.
The Cleveland Actors’ Play Date (APD) is a local play reading group that does this once a month. Read the whole story by clicking HERE.

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CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE PRESENTS “THEATRE THURSDAY” 

Theatre Thursday is LIVE interactive virtual program focusing on CPH's core values of artistry, community, and life-long learning, presented on the third Thursday of each month, hosted by CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley and CPH Artistic Directing Fellow Stori Ayers. Theatre Thursday is a monthly interactive virtual event which will allow audiences to experience the artistry of CPH, connect directly with the makers of our work, and converse with staff and other audience members about the impact of our artistic work in our beloved community. 
 
Registration for Theatre Thursday is required in advance. Viewing access is "Pay What You Can," starting at $5. All events are live streamed via ZOOM and can be viewed on a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. For more information about Theatre Thursday, visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com/theatre-thursday
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NEAR WEST THEATRE PRESENTS All Roads Lead to Home

Near West Theatre (NWT) announced the second show in its most unconventional season thus far: All Roads Lead to Home, a performance showcase of popular music, spoken word, and storytelling by local artists and five decades of NWT alumni.
Performances will be streamed exclusively on demand online from December 18, 2020 through January 3, 2021. Tickets will go on sale on December 18. The theatre employs a pay what you can feature for every performance, with a suggested donation of $15 per streaming. www.nearwesttheatre.org.

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RUBBER CITY THEATRE PRESENTS . . .

Rubber City Theatre will feature several new plays and adaptations of classic favorites in its 2020-21 season. The lineup of performances includes a new take on “A Christmas Carol,” a military couple love story “Love in Reserve,” and a musical version of Dante’s “Inferno” called “Heartbreakers in Hell.” Plus, a very-Akron show is included in the lineup — a rubber factory-themed adaption of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” called “On the Line.” 
 
Though the programming is set, the shows’ formats haven’t been determined. “A Christmas Carol” will be streamed online for ticketholders, but the troupe hasn’t determined if 2021’s shows will take place virtually or in person at the troupe’s playhouse, at 243 Furnace Street. That will depend on CDC recommendations based on the coronavirus pandemic’s spread in 2021
 
Tickets to each show will be available to purchase on Rubber City Theatre’s website for around $20 a show, along with memberships for the whole season. A $30-$40 membership will discount ticket prices to $15 per production, and a flexible traditional membership ($100) includes one ticket to each production, along with readings and other members-only events. Here’s the full lineup, and read more about each play at rubbercitytheatre.com. 
 
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VIRTUAL TOURS OF BROADWAY

Take a virtual tour of Broadway's ruins, learn more about Hamilton on HamilTour, and introducing Broadway's newest Trivia Night at Social Selects!  To find out more, go to:
View Selects!
 
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BAH, HUMBUG

A Christmas Carol: Radio Play by Nancy Cates.  Adapted from the classic tale by Charles Dickens.  Live and free on Facebook each Saturday of December at 7pm, beginning December 5.

Just tune into our Facebook page.   Not a Facebook person? You’ll be able to hear it anytime thereafter at this link or listen as a podcast on Soundcloud.

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HERE AND THERE: BLANK CANVAS’S LIVE THEATRE, CPH PLANS FOR 20-21, DR. FAUCI’S THEATRE MESSAGE and more….

BLANK CANVAS’S STILL STANDING BRINGS LIVE THEATER TO CLE

On September 11 and 12, Blank Canvas Theatre held a live multimedia drive-in theater experience in the parking lot of their 78th Street Studios’ home.  

Using a series of windows in the building, accented with spotlights and special effects, director Pat Ciamacco cobbled together 16 songs that were intended to be “catchy, memorable and entertaining,” into a one-hour audience pleasing performance.  

Both showings were sold out.

The cast (Tasha Brandt, Eric Fancher, Madeline Krucek, Kate Leight Michaleski, Pat Miller, Julie Penzvalto, Danny Simpson, Michael Snider, Ned Spear and Darius Stubs) presented songs including “Pinball Wizard,” “We Beseech Thee,” “Where Do I Go,” “I’m Going Home” and “Beautiful City.”  The evening concluded with the affirming “I’m Still Standing.” 

The band included musical director Bradley Wyner, Matthew Dolan, Rachel Woods, Jesse Hodgson, Joe Parker, Jason Stebleton and Pat Boland.   

Ryan Wolf was the stage manager, Luke Scattergood designed the costumes, Richard Ingraham designed the sound and Monica Marie Salopeck designed the projections.

The audience, seated in their cars, which were appropriately distanced 6-feet apart, honked appreciation (2 beeps max) following each song and at the conclusion of the program.

Ciamacco’s message: “Tonight’s production isn’t a traditional revue.  Hell, it’s more like therapy.  Everyone involved in making this show happen needs this. We need to create and shout into the void.  While performing through windows isn’t normal, or ideal, we cannot be more thankful to be doing LIVE THEATRE!” 

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CPH HAS ZOOM MEET AND GREET

The Tony Award winning Cleveland Play House, along with the rest of the theater world, has experienced an angst-filled existence since March 13, 2020, when theatres went black.  

It was the purpose of the CPH Donor Meet and Greet to explain that while they are not able to present productions on their stages, they are finding creative ways to continue their work, albeit virtual for now.

Artistic Director Laura Kepley and a number of her staff spent an hour sharing the latest news about the on-going artistic and educational programs and those planned for the organization’s 105^thseason.

Since, the show must go on, as of now, the 2020-2021 season will be all digital.  That might change if the pandemic is contained and Actors Equity, the union for professional actors, can relax its restrictions on under what conditions actors may perform.  

The organization’s educational theater programs, though curtailed, continue.  

Starting September 17, the theatre will be presenting THIRD WEDNESDAY, a 90 virtual session featuring guest stars, performances and conversations.  For information and tickets go to:https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/2020/theatre-thursday-sep-17  

On 10-10-2020, Cluebaret (A COMEDIC MUSICAL CABARET), will go on-line.  The cast of CPH’s box-office hit, Clue: A New Comedy ,reunites in a hilarious musical broadcast to perform their favorite showtunes from Broadway musicals. Join us for a raucous night of singing, laughs, and hijinx!  For tickets and information go to:  https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/2020/cluebaret/media
 

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DR. ANTHONY FAUCI:  WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SIT IN THEATERS UNTIL A YEAR AFTER AN EFFECTIVE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IS CREATED.

Read more at:
https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/fauci-we-wont-be-able-to-sit-in-theaters-until-a-year-after-an-effective-coronavirus-vaccine-is-created/articleshow/78049700.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

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 ¡VIVA BROADWAY! CONCERT

Tony, Emmy, and Oscar nominee, Antonio Banderas, has joined the all-star line-up of Playbill and The Broadway League’s upcoming ¡VIVA Broadway! concert. Banderas will perform as part of the cast of his Spanish production of A Chorus Line. Anthony Ramos (Hamilton), will lead the reunion of the original Broadway cast of the Tony-winning musical. 

¡VIVA Broadway! Hear Our Voices is a digital concert in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month as well as Latinx milestones on Broadway and in theatre writ large, featuring an extraordinary roster of award-winning stage and screen Latinx talent. Hosted by Drama Desk Award winner Andréa Burns (In the Heights, On Your Feet!), the concert will premiere on Playbill.com and Playbill’s YouTube Channel October 1 at 8PM ET and remain available for viewing until October 5 at 8PM ET.

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TOO MANY CHEFS SPOIL THE SOUP!

The Jovialities Entertainment Company of Elyria will be presenting an online murder mystery, “Too Many Chefs Spoil the Soup!,” via Zoom, on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 7PM.  To get tickets link to  https://bit.ly/3aMsN58 

Tickets are $15 each, space is limited to 90 tickets, but each ticket is a GROUP ticket, so you can purchase one ticket and invite as many people as you are comfortable inviting into your home to view the event.  After purchasing your ticket, you will be provided a Zoom meeting link code and a password to enter the event. Guessing forms will be sent out in advance and collected at the end of the mystery via a Google Form and tabulated the night of the event for a prize valued at $25.

Berko: Here and There--THE PARKING LOT SOCIAL, Alex Berko plays, LOVE NOEL, THE MUNY 2020 SUMMER VARIETY HOUR LIVE!, CPT receives award, and more….

 

 

THE PARKING LOT SOCIAL

 

With the ability to host up to 250 cars at each event, The Parking Lot Social represents the next evolution in the 'drive-in' experience and each tour stop will offer five nights of incomparable entertainment with the emphasis on having a fantastic night out while maintaining social distancing recommendations.  

 

At the event's core, and setting it apart from a traditional drive-in experience, is its unique, custom-designed performance space.  This spectacular installation is a blend of art and technology and consists of a fully covered stage, two 40ft. screens, a 52ft. Tall Rainbow-Shooting Fire Hydrant, and two, larger than life, inflatable ‘Parking Lot Social’ gorillas!

 

With tickets beginning at $29, here are a highlight of each night’s entertainment schedule.

 

Wednesday, August 19^th - Tickets

Parking LOL Comedy Night – Come out and relieve some stress through the medicine of laughter, as a variety of local stand-up acts will ensure endless LOLs in your car at this dedicated stand-alone event.

 

Thursday, August 20^th - Tickets

Neon 90’s Movie Night – Join us for a special drive-in showing of a classic 90's movie on our two MASSIVE 40ft screens. And check out our very own Throwback DJ on the main stage playing all the biggest hits from the decade straight to your car stereo. Themed costume encouraged!

• Thursday Night Movie: Back to the Future II

 

Friday, August 21^st; Saturday, August 22^nd – Tickets

The Parking Lot Social – Engine Off, Party On! Experience the main event of the tour with a thrilling mix of Car-A-Oke, Boom Boom Bingo, Silent Disco DJ Battles, Trivia Contests, and much more. 

 

Friday, August 21^st; Saturday, August 22^nd – Tickets

Midnight Movies - Late night thrills are guaranteed at the showing of our midnight movies across our two massive 40ft screens. Live DJs complete the lineup.

• Friday Night Movie– The Fast and the Furious
• Saturday Night Movie- The Purge

 

Saturday, August 22^nd; Saturday, August 23^rd – Tickets

Social Kids – Families can enjoy The Parking Lot Social experience with a more kid-friendly environment that features: The Big Family Trivia Contest, Boy v Girl and Parent v Kid Silent Disco, kid’s themed Car-A-Oke and Bingo! A fun, safe day out for the entire family is guaranteed. 

 

Sunday, August 23^rd – Tickets

Family Movie Night – Grab the family and jump in the car for a classic drive-in movie experience that's suitable for all ages. Sing-along laugh along and don’t forget to share the popcorn as we deliver a truly memorable experience. Our mainstage DJ will get you all in the mood for an awesome family night out. 

• Sunday Night Movie – Grease

 

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds

19201 East Bagley Road

Middleburg Heights, OH 44130

 

For tickets and the complete The Parking Lot Social schedule, visit https://theparkinglotsocial.com/.

 

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FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE:  ALEX BERKO PLAYS “ANGRY YOUNG MAN”

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Ige-cvaPQ

 

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LOVE, NOEL by the Irish Rep

LOVE, NOËL: THE SONGS AND LETTERS OF NOËL COWARD,A PERFORMANCE ON SCREEN

Starring Steve Ross and KT Sullivan

 

RESERVATIONS ARE FREE (Irish Rep suggests a $25 donation per viewer for those who can afford to give.) Advance reservations are required. Your event link will be emailed 2 hours before your selected performance begins. Wednesday, August 12 at 3pm & 8pm, Thursday, August 13 at 7pm, Friday, August 14 at 8pm, Saturday, August 15 at 3pm (all times are EDT)

Reserve Now

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THE MUNY 2020 SUMMER VARIETY HOUR LIVE!

The St. Louis Muny has revealed the lineup for its final episode of THE MUNY 2020 SUMMER VARIETY HOUR LIVE!, a free series featuring footage from past summer shows at the outdoor venue, new songs and dances from Muny artists across the U.S., and more.

The live stream, scheduled for August 17 at 9:15 PM ET, will be available on the Muny's YouTube channel.

For information go to:

https://www.playbill.com/article/clips-from-a-chorus-line-gypsy-thoroughly-modern-millie-more-to-stream-on-munys-final-2020-summer-variety-hour-live?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PlaybillPost

 

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CPT will receive the National Theatre Conference's (NTC) 2020 Outstanding Theatre Award (OTA) this December.

 

NTC is a group of distinguished members of the American Theatre Community committed to connecting, supporting, and advocating for the American Theatre.

 

The organization, declaring "Cleveland Public Theatre is a truly outstanding organization" has announced that CPT will receive the Outstanding Theatre Award.

 

The award will be presented at NTC's 2020 Virtual Conference on Saturday, December 5th at 1:00 PM (ET)

 

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THE CITY IS OUR STAGE

 

Trad Burns, Sarah Morrison, and Chuck Karnak announce the brand-new event, The City is Our Stage. Created to celebrate and showcase some of Cleveland’s best Singers, Dancers, Actors, Musicians, Aerialists, and Performing Artists who currently don’t have a live performance outlet due to the Covid-19 crisis. With the temporary closure of Cleveland performance venues, The City Is Our Stage will take you, our Artistic Travelers, on an adventure through Cleveland's wide-ranging neighborhoods to discover a mystery bag of sight-specific artistic performances from the comfort of your automobile. 

As travelers, you will be able to purchase a ticket by choosing from an East Side, West Side, Downtown, or "Surprise me" location. Then you will have the opportunity to see different performances of varying styles. As an artistic traveler, you will have no idea what performance style you will get to see next, truly making this an adventure.

 

Each artistic journey will take around 2 hours, including short travel times between performances. Starting times vary by location.

 

For tickets, please visit.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-city-is-our-stage-tickets-113906110242

 

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VERB BALLET PRESENTS PETER AND THE WORLD

Verb Ballets presents Peter and the Wolf live online! The ballet choreographed by Pamela Pribisco is a captivating story of Peter and the Wolf as told through dance. The ballet introduces the plot through the different instruments of an orchestra and the dancers bringing the colorful characters to life. There will be an opportunity to learn the movements of some of the characters prior to the beginning of the performance! The tickets are pay what you wish of $5 or more.   August 14, 2020 6:00pm Private Virtual Live Stream Show

TICKETS>>

•••••••••••• NEWSIES  Playbill will stream Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical August 21. Part of the Playbill Playback series, the 7 PM ET stream will benefit The Actors Fund. Watch a trailer from the original theatrical release of the musical above. The free stream, presented in arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions and Disney+, will be available for viewing for one night only on Playbill.com. The event will also include appearances by Newsies cast members and will conclude with a new video, featuring cast members from the Broadway and North American tour productions of the Disney hit.

BERKO: CLEVELAND-CENTRIC ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PANDEMIC—PHSQUARE, SHAW FESTIVAL, CPT, GLTF AND MORE….

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE LISTS MUSICALS AND PERFORMANCE DATES

Cleveland’s Play House Square has announced a “buy it now and if something comes up, free ticket exchanges policy for the 2020-2021 season.  The shows planned are:

January 5-24, 2021--PRETTY WOMAN, THE MUSICAL
March 9-28, 2021—THE PROM
April 6-25, 2021—AIN’T TOO PROUD-- 
                   (THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS)
May 5-June 6, 2021—MOULIN ROUGE!
July 6-15, 2021--HADESTOWN

For information call 216-640-8800
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CLEVELANDERS DISAPPOINTED AS SHAW FESTIVAL CANCELS ALL AUGUST PERFORMANCES

Many Clevelanders travel to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada each spring, summer and fall to attend the Shaw Festival nestled in the prettiest little city in Canada.  

Unfortunately, The Shaw has released this message:  “The Shaw Festival is forced to cancel all public events and performances scheduled in August due to the extension of the Province of Ontario’s Emergency Orders and the continuation of the State of Emergency in the Province and Niagara. In discussion with and under the guidance of The Shaw’s insurer, it has become clear that scheduled performances cannot proceed as originally planned.”

"While we are disappointed with these further cancellations, we are focusing our energy on planning for the future so that we can safely welcome audiences back to our theatres, hopefully in September – even if in a more limited way," said Tim Jennings, Executive Director/CEO. "In the meantime, we continue to stay in touch with our patrons through a number of digital and other initiatives and thank you all for your support."

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OHIO LIGHT OPERA TO BE SILENT THIS SUMMER

The boards on the stage at the College of Wooster are silent this summer. Ohio Light Opera has cancelled its season for the first time since its inception in 1979. Well, not cancelled really — it will perform the scheduled 2020 season next year.

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GREAT LAKES THEATER CANCELS 2020 FALL REPERTORY

Great Lakes Theater (GLT) has cancelled the first two productions of its 2020-21 season (Jane Austen’s EMMA and Shakespeare’s HENRY V). Current ticketholder options for the cancelled productions include full refunds, exchanges into future productions through the theater’s 2021-22 season, and/or tax-deductible ticket donation opportunities. Outreach to ticketholders is ongoing.
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NELLIE MCKAY, IS COMING BACK TO NE OHIO TO PERFORM

NELLIE MCKAY will perform in a carefully-spaced outdoor concert on Saturday August 15 at Riverdog, which is 5 miles west of Oberlin in Wakeman.

A combination of songwriter, singer, pianist, and entertainer McKay will perform many of her original songs, which are filled with humor, as well as some wonderful classics. Preview her website or at her YouTube page.

Here is the link for more details and reserving your tickets (no tickets available at the door). 
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THE AMERICAN MUSICAL

Visit 22 film musicals in 12 minutes (skip the ads!):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_TvKH-qEJk
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THE RESURRECTION OF 42ND STREET

Ever wonder how Times Square and 42^nd Street were repurposed, the role of Disney in saving the American musical and the effect on American musical theatre?  Read this article:  https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/essays/resurrection-of-42nd-street/
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BROADWAY BARES IS SET TO GO VIRTUAL AUGUST 1
BROADWAY BARES is set to go virtual August 1. Produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the event will be available beginning at 9:30 PM ET on Playbill and at BroadwayCares.org.
Although the in-person 30th anniversary celebration, originally set for June 21, was postponed until 2021, the annual evening will live on digitally through streamed stripteases featuring New York City dancers. Viewers can expect new performances that make social distancing sexy, plus favorite numbers from years past and new appearances by special celebrity guests to be announced. 

ROY BERKO: HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE—CVLT STREAMS VISITING MR. GREEN, EXAMINE PSYCHOLOGY, MUSICAL STYLE AND CREATIVITY OF HAMILTON, PROJECT SING OUT!, FILM VERSIONS OF MUSICALS ON TV, BROADWAY SINGS FOR JOE KENNEDY III, KENT STATE GRAD ALICE RIPLEY TO PERFORM ON STAGE THIS SUMMER, AND MORE….

CHAGRIN VALLEY LITTLE THEATRE STREAMS VISITING MR. GREEN

On Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, CVLT will be streaming the archival video of Visiting Mr. Green for a pay-as-you-can admission. For details and advance reservation, visit https://cvlt.org/events/visiting-mr-green

"Visiting Mr. Green" stars veteran actor Don Edelman as Mr. Green, an elderly, grumpy, devoutly Jewish widower who wanders into New York City traffic, nearly being hit by the car of 29-year-old finance executive Ross Gardiner (played by Krystopher Perry). As a community service sentence, Gardiner is ordered to assist Mr. Green, visiting him weekly. What starts as a comedy about two men who do not want to be in the same room together becomes a gripping, moving drama as they get to know each other, opening old wounds they’ve been hiding and nursing for years.

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TMTP DISCUSSES MUSICAL DAMN YANKEES

On Thursday, July 23, the day before The Cleveland Indian’s home opener, watch TMTP’s Artistic Director Bill Rudman give his insights and what to look for in the film version of the hit musical DAMN YANKEES (staring Gwen Verdon and Tab Hunter). 

Here is how it works:  Stream DAMN YANKEES on Amazon Prime, iTunes and or You Tube (some fees may apply).   On Thursday, July 23 at 7 connect to Zoom for the discussion:  https://zoom.us/j/98060526330?pwd=eFBjVTBvZnVMT0pmUisyT0M4bHBXUT09

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GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PSYCHOLOGY, MUSICAL STYLE, AND STAGE CREATIVITY of HAMILTON

To gain an understanding of the psychology, musical style, and stage creativity of HAMILTON go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=782gnhUox64

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PROJECT SING OUT!

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift in education across the country, the Broadway community has come together to present PROJECT SING OUT!, a one-night-only livestreamed event to raise funds for the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) to support arts education, specifically in low-income communities and communities of color.

The livestreamed event, which will take place on Monday, July 20, at 7pm (EST), is presented in partnership with Playbill.com and can be viewed exclusively on Playbill.com’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page and stars Chita Rivera, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Roberts, Vanessa Williams, Don Cheadle, Peppermint, Brandon Victor Dixon, Hailey Kilgore, and more.

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MOVIES STREAMING THAT CAPTURE THE MAGIC OF THE MUSICAL ON STAGE

Check out this list of movie musicals currently streaming that capture the magic of the stage with its own Hollywood twist.
Available on Amazon 

Guys and Dolls
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons
Nathan and Adelaide have been engaged for 14 years—put off over and over because of the floating crap game he hosts. Songs include “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat,” and more.

Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical
Starring: Kristen Bell, Neve Campbell, Alan Cumming, Steven Webber
The cult favorite campy musical comedy about the dangers of marijuana.

Flower Drum Song
Starring: Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Benson Fong
Nominated for five Oscars, the adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1958 musical finds a young woman arriving in San Francisco's Chinatown from Hong Kong with the intention of marrying a nightclub owner, unaware he is involved with one of his singers.

Hello Again
Starring: Audra McDonald, Martha Plimpton, Cheyenne Jackson, T.R. Knight
10 interlocking scenes capture a pair of lovers just prior to, or immediately following, intense, but all-too-brief sexual intimacy. 

Sweeney Todd
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman
Villainous Judge Turpin wants the beautiful wife of a London barber and has him shipped away on false charges. When the barber returns to London 15 years later, he is thirsty for revenge. But don’t worry, there’s also a beautiful love story in this adaptation of the Hugh Wheeler-Stephen Sondheim classic.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Starring: Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Jack Gilford, Buster Keaton
This musical comedy set in Ancient Rome follows the story of the slave Pseudolus. Featuring a score by Stephen Sondheim, the musical includes hits like “Comedy Tonight” and “Lovely.”
 
Available on Netflix

Jersey Boys
Starring: John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda, Vincent Piazza
The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the 2005 Tony-winning Best Musical was written by Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman.

West Side Story 
Starring: Natalie Wood (Marni Nixon does the singing), George Chakiris, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno.  Jerome Robbins directed and choreographed the then-modern-day Romeo & Juliet story of rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks.

Fiddler on the Roof 
Starring: Chaim Topol
The 1964 musical “Tradition musical” by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick with songs like “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “Sunrise Sunset.” 

Available on HBOMax

Chicago
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere
Widely considered the film that revived the modern movie musical, the adaptation of Fosse’s musical earned 13 Oscar nominations and won six trophies.

Cabaret
Starring: Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Fritz Wepper
There’s nothing better than watching the story of Sally Bowles, and the dancers and patrons of the Kit Kat Club unfold in Berlin amid the background of the Weimar Republic. The score from Kander and Ebb includes “Mein Herr,” “Willkommen,” and the title number. 

Hairspray
Starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Nikki Blonsky, Brittany Snow
Based on the 1988 John Waters film, Hairspray takes us to Baltimore where plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad fight for civil rights and representation on TV. The score includes “Mamma I’m a Big Girl Now,” “Welcome to the ’60s,” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Starring: John Cameron Mitchell, Andrea Martin, Michael Pitt, Miriam Shor
The Off-Broadway hit musical follows the trials and tribulations of a touring rock and roll band fronted by Hedwig, an East German transgender singer. 

Little Shop of Horrors
Starring: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin
A down-on-his-luck plant-shop worker on Skid Row gains fame after finding a man-eating plant while pursuing a troubled romance with his lovable co-worker Audrey. The score includes “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour.”

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AMADEUS STREAMING

National Theatre's 2016 revival of Peter Shaffer's Tony winning AMADEUS, starring Lucian Msamati as Salieri and Adam Gillen as Mozart, streamed July 16 as National Theatre at Home’s series of rebroadcasts concludes its inaugural season on National Theatre’s YouTube. It will remain free to watch on demand through 2 PM ET July 23. Donations to support the U.K. theatre community are encouraged.
 
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BROADWAY SINGS FOR JOE KENNEDY III 

In conjunction with the Campaign for Kennedy for Massachusetts, Group5 Productions will present Broadway Sings for Joe Kennedy III beginning July 21.

The 30-minute, pre-taped virtual concert, will be followed by a Q&A moderated by Tony and Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. 
Viewers can also expect appearances by Senatorial candidate Kennedy plus cast members from HAMILTON, THE LION KING, THE COLOR PURPLE, WICKED, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, AND HELLO, DOLLY.

Tickets begin at $5. Click here for ticket information.

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HOWARD ASHMAN DOCUMENTARY FOCUSING ON DISNEY+

HOWARD, a documentary focusing on the life and work of director-book writer-lyricist Howard Ashman, will arrive on Disney+ beginning August 7. 
Among artists interviewed for the film are his most frequent composer-collaborator Alan Menken; Jodi Benson, who starred in Ashman's 1987 Broadway musical SMILE and voiced Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID and Paige O'Hara, the voice of Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

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ALICE RIPLEY, KENT STATE GRAD, TO PERFORM LIVE IN CONCERT THIS SUMMER

Forestburgh Playhouse in Sullivan County, New York, will offer a series of concerts at its outdoor venue featuring Broadway favorites later this summer. The performances have social distancing and sanitization protocols in place. 
The SEVENTY-FIVE AND THRIVE lineup kicks off July 18 with Kyle Taylor Parker (Kinky Boots) in an evening of soul renditions of Broadway staples.
The final performance, August 22 features Tony winner and Kent State University grad Alice Ripley(NEXT TO NORMAL) August 22.
For more information, visit FBPlayhouse.org.

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