News

Bernadette Peters & Elaine Paige to Host Virtual Adoption Event West End Woofs

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: October 14 2020 @ 10:52 am

Two theater royals are teaming up for a great cause! Bernadette Peters, who co-founded the starry annual adoption event Broadway Barks, is now helping to launch the first ever U.K. installment entitled West End Woofs. The virtual event will be co-hosted by Elaine Paige and feature a slew of beloved West End performers to be announced as well as adorable dogs and cats looking for their forever homes. The livestream will take place on Broadway.com on November 9 at 7PM GMT (3PM ET).

The spotlight will be on pets from participating shelters, including Staffie & Stray Rescue, Forever Hounds and Leicester Animal Aid, to name a few. They are hoping to bring love and happiness, not only to the rescues, but to the loving families ready to welcome them home.

“I’m thrilled to be co-hosting West End Woofs with my pal Bernadette," Paige said in a statement. "I’m hoping it will become as popular and as successful as it’s been in the U.S. over the past 22 years. As we all continue to deal with this dreadful pandemic, we’re turning more and more to our four-legged friends for companionship. It would be fantastic if we can help …

Christiani Pitts Set for Upcoming Alicia Keys Netflix Film

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: October 14 2020 @ 10:24 am

Former King Kong star, and Broadway.com vlogger, Christiani Pitts is set to appear in an upcoming Alicia Keys-produced Netflix film. Pitts joins the previously announced Christina Milian, Jay Pharoah and Sinqua Walls. Steven Tsuchida is directing from a screenplay by Dana Schmalenberg and Rheeqrheeq Chainey.

The currently untitled romantic comedy is about aspiring pop star Erica, who ends up as the entertainment at her ex-fiancé’s wedding after reluctantly taking the gig in the wake of a music-career meltdown.

Pitts was most recently seen as Ann Darrow in King Kong. She made her Broadway debut in A Bronx Tale as an ensemble member and went on to take over the leading role of Jane.

Also joining Pitts on screen is Karen Obilom, Alexander Hodge, TJ Power, Sylvaine Strike, Jeryl Prescott and Tymberlee Hill. More information, including movie title and production timeline, will be announced at a later date.

Les Misérables' Tony-Winning Lyricist Herbert Kretzmer Dies at 95

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: October 14 2020 @ 10:06 am

Herbert Kretzmer, who won a 1987 Tony Award for penning the lyrics to the musical Les Misérables, has died at the age of 95. The New York Times reports that his agent Marc Berlin confirmed Kretzmer passed away on October 14 at his home in London.

Born on October 5, 1925 in Kroonstad, South Africa, Kretzmer was first a journalist, writing first for the Johannesburg Sunday Express. He then relocated to London in 1954 and wrote features and columns for the city's newspapers, serving as the theater critic for The Daily Express for 16 years and as a television critic for The Daily Mail for eight.

In addition to being a journalist, Kretzmer wrote lyrics for the BBC's satirical television program That Was The Week That Was. He also collaborated with French singer Charles Aznavour on numerous songs, including international hits "She" and "Yesterday, When I was Young."

Producer Cameron Mackintosh approached Kretzmer about taking on the English retelling of the French musical Les Misérables. The show opened on October 8, 1985 at the Barbican Centre in London. Then, on December 4, 1985, the show transferred to the Palace Theatre and moved again on April 3, …

What To Do (Without Broadway!): A Day-to-Day Schedule

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: October 14 2020 @ 10:00 am

Even with Broadway on hold, there's plenty to do. Trust the Broadway.com editors to get you in on the best online events, theater-centric films, TV shows and more!

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Encores! Inside the Revival Launches
City Center's digital documentary series features Lear deBessonet and Clint Ramos opening up their creative process through one-on-one conversations with the artists invested in reviving Encores! productions, including Billy Porter's reimagining of The Life, Kenny Leon's take on The Tap Dance Kid and more.
Watch on City Center's YouTube Channel

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Melissa Errico's Concert Series Starts @ 7PM ET
Tony nominee Melissa Errico's three-part livestreamed concert series Il Parle, Elle Chante begins. The concerts feature Francophile songs about love, desire and mystery. The New Yorker’s Adam Gopnik joins Errico for discussions on culture and art.
Get Tickets.

 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Love and Southern D!scomfort & Present Perfect @ 7PM ET
New York Theatre Barn's New Works Series explores excerpts from these two fresh musicals. The former features Tony winner Nikki M. James and deals with the burdens a family legacy can bear. The latter includes Mauricio Martínez and tells a uniquely American story with a contemporary twist, infectious …

How The UK’s Famous Drama Schools Are Responding To Calls For Systemic Change In Theatre

Source: ArtsJournal.com | Posted: October 14 2020 @ 8:02 am

“For many, British drama schools are beacons of excellence, whose training has led to fulfilling careers, but for others they have become symbols of all that is wrong with British theatre. The heads of some of the UK’s most prestigious schools speak to Lyn Gardner about finding the balance between tradition and change.” – The […]