News

Major Broadway Theater Operator Sues Insurers For Coronavirus Payments

Source: ArtsJournal.com | Posted: August 28 2020 @ 8:31 am

“Jujamcyn Theaters, the operator of five Broadway houses, has sued its insurers for denying it millions of dollars that the theater company says it deserves as payment for the losses suffered during the monthslong coronavirus pandemic shutdown.” – The New York Times

Exclusive Sneak Peek: Watch the September Episode of Broadway Profiles, Featuring Stars of Hadestown, Diana, Mean Girls & More

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: August 27 2020 @ 4:36 pm

Before it airs nationwide next month, we're offering a sneak peek at the newest episode of Broadway Profiles! Hosted by PIX11's Emmy-winning anchor Tamsen Fadal and powered by Broadway.com, the September episode will air in New York City on September 6 at 6:00PM ET on WPIX and throughout the month across the country. Be on the lookout for Broadway Profiles, the only nationally syndicated theater news program, on your local TV station.

Featured this month:

• Royalty is about to arrive on Netflix. The producers of Diana are making the bold move to bring the musical to the streaming service before its Broadway run begins. The show was slated to open on March 31, just two weeks before the shutdown. Broadway.com’s Paul Wontorek catches up with the musical’s stars.
• Sit down with Sarah Stiles, who was in last year’s hit musical Tootsie and can also be seen in Showtime’s Billions and Epix’s Get Shorty. She talks about using her recently released EP You Can Ukulele With Me.
• Hadestown's Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer is doing her part to keep fans entertained with some incredible online musical performances. Plus, hear from the Tony-winning creators of Hadestown, Anais Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin. …

Odds & Ends: Mj Rodriguez, Wendell Pierce Among Stars Set for HBO's Between the World and Me

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: August 27 2020 @ 2:54 pm

Here's a quick roundup of stories you might have missed recently.

Stage Names Tapped for HBO Special Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me was originally adapted and staged at the Apollo Theater in 2018, now it's gearing up to be a starry HBO special. The cast will include Mj Rodriguez, Wendell Pierce, Janet Mock, Angela Bassett, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Oprah Winfrey and more, according to Variety. Between the World and Me will combine elements of the Apollo Theater production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will once again be directed by Kamilah Forbes. The special, which is currently in production under COVID-19 guidelines, will debut this fall and will also be available to stream on HBO Max.

Applications Open for Broadway Advocacy Coalition Fellowship
As previously announced, the Broadway Advocacy Coalition has created an inaugural fellowship program. The BAC "Artivism" Fellowship will support artist activists using their tools to have an impact on the world around them, providing financial support, mentorship, networking opportunities and education workshops. The inaugural class of fellows will specifically support Black, female-identifying artist activists in the United States who are focused on issues related to systemic racism and …

A Need For Boldness In Rethinking The Arts

Source: ArtsJournal.com | Posted: August 27 2020 @ 11:31 am

We should be deeply skeptical of Trumpian fantasies of business-as-usual on the horizon. There is evidence that the pandemic, when it comes to attending live entertainment events, is changing consumer habits. The lockdown is strengthening two old choke holds on live theater’s existence — convenience and price point. – ArtsFuse

Lin-Manuel Miranda Joins Blake Lively, Richard Gere & Diane Keaton in New Movie The Making Of

Source: Broadway.com | Posted: August 27 2020 @ 10:37 am

Hamilton mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda just added another film project to his roster. The Tony winner has been tapped to join Blake Lively, Richard Gere and Diane Keaton in the new rom-com The Making Of. Variety reports that Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz's script for the film centers on a pair of married filmmakers (Gere and Keaton) who cast actors (Lively and Miranda) to play younger versions of themselves while their own marriage is falling apart.

Miranda, has many screen projects in the works. In addition to the upcoming film version of In the Heights, he is working with Alan Menken on new songs for a live-action movie adaptation of The Little Mermaid and directing the film adaptation of Jonathan Larsen's Tick, Tick... Boom for Netflix. As previously reported, production had to pause on that film due to the coronavirus crisis.

Lively is known for her onscreen performances in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Gossip Girl, Elvis and Anabelle, The Town, Green Lantern, The Age of Adaline, The Shallows and more. Gere's numerous onscreen credits include Looking for Mr. Goodbar (opposite Keaton), American Gigolo, An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman, the movie version of …