The Broadway show thread where we discuss all things Broadway

[Imzadi]

I suspect us live theater folk will be the very last group to get back to work.

In NYS, the Arts & Entertainment sector and Education are scheduled last as part of Phase 4 for reopening. (Some regions will be able to start Phase 1 on Friday, which is: Construction, manufacturing, curbside pick up for some retail.)

The local news interviewed some Broadway producer who said Broadway theatres cannot financially put on a production at even 40% capacity. And the only show that can get away with having the actors masked during performance is, "Phantom of the Opera." (His mask is actually over his eye. So, not even him.) They will most likely be depending on medical advancements, like a vaccine.

 

[Araminta18]

This Friday, in addition to whatever Andrew Lloyd Webber free show will be showing at 2pm, Playbill will be streaming the revival of The King and I, at 8pm. It stars Tony Award winner, Kelli O’Hara as Mrs. Anna Leonowens, Ken Watanabe as The King, Tony Award winner, Ruthie Ann Miles as Lady Thiang, Dean John-Wilson as Lun Tha, and Na-Young Jeon as Tuptim.

Follow along with the official Playbill Twitter account, as well as the Rodgers & Hammerstein Twitter and Instagram for trivia, fun facts, and giveaways. Use #RNHMovieNight if you’ll be watching with them.

It starts on Friday at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.
It is free for everyone in North America to enjoy thanks to BroadwayHD. The free stream will be available for only 48 hours.

The link to watch will be below, starting at 8pm Friday night:

https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AW2GtQ1Zpx3F9_4AqeuR

Ruthie Ann Miles just announced the birth of her daughter - Hope Elizabeth. Such a spot of good news, especially after the tragedy she endured a few years ago where she lost both her toddler-aged daughter and the baby she was carrying (7 months pregnant).

 

[ImprovGal]

I suspect us live theater folk will be the very last group to get back to work.

I agree.
My improv group has been running a modified version of our short form shows using zoom. Some structures work better than others in this format.
But we know it will be quite some time before we return to our regular performance space because our shows normally put us in such close contact with audience members and each other.

 

[Imzadi]

This weekend's Andrew Lloyd Webber free show is a STAGE production of Cats. With a star cast including Elaine Paige and Sir John Mills. It's NOT the movie abomination that came out last year.

Starts tomorrow at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT. Will stream for only 48 hours.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

This weekend's Andrew Lloyd Webber free show is a STAGE production of Cats. With a star cast including Elaine Paige and Sir John Mills. It's NOT the movie abomination that came out last year.

Starts tomorrow at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT. Will stream for only 48 hours.

I got to see the show on B'way...man it was a great show.

 

[Imzadi]

Disney just announced that when Broadway does reopen, Frozen will NOT be returning as one of the Broadway shows. Refunds for tickets will be issued in 30 days.

The North American tour is expected to resume. No date set yet for that.

 

[elgerber]

Disney just announced that when Broadway does reopen, Frozen will NOT be returning as one of the Broadway shows. Refunds for tickets will be issued in 30 days.

Are they scrapping the tour too?

 

[Imzadi]

Are they scrapping the tour too?

I just went back and edited my post. The tour IS expected to resume. No date set yet for when it will start.

 

[PortMickey]

Broadway Shows could be a huge part part of Disney+ streaming service.

This article has some interesting thoughts on how LIVE and recorded Broadway shows could be a huge draw to Disney+

It would be really cool if Disney+ has LIVE STREAM EVENTS of actual Broadway shows. Maybe the first Friday night of the month or definitely something around the Holidays. Something great for the fans and subscription numbers. It would also create new fans and intrest in attending shows in person. Win-win!

https://www.techradar.com/news/disn...cals-and-hamilton-could-be-just-the-beginning

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Ruthie Ann Miles just announced the birth of her daughter - Hope Elizabeth. Such a spot of good news, especially after the tragedy she endured a few years ago where she lost both her toddler-aged daughter and the baby she was carrying (7 months pregnant).

What a lovely name -- especially given the context -- and such wonderful news!

 

[Imzadi]

New Streaming Service: Broadway on Demand Launched on May 17

https://www.playbill.com/article/new-streaming-service-broadway-on-demand-launches-may-17

"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.

Broadway on Demand will also be the home of New York City Ballet Principal Tiler Peck's ongoing daily class Turn It Out With Tiler, as well as Frankie James Grande's Dream Role series.

Original weekly programming created specifically for the service will include the designer-focused The Craftsmen with photographer Matthew Murphy, the YouTube spiral-inspired Broadway Fanatic with Laura Heywood, the cabaret series Acoustic Café (launching May 20 with special guest Adam Pascal), and First Look: New Musicals, offering sneak peeks at in-development titles.

Base membership is free, though the service will also include a Premium subscription option and occasionally feature ticketed pay-per-view events.

"Even before our current crisis, we've long dreamt of building a platform that would truly fulfill Broadway's long-held promise of being 'the longest street in the world,'" says Broadway on Demand President and CEO Sean Cercone, who is also president of Broadway Licensing. "This platform is our way of breaking down geographical and economic barriers so that the entire world can partake in all the wonders that Broadway has to offer."


For more information, visit BroadwayOnDemand.com. "
​

 

[Imzadi]

There are no more Andrew Lloyd Webber free musicals each weekend. Instead, the company who organized that is now doing different full length FREE musicals.

This week's musical is: Hairspray Live! which tells the inspiring story of Tracy Turnblad (newcomer Maddie Baillio), a plump teen in 1962 Baltimore who wins a spot on a local TV dance program and ignites a campaign to integrate the show. The three-hour live event is directed by Tony Award®-winner Kenny Leon and features choreography from Tony Award®-winner Jerry Mitchell. The all-star cast includes Kristin Chenoweth, Harvey Fierstein, Ariana Grande, Derek Hough, Jennifer Hudson and Martin Short. (Original Title - Hairspray Live!) - 2016 Universal Studios.

Starts tomorrow, Friday at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT. Will stream for only 48 hours.

 

[StageTek]

I was a camera operator on that show...

 

[Imzadi]

Not Broadway, but I don't know if you guys know about the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's YouTube channel: StorylineOnline. It has many full length children's stories read by actors. It's very high quality. It isn't done with the actors holding up the books, where the illustrations in the book are too far away and fuzzy or shown at a tilted angle. They take the actual illustrations and animate parts of them while the actor reads. Most stories are between 4 minutes to 12 minutes long. Just long enough to keep a kid's attention.

https://www.youtube.com/user/StorylineOnline/videos

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I was a camera operator on that show...

Cool!

 

[Imzadi]

This weekend, no free musical from the company that gave us the free Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals & Hair Live They are doing a blackout in support for Black Lives Matter.

On a related note: Some Off Broadway theatres are opening their doors to allow protestors in to use the bathrooms, get water and to charge their phones.

 

[Imzadi]

The Wiz Live! is this weekend's free musical. Starring Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, Uzo Aduba, and Ne-Yo.

Available now, Friday at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT. Will stream for only 48 hours.

 

[Imzadi]

The Sound of Music Live! is this weekend's free musical. Starring Carrie Underwood.

Available Friday at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT. Will stream for only 48 hours.

 

[Imzadi]

I came across this interview with Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. They were set to star in Neil Simon's, Plaza Suite, on Broadway. It was set to premiere the day Broadway shut down. There still is some hope that when Broadway finally reopens, that they will be able to pick right back up to before the "Pause."

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Some good news:
https://www.theatermania.com/broadw...etter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=25jun2020