Today's Featured Article:

[ TM ]  July Leftovers, by Peter Filichia

Peter remembers I'll Be Damned, Imaginocean, Bachelorette, and more.

Features:

[ ND ]  We feel pretty . . . upset over 'West Side' cuts by LINDA WINER

It is sobering to know that, since July 13, a synthesizer has been playing five parts in the 1957 masterwork that Leonard Bernstein and his orchestrators imagined would always be connected to the heat of human vibrations.

[ NYT ]  Summer's Stock: Angst By CHARLES ISHERWOOD

It may be the season for breezy entertainment, but you wouldn't know it from New York's theaters.

[ NYT ]  Slide Show: Summer's Sturm und Drang

[ NYT ]  Theater Talkback: Preaching to the Choir on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'? By MARC WOLF

The actor and writer Marc Wolf wonders if his solo show about gay men and women in the military can, or should, change people's minds.

[ NYT ]  London Theater Journal: 12 and Miserable By BEN BRANTLEY

[ BE ]  Homecoming in 'Our Town' By Jeffrey Borak

For director Nicholas Martin, his production of "Our Town" on the Williamstown Theatre Festival Main Stage, where it opened Thursday night, marks a homecoming and a homeleaving.

[ iB ]  Acting Couple Make 'Our Town' A Family Affair By Phyllis McGuire

Dylan and Becky Ann Baker play husband and wife - but not with each other - in WTF's 'Our Town.'

[ TM ]  Kevin Kline Gives Something Extra By: Leslie (Hoban) Blake

The multi-award winning actor talks about starring in the new film The Extra Man and his other upcoming projects.

Reviews:

[ WSJ ]  Love Among the Redwoods

Shakespeare Santa Cruz delivers a completely successful "Love's Labour's Lost" and a vigorous "The Lion in Winter," says Terry Teachout.

[ BE ]  White on white in color By Jeffrey Borak

Under Matthew Richards' lighting on Barrington Stage Company's Mainstage, "Art" is filled to its borders with a rich, full palette.

[ CU ]  The Prince of Homburg

The Donmar celebrates the little known Heinrich von Kleist

News:

[ P ]  "Learnin' the Blues": Tharp's Come Fly Away Will Close on Broadway Sept. 5

[ TM ]  Twyla Tharp's Come Fly Away to Close September 5, National Tour to Launch in May 2011

[ P ]  John Cullum Will Be Part of Broadway's Scottsboro Boys

[ TM ]  John Cullum to Join Broadway Company of The Scottsboro Boys

[ NYT ]  Cherry Lane Says Stage to Darken Over Deficit By FELICIA R. LEE

The Cherry Lane Theater in Greenwich Village says a shortfall of roughly $167,000 means it won't produce plays for a year or more.

[ TM ]  Cherry Lane Theatre to Restructure; Gretchen Cryer, David Henry Hwang, Jean-Claude van Itallie Named to Mentor Project

[ P ]  Due to Deficit, Cherry Lane Theatre Will Not Produce Works On Its Mainstage

[ G ]  Tom Stoppard returns to BBC with Ford Madox Ford adaptation by James Robinson

Playwright's five-part BBC2 version of the first world war story Parade's End will be his first projects for corporation since 1970s

[ P ]  Lynda Gravatt, Christopher Evan Welch and More Will Join Elizabeth Marvel in NYTW's Little Foxes

[ P ]  Marcia Milgrom Dodge and Xanthe Elbrick Set for Venus Flytrap Premiere

[ TM ]  Xanthe Elbrick to Star Off-Broadway in Venus Flytrap

[ P ]  Second Stage Uptown's Bachelorette Will Party On Through Aug. 28

[ TM ]  Second Stage Theatre Extends Bachelorette Through August 28

[ B ]  Second Stage Uptown's Bachelorette Extends a Second Time

[ TM ]  Colin Quinn's Long Story Short, Directed by Jerry Seinfeld, Extends Run Through September 4

[ P ]  Long Story Short, Starring Colin Quinn, Extends Off-Broadway

[ P ]  Fall Mufti Series to Feature Coco, Roar of the Greasepaint, Mama and Wife

[ P ]  New York Musical Theatre Festival Adds Six New Shows

[ TM ]  Andrew Garman, Sarah Nina Hayon, Danielle Slavick Set for Samuel D. Hunter's A Bright New Boise

[ P ]  Karen Clark Sheard to Star in Church Girl at the Beacon Theatre

[ P ]  Darrell Hammond, Chris Bauer Will Join Richard Kind and Reg Rogers in Mamet's Romance at Bay Street

[ P ]  EXCLUSIVE: Gary Beach, Georgia Engel, Danny Gurwin, Michel Bell Will Ride a Show Boat at the Muny

[ P ]  Maltby and Shire's Closer Than Ever to Receive London Revival; Casting Announced

[ B ]  Andrew Scott, Lisa Dillon & Tom Burke to Star in the Old Vic's Design for Living

[ B ]  OMG! Live Cast Recording of West End Legally Blonde Sets Release Date

[ P ]  "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" to Play Radio City With 300 Musicians

[ P ]  Angela Lansbury to Present Marian Seldes With Award at Fall Cabaret Convention

[ P ]  The Last Dance Reading Features Barbara Barrie, Dick Latessa, Tommy Tune, Dick Cavett and More

[ V ]  Actress-casting director Forrest dies

Played incompetent secretary in 'LA Law'

[ LAT ]  Travis Preston to head CalArts theater school

[ P ]  Debbie Reynolds Will Be Alive & Fabulous at the El Portal Theatre

[ TM ]  Debbie Reynolds to Bring Solo Show to El Portal Theatre in September

[ TM ]  Stephen Schwartz to Be Honored at Westport Country Playhouse's Gala in September

[ P ]  Westport to Offer The Magical Music of Stephen Schwartz in September

[ TM ]  "50 Years of The Fantasticks" to Air on PBS and CUNY TV

[ P ]   "50 Years of The Fantasticks" to Air on PBS and CUNY TV

[ P ]  Elaine Paige to Record New CD With Producer Phil Ramone

[ TM ]  Elaine Paige to Tape Radio Show, Record New CD in New York City

[ B ]  Elaine Paige Arrives in NYC to Record CD with Producer Phil Ramone

[ P ]  Spring Awakening's Eryn Murman to Star in Iphigenia

[ P ]  Simon Phillips to Step Down as Artistic Director of Melbourne Theatre Company

[ TM ]  Karen Murphy, Daryl Sherman, Shonn Wiley, et al. Set for August Events at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle

[ P ]  My Vaudeville Man! Stars Karen Murphy and Shonn Wiley to Make Barnes & Noble Appearance

[ P ]  Kurt Peterson Will Sing Sondheim Unplugged Aug. 2 in NYC

[ P ]  TheatreWorks' Piazza to Feature Rebecca Eichenberger, Whitney Bashor, Martin Vidnovic

[ P ]  TCG Awards Honor Bernard Gersten and Anne Kauffman

[ P ]  Carol Channing, Robert Morse, Shelley Berman and George Segal Among Guests at Comedy Talks Panels

[ P ]  Brandon Victor Dixon, Frankie James Grande, Adam Kantor and More Set for Free Safe Space Concert

[ P ]  PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, July 24-30: Pacino on Broadway

[ P ]  Alan Cumming and Billy Porter Will Be Part of Veritas Fundraising Event

[ P ]  Don Amendolia to Direct Kate Dawson in Birdland Debut

[ P ]  Jacobs-Jenkins Neighbors Will Move to Los Angeles in August; Casting Announced

[ P ]  Daniel Boys and Sister Act's Patina Miller to Celebrate the Work of Kooman and Dimond

[ P ]  TV's Jon Hamm, Ken Olin, Patricia Wettig and Broadway's Megan McGinnis Read New Works

[ P ]  Daniel Breaker and Condola Rashad Will Perform in Ruined Benefit Concert

[ P ]  Casting Announced for Spellbound: A Musical Adventure

[ P ]  Casting Announced for Readings of New Musical Mary the Magdalene

[ P ]  Sanchez Also Working on Play About Anne Frank's Levin, The Idealist

[ P ]  Timothy Haskell to Stage Nightmare: Superstitions Haunted House

[ P ]  London Cast Recording of Sound of Music, With Petula Clark, Due on CD in September

[ P ]  Pittsfield's Colonial Theatre to Welcome Broadway Actors in August

[ P ]  Susan Lucci to Write Her Memoirs

[ TM ]  Susan Lucci to Write Memoir

[ P ]  Charity Cabaret Series to Feature Guest Broadway Performer and New Talent

[ TM ]  Ann Hampton Callaway Set for The Lady Is a Song Concert in Oneonta

[ TM ]  Daniel Boys, Chloe Hart, Patina Miller, et al. Set for Homemade Fusion Concert

[ TM ]  Shoshana Bean to Offer West End Concerts in August

[ TM ]  Carol Channing, Will Durst, Robert Morse, George Segal, et al. Set for Comedy Talks Series

[ TM ]  Randy Cohen, Seth Duerr, David Rakoff, Simon Schama, et al. Set for Punishing Blow Talkbacks

[ TM ]  Maurice Hines, Lillias White Set for August 23 Benefit Concert at Feinstein's at Loews Regency

[ NYT ]  Theater Listings: July 30 - Aug. 5

Selective listings from theater critics of The New York Times.

[ P ]  Sold-Out Concert of Revised On a Clear Day Materializes at Vassar July 29 Before NYC

[ P ]  My Big Gay Italian Wedding Welcomes Daniel Robinson July 29

[ P ]  Mary Poppins, with Hunt-Ballard, Opens in Australia July 29

[ P ]  The Mint's Wife to James Whelan Begins Performances Off-Broadway July 29

[ P ]  Amoralists' The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side Returns to NYC July 29

[ P ]  Johnston, Ritter, Silverstone and Weaver Cast in "Vamps"

[ TM ]  Meryl Streep and Tina Fey to Star in Stanley Tucci's Mommy & Me Movie

[ TM ]  Paul Giamatti to Play Nikita Krushchev in HBO Telefilm

[ TM ]  Julie Taymor's The Tempest, Black Swan, Barney's Version, et al.. to Play Venice Film Festival

[ P ]  Julie Taymor's "The Tempest" to Open in New York and Los Angeles in December

[ TM ]  Tamara Drewe Film, Starring Gemma Arterton and Dominic Cooper, to Receive October 8 Release

[ TM ]  Transport Group Musical See Rock City & Other Destinations Extends Until August 14

[ NYT ]  Photographer Sues 'Fela!' Producers Over Image Used in Show By PATRICK HEALY

[ TM ]  Michael Gambon to Perform Krapp's Last Tape in West End

[ P ]  Amanda Holden and Richard Blackwood to Star in West End Premiere of Shrek The Musical

Photos:

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Kristin Chenoweth Celebrates 42nd Birthday

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: In the Heights Awards $17,000 Scholarship in Surprise Curtain-Call Announcement

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: NYC's Love, Loss and What I Wore Welcomes Adriane Lenox, Jayne Houdyshell and More

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Opening of Young Frankenstein at The Pantages

Today's News:

[ MAIL ]  Bow down before Princess Amanda Holden By Baz Bamigboye

Amanda Holden has won the fairy-tale prize of the lead role as Princess Fiona in the stage musical Shrek, proving she's got plenty of talent of her own.

Plus: Sondheim makes changes for the Donmar's Passion; Jonathan Groff interview; Rachel Weisz; and more.

[ P ]  Tix Now On Sale for Broadway Revival of Mrs. Warren's Profession Starring Cherry Jones

[ P ]  See Rock City & Other Destinations Extends Off-Broadway

[ P ]  Summer Shorts Fest, with New Works by Neil LaBute and Alan Zweibel, Begins July 30

[ P ]  Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris, and Diana DeGarmo to Head Cast of National Tour of 9 to 5

[ P ]  Marion Ross Is Joe DiPietro's Leading Lady in West Coast Premiere of The Last Romance

[ P ]  Broadway-Aimed Robin and the 7 Hoods, the Musical, Opens in San Diego July 30

[ P ]  Goodspeed's Radio Girl, New Musical by Henry Krieger and Susan Birkenhead, Begins July 29

[ P ]  Donmar King Lear, with Derek Jacobi, to Be Broadcast; Additional Casting Announced

Today's Features:

[ NYT ]  Shakespeare to Scrubs to a Stint Off Broadway, by Kate Taylor

Zach Braff follows Scrubs with a dream job Off-Broadway, in Paul Weitz's new play, Trust, at the Second Stage Theatre.

[ P ]  Diva Talk, by Andrew Gans

Catching Up with Tony Winner and A Little Night Music Star Elaine Stritch

[ P ]  Stage to Screens, by Christopher Wallenberg

The Extra Man Starring Tony Winner Kevin Kline and Paul Dano

Today's Reviews:

[ NYT ]  In Case This Wasn't Clear, It's All About the Mattress, by Daniel M. Gold

The bed is the thing in a new rendition of Twelfth Night.

Features:

[ G ]  Noises off: Is British theatre too arrogant? by Chris Wilkinson

It's about time that Brits got taken down a peg or two, argues one American blogger. But rotten drama remains readily available on both sides of the pond

[ G ]  The arch and its nemesis by James Yarker

The proscenium arch can be a great theatrical tool but we learn much more from playing around its boundaries

[ TL ]  Christopher Plummer: The Last Great Leading Man By Alec Scott

Christopher Plummer is playing Prospero at Stratford, and although he's 80 years old, he wants you to know this isn't his swan song

[ P ]  CELEB PlayBlogger Playwright Theresa Rebeck: July 29

[ B ]  Fresh Face: Billy Elliot's Jacob Clemente on Living His Dream Role at 13

[ B ]  My Space: To Grandma's House We Go: Jackie Hoffman Shows Off Her Addams Family Dressing Room

[ B ]  Videos: Goth Goes Glam! The Addams Family's Bebe Neuwirth Shows off Morticia's Nails

[ B ]  Broadway Ink: Mazzie, Danieley and the Entire Next to Normal Cast Get the Squigs Treatment

[ B ]  Videos: Dreamy New Clips of Elaine Stritch and Bernadette Peters' Starry Night Music

[ P ]  Jennifer Damiano, Michael Esper and Kyle Riabko On Responsibility and the Arts (Video)

[ P ]  Preview the Pilot Episode of Laura Linney's Series "The Big C" (Video)

[ TM ]  America Ferrera Takes a Dry Run By: Ann Lieber

The multi-faceted star plays a military wife dealing with the return of her husband in the new film, The Dry Land.

"The Prince of Homburg":

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Charlie Cox is Donmar's Prince of Homburg

[ G ]  The Prince of Homburg (***)

Donmar Warehouse, London: Michael Billington wonders whether it's legitimate to tamper with a classic play - and concludes perhaps not

[ V ]  Prince of Homburg
Review by David Benedict

Other Reviews:

[ TM ]  Death of a Salesman
Reviewed by: Solange De Santis

Harris Yulin gives a strong performance as Willy Loman in Dublin's Gate Theatre's production of Arthur Miller's landmark drama.

[ TM ]  Alice in Wonderland
Reviewed by: Iris Wiener

This well-acted new adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic novel will prove great fun for both kids and adults.

[ LAT ]  Review: 'Young Frankenstein' at the Pantages By Daryl H. Miller

Expect monster laughs on a minor scale.

[ V ]  Young Frankenstein
Review by Phil Gallo

[ CU ]  Curtainup Reports on the 2010 Shaw Festival

[ V ]  After the Revolution
Review by Frank Rizzo

Amy Herzog's "After the Revolution" is a smart, funny and provocative play about three generations of leftist political activists in a new world order.

[ V ]  A Midsummer Night's Dream
Review by Bob Verini

[ CU ]  The Beauty Queen of Leenane

The old Vic does a wonderful revival of Martin McDonagh's first Leenane play

[ CU ]  Summer Broadway Festivals 2010 - Part 3 - Summer Broadway Festival: All Singin', All Dancin'

[ TB ]  Shrek the Musical
Chicago Review by John Olson

[ TB ]  SOUND ADVICE: "LIFE" and LIVE "LAZIEST GAL" by Rob Lester

Photos:

[ B ]  Photo Flashback! The Stage Roots of True Blood's Truly Talented Cast

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley in Next to Normal

[ B ]  First Look: Sneak a Peek as the Brothers Karamazov Fly Into 4Play

[ B ]  Photo Op: Sting Takes a 'Holiday' to American Idiot

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Annie, with Andrea McArdle, at North Carolina Theatre

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Lion King, Addams, Next to Normal and Wicked Rock Bryant Park

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Sunset Boulevard, with Stefanie Powers, at Ogunquit

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Donna McKechnie's My Musical Comedy Life at The Beechman

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Edward Albee's Me, Myself & I Cast Greets the Press

[ P ]  PHOTO CALL: Tales from the Tunnel, with Heredia, Opens Off-Broadway

Features:

[ LAT ]  Some theatrical wedding advice for Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky by Charles McNulty

[ MWB ]  Say Yes to Optimism By Peter Filichia

[ G ]  Why does theatre plus science equal poor plays? by Alexis Soloski

As science advances, let's hope the drama it inspires improves as well

[ G ]  Arts funding cuts will bring down the curtain on our theatre's golden age

The measures proposed by the Tory new breed will force our theatres to avoid artistic risks. We cannot allow this to happen, says Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters writer Lee Hall

[ G ]  Arts funding cuts reveal the government's poor business sense by Daniel Bye

The arts are affordable and profitable, costing as little to fund as half a pint of milk a week per person. The government would be idiotic to cut them

[ ES ]  Why we are so passionate about Stephen Sondheim's work By Petroc Trelawny

[ NYT ]  The Age of Laura Linney By FRANK BRUNI

She didn't hit her stride until her mid-30s. Can her new role in a dark TV comedy make her a middle-aged success?

[ NYT ]  Slide Show: Laura Linney's Latish Bloom: A Timeline

[ TM ]  Lin-Manuel Miranda Is a Supreme Being By: Iris Wiener

The Tony Award-winning creator of In the Heights discusses returning to New York in Freestyle Love Supreme, working on House, and his new musical Bring It On!

[ V ]  Chenoweth tops with Broadway Cares By ANNA STEWART

Even the performer's dog gets into the fundraising act

[ MWB ]  The Producers of "Promises, Promises" in the Video Spotlight

Beth Williams and Neil Meron, two of the producers of "Promises, Promises," talk about working with the cast to create the New Broadway Cast Album

[ MWB ]  Rob Ashford in the Video Spotlight

Rob Ashford, director & choreographer of "Promises, Promises," talks about putting the show together on today's Video Spotlight.

[ MNC ]  Say yes to 'I Do! I Do!' coming to the Westport Country Playhouse By E. Kyle Minor

"Kate's on the cusp of being a big star," Jones said. "And Lewis, who was in our revival of 'The Fantasticks,' is the best (El Gallo) since Jerry Orbach."

[ P ]  CELEB PlayBlogger Playwright Theresa Rebeck: July 27

[ P ]  CELEB PlayBlogger Playwright Theresa Rebeck: July 28

[ T ]  Mike Bartlett: anger on a seismic scale By Dominic Cavendish

Have the baby boomers messed the world up? Rising playwright Mike Bartlett talks about Earthquakes, his new play at the National.

[ T ]  Cameron Diaz is too scared to tread the boards by Tim Walker

Cameron Diaz has no desire to attempt a stint on the West End stage, unlike many of her fellow Hollywood actors.

[ P ]  Jordin Sparks Gets Ready for In the Heights (Video)

[ P ]  Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley Talk Next to Normal (Video)

Shakespeare:

[ P ]  Kevin Kline and Stephen Colbert: A Shakespeare Competition (Video)

[ P ]  The (Adrian) Noble Approach to Shakespeare - Now in California

The former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company dons sunglasses to direct King Lear and The Madness of George III at The Old Globe in sunny San Diego.

[ LAT ]  Review: 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at La Jolla Playhouse by Charles McNulty

Christopher Ashley, the artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse and the director of this year's Tony-winning musical "Memphis," takes a decidedly melodious approach to the romantic escapades.

[ CU ]  The Winter's Tale - Review by Elyse Sommer

Shakespeare's tragedy-romance gets a fine production in Lenox.

[ INQ ]  'Romeo & Juliet,' splendidly staged By Howard Shapiro

It's directed with a command of both the characters and the language by Rick Sordelet, who also happens to be the busiest fight choreographer on Broadway...

Other Reviews:

[ TABLET ]  Burned by Bernie By Marissa Brostoff

The controversial play offering an imagined conversation between Madoff and one of his marks may be obscene, but that's what makes it great

[ NYO ]  Your Friends and Neighbors: See Rock City & Other Destinations, Bachelorette, and Notice Me By Jesse Oxfeld

[ PRESS ]  Travelin' Blues By Mark Peikert

When I say that See Rock City turns out to be a surprisingly engrossing new musical, despite my initial rage at the ridiculous seating arrangements, you should believe me.

[ VV ]  See Rock City and The Battle of Stalingrad Think Small By Michael Feingold

The Transport Group and the Lincoln Center Festival mount shows that could use bigger aspirations

[ VV ]  Bachelorette Walks Down the Aisle at Second Stage Uptown By Alexis Soloski

Leslye Headland conjures a night of the living frenemies

[ VV ]  The Last Dreams of Helene Weigel... Baffles in Brooklyn By Alexis Soloski

Hot room hosts not-so-hot production

[ TB ]  Mothers on the Defensive in The Good Counselor by Bob Rendell

[ CU ]  Lingua Franca

This latest Peter Nichols play will stay in your memory like a glass of the finest Prosecco.

News:

[ NYP ]  Photographer sues FELA! on Broadway By BRUCE GOLDING

[ P ]  "Kick Across America" With the Rockettes

[ P ]  "Glee" Guys to Co-Host Teen Choice Awards; Lynch, Efron Set to Appear

[ P ]  New Wicked Dolls to Be Released By Madame Alexander





Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Today's Featured Articles:

[ TM ]  FutureFest Can't Please Everybody, by Peter Filichia

Not all the participants at this new play competition in Dayton, Ohio, take criticism well.

[ NYP ]  Clear Sighted, by Michael Riedel

Have director Michael Mayer and playwright Peter Parnell fixed the 1965 musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever?

Today's News:

[ P ]  Donna McKechnie Brings Musical Comedy Life to NYC July 28; Jay-Alexander Directs

[ P ]  Alan Campbell Stars in Limited Run of Death and the Maiden Beginning July 28

[ P ]  Stefanie Powers Is Norma Desmond in Ogunquit Playhouse's Sunset Boulevard

[ P ]  Othello Begins Free Run in Boston Common July 28

[ P ]  Free Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival Launches July 28

Today's Features:

[ NYT ]  Theater for Audiences of One, by Felicia R. Lee

High-concept works performed for one person at a time, long popular in Europe, are coming to New York.

[ NYT ]  Surviving an Epic Night of Being Everything and Nothing, by Ben Brantley

In London, You Me Bum Bum Train thrust audience members—one at a time—into challenging situations.

[ KSC ]  Legendary ghost still spooks Theater, by Rachel Urban

A dead student's ghost has haunted K-State's Purple Masque Theatre for more than 30 years, spilling paint cans, stealing costumes and flickering lights.

[ P ]  Today in Theatre History

Today's Reviews:

[ NYT ]  Angry, Bored, Conflicted. Group Hugs, Anyone?, by Jason Zinoman

Blair Singer's Notice Me seems like so many other portraits of anxious teenagers, with very little to distinguish it outside of a wrong-headed commitment to being noticed.