Peyton List, known for her roles in Cobra Kai and School Spirits, will join the cast of the Off Broadway revival of Heathers The Musical as Heather Chandler starting January 26, replacing Jodie Steele. The production, which has broken multiple house records and extended its run through May 2026, is based on the 1989 cult film and features a talented cast and creative team. List expressed excitement about taking on the iconic and complex role.
Martyna Majok's play 'Queens' reimagines the lives of immigrant women living in a Queens basement apartment, exploring themes of trauma, resilience, and hope across different time periods post-9/11 and post-Trump election, highlighting their struggles and aspirations.
The new off-Broadway musical "Teeth" is a biting satire of evangelicalism, blending biblical allusions and popular Christian rhetoric into a darkly comedic romp that challenges the rigidity of modesty and purity culture. The show delves into themes of sexual violence and misogyny, as it follows the transformation of protagonist Dawn from a church leader to a vengeful antiheroine. While the musical is raucous and campy, it leaves some questions unanswered about the complexity of its protagonist.
Second Stage Theater, known for nurturing Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning shows, is leaving its Rem Koolhaas-designed Off Broadway theater in Times Square due to high rent and unfavorable lease terms after 25 years. The nonprofit theater company is committed to continuing its work Off Broadway and is searching for a new space, while also undergoing a leadership transition as its president and artistic director, Carole Rothman, is leaving after a 45-year tenure.
A parody musical about Donald Trump and prominent women in his life is set to debut off-Broadway in New York City, while President Biden's campaign criticizes Trump's low ranking in a recent survey. Additionally, a Russian pilot who surrendered a helicopter to Ukrainian territory in 2023 has been found dead in Spain, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signs new legislative district maps into law.
Marc Summers, the former host of "Double Dare," is set to bring his solo show "The Life & Slimes of Marc Summers" to Off Broadway on Feb. 22 at New World Stages in Manhattan. The show will delve into his experiences at Nickelodeon and his impact on the network. At 72 years old, Summers still exudes the same exuberance that made him a familiar face to television viewers during his time as the host of the popular children's game show.
Cole Escola's play "Oh, Mary!" is a hilariously irreverent comedy that has been described as the funniest play in years. Set in the weeks leading up to President Lincoln's assassination, the play features Escola as a boozy, outrageous Mary Todd Lincoln hell-bent on achieving stardom as a cabaret singer. Directed by Sam Pinkleton, the play is a transhistorical delight with a talented supporting cast, creating an instant downtown classic and staking a strong claim to being the next step in camp-comedy legends.
Cole Escola's Off Broadway debut play "Oh, Mary!" is a deranged and hilarious take on Mary Todd Lincoln, portrayed as a gremlinlike former cabaret star with no interest in her children. The play, directed by Sam Pinkleton, features bursts of broad, filthy comedy and a star vehicle for Escola, who delivers a performance full of verve and severity. While the play's plot developments become nonsensical, the ensemble keeps the audience engaged, and the show ends with a glorious cabaret sequence, tearing down the facade of legitimate theater.
"Oh, Mary!" is a riotous new comedy at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, written by and starring Cole Escola, that humorously portrays Mary Todd Lincoln as a raging alcoholic who dreams of becoming a cabaret star. The play is filled with raunchiness, killer punchlines, and historical inaccuracy, offering a wild and irreverent take on the Civil War-era first lady. Despite its absurdity, the show also features unexpected twists and a taut storyline, making it a promising hit in off-Broadway entertainment.
The Obie Awards, which honor Off and Off Off Broadway theater, chose "Dark Disabled Stories" as the best new American play, opting to forgo a formal ceremony and instead provide cash grants to the winning artists and arts institutions due to the challenging times for theater. The awards also recognized "Wolf Play" by Hansol Jung and "Downstate" by Bruce Norris for outstanding playwriting.
Off Broadway theaters in New York City are facing significant challenges as they struggle to recover from the pandemic. Smaller theaters, many of them noncommercial, are grappling with smaller audiences, shifting philanthropic patterns, rising wages and costs, and labor shortages. The number of productions has decreased, resulting in fewer jobs for actors and stage managers. While there are signs of hope, such as sustained hits and new investments in Off Broadway, there is widespread concern about the health of the theater industry. Theater leaders are finding new ways to cooperate and adapt, but the future remains uncertain.
Alicia Keys' musical "Hell's Kitchen," featuring her songs and inspired by her life, will make its Broadway debut in 2024. The musical is currently running Off-Broadway at The Public Theater and will transfer to the Shubert Theatre in March 2024. The story revolves around a 17-year-old girl and her mother living in a cramped apartment near Times Square. The Broadway production will feature the same creative team as the Off-Broadway run, including director Michael Greif and choreographer Camille A. Brown. Pre-sales for tickets will begin on December 8.
The musical "Hell's Kitchen," featuring the soulful songbook of Alicia Keys, delivers a pleasant but unremarkable coming-of-age story set in New York City. While the performances and choreography are impressive, the show lacks a compelling narrative. Fans of Keys' music will enjoy the familiar tunes, but overall, "Hell's Kitchen" falls short of being extraordinary.
Aubrey Plaza makes her stage debut in the off-Broadway production of "Danny and the Deep Blue Sea," directed by Jeff Ward. Plaza delivers a strong performance alongside Christopher Abbott, but the production struggles to find a satisfying rhythm. The play, written by John Patrick Shanley, explores the intense relationship between two damaged individuals who find solace in each other. While there are absorbing moments, the production falls short of striking a poignant chord.
Actress Sean Young reflects on her Hollywood career and the hardships she faced in the industry, as she makes her Off-Broadway debut in "Ode to the Wasp Woman." Young discusses the predatory nature of Hollywood and her own experiences, including being replaced in Batman and being sued for stalking. She expresses gratitude for surviving and having a family, and despite some conflicts, she remains confident in her abilities. Young also mentions her memoir and teases more stories from her Hollywood heyday.
