The Drama League Awards unveiled their slate of winners at an in-person ceremony on Friday, May 17. The event was hosted by Frank Dilella at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, where attendees toasted the best of Broadway and Off-Bradway.
The biggest winner of the day was Sarah Paulson, who claimed the coveted Distinguished Performance Award for her fiery role in “Appropriate.” That play, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, also took home the League’s trophy for Best Revival of a Play.
See 2024 Dorian Theater Awards nominations announced: LGBTQ journalists champion ‘Merrily We Roll Along,’ ‘Stereophonic,’ ‘Oh, Mary!‘
The Distinguished Performance Award is unique in that a performer may only win the award once in their career. After prevailing, they are never eligible again. The category is also a massive catch-all race that includes actors of all genders, roles of all sizes, and both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. This year, 54 thespians were included as nominees.
Winning...
The biggest winner of the day was Sarah Paulson, who claimed the coveted Distinguished Performance Award for her fiery role in “Appropriate.” That play, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, also took home the League’s trophy for Best Revival of a Play.
See 2024 Dorian Theater Awards nominations announced: LGBTQ journalists champion ‘Merrily We Roll Along,’ ‘Stereophonic,’ ‘Oh, Mary!‘
The Distinguished Performance Award is unique in that a performer may only win the award once in their career. After prevailing, they are never eligible again. The category is also a massive catch-all race that includes actors of all genders, roles of all sizes, and both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. This year, 54 thespians were included as nominees.
Winning...
- 5/17/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Welcome to Tony Talk, a weekly column in which Gold Derby contributing theater editors David Buchanan and Sam Eckmann discuss the Tony Awards race. In the hours after the announcement of the nominees for the 77th annual awards, we reflect on the omissions that stung the most, the long-shot picks we were most proud of predicting and discuss the early state of the Best Musical race.
Sam Eckmann: David, I have spent the morning pouring over the 2024 Tony nominations and switching between delight and disbelief when I look at the surprises and omissions in this lineup. It’s safe to say that this was by far the most packed and competitive season we have covered together, so while I didn’t get a perfect score with my predictions, I was more than happy with my performance. While there is much to cheer in these nominations, I can’t help but feel sad for many people.
Sam Eckmann: David, I have spent the morning pouring over the 2024 Tony nominations and switching between delight and disbelief when I look at the surprises and omissions in this lineup. It’s safe to say that this was by far the most packed and competitive season we have covered together, so while I didn’t get a perfect score with my predictions, I was more than happy with my performance. While there is much to cheer in these nominations, I can’t help but feel sad for many people.
- 5/2/2024
- by David Buchanan and Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
In a Broadway season bursting at the seams with new musicals, plays and revivals – 36 productions opened during the 2023-2024 eligibility window – it is not a surprise that the 60 Tony Awards nominators caught theatre aficionados off guard with some of their choices.
The biggest surprise of the morning was the overperformance of new musical “Water for Elephants.” Our users only expected it to earn one nomination, but it ultimately ended up with seven, tying “Merrily We Roll Along” and beating out musicals such as “Suffs.” Its unexpected bids include the top category of Best Musical, director Jessica Stone, book and choreography. The one bid we thought it would land for featured actor Paul Alexander Nolan didn’t actually come to fruition. Speaking of surprise director noms, Michael Greif – who worked on three musicals this season – broke through for “Hell’s Kitchen.” He ranked ninth in our combined odds.
See Tony Awards nominations: ‘Stereophonic’ reaps record 13 bids,...
The biggest surprise of the morning was the overperformance of new musical “Water for Elephants.” Our users only expected it to earn one nomination, but it ultimately ended up with seven, tying “Merrily We Roll Along” and beating out musicals such as “Suffs.” Its unexpected bids include the top category of Best Musical, director Jessica Stone, book and choreography. The one bid we thought it would land for featured actor Paul Alexander Nolan didn’t actually come to fruition. Speaking of surprise director noms, Michael Greif – who worked on three musicals this season – broke through for “Hell’s Kitchen.” He ranked ninth in our combined odds.
See Tony Awards nominations: ‘Stereophonic’ reaps record 13 bids,...
- 4/30/2024
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
With the announcement of the Tony Awards nominations on April 30, we now know the shows and performers in contention for the 77th annual ceremony. The 60 members of the Tony nominating committee recognized 28 of the 36 eligible productions across 26 competitive categories.
See 2024 Tony Awards nominations snubs: ‘Patriots,’ Steve Carell, Chip Zien …
David Adjmi’s new play “Stereophonic” makes Tony Awards history with 13 nominations. This bests by one the previous record-holder “Slave Play” by Jeremy O. Harris, which earned 12 bids back in 2020. Its haul includes recognition for Best Play, Best Director (Daniel Aukin), five nominations for its performers and, rare for a dramatic work, Best Original Score for Will Butler and Best Orchestrations for Butler and Justin Craig.
“Hell’s Kitchen,” a loosely biographical work on the early life and featuring the music of Alicia Keys, leads all musicals and musical revivals with 13 nominations. In addition to a Best Musical nom, the show...
See 2024 Tony Awards nominations snubs: ‘Patriots,’ Steve Carell, Chip Zien …
David Adjmi’s new play “Stereophonic” makes Tony Awards history with 13 nominations. This bests by one the previous record-holder “Slave Play” by Jeremy O. Harris, which earned 12 bids back in 2020. Its haul includes recognition for Best Play, Best Director (Daniel Aukin), five nominations for its performers and, rare for a dramatic work, Best Original Score for Will Butler and Best Orchestrations for Butler and Justin Craig.
“Hell’s Kitchen,” a loosely biographical work on the early life and featuring the music of Alicia Keys, leads all musicals and musical revivals with 13 nominations. In addition to a Best Musical nom, the show...
- 4/30/2024
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
The Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen and new play Stereophonic, about a fictional band in the 1970s, led the Tony nominations with 13 nominations each.
The Outsiders, a musical based on the 1967 S.E. Hinton book, followed with 12 nominations and the revival of Cabaret, starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, followed with nine nods.
With its 13 noms, Stereophonic set a record for the most Tony nominations for a play, surpassing previous record holder Slave Play’s 12 noms in 2020.
Stereophonic‘s surprisingly strong performance even included a best score nomination despite it being a play.
In the best musical category, Hell’s Kitchen and The Outsiders were nominated, alongside the dance-based show Illionise, with music from Sufjan Stevens’ album and a book by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury; Suffs, a musical about the women’s suffrage movement with a score and book by Shaina Taub; and Water for Elephants, based on the 2006 novel,...
The Outsiders, a musical based on the 1967 S.E. Hinton book, followed with 12 nominations and the revival of Cabaret, starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin, followed with nine nods.
With its 13 noms, Stereophonic set a record for the most Tony nominations for a play, surpassing previous record holder Slave Play’s 12 noms in 2020.
Stereophonic‘s surprisingly strong performance even included a best score nomination despite it being a play.
In the best musical category, Hell’s Kitchen and The Outsiders were nominated, alongside the dance-based show Illionise, with music from Sufjan Stevens’ album and a book by Justin Peck and Jackie Sibblies Drury; Suffs, a musical about the women’s suffrage movement with a score and book by Shaina Taub; and Water for Elephants, based on the 2006 novel,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Broadway fans: the 2024 Tony Award nominations are finally here!
Each year, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre (aka the Tonys), celebrates the best on Broadway. The nominations were announced by two past Tony winners: Take Me Out‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Hamilton‘s Renée Elise Goldsberry.
This year, the Tonys will be held on June 16, 2024 with host Ariana DeBose returning to host for a third time. Just Jared will be live updating throughout the entire event, so stick with us that night!
Head inside to see the full list of Tony Award nominations…
Scroll down for the full list of Tony Award nominees…
Best Musical
Hell’s Kitchen
Illinoise
The Outsiders
Suffs
Water for Elephants
Best Play
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Mary Jane
Mother Play
Prayer for the French Republic
Stereophonic
Best Revival of a Play
Appropriate
An Enemy of the People
Purlie Victorious: A...
Each year, the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre (aka the Tonys), celebrates the best on Broadway. The nominations were announced by two past Tony winners: Take Me Out‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Hamilton‘s Renée Elise Goldsberry.
This year, the Tonys will be held on June 16, 2024 with host Ariana DeBose returning to host for a third time. Just Jared will be live updating throughout the entire event, so stick with us that night!
Head inside to see the full list of Tony Award nominations…
Scroll down for the full list of Tony Award nominees…
Best Musical
Hell’s Kitchen
Illinoise
The Outsiders
Suffs
Water for Elephants
Best Play
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Mary Jane
Mother Play
Prayer for the French Republic
Stereophonic
Best Revival of a Play
Appropriate
An Enemy of the People
Purlie Victorious: A...
- 4/30/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The nominees for the 2024 Drama League Awards were announced April 22, 2024, by Vanessa Williams and past Drama League winner Bebe Neuwirth. Winners will be announced during the 90th Annual Drama League Awards ceremony at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Friday, May 17.
These kudos honor both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and are famous for their catch-all acting category, the Distinguished Performance Award. An actor can only win it once in their career. After they have won, they can never be nominated again. This year, a whopping 54 performers are nominated.
See 2024 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): ‘Appropriate’ is officially a revival, ‘The Notebook’ actors split up
The expansive production categories mean that many Tony Awards hopefuls heard their name called this morning. Ten Broadway musicals were nominated in the Outstanding Production of a Musical race. Notable omissions include “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “The Great Gatsby” and critical darling “Days of Wine and Roses...
These kudos honor both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and are famous for their catch-all acting category, the Distinguished Performance Award. An actor can only win it once in their career. After they have won, they can never be nominated again. This year, a whopping 54 performers are nominated.
See 2024 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): ‘Appropriate’ is officially a revival, ‘The Notebook’ actors split up
The expansive production categories mean that many Tony Awards hopefuls heard their name called this morning. Ten Broadway musicals were nominated in the Outstanding Production of a Musical race. Notable omissions include “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “The Great Gatsby” and critical darling “Days of Wine and Roses...
- 4/22/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the dates for its 2024-25 season, with David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face starring Daniel Dae Kim kicking off the company’s Broadway line-up with an October 1 opening night.
The previously announced Broadway productions also include English by Sanaz Toossi, opening January 23, 2025; and The Pirates of Penzance, reimagined with a New Orleans setting and starring Ramin Karimloo and David Hyde Pierce, opening April 24, 2025.
All the company’s Broadway productions will play at the Todd Haimes Theatre.
Roundabout’s Off Broadway offerings next season will include The Counter, by Meghan Kennedy and directed by David Cromer, opening October 9; and Bess Wohl’s Liberation, directed by Whitney White, opening February 20, 2025. Both Off Broadway shows will be staged at Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.
The previously announced Broadway productions also include English by Sanaz Toossi, opening January 23, 2025; and The Pirates of Penzance, reimagined with a New Orleans setting and starring Ramin Karimloo and David Hyde Pierce, opening April 24, 2025.
All the company’s Broadway productions will play at the Todd Haimes Theatre.
Roundabout’s Off Broadway offerings next season will include The Counter, by Meghan Kennedy and directed by David Cromer, opening October 9; and Bess Wohl’s Liberation, directed by Whitney White, opening February 20, 2025. Both Off Broadway shows will be staged at Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.
- 4/11/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Since their inception, the directing categories at the Tony Awards have mostly been a boys’ club. Not only are the vast majority of winners men, but so are most of the nominees. But the 2024 ceremony could upend these statistics as more women are helming Broadway shows than ever before. This could finally be the year where they make up the majority of directing nominees.
This season there are 13 women directors on Broadway. Four of them will contend for Best Director of a Play: Lila Neugebauer (“Appropriate” and “Uncle Vanya”), Anne Kauffman (“Mary Jane”), Tina Landau (“Mother Play”), and Whitney White (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”). Another nine women will vie for Best Director of a Musical: Sammi Canold (“How to Dance in Ohio”), Rachel Chavkin (“Lempicka”), Rebecca Frecknall (“Cabaret”), Maria Friedman (“Merrily We Roll Along“), Mari Madrid, Leigh Silverman (“Suffs”), Jessica Stone (“Water for Elephants”), Danya Taymor (“The Outsiders”), and...
This season there are 13 women directors on Broadway. Four of them will contend for Best Director of a Play: Lila Neugebauer (“Appropriate” and “Uncle Vanya”), Anne Kauffman (“Mary Jane”), Tina Landau (“Mother Play”), and Whitney White (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”). Another nine women will vie for Best Director of a Musical: Sammi Canold (“How to Dance in Ohio”), Rachel Chavkin (“Lempicka”), Rebecca Frecknall (“Cabaret”), Maria Friedman (“Merrily We Roll Along“), Mari Madrid, Leigh Silverman (“Suffs”), Jessica Stone (“Water for Elephants”), Danya Taymor (“The Outsiders”), and...
- 3/11/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Daniel Dae Kim will return to Broadway this fall in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of David Henry Hwang’s comedy Yellow Face, to be directed by Tony Award nominee Leigh Silverman (Violet).
The production marks the Broadway premiere of Hwang’s play, an Obie Award winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist that originated in 2007 at Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum and subsequently opened that year Off Broadway at the Joseph Papp Public Theater.
The production, announced today as part of the Roundabout’s 2024-2025 season, will begin performances this September at the Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre. Kim made his Broadway debut as the King of Siam in Lincoln Center’s Tony-winning 2017 production of The King and I. The Lost actor next be seen as the villainous Fire Lord Ozai in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, premiering in February.
The production of Yellow Face is...
The production marks the Broadway premiere of Hwang’s play, an Obie Award winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist that originated in 2007 at Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum and subsequently opened that year Off Broadway at the Joseph Papp Public Theater.
The production, announced today as part of the Roundabout’s 2024-2025 season, will begin performances this September at the Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre. Kim made his Broadway debut as the King of Siam in Lincoln Center’s Tony-winning 2017 production of The King and I. The Lost actor next be seen as the villainous Fire Lord Ozai in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, premiering in February.
The production of Yellow Face is...
- 1/9/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Daniel Dae Kim will star in the Broadway premiere of David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face next season.
The play, which is inspired by real events, follows a playwright protesting the casting of white actors playing Asian roles in Miss Saigon, and then mistakenly casting a white actor as an Asian lead in his own play. Yellow Face, directed by Leigh Silverman, is scheduled to start previews at what will be the newly renamed Todd Haimes Theatre (formerly the American Airlines Theatre but renamed after the death of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s artistic director) in September 2024.
Kim is known for his work on projects such as Lost, Hawaii Five-o, Stowaway and Raya and The Last Dragon. He made his Broadway debut in 2017 as King Siam in The King and I and recently performed in My Favorite Things: The Rodgers and Hammerstein Anniversary Concert in London’s West End. Kim...
The play, which is inspired by real events, follows a playwright protesting the casting of white actors playing Asian roles in Miss Saigon, and then mistakenly casting a white actor as an Asian lead in his own play. Yellow Face, directed by Leigh Silverman, is scheduled to start previews at what will be the newly renamed Todd Haimes Theatre (formerly the American Airlines Theatre but renamed after the death of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s artistic director) in September 2024.
Kim is known for his work on projects such as Lost, Hawaii Five-o, Stowaway and Raya and The Last Dragon. He made his Broadway debut in 2017 as King Siam in The King and I and recently performed in My Favorite Things: The Rodgers and Hammerstein Anniversary Concert in London’s West End. Kim...
- 1/9/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“The Queen’s Gambit” is heading to Broadway in the form of a musical!
The Walter Tevis book, which became a hit Netflix series, will be adapted once again, but this time for the stage and set to music, which was first revealed to be in the works back in 2021.
Now, the writing team has been revealed, with a famous singer working on the music and lyrics!
Keep reading to find out more…
Singer Mitski has been tapped to write the music and lyrics for the upcoming musical, with Eboni Booth writing the book. The musical will be directed by Whitney White, marking an all female creative team.
“Before Level Forward even brought the idea of making a musical of The Queen’s Gambit, I was a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel,” Mitski shared in a statement, via Deadline. “So I was already...
The Walter Tevis book, which became a hit Netflix series, will be adapted once again, but this time for the stage and set to music, which was first revealed to be in the works back in 2021.
Now, the writing team has been revealed, with a famous singer working on the music and lyrics!
Keep reading to find out more…
Singer Mitski has been tapped to write the music and lyrics for the upcoming musical, with Eboni Booth writing the book. The musical will be directed by Whitney White, marking an all female creative team.
“Before Level Forward even brought the idea of making a musical of The Queen’s Gambit, I was a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel,” Mitski shared in a statement, via Deadline. “So I was already...
- 11/17/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Following a critically acclaimed Netflix adaptation, Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel The Queen’s Gambit is heading to Broadway. What’s more, the musical adaptation will feature music and lyrics written by Mitski.
In a statement, Mitski explained that she had been “a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel” before being approached for the musical, which was first reported to be in the works back in 2021.
“I was already determined to be a member of this team,” Mitski explained, but that determination only “grew tenfold” after meeting her collaborators, Eboni Booth and Whitney White. Mitski continued, “I absolutely had to be a part of this! I am ecstatic to get to work with all of these amazing creatives, who’ve each built beautiful and unique repertoires of their own.”
Booth will pen the book for the musical, while White will direct. The Queen’s Gambit is...
In a statement, Mitski explained that she had been “a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel” before being approached for the musical, which was first reported to be in the works back in 2021.
“I was already determined to be a member of this team,” Mitski explained, but that determination only “grew tenfold” after meeting her collaborators, Eboni Booth and Whitney White. Mitski continued, “I absolutely had to be a part of this! I am ecstatic to get to work with all of these amazing creatives, who’ve each built beautiful and unique repertoires of their own.”
Booth will pen the book for the musical, while White will direct. The Queen’s Gambit is...
- 11/15/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Academy Award singer and songwriter Mitski will pen the score to the stage adaptation of The Queen’s Gambit, which is currently in development.
In addition to Mitski, the creative team will include Eboni Booth, playwright of Primary Trust, which recently ran Off-Broadway starring William Jackson Harper, as the book writer. Whitney White, director of JaJa’s African Hair Braiding, currently running on Broadway, will direct.
Adrienne Warren (Tina, The Woman King) joins the producing team, alongside Mara Isaacs (Hadestown), Lawryn Lacroix and the previously announced Level Forward.
The musical adaptation, based on the 1983 novel that inspired the Netflix adaptation, was first announced in 2021. Details about the timeline for the musical’s world premiere production will be announced at a later date, according to the production.
The story follows chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she rises from playing chess in an orphanage to competing in the U.S. Open Championship and on the world stage.
In addition to Mitski, the creative team will include Eboni Booth, playwright of Primary Trust, which recently ran Off-Broadway starring William Jackson Harper, as the book writer. Whitney White, director of JaJa’s African Hair Braiding, currently running on Broadway, will direct.
Adrienne Warren (Tina, The Woman King) joins the producing team, alongside Mara Isaacs (Hadestown), Lawryn Lacroix and the previously announced Level Forward.
The musical adaptation, based on the 1983 novel that inspired the Netflix adaptation, was first announced in 2021. Details about the timeline for the musical’s world premiere production will be announced at a later date, according to the production.
The story follows chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she rises from playing chess in an orphanage to competing in the U.S. Open Championship and on the world stage.
- 11/15/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A stage musical adaptation of The Queen’s Gambit, Walter Tevis’ best-selling novel which became a hit series on Netflix, is in the works, with Oscar-nominated singer-songwriter Mitski attached to write the music & lyrics, playwright Eboni Booth (Primary Trust) writing the book and Obie Award-winner Whitney White (Jaja’s African Hair Braiding) set to direct.
The project was announced today by producers Level Forward, Tony-winning Tina star Adrienne Warren, Lawryn Lacroix, and Tony Award-winning producer Mara Isaacs (Hadestown).
“Before Level Forward even brought the idea of making a musical of The Queen’s Gambit, I was a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel,” said Mitski in a statement. “So I was already determined to be a member of this team. And then I met Eboni and Whitney, and my determination grew tenfold!
The project was announced today by producers Level Forward, Tony-winning Tina star Adrienne Warren, Lawryn Lacroix, and Tony Award-winning producer Mara Isaacs (Hadestown).
“Before Level Forward even brought the idea of making a musical of The Queen’s Gambit, I was a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel,” said Mitski in a statement. “So I was already determined to be a member of this team. And then I met Eboni and Whitney, and my determination grew tenfold!
- 11/15/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Queen’s Gambit went from the pages of Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel to the screens of millions of Netflix users when its series adaptation premiered in 2020 — and now it’s heading to Broadway. The musical adaptation of the period drama will be driven by music and lyrics from singer and songwriter Mitski.
“Before Level Forward even brought the idea of making a musical of The Queen’s Gambit, I was a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel. So I was already determined to be a member of this team,...
“Before Level Forward even brought the idea of making a musical of The Queen’s Gambit, I was a fan of the Netflix show, and an even greater fan of the original novel. So I was already determined to be a member of this team,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Larisha Paul
- Rollingstone.com
A trio of new shows joined Broadway last week to mostly decent box office figures as the fall season begins to take shape.
Most impressive was Gutenberg! The Musical! starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells under the direction of Alex Timbers. For the first three previews of its run, the musical filled 96% of seats at the James Earl Jones Theatre. The performances grossed $376,300, with an average ticket price at a solid $122.65. Opening night is Oct. 12.
The subscription-based Manhattan Theatre Club unveiled its production of Jocelyn Bioh’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, directed by Whitney White. The play took in $165,345 for six previews, with the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre at 97% of capacity. Average ticket was $44.51. Opening night is Oct. 3.
Melissa Etheridge began her autobiographical songs-and-stories show Melissa Etheridge: My Window with four previews at Circle in the Square, with attendance at 80% of capacity and a gross of $184,162. Average ticket was $79.38. Opening night is Sept.
Most impressive was Gutenberg! The Musical! starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells under the direction of Alex Timbers. For the first three previews of its run, the musical filled 96% of seats at the James Earl Jones Theatre. The performances grossed $376,300, with an average ticket price at a solid $122.65. Opening night is Oct. 12.
The subscription-based Manhattan Theatre Club unveiled its production of Jocelyn Bioh’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, directed by Whitney White. The play took in $165,345 for six previews, with the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre at 97% of capacity. Average ticket was $44.51. Opening night is Oct. 3.
Melissa Etheridge began her autobiographical songs-and-stories show Melissa Etheridge: My Window with four previews at Circle in the Square, with attendance at 80% of capacity and a gross of $184,162. Average ticket was $79.38. Opening night is Sept.
- 9/19/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
All Arts’ upcoming non-fiction feature “Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists” will explore the 50-year history of one of the most impactful off-Broadway theaters in New York. Helmed by the club’s very own Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove, the film stitches together archival footage and photos and interviews with stars like Laura Linney, Edie Falco, Sam Waterston and Sarah Jessica Parker.
“Through their stewardship of Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove have left an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape for decades to come,” said Joe Harrell, executive producer of All Arts, a Wnet group streaming platform and broadcast channel based in New York. “Their story champions the vital role of nonprofit theaters in allowing artists to take risks, explore innovative ideas and challenge conventions.”
The Manhattan Theatre Club was founded in 1970 at Stage 73 but took off under the guidance of Meadow as artistic director and Grove as executive producer.
“Through their stewardship of Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow and Barry Grove have left an indelible mark on the theatrical landscape for decades to come,” said Joe Harrell, executive producer of All Arts, a Wnet group streaming platform and broadcast channel based in New York. “Their story champions the vital role of nonprofit theaters in allowing artists to take risks, explore innovative ideas and challenge conventions.”
The Manhattan Theatre Club was founded in 1970 at Stage 73 but took off under the guidance of Meadow as artistic director and Grove as executive producer.
- 9/13/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Entertainment company Madison Wells Live, Lachanze and Taraji P. Henson have joined the producing team of Manhattan Theatre Club’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a world premiere play written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White heading to Broadway this fall.
The partnerships were announced today by Mtc’s Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Chris Jennings (Executive Director).
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding will begin previews on Tuesday, September 12 and open on Tuesday, October 3, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
The play is set at a hair braiding salon in Harlem where a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders create “masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women.” According to the synopsis, “During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish and secrets will be revealed.”
Both Bioh, the Ghanaian-American playwright of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, and White...
The partnerships were announced today by Mtc’s Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Chris Jennings (Executive Director).
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding will begin previews on Tuesday, September 12 and open on Tuesday, October 3, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
The play is set at a hair braiding salon in Harlem where a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders create “masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women.” According to the synopsis, “During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish and secrets will be revealed.”
Both Bioh, the Ghanaian-American playwright of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, and White...
- 7/25/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Plot: A darkly-comedic fantastical coming-of-age joyride about Cootie, a 13-foot-tall young Black man in Oakland, CA. Having grown up hidden away, passing time on a diet of comic books and TV shows, he escapes to experience the beauty and contradictions of the real world. He forms friendships, finds love, navigates awkward situations, and encounters his idol, the real life superhero named The Hero. I’m A Virgo is a mythical odyssey that questions the purpose of the mythical odyssey.
Review: Boots Riley’s feature film directional debut, Sorry To Bother You, was a festival darling when it premiered in 2018. It has taken Riley half a decade to bring his sophomore effort to the screen. I’m A Virgo is a seven-episode series premiering on Prime Video, which has given Riley three times as much space to tell an epic and surreal story that is part fairy tale, part parable, and utterly unique.
Review: Boots Riley’s feature film directional debut, Sorry To Bother You, was a festival darling when it premiered in 2018. It has taken Riley half a decade to bring his sophomore effort to the screen. I’m A Virgo is a seven-episode series premiering on Prime Video, which has given Riley three times as much space to tell an epic and surreal story that is part fairy tale, part parable, and utterly unique.
- 6/14/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
The new Alicia Keys musical Hell’s Kitchen will make its world premiere this fall as part of the 2023-24 season of New York’s Public Theater Off Broadway, the Public announced today.
With music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, Hell’s Kitchen will begin previews at the Public on October 24, with an opening night of November 19. The engagement will run through December 10.
The cast includes Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, among others. Michael Greif directs, with choreography by Camille A. Brown.
The musical is described as a coming-of-age story set in a cramped apartment in the neighborhood of the title near Times Square, where 17-year-old Ali is desperate to get her piece of the New York dream. Ali’s mother is just as determined to protect her daughter from the same mistakes she made. When Ali...
With music and lyrics by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz, Hell’s Kitchen will begin previews at the Public on October 24, with an opening night of November 19. The engagement will run through December 10.
The cast includes Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Chad Carstarphen, Reid Clarke, Chloe Davis, Nico DeJesus, among others. Michael Greif directs, with choreography by Camille A. Brown.
The musical is described as a coming-of-age story set in a cramped apartment in the neighborhood of the title near Times Square, where 17-year-old Ali is desperate to get her piece of the New York dream. Ali’s mother is just as determined to protect her daughter from the same mistakes she made. When Ali...
- 6/1/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Just one year ahead of its 30th anniversary, the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts has announced 11 winners — the most ever — of its annual prizes which recognize and fund risk-taking mid-career artists in the fields of dance, music, film/video, theater and visual arts.
The 2023 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts winners — each of whom receive $75,000 in unrestricted funding (with one duo sharing the payment) — include filmmakers Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich and Christopher Harris.
“I believe in the arts. I think the arts are the heart and soul of our country. Not just music. We’re talking about actors and poets and painters and sculptors — the whole gamut. We need the artists, especially in these times. They are creating through their passion and those people need to be supported and helped and nurtured. It’s a dire need out there. A lot of people are struggling. We’re just trying to do our part,...
The 2023 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts winners — each of whom receive $75,000 in unrestricted funding (with one duo sharing the payment) — include filmmakers Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich and Christopher Harris.
“I believe in the arts. I think the arts are the heart and soul of our country. Not just music. We’re talking about actors and poets and painters and sculptors — the whole gamut. We need the artists, especially in these times. They are creating through their passion and those people need to be supported and helped and nurtured. It’s a dire need out there. A lot of people are struggling. We’re just trying to do our part,...
- 5/1/2023
- by Degen Pener
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, a new play written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Whitney White, will make its Broadway debut in a world premiere production by the Manhattan Theatre Club next fall.
The play will be the first production of Mtc’s 2023-2024 Broadway season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
Performance dates, casting, and creative team will be announced at a later date.
The announcement was made today by Lynne Meadow, Mtc Artistic Director, and Barry Grove, Mtc Executive Producer. The play is set at a hair braiding salon in Harlem where, as Mtc describes, “every day, a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women.
“During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish and secrets will be revealed. The uncertainty of their circumstances simmers below the surface of their lives and when it boils over,...
The play will be the first production of Mtc’s 2023-2024 Broadway season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
Performance dates, casting, and creative team will be announced at a later date.
The announcement was made today by Lynne Meadow, Mtc Artistic Director, and Barry Grove, Mtc Executive Producer. The play is set at a hair braiding salon in Harlem where, as Mtc describes, “every day, a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women.
“During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish and secrets will be revealed. The uncertainty of their circumstances simmers below the surface of their lives and when it boils over,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Comcast NBCUniversal and FaceForward Productions announced their partnership for the upcoming docuseries The Black Beauty Effect, releasing this fall exclusively on the Black Experience on Xfinity channel. From creator and executive producers Andrea Lewis (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Emmy-nominee Cj Faison (Giants & Junebug), Jackie Aina, Kahlana Barfield Brown, and Keesha Boyd of Comcast, the docuseries will closely examine the social change, past and present, within the beauty industry, through the lens of the successful Black women who have led the charge.
The Black Beauty Effect is a three-part docuseries that captures the current evolution, revolution, and disruption taking place within the beauty industry. Black beauty influencers, celebrities, and entrepreneurs have taken up the torch passed down from their pioneering predecessors. Each hour-long episode examines a different aspect of beauty – hair, skin, and makeup – through the lens of some of the beauty industry’s most iconic game-changers. The Black Beauty...
The Black Beauty Effect is a three-part docuseries that captures the current evolution, revolution, and disruption taking place within the beauty industry. Black beauty influencers, celebrities, and entrepreneurs have taken up the torch passed down from their pioneering predecessors. Each hour-long episode examines a different aspect of beauty – hair, skin, and makeup – through the lens of some of the beauty industry’s most iconic game-changers. The Black Beauty...
- 6/18/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Winners of the 2022 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were announced in a ceremony on May 1, 2022, at NYU Skirball. New musicals “Kimberly Akimbo” and “Oratorio for Living Things” tied for the most wins, with three trophies each. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and Lucille Lortel Theatre, with additional support provided by Tdf.
The cast of Ars Nova’s “Oratorio For Living Things” took home the inaugural award for Outstanding Ensemble, while the Broadway-bound “Kimberly Akimbo” nabbed the two individual musical acting categories, with Lead Performance going to Victoria Clark and Featured Performance going to Bonnie Milligan.
Special honorees this year included Deirdre O’Connell (“Dana H.”), who was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Heidi Schreck; and David Henry Hwang, who was inducted onto the famed Playwrights’ Sidewalk by Jeanine Tesori.
Find the nominees and recipients of the 2022 Lucille Lortal Awards below.
SEEAlfie Allen (‘Hangmen...
The cast of Ars Nova’s “Oratorio For Living Things” took home the inaugural award for Outstanding Ensemble, while the Broadway-bound “Kimberly Akimbo” nabbed the two individual musical acting categories, with Lead Performance going to Victoria Clark and Featured Performance going to Bonnie Milligan.
Special honorees this year included Deirdre O’Connell (“Dana H.”), who was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Heidi Schreck; and David Henry Hwang, who was inducted onto the famed Playwrights’ Sidewalk by Jeanine Tesori.
Find the nominees and recipients of the 2022 Lucille Lortal Awards below.
SEEAlfie Allen (‘Hangmen...
- 5/2/2022
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Nominations for the 37th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were announced April 7, 2022 by Lilli Cooper and Lea DeLaria, stars of Broadway’s “Potus.” The Lortel Awards were created in 1985 to honor outstanding achievement Off-Broadway. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and Lucille Lortel Theatre, with additional support provided by Tdf. Winners will be announced at a ceremony on May 1, at NYU Skirball.
Tony Award hopeful Deirdre O’Connell is the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She won a Lortel Award for her riveting solo performance in “Dana H.” at the Vineyard Theatre last year. That production transferred to Broadway in the fall.
Acclaimed playwright David Henry Hwang is this year’s Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee. His name will be added to a star on the sidewalk outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre on Christopher Street, a permanent monument to Off-Broadway playwrights.
New musicals...
Tony Award hopeful Deirdre O’Connell is the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She won a Lortel Award for her riveting solo performance in “Dana H.” at the Vineyard Theatre last year. That production transferred to Broadway in the fall.
Acclaimed playwright David Henry Hwang is this year’s Playwrights’ Sidewalk Inductee. His name will be added to a star on the sidewalk outside the Lucille Lortel Theatre on Christopher Street, a permanent monument to Off-Broadway playwrights.
New musicals...
- 4/8/2022
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Kimberly Akimbo, Assassins, Prayer for the French Republic and The Chinese Lady were among the Off Broadway productions receiving multiple nominations for this year’s Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off Broadway, announced today.
Among the innovations in this year’s 37th Annual Lortel Awards are the first non-gendered performance categories, and the first-ever Lortel for Outstanding Ensemble. In the new Ensemble category, the inaugural nominees are the casts of English, Oratorio For Living Things, and Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992.
Kimberly Akimbo and Oratorio For Living Things scored the most nominations, with six each, while Black No More and On Sugarland received five. Assassins, Prayer for the French Republic and The Chinese Lady each have four nominations.
The awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 1, at NYU Skirball in Manhattan. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and Lucille Lortel Theatre, with additional support provided by Tdf.
Among the innovations in this year’s 37th Annual Lortel Awards are the first non-gendered performance categories, and the first-ever Lortel for Outstanding Ensemble. In the new Ensemble category, the inaugural nominees are the casts of English, Oratorio For Living Things, and Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992.
Kimberly Akimbo and Oratorio For Living Things scored the most nominations, with six each, while Black No More and On Sugarland received five. Assassins, Prayer for the French Republic and The Chinese Lady each have four nominations.
The awards will be handed out on Sunday, May 1, at NYU Skirball in Manhattan. The Lucille Lortel Awards are produced by the Off-Broadway League and Lucille Lortel Theatre, with additional support provided by Tdf.
- 4/7/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Woodman Park Productions, the All3Media-backed production company behind series such as Discovery+’s Battle of the Brothers and CNN’s Declassified, has bolstered its leadership ranks.
Whitney White has been promoted to Executive Vice President of the company, having taken over leadership of the company last year.
It has also hired Joanne Yang as VP, Development.
White initially joined Woodman Park Productions in 2018 as SVP, Development and took over running of the company from Jacob Cohen-Holmes, who became Head of Current at All3Media America, in 2021. She was previously Head of Development for Ping Pong Productions, where she created, developed and produced series including TLC’s Dr. Pimple Popper, and was part of the senior executive team at Asylum Entertainment.
During her time at All3Media, she has developed, sold and launched series such as Battle of the Brothers for Discovery+ and Food Network, Investigation Discovery’s Man With...
Whitney White has been promoted to Executive Vice President of the company, having taken over leadership of the company last year.
It has also hired Joanne Yang as VP, Development.
White initially joined Woodman Park Productions in 2018 as SVP, Development and took over running of the company from Jacob Cohen-Holmes, who became Head of Current at All3Media America, in 2021. She was previously Head of Development for Ping Pong Productions, where she created, developed and produced series including TLC’s Dr. Pimple Popper, and was part of the senior executive team at Asylum Entertainment.
During her time at All3Media, she has developed, sold and launched series such as Battle of the Brothers for Discovery+ and Food Network, Investigation Discovery’s Man With...
- 3/3/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute’s Interdisciplinary Program today named its 2021 grantees, also unveiling those selected as 2021-2022 Art of Practice Fellows. Each fellow and grantee was supported in a designated field or a combination of them, including emerging media, interdisciplinary, music, and/or theater.
Sundance’s latest grantees are Melis Aker (Theater), Shariffa Ali (Interdisciplinary), DeAndre James Allen-Toole (Music), Fabian Almazan (Music), Lily Baldwin (Interdisciplinary), Mariam Bazeed (Interdisciplinary), Carla LynDale Bishop (Emerging Media), Kathryn Bostic (Interdisciplinary), William Caballero (Interdisciplinary), William Calhoun (Interdisciplinary), Raven Chacon (Interdisciplinary), Penelope Jagessar Chaffer (Emerging Media), Layale Chaker (Interdisciplinary), Maya Chami (Interdisciplinary), Heather Christian (Theater), Cora Yi-Huan Chung (Music), Ryan Cohan (Music), Colectivo Los Ingrávidos (Interdisciplinary), Ty Defoe (Interdisciplinary), Heather Dewey-Hagborg (Emerging Media), Angèlica Ekeke (Emerging Media), JJJJJerome Ellis (Interdisciplinary), Tim Fain (Music), Kelley Nicole Girod (Theater), Ben Goldberg (Music), Robert Casey Goodwin (Interdisciplinary), Fernando Gregório (Interdisciplinary), Porpentine Heartscape (Interdisciplinary), Dov Heichemer (Emerging Media), Sultana Isham (Interdisciplinary...
Sundance’s latest grantees are Melis Aker (Theater), Shariffa Ali (Interdisciplinary), DeAndre James Allen-Toole (Music), Fabian Almazan (Music), Lily Baldwin (Interdisciplinary), Mariam Bazeed (Interdisciplinary), Carla LynDale Bishop (Emerging Media), Kathryn Bostic (Interdisciplinary), William Caballero (Interdisciplinary), William Calhoun (Interdisciplinary), Raven Chacon (Interdisciplinary), Penelope Jagessar Chaffer (Emerging Media), Layale Chaker (Interdisciplinary), Maya Chami (Interdisciplinary), Heather Christian (Theater), Cora Yi-Huan Chung (Music), Ryan Cohan (Music), Colectivo Los Ingrávidos (Interdisciplinary), Ty Defoe (Interdisciplinary), Heather Dewey-Hagborg (Emerging Media), Angèlica Ekeke (Emerging Media), JJJJJerome Ellis (Interdisciplinary), Tim Fain (Music), Kelley Nicole Girod (Theater), Ben Goldberg (Music), Robert Casey Goodwin (Interdisciplinary), Fernando Gregório (Interdisciplinary), Porpentine Heartscape (Interdisciplinary), Dov Heichemer (Emerging Media), Sultana Isham (Interdisciplinary...
- 10/28/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with Ctg response: Playwright Jeremy O. Harris said Tuesday that he intends to pull his Tony-nominated Slave Play from the upcoming lineup at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles due to the theater company’s dearth of scheduled productions by female playwrights – a scarcity acknowledged by the management of Center Theatre Group, which operates the Taper.
In a tweet that reproduced an email sent to executives of L.A.’s Center Theatre Group, Harris wrote, “As a playwright who holds dear the principles of both inclusion it was a shock to realize that this season was programmed with only 1 woman across all theatres. As an Angeleno and a lover of theatre I think Los Angeles audiences deserve an equitable showing of the playwrights working in the US right now.
“I’ve spoken to my team,” he continues, “and would like to begin the process of removing slave play...
In a tweet that reproduced an email sent to executives of L.A.’s Center Theatre Group, Harris wrote, “As a playwright who holds dear the principles of both inclusion it was a shock to realize that this season was programmed with only 1 woman across all theatres. As an Angeleno and a lover of theatre I think Los Angeles audiences deserve an equitable showing of the playwrights working in the US right now.
“I’ve spoken to my team,” he continues, “and would like to begin the process of removing slave play...
- 10/5/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
New York State is plotting a massive, multi-month festival, NY PopsUp, to reintroduce live entertainment after it was put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The festival will boast more than 300 pop-up events across the state over the course of 100 days, starting February 20th and running through Labor Day, September 6th. Per a release, NY PopsUp will serve as a “pilot program” by “creating the state’s first large-scale model for how to bring live performance back safely after this prolonged Covid-related shutdown.”
The initial lineup for NY PopsUp...
The festival will boast more than 300 pop-up events across the state over the course of 100 days, starting February 20th and running through Labor Day, September 6th. Per a release, NY PopsUp will serve as a “pilot program” by “creating the state’s first large-scale model for how to bring live performance back safely after this prolonged Covid-related shutdown.”
The initial lineup for NY PopsUp...
- 2/8/2021
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Theatre agent Kevin Lin and multicultural business executive Ruben Garcia are expanding their roles at CAA. The two have been named Co-Heads of Cultural Business Strategy for the agency, working with CAA President Richard Lovett and the CAA Board to strengthen creative opportunities and business growth for the agency’s diverse clients.
“CAA is on a mission,” said Lovett. “We are relentless in our pursuit of opportunities for all – for colleagues, for clients, and for those in our Amplify network committed to accelerating positive, hopeful, energetic change. Kevin and Ruben are superstar leaders in these efforts.”
Garcia and Lin will implement and grow existing initiatives including the Motion Picture Cast Diversity Index, the Amplify database, Motion Picture and Television Roadshows, and creative talent development events like the Writers Bootcamp and Creators Summits, among others.
In addition to continuing in his role as an agent, Lin will also oversee the recently formed Cultural Innovation Task Force,...
“CAA is on a mission,” said Lovett. “We are relentless in our pursuit of opportunities for all – for colleagues, for clients, and for those in our Amplify network committed to accelerating positive, hopeful, energetic change. Kevin and Ruben are superstar leaders in these efforts.”
Garcia and Lin will implement and grow existing initiatives including the Motion Picture Cast Diversity Index, the Amplify database, Motion Picture and Television Roadshows, and creative talent development events like the Writers Bootcamp and Creators Summits, among others.
In addition to continuing in his role as an agent, Lin will also oversee the recently formed Cultural Innovation Task Force,...
- 9/21/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Audra McDonald, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical and its star Adrienne Warren, Lachanze, Aziza Barnes’ play Blks and the Off Broadway revival of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf were among the big winners at tonight’s inaugural Antonyo Awards for black theater artists on Broadway and Off Broadway.
McDonald took the award for Best Actor in a Play on Broadway for her performance in the Broadway revival of Terrence McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune directed by Arin Arbus. Warren, who plays Tina Turner in Tina, was named Best Actor in a Musical on Broadway.
Blks was named Best Play, and Tina took Best Musical.
Created by Broadway Black, a multimedia organization that includes a website and podcast, the Antonyos’ Juneteenth inaugural ceremony included such presenters and performers as McDonald, Tituss Burgess, Alex Newell, Jordan E. Cooper,...
McDonald took the award for Best Actor in a Play on Broadway for her performance in the Broadway revival of Terrence McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune directed by Arin Arbus. Warren, who plays Tina Turner in Tina, was named Best Actor in a Musical on Broadway.
Blks was named Best Play, and Tina took Best Musical.
Created by Broadway Black, a multimedia organization that includes a website and podcast, the Antonyos’ Juneteenth inaugural ceremony included such presenters and performers as McDonald, Tituss Burgess, Alex Newell, Jordan E. Cooper,...
- 6/20/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Here we go again. The concept behind “Groundhog Day” is perfect in its simplicity. A sarcastic, narcissistic man finds himself stuck in a time loop of the same day, Groundhog Day, until he becomes a better person.
But more than a quarter century after the 1993 movie’s release, producer Trevor Albert and screenwriter Danny Rubin had the same horror story about the film’s development that other filmmakers have dealt with over and over again.
“Somebody whose name I won’t say said, ‘Why does the day repeat? Why the hell … I like it, it’s good, but I don’t understand why he gets stuck in this loop,” Albert told TheWrap about an executive at Columbia’s note regarding the script.
Also Read: Andie MacDowell on 'Groundhog Day' at 25: Bill Murray 'Asked Me to Really Slap Him'
There’s no specific reason given for why Phil...
But more than a quarter century after the 1993 movie’s release, producer Trevor Albert and screenwriter Danny Rubin had the same horror story about the film’s development that other filmmakers have dealt with over and over again.
“Somebody whose name I won’t say said, ‘Why does the day repeat? Why the hell … I like it, it’s good, but I don’t understand why he gets stuck in this loop,” Albert told TheWrap about an executive at Columbia’s note regarding the script.
Also Read: Andie MacDowell on 'Groundhog Day' at 25: Bill Murray 'Asked Me to Really Slap Him'
There’s no specific reason given for why Phil...
- 2/1/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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