#André Robin De Shields

[caroleditosti]

'Death of a Salesman,' Starring Wendell Pierce, Sharon D Clarke in Dynamic, Powerful Performances

‘Death of a Salesman,’ Starring Wendell Pierce, Sharon D Clarke in Dynamic, Powerful Performances

Wendell Pierce in Death of a Salesman (courtesy of Joan Marcus) Director Miranda Cromwell has given Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman another go round in a revival elucidating the most salient features of Miller’s modern tragedy. Cromwell’s version, currently at the Hudson Theatre, reminds us that as a classic of the 20th century, the play’s themes are timeless, and Loman’s fall is…

[maxwell-grant]

Would you consider Hugo Strange a pulp villain?

Yes. And I would argue that he didn't really stop being one even after his revival.

"Professor Hugo Strange, the most dangerous man in the world! Scientist, philosopher and a criminal genius - little is known of him, yet this man is undoubtly the greatest organizer of crime in the world! - Bruce Wayne, Detective Comics #36

Hugo Strange was created with the intention of being Batman's arch-enemy right from the start, introduced as such by Bruce when he figures out he's responsible for the G-man assassination, pretty explicitly intended to be Batman's Moriarty and with even an equivalent demise. He was big enough to tower over his henchmen and fistfight Batman, he had a uniquely deformed skull, he was both a charismatic but threatening crimelord as well as a mad scientist plotting to TAKE OVER THE WORLD, and I've heard before the argument that the Monster Men were taken from a Doc Savage novel released earlier the same year called The World's Fair Goblin that revolves around a giant mutated man doing crimes under command by the story's villain

That poor devil, Maximus, was a Fair visitor himself, once. He was given injections of thyroxine and adrenalin—and changed rapidly into a pituitary giant. But, in the experiment, his will power was destroyed. Now he only follows the directions of that masked devil who has him hypnotized

He said, "The Man of Tomorrow stuff was merely publicity to draw the Fair crowds—and a shield to cover your own experiments. But the masked surgeon cashed in on it. Obviously he is mad enough to really believe a superman can be created." - The World's Fair Goblin

(Considering Lester Dent had taken potshots at Superman explicitly in "Whisker of Hercules", it's not unlikely that this is an explicit reference)

Although there's really no overlap in the stories besides that, as The World's Fair Goblin only had one giant where as Hugo mutated a couple dozen mentally ill patients to create monsters and then used them to go on mass murdering rampages, because Batman has always been over-the-top. But, yeah, original form Hugo was a pretty cut and dry pulp villain, like most of Batman's villains who debuted prior to 1940. Which is part of why he only had about 3 appearences before they killed him off.

By this point, Batman was in the process of moving away from his pulp knock-off origins into more of his own character, with the introduction of Robin and Dick Tracy cartoon villains that would set the tone for the rest of Batman in the Golden Age, and with the debut of Joker and Catwoman in Batman #1, Hugo was already obsolete as an arch-enemy, and was killed off the following appearence.

Of course, if you know Hugo Strange, you likely already know this, and that he was then revived in the 70s by Marshall Rogers with a brilliant take that stuck to the character's origins as a brilliant crimelord and scientific genius, but also added to him a specifically twisted psychological bent of being obsessed with Batman and becoming Batman, a villain of unshakeable will and even a twisted sense of honor and ethics, refusing to divulge Batman's secret identity even while beaten to death.

And from that moment onwards Hugo would go on to have some of the most consistently brilliant appearences out of any Batman villain (at least until the 2010s) and would secure himself as a mainstay, albeit a very obscure one, figure of Batman, the kind of villain whose plots can range from Born Again-esque subtle destructions of a person's life to a rampage of mutant kaijus on downtown Gotham, and like many of the best Batman villains, it all comes back to a central obsession and psychological edge upon Batman, and the weaponizing and destruction of anything that stands in his way.

You could argue Hugo Strange used to be a cut and dry pulp villain who was eventually reimagined as a Batman Villain, and it would even be somewhat fitting of his in-universe trajectory as a man who started out a career as a figure of prestige and respect, effortlessly able to blend in society, until his repeated encounters with Batman and, most importantly, his gradually increasing obsession with becoming Batman, gradually destroyed him until he's no longer the one ruling the madhouse, but instead trapped in it.

But the reason why I'd argue Hugo Strange is still a Pulp Villain is because his reinventions didn't shed away what he used to be, they merely returned him to his true origins. Because Hugo, you see, is not just a Mad Scientist or Mad Psychologist, Batman's got those by the dozens. Hugo is of a particularly nasty kind of Pulp Villain, who came to existence around the same time as the Mad Scientist if not slightly earlier, an archetype Jess Nevins has named The Evil Surgeon

Medicine has arguably thrown up more serial killers than all the other professions put together, with nursing a close second - Herbert Kinnel, former chairman of the British Medical Association

The Evil Surgeon came to existence as a pop culture archetype in the late 19th century, as the result of serial killers like Jack the Ripper and H.H Holmes making the news, with Doctor Quartz from Nick Carter being first and foremost among these, as the main arch-enemy of the most published character worldwide at the time.

He would be followed years later by H.G Wells's Doctor Moreau, and the likes of Dr Caresco and Professor Tornada, the stars of novels created by André Couvreur, who was himself a medical doctor and used these novels to both condemn the characters as well as give serious consideration to the ideas they explored, and depicted Dr Caresco's over-the-top exploits harkening back to stories about Marquis de Sade (the origin of the term "sadist"). These would be followed by characters like Grigorii Trirodov, Dr Cornelius Kramm, Dr Gogol from Mad Love, currently the most famous example of this seems to be Hannibal Lecter. And Hugo has been operating much more along the lines of those characters in the last decades, than the typical mad scientists he was once designed in reference to.

Of course there's a massive overlap between the two and room to dispute whether they even constitute separate archetypes, they practically came to existence together following the footsteps of Victor Frankenstein, who really isn't a true example of a Mad Scientist in the original novel, and wasn't even a real doctor, but Frankenstein's reputation undeniably is the oldest cultural touchstone we can point to as an influence in the archetype, even if said archetype would only truly take form in pulp magazines and serials.

What I'd argue defines the Evil Surgeon as an archetype specifically, is that they are specifically centered around the violation and destruction of the human body and function more as murderers with budgets, than supervillains in labcoats. Mad Scientists are generally more centered around plots closer to sci-fi/fantasy inventions like sentient robots and immortality potions used for large scale global domination, where as Evil Surgeons are more preoccupied with wielding psychology and torture and criminal resources to get away with destroying minds on more individual scales, or turning cities into slaughterhouses for them to work in.

They aren't quite full blown slasher villains, like Zsasz or Professor Pyg, instead they usually tend to be quite good at passing off as respectable, mentally sound figures of moral standing, and usually possess a sense of purpose towards their work, a goal they are working for by piling corpses atop each other and moving resources to achieve, even if said goal is a purely selfish fulfillment of their own desires. It's quite common for these characters to acquire large bases for them to operate in, even islands specifically.

In Caresco Surhomme, Caresco has taken control of the Pacific island of Eucrasia. Caresco applies his surgical methods to the inhabitants of the island, altering them to better do their jobs. The captain of the plane which brings outsiders to Eucrasia is a limbless trunk with telescopic vision. Even the island itself is in the shape of a human body. The natives of Eucrasia are addicted to various sensual pleasures and generally submit to Caresco’s rule, for fear that he will castrate them or worse.

On Eucrasia, Caresco makes use of “omnium,” a mysterious and unexplained power source, to create: a machine capable of stripping the years from human bodies and reversing the aging process, a fast underground train system, food pills, omnium-powered diving suits, and so on. Caresco is given to such things as collecting the spleens of all those he operates on - Jess Nevins, The Encyclopedia of Pulp Heroes

So, yes, I absolutely would argue Hugo Strange is still a Pulp Villain. Pulp villains do come in many different forms other than the Fu Manchus and Fantomases that are most commonly imitated, pulp was the breeding ground of the supervillain as a concept after all, where they got to star in their own magazines time and time again. Hugo started off as a fairly generic one, and when he's written poorly, he tends to be brought onboard of a story purely because it calls for a mad scientist.

But Strange came back from death as something much, much worse than just a crimelord and mad scientist, a much more rare and much nastier type of villain that, much like Hugo himself, may lie dormant, but refuses to stay dead for long.

"Quincy. My servant. My friend," Hugo said. "We don't have much time."

Quincy was crying again, with joy. "How, master, how did you-?"

The therapy, Quincy realized. The hypnosis. The drugs.

"Stay with me master, please!" Quincy tried to grab hold a phantom hand.

"I cannot." Strange said, looking benevolently down at Quincy, stroking his hair with a touch the prisoner couldn't feel. "But there is one last service you can perform me."

"Anything, Hugo, please."

"First, remove the sheet from your bed, Quincy. And tie it to the light-fixture on the ceiling."

[writemarcus]

Savion Glover, Jason Robert Brown, Priscilla Lopez, More Join NYPL I'm Still Here Benefit

BY ANDREW GANS

JUN 16, 2021

The upcoming benefit, celebrating the New York Public Library's Billy Rose Theatre Division, honors George C. Wolfe and the late Harold Prince.

Additional artists have joined the upcoming I'm Still Here benefit, celebrating the 90th anniversary of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ Billy Rose Theatre Division and the 50th anniversary of its Theatre on Film and Tape Archive.

Honoring Tony-winning directors George C. Wolfe and the late Harold Prince, I’m Still Here will stream on Broadway on Demand June 23 at 8 PM ET.

Jason Robert Brown, Savion Glover, Priscilla Lopez, Susan Stroman, Marisha Wallace, and Christopher Wheeldon have joined the starry roster of participants. The evening, as previously announced, will also feature archival content of several Broadway productions preserved in the archive, including the newly announced Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson in The Mountaintop; Bette Midler in I'll Eat You Last; Brian Stokes Mitchell in Ragtime; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot in South Pacific; Christian Borle and Tim Curry in Spamalot; and Craig Bierko and Rebecca Luker in The Music Man.

Viewers can expect to see Glover, Jimmy Tate, Choclattjared, and Raymond King in Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk; Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden, and Larry Pine in The Seagull; Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robin de Jesús, Christopher Jackson, Karen Olivo, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Eliseo Román, and Seth Stewart in In the Heights; and Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard.

Watch Stephanie J. Block Belt Out She Loves Me's 'A Trip to the Library' for NYPL I'm Still Here Benefit

Also taking part: Annaleigh Ashford (Sunday in the Park with George), Alexander Bello (Caroline, or Change), Laura Benanti (She Loves Me), Malik Bilbrew, Alexandra Billings (Wicked), Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam), Shay Bland, Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Matthew Broderick (Plaza Suite), Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), David Burtka (Gypsy), Sammi Cannold (Endlings), Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Max Clayton (Moulin Rouge!), Calvin L. Cooper (Mrs. Doubtfire), DeMarius Copes (Mean Girls), Trip Cullman (Choir Boy), Taeler Elyse Cyrus (Hello, Dolly!), Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on This Island), Robin de Jesús (In the Heights), André De Shields (Hadestown), Frank DiLella (NY1), Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), Leslie Donna Flesner (Tootsie), Chelsea P. Freeman, Joel Grey (Cabaret), Ryan J. Haddad (The Politician), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), James Harkness (Ain’t Too Proud), Marcy Harriell (Company), Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Mark Harris (Mike Nichols: A Life), David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Cassondra James (Once on This Island), Marcus Paul James (Rent), Taylor Iman Jones (Hamilton), Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy (The Inheritance), Hilary Knight, Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party), Norman Lear (Good Times), Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line), Sondra Lee (Hello, Dolly!), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Ashley Loren (Moulin Rouge!), Allen René Louis, Brittney Mack (Six), Taylor Mac (Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus), Morgan Marcell, Aaron Marcellus, Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), Sarah Meahl, Joanna Merlin (Fiddler on the Roof), Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Leilani Patao (Garden Girl), Nova Payton (Dreamgirls), Joel Perez (Kiss My Aztec), Bernadette Peters (Into the Woods), Tonya Pinkins (Jelly’s Last Jam), Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Jelani Remy (Ain’t Too Proud), Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Beetlejuice), George Salazar (Be More Chill), Marilyn Saunders (Company), Marcus Scott (Fidelio), Rashidra Scott (Company), Rona Siddiqui (Tales of a Halfghan), Ahmad Simmons, Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), Bobby Conte Thornton (Company), Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet), Kei Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Ben Vereen (Pippin), Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo, Paula Vogel (Indecent), Nik Walker (Ain’t Too Proud), Shannon Fiona Weir, Helen Marla White (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Natasha Yvette Williams (Orange Is the New Black), and Ricardo Zayas (Hamilton).

The program will also feature interviews with Broadway artists plus the re-conception of classic musical theatre songs, including "A Trip to the Library," “Wheels of a Dream,” “Another Hundred People,” “Love Will Find a Way,” and, fittingly, “I’m Still Here.”

READ: The Woman Who Fought to Record and Preserve Broadway Shows

The virtual benefit is produced and conceived by Boardman and Doran and features direction by Steve Broadnax, Sammi Cannold, Nick Corley, Ty Defoe, Lorin Latarro, Mia Walker, and Jason Michael Webb, choreography by Ayodele Casel, Latarro, and Ray Mercer, with new music arranged by Rachel Dean and Annastasia Victory, arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer, and casting by Peter Van Dam at Tara Rubin Casting.

Tickets are donate-what-you-can, with a recommendation of at least $19.31 in honor of the year the division was founded. Visit StillHereat90.com.

[mysticalhearth]

A

The Addams Family - First National Tour - October 18, 2011 (SunsetBlvd79's video master) CAST: Douglas Sills (Gomez Addams), Sara Gettelfinger (Morticia Addams), Cortney Wolfson (Wednesday Addams), Blake Hammond (Fester Addams), Patrick D Kennedy (Pugsley Addams), Pippa Pearthree (Grandma Addams), Tom Corbeil (Lurch), Crista Moore (Alice Beineke), Martin Vidnovic (Mal Beineke), Brian Justin Crum (Lucas Beineke) NOTES: Beautiful capture of the again newly reworked version of the tour. This would technically make it version 3.0. Changes include new songs, reworked, new or cut scenes and plots, that work for the better! A+

Aida - Broadway - March 29, 2000 (Matinee) (Major's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Heather Headley (Aida), Adam Pascal (Radames), Sherie Rene Scott (Amneris), John Hickok (Zoser), Schele Williams (Nehebka), Damian Perkins (Mereb)

NOTES: Amazing quality for the early 2000s. Digital if I'm not mistaken. Audio holds up well.

Aida - Broadway - December 3, 2000 FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Heather Headley (Aida), Adam Pascal (Radames), Sherie Rene Scott (Amneris), Tyrees Allen (Amonasro), John Hickok (Zoser), Daniel Oreskes (Pharaoh), Phineas Newborn III (u/s Mereb)

NOTES: Extremely clear video from a digital shoot. Show is very well captured.

Aida - Broadway - March 27, 2001 FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Maya Days (Aida), Adam Pascal (Radames), Idina Menzel (Amneris), John Hickok (Zoser), Damian Perkins (Mereb)

NOTES: Date is most likely wrong, as Heather Headley was still playing Aida at this point. Idina Menzel only played Amneris Sep 13, 2001 - Jan 27, 2002.

Aida - Broadway - December 12, 2001 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Maya Days (Aida), Matt Bogart (u/s Radames), Idina Menzel (Amneris), John Hickok (Zoser), Damian Perkins (Mereb)

Aida - Dutch Concert - June, 2019 (Rumpel's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: April Darby (Aida), Freek Bartels (Radames), Willemijn Verkaik (Amneris), Tony Neef (Zoser), Tjindjara Metschendorp (Nehebka), Nigel Brown (Mereb)

Aida - National Tour - November 18, 2001 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Simone (Aida), Patrick Cassidy (Radames), Kelli Fournier (Amneris)

NOTES: Includes about 90 minutes of highlights from the Broadway production with Matt Bogart.

Aida - Netherlands - July 8, 2002 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Chaira Borderslee (Aida), Bastiaan Ragas (Radames), Marleen van der Loo (u/s Amneris), Ben Cramer (Pharaoh)

NOTES: The only known video with Bastiaan Ragas and Chaira Borderslee.

Aida - Netherlands - July 22, 2003 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Chaira Borderslee (Aida), René van Kooten (Radames), Antje Monteiro (Amneris), Marlon David Henry (Mereb)

Aida - Netherlands - July 31, 2003 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Carolina Dijkhuizen (alt Aida), René van Kooten (Radames), Antje Monteiro (Amneris)

NOTES: Full show plus the first act from Carolina's last show on August 2, 2003.

Aida - Tecklenburg - August 29, 2009 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Zodwa Selele (Aida), Patrick Stanke (Radames), Willemijn Verkaik (Amneris), Mario Mariano (Amonasro), Marc Clear (Zoser), Ansgar Schäfer (Pharaoh), Milica Jovanovic (Nehebka), Thada Suanduanchai (Mereb)

NOTES: Multi-cam pro-shot.

Ain't Broadway Grand - Broadway - May 6, 1993 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Mike Burstyn (Mike Todd), Debbie Shapiro Gravitte (Gypsy Rose Lee), Maureen McNamara (Joan Blondell), Maureen McNamara (Bobby Clark), Gabriel Barre (Marvin Fischbein)

Ain't Misbehavin' - Television Production - 1982 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: André De Shields, Armelia McQueen, Charlayne Woodard, Ken Page, Nell Carter

Ain't Too Proud - Pre-Broadway Tour - August 24, 2018 (Opening Night) (thehouseonsunset's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Derrick Baskin (Otis Williams), James Harkness (Paul Williams), Jawan M Jackson (Melvin Franklin), Jeremy Pope (Eddie Kendricks), Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin), Saint Aubyn (Dennis Edwards), Shawn Bowers (Lamont), Jahi Kearse (Berry Gordy), E Clayton Cornelious (Shelly Berger), Rashidra Scott (Josephine), Christian Thompson (Smokey Robinson), Jarvis B Manning (Al Bryant), Candice Marie Woods (Diana Ross), Taylor Symone Jackson (Johnnie Mae/Mary Wilson)

Aladdin - Broadway - August 22, 2014 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), Clifton Davis (Sultan), Brian Gonzales (Babkak), Brandon O'Neill (Kassim), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Andrew Cao (u/s Omar)

NOTES: Act one has three major blackouts: the scene between Arabian Nights and One Jump Ahead, the scene between One Jump Ahead and Proud of Your Boy, and the last 22 minutes of the act, which is all of Friend Like Me and Act One Finale. There is also a head that blocks center stage and the action is often lost behind it. Act two is much better with no blackouts and only some heads on the bottom that are worked around well. It’s filmed in 16:9, with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. There’s a lot of chatter and rustling from the audience, but the sound is otherwise excellent. Includes playbill scans.

Aladdin - Broadway - November 5, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), Merwin Foard (s/b Jafar), Michael James Scott (s/b Genie)

NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of latest Disney Broadway offering. Great to see the changes from the Toronto tryout. Michael and Merwin do terrific jobs as Genie and Jafar. A

Aladdin - Broadway - June, 2018 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Telly Leung (Aladdin), Arielle Jacobs (Jasmine), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), Major Attaway (Genie), Brian Gonzales (Babkak), Steel Burkhardt (Kassim), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Brad Weinstock (Omar)

Aladdin - Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular - January 8, 2016 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Miles Wesley (Aladdin), Deedee Magno Hall (Jasmine), Lace Robert (Jafar), Nick Santa Maria (Genie)

NOTES: This is not the same as the Broadway version! Good quality video overall, filmed 2 nights before closing.

Aladdin - First National Tour - April 16, 2017 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Isabelle McCalla (Jasmine), Jonathan Weir (Jafar), Anthony Murphy (Genie), JC Montgomery (Sultan), Zach Bencal (Babkak), Mike Longo (Kassim), Reggie De Leon (Iago), Philippe Arroyo (Omar)

NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the newly launched tour. A terrific cast and a few new small variations to accommodate the tour on the road. A+

Aladdin - First National Tour - January 19, 2018 (Highlights) (thehouseonsunset's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), Jonathan Weir (Jafar), Michael James Scott (Genie), JC Montgomery (Sultan), Zach Bencal (Babkak), Mike Longo (Kassim), Reggie De Leon (Iago), Philippe Arroyo (Omar), Jaz Sealey (Prince Abdullah), Olivia Donalson (Fortune Teller), Michael Graceffa (Shop Owner), Bobby Daye (Razoul), Albert Jennings, Annie Wallace, Charles South, Mary Antonini

NOTES: ACT ONE ONLY!!! Taken with a GoPro Camera. There is no Zooms but a clear view of the entire stage . There are some heads blocking the view and I occasionally tilt the camera by accident.

Aladdin - First National Tour - March 7, 2019 (Matinee) (thehouseonsunset's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Clinton Greenspan (Aladdin), Lissa deGuzman (Jasmine), Jonathan Weir (Jafar), Major Attaway (Genie), Jerald Vincent (Sultan), Zach Bencal (Babkak), Jed Feder (Kassim), Jay Paranada (Iago), Michael Bullard (u/s Omar), Albert Jennings (s/w Prince Abdullah), Olivia Donalson (Fortune Teller), Erik Hernandez (Shop Owner), Albert Jennings (e/c Razoul)

NOTES: A kids head blocks my shot from time to time but not throughout the entire video. Video ends right before Aladdin and Jasmine get onto the magic carpet.

Aladdin - Pre-Broadway / Toronto - November 3, 2013 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), Courtney Reed (Jasmine), Jonathan Freeman (Jafar), James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), Clifton Davis (Sultan), Brian Gonzales (Babkak), Brandon O'Neill (Kassim), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Jonathan Schwartz (Omar)

NOTES: Beautiful HD capture with no obstructions! Disney's newest theatrical production with a wonderful cast and lots of big production numbers. Sure to be some changes before it hits Broadway! A+

Aladdin - Stuttgart - July, 2019 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Leon de Graaf (Aladdin), Nienke Latten (Jasmine), Paolo Bianca (Jafar), Philipp Tobias Hägeli (Genie), Claus Dam (Sultan), Tobias Weis (Babkak), Nicolas Christahl (Kassim), Eric Minsk (Iago), Robin Cadet (Omar), Devon Braithwaite (Prince Abdullah), Paola Fareri (Fortune Teller)

NOTES: No zooms, pretty overexposed and white-washed but captures all the action and has great sound.

Alan Cumming: Legal Immigrant - Joe's Pub - June 30, 2018 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Alan Cumming (Alan Cumming)

 Albion - London - 2020 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (HD) CAST: Nigel Betts (Edward), Edyta Budnik (Krystyna), Angel Coulby (Anna), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Zara), Dónal Finn (Gabriel), Victoria Hamilton (Audrey Walters), Margot Leicester (Cheryl), Nicholas Rowe (Paul Walters), Helen Schlesinger (Katherine Sanchez)

NOTES: Proshot for BBC Four. Aired on August 17, 2020.

Alice at the Palace - Broadway - July, 1981 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Meryl Streep (Alice), Debbie Allen (Red Queen)

NOTES: Filmed without an audience on a sound stage, songs synced to pre-recorded tracks. Released commercially through Broadway Theatre Archive.

Alice By Heart - Off-Broadway - March, 2019 (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Molly Gordon (Alice Spencer/Alice), Colton Ryan (Alfred Hallam/White Rabbit/March Hare), Wesley Taylor (Harold Pudding/Mad Hatter/Pigeon/Knave of Spades/Mock Mock Turtle), Noah Galvin (Dodgy/Duchess/Dodo/Mock Mock Mock Mock Turtle), Catherine Ricafort (Clarissa/Canary/Queen of Diamonds/Mock Mock Mock Turtle), Kim Blanck (Tabatha/Cheshire Cat/Caterpillar 2), Grace McLean (Red Cross Nurse/Queen of Hearts/Magpie), Heath Saunders (Angus/Caterpillar/Knave of Hearts), Andrew Kober (Dr Butridge/King of Hearts/Duck/Jabberwocky/Mock Turtle), Mia DiLena, Zachary Downer

NOTES: Really beautiful shot in an intimate space. Lots of zooms, but a good amount of wider shots too with a very limited (almost nonexistent) amount of heads. The lighting in this theater really liked my camera and I know the show almost “by heart” so I think I followed the action as well as possible. My battery died during the last song, but it starts at the very beginning with only one drop out during dialogue.

Alien: The Play - North Bergen, NJ High School - April 26, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (4K) CAST: NJ High School Cast

NOTES: 4K, 8.11gb.

Alive! The Zombie Musical - In Concert - Pershing Square Signature Center (New York Musical Festival) - July 29, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Amanda Jane Cooper, Zach Adkins, Nicholas Belton, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, and Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Chris Dwan, Blaine Krauss, Mary Page Nance, Alex Gibson, Kennedy Caughell, and Daisy Hobbs.

NOTES: - ALIVE! was presented in concert on July 29th at 8pm at the Signature Theatre in NYC, starring; Amanda Jane Cooper, Zach Adkins, Nicholas Belton, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Blaine Krauss, Chris Dwan, Alex Gibson, Mary Page Nance, Kennedy Caughell, and Daisy Hobbs. Directed by David Ruttura and Music Direction by Taylor Peckham. https://www.playbill.com/article/alive-the-zombie-musical-in-concert-starring-amanda-jane-cooper-zach-adkins-nicholas-belton-will-be-available-for-streaming A concert version of Alive! The Zombie Musical, which was presented in July 2019 at the Pershing Square Signature Center as part of the New York Musical Festival.

All About Eve - West End - April 11, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  AVI (HD) CAST: Gillian Anderson (Channing), Lily James (Eve), Rhashan Stone (Lloyd), Jessie Mei Li (Claudia Casswell), Sheila Reid (Birdie), Monica Dolan (Karen)

NOTES: Proshot for NT Live

All My Sons - The Old Vic - May 14, 2019 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  TS (HD) CAST: Bill Pullman (Joe Keller), Jenna Coleman (Ann Deever), Sally Field (Kate Keller), Colin Morgan (Chris Keller), Sule Rimi (Dr. Bayliss), Oliver Johnstone (George Deever)

All Or Nothing - West End - 2018 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Carol Harrison (Kay Marriot), Chris Simmons (Steve Marriot)

All Shook Up - Broadway - April 9, 2005 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Cheyenne Jackson (Chad), Jenn Gambatese (Natalie Haller/Ed), Sharon Wilkins (Sylvia), Nikki M James (Lorraine), Mark Price (Dennis), Jonathan Hadary (Jim Haller), Alix Korey (Mayor Matilda Hyde), Curtis Holbrook (Dean Hyde), John Jellison (Sheriff Earl), Leah Hocking (Miss Sandra)

NOTES: Includes NY1 interview

Allegiance - Broadway - 2015 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Lea Salonga (Kei Kimura), George Takei (Sam Kimura/Ojii-chan), Telly Leung (Sammy Kimura), Katie Rose Clarke (Hannah Campbell), Michael K Lee (Frankie Suzuki), Christòpheren Nomura (Tatsuo Kimura), Greg Watanabe (Mike Masaoka), Darren Lee (Dr. Tanaka/Ben Masaoka), Rumi Oyama (Mrs. Tanaka), Shea Renne (Betsy Tanaka), Scott Watanabe (Mr. Maruyama), Janelle Toyomi Dote (Mrs. Maruyama/Executor), Aaron J Albano (Tom Maruyama), Momoko Sugai (Peggy Maruyama), Marcus Choi (Johnny Goto), Elena Wang (Nan Goto), Dan Horn (Private Evans/Recruiting Officer/Big Band Singer), Scott Wise (Director Dillon/Farmer/Photographer), Kevin Munhall (Private Knight/Federal Agent/Tule Lake Guard)

NOTES: The Collector's Edition DVD from the Box Set

Altar Boyz - National Tour - May 4, 2007 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: James Royce Edwards (Matthew), Dan Domenech (Juan), Dan Pachecho (Abraham), Tyler McGee (Luke), Danny Calvert (Mark)

I Am Harvey Milk - Gay Men’s Chorus Of Los Angeles - 35th Anniversary Concert - July 19, 2014 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Andrew Lippa (Harvey Milk), Alexandra Silber (Soprano), Quinn Morrissey (Young Harvey Milk)

NOTES: Great capture with no washout, obstruction or blackouts; filmed in 16:9, mostly moving between wide shots to capture the chorus and close-ups to capture the soloists. Great clear picture and sound. Includes curtain call and playbill scans. Also included are 36 minutes of highlights of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles's 35th Anniversary Concert that preceded I Am Harvey Milk.

I Am My Own Wife - Broadway - November 19, 2003 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jefferson Mays (Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, et al.)

NOTES: Great video, great show with lots of close ups.

Amadeus - National Theatre - February 2, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Adam Gillen (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), Luciene Msamat (Antonio Salieri), Karla Crome (Constanze Weber), Fleur deBray (Katherina Cavalieri), Wendy Dawn Thompson (Teresa Salieri), Tom Edden (Joseph II, Emperor of Austria), Geoffrey Beevers (Baron van Swieten), Andrew MacBean (Guiseppe Bonno), Alexandra Mathie (Count Johann Kilian Von Strack), Hugh Sacks (Count Orsini-Rosenberg), Everal Walsh (Major Domo)

Amazing Grace - Pre-Broadway - October 29, 2014 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Erin Mackey (Mary Catlett), Josh Young (John Newton), Stanley Bahorek (Robert Haweis), Chuck Cooper (Pakuteh (Thomas)), Harriett D Foy (Princess Peyai), Tom Hewitt (Captain Newton), Chris Hoch (Major Gray)

NOTES: Beautiful HD capture of the ProBroadway tryout. Josh is in beautiful voice here in the story behind one of the World's most famous songs! A very solid cast and production. A

American Idiot - Berkeley - October 4, 2009 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: John Gallagher Jr (Johnny), Michael Esper (Will), Matt Caplan (Tunny), Tony Vincent (St. Jimmy), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Whatsername), Mary Faber (Heather), Christina Sajous (Extraordinary Girl)

NOTES: Stunning capture of a wonderful production. The cast is fabulous and bursting with energy. Beautifully sang, executed, arranged and a very talented cast! A+

American Idiot - Broadway - February 19, 2011 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: John Gallagher Jr (Johnny), Michael Esper (Will), Van Hughes (s/b Tunny), Billie Joe Armstrong (St. Jimmy), Rebecca Naomi Jones (Whatsername), Jeanna de Waal (Heather), Libby Winters (u/s Extraordinary Girl), Chase Peacock, Gerard Canonico, Jennifer Bowles

NOTES: Probably the only full capture of the show with the lead vocalist of Green Day Billie Joe Armstrong in the role of St. Jimmy.

American Idiot - Los Angeles - 2015 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  AVI (HD) CAST: Alec Cyganowski (Johnny), Matt Magnusson (Will), Payson Lewis (Tunny), Caitlin Ary (St. Jimmy), Lindsay Pearce (Whatsername), Briana Cuoco (Heather), Bianca Gisselle (Extraordinary Girl), Abraham Lim (Favorite Son), Casey Hayden, Jordan Booker, Reesa Ishiyama, Zach Zagoria

American Idiot - Third National Tour - May 15, 2014 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Jared Nepute (Johnny), Casey O’Farrell (Will), Dan Tracy (Tunny), Carson Higgins (St. Jimmy), Olivia Puckett (Whatsername), Mariah MacFarlane (Heather), Taylor Iman Jones (Extraordinary Girl), Antwaun Holley (Favorite Son), Alex Boniello, Alison Morooney, Andrew Humann, Antwaun Holley, Chelsea Turbin, Josephine Spada, Liam Fennecken, Michael Pilato, Sean Garner, Turner Rose Jr

An American in Paris - West End - May, 2017 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Robert Fairchild (Jerry Mulligan), Leanne Cope (Lise Dassin), David Seadon-Young (Adam Hochberg), Zoë Rainey (Milo Davenport), Haydn Oakley (Henri Baurel), Jane Asher (Madame Baurel), Ashley Andrews (Mr. Z), Julian Forsyth (Monsieur Baurel), Julia J Nagle (Olga)

NOTES: Aired as part of PBS Great Performances on November 2, 2018. Can be found on BroadwayHD to stream. File info and quality varies across traders, therefore ask them before trading. One file that is being traded is 10.29GB, a WEB-DL from Amazon that includes soft-subtitles.

American Psycho - Broadway - March 29, 2016 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Benjamin Walker (Patrick Bateman), Jennifer Damiano (Jean), Drew Moerlein (Paul Owen), Alice Ripley (Svetlana/Mrs. Bateman/Mrs. Wolfe), Heléne Yorke (Evelyn Williams), Dave Thomas Brown (David Van Patten), Anna Eilinsfeld (Victoria), Ericka Hunter (Video Store Clerk/Sabrina), Theo Stockman (Timothy Price), Alex Michael Stoll (ATM/Craig McDermott/Tom Cruise)

NOTES: Excellent capture of the new dark musical transfer from the West End. Great cast and wonderful 80s style and inspired musical. A

Amélie - Berkeley Repertory Theatre - September 5, 2015 (Preview) (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Samantha Barks (Amélie Poulain), Savvy Crawford (Young Amélie), Adam Chanler-Berat (Nino Quincampoix), Tony Sheldon (Raymond Dufayel / Collignon), John Hickok (Raphaël Poulain / Bretodeau), Alison Cimmet (Amandine Poulain / Philomene), Maria-Christina Oliveras (Suzanne), Carla Duren (Gina), Alyse Alan Louis (Georgette / Sylvie / Collignon's Mother), Randy Blair (Hipolito / Suicidal Tourist / Elton John), Perry Sherman (Lucien / Mysterious Man), Perry Sherman (Adrien Wells/Wallace), Paul Whitty (Fluffy / Collignon's Father), Paul Whitty (Joseph), David Andino (Blind Beggar), David Andino (Garden Gnome)

NOTES: An adorable and charming new show premiering at Berkeley Repertory. Samantha, Adam, and Savvy are fantastic in their roles, the music is gorgeous, and the sets are beautiful and clever. A very nice capture with just one quick dropout and one small head that can occasionally be seen at the bottom of the screen but never blocks the action. It’s filmed in 16:9, with a mix of wides, mediums and close-ups. The sound is excellent. The show runs 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission. Includes curtain call and playbill scans. A

Amélie - Broadway - March 29, 2017 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Phillipa Soo (Amélie Poulain), Savvy Crawford (Young Amélie), Adam Chanler-Berat (Nino Quincampoix), Tony Sheldon (Raymond Dufayel / Collignon), Manoel Felciano (Raphaël Poulain / Bretodeau), Alison Cimmet (Amandine Poulain / Philomene), Harriett D Foy (Suzanne), Maria-Christina Oliveras (Gina), Alyse Alan Louis (Georgette / Sylvie / Collignon's Mother), Randy Blair (Hipolito / Suicidal Tourist / Elton John), Heath Calvert (Lucien / Mysterious Man), Heath Calvert (Adrien Wells/Wallace), Paul Whitty (Fluffy / Collignon's Father), Paul Whitty (Joseph), David Andino (Blind Beggar), David Andino (Garden Gnome)

NOTES: Excellent HD capture of the new whimsical musical. The entire cast gives great performances in this fun and sweet tale of a dreamer! A-

Amélie - Broadway - May 12, 2017 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Phillipa Soo (Amélie Poulain), Savvy Crawford (Young Amélie), Adam Chanler-Berat (Nino Quincampoix), Tony Sheldon (Raymond Dufayel / Collignon), Manoel Felciano (Raphaël Poulain / Bretodeau), Alison Cimmet (Amandine Poulain / Philomene), Harriett D Foy (Suzanne), Maria-Christina Oliveras (Gina), Alyse Alan Louis (Georgette / Sylvie / Collignon's Mother), Randy Blair (Hipolito / Suicidal Tourist / Elton John), Heath Calvert (Lucien / Mysterious Man), Heath Calvert (Adrien Wells/Wallace), Paul Whitty (Fluffy / Collignon's Father), Paul Whitty (Joseph), David Andino (Blind Beggar), David Andino (Garden Gnome)

NOTES: Great HD capture a week before the closing performance. First 10 or so minutes are full stage shot, then zooming begins. Still a great cast with some great songs and moments in the show. A-

Amélie - Pre-Broadway/Los Angeles - December 4, 2016 (Preview) (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Phillipa Soo (Amélie Poulain), Savvy Crawford (Young Amélie), Adam Chanler-Berat (Nino Quincampoix), Tony Sheldon (Raymond Dufayel / Collignon), Manoel Felciano (Raphaël Poulain / Bretodeau), Alison Cimmet (Amandine Poulain / Philomene), Harriett D Foy (Suzanne), Maria-Christina Oliveras (Gina), Alyse Alan Louis (Georgette / Sylvie / Collignon's Mother), Randy Blair (Hipolito / Suicidal Tourist / Elton John), Heath Calvert (Lucien / Mysterious Man), Heath Calvert (Adrien Wells/Wallace), Paul Whitty (Fluffy / Collignon's Father), Paul Whitty (Joseph), David Andino (Blind Beggar), David Andino (Garden Gnome)

NOTES: This show is magical, Phillipa is captivating, and the entire ensemble is perfectly quirky. There have been a few changes since Berkeley that tighten up the show a bit and make it ready for Broadway. A near perfect capture with no washout, no obstruction, and just one very quick dropout. It’s filmed in 16:9, with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. The sound is excellent. Includes curtain call and playbill scans.

Amélie - UK Tour - June, 2019 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Audrey Brisson (Amélie Poulain), Danny Mac (Nino Quincampoix), Johnson Willis (Raymond Dufayel / Collignon), Jez Unwin (Raphaël Poulain / Bretodeau), Rachel Dawson (Amandine Poulain / Philomene), Kate Robson-Stuart (Suzanne), Sophie Crawford (Gina), Faoileann Cunningham (Georgette / Sylvie / Collignon's Mother), Caolan McCarthy (Hipolito / Suicidal Tourist / Elton John), Oliver Grant (Lucien / Mysterious Man), Oliver Grant (Adrien Wells/Wallace), Samuel Morgan-Grahame (Fluffy / Collignon's Father), Samuel Morgan-Grahame (Joseph), Josh Sneesby (Blind Beggar), Josh Sneesby (Garden Gnome), Chris Jared (Raymond), Charley Magalit (Cecile), Emma Jane Morton (Delphine), Nuwan Hugh Perera (Jean-Yves)

Anastasia - Broadway - June 28, 2017 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Christy Altomare (Anya), Derek Klena (Dmitry), Ramin Karimloo (Gleb Vaganov), John Bolton (Vlad Popov), Caroline O’Connor (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Mary Beth Peil (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Nicole Scimeca (Little Anastasia / Prince Alexei Romanov), Lauren Blackman (Tsarina Alexandra), Constantine Germanacos (Tsar Nicholas II / Count Ipolitov), Allison Walsh (Olga Romanov), Shina Ann Morris (Tatiana Romanov / Dunya), Sissy Bell (Maria Romanov / Marfa), Molly Rushing (Young Anastasia / Paulina), Ken Krugman (Count Leopold), Allison Walsh (Odette in Swan Lake), Kyle Brown (Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake), Wes Hart (Russian Doorman)

NOTES: Great HD capture of the Broadway transfer. There are a few short scenes/moments far stage right blocked by a head, but nothing major. Beautiful production, performances and cast to match! A-

 Anastasia - Broadway - September 6, 2017 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Christy Altomare (Anya), Derek Klena (Dmitry), Ramin Karimloo (Gleb Vaganov), John Bolton (Vlad Popov), Caroline O’Connor (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Mary Beth Peil (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna)

Anastasia - Broadway - September 17, 2017 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Christy Altomare (Anya), Derek Klena (Dmitry), Ramin Karimloo (Gleb Vaganov), John Bolton (Vlad Popov), Caroline O’Connor (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Mary Beth Peil (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Nicole Scimeca (Little Anastasia / Prince Alexei Romanov), Lauren Blackman (Tsarina Alexandra), Constantine Germanacos (Tsar Nicholas II / Count Ipolitov), Allison Walsh (Olga Romanov), Shina Ann Morris (Tatiana Romanov / Dunya), Sissy Bell (Maria Romanov / Marfa), Molly Rushing (Young Anastasia / Paulina), Ken Krugman (Gorlinsky), Ken Krugman (Count Leopold), Allison Walsh (Odette in Swan Lake), Kyle Brown (Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake), James A Pierce III (Von Rothbart in Swan Lake), Wes Hart (Russian Doorman), Janet Dickinson (Countess Gregory), Zach Adkins

NOTES: Actor's Benefit Performance. Includes post-show speeches.

Anastasia - Broadway - March 31, 2019 (Matinee) (Closing Night) (StarCuffedJeans's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Christy Altomare (Anya), Cody Simpson (Dmitry), Constantine Germanacos (Gleb Vaganov), John Bolton (Vlad Popov), Vicki Lewis (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Penny Fuller (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Delilah Rose Pellow (Little Anastasia / Prince Alexei Romanov), Gail Bennett (Tsarina Alexandra), Tally Sessions (Tsar Nicholas II / Count Ipolitov), Allison Walsh (Olga Romanov), Shina Ann Morris (Tatiana Romanov / Dunya), Maria Briggs (Maria Romanov / Marfa), Molly Rushing (Young Anastasia / Paulina), Ken Krugman (Gorlinsky), Ken Krugman (Count Leopold), Allison Walsh (Odette in Swan Lake), Kyle Brown (Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake), Matt Wiercinski (Von Rothbart in Swan Lake), Wes Hart (Russian Doorman), Colby Dezelick, Janet Dickinson, Jennifer Smith, Justin Scott Brown

NOTES: Closing show! Or “rock concert” if you ask Christy Altomare. Yeah so this is a pretty obstructed video. Everyone was really excited so people were standing up, people were moving around, and honestly I had a little trouble paying attending to my viewfinder with all of the tears streaming down my face. Like Beetlejuice I would say it’s mostly like highlights, but all of the things that happen in the center part of the stage are captured really well and the video is DEFINITELY Christy centric. “Journey to the Past” is complete and gorgeous and you will cry. First act starts around when Anya meets Dmitry and the second act starts during “Crossing A Bridge.”

Anastasia - Broadway - January, 2019 (NYCG8R's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Christy Altomare (Anya), Cody Simpson (Dmitry), Constantine Germanacos (Gleb Vaganov), John Bolton (Vlad Popov), Vicki Lewis (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Penny Fuller (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Delilah Rose Pellow (Little Anastasia / Prince Alexei Romanov), Lauren Blackman (Tsarina Alexandra), Tally Sessions (Tsar Nicholas II / Count Ipolitov), Lyrica Woodruff (Olga Romanov), Kelli Youngman (Tatiana Romanov / Dunya), Maria Briggs (Maria Romanov / Marfa), Molly Rushing (Young Anastasia / Paulina), Ken Krugman (Gorlinsky), Ken Krugman (Count Leopold), Lyrica Woodruff (Odette in Swan Lake), Kyle Brown (Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake), James A Pierce III (Von Rothbart in Swan Lake), Wes Hart (Russian Doorman)

NOTES: A beautiful video of the show, with newcomer Cody Simpson.

Anastasia - First National Tour - February 28, 2019 (mynewfavoriteday's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Lila Coogan (Anya), Stephen Brower (Dmitry), Jason Michael Evans (Gleb Vaganov), Edward Staudenmayer (Vlad Popov), Tari Kelly (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Joy Franz (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Victoria Bingham (Little Anastasia / Prince Alexei Romanov), Lucy Horton (Tsarina Alexandra), Michael McCorry Rose (Tsar Nicholas II / Count Ipolitov), Claire Rathbun (Olga Romanov), Kourtney Keitt (Tatiana Romanov / Dunya), Taylor Quick (Young Anastasia / Paulina), Fred Inkley (Gorlinsky), Fred Inkley (Count Leopold), Claire Rathbun (Odette in Swan Lake), Mark MacKillop (Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake), Ronnie S Bowman Jr (Von Rothbart in Swan Lake), Peter Garza (Russian Doorman)

NOTES: Great capture of this wonderful touring company with no obstructions except for a head leaning into the frame for a second or two in Act One. Filmed with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups, and there’s only a couple instances of wandering after applause (limited to early in Act One) and no major dropouts.

Anastasia - Pre-Broadway / Hartford - June 15, 2016 (Matinee) (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Christy Altomare (Anya), Derek Klena (Dmitry), Manoel Felciano (Gleb Vaganov), John Bolton (Vlad Popov), Caroline O’Connor (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Mary Beth Peil (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Nicole Scimeca (Little Anastasia / Prince Alexei Romanov), Molly Rushing (Young Anastasia / Paulina)

Anastasia - Scheveningen - January, 2020 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT:  MTS CAST: Tessa Sunniva van Tol (Anya), Milan van Waardenburg (Dmitry), Yannick Plugers (u/s Gleb Vaganov), Ad Knippels (Vlad Popov), Melise de Winter (u/s Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Liz Snojink (alt Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna)

NOTES: MTS, somewhat shaky but good quality

Anastasia - Scheveningen - October, 2019 (Rumpel's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Tessa Sunniva van Tol (Anya), Milan van Waardenburg (Dmitry), René van Kooten (Gleb Vaganov), Ad Knippels (Vlad Popov), Ellen Evers (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Liz Snojink (alt Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna), Steven Roox (Tsar Nicholas II / Count Ipolitov)

NOTES: Unfortunately, one of the key scenes (approx. 2 minutes) in the end, right after „A simple thing (Reprise)“, is missing. The very last minute of the finale was captured though.

Anastasia - Stuttgart - February, 2019 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Alexandra Alexandrova (u/s Anya), Milan van Waardenburg (Dmitry), Mathias Edenborn (Gleb Vaganov), Thorsten Tinney (Vlad Popov), Jacqueline Braun (Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch), Daniela Ziegler (Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna)

Ann - Austin, TX - May 4-15, 2016 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Holland Taylor (Ann Richards), Julie White (Voice of Nancy Kohler)

NOTES: ANN is a no-holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas. This inspiring and hilarious new play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and performed by Emmy® Award winner Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men"), ANN takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.

Anna in the Tropics - Broadway - December 11, 2003 FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Victor Argo (Santiago), David Zayas (Cheché), Priscilla Lopez (Ofelia), Vanessa Aspillaga (Marela), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Conchita), Jimmy Smits (Juan Julián), John Ortiz (Eliades)

Annie - Broadway - September 30, 1980 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Allison Smith (Annie), Betty Hutton (Miss Hannigan), Conrad John Schuck (Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks), Kathryn Boule (Grace Farrell), Gary Beach (Rooster Hannigan), Rita Rudner (Lily St. Regis), Jennine Babo (Molly), Caroline Daly (Pepper), Stacey Lynn Brass (Duffy), Martha Byrne (July), Tiffany Blake (Tessie)

NOTES: Looks about how you’d expect for a video this old. Serious gen loss (both softness and rainbowing), decent but not great audio.

​ Annie - North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly MA - 2012 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Lauren Weintraub (Annie), Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Miss Hannigan), Raymond Jaramillo McLeod (Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks), Jessica Tyler Wright (Grace Farrell)

NOTES: Pro-shot. Presented "in-the-round" by the North Shore Music Theatre. Filmed using one camera on a tripod with audio patched in from the sound board. The disc also includes a three minute highlights montage used for promotional purposes.

Annie - Plays In The Park - June, 2011 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Emma Schwartz (Annie), Vicki Tripodo (Miss Hannigan), Todd Fenstermaker (Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks), Gabrielle Visser (Grace Farrell), Randy Accardi (Rooster Hannigan), Allison Foote (Lily St. Regis)

NOTES: A Pro-Shot Archival video of the Plays in the Park production

Annie - Second Dutch Tour - December 8, 2019 (Rumpel's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Dalia Neeskens (Annie), Willemijn Verkaik (Miss Hannigan), Edwin Jonker (Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks), Eva van Gessel (Grace Farrell), Sjoerd Spruijt (Rooster Hannigan), Myrthe Huber (Lily St. Regis), Doris Baaten (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

Annie 2: Miss Hannigan's Revenge - Kennedy Center (Washington DC) - December 23, 1989 FORMAT:  MKV (SD) CAST: Danielle Findley (Annie), Dorothy Loudon (Miss Hannigan), Harve Presnell (Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks), Lauren Mitchell (Grace Farrell), Marian Seldes (Marietta Christmas), Terrence P Currier (Drake), Ronny Graham (Lionel McCoy), TJ Meyers (Babe Ruth), Raymond Thorne (F.D.R.), Scott Robertson (Charlie Spinoli)

NOTES: This first attempt at a sequel to Annie, Annie 2: Miss Hannigan's Revenge, opened at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. in December 1989 to universally disastrous reviews.
Extensive reworking of the script and score proved futile, and the project ended before officially reaching Broadway; newly surfaced video was filmed from the balcony. Shot between heads, and the balcony railing is visible, but not too bad-you still get a good feel for the show. Recorded at the second night performance. Some generational loss. B

Annie Get Your Gun - Broadway - 1999 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Bernadette Peters (Annie Oakley), Tom Wopat (Frank Butler), Valerie Wright (Dolly Tate), Peter Marx (Charlie Davenport)

Antigone - Barbican Theatre - April 26, 2015 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (HD) CAST: Juliette Binoche (Antigone), Patrick O'Kane (Creon), Finbar Lynch (Tiresias), Kirsty Bushell (Ismene), Samuel Edward-Cook (Haemon), Kathryn Pogson (Eurydice)

NOTES: Proshot. Cameras exclusively capture the Oscar-winning Frenchactress Juliette Binoche playing the title role in Sophocles's tale of family loyalty, courage and tragedy. The Barbican's visionary new English language translation by TS Eliot Prize-winning poet and classicist Anne Carson is directed by renowned Belgian theatre director Ivo van Hove.

Anyone Can Whistle - Carnegie Hall Concert - April 8, 1995 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MKV (HD) CAST: Madeline Kahn (Cora Hoover Hooper), Bernadette Peters (Fay Apple), Scott Bakula (J. Bowden Hapgood), Walter Bobbie (Comptroller Schub), Nick Wyman (Dr. Detmold), Chip Zien (Treasurer Cooley), Ken Page (Chief Magruder)

Anyone Can Whistle - Encores! - April 10, 2010 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Donna Murphy (Cora Hoover Hooper), Sutton Foster (Fay Apple), Raúl Esparza (J. Bowden Hapgood), Edward Hibbert (Comptroller Schub), Patrick Wetzel (Dr. Detmold), Jeff Blumenkrantz (Treasurer Cooley), John Ellison Conlee (Chief Magruder), Max Kumangai (Martin), Tally Sessions (George), Holly Ann Butler (Osgood), Sara Jean Ford (June), Michael Marcotte (John), Linda Griffin (Mrs. Schroeder), Dana Steingold (Baby Joan), Anthony Wayne, Clyde Alves, Eric Sciotto, Grasan Kingsberry

NOTES: Includes the talkback with Stephen Sondheim, Casey Nicholaw and others.

Anything Goes - Berlin - 1993 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Helen Schneider, Ralf Wolter, Hartwig Rudolz, Cusch Jung, Michelle Becker, Alfred Müller, Monica Solem

NOTES: The footage is all over the place, the show IS NOT IN ORDER. Includes extra footage from dressing rooms, backstage and the wings. This footage seems to have been a shot by one of the cast or crew.

Anything Goes - Second Broadway Revival - April 3, 2011 (Preview) (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Sutton Foster (Reno Sweeney), Colin Donnell (Billy Crocker), Laura Osnes (Hope Harcourt), Joel Grey (Moonface Martin), Adam Godley (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Jessica Walter (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt), John McMartin (Elisha J. Whitney), Jessica Stone (Erma)

NOTES: Sensational revival and stunning production. Sutton of course is talented beyond words and it truely shows. Such a fun revival and everything is beautifully captured here. A

Anything Goes - Second Broadway Revival - November 15, 2011 FORMAT:  VOB (no smalls) (SD) CAST: Stephanie J Block (Reno Sweeney), Colin Donnell (Billy Crocker), Erin Mackey (Hope Harcourt), Joel Grey (Moonface Martin), Adam Godley (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Kelly Bishop (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt)

NOTES: Great audio and video, but the mic seems to get covered midway through the second act until the end of the recording, muting the audio quite severely.

Anything Goes - Second Broadway Revival - November 19, 2011 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Stephanie J Block (Reno Sweeney), Colin Donnell (Billy Crocker), Erin Mackey (Hope Harcourt), Joel Grey (Moonface Martin), Adam Godley (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Kelly Bishop (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt), John McMartin (Elisha J. Whitney), Jessica Stone (Erma)

NOTES: Stephanie makes a remarkable Reno with such a voice and quite different from Sutton. Everything is nicely captured here and includes the new replacements Erin and Jessica. The last four minutes, which is the end of the wedding are audio only. A

Anything Goes - Third National Tour - November 30, 2012 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Rachel York (Reno Sweeney), Erich Bergen (Billy Crocker), Alex Finke (Hope Harcourt), Fred Applegate (Moonface Martin), Edward Staudenmayer (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Sandra Shipley (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt), Dennis Kelly (Elisha J. Whitney), Joyce Chittick (Erma)

NOTES: One head on the right side of the screen, but it never blocks the action; no blackouts and very little washout throughout the show. Filmed in 16:9 with a mix of wides, mediums, and close-ups. Great sound; video includes curtain call and BC/EFA speech.

Anything Goes - Third National Tour - March 23, 2013 (Lanelle's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Rachel York (Reno Sweeney), Josh Franklin (Billy Crocker), Alex Finke (Hope Harcourt), Fred Applegate (Moonface Martin)

Anything Goes - Third National Tour - September 29, 2013 (SJ Bernly's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Rachel York (Reno Sweeney), Josh Franklin (Billy Crocker), Alex Finke (Hope Harcourt), Fred Applegate (Moonface Martin), Edward Staudenmayer (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), Sandra Shipley (Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt), Dennis Kelly (Elisha J. Whitney), Joyce Chittick (Erma), Vincent Rodriguez III (Luke), Marcus Shane (John), Chuck Wagner (Captain), Jeff Brooks (Purser)

Applause - CBS Television Adaptation - March 15, 1973 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  AVI (SD) CAST: Lauren Bacall (Margo Channing), Penny Fuller (Eve Harrington), Larry Hagman (Bill Sampson), Robert Mandan (Howard Benedict), Harvey Evans (Duane Fox), Rod McLennan (Buzz Richards), Sarah Marshall (Karen Richards)

NOTES: Good copy for 1973. There is a horizontal black bar near the bottom of the screen, but it doesn't cover any of the action.

Applause - New York City Center - Encores! - February 10, 2008 (Closing Night) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Christine Ebersole (Margo Channing), Erin Davie (Eve Harrington), Michael Park (Bill Sampson), Tom Hewitt (Howard Benedict), Mario Cantone (Duane Fox), Chip Zien (Buzz Richards), Kate Burton (Karen Richards), Megan Sikora (Bonnie)

NOTES: often gets listed as February 8th or February 9th. Time stamp at very beginning says FEB 10 2008 

The Apple Tree - Broadway (2006 Revival) - January 20, 2007 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Kristin Chenoweth (Eve/Princess Barbára/Ella and Passionella), Brian d'Arcy James (Adam/Captain Sanjar/Flip, the Prince, Charming), Marc Kudisch (Snake/Balladeer/Narrator)

NOTES: Includes a review and news segment from NY1.

The Apple Tree - Broadway (2006 Revival) - February 11, 2007 (SunsetBlvd79's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Kristin Chenoweth (Eve/Princess Barbára/Ella and Passionella), Brian d'Arcy James (Adam/Captain Sanjar/Flip, the Prince, Charming), Marc Kudisch (Snake/Balladeer/Narrator), Walter Charles (King Arik/Mr. Fallible/Producer)

NOTES: Beautiful capture of this charming show which features three different stories. This show really show cases Kristin's amazing talent and such a wonderful production! A

The Apple Tree - Encores! - May 13, 2005 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Kristin Chenoweth (Eve/Princess Barbára/Ella and Passionella), Malcolm Gets (Adam/Captain Sanjar/Flip, the Prince, Charming), Michael Cerveris (Snake/Balladeer/Narrator), Daniel Marcus (King Arik/Mr. Fallible/Producer), Krisha Marcano (Nadjira)

Aren't We All? - Broadway - June 2, 1985 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Rex Harrison, Claudette Colbert, Lynn Redgrave, Jeremy Brett, George Rose, George Ede, Brenda Forbes, John Patrick Hurly, Leslie O'Hara, Peter Pagan, Ned Schmidtke, Steven Sutherland

NOTES: *Excellent video and very good sound for the time, although the first minute of the show is blacked out. Includes about 7 minutes of stage door footage showing Rex Harrison leaving the theatre, and minimally interacting with the fans. *B+

Artus Excalibur - St. Gallen, Switzerland - March 25, 2014 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Patrick Stanke (Artus), Annemieke van Dam (Guinevere), Mark Seibert (Lancelot), Thomas Borchert (Merlin), Sabrina Weckerlin (Morgana), Robert Johansson (Loth), Kevin Foster (Gareth), Gero Wendorff (Lucan)

NOTES: Beautiful multicam proshot of a wonderful show and cast.

Artus Excalibur - Tecklenburg - 2016 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Armin Kahl (Artus), Milica Jovanovic (Guinevere), Dominik Hees (Lancelot), Kevin Tarte (Merlin), Roberta Valentini (Morgana)

Asking For It - Birmingham - February, 2020 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT:  MTS CAST: Dawn Bradfield (Mam), Lauren Coe (Emma), Seán Doyle (Sean), Liam Heslin (Bryan), Amy McElhatton (Maggie), Tiernan Messitt-Greene (Connor), Simon O'Gorman (Dad)

NOTES: MTS T/W for this show: descriptions of sexual assault & attempted suicide

Aspects of Love - Broadway - March 1, 1991 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Sarah Brightman (Rose Vibert), Kevin Cullum (Alex Dillingham), Barry Ingham (George Dillingham)

Aspects of Love - London - 1989 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Ann Crumb (Rose Vibert), Michael Ball (Alex Dillingham), Kevin Colson (George Dillingham), Kathleen Rowe McAllen (Guilietta Trapani), Diana Morrison (Jenny)

Aspects of Love - Off West End - January, 2019 (hitmewithyourbethshot's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (SD) CAST: Kelly Price (Rose Vibert), Felix Mosse (Alex Dillingham), Jérôme Pradon (George Dillingham), Madalena Alberto (Guilietta Trapani), Eleanor Walsh (Jenny), Minal Patel (Marcel), Julia J Nagle (Elizabeth), Jason Kajdi (Hugo), Jack Churms (Jerome), Eleanor Jackson

NOTES: MP4, shot around heads

Assassins - Barcelona, Spain - 1997 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Albert Muntanyola (The Proprietor), Miquel Fernández (The Balladeer), Gabi Doz (Lee Harvey Oswald), Benjamí Conesa (John Wilkes Booth), Eva Losanda (Billy), Natàlia Sau (Sara Jane Moore), Eva Folch (Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme), Daniel Claramunt (John Hinckley, Jr.), Rafel Brunet (Giuseppe Zangara), Isa Mateu (Emma Goldman), Eduard Doncos (Leon Czolgosz), Xavier Mateu (Charles Guiteau), Jordi Font (David Herold)

NOTES: Catalan language production

Assassins - Broadway - May 29, 2004 FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Marc Kudisch (The Proprietor), Neil Patrick Harris (Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald), Michael Cerveris (John Wilkes Booth), Eamon Foley (Billy), James Clow (President Gerald Ford/James Blaine), Becky Ann Baker (Sara Jane Moore), Mary Catherine Garrison (Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme), Alexander Gemignani (John Hinckley, Jr.), Mario Cantone (Samuel Byck), Jeffrey Kuhn (Giuseppe Zangara), James Barbour (Leon Czolgosz), Merwin Foard (President James Garfield), Denis O'Hare (Charles Guiteau)

NOTES: There are two full length videos of this production which circulate under various dates. This one is most commonly listed as May 29th, but has also been circulated as April 20th, or confused with the other April video and listed as the 4th or 10th. Check your screencaps to confirm which performance you have.

Assassins - Pegasus Players, Chicago IL - December 21, 1993 (Pro-Shot's master) FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Will Chase (The Balladeer), Scott Lowell (John Wilkes Booth), Meredith Brickett (Sara Jane Moore), Lori Scarlett (Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme), Christopher Eudy (John Hinckley, Jr.), Jeff Still (Samuel Byck), Stef Tovar (Leon Czolgosz), Chris McNamara (Charles Guiteau), Anthony Cesarelli

August: Osage County - Broadway - January 2, 2008 FORMAT:  VOB (with smalls) (SD) CAST: Ian Barford (Little Charles), Deanna Dunagan (Violet Weston), Kimberly Guerrero (Johnna Monevata), Francis Guinan (Charlie Aiken), Brian Kerwin (Steve Heidebrecht), Dennis Letts (Beverly Weston), Madeleine Martin (Jean Fordham), Mariann Mayberry (Karen Weston), Amy Morton (Barbara Fordham), Sally Murphy (Ivy Weston), Jeff Perry (Bill Fordham), Rondi Reed (Mattie Fae Aiken), Troy West (Sheriff Deon Gilbeau)

Avenue Q - Janesville, Wisconsin - March, 2012 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Deshawn Christiansen (Gary Coleman), Nicki Dougherty (Christmas Eve), Dan Houser (Brian)

NOTES: Single cam on tripod, soundboard. Good zooms, follows action well.

Avenue Q - Janesville, Wisconsin - March, 2012 (House-Cam's master) FORMAT:  MP4 (HD) CAST: Deshawn Christiansen (Gary Coleman), Nicki Dougherty (Christmas Eve), Dan Houser (Brian)

NOTES: Single cam on tripod, soundboard. Good zooms, follows action well.

[musicals-and-more]

2019 Tony Nominations!!!

I am so excited to watch James Cordon host the 73rd Annual Tony Awards on June 9th!!!

BEST MUSICAL

Ain't Too Proud

Beetlejuice

Hadestown

The Prom

Tootsie

BEST PLAY

Choir Boy

The Ferryman

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Ink

What the Constitution Means to Me

BEST PLAY REVIVAL

Arthur Miller’s All My Sons

The Boys in the Band

Burn This

Torch Song

The Waverly Gallery

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL

Kiss Me, Kate

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

BEST ACTOR (PLAY )

Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird

Paddy Considine, The Ferryman

Bryan Cranston, Network

Adam Driver, Burn This

Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy

BEST ACTRESS (PLAY)

Annette Bening, Arthur Miller’s All My Sons

Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman

Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery

Janet McTeer, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton

Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me

BEST ACTRESS (MUSICAL)

Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show

Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom

Beth Leavel, The Prom

Eva Noblezada, Hadestown

Kelli O'Hara, Kiss Me, Kate

BEST ACTOR (MUSICAL)

Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom

Derrick Baskin, Ain't Too Proud

Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice

Damon Daunno, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Book of a Musical

Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Dominique Morisseau

Beetlejuice

Scott Brown & Anthony King

Hadestown

Anaïs Mitchell

The Prom

Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin

Tootsie

Robert Horn

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Be More Chill

Music & Lyrics: Joe Iconis

Beetlejuice

Music & Lyrics: Eddie Perfect

Hadestown

Music & Lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell

The Prom

Music: Matthew Sklar

Lyrics: Chad Beguelin

To Kill a Mockingbird

Music: Adam Guettel

Tootsie

Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Paddy Considine, The Ferryman

Bryan Cranston, Network

Jeff Daniels, To Kill a Mockingbird

Adam Driver, Burn This

Jeremy Pope, Choir Boy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Annette Bening, Arthur Miller's All My Sons

Laura Donnelly, The Ferryman

Elaine May, The Waverly Gallery

Janet McTeer, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Laurie Metcalf, Hillary and Clinton

Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Brooks Ashmanskas, The Prom

Derrick Baskin, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Alex Brightman, Beetlejuice

Damon Daunno, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Santino Fontana, Tootsie

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Stephanie J. Block, The Cher Show

Caitlin Kinnunen, The Prom

Beth Leavel, The Prom

Eva Noblezada, Hadestown

Kelli O'Hara, Kiss Me, Kate

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Bertie Carvel, Ink

Robin De Jesús, The Boys in the Band

Gideon Glick, To Kill a Mockingbird

Brandon Uranowitz, Burn This

Benjamin Walker, Arthur Miller's All My Sons

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Fionnula Flanagan, The Ferryman

Celia Keenan-Bolger, To Kill a Mockingbird

Kristine Nielsen, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Julie White, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Ruth Wilson, King Lear

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

André De Shields, Hadestown

Andy Grotelueschen, Tootsie

Patrick Page, Hadestown

Jeremy Pope, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Ephraim Sykes, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Lilli Cooper, Tootsie

Amber Gray, Hadestown

Sarah Stiles, Tootsie

Ali Stroker, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Mary Testa, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Miriam Buether, To Kill a Mockingbird

Bunny Christie, Ink

Rob Howell, The Ferryman

Santo Loquasto, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Jan Versweyveld, Network

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Peter England, King Kong

Rachel Hauck, Hadestown

Laura Jellinek, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

David Korins, Beetlejuice

Best Costume Design of a Play

Rob Howell, The Ferryman

Toni-Leslie James, Bernhardt/Hamlet

Clint Ramos, Torch Song

Ann Roth, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Ann Roth, To Kill a Mockingbird

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Michael Krass, Hadestown

William Ivey Long, Beetlejuice

William Ivey Long, Tootsie

Bob Mackie, The Cher Show

Paul Tazewell, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Neil Austin, Ink

Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Peter Mumford, The Ferryman

Jennifer Tipton, To Kill a Mockingbird

Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden, Network

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, The Cher Show

Howell Binkley, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Bradley King, Hadestown

Peter Mumford, King Kong

Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini, Beetlejuice

Best Sound Design of a Play

Adam Cork, Ink

Scott Lehrer, To Kill a Mockingbird

Fitz Patton, Choir Boy

Nick Powell, The Ferryman

Eric Sleichim, Network

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Peter Hylenski, Beetlejuice

Peter Hylenski, King Kong

Steve Canyon Kennedy, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Drew Levy, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz, Hadestown

Best Direction of a Play

Rupert Goold, Ink

Sam Mendes, The Ferryman

Bartlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird

Ivo van Hove, Network

George C. Wolfe, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Best Direction of a Musical

Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown

Scott Ellis, Tootsie

Daniel Fish, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Des McAnuff, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Casey Nicholaw, The Prom

Best Choreography

Camille A. Brown, Choir Boy

Warren Carlyle, Kiss Me, Kate

Denis Jones, Tootsie

David Neumann, Hadestown

Sergio Trujillo, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Best Orchestrations

Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose, Hadestown

Simon Hale, Tootsie

Larry Hochman, Kiss Me, Kate

Daniel Kluger, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Harold Wheeler, Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations

Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Rosemary Harris

Terrence McNally

Harold Wheeler

Special Tony Awards

Marin Mazzie

Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology Company

Jason Michael Webb

Regional Theatre Tony Award

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

Palo Alto, CA

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

Judith Light

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre

Broadway Inspirational Voices – Michael McElroy, Founder

Peter Entin

FDNY Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9

Joseph Blakely Forbes

Congratulations to all the nominees and especially to Hadestown leading with 14 nominations!!!

[broadwaybaberoni]

Tony Award Nominations 2019 (By Show)

Musicals

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations (12)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Derrick Baskin)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Jeremy Pope)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Ephraim Sykes)

Best Book of a Musical (Dominique Morisseau)

Best Choreography (Sergio Trujillo)

Best Orchestrations (Harold Wheeler)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (Paul Tazewell)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Steve Canyon Kennedy)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley)

Best Direction of a Musical (Des McAnuff)

Be More Chill (1)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by Joe Iconis)

Beetlejuice (8)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Alex Brightman)

Best Book of a Musical (Scott Brown & Anthony King)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by Eddie Perfect)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (David Korins)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (William Ivey Long)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Peter Hylenski)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini)

The Cher Show (3)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Stephanie J. Block)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (Bob Mackie)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Kevin Adams)

Hadestown (14)

Best Musical

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Eva Noblezada)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (André De Shields)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Patrick Page)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Amber Gray)

Best Book of a Musical (Anaïs Mitchell)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell)

Best Choreography (David Neumann)

Best Orchestrations (Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Rachel Hauck)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (Michael Krass)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Bradley King)

Best Direction of a Musical (Rachel Chavkin)

King Kong (3)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Peter England)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Peter Hylenski)

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Peter Mumford)

Kiss Me, Kate (4)

Best Revival of a Musical

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Kelli O’Hara)

Best Choreography (Warren Carlyle)

Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman)

Rogers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (8)

Best Revival of a Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical  (Damon Daunno)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Ali Stroker)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Mary Testa)

Best Orchestrations (Daniel Kluger)

Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Laura Jellinek)

Best Sound Design of a Musical (Drew Levy)

Best Direction of a Musical (Daniel Fish)

The Prom (7)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Brooks Ashmanskas)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Caitlin Kinnunen)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Beth Leavel)

Best Book of a Musical (Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin)

Best Original Score (Music by Matthew Sklar, Lyrics by Chad Beguelin)

Best Direction of a Musical (Casey Nicholaw)

Tootsie (11)

Best Musical

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Santino Fontana)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Andy Grotelueschen)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Lilli Cooper)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Sarah Stiles)

Best Book of a Musical (Robert Horn)

Best Original Score (Music & Lyrics by David Yazbeck)

Best Choreography (Dennis Jones)

Best Orchestrations (Simon Hale)

Best Costume Designs of a Musical (William Ivey Long)

Best Direction of a Musical (Scott Ellis)

 Plays

Arthur Millers All My Sons (3)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Annette Bening)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Benjamin Walker)

Bernadette/Hamlet (2)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Janet McTeer)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Toni-Leslie James)

The Boys in the Band (2)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Robin de Jesús)

Burn This (3)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Adam Driver)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Brandon Uranowitz)

Choir Boy (4)

Best Play

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Jeremy Pope)

Best Choreography (Camille A. Brown)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Fitz Patton)

The Ferryman (9)

Best Play

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Paddy Considine)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Laura Donnelly)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Fionnula Flanagan)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Bob Howell)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Rob Howell)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Nick Powell)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Peter Mumford)

Best Direction of a Play (Sam Mendes)

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus (7)

Best Play

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Kristine Nielsen)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Julie White)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Santo Loquasto)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Ann Roth)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jules Fisher + Peggy Eisenhauer)

Best Direction of a Play (George C. Wolfe)

Hillary and Clinton (1)

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Laurie Metcalf)

Ink (6)

Best Play

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Bertie Carvel)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Bunny Christie)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Adam Cork)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Neil Austin)

Best Direction of a Play (Rupert Goold)

To Kill a Mockingbird (9)

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Jeff Daniels)

Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Gideon Glick)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Celia Keenan-Bolger)

Best Original Score (Music by Adam Guettel)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Miriam Buether)

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Ann Roth)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Scott Lehrer)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jennifer Tipton)

Best Direction of a Play (Bartlett Sher)

King Lear (1)

Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Ruth Wilson)

Network (5)

Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Bryan Cranston)

Best Scenic Design of a Play (Jan Versweyveld)

Best Sound Design of a Play (Eric Sleichim)

Best Lighting Design of a Play (Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden)

Best Direction of a Play (Ivo Van Hove)

Torch Song (2)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Costume Designs of a Play (Clint Ramos)

The Waverly Gallery (2)

Best Revival of a Play

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Elaine May)

What the Constitution Means to Me (2)

Best Play

Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Heidi Schreck)

[eraumbomnome-blog]

Veja "3 Most Powerful Advice | Andre De Shields | Motivation" no YouTube

[theglisted]

André De Shields: A LGBTQ+ Biography By The Ubuntu Bio Project

André De Shields: A LGBTQ+ Biography By The Ubuntu Bio Project

André De Shields was born on January 12, 1946. He is a two-time Tony Award-nominated and Emmy and Obie Award-winning actor, singer, director, dancer, novelist, choreographer, lyricist, composer, and college professor.

André Robin De Shields was born in Baltimore, Maryland, the ninth of eleven children to Mary, who earned money by cleaning homes of white families who lived outside of their…

[biofunmy]

There’s Great Dance on Broadway. Hello, Tony Awards?

At the beginning of the second act of “Oklahoma!,” the audience is greeted with a dance: A young woman — bald, powerfully built and wearing a sequined shirt that says “Dream Baby Dream” — appears, surrounded by swirling fog, as if she were a mirage.

That dancer, Gabrielle Hamilton, runs, prances, twists violently from side to side and pauses to stare boldly at audience members. Her presence, uninhibited and raw, is meant to shake things up. This may be Broadway, but the dream ballet in Daniel Fish’s brilliantly reimagined “Oklahoma!” is ages from the usual step-ball-change kind of dance found there. And that’s wonderful.

[Read about how John Heginbotham created the dream ballet.]

Why has it stirred up such strong reactions, with audience members loving or hating it? Clearly, it strays from the norm. It’s unnerving. And it’s not afraid of looking ugly. That its choreographer, John Heginbotham, wasn’t nominated for a Tony Award seems both shocking and not at all surprising.

The frustrating part about Broadway dance isn’t that there is no choreography of quality, but that what’s excellent — “Oklahoma!” and, in another register, “The Prom” — isn’t being recognized. But standard fare, or worse, slight fare, receives nominations. The main exception is Camille A. Brown’s defiant choreography for the play “Choir Boy.”

Ms. Brown shares the nomination for best choreographer with four others: Warren Carlyle for “Kiss Me, Kate”; Denis Jones for “Tootsie”; David Neumann for “Hadestown”; and Sergio Trujillo for “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.” The ceremony will be held June 9, and I’m rooting for Ms. Brown.

Like Mr. Heginbotham in “Oklahoma!,” Ms. Brown brings something urgent and fresh to Broadway dance. It’s fitting that both come out of the modern dance world. They aren’t commercially inclined; for each, the work is the work, an intimate process between a choreographer and dancers. They serve their shows, not by illustrating or commenting on the story, but by revealing the emotion behind the narrative in ways that words or music alone cannot.

In Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “Choir Boy,” Ms. Brown uses step, in which the body becomes a percussive instrument, to help tell the story of a group of African-American students enrolled at a private school. They don’t all get along, but when they dance, they form a brotherhood. When they dance, the seem like more than just characters; their synchronized movements remind us of the pain but also of the dignity of being black men in America.

In “Kiss Me, Kate,” Mr. Carlyle’s throwback to classic musical theater spotlights a lengthy number, “Too Darn Hot.” It’s spirited, but derivative, a lively centerpiece in a fairly tepid show; while it honors the idea of Broadway dance with its brush strokes of tap and jazz, it feels archaic — full of energy and smiles, but little substance.

The choreography in “Ain’t Too Proud,” which features the nimble Jeremy Pope — he also starred in “Choir Boy” — is affectingly seamless. Here, Mr. Trujillo gives the stylized steps more punch and intricacy than they had when the group was in its heyday, and it works: His synchronized movement knits the songs together with flair.

But the choreography, inextricably wedded to the music, happens in fits and starts; it hits the spot but carries none of the weight of the dream ballet in “Oklahoma!” or of the multitude of dances in “The Prom,” another show that wasn’t nominated for its choreography. In this delight of a musical comedy, the dancing is integrated from beginning to end as the movement switches between hip-hop and musical-theater forms. One elevates the other, and Casey Nicholaw, its director and choreographer, isn’t afraid of being funny. (Mr. Nicholaw was nominated for best director.)

Instead, another, less-funny musical comedy was nominated, “Tootsie.” The liveliest number here seemingly takes inspiration from the film “The Birdcage,” when Robin Williams, as the club proprietor Armand Goldman, puts his body through en encyclopedic array of motions — hip swivels, convulsions, vogueing — while calling out references: “Fosse, Fosse, Fosse! You do Martha Graham, Martha Graham, Martha Graham! Or Twyla, Twyla, Twyla! Or Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd! Or Madonna, Madonna, Madonna!”

In “Tootsie,” bodies swish — unremarkably — to a similar set of instructions by the fictional director Ron Carlisle (Reg Rogers) to his cast: “Bounce bounce bounce bounce, Fosse arm, Fosse arm, restless leg yeah, change the light bulb.” It goes on much longer, but you get the gist and are probably asking the same question: How does taking a choreographic idea from a film and putting it into a Broadway musical about another film warrant a Tony nomination?

And then there is “Hadestown,” the contemporary retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The mystery of that show — which, like “Oklahoma!,” made the leap from the downtown, more experimental world to Broadway — is its appeal. As far as movement is concerned, the only compelling performer onstage is the actor André De Shields, who can simply stand and make stillness gorgeous. When he walks, it’s as if he were gliding. The man floats.

The “Hadestown” choreography is by Mr. Neumann, who is also known for his time in the modern dance world. But his contribution is mechanical and overwrought. The dancers circle the stage like pieces of machinery; the way they use the weight of their bodies — even when they jump or flow from one side of the stage to the other — is sticky with melodrama. You sense everything coming before it has arrived.

As Orpheus, Reeve Carney, with his raised shoulders and arms held slightly behind his back, mirrors the stance of Mr. Neumann in his dancing days. You can sense how closely they worked together, but the effect is contrived, as is the busy choreography for the group known as the Workers Chorus. These are dancers trying so hard to be seen that they’re distracting.

That sort of look-at-me behavior happens in “Kate Me, Kate” and “Tootsie,” too. What Ms. Hamilton illustrates in “Oklahoma!” is diametrically different: The choreography grants her the ability to move like lightning, but also to be patient.

Mr. Heginbotham has said he was inspired by remarks made by Agnes de Mille, who created the original choreography for the show in 1943. Speaking to a group of dance students, she once said: “Take your time. Beginners are always afraid of taking time. They think nothing’s happening. Time is happening, and it works in suspense. Time can work for you as actively as a gesture if you know how to use it.”

The use of time is what makes the dream ballet so disconcerting for some and so riveting for others. In Ms. Hamilton’s dancing, what we’re witnessing is a sexual awakening. The choreography, stuttering and sensual, disrupts full-bodied runs and spins with stillness where we wait for Ms. Hamilton’s blood and breath to settle back into her body.

She has no partner, yet the dance is full of touch. Ms. Hamilton caresses her face and her neck, opening herself up to sensations. She makes eye contact with audience members and then flitters away. She is both tough and vulnerable as she makes private acts public. The solo can look messy, and that’s O.K. It’s a release. There’s a reason it feels warped; she’s not from the same universe as the characters in the play.

At the same time, she’s a container for all of them, including, of course, Laurey, the confused heroine torn between two men. Yet this choreography asks bigger questions: What side of yourself do you present to the world? Who are you really?

Ms. Hamilton’s movement brings the script to life: “Close your eyes and inhale. Ask your heart what you really want. Wait for the answer.”

As the dance progresses, that becomes something of a dare to the audience: Do it. And don’t be afraid of taking your time. Ms. Hamilton is paving the path. It might not be pretty or comfortable, but as she dances on the edge of a dream, she’s the spirit of a bold, new frontier. Broadway, please take note.

Sahred From Source link Arts

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Lin-Manuel Miranda, Annaleigh Ashford, Neil Patrick Harris, Telly Leung, Ruthie Ann Miles and More The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ Virtual Benefit I’m Still Here at 90

On June 23, 2021 at 8:00 PM, an unprecedented, one-time-only virtual benefit, I’m Still Here, will stream on Broadway On Demand to benefit The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ Billy Rose Theatre Division.

The exciting evening is a celebration of the division’s 90th Anniversary, and the 50th  Anniversary of its beloved Theatre on Film and Tape Archive and will honor Harold Prince and George C. Wolfe.

Tickets to the fundraiser will be donate-what-you-can, with a recommendation of at least $19.31 in honor of the year the division was founded. To purchase tickets, visit stillhereat90.com

I’m Still Here will feature never before publicly shown archival content of Broadway productions from the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, shown exclusively for this occasion, including Savion Glover, Jimmy Tate, Choclattjared and Raymond King in Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden and Larry Pine in The Seagull, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robin de Jesús, Christopher Jackson, Karen Olivo, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Eliseo Román, Seth Stewart in In The Heights, Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard, and even more to be announced. The program will also feature interviews with Broadway legends and emerging creatives and reconceived performances of classic musical theatre songs, including “A Trip to the Library,” “Wheels of a Dream,” “Another Hundred People,” “Love Will Find a Way,” “I’m Still Here,” and more.  

I’m Still Here features artists and figures from the theatre community including Annaleigh Ashford (Sunday in the Park with George), Alexander Bello (Caroline, or Change), Laura Benanti (She Loves Me), Malik Bilbrew, Alexandra Billings (Wicked), Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam), Shay Bland, Stephanie J. Block (The Cher Show), Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Matthew Broderick (Plaza Suite), Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), David Burtka (“A Series of Unfortunate Events”), Sammi Cannold(Endlings), Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Max Clayton (Moulin Rouge!), Calvin L. Cooper (Mrs. Doubtfire), DeMarius Copes(Mean Girls), Trip Cullman (Choir Boy), Taeler Elyse Cyrus (Hello, Dolly!), Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on This Island), Robin de Jesús (In the Heights), André De Shields (Hadestown), Frank DiLella (NY1), Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), Leslie Donna Flesner (Tootsie), Chelsea P. Freeman, Joel Grey (Cabaret), Ryan J. Haddad (“The Politician”), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), James Harkness (Ain’t Too Proud), Marcy Harriell (Company), Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Mark Harris (“Mike Nichols: A Life”), David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Cassondra James (Once on This Island), Marcus Paul James (Rent), Taylor Iman Jones (Hamilton), Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy (The Inheritance), Hilary Knight, Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party), Norman Lear (Good Times), Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line), Sondra Lee (Hello, Dolly!), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Ashley Loren (Moulin Rouge!), Allen René Louis (“Jimmy Kimmel Live!”), Brittney Mack (Six), Taylor Mac (Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus), Morgan Marcell, Aaron Marcellus (“American Idol”), Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), Sarah Meahl, Joanna Merlin (Fiddler on the Roof), Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Leilani Patao (Garden Girl), Nova Payton (Dreamgirls), Joel Perez (Kiss My Aztec), Bernadette Peters (Into the Woods), Tonya Pinkins (Jelly’s Last Jam), Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Jelani Remy (Ain’t Too Proud), Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Beetlejuice), George Salazar (Be More Chill), Marilyn Saunders (Company), Marcus Scott (Fidelio), Rashidra Scott (Company), Rona Siddiqui (Tales of a Halfghan), Ahmad Simmons, Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), Bobby Conte Thornton (Company), Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet), Kei Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Ben Vereen(Pippin), Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo, Paula Vogel (Indecent), Nik Walker (Ain’t Too Proud), Shannon Fiona Weir, Helen Marla White (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Natasha Yvette Williams (“Orange is the New Black”) and Ricardo Zayas (Hamilton).

“From the Great Depression of the 1930s to the COVID crisis, the Billy Rose Theatre Division perseveres and preserves the greatest treasures of theatrical history,” said Doug Reside, the Lewis and Dorothy Cullman Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division. “As I look back on the last 90 years of our history, I’m struck by how our division has managed to document almost every aspect of the creative process and the people who bring theatre to life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our first 90 years in such spectacular fashion, and to the theatre community for its support. As we plan for the next 90 years and beyond, my hope is that the collection continues to grow and flourish and reflect the diversity of voices that have shaped the theatre as we know it and are shaping its future.”

“The Billy Rose Theatre Division has served as the collective memory for our community by capturing the ephemeral nature of our unique art form. Until we can all experience the joy of live theater again, we are thrilled to look back into the archives to highlight theatrical masterpieces from their vast collection,” said producers Julie Boardman and Nolan Doran. “Our hope is to raise funds to ensure the archives remain accessible to future theatre makers for generations to come.”

The virtual benefit is produced and conceived by co-founder of the upcoming Museum of Broadway and four-time Tony nominee Julie Boardman (Company) and Co-Executive Producer of Broadway For Biden Nolan Doran (Head Over Heels), featuring direction by Steve Broadnax (Thoughts Of A Colored Man), Sammi Cannold(Endlings), Nick Corley (Plaza Suite), Grammy Award Winner Ty Defoe (Straight White Men), Drama Desk winner Lorin Latarro (Waitress), Mia Walker (Jagged Little Pill) and Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb (Choir Boy), choreography by Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Lorin Latarro and Ray Mercer (The Lion King), with new music arranged by ASCAP Award winner Rachel Dean (Medusa) and Annastasia Victory (A Wonderful World), with arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer(Frozen). Casting is by Peter Van Dam at Tara Rubin Casting.

Tony Marx is the president of The New York Public Library, William Kelly is the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries, Jennifer Schantz is the Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director of the Library for the Performing Arts, and Doug Reside is the Lewis and Dorothy Cullman Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division. Patrick Hoffman is the curator of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. Henry Tisch serves as Associate Producer and Travis Waldschmidt is Associate Choreographer. Animation and Motion Graphics by Kate Freer, Graphic Design by Caitlin Whittington, Sean MacLaughlin is Director of Photography and Ian Johnston is B Camera Operator. Dylan Tashjian is Onsite Coordinator with COVID compliance by Lauren Class Schneider.

HOST COMMITTEE: Ted & Mary Jo Shen, Barbara Fleischman, Lizzie & Jon Tisch, Kate Cannova, Joan Marcus, Daisy Prince, Gayfryd Steinberg, Van Horn Group

LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE COMMITTEE: Emily Altman, Margot Astrachan, Ken Billington, Julie Boardman, Ted Chapin, Bonnie Comley, Van Dean, Kurt Deutsch, Scott Farthing, Barbara Fleischman, Freddie Gershon, Louise Hirschfeld, Joan Marcus, Elliott Masie, Arthur Pober, Ed Schloss, Morwin Schmookler, Jenna Segal, Ted Shen, Kara Unterberg, Abbie Van Nostrand, Kumiko Yoshii

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS DOROTHY AND LEWIS B. CULLMAN CENTER houses one of the world’s most extensive combinations of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in the field of dance, theatre, music and recorded sound. These materials are available free of charge, along with a wide range of special programs, including exhibitions, seminars, and performances. An essential resource for everyone with an interest in the arts — whether professional or amateur — the Library is known particularly for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters and photographs. The Library is part of The New York Public Library system, which has locations in the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, and is a lead provider of free education for all.

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A 90th anniversary benefit for the Library of the Performing Arts’ Billy Rose Theatre Division

By Deb Miller 

June 20, 2021

Last week, it was announced that multiple Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein, the son of a librarian, donated $2.5 million to The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, which will establish a new dedicated educational space in the building, named in his honor. The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab, for students and teachers from middle school through graduate school levels, will allow the Library to make new and innovative use of its extensive theater archives and collections by providing scholarly engagement, curricular and extracurricular experiences for students and teachers, and programming for lifelong learners.

In addition to his generous gift, the star has also named the Library for the Performing Arts a beneficiary of the Harvey Fierstein Trust, which will provide the iconic institution with additional support in the future. And, on the evening of Wednesday, June 23, beginning at 8 pm, as part of the virtual benefit I’m Still Here: A Celebration of the Billy Rose Theatre Division, he will help the Library celebrate that department’s 90th birthday.

The online pay-what-you-can fundraiser, honoring producer/director Harold Prince and playwright/director George C. Wolfe, will offer a rare opportunity to view never-before-seen clips from the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT, now celebrating its 50th anniversary), interviews with Broadway legends and emerging creatives, and reconceived performances of classic musical theater show tunes, including Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, In the Heights, The Mountaintop, Ragtime, The Seagull, Spamalot, and Sunset Boulevard. Funds raised by the event will allow the TOFT Archive to capture Broadway and Off-Broadway shows coming out of this historic pandemic shutdown, and to ensure that the Division’s vast collection of historic theatrical negatives are digitized before they erode.

Produced and conceived by Julie Boardman and Nolan Doran (with direction by Steve Broadnax, Sammi Cannold, Nick Corley, Ty Defoe, Lorin Latarro, Mia Walker, and Jason Michael Webb; choreography by Ayodele Casel, Lorin Latarro, Ray Mercer, and Travis Waldschmidt; music direction by Rachel Dean; new arrangements by Rachel Dean, Brian Usifer, and Annastasia Victory; and orchestrations by Brian Usifer), the show will feature archival performances by Angela Bassett, Craig Bierko, Christian Borle, Andrea Burns, Glenn Close, Tim Curry, Robin de Jesús, Christine Ebersole, Rupert Everett, Savion Glover, Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Lansbury, Rebecca Luker, Bette Midler, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, Karen Olivo, Meryl Streep, Paulo Szot, and more.

There will also be new online performances and appearances by Troy Anthony, Annaleigh Ashford, Major Attaway, Alexander Bello, Laura Benanti, Malik Bilbrew, Susan Birkenhead, Shay Bland, Stephanie J. Block, Alex Brightman, Matthew Broderick, Jason Robert Brown, Krystal Joy Brown, David Burtka, Sammi Cannold, Ayodele Casel, Kirsten Childs, Antonio Cipriano, Victoria Clark, Max Clayton, Calvin L. Cooper, Trip Cullman, Taeler Elyse Cyrus, Quentin Earl Darrington, André De Shields, Frank DiLella, Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein, Leslie Donna Flesner, Chelsea P. Freeman, Savion Glover, Joel Grey, Ryan J. Haddad, James Harkness, Sheldon Harnick, Marcy Harriell, Mark Harris, Neil Patrick Harris, David Henry Hwang, Arica Jackson, Michael R. Jackson, Cassondra James, Marcus Paul James, Taylor Iman Jones, Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy, Leslie Kritzer, Michael John LaChiusa, Norman Lear, Baayork Lee, L. Morgan Lee, Robert Lee, Sondra Lee, Telly Leung, Priscilla Lopez, Ashley Loren, Allen René Louis, Brittney Mack, Morgan Marcell, Aaron Marcellus, Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer, Annie McGreevey, Sarah Meahl, Joanna Merlin, Ruthie Ann Miles, Bonnie Milligan, Rita Moreno, Madeline Myers, Pamela Myers, Leilani Patao, Nova Payton, Joel Perez, Bernadette Peters, Tonya Pinkins, Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad, Jelani Remy, George Salazar, Marilyn Saunders, Marcus Scott, Rashidra Scott, Rona Siddiqui, Ahmad Simmons, Susan Stroman, Rebecca Taichman, Jeanine Tesori, Bobby Conte Thornton, Sergio Trujillo, Kei Tsuruharatani, Ben Vereen, Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo, Nik Walker, Marisha Wallace, Shannon Fiona Weir, Christopher Wheeldon, Helen Marla White, Natasha Yvette Williams, and Kumiko Yoshii.

I’m Still Here will stream exclusively on Broadway On Demand on Wednesday, June 23, at 8:00 pm. The virtual event is a benefit, with a suggested donation of $19.31 (the year that the Billy Rose Theatre Division was founded). An in-person viewing party for donors (at the $1000+ level) will start at 6:00 pm, at the Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center, and will include a pre-screening wine and cheese reception and performance by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) and Grammy and two-time Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). For tickets, go online; to send a donation via check, email tickets@stillhereat90.com or call (212) 930-0019.

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Star-Studded I'm Still Here Virtual Benefit Will Honor George C. Wolfe and Late Harold Prince

Celebrating the New York Public Library's Billy Rose Theatre Division, viewers can expect archival clips of In the Heights, Sunset Boulevard, and more.

BY ANDREW GANS

MAY 27, 2021

I’m Still Here, a star-studded evening celebrating the 90th anniversary of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ Billy Rose Theatre Division and the 50th anniversary of its Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, will stream on Broadway on Demand June 23 at 8 PM ET.

Honoring Tony-winning directors George C. Wolfe and the late Harold Prince, the evening will feature archival content of several Broadway productions preserved in the archive, including Savion Glover, Jimmy Tate, Choclattjared, and Raymond King in Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk; Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden, and Larry Pine in The Seagull; Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robin de Jesús, Christopher Jackson, Karen Olivo, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Eliseo Román, and Seth Stewart in In the Heights; and Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard.

Also taking part: Annaleigh Ashford (Sunday in the Park with George), Alexander Bello (Caroline, or Change), Laura Benanti (She Loves Me), Malik Bilbrew, Alexandra Billings (Wicked), Susan Birkenhead (Jelly’s Last Jam), Shay Bland, Stephanie J. Block (The Cher Show), Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Matthew Broderick (Plaza Suite), Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), David Burtka (Gypsy), Sammi Cannold (Endlings), Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Max Clayton (Moulin Rouge!), Calvin L. Cooper (Mrs. Doubtfire), DeMarius Copes (Mean Girls), Trip Cullman (Choir Boy), Taeler Elyse Cyrus (Hello, Dolly!), Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on This Island), Robin de Jesús (In the Heights), André De Shields (Hadestown), Frank DiLella (NY1), Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), Leslie Donna Flesner (Tootsie), Chelsea P. Freeman, Joel Grey (Cabaret), Ryan J. Haddad (The Politician), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), James Harkness (Ain’t Too Proud), Marcy Harriell (Company), Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Mark Harris (Mike Nichols: A Life), David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Cassondra James (Once on This Island), Marcus Paul James (Rent), Taylor Iman Jones (Hamilton), Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy (The Inheritance), Hilary Knight, Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party), Norman Lear (Good Times), Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line), Sondra Lee (Hello, Dolly!), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Ashley Loren (Moulin Rouge!), Allen René Louis, Brittney Mack (Six), Taylor Mac (Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus), Morgan Marcell, Aaron Marcellus, Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), Sarah Meahl, Joanna Merlin (Fiddler on the Roof), Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Leilani Patao (Garden Girl), Nova Payton (Dreamgirls), Joel Perez (Kiss My Aztec), Bernadette Peters (Into the Woods), Tonya Pinkins (Jelly’s Last Jam), Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Jelani Remy (Ain’t Too Proud), Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Beetlejuice), George Salazar (Be More Chill), Marilyn Saunders (Company), Marcus Scott (Fidelio), Rashidra Scott (Company), Rona Siddiqui (Tales of a Halfghan), Ahmad Simmons, Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), Bobby Conte Thornton (Company), Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet), Kei Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Ben Vereen (Pippin), Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo, Paula Vogel (Indecent), Nik Walker (Ain’t Too Proud), Shannon Fiona Weir, Helen Marla White (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Natasha Yvette Williams (Orange Is the New Black), and Ricardo Zayas (Hamilton).

The program will also feature interviews with Broadway artists discussing the re-conception of classic musical theatre songs, including “A Trip to the Library,” “Wheels of a Dream,” “Another Hundred People,” “Love Will Find a Way,” and, fittingly, “I’m Still Here.”

“From the Great Depression of the 1930s to the COVID crisis, the Billy Rose Theatre Division perseveres and preserves the greatest treasures of theatrical history," said Doug Reside, curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division. "As I look back on the last 90 years of our history, I'm struck by how our division has managed to document almost every aspect of the creative process and the people who bring theatre to life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our first 90 years in such spectacular fashion, and to the theatre community for its support. As we plan for the next 90 years and beyond, my hope is that the collection continues to grow and flourish and reflect the diversity of voices that have shaped the theatre as we know it and are shaping its future.” “The Billy Rose Theatre Division has served as the collective memory for our community by capturing the ephemeral nature of our unique art form. Until we can all experience the joy of live theatre again, we are thrilled to look back into the archives to highlight theatrical masterpieces from their vast collection,” added producers Julie Boardman and Nolan Doran. “Our hope is to raise funds to ensure the archives remain accessible to future theatre makers for generations to come.”

The virtual benefit is produced and conceived by Boardman and Doran and features direction by Steve Broadnax, Sammi Cannold, Nick Corley, Ty Defoe, Lorin Latarro, Mia Walker, and Jason Michael Webb, choreography by Ayodele Casel, Latarro, and Ray Mercer, with new music arranged by Rachel Dean and Annastasia Victory, arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer, and casting by Peter Van Dam at Tara Rubin Casting.

Tickets are donate-what-you-can, with a recommendation of at least $19.31 in honor of the year the division was founded. Visit StillHereat90.com

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NYPL Billy Rose Theatre Division Will Celebrate 90 Years with I'M STILL HERE Virtual Benefit

I'm Still Here will feature never before publicly shown archival content of Broadway productions from the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive,

by BWW News Desk 

May. 27, 2021  

I'm Still Here, a new virtual benefit for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts' Billy Rose Theatre Division, will stream on Broadway On Demand on June 23.

The evening is a celebration of the division's 90th Anniversary, and the 50th Anniversary of its beloved Theatre on Film and Tape Archive and will honor Harold Prince and George C. Wolfe.

Tickets to the fundraiser will be donate-what-you-can, with a recommendation of at least $19.31 in honor of the year the division was founded. To purchase tickets, visit stillhereat90.com

I'm Still Here will feature never before publicly shown archival content of Broadway productions from the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, shown exclusively for this occasion, including Savion Glover, Jimmy Tate, Choclattjared and Raymond King in Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, Meryl Streep, Marcia Gay Harden and Larry Pine in The Seagull, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robin de Jesús, Christopher Jackson, Karen Olivo, Andréa Burns, Janet Dacal, Eliseo Román, Seth Stewart in In The Heights, Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard, and even more to be announced. The program will also feature interviews with Broadway legends and emerging creatives and reconceived performances of classic musical theatre songs, including "A Trip to the Library," "Wheels of a Dream," "Another Hundred People," "Love Will Find a Way," "I'm Still Here," and more.

I'm Still Here features artists and figures from the theatre community including Annaleigh Ashford (Sunday in the Park with George), Alexander Bello (Caroline, or Change), Laura Benanti (She Loves Me), Malik Bilbrew, Alexandra Billings (Wicked), Susan Birkenhead (Jelly's Last Jam), Shay Bland, Stephanie J. Block (The Cher Show), Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), Matthew Broderick (Plaza Suite), Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), David Burtka ("A Series of Unfortunate Events"), Sammi Cannold (Endlings), Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Victoria Clark (The Light in the Piazza), Max Clayton (Moulin Rouge!), Calvin L. Cooper (Mrs. Doubtfire), DeMarius Copes (Mean Girls), Trip Cullman (Choir Boy), Taeler Elyse Cyrus (Hello, Dolly!), Quentin Earl Darrington (Once on This Island), Robin de Jesús (In the Heights), André De Shields (Hadestown), Frank DiLella (NY1), Derek Ege, Amina Faye, Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), Leslie Donna Flesner (Tootsie), Chelsea P. Freeman, Joel Grey (Cabaret), Ryan J. Haddad ("The Politician"), Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof), James Harkness (Ain't Too Proud), Marcy Harriell (Company), Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Mark Harris ("Mike Nichols: A Life"), David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly), Cassondra James (Once on This Island), Marcus Paul James (Rent), Taylor Iman Jones (Hamilton), Maya Kazzaz, Tom Kirdahy (The Inheritance), Hilary Knight, Michael John LaChiusa (The Wild Party), Norman Lear (Good Times), Baayork Lee (A Chorus Line), Sondra Lee (Hello, Dolly!), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Ashley Loren (Moulin Rouge!), Allen René Louis ("Jimmy Kimmel Live!"), Brittney Mack (Six), Taylor Mac (Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus), Morgan Marcell, Aaron Marcellus ("American Idol"), Joan Marcus, Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), Sarah Meahl, Joanna Merlin (Fiddler on the Roof), Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Rita Moreno (West Side Story), Leilani Patao (Garden Girl), Nova Payton (Dreamgirls), Joel Perez (Kiss My Aztec), Bernadette Peters (Into the Woods), Tonya Pinkins (Jelly's Last Jam), Jacoby Pruitt, Sam Quinn, Phylicia Rashad (A Raisin in the Sun), Jelani Remy (Ain't Too Proud), Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (Beetlejuice), George Salazar (Be More Chill), Marilyn Saunders (Company), Marcus Scott (Fidelio), Rashidra Scott (Company), Rona Siddiqui (Tales of a Halfghan), Ahmad Simmons, Rebecca Taichman (Indecent), Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), Bobby Conte Thornton (Company), Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet), Kei Tsuruharatani (Jagged Little Pill), Ben Vereen (Pippin), Jack Viertel, Christopher Vo, Paula Vogel (Indecent), Nik Walker (Ain't Too Proud), Shannon Fiona Weir, Helen Marla White (Ain't Misbehavin'), NaTasha Yvette Williams ("Orange is the New Black") and Ricardo Zayas (Hamilton).

"From the Great Depression of the 1930s to the COVID crisis, the Billy Rose Theatre Division perseveres and preserves the greatest treasures of theatrical history," said Doug Reside, the Lewis and Dorothy Cullman Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division. "As I look back on the last 90 years of our history, I'm struck by how our division has managed to document almost every aspect of the creative process and the people who bring theatre to life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our first 90 years in such spectacular fashion, and to the theatre community for its support. As we plan for the next 90 years and beyond, my hope is that the collection continues to grow and flourish and reflect the diversity of voices that have shaped the theatre as we know it and are shaping its future."

"The Billy Rose Theatre Division has served as the collective memory for our community by capturing the ephemeral nature of our unique art form. Until we can all experience the joy of live theater again, we are thrilled to look back into the archives to highlight theatrical masterpieces from their vast collection," said producers Julie Boardman and Nolan Doran. "Our hope is to raise funds to ensure the archives remain accessible to future theatre makers for generations to come."

The virtual benefit is produced and conceived by co-founder of the upcoming Museum of Broadway and four-time Tony nominee Julie Boardman (Company) and Co-Executive Producer of Broadway For Biden Nolan Doran (Head Over Heels), featuring direction by Steve Broadnax (Thoughts Of A Colored Man), Sammi Cannold (Endlings), Nick Corley (Plaza Suite), Grammy Award Winner Ty Defoe (Straight White Men), Drama Desk winner Lorin Latarro (Waitress), Mia Walker (Jagged Little Pill) and Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb (Choir Boy), choreography by Ayodele Casel (Chasing Magic), Lorin Latarro and Ray Mercer (The Lion King), with new music arranged by ASCAP Award winner Rachel Dean (Medusa) and Annastasia Victory (A Wonderful World), with arrangements and orchestrations by Brian Usifer (Frozen). Casting is by Peter Van Dam at Tara Rubin Casting.

Tony Marx is the president of The New York Public Library, William Kelly is the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries, Jennifer Schantz is the Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director of the Library for the Performing Arts, and Doug Reside is the Lewis and Dorothy Cullman Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division. Patrick Hoffman is the curator of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. Henry Tisch serves as Associate Producer and Travis Waldschmidt is Associate Choreographer. Animation and Motion Graphics by Kate Freer, Graphic Design by Caitlin Whittington, Sean MacLaughlin is Director of Photography and Ian Johnston is B Camera Operator. Dylan Tashjian is Onsite Coordinator with COVID compliance by Lauren Class Schneider.

[newyorktheater]

2019 Pride Rally

Loud, Proud and Virtual: If the 50th anniversary NYC Pride March has been canceled due to COVID-19, this year’s LGBT+ Pride Week events are as varied as the community, from rallies to parties to cooking shows to gay neighborhood tours – and lots of theater. Many of these events require advance registration; most are free. All are online. (The pictures above are from previous years.)

Ongoing Productions

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey. 92nd Y Through June 30

Jemima Jones: Black Light

Criminal Queerness Festival Dixon Place. Bringing together renowned queer playwrights from around the world, from countries that treat them like criminals. Through June 29

Pride Music Video festival

10 world premieres from the feath3r theory and the Invisible Dog  released weekends throughout June

“PRIDE is actually NOT a parade, it is NOT a circuit  party, and it AIN’T a Carley Rae Jepsen or Beyonce secret release. PRIDE is a celebration of the culture that we make and put out into the world so that the  world can celebrate us.”

The Queerly Festival  FrigidNY. Through July 2

Monday June 22

6 p.m. The Garden Party at the LGBT Center kicks off Pride Week, as it does every year, but this time it’s virtual – offering appearances and performances, a playlist, and even recipes for “delicious bites and beverages that you can craft from home”

6:30 p.m. Savor Pride: Chef Kate Pelayo, Sous Chef at TAO in Los Angeles,  will showGinger honey glazed salmon. The first of this culinary web series through June 27

7 pm  Brave Smiles…Another Lesbian Tragedy, from the Five Lesbian Brothers, on Playbill’s Pride Plays page

8 p.m. Criminal Queerness Festival: The House of Joy. Roger Q. Mason and Ianne Fields Stewart lead an evening of art-based connection and queer community building.

8:15 p.m. Queerly Festival: Big Gay Love Story, The Musical 

9:30 p.m. Queerly Festival:  It’s Not Me, It’s You A queer take on the story of Lucifer’s fall from grace and the War in Heaven

Tuesday June 23

2 p.m. The Gay Pride (Online) Tour of LGBT History in Greenwich Village. $10

6:30 p.m. Savor Pride: Chef Renee Blackman, born and raised in Barbados, Chicken thighs seasoned with ginger and cilantro Confit potatoes and charred broccoli

7 p.m. Criminal Queerness Festival: Panel on LGBTQ human rights in Latin America

Wednesday June 24

6:30 p.m. Savor Pride, Amanda Freitag, author and food TV personality, Lamb Burger with Mint Yogurt

7 p.m. Queer Fiascos! Share your story on the theme of queer fiascos (if you want), and listen to others share theirs.

7 p.m. Queerty Festival: Blessed Oil and Brown Liquor From brown liquor-fueled basement parties, and spirit-filled churches: A black queer journey.

Pride Run.

For 38 years, Front Runners NY has organized a 5-mile race to celebrate LGBT Pride. This year’s LGBT Pride Run, historically taking place in Central Park, has been transformed into a virtual 5-mile race.

Thursday June 25

9:30 am – 6 p.m.Human Rights Conference A series of panel discussions and breakout sessions (it begins with an online workout session)

7 p.m. Queerty Festival: Coming Out, A New Musical

7:30 p.m. Savor Pride: Chef Sicily Sierra,  co-founder of Pinky & Red’s and Chef Mavis-Jay Sanders, director of operations at The Brownsville Community Culinary Center: Pan-seared fish with green sauce and white bean salad

Falsettos

8 pm Falsettos Live From Lincoln Center has teamed with the subscription service BroadwayHD for a free screening of the 2017 production of William Finn and James Lapine’s pioneering gay musical that follows Marvin, who left his wife to be with a male lover, and his friends and family, portrayed by Christian Borle, Stephanie J. Block, Andrew Rannells, and Brandon Uranowitz. Available for 48 Hours

Friday June 26

5 to 8 p.m.  NYC Virtual Pride Rally  with trans journalist Ashlee Marie Preston and trans actor Brian Michael Smith as hosts

7 p.m. Global Pride 2020 24 hours of performances and speeches!

7 p.m. The Men from the Boys. Mort Crowley’s sequel to The Boys in the Band, showing what happens to the characters, directed by Zachary Quinto and shown on Playbill’s Pride Plays page

7 p.m. Criminal Queerness Festival: vichitra: an anthology of queer dreams

8 p.m. Queerly Festival: The Reparations Show, a variety show that will center stories created by and about Black and Indigenous artists. Kevin R. Free is the host at this performance.

Saturday, June 27

2 p.m. The Bloomsbury Set and Queer Soho: a tour of London’s gayest neighborhoods/ $10

3 p.m. PrideFest 2020 Brooklyn’s second annual concert, on two virtual stages

4 p.m. Family Pride Dance Party

6:30 p.m. Savor Pride Chef Liz Alpern, creator of Queer Soup Night,

7 p.m. Masculinity Max. A play by MJ Kaufman, directed by Will Davis and shown on Playbill’s Pride Plays page

8 p.m. Queerly Festival: The Gay Card. Three young gay men are searching for love and connection

Sunday, June 28

6 to 9 p.m. On Top of the World, a Global Pride Celebration. Tickets $10 – $35

7 p.m. The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me, at Provincetown Playhouse.  A streaming of the 2013 production of David Drake’s play, featuring Drake (who initially performed it in the 1990s as a solo show), André De Shields, BD Wong, Robin De Jesús, Rory O’Malley, Anthony Rapp, Wesley Taylor, Chad Ryan, Donald C. Shorter, Jr., Aaron Tone, Brandon Cordeiro and Claybourne Elder

7 pm Criminal Queerness Festival Maid in America  Conceived by and starring Migguel Anggelo

Pride Week 2020 Calendar of Events: LGBTQ Theater, Festivals, Festivities Loud, Proud and Virtual: If the 50th anniversary NYC Pride March has been canceled due to COVID-19, this year’s LGBT+ Pride Week events are as varied as the community, from rallies to parties to cooking shows to gay neighborhood tours – and lots of theater.

[newyorktheater]

Ten of the 34 shows that opened on Broadway during the 2018-2019 season began life Off-Broadway.  I was struck  by how sharply different my reactions were to seeing the Off-Broadway and Broadway versions of four of these shows – Be More Chill, Hadestown, Oklahoma, and What The Constitution Means to Me. This was true even though all four were considered transfers, with little change in the casts and no change in the creative teams. The biggest change in some of these was the context — and that could make all the difference.

Boys in the Band, Off-Broadway, 1968

Suddenly dancing The Madison in The Boys in the Band: Robin De Jesus, Michael Benjamin Washington, Andrew Rannells, Jim Parsons (There’s a similarly memorable moment of a dance break in “Straight White Men”)

Now, the significance of a Broadway run was surely greatest this season in the play “The Boys in the Band,” which had debuted Off-Broadway in 1968, and had been produced around the world ever since, but had never been on Broadway. The Broadway debut production on the play’s 50th anniversary offered a symbolic importance that was as much political and aesthetic. Though many feel the script is dated — the characters stereotypes of unhappy homosexuals – the production was a celebration of how far we’d come.   All nine actors were openly gay men, as were the director Joe Mantello and all five producers including Ryan Murphy (creator of such TV series as Glee,American Horror Story, and Feud). Several were famous—TV stars (Parsons of The Big Bang Theory, Matt Bomer of White Collar), movie stars (Quinto of the Star Trek films), Broadway stars (Andrew Rannells of Book of Mormon, Hamilton.) These good-looking, successful, popular out gay actors weren’t so much re-creating gay history, or even honoring gay history, when they portrayed these brittle homosexual characters from the past. By their very participation in this production, they were making history.

“Straight White Men” Written and Directed by Young Jean Lee Public Theater New York, N.Y. November 6, 2014

Stephen Payne, Josh Charles, Armie Hammer, and Paul Schneider in Straight White Men, Broadway 2018

Given how vibrant the work that is produced Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway and in regional theaters, it’s easy to argue that making it to Broadway should mean less than it used to.  But Broadway still carries an emotional weight for theater people. How else to explain, for example, the Broadway debuts this season of such downtown avant-garde artists as Taylor Mac (Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus) and Young Jean Lee, whose Straight White Menearlier this season came some four years after the play debuted Off-Broadwayat the Public Theater.

Damon Daunno and band, Oklahoma, St. Ann’s warehouse, 2018

Oklahoma, Broadway 2019

Avant garde artists’ dreams of mainstream success can work in the audience’s favor. Exhibit A for me is director Daniel Fish’s dark production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma. When I saw it Off-Broadway at St. Ann’s Warehouse last October, I found its reliance on too many familiar avant garde devices tiresome and annoying. I felt it lost sight of a theater maker’s basic compact with the audience. “In its effort to make the environment feel authentic, the show suggests low-budget community theater as much as small town community gathering: The folding wooden chairs are physically uncomfortable, and the seating on either side of a long narrow stage (which looks like a fashion runway, except it’s made out of unfinished wood) nearly guarantees obstructed views at various times for a large portion of the audience. The director’s commitment to naturalism sometimes comes at the expense of audibility. Whole scenes unfold in complete darkness.”

Six months later, on Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theater, I was pleasantly surprised to discover comfortable seats and decent sightlines. Was the bigger theater more able to accommodate the set without sacrificing comfort and accessibility, or did the producers put the pressure on the creative team to accommodate the more demanding (and higher paying) Broadway theatergoers?

They also now give the playbill to you before the show begins, rather than after it is over, as at St. Ann’s — an affectation that to me epitomized the gratuitous  efforts to be au courant.

There are still plenty of what I consider avant garde affectations in Fish’s Oklahoma. Many were toned down, and there are enough adjustments for the balance to have shifted for me. I could better enjoy  Rodgers and Hammerstein’s score and the performances by a diverse and talented cast, and better appreciate Fish’s take on the world of the musical.

Be More Chill, Off Broadway 2018

Be More Chill, Broadway, 2019

The changes in two of the other transfers were less tangible, but they had the opposite effect on me.

When “Be More Chill” made it to Off-Broadway, the odyssey of the musical felt as engaging as anything in the show itself. A short run to mixed reviews in a New Jersey theater resulted in an original cast album that went viral, creating a whole nation of teenage fans for this high energy adaptation of a popular young adult novel that combines high school bestiary with sci-fi.  The transfer to Broadway marks the Broadway debut of talented songwriter Joe Iconis, and incorporates changes that reflects an obviously bigger budget – more, fancier stage effects. But the biggest change is its new context. The show has gone from a theater with fewer than 300 seats to one with more than 900, and ticket prices as high as $325. It no longer feels like the little show that could. It’s a noisy, high-powered commercial enterprise, selling itself largely to kids. So, what exactly are they selling?

Curious, I read the original novel by Ned Vizzini, and was taken aback by a couple of the changes in the stage adaptation. In the musical, Jeremy is reluctant to join the cast of the school play, saying “ It’s a sign-up sheet for getting called gay.”  But in the original novel by Ned Vizzini, Jeremy is a theater kid who has performed frequently in high school productions. Shouldn’t Broadway be the one place where young gay theatergoers don’t have to feel left out and put down?

What The Constitution Means to Me, 2018

What the Constitution Means to Me, Broadway 2019

When I saw “What The Constitution Means to Me” Off-Broadway, I found  Heidi Schreck’s show about the United States Constitution extraordinary — funny and infuriated, analytical and confessional, erudite and heartbreaking. Schreck, who plays herself at age 15 competing in oratorical contests about the Constitution, and then herself at her current age, is a good storyteller. Her play is informative, enlightening even, inspiring me to re-read the U.S. Constitution (copies of which are distributed during the show.)  It also has some important, justifiably angry points to make about the Court-sanctioned subjugation of women. Yet, in retrospect, what was most powerful about Schreck’s play was similar to the pull two decades ago of Anne Nelson’s “The Guys,” which was presented at The Flea Theater not far from the World Trade Center right after 9/11. “What’s The Constitution Means to Me” has allowed people to gather communally in a time of crisis.  The crisis this time is not a foreign invasion, but what the theatergoers drawn to this show see as a domestic threat to democracy.

There are few discernible changes to Schreck’s play, which has the feel of spontaneous improv but is actually carefully scripted. While other critics have reacted ecstatically to Schreck’s piece both on and Off Broadway, I have mixed feelings about the transfer of this straightforward, three-character play to Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theater, where there are three times as many seats as Off-Broadway, and ticket prices are more than 70 percent higher.  Instead of one producer, there are now more than a dozen. “What The Constitution Means to Me” can still serve as a salve for the politically shell-shocked and disaffected; they just have to be a little richer, which kind of undermines “we’re all in this together” vibe for me.

  Hadestown Off-Broadway 2016

Amber Gray Patrick Page Reeve Carney on Broadway 2019

Hadestown was a very different show when it debuted at a reconfigured New York Theater Workshop in 2016.  Just eight cast members brought Anais Mitchell’s concept album to life, performing in the sung-through musical all along the dimly lit spaces in front of stadium seating that evoked the rings of Hell

  Three years later, after a run at The National Theater in London, Hadestown is now on Broadway, with an expanded cast of 13, and elaborate choreography for them. Only two cast members of whom are holdovers from the original eight,  Gone is the reconfigured theater. The show plays out on Walter Kerr’s proscenium stage, and now features all sorts of stage effects, from stage smoke to a working steam whistle to a few surprise alterations of the set that are obviously the fruit of a bigger Broadway budget.

Some of the intimacy is lost. But there is now a sharper clarity to the tale, in large part because of the expansion of the role of Hermes as narrator, now performed by André De Shields. (There is also a note in the program explaining, “Who’s Who in Greek Mythology,” which is helpful in a show that still focuses more on atmosphere than plot.)

What made Hadestown most thrilling remains – the delightful score.

In the case of Hadestown, then, Broadway neither ruined nor redeemed an Off-Broadway show. It created something that’s different, adjusting to the new context and changed expectations, and in its own way just as good.

      Are Off Broadway Shows Redeemed or Ruined on Broadway? Ten of the 34 shows that opened on Broadway during the 2018-2019 season began life Off-Broadway.  I was struck  by how sharply different my reactions were to seeing the Off-Broadway and Broadway versions of four of these shows – Be More Chill, Hadestown, Oklahoma, and What The Constitution Means to Me.