On Broadway and beyond, a curtain can rise as quickly as it can fall; a star can be swapped as easily as Bernie Telsey can say, “That’s enough.” Theater is the beating heart of New York show business and, if you want to make it here, it’s crucial you’re up to date on incoming projects, latest castings, and other industry news. Don’t worry, Broadway baby, Backstage has your back. Every week, we’re rounding up the can’t-miss stories no thespian should live without, so you can focus on important matters like hitting your high C. Curtain up and light those lights!
Hannah Gadsby is Off-Broadway-bound.
Fresh off the wave of her sensational “Nanette” on Netflix, Hannah Gadsby is heading back to the New York stage. “Douglas,” a brand new performance piece, will run at the Daryl Roth Theater July 23–Aug. 17. Details are being kept somewhat under wraps, however, this will be a strictly limited engagement.
Mr. Saturday Night lives again.
Billy Crystal is currently at work to bring his 1992 film “Mr. Saturday Night” to the Broadway stage—and he’s getting help from the best in the biz. With an assist from the Nederlander Organization, Crystal is at work on the comedy with Tony winner Jason Robert Brown (“The Last Five Years”), Amanda Green (“Hands on a Hardbody”), and the original film’s co-screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel. A workshop is in place for next month with the goal being a Broadway run.
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Is Patti teaming up with “Glengarry”?
While it’s widely believed that her West End production of “Company” is heading to New York, Patti LuPone may sooner be back on Broadway in a different show entirely. On the carpet of last weekend’s Olivier Awards (before going on to win a statue later that evening), LuPone spoke with Getty about her involvement in the previously-announced all-female “Glengarry Glen Ross” Broadway revival. Though not officially confirmed, the actor said she would be going into rehearsals for the David Mamet play this coming August which, if true, would be the powerhouse’s fourth Broadway collaboration with the playwright. More (hopefully) to come.
Rollin’ on the river to Broadway.
“Tina—The Tina Turner Musical” has found its Broadway home. The bio-musical will arrive at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre this fall, beginning performances Oct. 12. Slated for a Nov. 7 opening, the tuner will star Tony nominee Adrienne Warren in the title role, as it did during its world premiere in London. Featuring a book by Katori Hall as well as Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, the jukebox production will be directed by Phyllida Lloyd.
Signature’s new season is stacked.
Off-Broadway institution Signature Theatre has stacked its upcoming 2019–20 season. Among the lineup will be a world premiere play from Signature resident and “Ain’t Too Proud” book-writer Dominique Morrisseau, another world premiere from Katori Hall, Lauren Yee’s “Cambodian Rock Band,” Anna Deavere Smith’s “Fires in the Mirror” as well as “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992,” and a brand new staging of Horton Foote’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Young Man From Atlanta.” The season kicks off Oct. 22.