You don’t have to be a Broadway baby to scratch your onstage acting itch. In fact, all around the country—and outside of it—there are bustling theater communities producing works so vibrant they’d have Edward Albee rolling over in his grave. Want in on that action? You’d be wise to know the ins and outs of industry happenings, and this is a good place to start: From across the pond and back again, here is the week’s biggest regional theater news.
Theater royalty will play a royal.
Full casting has been announced for “Diana,” the new musical based on the life of Princess Diana, making its world premiere at San Diego’s La Jolla Playhouse. Two-time Tony Award winner Judy Kaye (fresh off her run in Broadway’s “Anastasia”) will portray Queen Elizabeth, alongside Erin Davie as Camilla Parker, and Roe Hartrampf as Prince Charles. They join previously-announced Jeanna de Waal in the title role, beginning performances Feb. 19.
Rosie and more will get into some “Trouble.”
Additional casting has been announced for the Kennedy Center’s upcoming production of “The Music Man.” Joining previously-announced stars Jessie Mueller and Norm Lewis will be a trio of Broadway veterans comprised by Rosie O’Donnell, John Cariani, and Veanne Cox. The eight-performance run will be Feb. 6–11, directed by Marc Bruni.
“Witness Uganda” heads west.
Casting has been announced for a Los Angeles run of “Witness Uganda,” the musical by couple Matt Gould and Griffin Matthews. Leading the production will be Grammy nominee Ledisi, along with “Hamilton” alum Amber Iman, “SpongeBob” standout Jai’Len Josey, and former Elphaba in “Wicked” Emma Hunton. Performances will begin Feb. 5 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing arts under the direction of Matthews (pulling double duty) and run through Feb. 24.
Broadway favorites take on a Broadway favorite.
Stage stalwarts Corey Cott and Mikaela Bennett have signed on to lead the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s incoming production of “West Side Story” as Tony and Maria, respectively. The Golden Age tuner, by Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents will begin performances May 3 and run through June 2. Francesca Zambello directs this production which is one of a few upcoming iterations of the musical, including a feature film adaptation from Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, and an announced 2020 Broadway revival directed by Tony winner Ivo van Hove.
Carrie Coon goes back to her roots.
Tony and Emmy nominee Carrie Coon is going back to where it all began: The Steppenwolf Theatre. Coon, whose first big break was Steppenwolf’s production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” which ultimately transferred to Broadway and earned her that Tony nomination, has been announced as the newest ensemble member of the Chicago theater. The prestigious company also includes Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts (Coon’s husband), Joan Allen, Tina Landau, Austin Pendleton, and many others.
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