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 F. Curtain up and light those lights!
A girl named Maria will re-introduce herself.
The golden age classic “West Side Story” will return to Broadway in a new production in 2019, producer Scott Rudin has announced. The Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim tuner will be directed by Ivo Van Hove (“The Crucible”), helming his first Broadway musical. For the first time in the U.S., the production will feature brand new choreography from Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, and will begin previews Dec. 10, 2019. An official opening is set for Feb. 6, 2020, at a to-be-announced theater.
Broadway here he comes.
After years away from the stage in television series “Smash” and “Supergirl,” Jeremy Jordan has signed on for his Broadway return. Jordan, who was Tony-nominated for “Newsies” in 2012, will join Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale in the New York premiere production of “American Son,” a new play by Christopher Demos-Brown. The drama, which will be directed by Kenny Leon, will mark Jordan’s first time on Broadway in a non-singing role. Previews begin Oct. 6 at the Booth Theatre, followed by an official opening on Nov. 4.
Bikini Bottom will say so long to Broadway.
On what was decidedly not the best day ever, “SpongeBob SquarePants” the musical has announced that it will close on Broadway Sept. 16. The production, which was nominated for 13 Tony Awards but ultimately walked away with just one design win, will shutter due to previously-announced renovations of its house, the Palace Theatre. Prior to closing, original Sandy Cheeks Lilli Cooper will depart the production (to lead the out-of-town tryout for “Tootsie”), and will be replaced by Christina Sajous, who will play the role through the final performance.
“Straight White Men” swaps another man.
In the midst of its preview period, “Straight White Men” has swapped another one of its eponymous men. Stephen Payne has stepped into the play by Young Jean Lee, replacing Tony nominee Denis Arndt who himself was a last-minute addition, replacing the originally-announced Tom Skerritt. Arndt departs the comedy due to “creative differences.” Now in performances at Second Stage’s Hayes Theater, the show is still slated to open July 23.
“The Nap” cast should not be slept on.
Full casting has been announced for the Broadway premiere of “The Nap,” the new play by Richard Bean that will begin previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Sept. 5. “Transparent” star Alexandra Billings will lead the cast, along with Tony nominees John Ellison Conlee and Johanna Day. Tony winner Daniel Sullivan will direct the Manhattan Theatre Club production, which has lined up a Sept. 27 opening.
Things are looking up for Cindy Lou Who.
“Who’s Holiday,” the parody play by Matthew Lombardo that ran Off-Broadway this past holiday season, has won the case filed against it by the Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Judges in the lower court ruling unanimously agreed that the piece is a parody and to be considered fair use. Following the victory, producers for the show announced plans for a limited Broadway engagement later this year; details on that front are to come.
An IRL husband and wife head to the diner.
Real life husband and wife Katie Lowes and Adam Shapiro will make their joint Broadway debut in “Waitress,” beginning July 17. Lowes, best-known for her role in television’s “Scandal,” will step into the role of Dawn, while Shapiro will play her love interest Ogie. They replace current respective stars Caitlin Houlihan and Christopher Fitzgerald, who was Tony-nominated for the track. They join a company led currently by Katharine McPhee.
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