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!
She’ll be back where she belongs—again.
Bette Midler, who won a Tony Award last year for the title role in the Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!,” will return to the production on July 17, before it closes on Aug. 25. Midler will replace current star Bernadette Peters, and will also be joined by her original costar David Hyde Pierce, who replaces Victor Garber. The tuner, in addition to its accolades for Midler, won the best musical revival Tony last year, as well.
The “Kong” cast shapes up.
With an official Nov. 8 opening in place for “King Kong,” the monster musical has announced its first round of casting, which includes its two leads. Christiani Pitts, currently starring in Broadway’s “A Bronx Tale,” will play the role of Ann Darrow, while “Mamma Mia!” alum Eric William Morris will portray Carl Denham. The musical adaptation, beginning previews at the Broadway Theatre Oct. 5, features a book by Jack Thorne (“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”), and score by Marius de Vries.
MTC will have its “Cake.”
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the New York premiere of “The Cake,” a new play written by Bekah Brunstetter that will be directed by MTC artistic director Lynne Meadow. Beginning previews Feb. 12, 2019 at MTC at new York City Center — Stage I, the dramatic comedy will announce casting shortly.
Heavy hitters sign on for Shakespeare in the Park.
The Public Theater’s annual (free!) presentations of Shakespeare in the Park have announced additional casting for its imminent 2018 installments. Leading the ensemble for its Ruben Santiago-Hudson-directed “Othello” will be Chukwudi Iwuji, Corey Stoll, and Heather Lind. The first of the summer’s Shakespeare productions, “Othello” will run from May 29 through June 24.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson finds his costars.
The world premiere production of “Log Cabin,” led by previously announced star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, has confirmed additional casting ahead of its June 1 premiere. The Off-Broadway play, by Pulitzer Prize finalist Jordan Harrison, will star Phillip James Brannon, Cindy Cheung, Ian Harvie, Talene Monahon, and Dolly Wells. Directed by Tony Award winner Pam McKinnon, the comedy will run through July 15 at Playwrights Horizons’ Mainstage Theater.
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