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!
Sing out, Michael Scott.
Bob and Tobly McSmith, creators of “Friends! The Musical Parody,” have announced plans to bring another NBC laugher to the stage: the duo’s “The Office! A Musical Parody” will arrive Off-Broadway at The Theater Center beginning this September. Casting and additional creative team members are to-be-announced. The musical, produced by Right Angle Entertainment, will feature songs inspired by the hit sitcom, including “Welcome to Diversity Day,” “The Creed of Creed,” and “Marry Me, Beasley.”
Carey Mulligan brings “Girls & Boys” Off-Broadway.
Carey Mulligan has once again set her sights on the New York stage. The Academy and Tony Award nominee will lead “Girls & Boys” at Off-Broadway’s Minetta Lane Theatre, transferring directly from London’s Royal Court Theatre. The one-woman play, written by Dennis Kelly, will be directed by Olivier Award winner Lyndsey Turner, and play a limited five-week engagement beginning June 12. It will additionally be recorded and released as an audio production by Audible, which will also produce the run.
Broadway will get Inked.
Another British import that will be making its way stateside, Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the Broadway production of “Ink” as part of its 2018—19 season. Following its lauded run at the West End’s Almeida Theatre, the production will arrive at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre April 2, 2019. Directed by two-time Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee Rupert Gold, the James Graham-penned drama will announce casting at a later date.
Idina Menzel finds her Off-Broadway castmates.
“Skintight,” the new play by Joshua Harmon that brings Tony winner Idina Menzel back to the New York stage, has announced its full casting. Joining Menzel when previews begin at Roundabout Theatre Company’s Laura Pels Theatre will be Will Brittain, Stephen Carrasco, Eli Gelb, Cynthia Mace, and John Noble. The Daniel Aukin-helmed production begins preview performances May 31, and will run Off-Broadway through Aug. 26.
Here’s your full casting for “Moulin Rouge.”
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” has also announced full casting for its pre-Broadway run in Boston this summer. Along with previously-announced leads Aaron Tveit and Tony winner Karen Olivo, the musical adaptation of the Baz Luhrmann film will star Jacqueline Arnold, Olutayo Bosede, Kyle Brown, Sam Cahn, Joe Carroll, Max Clayton, Natalie Cortez, Jennifer Florentino, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Bahiyah Hibah, Ericka Hunter, Holly James, Brandon Leffler, Reed Luplau, Jeigh Madjus, Daniel Maldonado, Morgan Marcell, Brandt Martinez, Jodi McFadden, Kevyn Morrow, Fred Odgaard, Dylan Paul, Khori Petinaud, and Benjamin Rivera. Performances begin at the Emerson Colonial Theatre June 27, with a Broadway run to follow.
The great work will continue on Broadway.
Following its 11 Tony nominations this week—making it the most Tony-nominated play in Broadway history—“Angels in America” has announced a Broadway extension. Tony Kushner’s two-part epic will now run through July 15 at the Neil Simon Theatre (it was originally scheduled to shutter July 1). The Marianne Elliott-directed production stars Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Denise Gough, and Susan Brown, all of whom picked up individual Tony nods for their respective roles.
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