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.
The tight-knit family is going on tour.
Casting has been announced for the national tour of Lincoln Center Theater’s production of “Falsettos.” Leading the seven-person cast of the James Lapine musical will be Broadway alum Max von Essen, Eden Espinosa, and Nick Adams. The tour will launch in Fayetteville, Arkansas Feb. 8, 2019, playing engagements throughout the country including stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and more. The run will conclude in Charlotte, North Carolina in June.
Lea Salonga will make the worst pies in London—in Manilla.
Lea Salonga has a delicious new role lined up. The Tony Award winner has signed on to portray Mrs. Lovett in Stephen Sondheim’s celebrated “Sweeney Todd” in a production that will run in her native Philippines. Performances will begin at the Theatre at Solarie in Manila in Oct. 2019 under the direction of Bobby Garcia. Joining Salonga in the title track will be Jett Pangan, with additional casting to come. This will mark Salonga’s first return to the Philippines stage following her 2016 turn in “Fun Home.”
“Torch Song” will carry the flame nationwide.
Amidst the disheartening news that “Torch Song” will shutter early on Broadway, there is some light. The Harvey Fierstein production has announced it will launch a national tour starring Michael Urie, who has led both the Broadway and Off-Broadway runs of the trilogy. Launching fall 2019, the play will begin performances at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, before embarking on a multi-city run.
“Ever After” secures an enchanting cast.
A number of stage favorites have signed on for a new production of “Ever After,” the musical by Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler, based on the film of the same name. Beginning performances Jan. 15, 2019 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, the production will star Sierra Boggess, Tony winner Shuler Hensley, Rachel York, Terry Burrell, and Todd Buonopane, among others. Alliance artistic director Susan V. Booth will helm the tuner, which will run through Feb. 17.
Neil Diamond is West End-bound—kind of.
For one night only, West End audiences will be treated to the best of Neil Diamond—and the best Neil Diamond channeler. Fisher Stevens will bring his tribute show “A Beautiful Noise” to London’s Lyric Theatre for a one-night engagement on Feb. 11. Marking Stevens’ West End debut, the evening will include all the Diamond standards including “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Forever in Blue,” and others, all backed by a live orchestra. Additional dates for the run will be added shortly.