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.
“Mary Poppins” goes back to where she started.
“Mary Poppins” is having a moment. In addition to the upcoming feature film starring Emily Blunt, the musical will bow again in London’s West End, beginning performances at a to-be-announced date in 2018. Portraying the titular nanny will be Zizi Strallen (reprising her role from the recent international tour), starring opposite Charlie Stemp (of Broadway’s late “Hello, Dolly!”). The Disney tuner will play the Prince Edward Theatre, the very spot where it originally opened 14 years ago. Richard Eyre directs this new production.
Call her by her name.
A new musical from Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony-winning team behind “Ragtime” and “Once on This Island,” have lined up the world premiere of their next joint venture—and she’s got a new name. “Marie” (formerly titled “Little Dancer”) will debut at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre beginning performances March 22, 2019. Five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman will helm as both director and choreographer, with additional creative team members as well as casting to come.
McCraney and Landau are a Chicago dream team.
“Moonlight” scribe Tarell Alvin McCraney and Tony-nominated director Tina Landau have teamed up as co-writers of “Ms. Blakk for President,” a new play that will have its world premiere at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company. McCraney, who will also make his Broadway playwriting debut this winter with “Choir Boy,” will star as the play’s title character, a drag queen who runs for president. Landau, whose “SpongeBob SquarePants” just shuttered on Broadway, will direct the prescient piece, beginning performances May 23, 2019.
The West End is going country.
Dolly Parton is heading to London—sort of. Parton’s musical “9 to 5,” which played Broadway in 2009, will have its West End premiere at the Savoy Theatre beginning Jan. 28, 2019. Based on the film in which Parton starred, the musical features a score by the country legend, and book by the film’s screenwriter Patricia Resnick. The cast will be led by Louise Redknapp, Amber Davies, and Natalie McQueen, under the direction of Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun.
Heavy-hitters board “The Rivals.”
A Broadway-bound musical adaptation of Richard Brinsley’s play “The Rivals” has announced high-caliber casting for its world premiere at Bristol Riverside Theatre in Pennsylvania. Leading the company will be Tony winner Harriet Harris, along with Erin Mackey, Ed Dixon, Kevin Massey, and others. Featuring a book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg and music by Stephen Weiner, the production will be directed by Eric Tucker and begin performances Oct. 30. Information in regards to Broadway is to come.
A very American drama heads to London.
“Sweat,” the Tony-nominated play that earned Lynn Nottage a Pulitzer Prize, will head to London’s Donmar Warehouse for its U.K. premiere. An examination of the American working class, the piece will begin performances Dec. 7 and play a limited engagement through Jan. 26, 2019, under the direction of Lynette Linton.
Telsey expands to the Midwest.
In a game-changer for regional theater, it has been announced that casting bigwig Telsey + Company will now cast shows for The Muny in St. Louis, Missouri. The country’s largest and oldest outdoor theater, the venue frequently lures Broadway stalwarts, and will now find all its talent through the New York City-based casting agency beginning with its 2019 season.
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