Opening This Week:
Pete the Cat
Limited Off-Broadway Engagement at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
Opening Night Benefit set for July 25th
This summer, Theatreworks USA, the nation's leading not-for-profit professional theatre for young audiences, will present the Off-Broadway Premiere of the new musical PETE THE CAT. It will begin performances on July 19 and run through August 18, with its benefit opening on July 25 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson Streets).
When Pete the Cat gets caught rocking out after bedtime, the cat-catcher sends him to live with the Biddle family to learn some manners - and boy are they square! But for the groovy blue cat, life is an adventure no matter where you wind up, so the minute Pete walks in the door, he gets the whole family rocking. The whole family, that is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized, uptight second grader on planet earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect friend to help him out. Join Jimmy and Pete as they set off on an adventure in Pete’s VW Bus to find inspiration, Magic Sunglasses, and friendship!
Opening Night and the Annual Opening Night Benefit is set for Wednesday July 25th (6:30 PM). This limited engagement runs through August 18th. Educational and not-for-profit group reservations can be made by calling 212/627-7373 beginning mid-May.
WANT TO SEE THE SHOW BUT DON'T WANT TO WAIT IN LINE? VIP Members can get reserved seats by becoming a Donor to Theatreworks USA. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to offset program costs. For every $50 you donate, you are entitled to either one reserved Adult VIP s or one reserved Child VIP ticket for the performance of your choice. Limit 10 tickets per donor. VIP reservations, including weekend performances, must be received no later than 12pm on Friday each week. For more information on becoming a Donor and supporting free theatre for youth, call 212/647-1100, ext. 131 or e-mail development@twusa.org. All sales final.
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Upcoming at the State Theatre New Jersey
Free Summer Movie: Zootopia
15 Livingston Ave.
New Brunswick, NJ
Tuesday July 25 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM
For more information visit www.statetheatrenj.org/event/zootopia
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Upcoming at Encores! Off Center:The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin
New York City Center
130 W. 56th St.
New York, NY
Tony Award‐winner Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), previously announced in the role of Viveca, will be joined by Penelope Armstead‐Williams, Tanya Birl, Kaitlyn Davidson, Josh Davis (Director Bob), Yurel Echezarreta (Modern Teacher), Lauren E.J. Hamilton, Korey Jackson (Gregory), Kingsley Leggs
(Daddy), Jo’Nathan Michael, Kenita R. Miller, Julius Thomas III (Ballet Teacher), Shelley Thomas (Mommy), and Alex Wong (Jazz Teacher) in Kirsten Childs’ delightful, provocative, and poignant 2000 musical, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. Following a young African‐American dancer, Viveca, from West Coast suburbia to Broadway, all the while navigating the politics of race and gender in an attempt to uncover her own identity, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin will be directed by Robert O’Hara with choreography by Byron Easley and music direction by Annastasia Victory.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.nycitycenter.org
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Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam
Concert at Madison Square Park July 27
Los Angeles, Summer 2017 – Latin GRAMMY and EMMY Award winners Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band will perform a free concert at Madison Square Park on Thursday, July 27, as part of their summer tour. Showtime is 10:30 am, on the Farrugut Lawn. This is one of the park's weekly eclectic lineup of family acts. All ages are invited.
The band, led by Lucky Diaz and Alisha Gaddis, present interactive, multi-cultural, mixed language and movement based musical performances for children and adults. Catch details of the tour, celebrating the release of their forthcoming album Made in LA, at
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Upcoming at Kelsey Theatre:
Annie Get Your Gun
1200 Old Trenton Rd.
West Windsor, NJ
Friday July 28 through Sunday August 6
Annie Oakley is just Doin' What Comes Naturly as the best sharpshooter around, but when when falls for handsome Frank butler she discovers that You Can't Get a Man With a Gun! The Yardley Players is proud to present Irving Berlin's beloved classic tale with the most memorable tunes ever, proving there really is No Business Like Show Business!
For more information or to purchase tickets visit here
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HAMILTON’S DANIEL J. WATTS BRINGS
THE JAM: ONLY CHILD
TO WEBSTER HALL SUNDAY, JULY 30
Hamilton’s Daniel J. Watts (TBS’ upcoming “The Last O.G.” starring Tracy Morgan, Signature Theatre’s The Death of The Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World) and WattsWords Productions present Daniel J. Watts' THE JAM: Only Child, an evening of music, dance and spoken word, on Monday, July 30 at The Studio in New York’s famed Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street). Doors open at 7:00pm, the show begins at 8:00pm
Watts will be joined by DJ Duggz, aka Preston Dugger III (Motown the Musical, Memphis), spinning through the evening. Advance tickets range from $15-35 and can be purchased at http://bit.ly/thejamwhnyc. Tickets at the door will be $20-40.
A play-on-words, THE JAM pays homage to Watts’ great-grandmother who, after making jam from scratch, would share with others what she was unable to consume herself. THE JAM is Watts’ continuation of that legacy featuring his original spoken word, often set to music and/or dance. Last summer, galvanizing cast members from Hamilton, On Your Feet, and Shuffle Along, Watts played to a packed house in Webster Hall’s Marlin Room with The Jam: Love Terrorists - A Benefit for Orlando. The event raised $7500 for the LGBT community in Orlando after the horrific attack at Pulse Night Club.
Rebel Playhouse's Theater Camp
Who: Kids ages 4-8
What: A theater camp with a twist... The participants create their own show!
Where: Brooklyn Free School, 372 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
When: August 14th through 18th, 9am - 2pm
Why: To empower, educate, and entertain your kids!
What: A theater camp with a twist... The participants create their own show!
Where: Brooklyn Free School, 372 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
When: August 14th through 18th, 9am - 2pm
Why: To empower, educate, and entertain your kids!
$500
Inquire about financial aid.
Contact: info@rebelplayhouse.org
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Now at the Franklin Institute:
Mirror Maze
222 N. 20th St.
Philadelphia, PA
Now Through September 4 Only!
Explore the mathematical patterns of the natural world in A Mirror Maze: Numbers in Nature, on display now through September 4 only!
From the nested spirals of a sunflower’s seeds to the ridges of a majestic mountain range, this stunning interactive exhibit provides an introduction to patterns and how math surrounds us every day. Lose yourself in an elaborate mirror maze—the stunning centerpiece of the exhibit—and challenge yourself to discover how geometry, tessellations, and repetitions can unlock the secrets of the world around you.
You can take your experience to the next level by downloading The Franklin Institute mobile app to access a turn-by-turn museum map tour!
For more information visit www.fi.edu/summer-of-space
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PR Firm Roundup
News from BroadwayCon
BROADWAYCON CALL FOR PROGRAMMING IS NOW OPEN!
BroadwayCon is pleased to announce the annual Call for Programming is now open! Broadway fans are invited to submit programming proposals for BroadwayCon 2018. BroadwayCon will return to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Friday, January 26 through Sunday, January 28, 2018. Tickets for BroadwayCon 2018 are available for purchase now at www.BroadwayCon.com/register
Programming proposals must be submitted by Friday, September 15. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis and all decisions will be made by early October. BroadwayCon presenters will be provided a complimentary day pass for the day of their programming. For more information, please visit www.BroadwayCon.com/
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Upcoming at DKC/O&M
TWO-TIME EMMY AWARD WINNER
UZO ADUBA
PLUS EISA DAVIS, KECIA LEWIS, SOPHIA ANNE CARUSO & MORE
COMPLETE THE CASTING OF
THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES
MUSICAL WORKSHOP AT
VASSAR & NEW YORK STAGE AND FILM’S
2017 POWERHOUSE SEASON
**SPECIAL SUNDAY MATINEE ADDED
BY POPULAR DEMAND**
Vassar & New York Stage and Film have announced the complete casting for the 33rd Powerhouse Season’s highly anticipated musical workshop production of The Secret Life of Bees:
Two-time Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is The New Black”) headlines the cast in the role of Rosaleen, joined by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie winner Eisa Davis (“House of Cards”, Passing Strange) as June, Sophia Anne Caruso (Lazarus, The Nether) as Lily, Kecia Lewis (Dreamgirls,The Drowsy Chaperone) as August, Tony Honors recipient Ben Davis (La Bohème, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as T. Ray, and Odiseas Georgiadis as Zach, with an ensemble featuring Akron Watson (The Color Purple), Rory Donovan (Finding Neverland, Elf), and Peter Matthew Smith (Hairspray,Rent).
Powerhouse has added a special Sunday matinee performance of The Secret Life of Bees by popular demand. The show will be presented in the Vogelstein Center for Drama & Film on Thursday, July 27 at 8pm; Friday, July 28 at 8pm; Saturday, July 29 at 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday, July 30 at 2pm.
As previously announced, The Secret Life of Bees is based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd, and features book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat, Ruined), music by Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening), lyrics by Tony and Drama Desk nominee Susan Birkenhead (Ain’t Misbehavin’), and directed by Tony winner Sam Gold (Fun Home).
For tickets and more information on the season, visit Powerhouse.Vassar.edu
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ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR &
POLITICAL ICON
MICHAEL MOORE
BROADWAY DEBUT IN
THE TERMS OF MY SURRENDER
PERFORMANCES BEGIN FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017
OPENING NIGHT SET FOR THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2017
AT THE BELASCO THEATRE FOR A LIMITED 12-WEEK ENGAGEMENT
Academy Award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, and political icon Michael Moore begins rehearsals today for his thought-provoking and controversial Broadway debut in The Terms of My Surrender. Directed by Tony Award-winner, Michael Mayer(Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Moore will be targeting President Trump using his signature political savvy and theatrical persona in this unique Broadway experience, taking place just down the street from Trump Tower and next door to George Orwell’s 1984 at The Hudson Theatre. The limited 12-week engagement will begin previews at Broadway’s Belasco Theatre (111 W 44th Street) on Friday, July 28, 2017 with an official opening night set for Thursday, August 10, 2017.
So, the question is posed: “Can a Broadway show take down a sitting President?”
Well, it’s time to find out.
In a time like no other in American history, and with a sense of urgency like never-before, Michael Moore comes to Broadway for the first time in an exhilarating, subversive one-man show guaranteed to take audiences on a ride through the United States of Insanity, explaining once and for all how the f*** we got here, and where best to dine before crossing with the Von Trapp family over the Canadian border,
Performed live each night just blocks from Trump Tower, The Terms of My Surrender will, like Moore’s films, feature the wry, satirical humor of one of America’s iconic political observers and all-around-shit-disturbers, a fearless Midwesterner not interested in taking any prisoners. Audiences are in for one surprise after another.
Tickets for The Terms of My Surrender are $29 - $149 and are available at Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200. During previews, performances are Monday – Saturday at 8 PM, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 PM (no matinee on 8/2/17). Regular performances are Tuesday - Thursday at 7 PM, Friday - Saturday at 8 PM, with 2 PM matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S SMASH HIT
SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL
WILL WELCOME FIVE NEW CAST MEMBERS TO THE CLASS ON JULY 31, 2017
GUITAR HERO BRANDON NIEDERAUER, RAGHAV MEHROTRA, JERSEY SULLIVAN, GIANNA HARRIS AND SAMMY RAMIREZ WILL GRADUATE FROM HORACE GREEN
ON SUNDAY, JULY 30TH
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical School of Rock – The Musical will welcome five new cast members to the class on Monday, July 31, 2017. Rocking their way to Broadway will be, Zachary Zwelling as “Zack” the guitarist, Levi Buksbazen as “Freddy” the drummer, John Allyn as “Billy” the stylist, Gabrielle Greene as “Shonelle” the back-up singer, and Cory Leventhal as “James.”
On Sunday, July 30, 2017, “guitar hero” and original cast member Brandon Niederauer, Raghav Mehrotra, Jersey Sullivan, Gianna Harris, andSammy Ramirez will all graduate from Horace Green.
Based on the hit film, School of Rock – The Musical is a hilarious new musical that follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.
School of Rock – The Musical will kick off a U.S. National Tour in Rochester, NY at RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre in September 2017. Additional information and dates can be found here.
Tickets for School of Rock – The Musical are $59 - $155 and are available by visiting the Winter Garden Theatre box office Monday – Saturdays between 10:00 am – 8:00 pm and Sundays from 12:00 pm – 6:00pm, online at Telecharge.com, or by calling 212-239-6200. Performances of School of Rock – The Musical are Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and 1 pm and 6 pm on Sundays.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.SchoolOfRockTheMusical.com
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Elvis is leaving the building! Producer Lawrence Rosner has announced, today, Attack of the Elvis Impersonators, the campy musical comedy that leaves you howling for more, with book, music and lyrics by Lory Lazarus, will play its final performance Sunday evening, July 30, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th & 10th Avenues) where performances began June 1, 2017. At closing Attack of the Elvis Impersonators will have played 14 preview and 49 regular performances.
When Drac Frenzie, a burnt-out world famous heavy metal icon decides to save himself from self-destruction by impersonating Elvis, an amazing thing happens -- which leads him to not only saving himself, but also the world.
Attack of the Elvis Impersonators plays the following performance schedule: Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., and Mondays at 8:00 p.m. (There are no Tuesday or Wednesday performances.)
Tickets for Attack of the Elvis Impersonators are priced at $89 with Premium Seats available at $99. Tickets may be purchased at Telecharge.com /212-239-6200.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit
www.elvisimpersonatorsmusical.
News from Richard Hillman PR
ATTACK OF THE ELVIS IMPERSONATORS
THE CAMPY MUSICAL COMEDY THAT LEAVES YOU HOWLING FOR MORE
BOOK, MUSIC, LYRICS BY LORY LAZARUS
DIRECTED BY DON STEPHENSON
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MELISSA ZAREMBA
FINAL PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2017 at 7:30PM
THE CAMPY MUSICAL COMEDY THAT LEAVES YOU HOWLING FOR MORE
BOOK, MUSIC, LYRICS BY LORY LAZARUS
DIRECTED BY DON STEPHENSON
CHOREOGRAPHY BY MELISSA ZAREMBA
FINAL PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2017 at 7:30PM
AT THE LION THEATRE AT THEATRE ROW
Elvis is leaving the building! Producer Lawrence Rosner has announced, today, Attack of the Elvis Impersonators, the campy musical comedy that leaves you howling for more, with book, music and lyrics by Lory Lazarus, will play its final performance Sunday evening, July 30, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street, between 9th & 10th Avenues) where performances began June 1, 2017. At closing Attack of the Elvis Impersonators will have played 14 preview and 49 regular performances.
When Drac Frenzie, a burnt-out world famous heavy metal icon decides to save himself from self-destruction by impersonating Elvis, an amazing thing happens -- which leads him to not only saving himself, but also the world.
Attack of the Elvis Impersonators plays the following performance schedule: Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., and Mondays at 8:00 p.m. (There are no Tuesday or Wednesday performances.)
Tickets for Attack of the Elvis Impersonators are priced at $89 with Premium Seats available at $99. Tickets may be purchased at Telecharge.com /212-239-6200.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit
www.elvisimpersonatorsmusical.
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I A M, I W I L L, I D O
BOOK, MUSIC, AND LYRICS BY DAN MANJOVI
DIRECTION BY CHRISTOPHER SCOTT
MUSIC DIRECTION BY MATTHEW CROFT
FEATURING TONY AWARD NOMINEE STEPHANIE D’ABRUZZO,
KYLE ROBERT CARTER, NIC CORY, PEYTON CRIM, DEVON GOFFMAN,
GRACE HIGHTOWER DE NIRO, GRACE LESZYNSKI, CLAIRE NEUMANN
14TH ANNUAL NEW YORK MUSICAL FESTIVAL (NYMF)
PETER JAY SHARP THEATER (416 WEST 42ND STREET)
3 PERFORMANCES ONLY!
Romance comes to The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) as they announce I Am, I Will, I Do, a show that redefines relationship norms. The production, an Official Selection of the 2017 New York Musical Festival, features book, music, and lyrics by Dan Manjovi. I Am, I Will, I Do will be directed by Christopher Scott with music direction by Matthew Croft. The production will play (3) three performances only, July 27, 28, and 29 at The Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 W. 42nd St.).
As the owners of “Party City Now” rebrand their wedding business to embrace marriage equality, Dave, their gay Music Director, has never felt more alone. Doomed to a life of playing weddings, Dave longs for a love of his own. But, when he’s forced to sing a duet with Human Rights Attorney, Harris, sparks ignite and hope is born. As three diverse couples struggle to find compromise, this new romantic musical comedy I Am, I Will, I Do teaches us that perhaps being “outside the norm” is the new normal. Amas Musical Theatre has been a major supporter in the development of this show over the past few years.
I Am, I Will, I Do is a NYMF Beta Musical. Beta Musicals are new musicals that are further along in their development process than readings, but not produced with all the elements of a full production. Often, Beta Musicals will focus on a few key elements they are interested in exploring through the NYMF process, such as choreography, puppetry, or specific design components. As Beta Musicals are still in active development, there will be a feedback form available for audiences.
I Am, I Will, I Do will play the following three performances: Thursday, July 27 at 8:30pm; Friday, July 28 at 1:00pm; and Saturday, July 29 at 5:00pm.
NYMF Passes are now available for purchase at nymf.org/pass. Individual tickets are available at NYMF.org or by calling (212) 352 3101.
The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) nurtures the creation, production, and public presentation of stylistically, thematically, and culturally diverse new musicals to ensure the future vitality of musical theater.
Now in its fourteenth year, the Festival is the premier musical theater event in the world. The preeminent site for launching new musicals and discovering new talent, the Festival provides an affordable platform for artists to mount professional productions that reach their peers, industry leaders, and musical theater fans. More than 90 Festival shows have gone on to productions on and Off-Broadway, in regional theaters in all 50 states, and in more than 24 countries worldwide. Festival alumni have received a wide array of awards including the Tony Award® and the Pulitzer Prize. In 2013, NYMF received a special Drama Desk Award in recognition of its work "creating and nurturing new musical theater, ensuring the future of this essential art form."
The NYMF PASS is a great way to experience The New York Musical Festival. With a NYMF PASS, you can get into the theater before individual ticket holders. Passes also offer the exclusive ability to book tickets before they go on sale to the public. Individual tickets on sale now.
The 2017 New York Musical Festival is taking place now through August 6. For more information, please visit: www.nymf.org
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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for another Talking Topic.
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