Theater Thursday- Broadway By the Year: Almost on Broadway

We were given complimentary tickets to Broadway By the Year: Almost on Broadway for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Broadway By the Year: Almost on Broadway 

Where: Town Hall 

             123 W. 43rd St. 

             New York, NY

Who: All ages

When: This event took place on Monday, June 27, 2022

The third Broadway By the Year concert of the season recently took place at Town Hall in New York City. The theme of this edition was popular shows that played Off-Broadway but never quite made it to Broadway. Shows represented included the longest-running show ever, The Fantasticks; musical revues like, And The World Goes Round, and even shows by well-known composers that never had a Broadway run including three by Stephen Schwartz alone; Children of Eden, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Baker's Wife. Songs included My Boyfriend's Back from Beehive, Denial from Newiscal the Musical, and If We Only Have Love from Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris as well as three songs from various editions of Forbidden Broadway; Liza, Goulet, and Phantom/Merman; and much more.  This time around almost every singer had a special connection to the material whether they were actually in that show (Kelli Rabke, The Baker's Wife; Jason Graae, Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah; and more),  they were the wife of the composer (Christine Andreas, Johnny Guitar), or they were the daughter of one of the original stars (Chrystal Joy, Beehive) These connections made the show feel just a little bit more special than usual. All in all, it was another lovely evening of music and reminiscing. 

And that's our view. The last Broadway By the Year concert of the season will take place on Monday, September 19, 2022. This final concert will present an overview of the history of Broadway Song and Dance. It's promised to be the most ambitious Broadway By the Year concert yet! You won't want to miss it! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thetownhall.org/broadway-by-the-year

Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits:

All Broadway By the Year: Almost on Broadway production photos by Sachyn Mital

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Endangered and Extinct: Insects in Peril

We were given complimentary tickets to Endangered and Extinct: Insects in Peril for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Endangered and Extinct: Insects in Peril 

Where: American Museum of Natural History 

            200 Central Park W. 

            New York, NY

Who: All ages

Most of  us think of insects as just annoying pests, but they are actually an important part of our ecosystem.  However, due to overdevelopment, climate change, and more numerous species are coming close to being extinct if they haven't become extinct already. Endangered and Extinct: Insects in Peril, a new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History, highlights both the importance of insects and their desperate plight.

The exhibit consists of large-scale prints of 40 different species of insects prepared by photographer,  Levon Bliss which allow the viewer to get a better view of these insects than they've ever had before. Along with each picture is a comprehensive chart detailing everything you would want to know about that insect including where its found, its purposes, how endangered it is and more. There is also an interactive display where you can quickly look up any of the insects covered in the exhibit. Even if you don't think you like insects at all, the exhibit is extremely compelling. Once you've experienced it, you'll never look at insects quite the same way again.

And that's our view. For more about Endangered and Extinct: Insects in Peril visit www.amnh.org/exhibitions/extinct-endangered-insects. To purchase timed tickets to the American Museum of Natural History, visit https://tickets.amnh.org/select.

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Love You From A - Z & Games: What Is the Sentence (WITS)

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any products, and/or visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own

Books: Love You From A - Z

Today we are recommending Love You From A - Z. When Jenna finds a letter mixed in with the contents of an abandoned storage locker purchased by her boyfriend, she ends up tracking down Henry, the previous owner of the contents to return some of his stuff. She strikes up a friendship with Henry, and he opens her life up to possibilities that she never thought about before. Henry is sweet and thoughtful and helpful but he may just be too good to be true. 

This is a really charming story. Jenna is a very intelligent, confident, strong-willed heroine whose disability (one leg is shorter than the other) doesn't define her but is just a part of her. It is refreshing the way Linda Corbett writes about the character in this way where the character's disability is not the primary focus of the story. It makes the character so much more than her disability someone to be admired and not pitied. 

Henry is really a good guy. He is so sweet and caring not only for Jenna but for her sister, Evie, Evie's partner, and their guinea pig rescue farm as well. The other major characters in the story, Jenna's sweet and sensitive sister, Evie, and her tough but tender-hearted mate, Kat, her equally as likable.

The major conflict between the two main characters, Jenna and Henry is brief and resolved fairly easily. The resolution does involve a heart-stoppingly romantic train station scene worthy of the best rom-com. All in all, it's a very appealing book especially if you love a good romance.

Games: What Is the Sentence (WITS)

Today we are recommending What Is the Sentence (WITS). This is a game about making up sentences. You choose a certain number of letters based on the role of a die. Then, you have to make up a sentence based on the criteria of an action card you've picked. The sentence must contain one word starting with each of the letters you've chosen. This game is very challenging, and it really makes you think. 

There are ways to adapt the game for different skill levels, however. You can eliminate the timer or you can play for fun without keeping score to make it easier for younger children. It's a great game for any number of players ages 7 and up. 

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

More Theater Monday - Seth Rudetsky's Broadway Featuring Vanessa Williams

What: Seth Rudetsky's Broadway 

Where: Town Hall 123 

             W. 43rd St. 

             New York, NY

Who: Teens and Up

When: This event took place on Monday, June 20, 2022

The latest edition of Seth Rudetsky's Broadway took place on Monday, June 20, 2022, at Town Hall in New York City. Vanessa Williams was his featured guest at the event. The conversation flowed freely and covered Ms. Williams's entire career.  She was refreshingly candid and even frankly addressed the scandal that cost her the Miss America crown and how hard it was to resuscitate her career and reputation after that. She looked lovely and sounded beautiful as well covering songs from throughout her career and more including the title song from Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Save the Best for Last. 

William's co-star in the current Broadway comedy POTUS, Lili Cooper made a special appearance. She and Ms. Williams discussed the show, a political comedy now playing at the Shubert Theater through August 14. For more about that or to purchase tickets, visit potusbway.com. 

Ms. Cooper also sang a song from the musical The Life. It was a nice full-circle moment since her father, Chuck Cooper, won a Tony award for his role in the show in 1990. A brief revival of the show was also part of City Center Encores! recently concluded season.

It was quite a pleasurable evening all around. And that's our view. 

The next Seth Rudetsky's Broadway will occur at Town Hall on September 12, 2022, and will feature Jane Krakowski. For more information, to find out about other upcoming events at Town Hall, or to purchase tickets, visit thetownhall.org/seth-rudetskys-broadway

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credit: 

All Seth Rudetsky's Broadway photos by Sachyn Mital

Sunday Scoop Week of 6/26/22 What's Happening This Week or Coming Up Soon

1) American Buffalo Will Continue  Mask Requirement

2) Broadstream Renews Second Act Snacks For Second Season

3) Broadway  Records Announces New Randy Rainbow Single

Gay

4) Chris Mann's Encanto Viral Parody "We Don't Talk About Homo)

5) Encores! Into the Woods Moves to Broadway

6/28

6) Gratitude Adds Performance

6/27

7) Indie Space & Indie Theater Fund Merger & Celebratory Wedding Ceremony

6/28

8) The Minutes New Casting For Final Weeks of Run

9) Multimedia Performance Exhibit "Nothing Further:

Thurs - Sun 6/30 - 7/10

10) Nai-Ni Chen The Bridge Virtual Dance Class Schedule

6/27 - 6/29

11) Pan Asian Repertory Company Nuworks 2022

6/28 - 7/3

12) Refocus Project Season Two Final Reading

7/27

13) Song of the Phoenix 

New Song Cycle From San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus

14) Story Pirates Camp TV Begins on Public TV

7/1

15) South Street Seaport Monthly Virtual Sea Chantey & Maritime Music Live Sing-Along

7/3

1) FINAL TWO WEEKS

AMERICAN BUFFALO

TO REQUIRE AUDIENCE MASKING AT CIRCLE IN THE SQUARE ON BROADWAY

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT ENDS SUNDAY, JULY 10

 

STARRING

Emmy & Tony Award® Winner LAURENCE FISHBURNE

Academy Award® & Golden Globe Winner SAM ROCKWELL

Emmy Award® & Golden Globe Winner DARREN CRISS

There are two weeks left to see the Tony nominated Broadway revival of AMERICAN BUFFALO at Circle in the Square Theatre (235 W. 50^th St.).  The limited engagement will end as planned on Sunday, July 10, 2022 and will continue to require audiences to wear masks through the end of the run.

Due to the close proximity of the audience to the actors as a result of the intimate size of the theater and the staging in the round, the production will continue to mandate audiences to wear masks in this space, despite the recent industry announcement of masking-optional across other Broadway theaters beginning July 1^st.  

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2) BROADSTREAM 

THE NEW, FREE-TO-USER STREAMING

PLATFORM RENEWS

 

Second Act Snacks

 

FOR A SECOND SEASON FILLED WITH

BROADWAY’S BEST BITES

 

 

STARRING

 MATTHEW MUCHA AND

TAYLOR OKEY 

 

 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON  

THE STREAMING PLATFORM BROADSTREAM 

Broadstream is thrilled to announce that Second Act Snacks, a digital series following Matthew “Mooch” Mucha (Harmony) and Taylor Okey (Bandstand), will return to Broadstream for a second season. New episodes are available to stream on now exclusively on the new, free-for-user streaming platform (https://broad.stream).  

Mooch and Taylor are back on your screens to bring you another season of the hit web series, Second Act Snacks! Join them as they search for more real life versions of Broadway's best foods. From that perfect slice of Jersey Boys pizza to a delicious ice cream dessert that Dear Evan Hansen fans are going to love - you're not going to want to miss this. Follow @secondactsnacks and @broad.stream to stay updated on season two and more!

The first season of Second Act Snacks is also currently available, for free, on Broadstream. 

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3) BROADWAY RECORDS ANNOUNCES NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR AND THREE-TIME EMMY® NOMINEE RANDY RAINBOW’S SINGLE “GAY!” 

Broadway Records announced today the release of Randy Rainbow's newest single, "Gay!" The song is available digitally everywhere music is streamed and on BroadwayRecords.com.

"Gay!" is a parody written and performed by Randy Rainbow (based on "Shy" by Mary Rodgers from Once Upon a Mattress). The track is produced, orchestrated, mixed, and mastered by Michael J Moritz Jr, with vocal arrangement by Jesse Kissel. The band includes Michael J Moritz Jr on piano, and synths, Adam DeAscentis on bass, Tom Jorgensen on drums, Ryan Saranich on saxophone, Andrew Snapp on winds, John Lake on trumpet, and Jimmy O'Connell on trombone. Jakob Reinhardt engineers the song. The song first premiered on Randy's YouTube channel, "The Randy Rainbow Show," which is executive produced by Randy Rainbow and produced by Michael J Moritz Jr, and Jesse Kissel. 

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4) Watch Pop Singer and Youtube Sensation, Chris Mann’s latest “Encanto” viral parody throw punches in “We Don’t Talk About Homo.”

Viral comedian Chris Mann’s latest parody offering “We Don’t Talk About Homo” is taking the TikTok by storm with a button-pushing spin on Lin Manuel Miranda’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” Inspired by Texas State Representative Bryan Slaton’s (R) legislation to BAN drag shows in the presence of minors and the infamous “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida, Mann argues “America has big problems, but drag queens aren’t one of them!” Using his signature humor, razor sharp lyrics, and critically acclaimed vocals Mann roasts the likes of Ted Cruz and Mitch McConnell for defending guns over children and guffaws that, amidst mass shootings, bipartisanship, inflation, student debt, school safety issues, gas prices and big pharma price gouging, “homo” is the least of our worries. Chris brilliantly weaves himself into Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” playing 9 different characters from the Disney movie. Mann’s 4 year old son steals the spotlight with a powerful scene holding a semi-automatic rifle giving viewers a lot to think about regarding America’s stance on gun control and schools.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH “We Don’t Talk About Homo”

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5) NEW YORK CITY CENTER ENCORES!

PRODUCTION OF

JAMES LAPINE AND STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S

INTO THE WOODS

WILL OPEN ON BROADWAY

AT THE ST. JAMES THEATRE

 

STRICTY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT BEGINS

TUESDAY, JUNE 28

 

**8 WEEKS ONLY**

Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, announced today that the hugely acclaimed and completely sold-out New York City Center Encores! production of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical, Into the Woods, will transfer to Broadway for a strictly limited, 8-week engagement. Performances begin Tuesday, June 28 at the St. James Theatre, ahead of an official opening night on July 10. Into the Woods is directed by Lear deBessonet, music direction by Rob Berman with The Encores! Orchestra, and choreographed by Lorin Latarro. This production is dedicated to the memory of Stephen Sondheim.

Tickets are available via SeatGeek.com/into-the-woods.

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6) Due to Popular Demand

The acclaimed play, currently at URBAN STAGES,

GRATITUDE

Written by OREN SAFDIE, directed by MARIA MILEAF

Adds performance on

Monday, June 27 at 7:30 PM

Due to popular demand, the critically acclaimed play GRATITUDE written by playwright Oren Safdie, and directed by Maria Mileaf, will add an additional performance on Monday, June 27 at 7:30 PM.  The subject matter can be disturbing and deals with sexual material. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by visiting www.UrbanStages.org. For ages 16+.

GRATITUDE tells the story of 15-year-old Najaf, who attends an exclusive private high school where she becomes infatuated with Drew, the class stud. Torn between her traditional upbringing and family expectations and her new sexual awakening, Najaf, finds herself caught in a web of her own making that promises liberation even as it might simultaneously lead to her undoing.

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7) IndieSpace and Indie Theater Fund Announce 

Merger and Celebratory Wedding Ceremony on June 28, 2022

IndieSpace and Indie Theater Fund announce that they will be merging into one company, IndieSpace. As a celebration of the merger, they will host a party featuring a wedding ceremony where artists, community members, funders and donors come together to fete the community’s recent accomplishments, look forward to the future of IndieSpace, and savor this moment with the people who ensure indie theater continues to thrive. The event will take place on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 6:30pm.

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8) JAMES VINCENT MEREDITH

MOVES BACK TO BIG CHERRY!

ACCLAIMED ACTOR TO JOIN CAST OF

STEPPENWOLF’S PRODUCTION OF

THE MINUTES

FOR FINAL FOUR WEEKS OF BROADWAY PERFORMANCES

The producers of THE MINUTES by Tony Award & Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, are thrilled to welcome celebrated actor James Vincent Meredith (The Skin of Our Teeth, The Book of Mormon) back to Big Cherry. He will join the ensemble of The Minutes as “Mr. Blake” for the final four weeks of performances beginning Saturday, June 25, taking over the role from K. Todd Freeman. Meredith previously played the role of Mr. Blake in the original production of The Minutes at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in 2017.

THE MINUTES opened on Sunday, April 17, 2022 at Studio 54 (254 West 54^th Street) on Broadway. This is a 16-week limited engagement through Sunday, July 24, 2022. Tickets are available online at TheMinutesBroadway.com or by calling 800-447-7400. 

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9) MULTIMEDIA PERFORMANCE EXHIBIT FROM CREATOR MERIDITH GRUNDEI 

NOTHING FURTHER AT CULTURE LAB LIC

Showing Every Thursday - Sunday at

6pm and 8pm from June 30th - July 10th, 2022

 

Multimedia performance exhibit Nothing Further from creator Meridith Grundei is playing Culture Lab LIC (5-25 46th Avenue, Queens, NY 11101) from June 30th – July 10th. Ticketed showings are at 6pm and 8pm Thursdays – Sundays, $20 tickets are available via bit.ly/nothingfurther. For more information, visit https://nothingfurther.org

Previously titled The Father Project, Nothing Further examines the relationship between a daughter and father, a Vietnam veteran who lived with PTSD, and how it affected their family, the community, and subsequent generations. Based on a true story, Grundei’s one-woman multimedia performance explores secrets, family history, generational trauma, gender identity, and the need to keep up appearances. 

Purchase tickets to Nothing Further at bit.ly/nothingfurther. For more information, visit https://nothingfurther.org

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10) Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company

Announces

The Bridge

Virtual Dance Institute

 of boundary-breaking dance experiences

Free One-Hour Company Classes on Zoom

Open to All Dancers at an Intermediate to Advanced Level

June 27 & 29, 2022

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company has established a new dance institute through Zoom, The Bridge.  The Institute’s aim is to bring together dancers, choreographers and directors around the world to experience the master teachers of color whose practices are embedded in the community and are focused on advancing the art of dance that transform the personal, environmental and metaphysical spaces. Interested dancers can join the class by registering here.

As a virtual dance institute, The Bridge will invite world renowned as well as up and coming dancers and choreographers to come to guest teach the class. Advanced/Intermediate level professional or pre-professional dancers who are looking to explore beyond their own boundaries and looking for new dance experiences are encouraged to participate. The core program is based on Nai-Ni Chen’s Kinetic Spiral, which is a cross-cultural dance vocabulary that integrates the Chinese martial arts philosophy in TaiChi with contemporary dance practices she studied in America. Guest artists will cover a wide range of folk and classical dance styles.

The Bridge Class schedule are as follows: 

Monday, June 27, 2022 | Rio Kikuchi (Kinetic Spiral) at 10am

Wednesday, June 29, 2022 | Kerry Lee (Chinese Dance) at 10am

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11) PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE
PRESENTS
NuWORKS 2022
AN EXPERIMENTAL SERIES
STUDIO THEATRE AT THEATRE ROW
JUNE 28 – JULY 3, 2022

FEATURING NEW WORKS BY DIVERSE ARTISTS
ERNEST ABUBA, SEAN-JOSEPH CHOO, SAIYA FLOYD, JEFFREY HAN,
AMY PAN, SHIGEKO SARA SUGA, MANDARIN WU, AND DA XU

 Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (Tisa Chang, Founding Artistic Producing Director) presents NuWorks 2022, the annual experimental series of self-created work from innovative and diverse artists exploring an eclectic range of genres and techniques using poetry, text, dance and music. Featuring new works by diverse artists Ernest Abuba, Sean-Joseph Choo, Saiya Floyd, Jeffrey Han, Amy Pan, Shigeko Sara Suga, Mandarin Wu, and Da Xu. NuWORKS 2022 is supervised by Chongren Fan (Citizen Wong), and curated by playwright Damon Chua (The Emperors Nightingale), The Production Liaison is Sabrina Morabito with Lighting Design by Josh Martinez-Davis.

Performances begin in repertory Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 7:00PM and will conclude with a special Encore performance on Sunday afternoon July 3, 2022 at 3:00PM at Studio Theatre at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street).

General Admission tickets are priced at $25 and available at https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/nu-works-2022/ For additional information, please email info@panasianrep.org, or visit the Pan Asian Repertory Theatre website at www.panasianrep.org/nuworks-2022.

NuWORKS 2022
Schedule of Events

PROGRAM A
Premieres Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 7:00PM
Second performance Friday, July 1, 2022 at 7:00PM

Highlighter Girl
Written by Amy Pan
Directed by Jonathan Wong Frye

Featuring Dion Denisse Peñaflor as Anna and Zoe Dongas as Emily.

When Emily’s English 101 assignment call for her to create a superhero, she discovers commonality with her creative younger sister in exploring the paradoxes of the Asian-American experience.

Amy Pan (Playwright) is an NYC-based playwright who’s studied at the University of Kentucky and the London Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her co-written play, Motherland, just won “Outstanding Production” in The National Women’s Theatre Festival 2021 Fringe Festival. Her 10-minute play Highlighter Girl was an Audience Choice winner the previous year (2020). Highlighter Girl was produced in the University of Kentucky’s mainstage production New Works Now (2018). Prior to this, her works Not Nineveh (2017) and One Dandelion Wish (2017) have been produced in the university’s Studio Season. Her 10-minute play Rainbow was also a semifinalist in Actors Theatre of Louisville’s New Voices Competition 2013.

*

Pleased
Written by Mandarin Wuand Xa Du

Performed by Mandarin Wu

A montage of memories and dreams and nightmares all smeared together featuring an experimental vaudeville song and dance solo.

Mandarin Wu (Playwight/Performer)is a theatre performer, singer, dancer, choreographer/director. Da Xu is a multi-faceted artist, audio/visual designer and creative technologist. Mandarin and Da first collaborated in 2006 to Within X Minutes, and later Stringing Stones. They were both pivotal members of Los Angeles Movement Arts (LAMA), a collective of multi-faceted artists who produced annual shows Momentum and Catalyst (nominated for Best Series in 2011 Lester Horton Awards). After a decade of individual artistic pursuits, journeying throughout the US and Asia, the two artists are once again back in collaboration to share their stories as Americans of Asian descent.

Xa Du (Playwright) is a multi-faceted artist and creative technologist, focusing largely on audio/visual work and developing tools to bring the two disciplines into a single form. On the commercial front, Da has published photography work in the Chinese edition of GQ and Grazia. He has created and performed live visuals for companies like Alienware Computers and LuLuLemon. He toured extensively with the seminal Chinese rock band 舌头(SheTou), as their photographer and live visual collaborator. Da returned home to the US in 2017, and now centers on his personal artistic output. He was selected for the 2021 Westben International Performer-Composer Residency.

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PROGRAM B
Premieres Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 7:00PM
Second performance Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 3:00PM

BAUDELAIRE: Dear Mother
Written By Ernest Abuba and Shigeko Sara Suga

Directed by Shigeko Sara Suga
Assistant Director: Jenna Atkinson
Stage Manager: Sabrina Morabito

Featuring Ernest Abuba as Baudelaire and Voice of Baudelaire, Dinh James Doan as Young Baudelaire, Ricardo Osorio “El Niño” as Baudelaire (Spirit), Shigeko Sara Suga as A Figure, Bird “Ricardito” as Flamenco Guitarist/Singer, Alain Bene as Voice of Baudelaire (French)

Based on the poems of 19th century French poet Charles Baudelaire, this piece embodies the last of a trilogy (Baudelaire: Spleen; Baudelaire La Mort).

Ernest Abuba is an award-winning actor, playwright, director on stage, film, and TV, and last seen in The Oldest Boy at Lincoln Center Theatre. Plays he has written include Kwatz! The Tibetan Project, Eat A Bowl of Tea, An American Story, The Dowager, Dojoji: The Man Inside the Bell, Cambodia Agonistes, PapaBoy, Nightstalker, Lier Rex, and co-created Baudelaire: La Mort with Shigeko Suga. He is the author/co-director of six Educational Short Screenplays aired/produced by WING Productions CBS/PBS and is the voice of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama on the audiobook The Art of Happiness. Recipient of an Obie, a Rockefeller Playwright Residency, five New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Grants for Playwriting and Directing, and a Creative Artists Public Service (CAPS) Grant.

Shigeko Sara Suga, is a senior artist of Pan Asian Repertory Theatre and has performed in over 140 local and international theatrical productions in the past mainly with Pan Asian Rep, Ellen Stewart's Great Jones Rep and Yara Arts Group. Her recent credits include John Gabriel Borkman online play reading as Mrs. Borkman, News From Fukushima as Yu (Reporter), a feature length documentary in multiple international film festivals, and Endlings as Haenyeo (Korean sea diver) at New York Theatre Workshop. http://www.shigekosuga.com

*

Expect-Asians
Written and Performed by Jeffrey Han

Directed by Anne Tamanaha Mesa

*Expect-Asians* centers on a young Asian-American named Jack and his quest to find his identity amidst his father’s standards and acceptance by his peers.

Jeffrey Han is a performer based out of Los Angeles, California. He is excited to be making his New York debut in NuWorks 2022 with his original solo-show, Expect-Asian. Before landing in LA, he earned his MFA in performing arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Notable credits include Scrimmage with East West Players, and a touring production of The Taming of the Shrew_ with The Festival Players in the United Kingdom. Jeffrey enjoys practicing martial arts and listening to country music while stuck in LA traffic. For more, go to www.jeffreyhan125.com.

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PROGRAM C
Premieres Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 7:00PM
Second performance Saturday, July 2, 2022 at 7:00PM

Five Star First Date
Written by Saiya Floyd

Directed by Sienna Aczon
Assistant Director: Mariel Sanchez

Featuring Saiya Floyd as Anna, Sienna Aczon as Mina.

Two gig workers show up at a date expecting to vet potential romantic partners for their employers. When sparks fly, will they have time to get their job done and explore their growing connection?

Saiya Floyd is a Japanese American writer based in Brooklyn. She graduated from Boston University with a degree in Film and Television, and received additional training with Pan Asian Repertory Theatre’s Lab, and with East West Players. Her scripts have been recognized by WeScreenplay, ScreenCraft, Final Draft Big Break, and the Austin Film Festival. This is her NuWorks and NYC acting and writing debut. She would like to thank her family for their love and support.

*

I <3 my AAPI grandparents
Written and Performed by Sean-Joseph Choo

i <3 my AAPI grandparents is a celebration of identity, the performing arts, and ‘ohana.

Sean-Joseph Choo is a multi-ethnic, multi-hyphenate artist dedicated to the stories and people of Hawai’i. Recent acting credits include Kāpili in Stories of Oceania (Honolulu Theatre for Youth), Ferdinand in Love’s Labour’s Lost (Hawaii Shakespeare Festival), and Lovey in Lovey Lee (Kumu Kahua Theatre). He also recently guest-starred as Penna on "Magnum P.I." He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, ASCAP, the Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists, improvhi, the Playwright Development Committee at Kumu Kahua Theatre, and a fellow of the inaugural 2021 Creative Lab Hawai'i Playwrights Immersive Program. www.seanjosephchoo.com

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SPECIAL ENCORE PERFORMANCE
Premieres Sunday, July 3, 2022 at 3:00PM

Pleased
Written by Mandarin Wuand Xa Du
Performed by Mandarin Wu

*

I <3 my AAPI grandparents
Written and Performed by Sean-Joseph Choo

For additional information, please visit the website at www.panasianrep.org/nuworks-202

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12) ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY

In association with PREGONES/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater

Presents

 

THE REFOCUS PROJECT, SEASON TWO

 

EL CORRIDO DE CALIFORNIA on Monday, June 27 at 7pm

 

Three readings will be streamed online for free this fall in English and Spanish

Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present the second season of The Refocus Project, its multi-year project to elevate and restore marginalized plays to the American canon. This year’s series of readings, for which Roundabout is partnering with Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (PRTT), will feature Latinx playwrights. The final reading will be The El Corrido De California on Monday, June 27, 7pm.

The play has been selected in partnership with Pregones/PRTT and has been workshopped and performed in a reading series this month on Pregones/PRTT spaces, featuring on stage and behind-the-scenes artists from both theaters. In the fall, a streamed version of three readings will be available online featuring both English and Spanish.

The play streaming series is free of charge.  All suggested donations will directly support Pregones/PRTT and their ongoing work championing the rich Latinx cultural legacy of theatre.

Audiences can access The Refocus Project here. 

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13) Broadway Records announces Songs of the Phoenix, the new song cycle from San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, curated by Andrew Lippa, available digitally today

Just in time to celebrate Pride weekend! The live recording of Songs of the Phoenix, will be available everywhere, digitally, Friday, June 24th. Songs of the Phoenix features music by composers and lyricists Ty Defoe, Alexandra Elle, Siedah Garrett, Joriah Kwame, Daniel Lazour, Patrick Lazour, Melissa Li, Andrew Lippa, Ingrid Michaelson, Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Sondheim, Diana Syrse, and Kit Yan. Songs of the Phoenix was commissioned by The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and co-comissioned by Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus; Austin Gay Men’s Chorus; Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles; Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida; Heartland Men’s Chorus; New York City Gay Men’s Chorus; North Coast Men’s Chorus; One Voice Chorus of Charlotte, NC; Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus; Portland Gay Men’s Chorus; Windy City Gay Men’s Chorus & Treble Quire. The album was recorded live on April 10th, 2022.

About Songs of the Phoenix: In the early days of the pandemic, Tim Seelig and Andrew Lippa began conversations about completing a trilogy of works created by Andrew for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. The first two were “I Am Harvey Milk” (2013) and “Unbreakable” (2018). Both had words and music by Andrew. This time, Andrew offered to curate a work that might address the myriad challenges facing our nation during the pandemic. Andrew envisioned a large work created by as diverse a group of librettists and composers as possible. Two years, later, Songs of the Phoenix was birthed with the world premiere on April 10 at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco.

Song List:

1. PRELUDE 1 /THE LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR (ADAGIO) (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Josh Wilder)

2. WE RISE (Music and Lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson)

3. WHO AM I? (Music by Melissa Li, Lyrics by Kit Yan and Melissa Li)

4. WE ARE THE TREES (Music and Lyrics by Ty Defoe Speaker:Landa Lakes)

5. MOTHER DEAR (Music by Andrew Lippa, Lyrics by Siedah Garrett)

6. PRELUDE 2 / INVISIBLE GRIDS (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Carson Grace Becker)

7. SONG OF TOMORROW (Music and Lyrics by Joriah Kwamé)

8. MÚSICA Y SABORES (Music and Lyrics by Diana Syrse)

9. PRAYER (Music and Lyrics by The Lazours)

10. PRELUDE 3 / WAVE (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Josh Wilder)

11. FLAG SONG (Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim)

12. BLOOM (Music by Stephen Schwartz, Lyrics by Alexandra Elle)

13. PRELUDE 4 / FIN (Music by Andrew Lippa, Narration by Josh Wilder)

14. SONG OF THE PHOENIX (Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa)

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14) Story Pirates' SPTV Airs on WNET Thirteen's Camp TV This Summer

Story Pirates (www.storypirates.com) recently announced a content partnership with The WNET Group’s summer learning and exploration series Camp TV, which returns for Season 3 on public television stations nationwide beginning on Friday, July 1 (check local listings) and CampTV.org.

Episodes of Story Pirates SPTV will be included in Camp TV. “SPTV helps kids use their awesome imaginations to write great stories,” explains Lee Overtree, Story Pirates co-founder and creative director. “In each episode, Story Pirate Alex takes viewers on hilarious adventures showcasing original stories written by real kids and providing fun, creative writing lessons. We’re so happy to be a part of Camp TV again this summer."

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15) South Street Seaport Museum

Announces Monthly 

Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music Live Sing-Along

In-Person Aboard Tall Ship Wavertree

Sunday, July 3, 2022 at 2pm ET

South Street Seaport Museum’s monthly sea-music event Sea Chanteys and Maritime Music – the original NYC chantey sing, now made popular on TikTok – continues on Sunday, July 3, 2022 at 2pm ET, in-person aboard 1885 tall ship Wavertree. Join a round-robin of shared songs featuring members of The New York Packet and friends. Singers of all levels, as well as listeners, are welcome to lead or request a song, join in the choruses, or just listen as we present traditional maritime work songs and ballads on the first Sunday of every month. The event is FREE. For more information and to sign up, visit seaportmuseum.org/chanteysing.

The in-person Sing will take place on the main deck of Wavertree. Guests must walk up a few stairs and along an angled gangway to board the ship. Before or after the sing, participants are invited to tour the Seaport Museum gallery exhibitions at 12 Fulton Street, as well as visit the 1885 tall ship Wavertree and the 1908 lightship Ambrose on Pier 16, all free of charge. 

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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for More Theater Monday.