Sunday Scoop Week of 8/23/26 What's Happening This Week and More

A) Cast Changes

In NewYork

1) Buena Festival Social Club

Schoenfeld Theatre 

2) Heated Rivalry

The Culture  Club

B) Concert

In NewYork

3) Leonieke Scheuble

Dante Park 8/26

C) Festival

In New Jersey

4) Summer Opera Festival

Kelsey Theatre 8/28 - 8/30

In New York

5) AMT Theater Film Festival

8/23 & 8/29

6) East Village Queer Film Festival

wild project 8/26 - 8/30

7) Kaatsbaan Cultural Park Annual Festival 

Saturday 8/29 -9/12

D) What Else is Happening

In New York

8) Broadway Workshop Fall Classes Enrolling

9) Ellen's Stardust Dinner Spotlights Next-Gen Broadway Talent

8/25

10) Frog & Peach Theatre Company presents Tinkerbelle Live

East Harlem's Los Amigos Garden 8/29

11) Jason Blum to Host Special Performance of Paranormal Activity on Broadway

August Wilson Theatre 8/26

12) Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents Dance Theatre of Harlem

8/29

A) Cast Changes

In NewYork

Courtesy of Polk and Co. PR

1) Buena Festival Social Club

Major League Baseball veteran and recording artist José Iglesias, known to music fans as Candelita, will make history as the first Latino MLB player to debut on Broadway when he joins the cast of Buena Vista Social Club in the role of the narrator on 8/27/26.

nspired by true events, the new Broadway musical BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB brings the 1997 GRAMMY® Award-winning album to thrilling life—and tells the story of the legends who lived it. A world-class Afro-Cuban band is joined by a sensational cast in this unforgettable tale of survival, second chances, and the extraordinary power of music.

Schoenfeld Theatre (236 W. 45th St.)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.buenavistamusical.com

Courtesy of DKC/O&M

2) Heated Rivalry

Troy Iwata joins the cast in the role of Troy Hollander 8/31.

Inspired by the hit show about hockey, Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody follows starry-eyed golden boy Shane Hollander on his journey from power center to power bottom.

The Culture Club (530 W. 27th St.)

Through Sunday, November 1.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.heatedrivalryparody.com.

B) Concert

In NewYork

3) Leonieke Scheuble

Scheuble got her start thanks to Dr. Lonnie Smith at age 10. By age 11, she would win an award from the International Women in Jazz, and win a second International Women in Jazz award, the New Jersey Governor's award and her most prestigious award to date, the Hot House Fan Decision Award for "Best Up and Coming Young Artist. She leads “The 3 Generations of Jazz Trio” with world-renowned bassist, Bill Crow.

Dante Park (Broadway between 63rd & 64th St.)

Wednesday August 26, 1:30 PM

This is a free concert.

For more information, visit lincolnsquarebid.org/2026/05/21/starting-summer-off-on-the-right-note-with-summer-jazz-sensations.

C) Festival

In New Jersey

4) Summer Opera Festival

Kelsey Theatre 8/28 - 8/30

Il Trovatore (The Troubadour) 

Friday August 28th 7:30pm

This thrilling opera takes stage with a passionate love triangle, a mysterious curse and shocking ending-  with the famous "Anvil Chorus," will leave you on the edge of your seat! 

The Pearl Fishers 

Saturday August 29th 2pm

Travel to another world and time in this immersive summer ocean story where,  two men's vow of eternal friendship is threatened by their love for the soon to be priestess, Leila, featuring the famous Pearl Fisher duet and glimmering soprano arias. 

Romeo and Juliet 

Saturday August 29th 7:30pm

Gounod’s telling of Shakespeare’s masterpiece of star-crossed love comes to life on stage at Kelsey Theatre featuring a stellar cast.

The Barber of Seville 

Sunday, August 30th at 2pm

Figaro! 🎶 Figaro!   Will love prevail in this new - fun -laugh-out loud comedy of Rossini's The  Barber of Seville? Featuring the famous Figaro aria and ensembles in a hilarious staging in this Rossini classic.

Kelsey Theatre (1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor, NJ

8/28 /8/30

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit kelsey.mccc.edu.

In New York

5) AMT Theater Film Festival

On Sunday, August 23rd, at 6:00 p.m., AMT will screen BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE (2003). Take a front-row seat to Broadway’s most legendary era in Rick McKay’s beloved documentary, which features rare interviews with theater icons including Julie Andrews, Carol Channing, Angela Lansbury, Elaine Stritch, Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Gwen Verdon, Jerry Orbach, and dozens more. Their personal stories, humor, and behind-the-scenes memories capture the magic of Broadway’s greatest generation like never before.

Then, on Saturday, August 29th, at 6:00pm AMT will screen BROADWAY MUSICALS: A JEWISH LEGACY (2013). Discover the remarkable story of how generations of Jewish composers, lyricists, playwrights, and producers helped create the American musical. This acclaimed documentary features insights from Broadway legends including Stephen Sondheim, Sheldon Harnick, John Kander, Jerry Herman, Arthur Laurents, Charles Strouse, and Harold Prince, celebrating the artists whose work forever changed American theater.

Following both screenings, stay for a live conversation and audience Q&A with producer Al Tapper and a special celebrity guest. The events will be moderated by Broadway historian Robert W. Schneider.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Amttheater.org

Courtesy of Emily Owens PR

6) East Village Queer Film Festival

The East Village Queer Film Festival (EVQ) embraces an inclusive Queer identity, featuring films that entertain, explore and promote queer-themed issues, work by and featuring LGBTQIA+ artists, as well as work inspired by the expanded innovative and audacious downtown Queer avant-garde.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the festival, which will honor Lola Rock’N’Rolla, an artist who helped to launch the festival in 2017 and who epitomizes what the East Village Queer Film Festival is all about, with a retrospective and celebration of her storied career with special guest host Murray Hill. This year’s festival will also feature a short film starring John Cameron Mitchell and a full-length film featuring Liza Weil from Gilmore Girls. Each screening will be followed by a brief Q&A with the filmmakers.

wild project (195 E. 3rd St.)

8/26 - 8/30

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thewildproject.org/performances/evq-2026.

Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

7) Kaatsbaan Cultural Park Annual Festival 

For three Saturdays in a row, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park presents the 2026 Annual Festival.

Each Saturday will feature a distinct lineup and focus:

- August 29: The festival opener is an all-day celebration filled with live music and geared towards all ages. Dance performances by Calpulli Danza Mexicana, Ballez, and Anna Sperber, and an evening concert by Valerie June;

- September 5: Labor Day weekend programming centers on storytelling by individual playwrights Rachel Jendrzejewski (through collaborators Terry Hempfling and Lauren Lewis), Jeanette Harrison, Ty Defoe, Vickie Ramirez, Rose Jarboe, Sylvan Oswald, Jim Fletcher, Lucy Sexton, and Adrienne Truscott. A musical double-bill closes out the day with The Bearded Ladies Cabaret sing-along and concert/dance party by CRICKETS (JD Samson, Roddy Bottum, and Michael O’Neill); and

- September 12: The festival closes with a high-energy summer send-off. Large- ensemble dance performances by EVIDENCE and MasterZ at Work open the day and Sadonna and the Slutinos give a farewell evening concert.

Kaatsbaan Cultural Park (120 Broadway, Tivoli, NY)

For more information, visit kaatsbaan.org/performances-festivals.  

D) What Else is Happening

In New York

8) Broadway Workshop Fall Classes Enrolling

TRIPLE THREAT 6-WEEK CLASS (AGES 8-12)

Dates: Sundays, September 27 - November 8

Times: 10:00am-11:30am

Ages: 8-12

Location: Ripley Grier Studios - 520 Eighth Ave (16 Fl) - NYC

Final Showcase: November 8 at 11:30am (In-Studio)

Our Triple Threat class focuses on how to better approach material, sharpen audition & performance skills, understand direction and adjustments, make strong choices, relax, and most of all, have confidence on stage and off. This class is designed to help unlock imagination and overcome inhibitions. This is an amazing class for students who are ready for the next stage of their training. In each class session, students will work on a musical production number that will feature each student as well as short solo vocal selections. Students will be paired up to work on scenes from Broadway’s biggest hit musicals and TV/Film scripts from Disney and Nickelodeon projects.

For more information or to register, visit broadwayworkshop.com/program/triple-threat-6-week-workshop.

AUDITION TECHNIQUE 4-WEEK CLASS (AGES 13-19)

Dates: Sundays, September 27 - October 25

Times: 11:00am-1:00pm

Ages: 13-19

Location: Ripley Grier Studios - 520 Eighth Ave (16 Fl) - NYC

In this four-week program, students will strengthen their audition technique for television and film, musical theatre, and acting auditions. Each session builds on the previous one, giving performers practical tools, personalized coaching, and professional insight to help them grow as confident, versatile auditioners. Each session will be led by professional actors from Broadway and TV/Film who will share feedback and tips to master the art of the audition. This program will culminate in a mock-audition for a top New York casting director who will provide additional guidance and take part in a Q&A for students!

For more information or to register, visit broadwayworkshop.com/program/musical-theater-performance.

BROADWAY MASTERCLASS WEEKEND (AGES 9-19)

Dates: October 10 & 11

Times: 10:00am-4:00pm

Ages: 9-19

Location: Ripley Grier Studios - 520 Eighth Ave (16 Fl) - NYC

Train with Broadway’s brightest stars in an unforgettable two-day intensive designed for youth and teen performers who are serious about taking their skills to the next level. Students will study with Broadway performers, casting directors, choreographers, musical directors, and teaching artists while participating in professional-level training across musical theatre, film and television, dance, and audition technique. Students will be placed into small groups based on age to ensure individualized coaching and a supportive learning environment. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit broadwayworkshop.com/program/broadway-masterclass-weekend.

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9) Ellen’s Stardust Diner Spotlights Next-Gen Broadway Talent, Welcoming Winners from the Second Annual “Junior Stardusters” Competition for Live Performances

The 1950’s retro themed restaurant will welcome back the five winners from its Second Annual Junior Starduster competition to perform at the popular diner.  Each winner will perform two songs, including one solo and one group number alongside The Stardusters. These young performers were selected from a group of thirty finalists, chosen out of 300 submissions from various cities around the U.S. and internationally. The finalists auditioned live at the Stardust Theater earlier this summer on July 21, judged by Broadway stars Nick Barrington, Gilbert L. Bailey II, Lisa Howard, Bailey McCall and vocal and theater artist Katy Wolfe.

In addition to having the opportunity to perform at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, the five winners received scholarships to the Broadway Education Alliance’s Camp Broadway 2027. In addition to the five winners, one finalist, Charlotte Van Ledtje, age 13 from Durham, NH, was recognized with the Esprit de Corps Award, presented by Camp Broadway in partnership with the Broadway Education Alliance. The award includes participation in the Camp Broadway Ensemble, which will serve as the featured pre-show act for the Rockettes at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner (1650 Broadway at 51st)

Tuesday August 25, 10:15 AM - 2:30 PM

Photo by Eric Doss

10) FROG & PEACH THEATRE COMPANY BRINGS TINKERBELL LIVE TO EAST HARLEM’S LOS AMIGOS COMMUNITY GARDEN AUGUST 29

Free Outdoor Family Performance Brings the Magic of Fairyland to a New York City Community Garden

Frog & Peach Theatre Company returns to Fairyland with a special outdoor performance of Tinkerbell Live on Saturday, August 29 at 3:00 PM at Los Amigos Community Garden, 326 Pleasant Avenue in Manhattan.

Presented in conjunction with New York Restoration Project, Tinkerbell Live brings Frog & Peach’s imaginative world of Fairyland outdoors for an afternoon of live theater and music for families.

Families are invited to join Princess Snow White, Woodsman Will, Prince Dreamboat, The Evil Queen, Ringmaster Ron, and Little Rosa Riding Hood for a hilarious and interactive bilingual adventure through Fairlyland. Packed with games, music, songs, audience participation, and plenty of surprises, Tinkerbell Live offers an unforgettable theatrical experience for children and adults alike.

Appropriate for children ages 4 and up—as well as grown-ups who are still young at heart—Tinkerbell Live continues Frog & Peach Theatre Company's tradition of creating imaginative, accessible performances that engage audiences through humor, creativity, and community.

TINKERBELL LIVE
Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Los Amigos Community Garden
326 Pleasant Avenue, New York, NY

Event Information & Registration:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997393878860?aff=oddtdtcreator

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11) JASON BLUM

TO HOST SPECIAL PERFORMANCE OF

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 at 7PM

At Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre

Jason Blum, CEO and Founder of Blumhouse, and producer of the original Paranormal Activity films, will host a special performance of the smash-hit, Olivier Award nominated new Broadway play PARANORMAL ACTIVITY on Wednesday, August 26 at 7pm.

Tickets for this special performance of PARANORMAL ACTIVTY are available for purchase at paranormalbroadway.com and at the August Wilson Theatre box office.

Written by Levi Holloway (Grey House) and directed by Felix Barrett (Sleep No More), PARANORMAL ACTIVITY began performances on Friday, August 14, 2026 at the August Wilson Theatre (245 West 52^nd Street) and will officially open on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are… With an original story inspired by the film franchise, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY reimagines the modern ghost story with an intimacy that only live theatre can provide.

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Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

12) Lehman Center for the Performing Arts

presents

Dance Theatre of Harlem

Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 7PM

Lehman Center for the Performing Arts presents Dance Theatre of Harlem in The Bronx on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 7PM at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Blvd West, Bronx, New York 10468. Tickets are $31.15-$76.65 and can be purchased here. Tickets for kids 10 and under are $5! Call the Box Office (718.960.8833) to arrange for children's tickets.

Experience the elegance, power, and artistry of the world-renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem in an exclusive one-night-only performance in the Bronx. Celebrated for its groundbreaking legacy and breathtaking repertoire, this extraordinary company brings together classical ballet, contemporary works, and unmatched athleticism in an evening that promises to inspire audiences of all ages. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness one of America’s most acclaimed dance institutions live on their stage for a truly unforgettable cultural event.

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

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