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A Strange Loop, the 2022 Tony Award winner for best musical, will close on Broadway on Jan. 15.
The musical, which also took home the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for drama, will end its run after opening on April 26, 2022 and will end up playing 314 performances on Broadway. While it garnered much critical acclaim, the musical, written by Michael R. Jackson, was up against a tough economic environment, in which tourism numbers are still down, and it had the added challenge of attracting audiences to unconventional subject matter for Broadway.
The musical is a meta narrative following a young musical theater writer as he attempts to write a musical. Throughout his writing process, he’s plagued by his own thoughts, fears and dreams (which are brought to life by the ensemble) surrounding his identity as a Black, queer man and aspiring artist.
“Though A Strange Loop is not autobiographical,...
A Strange Loop, the 2022 Tony Award winner for best musical, will close on Broadway on Jan. 15.
The musical, which also took home the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for drama, will end its run after opening on April 26, 2022 and will end up playing 314 performances on Broadway. While it garnered much critical acclaim, the musical, written by Michael R. Jackson, was up against a tough economic environment, in which tourism numbers are still down, and it had the added challenge of attracting audiences to unconventional subject matter for Broadway.
The musical is a meta narrative following a young musical theater writer as he attempts to write a musical. Throughout his writing process, he’s plagued by his own thoughts, fears and dreams (which are brought to life by the ensemble) surrounding his identity as a Black, queer man and aspiring artist.
“Though A Strange Loop is not autobiographical,...
- 10/11/2022
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A Strange Loop, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Broadway musical, will plays its final performance on January 15, 2023, producers announced today.
Michael R. Jackson’s acclaimed musical – it won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Best Musical Tony -opened April 26 at the Lyceum Theatre to rave reviews reviews, but has seen steadily declining box office and attendance in recent months. For the week ending Oct. 4, the production filled only 79 of available seats, grossing 579,354, compared to a high point of 860,496 last June.
“Bringing A Strange Loop to Broadway has been extraordinary,” said producer Barbara Whitman. “Michael R. Jackson is one of the most important voices of this generation, and we’re thrilled that so many enthusiastic audience members have been able to experience his monumental musical. We look forward to having more theatre lovers come see the show in its final weeks.”
Directed by Tony nominee Stephen Brackett, A Strange Loop stars Jaquel Spivey as Usher,...
Michael R. Jackson’s acclaimed musical – it won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Best Musical Tony -opened April 26 at the Lyceum Theatre to rave reviews reviews, but has seen steadily declining box office and attendance in recent months. For the week ending Oct. 4, the production filled only 79 of available seats, grossing 579,354, compared to a high point of 860,496 last June.
“Bringing A Strange Loop to Broadway has been extraordinary,” said producer Barbara Whitman. “Michael R. Jackson is one of the most important voices of this generation, and we’re thrilled that so many enthusiastic audience members have been able to experience his monumental musical. We look forward to having more theatre lovers come see the show in its final weeks.”
Directed by Tony nominee Stephen Brackett, A Strange Loop stars Jaquel Spivey as Usher,...
- 10/11/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Jelani Alladin (The Walking Dead: World Beyond), Noah J. Ricketts (American Gods) and Linus Roache (Batman Begins) have been cast opposite Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey and Allison Williams in Showtime’s limited series Fellow Travelers.
Fellow Travelers is a love story and political thriller, chronicling the volatile romance of two very different men who meet in the shadow of McCarthy-era Washington. Fuller (Bomer), who maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the-scenes career in politics, avoids emotional entanglements – until he meets Tim Laughlin (Bailey), a young man brimming with idealism and religious faith.
They begin a romance just as Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn declare war on “subversives and sexual deviants,” initiating one of the darkest periods in 20th-century American history. Over the course of four decades, Hawk and Tim cross paths through the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s, and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s,...
Fellow Travelers is a love story and political thriller, chronicling the volatile romance of two very different men who meet in the shadow of McCarthy-era Washington. Fuller (Bomer), who maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the-scenes career in politics, avoids emotional entanglements – until he meets Tim Laughlin (Bailey), a young man brimming with idealism and religious faith.
They begin a romance just as Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn declare war on “subversives and sexual deviants,” initiating one of the darkest periods in 20th-century American history. Over the course of four decades, Hawk and Tim cross paths through the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s, and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s,...
- 7/19/2022
- by Sofia Behzadi
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime’s upcoming limited drama series “Fellow Travelers” has added three new cast members.
Jelani Alladin, Noah J. Ricketts, and Linus Roache have all been cast as series regulars in the show. They join previously announced leads Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, and Allison Williams.
The series is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon. Bomer will play handsome, charismatic Hawkins Fuller, who maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the scenes career in politics. Hawkins avoids emotional entanglements – until he meets Tim Laughlin (Bailey), a young man brimming with idealism and religious faith. They begin a romance just as Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn declare war on “subversives and sexual deviants,” initiating one of the darkest periods in 20th-century American history. Over the course of four decades, Hawk and Tim cross paths through the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s,...
Jelani Alladin, Noah J. Ricketts, and Linus Roache have all been cast as series regulars in the show. They join previously announced leads Matt Bomer, Jonathan Bailey, and Allison Williams.
The series is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Mallon. Bomer will play handsome, charismatic Hawkins Fuller, who maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the scenes career in politics. Hawkins avoids emotional entanglements – until he meets Tim Laughlin (Bailey), a young man brimming with idealism and religious faith. They begin a romance just as Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn declare war on “subversives and sexual deviants,” initiating one of the darkest periods in 20th-century American history. Over the course of four decades, Hawk and Tim cross paths through the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s,...
- 7/19/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Garret Dillahunt (Army of the Dead), Jeanine Serralles (Utopia), Kaya Rosenthal (The Time Traveler’s Wife), Michael Drayer (Mr. Robot), newcomer Ellie Barone and Taja V. Simpson (The Oval) have signed on for recurring roles in the third season of Starz’s crime drama, Hightown.
Created by Rebecca Cutter (Gotham), Hightown is set in the beautiful but bleak world of Cape Cod, watching as Jackie Quiñone’s (Monica Raymund) journey to sobriety is overshadowed by a murder investigation dragging her into its fold. The show’s second season saw the picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clash with its off-season reality. Quinones (Raymund), achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, was out to do some good in this world. Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, she was laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man she holds responsible...
Created by Rebecca Cutter (Gotham), Hightown is set in the beautiful but bleak world of Cape Cod, watching as Jackie Quiñone’s (Monica Raymund) journey to sobriety is overshadowed by a murder investigation dragging her into its fold. The show’s second season saw the picture-perfect version of summer on Cape Cod clash with its off-season reality. Quinones (Raymund), achieving her dream of becoming a real cop, was out to do some good in this world. Thrust immediately into the crime wave of deadly carfentanyl flooding the Cape, she was laser-focused on bringing down drug dealer Frankie Cuevas (Amaury Nolasco), the man she holds responsible...
- 6/15/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Awards nominations were announced on Monday, May 9 by Adrienne Warren and Joshua Henry. While the nominations for the 75th annual Tony Awards were determined by a few dozen theater professionals, winners were decided by upwards of 650 members of the Broadway community.
The Tonys take place June 12 at Radio City Music Hall hosted by newly minted Oscar winner Ariana DeBose. The 2022 Tony Awards winners list below includes all 26 competitive categories.
Musicals
Best Musical
“Girl From the North Country”
“Mj”
“Mr. Saturday Night”
“Paradise Square”
“Six”
X — “A Strange Loop”
Best Musical Revival
“Caroline, or Change”
X — “Company”
“The Music Man”
Best Actor (Musical)
Billy Crystal, “Mr. Saturday Night”
X — Myles Frost, “Mj”
Hugh Jackman, “The Music Man”
Rob McClure, “Mrs. Doubtfire”
Jaquel Spivey, “A Strange Loop”
Best Actress (Musical)
Sharon D Clarke, “Caroline, Or Change”
Carmen Cusack, “Flying Over Sunset”
Sutton Foster, “The Music Man”
X — Joaquina Kalukango, “Paradise Square”
Mare Winningham,...
The Tonys take place June 12 at Radio City Music Hall hosted by newly minted Oscar winner Ariana DeBose. The 2022 Tony Awards winners list below includes all 26 competitive categories.
Musicals
Best Musical
“Girl From the North Country”
“Mj”
“Mr. Saturday Night”
“Paradise Square”
“Six”
X — “A Strange Loop”
Best Musical Revival
“Caroline, or Change”
X — “Company”
“The Music Man”
Best Actor (Musical)
Billy Crystal, “Mr. Saturday Night”
X — Myles Frost, “Mj”
Hugh Jackman, “The Music Man”
Rob McClure, “Mrs. Doubtfire”
Jaquel Spivey, “A Strange Loop”
Best Actress (Musical)
Sharon D Clarke, “Caroline, Or Change”
Carmen Cusack, “Flying Over Sunset”
Sutton Foster, “The Music Man”
X — Joaquina Kalukango, “Paradise Square”
Mare Winningham,...
- 6/12/2022
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
The curtain will soon rise on the 75th annual Tony Awards, so naturally Gold Derby has taken its cue to reassemble its Broadway prognosticators to break down what shows will win big on June 12. Susan Haskins-Doloff joins Sam Eckmann and me to discuss all 15 musical categories, where new works “A Strange Loop,” “Mj the Musical,” and “Paradise Square” lead with double-digit nominations; the new, reimagined production of the groundbreaking 1970 musical “Company” leads the revivals with nine total bids. Watch the full video slugfest above.
Right from the start, all three of us agree that “A Strange Loop” will take home the top honor of the night with the prize for Best Musical. Even though this category boasts a very strong list of original works, Susan notes that “Loop” stands out as “by far the most powerful work of art,” Sam calls its composer and librettist Michael R. Jackson “one of...
Right from the start, all three of us agree that “A Strange Loop” will take home the top honor of the night with the prize for Best Musical. Even though this category boasts a very strong list of original works, Susan notes that “Loop” stands out as “by far the most powerful work of art,” Sam calls its composer and librettist Michael R. Jackson “one of...
- 6/9/2022
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
The countdown to the Tony Awards has a officially begun On June 12, the brightest stars of the 2021-22 season will shine even brighter as they gather at the iconic Radio City Music Hall to celebrate Broadway's biggest night. Leading up to the 75th Annual Tony Awards, BroadwayWorld is getting up close and personal with the nominees. Today we're studying up on Stephen Brackett...
- 5/18/2022
- by BroadwayWorld TV
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Tony Awards nominations were announced on Monday, May 9 by Adrienne Warren and Joshua Henry. The reveal of the roster of contenders was carried on the Tonys YouTube channel. While the nominations for the 75th annual Tony Awards were determined by a few dozen theater professionals, winners will be decided by upwards of 800 members of the Broadway community.
Thirty-four shows were eligible for consideration by the nominating committee. On the play side, there are a dozen original works and nine revivals in the running. Over on the musical side, nine new tuners are in contention as are four musical revivals. The cutoff date for eligibility was May 4.
The Tony Awards had been set for June 12 at Radio City Music Hall and will be hosted by newly minted Oscar winner Ariana DeBose.
The full and complete list below includes all 25 competitive categories at the 2022 Tony Awards.
Musicals
Best Musical
“Girl From...
Thirty-four shows were eligible for consideration by the nominating committee. On the play side, there are a dozen original works and nine revivals in the running. Over on the musical side, nine new tuners are in contention as are four musical revivals. The cutoff date for eligibility was May 4.
The Tony Awards had been set for June 12 at Radio City Music Hall and will be hosted by newly minted Oscar winner Ariana DeBose.
The full and complete list below includes all 25 competitive categories at the 2022 Tony Awards.
Musicals
Best Musical
“Girl From...
- 5/9/2022
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Every so often, a musical arrives on Broadway that fundamentally changes the art form. Just as rarely, a musical will take home the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, which has only happened 10 times in its over century-long history. With “A Strange Loop,” which just bowed on April 26 at the Lyceum Theatre, Broadway once again welcomes the rare musical that does both. Composer and librettist Michael R. Jackson’s Broadway debut has been one of the most anticipated of the entire season, and a very long time in the making. Stephen Bracknell, who directed the musical’s earlier productions, also helms this one.
“A Strange Loop” centers on Usher (Jaquel Spivey), a young, Black, queer aspiring musical theatre composer working on a show called “A Strange Loop,” who ushers Broadway musicals and grapples daily with his nagging thoughts, which take human shape via the show’s ensemble, which includes L Morgan Lee,...
“A Strange Loop” centers on Usher (Jaquel Spivey), a young, Black, queer aspiring musical theatre composer working on a show called “A Strange Loop,” who ushers Broadway musicals and grapples daily with his nagging thoughts, which take human shape via the show’s ensemble, which includes L Morgan Lee,...
- 5/3/2022
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Allow Usher, the central – only? – character of Michael R. Jackson’s scathingly funny and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop, to introduce himself.
He is, he tells us, “a young overweight-to-obese homosexual and/or gay and/or queer, cisgender male, able-bodied university-and-graduate-school educated, musical theater writing, Disney ushering, broke-ass middle-class politically homeless normie leftist Black American descendant of slaves who thinks he’s probably a vers bottom but not totally certain of that obsessing over the latest draft of his self-referential musical A Strange Loop! And surrounded by his extremely obnoxious Thoughts!”
Portrayed by Broadway newcomer Jaquel Spivey in a performance so comfortably inhabited you’d be forgiven for assuming he wrote it, Strange Loop‘s Usher takes his name from the stop-gap Lion King job that pays (barely) his bills while he writes the autobiographical musical of his dreams. He is, in short (and in his words), “a Black,...
He is, he tells us, “a young overweight-to-obese homosexual and/or gay and/or queer, cisgender male, able-bodied university-and-graduate-school educated, musical theater writing, Disney ushering, broke-ass middle-class politically homeless normie leftist Black American descendant of slaves who thinks he’s probably a vers bottom but not totally certain of that obsessing over the latest draft of his self-referential musical A Strange Loop! And surrounded by his extremely obnoxious Thoughts!”
Portrayed by Broadway newcomer Jaquel Spivey in a performance so comfortably inhabited you’d be forgiven for assuming he wrote it, Strange Loop‘s Usher takes his name from the stop-gap Lion King job that pays (barely) his bills while he writes the autobiographical musical of his dreams. He is, in short (and in his words), “a Black,...
- 4/27/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Drama Leauge announced the nominations for the 2022 Drama League Awards on Monday morning. Deneé Benton and André DeShields announced the nominees at this morning’s official event at The New York Library for the Performing Arts. The Drama League honors both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions in their annual celebration. Winners will be announced at the 88th Annual Drama League Awards, which will be held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Friday, May 20.
While the League doles out four production prizes, what makes them unique is their “Distinguished Performance” award. Up to fifty performers are nominated for the honor each year in a category that combines roles of all genders and sizes. An actor can only win this prize once in their career, and once they have prevailed they can not be nominated again. This year, forty three performers contend in the category.
SEE2022 Tony Awards nominations announcement moving to May 9
This year,...
While the League doles out four production prizes, what makes them unique is their “Distinguished Performance” award. Up to fifty performers are nominated for the honor each year in a category that combines roles of all genders and sizes. An actor can only win this prize once in their career, and once they have prevailed they can not be nominated again. This year, forty three performers contend in the category.
SEE2022 Tony Awards nominations announcement moving to May 9
This year,...
- 4/25/2022
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Update, with Matthew Broderick announcement Matthew Broderick has tested positive for Covid and will miss tonight’s performance of Broadway’s Plaza Suite, producers announced. His wife and co-star Sarah Jessica Parker has tested negative and will perform this evening.
In a statement released just an hour before showtime, producers said Broderick had maintained strict adherence to Covid safety protocols but that a second test confirmed the diagnosis.
“Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery,” the statement said. The statement did not indicate when Broderick is expected to resume performances at the Hudson Theatre.
Previous: A Strange Loop, Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer-winning musical, has canceled its first Broadway preview, originally set for Wednesday, due to cases of Covid detected within the company. Previews now are expected to begin Thursday, April 7, at the Lyceum Theatre with understudies in some roles.
The show becomes the second Broadway production in as many weeks...
In a statement released just an hour before showtime, producers said Broderick had maintained strict adherence to Covid safety protocols but that a second test confirmed the diagnosis.
“Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery,” the statement said. The statement did not indicate when Broderick is expected to resume performances at the Hudson Theatre.
Previous: A Strange Loop, Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer-winning musical, has canceled its first Broadway preview, originally set for Wednesday, due to cases of Covid detected within the company. Previews now are expected to begin Thursday, April 7, at the Lyceum Theatre with understudies in some roles.
The show becomes the second Broadway production in as many weeks...
- 4/5/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Broadway premiere of Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer-Prize winning musical A Strange Loop will begin previews at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre on Wednesday, April 6, with an opening night set for Tuesday, April 26, producers announced today.
The cast, also announced, will feature Jaquel Spivey, a recent graduate of Pittsburgh’s Point Park University, in his Broadway debut in the central role of Usher. He’ll join original Off Broadway cast members Antwayn Hopper, L Morgan Lee, John-Michael Lyles, James Jackson, Jr., John-Andrew Morrison , and Jason Veasey.
Directed by Stephen Brackett and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, A Strange Loop centers on Usher, described as “a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer…Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble.
The cast, also announced, will feature Jaquel Spivey, a recent graduate of Pittsburgh’s Point Park University, in his Broadway debut in the central role of Usher. He’ll join original Off Broadway cast members Antwayn Hopper, L Morgan Lee, John-Michael Lyles, James Jackson, Jr., John-Andrew Morrison , and Jason Veasey.
Directed by Stephen Brackett and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, A Strange Loop centers on Usher, described as “a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer…Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble.
- 1/18/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer-Prize winning musical A Strange Loop will open at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre in spring 2022, producers announced.
Casting, dates and ticket information will be announced soon.
The acclaimed production is currently playing at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington DC, where it has been extended through January 9, 2022.
The musical is directed by Stephen Brackett, choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, and produced by Barbara Whitman along with Page 73 Productions, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Playwrights Horizons.
As described by the production: “Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of a young artist grappling with desires, identity, and instincts he both loves and loathes. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble. Bold and heartfelt in its truth-telling, A Strange Loop is the big,...
Casting, dates and ticket information will be announced soon.
The acclaimed production is currently playing at the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington DC, where it has been extended through January 9, 2022.
The musical is directed by Stephen Brackett, choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, and produced by Barbara Whitman along with Page 73 Productions, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Playwrights Horizons.
As described by the production: “Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of a young artist grappling with desires, identity, and instincts he both loves and loathes. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble. Bold and heartfelt in its truth-telling, A Strange Loop is the big,...
- 12/20/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Second Stage Theater has confirmed the post-shutdown Broadway productions of Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s, Richard Greenberg’s Take Me Out and Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Between Riverside and Crazy, with the earliest – Clyde’s – set to begin performances this Fall.
Take Me Out, the all-star Covid-delayed revival directed by Scott Ellis and starring Patrick J. Adams, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams, will begin performances in Spring 2022, a year later than initially planned. Casting was not confirmed, but Second Stage’s website still lists the cast as originally announced.
Between Riverside and Crazy, directed by Austin Pendleton, is planned for Fall 2022. All Broadway productions of the nonprofit Second Stage will take place at the company’s Helen Hayes Theater.
Second Stage also confirmed two upcoming productions at its Off Broadway Kiser Theater, including the previously announced Letters of Suresh by Rajiv Joseph, directed by May Adrales (Fall 2021) as well as...
Take Me Out, the all-star Covid-delayed revival directed by Scott Ellis and starring Patrick J. Adams, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams, will begin performances in Spring 2022, a year later than initially planned. Casting was not confirmed, but Second Stage’s website still lists the cast as originally announced.
Between Riverside and Crazy, directed by Austin Pendleton, is planned for Fall 2022. All Broadway productions of the nonprofit Second Stage will take place at the company’s Helen Hayes Theater.
Second Stage also confirmed two upcoming productions at its Off Broadway Kiser Theater, including the previously announced Letters of Suresh by Rajiv Joseph, directed by May Adrales (Fall 2021) as well as...
- 5/7/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
With the 2020 Tony Awards going virtual this fall, all eyes are on the prospective nominees. Just four musicals were able to open before the newly announced February eligibility cutoff, so these tuners could wind up with massive nomination tallies. In order to help you sift through the possible outcomes before nominations are announced, I’ve offered my best insights to each of the musical categories below.
See 2020 Tony Awards: Every eligible contender from the shortened 2019-2020 Broadway season
Best Musical
With four eligible musicals there will only be three nomination slots in the top category this year. “Moulin Rouge!” is a big fat hit, and its sumptuous escapism makes it the frontrunner for now. “Jagged Little Pill” will make the cut for its heart. “Tina: The Tina Turner” musical should find a spot as a pure crowd pleaser. That leaves “The Lightning Thief” as the one tuner left behind. The...
See 2020 Tony Awards: Every eligible contender from the shortened 2019-2020 Broadway season
Best Musical
With four eligible musicals there will only be three nomination slots in the top category this year. “Moulin Rouge!” is a big fat hit, and its sumptuous escapism makes it the frontrunner for now. “Jagged Little Pill” will make the cut for its heart. “Tina: The Tina Turner” musical should find a spot as a pure crowd pleaser. That leaves “The Lightning Thief” as the one tuner left behind. The...
- 10/13/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
If you’re confused as to who is actually able to compete for the newly announced virtual Tony Awards this fall, you’re not alone. The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced a new cut off date of February 19, 2020. That means that the 2019-2020 Broadway season was cut incredibly short.
Musical races are most heavily affected by the shortened season. “West Side Story” will have to wait until next year to compete as it opened after the February 19th eligibility cutoff date. Other scheduled revivals of “Caroline, or Change” and “Company” were postponed due to the Broadway shutdown. As such there will be no Revival of a Musical category this year. Other categories, like Best Musical and Director of a Musical, will likely see their number of nominees reduced to three due to a limited number of contenders.
Luckily, there are plenty of plays in contention since many of these non-musical outings premiere in the fall.
Musical races are most heavily affected by the shortened season. “West Side Story” will have to wait until next year to compete as it opened after the February 19th eligibility cutoff date. Other scheduled revivals of “Caroline, or Change” and “Company” were postponed due to the Broadway shutdown. As such there will be no Revival of a Musical category this year. Other categories, like Best Musical and Director of a Musical, will likely see their number of nominees reduced to three due to a limited number of contenders.
Luckily, there are plenty of plays in contention since many of these non-musical outings premiere in the fall.
- 8/29/2020
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
The 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards honoring the best in New York theater were announced Saturday night, with The Inheritance being named Outstanding Play and A Strange Loop taking the trophy for Outstanding Musical.
The remote ceremony was hosted by Frank Dilella. Normally, the awards are announced at a gathering of theater artists and critics in New York City. But this year, the gathering was replaced by a pre-recorded ceremony because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The awards show had initially been scheduled to air May 31, but was postponed due to the Black Lives Matter protests in New York City.
Tonight’s ceremony aired on NY1 and streamed on NY1.com and DramaDeskAwards.com. The Drama Desk Awards recipients were decided by theater critics, journalists, editors and publishers covering theater. Read the complete list of winners below.
65th Annual Drama Desk Award Winners:
Outstanding Play
Cambodian Rock Band, by Lauren Yee,...
The remote ceremony was hosted by Frank Dilella. Normally, the awards are announced at a gathering of theater artists and critics in New York City. But this year, the gathering was replaced by a pre-recorded ceremony because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The awards show had initially been scheduled to air May 31, but was postponed due to the Black Lives Matter protests in New York City.
Tonight’s ceremony aired on NY1 and streamed on NY1.com and DramaDeskAwards.com. The Drama Desk Awards recipients were decided by theater critics, journalists, editors and publishers covering theater. Read the complete list of winners below.
65th Annual Drama Desk Award Winners:
Outstanding Play
Cambodian Rock Band, by Lauren Yee,...
- 6/14/2020
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
Josh Swallows Broadway is a popular comedy podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network hosted by Broadway funny man Josh Lamon The Prom, Groundhog Day, Finding Neverland, Hair. Since the Quarantine, Bpn and Jsb have started doing weekly live-stream shows at 9pm. This Wednesday night, Josh will be sitting down with the incredible people behind the hit show A Strange Loop. Director Stephen Brackett Be More Chill, choreographer Raja Feather Kelly Fairview and creator Michael R. Jackson Only Children, The Kids On The Lawn.
- 5/13/2020
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Inheritance, Sea Wall/A Life, Slave Play and Girl From The North Country are among the Broadway nominees of this year’s Drama League Awards, along with a significant shows of Off Broadway productions.
Honoring productions that opened during the Covid-shortened 2019-2020 season, the nominations were announced by Beetlejuice’s Alex Brightman and Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer via livestream last night. Voting is currently open for Drama League members through May 22, with winners to be announced via livestream in June.
More from DeadlineWatch: Terrence McNally Video Tribute Set For Drama League Awards Online EventBroadway's 'Moulin Rouge!' Star Aaron Tveit Tests Positive For Covid-19, Symptoms "Very Mild"Broadway's 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' Cancels Today's Performances "Out Of Abundance Of Caution"; No Positive Tests For Coronavirus - Update
Among the individual performers nominated for the League’s Distinguished Performance Award were Raúl Esparza, David Alan Grier, Jonathan Groff, Jake Gyllenhaal,...
Honoring productions that opened during the Covid-shortened 2019-2020 season, the nominations were announced by Beetlejuice’s Alex Brightman and Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer via livestream last night. Voting is currently open for Drama League members through May 22, with winners to be announced via livestream in June.
More from DeadlineWatch: Terrence McNally Video Tribute Set For Drama League Awards Online EventBroadway's 'Moulin Rouge!' Star Aaron Tveit Tests Positive For Covid-19, Symptoms "Very Mild"Broadway's 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' Cancels Today's Performances "Out Of Abundance Of Caution"; No Positive Tests For Coronavirus - Update
Among the individual performers nominated for the League’s Distinguished Performance Award were Raúl Esparza, David Alan Grier, Jonathan Groff, Jake Gyllenhaal,...
- 5/1/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Be More Chill, the mind-bendingly fun, smash hit Broadway musical, comes to Chicago in a new production at the Apollo Theater. Based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, Be More Chill features music and lyrics by Tony nominee Joe Iconis and book by Joe Tracz. The Chicago production is led by the original creative team of Director Stephen Brackett and Choreographer Chase Brock. Be More Chill starts performances April 17, 2020, at the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. The Opening is April 26, 2020 at 600 p.m.
- 12/12/2019
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Last season, director Stephen Brackett and librettist Joe Tracz teamed up for the musical “Be More Chill,” which found much favor with the teenage demographic of Broadway theatergoers. Just two months after that show shuttered, Brackett and Tracz return to the Great White Way with another teen-oriented tuner, “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,” which officially began its limited run at the Longacre Theatre on October 16.
Featuring a score by Broadway newcomer Rob Rokicki, “The Lightning Thief” hews closely to the popular young adult novel by Rick Riordan (which also inspired a movie franchise). Set present day, the musical follows the titular demigod Percy Jackson, played by Chris McCarrell, who attends Camp Half-Blood after he learns of his parentage to hone his skills and ward off the demons of Greek mythology.
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“The Lightning Thief” received mostly negative reviews from critics.
Featuring a score by Broadway newcomer Rob Rokicki, “The Lightning Thief” hews closely to the popular young adult novel by Rick Riordan (which also inspired a movie franchise). Set present day, the musical follows the titular demigod Percy Jackson, played by Chris McCarrell, who attends Camp Half-Blood after he learns of his parentage to hone his skills and ward off the demons of Greek mythology.
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“The Lightning Thief” received mostly negative reviews from critics.
- 10/17/2019
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
A new Broadway season is gearing up, and there are currently three productions of musicals (all new) set to open this fall. Could we be seeing any of them contend at this year’s Tony Awards? Below, we recap the plot of each musical as well as the awards history of its author, cast, creative types, the opening, and (where applicable) closing dates.
“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” (previews begin October 12; opens November 7)
This jukebox/biomusical follows the life and career of legendary recording artist Tina Turner from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, through her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner, to her transformation into the global queen of rock ‘n’ roll.
With a book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, and Kees Prins, this production is coming in from London’s West End where it received three Laurence Olivier Award nominations (including Best New Musical). The cast includes Tony nominee Adrienne Warren Daniel J. Watts,...
“Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” (previews begin October 12; opens November 7)
This jukebox/biomusical follows the life and career of legendary recording artist Tina Turner from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, through her tumultuous relationship with Ike Turner, to her transformation into the global queen of rock ‘n’ roll.
With a book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, and Kees Prins, this production is coming in from London’s West End where it received three Laurence Olivier Award nominations (including Best New Musical). The cast includes Tony nominee Adrienne Warren Daniel J. Watts,...
- 9/26/2019
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
The full touring cast of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is going to Broadway, producers announced today. The young company – all but one of the 10 actors will be making their Broadway debuts – will be headed by Chris McCarrell in the title role.
McCarrell originated the role of Percy Jackson in the 2017 Off-Broadway production of Lightning Thief (he’s the one with the Broadway credit – he played Marius in Les Misérables in 2014).
In addition to McCarrell, the cast, announced today by producers TheaterWorksUSA and Martian Entertainment, are all coming off the recently wrapped 2019 tour. They are Izzy Figueroa, Jorrel Javier, Ryan Knowles, Sam Leicht, Sarah Beth Pfeifer, James Hayden Rodriguez, Jalynn Steele, T. Shyvonne Stewart, and Kristin Stokes. The cast plays a total of 47 characters.
As previously announced, The Lightning Thief begins previews Friday, September 20, at the Longacre Theatre, with an official opening of Wednesday, October 16. The holiday engagement...
McCarrell originated the role of Percy Jackson in the 2017 Off-Broadway production of Lightning Thief (he’s the one with the Broadway credit – he played Marius in Les Misérables in 2014).
In addition to McCarrell, the cast, announced today by producers TheaterWorksUSA and Martian Entertainment, are all coming off the recently wrapped 2019 tour. They are Izzy Figueroa, Jorrel Javier, Ryan Knowles, Sam Leicht, Sarah Beth Pfeifer, James Hayden Rodriguez, Jalynn Steele, T. Shyvonne Stewart, and Kristin Stokes. The cast plays a total of 47 characters.
As previously announced, The Lightning Thief begins previews Friday, September 20, at the Longacre Theatre, with an official opening of Wednesday, October 16. The holiday engagement...
- 8/19/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, with a book and direction by the Be More Chill team of Joe Tracz and Stephen Brackett, and music by Broadway newcomer Rob Rokicki, will begin a limited engagement on Broadway next month, producers announced today.
The 16-week holiday engagement of the original musical, based on Rick Riordan’s 2005 best-selling novel, will begin previews September 20 at the Longacre Theatre, with an opening night set for October 16. The Broadway run follows a 32-city North American tour.
The Broadway cast was not announced.
Tracz will write the book, Rokicki the music and lyrics, and Brackett will direct. Patrick McCollum (The Band’s Visit) is the choreographer, with set design by Lee Savage, costume design by Sydney Maresca, lighting design by David Lander, sound design by Ryan Rumery, puppet design by AchesonWalsh, fight direction by Rod Kinter, hair, wigs, and makeup design by Dave Bova, and...
The 16-week holiday engagement of the original musical, based on Rick Riordan’s 2005 best-selling novel, will begin previews September 20 at the Longacre Theatre, with an opening night set for October 16. The Broadway run follows a 32-city North American tour.
The Broadway cast was not announced.
Tracz will write the book, Rokicki the music and lyrics, and Brackett will direct. Patrick McCollum (The Band’s Visit) is the choreographer, with set design by Lee Savage, costume design by Sydney Maresca, lighting design by David Lander, sound design by Ryan Rumery, puppet design by AchesonWalsh, fight direction by Rod Kinter, hair, wigs, and makeup design by Dave Bova, and...
- 8/12/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Be More Chill, the Joe Iconis musical with a road-to-Broadway story nearly as surprising as its sci-fi teen comedy plot, has posted an Aug. 11 closing notice. The musical at the Lyceum Theatre will have played 30 previews and 177 performances when it swallows its final Squip.
“Pride massively understates what everyone at Be More Chill feels for this show,” producers Jerry Goerhing and Mike Mitri said in a statement. “Every step in our journey has been special and one-of-a-kind – just like every member of our company, creative team, and crew, and each fan who has supported us. Our time at the Lyceum Theatre has been a true honor and a joy. We are so excited to have been able to touch the hearts of our diverse audiences and hope to watch the show’s continued influence grow in years to come.”
The closing notice is the latest in the annual Broadway...
“Pride massively understates what everyone at Be More Chill feels for this show,” producers Jerry Goerhing and Mike Mitri said in a statement. “Every step in our journey has been special and one-of-a-kind – just like every member of our company, creative team, and crew, and each fan who has supported us. Our time at the Lyceum Theatre has been a true honor and a joy. We are so excited to have been able to touch the hearts of our diverse audiences and hope to watch the show’s continued influence grow in years to come.”
The closing notice is the latest in the annual Broadway...
- 6/21/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Playwrights Horizons, in association with Page 73, present the world premiere production of A Strange Loop, with book, music, and lyrics by 2017 Jonathan Larson Award and 2017 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award-winner Michael R. Jackson, directed by Stephen Brackett Be More Chill, Buyer and Cellar, and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly Playwrights If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka Ugly Black Queer Zoo, Fairview. A Strange Loop explores the thoughts of Usher, a black, queer writer working a job he hates while writing his original musical a piece about a black, queer writer, working a job he hates while writing his original musical. Michael R. Jackson's blistering, momentous new musical and his professional debut follows a young artist at war with a host of demons-not least of which are the punishing thoughts in his own head-in an attempt to capture and understand his own strange loop.
- 6/18/2019
- by Review Roundups
- BroadwayWorld.com
“It encourages and embodies the mission to be yourself,” reveals Stephanie Hsu of the new Broadway musical “Be More Chill.” Hsu plays Christine, a lovable theatre geek who finds herself caught up in a sci-fi plot reminiscent of “Little Shop of Horrors.” The actress discusses her character and the ways in which the musical resonates with young audiences (watch the exclusive video interview above).
Hsu has been with “Be More Chill” since its original production at Two River Theatre in 2015 and recently became a Lucille Lortel nominee for the Off-Broadway mounting. She’s used each iteration of the show to deepen her character but also feels empowered by the legions of teenage fans. Those fans hold Christine up as a strong female role model, so Hsu “leaned into that” by making Christine as bold and unique as possible. “They’re drawn to the weirdness of it all,” she notes.
SEE...
Hsu has been with “Be More Chill” since its original production at Two River Theatre in 2015 and recently became a Lucille Lortel nominee for the Off-Broadway mounting. She’s used each iteration of the show to deepen her character but also feels empowered by the legions of teenage fans. Those fans hold Christine up as a strong female role model, so Hsu “leaned into that” by making Christine as bold and unique as possible. “They’re drawn to the weirdness of it all,” she notes.
SEE...
- 4/23/2019
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
The Ferryman, Network, To Kill A Mockingbird and What The Constitution Means To Me are among the Broadway and Off Broadway productions taking nominations in this year’s New York Drama League Awards.
The 2019 nominees were announced today in the categories of Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the Distinguished Performance Award. The roster was read this morning by the current stars of Broadway’s Waitress, Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan at Sardi’s Restaurant.
The 85th Annual Drama League Awards will be held on Friday, May 17.
Here is the complete list of nominees:
Outstanding Production Of A Broadway Or Off-broadway Play
Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties
by Jen Silverman
Directed by Mike Donahue
McC Theater
Dance Nation
Written by Clare Barron
Directed by Lee Sunday Evans
Playwrights Horizons
Fairview
Written by Jackie Sibblies...
The 2019 nominees were announced today in the categories of Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, and the Distinguished Performance Award. The roster was read this morning by the current stars of Broadway’s Waitress, Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan at Sardi’s Restaurant.
The 85th Annual Drama League Awards will be held on Friday, May 17.
Here is the complete list of nominees:
Outstanding Production Of A Broadway Or Off-broadway Play
Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties
by Jen Silverman
Directed by Mike Donahue
McC Theater
Dance Nation
Written by Clare Barron
Directed by Lee Sunday Evans
Playwrights Horizons
Fairview
Written by Jackie Sibblies...
- 4/17/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael did not spend this party in the bathroom.Just last night the company of the cult hit Be More Chill, featuring music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, a book byJoe Tracz , direction by Stephen Brackett and choreography by Chase Brock, celebrated opening night on Broadway. We're taking you inside the festivities with Iconis, Will Roland, George Salazar, Stephanie Hsu, Jason Tam and more below...
- 3/11/2019
- by TV - Opening Night Special
- BroadwayWorld.com
What’s that joyful, rowdy, roof-raising noise shaking things up on Broadway with the highest decibel count around? It’s Be More Chill, a rock-the-house teen musical phenom looking to get in on the action being generated by Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls and The Prom. The strange thing is that Be More Chill almost died in vitro. When the show first tested the waters at a nowhere theater in Jersey four years ago, the critics shot it down. But the bastards couldn’t kill it. When the show moved...
- 3/11/2019
- by Peter Travers
- Rollingstone.com
To quote a song from the tenacious – and tenaciously enjoyable – Be More Chill, the Joe Iconis-Joe Tracz musical arrives on Broadway with just enough of an “upgrade” from last summer’s Off Broadway staging to fill its new home and the greater expectations that come with the move. The costumes, the scenic design, the projections of computer gimcrackery and video game effects all seem buffed, beglittered and amped up just enough to suit Broadway demands without swamping the heart and humor that caught everyone’s attention in the first place.
By now, you might have heard about Be More Chill, if only for its unusual route to Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre (where it opens tonight under the swift and generous direction of Stephen Brackett). Based on a novel by the late Young Adult author Ned Vizzini, Be More Chill first hit the stage at a New Jersey theater...
By now, you might have heard about Be More Chill, if only for its unusual route to Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre (where it opens tonight under the swift and generous direction of Stephen Brackett). Based on a novel by the late Young Adult author Ned Vizzini, Be More Chill first hit the stage at a New Jersey theater...
- 3/11/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Be More Chill arrived on Broadway to a big welcome, beginning previews and breaking the seven-performance house record at the Lyceum Theatre with a gross of $738,384, a virtual sell-out with 98% of seats filled for those first seven previews.
The strong performance – the Lyceum’s previous record of $584,033 was set by Patrick Stewart’s Macbeth back in 2008 – reflected an overall good week on Broadway.
Box office for the 29 productions tallied $30,511,551 for Broadway’s Week 38 (ending Feb. 17), a 10% boost over the previous week.
Total attendance for Week 38 was 252,489, a 1% jump from the previous week, and 90% of total potential.
Star of the week was Be More Chill, which arrived on Broadway with its Off Broadway sheen still glowing. The entire cast from last summer’s sold-out run at Off Broadway’s Pershing Square Signature Center has made the three-block trek north. The musical...
The strong performance – the Lyceum’s previous record of $584,033 was set by Patrick Stewart’s Macbeth back in 2008 – reflected an overall good week on Broadway.
Box office for the 29 productions tallied $30,511,551 for Broadway’s Week 38 (ending Feb. 17), a 10% boost over the previous week.
Total attendance for Week 38 was 252,489, a 1% jump from the previous week, and 90% of total potential.
Star of the week was Be More Chill, which arrived on Broadway with its Off Broadway sheen still glowing. The entire cast from last summer’s sold-out run at Off Broadway’s Pershing Square Signature Center has made the three-block trek north. The musical...
- 2/19/2019
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
As we’re now about halfway through the Broadway season, there are currently seven productions of musicals set to open this spring. Could we be seeing any of them contend at this year’s Tony Awards? Below, we recap the plot of each musical as well as the awards history of its author, cast, creative types, the opening, and (where applicable) closing dates.
“Be More Chill” (previews begin February 13; opens March 10)
In this musical adaptation of Ned Vizzini’s 2004 novel of the same name, Jeremy Heere is your average, nothing-special teenager at Middleborough High School in nothing-special New Jersey. That is, until the day he finds out about ‘The Squip.’ Thus begins a journey that pits Jeremy’s desire to be popular against his struggle to remain true to his authentic self.
With a book by Drama Desk nominee Joe Tracz and a score by Joe Iconis, this production is...
“Be More Chill” (previews begin February 13; opens March 10)
In this musical adaptation of Ned Vizzini’s 2004 novel of the same name, Jeremy Heere is your average, nothing-special teenager at Middleborough High School in nothing-special New Jersey. That is, until the day he finds out about ‘The Squip.’ Thus begins a journey that pits Jeremy’s desire to be popular against his struggle to remain true to his authentic self.
With a book by Drama Desk nominee Joe Tracz and a score by Joe Iconis, this production is...
- 2/1/2019
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: A wild chase has ended with Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps and Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions being chosen as the producers to shepherd a movie adaptation of Be More Chill, a Broadway-bound musical that became a viral sensation with young audiences even before its recent Off Broadway staging. Already, music from the high school-set sci-fi musical has generated an unprecedented amount of song streams.
Watch a couple samples from the Off Broadway production below.
I’m told that many producers chased this one over the past couple of days. Among the producers I’ve heard were Color Force’s Nina Jacobson, Imagine Entertainment, Michael De Luca, Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill, Scooter Braun, Jennifer Todd and Bob Zemeckis’ ImageMovers. Next step will be to enlist a studio. Both 21 Laps and Berlanti have their first look deals with Fox.
The musical has music and lyrics by Joe Iconis (NBC...
Watch a couple samples from the Off Broadway production below.
I’m told that many producers chased this one over the past couple of days. Among the producers I’ve heard were Color Force’s Nina Jacobson, Imagine Entertainment, Michael De Luca, Marty Bowen’s Temple Hill, Scooter Braun, Jennifer Todd and Bob Zemeckis’ ImageMovers. Next step will be to enlist a studio. Both 21 Laps and Berlanti have their first look deals with Fox.
The musical has music and lyrics by Joe Iconis (NBC...
- 10/20/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Joe Iconis’ Be More Chill – the musical that sold-out its 10-week Off Broadway run after a 2015 cast album went viral – will get its anticipated Broadway run. Performances begin Wednesday Feb. 13, 2019, with an official opening on Sunday, March 10, at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre.
“The fact that I get to make my Broadway debut as a writer surrounded by so many long-time collaborators and beloved friends both on stage and behind the scenes is a literal dream come true,” says Joe Iconis (NBC’s Smash). “Be More Chill has surprised me and Joe Tracz every step of the way and we can’t believe that our celebration of misfits, losers, and underdogs gets to take up residence on 45th Street.”
Be More Chill, features music and lyrics by Iconis and a book by Tracz (Netflix’s Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) based on the cult novel by Ned Vizzini.
“The fact that I get to make my Broadway debut as a writer surrounded by so many long-time collaborators and beloved friends both on stage and behind the scenes is a literal dream come true,” says Joe Iconis (NBC’s Smash). “Be More Chill has surprised me and Joe Tracz every step of the way and we can’t believe that our celebration of misfits, losers, and underdogs gets to take up residence on 45th Street.”
Be More Chill, features music and lyrics by Iconis and a book by Tracz (Netflix’s Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) based on the cult novel by Ned Vizzini.
- 9/6/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Theater producers are asking Joe Iconis how he did it. How did the composer turn a low-profile musical with the tween-friendly title Be More Chill, originally staged to little fanfare three years ago at a New Jersey regional theater, into a sold-out Off Broadway wonder?
Iconis, a writer and performer most widely known for songs he wrote for NBC’s Smash, has his theories about how a fairly traditional musical – albeit with a sci-fi twist and a certain high school glee – inspired millions of people around the world to post Be More Chill fan art, stream the cast album more than 150 million times and become Tumblr’s second-ranked “most talked about” musical following Hamilton, and all before singing its first note in New York?
In short, how did a musical go viral?
Deadline spoke to Iconis about this uncommon – unique, more accurately – theatrical journey,...
Iconis, a writer and performer most widely known for songs he wrote for NBC’s Smash, has his theories about how a fairly traditional musical – albeit with a sci-fi twist and a certain high school glee – inspired millions of people around the world to post Be More Chill fan art, stream the cast album more than 150 million times and become Tumblr’s second-ranked “most talked about” musical following Hamilton, and all before singing its first note in New York?
In short, how did a musical go viral?
Deadline spoke to Iconis about this uncommon – unique, more accurately – theatrical journey,...
- 8/23/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Technology plays a major role onstage in “Be More Chill,” the high school-set musical that uses a brain altering super-computer — masquerading as a popularity drug — as a plot device to poke satirical fun at the all-consuming, all-connecting dangers of faceless social media and needy groupthink.
But tech also played a backstage role in this production of composer Joe Iconis and book-writer Joe Tracz’s musical, now playing Off Broadway after a brief 2015 run at New Jersey’s Two River Theater. What Jersey couldn’t do for Iconis’ 80s New Wave-ish musical score, the internet has made up for. Its electro pop-inspired tunes (think “Stranger Things” with a hammily melodic Broadway through line) went viral, racking up 150 million+ streams in the United States alone, to say nothing of the fan art shared from Japan to New Jersey. Given the might of the meme, commercial producers took a chance on “Chill.”
But...
But tech also played a backstage role in this production of composer Joe Iconis and book-writer Joe Tracz’s musical, now playing Off Broadway after a brief 2015 run at New Jersey’s Two River Theater. What Jersey couldn’t do for Iconis’ 80s New Wave-ish musical score, the internet has made up for. Its electro pop-inspired tunes (think “Stranger Things” with a hammily melodic Broadway through line) went viral, racking up 150 million+ streams in the United States alone, to say nothing of the fan art shared from Japan to New Jersey. Given the might of the meme, commercial producers took a chance on “Chill.”
But...
- 8/10/2018
- by A.D. Amorosi
- Variety Film + TV
Be More Chill, the original musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis NBC's 'Smash', The Black Suits, Broadway Bounty Hunter and a book by Joe Tracz The Lightning Thief, Netflix's 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' will have its New York premiere production this summer. Stephen Brackett directs and Chase Brock choreographs the limited 9-week, off-Broadway engagement July 26 - September 23 at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center 480 West 42nd Street, NYC.
- 8/9/2018
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Be More Chill, the original musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis NBC's 'Smash', The Black Suits, Broadway Bounty Hunter and a book by Joe Tracz The Lightning Thief, Netflix's 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' will have its New York premiere production this summer. Stephen Brackett directs and Chase Brock choreographs the limited 9-week, off-Broadway engagement July 26 - September 23 at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center 480 West 42nd Street, NYC.
- 7/26/2018
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Be More Chill, the original musical with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis NBC's 'Smash', The Black Suits, Broadway Bounty Hunter and a book by Joe Tracz The Lightning Thief, Netflix's 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' will have its New York premiere production this summer. Stephen Brackett directs and Chase Brock choreographs the limited 9-week, off-Broadway engagement July 26 - September 23 at The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center 480 West 42nd Street, NYC.
- 4/13/2018
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
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