The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble revealed its lineup for its second annual Phoenix Festival, set to run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 21. The event will feature an engaging mixture of live theater, dance, music, and arts. Phoenix Festival includes 30 performances and will take place on multiple indoor and outdoor stages in Nyack, New York.
Founded in 2004, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble is a nonprofit theatre ensemble producing in New York City and Nyack. Phoenix Festival is aimed at celebrating classical theater, music, local culture, and the creative spirit of the Nyack community.
Festival venues include the tented outdoor meadow stage at Marydell Faith and Life Center, the garden at Hopper House, the Nyack Center, the ‘little theater’ at Nyack’s RCC Culinary Arts Center, Maureen’s Jazz Cellar and Nyack’s classic restaurant the Hudson House. The festival boasts a diverse set of programming with something for all ages and interests.
We’re excited about the 2023 program, and proud to present world class live performances at affordable prices rarely available in ‘big city’ locations.
Craig Smith, executive director, Phoenix Festival
This year’s performances range from classic theatrical shows like Crime and Punishment and Now I am Alone, to stand-up poetry, and even an augmented reality tour. One of Phoenix Festival’s most innovative and creative performances is Pan and The Lost Boys. The show combines theater and dance to examine Black masculinity through hip-hop. Stemming from the killings of Tamir Rice, George Floyd, etc; Pan looks at the impacts of these events on the health, wellness, and growth of young black men in America.
The Phoenix Festival gets underway on Sept. 28 with Crime and Punishment, directed by Karen Case Cook. A full list of performances can be found below. For tickets and details about the festival click here.
Festival Schedule
September 28- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center
September 29- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center
September 30- Remembering Good Harbor Beach- The Garden at Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center
September 30- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center
October 1- Crime & Punishment- Nyack Center
October 4- Scandalton- Maureen’s Jazz Cellar
October 5- Pan and the Lost Boys- Nyack Center
October 6- Wind and the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 6- Pan and the Lost Boys- Nyack Center
October 7- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 7- Honduras- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 7- Pan and the Lost Boys (sold out)- Nyack Center
October 8- Children’s Shakespeare Theatre- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 8- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 9- Children’s Shakespeare Theatre- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 9- Wind in the Willows- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 11- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar
October 12- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar
October 13- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar
October 14- ArtsRock Concert- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 14- Drinks with Dead Poets- Hudson House Upstairs Bar
October 15- Now I Am Alone starring Geoffrey Owens- Marydell Faith and Life Center
October 19- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center
October 20- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center
October 21- Reflections from the Shallow End of the Dating Pool- The Little Theater at RCC Culinary Arts Center
Beginning June 29, Playhouse Stage Company will present their 36th Anniversary musical production Something Rotten at Albany’s Park Playhouse, a Renaissance-set comedy about a down-on-his-luck writer trying to best William Shakespeare by writing the world’s first musical. The production plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm from June 29 through July 22. Playhouse Stage Company will hold an opening night Gala pre-show on June 29, where they will make a special announcement.
Playhouse Stage Company has been producing free summer musicals at Albany’s Park Playhouse in Washington Park since 1989, producing musicals year-round at Cohoes Music Hall since 2016, and took the reins as management of the historic Spindle City venue in 2020.
The Broadway premiere of Something Rotten took place in 2015, and it garnered a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Musical while enjoying a successful two-year run. The book is written by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick, with a score and lyrics by Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick.
The story follows the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who struggle to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wild popularity of their pompous contemporary, “The Bard,” William Shakespeare. When Nick Bottom visits a Soothsayer to discover what the hottest thing in theatre will be in the future, he sets out to write a musical with disastrous results. The show sparks comparison to other bawdy, raucous Broadway comedies including Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Book of Mormon, and Mel Brooks’ The Producers. In an homage to its Renaissance setting, Time Out NY called the show “the funniest musical in at least 400 years.”
The show reunites frequent creative staff collaborators Michael LoPorto (Director), AshleySimone Kirchner (Choreography & Musical Staging), and Brian Axford (Musical Director). Together, the trio have helmed more than a dozen shows for Playhouse Stage. 22 local and regional performers make up the cast, and Axford will lead a twelve-piece band. 12 out of the 22 cast members are graduates of the Playhouse Stage youth theatre program.
The cast is led by Vincent DiPeri (Nick Bottom), who returns to the Playhouse for the first time in eight years after receiving critical acclaim for his performances in The Producers, Hairspray and others. Alongside DiPeri as Bottom’s nemesis William Shakespeare is Steve Raymond, who won strong reviews in the Playhouse’s productions of Spamalot, Spelling Bee and more. Since last appearing on the Playhouse stage, Raymond has developed a significant social media following for his comedy content, with more than three million followers across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms. Rounding out the cast are Playhouse veterans Molly Rose McGrath (Bea Bottom), Marc Christopher (Nostradomus), Daniel Jameson (Nigel Bottom), Brandon Jones (Brother Jeremiah), and Anna Sprau (Portia), in her PSC debut.
Amphitheater lawn seating at Park Playhouse is available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Premium Reserved Seats are now on sale online, by phone and in person. For more information about the show and Playhouse Stage Company, visit their website here, or call the box office at 518-434-0776.
For media inquiries, to arrange press comps, or to receive production photos and video, please contact Owen Smith, Producing Artistic Director at owen@playhousestage.org or by phone at 518-434-2035, extension 100.
TKTS, which revolutionized same-day discount theatre tickets for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, has announced it is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Times Square with special activities.
The Theatre Development Fund’s TKTS will celebrate its golden anniversary behind the TKTS Booth on Broadway and 47th Street, in front of the red steps on June 28, starting at 11 a.m. The City of New York will present a proclamation to TDF which will be accepted by S. Epatha Merkerson, a two-time Tony Award nominee and beloved star of Law & Order and Chicago Med, along with other activities.
The look of the TKTS Booth may have changed over the years, but what happens at it has not. For 50 years, TKTS has provided affordable tickets to people on a budget who would not be able to attend Broadway and Off Broadway any other way. Among the many things TKTS has done over the years is to build new audiences. More than 30% of folks who get tickets at TKTS have never been to a Broadway show before. We’re proud to be able to continue to be the entry point for millions of new theatregoers and grateful to have been of service to New Yorkers, tourists from all over the US and indeed the world.
Victoria Bailey, TDF’s Executive Director.
Operated by TDF, a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, TKTS Times Square opened for business on June 25, 1973, and quickly became a mecca for theatergoers from all over the world. Selling same-day discount tickets, the booth is one of New York City’s most photographed landmarks. The current booth, housed under red glass steps, opened in 2008 and has garnered more than a dozen international design awards.
To date, TKTS has been responsible for 68.6 million admissions to thousands of Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, returning over $2.68 billion in revenue to those shows over the past half-century. The early supporters did not realize they were creating a phenomenon that would be replicated worldwide, and since then, booths have developed in Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, London, and Sydney.
TKTS in 1973.
The celebration in Times Square features emcee Eric Ulloa, an actor, playwright, and TDF Wendy Wasserstein Project mentor, Broadway Inspirational Voices, who will perform a medley of songs from Broadway musicals of the past 50 years, arranged by the ensemble’s artistic director Allen René Louis, and a Broadway sing along with tunes played by Marie’s Crisis pianist Franca Vercelloni. There will also be TKTS gift certificate giveaways, TKTS trivia, and a roaming photo booth.
For more information about TDF’s TKTS, visit here.
On June 21, the new musical “Rock & Roll Man” opens at New World Stages in NYC. The musical celebrates the life of DJ Alan Freed, and features Tony Award-nominee Constantine Maroulis (who plays Freed) and Emmy Award-winner Joe Pantoliano.
“Rock & Roll Man,” which won the 2019 Broadway World Berkshires Awards for Best Musical, is concerned with the foundation of rock. As such, its original score by Gary Kupper (known from “Freckleface Strawberry The Musical”) features genre hits, including “Rock & Roll Music,” “I Put A Spell On You,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Lucille,” “Peggy Sue,” “Jim Dandy,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Yakety Yak,” “Maybellene,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly,” and others.
The story itself takes place in a fever dream on the last day of Alan Freed’s life within a fantasy courtroom with prosecutor J. Edgar Hoover and defense attorney Little Richard. The two debate, with Freed’s legacy on trial.
Alan Freed himself was vital in bringing rock to the world and the popularization of Black artists like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Freed played their music, produced concerts, and found audiences. He helped to unite audiences, regardless of race, and bring them together for their love of music.
The book for “Rock & Roll Man” is by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak (editor of “Night Beat Magazine” and “Rock Magazine”) and Rose Caiola (known from “Freckleface Strawberry The Musical”). The musical has been directed by Randal Myler (known from “It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues”), and choreographed by Stephanie Klemons (Associate Choreographer and Global Dance Supervisor of “Hamilton”).
Members of the cast include Bob Ari as J. Edgar Hoover (“Bells Are Ringing”), Rodrick Covington as Little Richard (“Once On This Island” Broadway revival), Valisia LeKae as LaVern Baker (Grammy and Tony Award nominee for “Motown the Musical”), Joe Barbara (“Grease!” on Broadway), Jamonté (“Hairspray” tour), Andy Christopher (“The Baker’s Wife” Off-Broadway), Natalie Kaye Clater (“Dreamgirls”), Lawrence Dandridge (“Ain’t Too Proud” national tour), AJ Davis (“Dreamgirls” tour), Autumn Guzzardi (“Rock of Ages”), Anna Hertel, Matthew S. Morgan (Vegas and national tours of “The Lion King”), Chase Peacock (“American Idiot” on Broadway), Dominque Scott (“Rock of Ages” Tour), Bronwyn Tarboton (“Frozen” on Broadway) and Eric B. Turner (with latest single “Ain’t No Good”).
Tickets to “Rock & Roll Man” are on sale on Telecharge.com or by calling (800) 447-7400. Group sales, which is for groups of 10 or more, are available through Broadway Inbound or by calling (866) 302-0995.
New World Stages box office hours are Monday 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m..
Partnering organizations, the Shubert Foundation and Music Theatre International have recently announced the return of their annual Broadway Junior Student Finale. The 18th celebration will commence on June 22 at 11:15 a.m. at Broadway’s Ambassador Theatre located in Midtown Manhattan.
Throughout the past four years, since the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on human normality, the Broadway Student Finale has looked much different than previous years as schools all across the world and Broadway itself was shut down. Now, the students have returned to the stage to bask in the blinding spotlights provided by a real theater and not a computer screen.
The Shubert Foundation and MTI Broadway Junior partnership founded the musical theatre mentorship program to help public schools create change in their community’s social culture through building sustainable theatre education programs. The Shubert Foundation is the largest institutional funder of theatre education programs throughout NYC public schools and has provided nearly $8 million for Theatre and Arts programs in NYC.
Its partner in Broadway Junior, Music Theatre International, is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world, including schools, the right to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. The organization’s initiative has had substantial widespread involvement as 167 schools and more than 24,500 students have participated in Broadway Junior while over 100 schools are currently in the program.
The Broadway Junior process is vast as it spans multiple years of involvement with students, teachers, and public schools. In the first year of the program, teachers and students are guided step-by-step through the process of producing a first-ever musical in their schools. In the second year, teachers and students continue to receive support and encouragement on their second musical but take ownership of their productions. In the third year and beyond, schools present a musical independently and serve as inspiration for other schools involved in earlier cycles of the program. The program utilizes master teachers and expert production advisers from educational theatre organizations, iTheatrics, Broadway Bound Kids, and ArtsConnection.
Hundreds of these participating students from Brooklyn to Staten Island will share musical numbers from their fully produced school shows at the Finale. The Broadway shows being represented include Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR., Disney’s Aladdin JR., Into the Woods JR., Dear Edwina JR., Disney’s High School Musical JR., Legally Blonde The Musical JR., Disney’s The Lion King JR., Once on This Island JR., Shrek The Musical JR., and Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR.
Not only will students get the chance to perform on such an iconic stage at the 18th Broadway Junior Finale, but various Broadway professionals will be in attendance including the two hosts Jeanna de Waal and Uma Paranjpe. Also in attendance will be The Shubert Foundation President Diana Philips along with prominent members of the event’s other sponsors.
“The success of the program since 2005 has demonstrated that theater enhances young performers’ ability to collaborate, follow directions, practice self-discipline and work ethics, and use their imaginations while honing their verbal communication skills and developing social skills which will serve them well in navigating life,” said Drew Cohen, President, and CEO of Music Theatre International. “We are grateful to the students, of course, and also to the teachers, teaching artists, and parents who make this opportunity a reality for the students.”
The 18th Broadway Junior Student Finale performances from middle school groups participating in the second year of the program:
Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School
The Emerson School (Queens)
I.S. 136 Charles O. Dewey (Brooklyn)
Isaac Newton Middle School for Math and Science (Manhattan)
Manhattan School for Career Development
Marsh Avenue Expeditionary Learning School (Staten Island)
M.S. 935 (Brooklyn)
M.S. 158Q Marie Curie Middle School (Queens)
Pelham Gardens Middle School (Bronx)
P.S. 177Q The Robin Sue Ward School of Excellence (Queens)
Pugsley Preparatory Academy (Bronx)
Stephen Decatur Middle School 35 (Brooklyn)
The William W. Niles School – JHS 118 (Bronx)
Year Three and Graduated Schools participating in the Shubert/ MTI Musical Ensembles:
Accion Academy (Bronx)
Collaborative Arts Middle School (Queens)
Corona Arts and Sciences Academy (Queens)
Evergreen Middle School (Brooklyn)
I.S. 96 Seth Low (Brooklyn)
I.S. 131 The Albert Einstein Intermediate School (Bronx)
I.S. 217 School of Performing Arts (Bronx)
I.S. 392 (Brooklyn)
JHS 185 Edward Bleeker (Queens)
Lafayette Academy (Manhattan)
M. S. 101 The Edward R. Byrne School (Bronx)
M.S. 129 Academy for Independent Learning & Leadership(Bronx)
M.S. 331 Bronx School of Young Leaders (Bronx)
M.S. 915 (Brooklyn)
New Preparatory Middle School (Queens)
P.S./M.S. 4 Crotona Park West (Bronx)
P.S./I.S. 30 Mary White Ovington School (Brooklyn)
The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA) announced its newly expanded 2023 Adirondack Lakes Theatre Festival (ALTF), formerly known as the Adirondack Lakes Summer Theatre Festival.
Located in the village of Blue Mountain Lake, ALTF is adding two productions to its former three-show lineup. The festival runs from June 16 to October 7, with performances and activities extending into fall and winter. ALTF’s 2023 season, “Back in Blue, Act III: The Magic Continues!” marks ALCA’s triumphant return to live events.
This year, the festival opens with perennial favorite Forever Wild at the arts center. Four touring productions follow, including the romantic comedy Southern Comforts by Kathleen Clark, the free outdoor Shakespeare in the Parks production of The Tempest, the feel-good musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and a world premiere of the play The Cure by local playwright Fred Glover.
Forever Wild
Forever Wild is a hilarious song and skit show produced and performed by your Adirondack neighbors. The show returns to the arts center with performances on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. Tickets will be $10 and available at the door. Directed by Karen Butters, the play will feature beloved classics and fresh material, guaranteed to bring laughter.
Southern Comforts
The play Southern Comforts by Kathleen Clark is set in a sprawling New Jersey Victorian. A taciturn Yankee widower and a vivacious grandmother from Tennessee find what they least expected – a second chance at love.
Directed by Beth Glover and starring Jordan Hornstein and Natalie Luxford, the production opens at the arts center on Friday, July 7 at 7 p.m.
Additional performances include:
Tannery Pond Center in North Creek on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m.
View Arts in Old Forge on Sunday, July 9 at 3 p.m.
Tupper Lake Middle/High School auditorium on Tuesday, July 11, at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30, $25, and $10, and will be available on the arts center website.
The Tempest
The Tempest, a free, outdoor show at town parks, beaches, and campgrounds, is an abridged version of the Shakespeare classic by director Karen Lordi-Kirkham. Performances run from July 28-August 2. Venues include Arrowhead Park in Inlet, Overlook Pavilion in Newcomb, Sabattis Pavilion in Speculator, and Prospect Point Cottages in Blue Mountain Lake. Watch for more information on the art center’s website.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a charming musical that explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. The show will include such songs as “Happiness,” “Suppertime,” and the title song. It will feature a cast of talented singing actors from New York City and across the North Country.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. with book, music, and lyrics by Clark Gesner, additional dialogue by Michael Mayer, and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. These performances are presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.
Directed by George and Elizabeth Cordes, the production opens at the arts center on Friday, August 4, at 7 p.m.
Additional performances include:
Tannery Pond Center in North Creek on Saturday, August 4 at 7 p.m.
View Arts in Old Forge on Sunday, August 6 at 3 p.m.
Tupper Lake Middle/High School auditorium on Tuesday, August 8. at 7 p.m.
Indian Lake Theater on Wednesday, August 9, at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30, $25, and $10, and will be available on the arts center website.
The Cure
The Cure, a play written by Canton, NY, playwright Fred Glover, is inspired by actual people and events in Saranac Lake, NY, during the summer of 1936. A writer, Margaret, from New York City is seeking “the cure” for her case of tuberculosis at the famous Saranac Lake health resort. Her story intertwines with Dr. Edward Trudeau, a compassionate man dedicated to finding a cure during the late 1800s. The stories of Margaret and Dr. Trudeau combine to celebrate the importance of community in healing, and the many sides of the natural world while emphasizing the struggle to transcend a deadly pandemic.
The Cure will open at the arts center on Friday and Saturday, October 6 and 7, at 7 p.m. The show will tour to various schools and other venues through the fall and winter. Stay tuned for ticketing and other information on the art center’s website.
The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is located at 3446 State Route 28 in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. More information and tickets on Adirondack Lakes Center Theatre Festival will be available on the arts center’s website.
Last night, the 76th annual Tony Awards celebrated this year on Broadway by making history and breaking rules, and awarding Kimberly Akimbo the Award for Best Musical.
Ariana Debose hosting, credit to Kevin Mazur.
At the United Palace in Washington Heights, the audience gathered to reflect on and award this past Broadway season. The theatre industry has seen drama offstage this year. Arguments about how much actors should give to their performances, discussions on the industry’s ableism and racism, post-COVID struggles that forced iconic shows to close, and Patti LuPone ripping up her Equity union card were just some of the one-act plays we saw debut on social media.
Ariana Debose hosted the show for the second year in a row. But this year, she did things differently. The show opened to her looking through her script for the 76th annual Tony Awards, only to find blank pages. Unlike most Tony Awards opening numbers, there was no singing. DeBose moved into an impressive dance number choreographed by Carla Garcia. It was started the night with a bang as it married Fosse with modern styles. Once onstage―after catching her breath―DeBose shared the “very good reason” why the Tony’s script pages were blank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4oQeYx5INE
“Our siblings over at the [Writer’s Guild of America] are currently on strike in pursuit of a fair deal,” DeBose said. “I’m sure some of you at home are thinking, ‘Oh, okay, but what does that have to do with the Tony Awards?…Award shows are traditionally written by members of the WGA. So in order for this show to go on, a whole host of people had to come together in order to find a compromise…And so now you are asking, what’s the compromise? Well, we don’t have a script.”
Without teleprompters, the night felt charged. Just like any Broadway show, this truly was a live performance. But that wasn’t the only part of the Tony’s that made it unlike any other before. Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee made history as they became the first out non-binary actors to win Tony awards. Even though Toby Marlow, who won the Tony for best musical score for Six, is non-binary, Newell and Ghee are the first in the Tony’s only gendered category: acting.
Photo by Theo Wargo, Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro.
Newell won best supporting actor in a musical for their performance of Lulu in Shucked, a new musical comedy nominated for 9 Tony awards. Shucked tells the story of Maizy, who travels to find out why all of the corn in her small town, Cob County, is dying. The constant corny humor makes audiences laugh nonstop.
“Broadway, I should not be up here,” Newell said in their acceptance speech. “As a queer, non-binary, fat, black little baby from Massachusetts. And to anyone that thinks that they can’t do it, I’m going to look you dead in your face and tell you that you can do anything you put your mind to.”
J. Harrison Ghee accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for “Some Like It Hot” at the 76th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the United Palace Theater in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP) Charles Sykes, Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Soon after, Ghee accepted the Tony for best leading actor in a musical for their portrayal of Jerry/Daphne in Some Like it Hot. They thanked their producers and creative team for letting them lead. “Thank you…for letting me be representation, letting lives be seen.”
Although there were many great shows nominated, one swept overall. New musical Kimberly Akimbo won 5 awards, including best new musical. Even though the night was unscripted, critics and audiences alike were not surprised.
The musical tells the story of Kimberly, a 16-year-old girl born with a rare genetic condition that makes her age almost five times as fast as kids her age. The show is heartwarming and breaking. Other than best musical, Kimberly Akimbo took home beat supporting actress (Bonnie Milligan), best lead actress (Victoria Clarke), best original score, and best book of a musical.
Despite how the show was real and unfiltered, censorship reminded viewers of big differences between stage and screen. After two previous nominations, Michael Arden scored his first win for Direction of a musical for his work on Parade, which won best musical revival. Arden took his acceptance speech as an opportunity to speak out about the need to fight intolerance. “It is so, so important,” Arden stressed, “or else we are doomed to repeat the horrors of our history.”
Michael Arden’s bleeped-out Tony Award speech is instantly iconic:
"Growing up, I was called the F-word more times than I could remember. And all I can say now is I'm a faggot with a Tony!"#TonyAwardspic.twitter.com/pJYzfgIJoh
What viewers remember most about Arden’s speech, though, is something we could not even hear. “to our beautiful trans, nonbinary, queer youth, know that your queerness is what makes you beautiful and powerful,” he expressed. “Growing up, I was called the f word more times than I can remember, and now all I can say is I’m a f***** with a tony.” CBS censored the last words of Arden’s speech. Still, we saw how the live audience stood up and cheered louder than they had all night.
If you missed the 76th Tony Awards, you can stream it on Paramount Plus.
76th Annual Tony Award Winners
Best Play
Ain’t No Mo’ Between Riverside and Crazy Cost of Living Fat Ham Leopoldstadt
Best Musical
& Juliet Kimberly Akimbo New York, New York Shucked Some Like It Hot
Best Revival of a Play
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson A Doll’s House The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog
Best Revival of a Musical
Parade Into the Woods Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Book of a Musical
& Juliet Kimberly Akimbo New York, New York Shucked Some Like It Hot
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Almost Famous Kimberly Akimbo KPOP Shucked Some Like It Hot
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog Corey Hawkins, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar Stephen McKinley Henderson, Between Riverside and Crazy Wendell Pierce, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House Jodie Comer, Prima Facie Jessica Hecht, Summer, 1976 Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Christian Borle, Some Like It Hot J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot Josh Groban, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Brian d’Arcy James, Into the Woods Ben Platt, Parade Colton Ryan, New York, New York
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods Victoria Clark, Kimberly Akimbo Lorna Courtney, & Juliet Micaela Diamond, Parade
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Jordan E. Cooper, Ain’t No Mo’ Samuel L. Jackson, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson Arian Moayed, A Doll’s House Brandon Uranowitz, Leopoldstadt David Zayas, Cost of Living
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Nikki Crawford, Fat Ham Crystal Lucas-Perry, Ain’t No Mo’ Miriam Silverman, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window Katy Sullivan, Cost of Living Kara Young, Cost of Living
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Kevin Cahoon, Shucked Justin Cooley, Kimberly Akimbo Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like It Hot Jordan Donica, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Alex Newell, Shucked
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Julia Lester, Into the Woods Ruthie Ann Miles, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Bonnie Milligan, Kimberly Akimbo NaTasha Yvette Williams, Some Like It Hot Betsy Wolfe, & Juliet
Best Scenic Design of a Play
Prima Facie Life of Pi Good Night, Oscar Leopoldstadt A Christmas Carol
Best Scenic Design of a Musical
New York, New York Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Shucked Some Like It Hot
Best Costume Design of a Play
Life of Pi Fat Ham Leopoldstadt Ain’t No Mo’ Good Night, Oscar
Best Costume Design of a Musical
Some Like It Hot Parade Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot KPOP & Juliet New York, New York
Best Lighting Design of a Play
Leopoldstadt Prima Facie A Doll’s House Fat Ham Life of Pi Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman A Christmas Carol
Best Lighting Design of a Musical
New York, New York Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot Parade & Juliet Some Like It Hot Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Sound Design of a Play
Ain’t No Mo’ Life of Pi A Christmas Carol A Doll’s House Prima Facie
Best Sound Design of a Musical
New York, New York Shucked Into the Woods & Juliet Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best Direction of a Play
Saheem Ali, Fat Ham Jo Bonney, Cost of Living Jamie Lloyd, A Doll’s House Patrick Marber, Leopoldstadt Stevie Walker-Webb, Ain’t No Mo’ Max Webster, Life of Pi
Best Direction of a Musical
Michael Arden, Parade Lear deBessonet, Into the Woods Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot Jack O’Brien, Shucked Jessica Stone, Kimberly Akimbo
Best Choreography
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Some Like It Hot New York, New York & Juliet KPOP
Best Orchestrations
& Juliet Kimberly Akimbo Shucked Some Like It Hot New York, New York
Nestled amongst the backdrop of the Catskill mountains, just an hour outside Albany, Foothills Performing Arts Center (PAC) is a non-profit entertainment and civic center that serves the cultural, educational, and community needs of the Otsego, Delaware, and Chenango tri-county region.
Centered in the eclectic university community in Oneonta, Foothills PAC originally opened in 2005 and has become the region’s go-to venue for live entertainment for both national and local acts such as Bela Fleck and The Flecktones, Gordon Lightfoot, Bernie Williams, Rusted Root, Tanya Tucker, John Michael Montgomery, Joe Diffie, and Thompson Square.
Wilber Wright Atrium
Foothills consists of multiple venues on its property, from its grand two story Wilber Wright Atrium, perfect for weddings and large events, to its Bettiol Theatre for smaller productions. The center also offers two smaller production spaces, The Loft and The Production Center.
As part of Foothill’s community engagement initiative, Foothills is also home to the Oneonta Farmers Market, providing the local community with fresh, home grown produce and artisanal crafts.
The Loft Performance Space
Recently appointed Executive Director Geoff Doyle has spent the better part of the last two years investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into renovations for Foothills, as part of his initiative to turn Foothills into a more diverse and utilized space for the local community. When Foothill’s closed at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Doyle took that time to write grants and to fundraise. Having found themselves with an empty building, as well as a surplus of funding from grants and generous donations, the Foothills Board used that time and those resources to finally do the work that had needed to be done for many years.
Bettiol Theatre
Taking both comments and critiques from the local community, renovations have included updated lighting and sound equipment for productions, to infrastructure improvements of the performance spaces.
We’ve become more than an arts center over the years. People donate blood here. They vote here. They attend weddings, birthday parties, bridal showers, conferences, speaking engagements, fundraising events and so much more. We’ve been partners with SUNY Oneonta’s Music Industry program for a decade now, providing internships for many students in that time, and even hiring recent grads.
Geoff Doyle, Executive Director
Foothills Performing Arts Center is also home to Black Hole Studios, a fully equipped recording studio local artists can book for recording, mixing and mastering. With a top-ten Music Industry program located just down the street at SUNY Oneonta, the addition of Black Hole Studios has allowed student artists to have yet another resource to utilize their art.
Atrium Entrance
Upcoming events include this fall’s “Foothill’s Fringe Festival”. The brainchild of newest board member, Allie Church, Foothills Fringe takes inspiration from similar festivals around the world, and will be the centers newest annual event. Taking place over two days this September, Foothill’s Fringe will offer plays, film screenings, musical productions, stand-up comedy and more. With over 30 acts already booked, Fringe Festival is sure to draw in hundreds of spectators, artisans, and vendors.
In celebration of Pride Month, Foothills will also be hosting an 18+ Alice In Wonderland themed “Pride Prom” in collaboration with the Otsego Pride Alliance. The Prom, taking place June 30th, will feature dancing, face painting, specialty cocktails, prizes, fashion, and drag performances by local drag artists.
For more information, or to book an event space, please visit Foothills Performing Arts Center’s website.
The Bard Music Festival returns for its 33rd season in August, with a two-week dive into the work of “Vaughan Williams and His World.” Eleven themed concert programs aim to examine the great but frequently misunderstood English and Welsh composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, one of the 20th century’s preeminent symphonists, who helped to spearhead a new British renaissance in music.
The festival is spread across the two weeks, the first weekend runs August 4-6 and aims to contextualize the composer among his fellow Victorians, Edwardians, and Moderns. The second weekend, which takes place August 10-13, explores Williams’ role in creating what may be considered “A New Elizabethan Age”.
With two special events in nearby Rhinebeck, the concerts take place at Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Bard College’s Hudson River campus. Six of these shows will also stream live to home audiences worldwide on Upstreaming, the Fisher Center’s virtual stage. The final show is a centerpiece of the 20th Bard SummerScape festival. The Bard Music Festival represents a highlight of the Fisher Center’s landmark 20th anniversary season, “Breaking Ground.”
Since its inception in 1990, the Bard Music Festival has helped to strengthen the standard concert repertory. This is in part because its founder and co-artistic director, Leon Botstein. Botstein serves as music director of both the American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and The Orchestra Now (TŌN). Both ensembles perform in the festival, along with Festival Chorale, which takes part in all choral works under the direction of James Bagwell. This year’s operatic, chamber, and vocal programs will boast an impressive lineup of guest artists, violinist Bella Hristova, tenor Nicholas Phan, bass-baritone Craig Colclough, pianists Danny Driver and Piers Lane, and the Horszowski Trio among them.
First Weekend (Aug. 4-6)
Program One: “Vaughan Williams: Becoming an English Composer”
Program Two: “Between Two Worlds: London and Berlin”
Program Three: “The Symphony and Composing for the Stage”
Program Four: “Heirs and Rebels: British Art Song”
Program Five: “Entente Cordiale: Britain and France”
Program Six: “London Calling! Fun in Cockaigne!”
Second Weekend (Aug. 10-13)
Program Seven: “The Lark Ascending: British Music for Chamber Orchestra”
Program Eight: “The Islands and the Continent”
Program Nine: “A New Elizabethan Age?”
Program Ten: “Vaughan Williams’s Legacy”
Finale: Vaughan Williams and Shakespeare, “Sir John in Love”
Bard SummerScape returns to the Hudson Valley this summer with seven weeks of live music, opera, music-theater, and more, in the Fisher Center and other venues on the Bard College campus. The event runs from June 23-Aug. 13, as both the Fisher Center and the SummerScape festival celebrate their 20th anniversaries this year.
The SummerScape festival opens with the world premiere of Illinois, a new piece of music-theater from Grammy nominee Sufjan Stevens, Tony Award winner Justin Peck, and Pulitzer Prize laureate Jackie Sibblies Drury. The offering is based on Stevens’s beloved 2005 album of the same name.
SummerScape also offers opera performances as part of the festival. This year the choice is Henri VIII , a grand opera by Camille Saint-Saëns, whose long and remarkable career helped shape the course of French music.
Bard plans to take advantage of its authentic Belgian Spiegeltent, which has enchanted guests since its introduction to the festival in 2006. The mirrored tent provides the perfect environment for enjoying cutting-edge live music and dancing on Fridays, Saturdays, and some Sundays throughout the festival.
On July 15, Bard is hosting a day-long 20th anniversary celebration at the Fisher Center for free. Local DJ Ali will bring her family-friendly Kinder Disco to the Spiegeltent. The event will feature interactive tours and a performance from the Latin Grammy-winners of all-female mariachi outfit Flor de Toloache. After hours, over-21s can dance the night away in the Spiegeltent with WKZE radio’s DJ MK ULTRA.
The SummerScape festival concludes with a crossover performance from the “Bard Music Festival”. The event features “Vaughan Williams and Shakespeare: Sir John in Love” a semi-staged opera production by American director Alison Moritz.
Bard Summerscape Festival 2023
June 23–July 2
Music-theater: Illinois by Justin Peck, Sufjan Stevens and Jackie Sibblies Drury
June 23–Aug 12
Spiegeltent: live music and dancing
July 15
20th Anniversary Community Celebration (free)
July 21–30
Opera: Saint-Saëns’s Henri VIII (new production)
Aug 4–6
Bard Music Festival: Vaughan Williams and His World
Weekend One: Victorians, Edwardians, and Moderns
Aug 10–13
Bard Music Festival: Vaughan Williams and His World
