Theatre News Roundup: 6/16

Hi there!

For those of you who aren't familiar with my Theatre News Roundups from previously, this is just meant to be a handy guide for some of the big stories of interests posted to various theatre sites each day. TNR's are generally daily though sometimes I will skip a day or two if I'm too busy with other commitments. In that case, those stories will get rolled into the next edition. Posts tend to go up some time between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm, allowing you to catch up on the day's stories after work. All the text to follow aside from my choice of headings belongs to the writers at the links attached to each blurb unless otherwise specified. Quotes have been edited for brevity.

Another Op’nin, Another Show (OPENINGS)

• "The Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest officially opens June 16 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Performances began May 27 and will play through July 5."
• "The Off-Broadway revival of David Mamet's Ghost Stories: The Shawl and Prairie du Chien, officially opens June 16 following previews that began May 27 at the Atlantic Theater. Performances continue through June 28 at Atlantic Stage 2."
• "The Canadian premiere of the Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots begins performances June 16 at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre." 
• "Cuckold, a short written by  Wesley Taylor premieres at the Manhattan Repertory Theater 2015 One Act Competition; performances are held June 16-19." 

I Wanna Be A Producer (IN DEVELOPMENT)

• "The new musical Bright Star, from Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, will play a limited engagement at the Kennedy Center prior to an anticipated spring 2016 opening on Broadway. The Kennedy Center engagement will begin previews Dec. 2 with an official opening night of Dec. 17. Performances will continue through Jan. 10, 2016."
• "Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich have planned a private industry reading for their latest musical project, Hollywood Romance. The reading cast will be led by Steven Pasquale, Marc Kudisch, Kate Rockwell, Lesli Margherita, and James Snyder. The cast will also include Connie Ray, Tad Wilson, Matthew Ragas, Maddie Corman, Bronwen Booth, Katie Postotnik, Charissa Hogeland, Nick Miscusi, Tony LePage, and Justin Schuman. Hollywood Romance is described as "a modern day love story following a woman who has been burned by love so many times she's willing to give it up all together. She is hired to be a 'beard' for a closeted gay action star by his boyfriend/machiavellian manager when rumors of the movie star's sexuality arise. Complications ensue when the journalist who is assigned to do the puff piece on the 'happy couple' becomes determined to expose them." Directed by Kristin Hanggi, the musical boasts an all-female creative team with music by Goldrich, lyrics by Heisler, and a book by screenwriting duo Jen Crittenden (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Gaby Allan (Scrubs)."
• "Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Grease) is working with Frank Wildhorn (Bonnie and Clyde, The Civil War), on a new musical about Mata Hari. The show is set to make its world premiere in South Korea in early 2016, according to The Korea Herald."

Everyone’s a Critic (REVIEWS)

• "Reviews for Lincoln Center Theater's LCT3 production of Preludes, the new musical by Dave Malloy, developed with and directed by Rachel Chavkin"

I Hope I Get It (CASTING)

• "J. Robert Spencer and Mitchell Jarvis will head the cast of the 2015 Adirondack Theatre Festival presentation of the new folk rock/bluegrass musical, The unCivil War, which will be presented July 9-18. Rick Kunzi (book, music, lyrics), Justin Zeppa (book) and Adam Barnosky's (music) original musical comedy, previously known as Bayonet of Angst premiered at NYMF in 2014."
• "Abby Mueller will star in the title role of the national tour of Beautiful — The Carole King Musical, which launches Sept. 15 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island."
• "Teddy Tahu Rhodes will star in the dual roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde in an all-new production of Frank Wildhorn's Jekyll & Hyde. Performances begin Dec. 8 in Melbourne. The new incarnation promises to be a "boldly re-imagined" production of the gothic pop musical. The engagement marks the show's Melbourne premiere. It will transfer to Sydney beginning March 6, 2016."
• "Charles Shaughnessy is rehearsing the part of Henry Higgins for Theatre by the Sea's upcoming production of Lerner and Lowe's My Fair Lady in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Come to the Cabaret (CABARETS/CONCERTS/ETC)

• "54 Below will celebrate the July 4th weekend with 54 Sings 1776. Performances are scheduled for July 4 at 7 PM and 9:30 PM and July 5 at 7 PM and 9:30 PM."

It’s Only a Play (PLAYS)

• The Public Theater will stage the world premiere of a new three-play cycle, The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family, written and directed by Richard Nelson. With the final play set to open on Election Night, the works will track the lives of a family throughout the upcoming presidential election year.
• "Tickets are now on sale for Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing! at the Public. The National Asian American Theatre Co. (NAATCO) production, directed by Stephen Brown-Fried, will star Mia Katigbak as Bessie. Off-Broadway performances will run from July 6 through August 1 in the Shiva Theater. Opening night is set for July 13."

One Song Glory (ALBUMS)

• "The cast album of the Off-Broadway revival of Andrew Lippa's musical John & Jen, starring Kate Baldwin and Conor Ryan, is released June 16 by Broadway Records."
• "Tony Yazbeck's "The Floor Above Me," a new solo album based on his new nightclub act, anticipates an Aug. 11 release date."

We Open in Venice, We Next Play Verona (TOURS)

• "Brooklyn's newly restored Kings Theatre will host the upcoming New York engagement of the new U.S. tour of Annie. The classic musical will play 16 performances at the venue, from December 15-27, under the direction of original lyricist and director Martin Charnin."

I Want to Go to Hollywood (MOVIE NEWS)

• "Linda Woolverton will write the sequel to "Maleficent," according to Deadline.com."
• "Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson are set to return for "Pitch Perfect 3" slated to be released in July 2017, according to Deadline."

Let Me Be Your Star (TV NEWS)

• "The Descendants will hit Disney Channel July 31 at 8 PM. According to ETOnline, Kristin Chenoweth will perform a song penned by composer-lyricist Andrew Lippa."

Stop! Wait! What?! (EVERYTHING ELSE)

• "The 29th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, produced by and benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, will be presented Sept. 27 in Times Square, Shubert Alley and along West 44th Street."