Theatre News Roundup: 7/26-7/27

Hello my loves,

Sorry for the delay. I saw an amazing show Sunday, Mrs. Smith's Broadway Cat-Tacular which you should definitely try to catch before it closes September 20. Thoughts to come as soon as I can think in coherent sentences again. The beginning of the week is a busy time for me. I spent the last few hours writing a recap and OK, yeah, last night I watched a Hedwig bootleg. It's my own fault I'm tired.

Another Op’nin, Another Show (OPENINGS)

• James Lecesne's solo play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey officially opens its 12-week commercial run Off-Broadway July 27 at 7 PM following previews that began July 11.
• Following previews that began July 13, Fernanda Coppel's King Liz officially opens July 27 at Second Stage Theatre Off-Broadway, starring Karen Pittman.
• Happy 50ish!, a "mid-life crisis musical comedy" premiered Off-Broadway July 26.

TKTS (TICKETS/RUSH/ETC)

• Tickets go on sale July 27 for the Broadway transfer of Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, which was named Best Revival at the 2015 London Olivier Awards.

I Wanna Be A Producer (IN DEVELOPMENT)

• Up Here, the new musical by the songwriters of Disney's blockbuster "Frozen," begins its world-premiere engagement July 28 at La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, CA.

I Hope I Get It (CASTING)

• Bryce Pinkham, who was Tony-nominated for creating the role of Monty Navarro in the Broadway production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, returns to the Tony-winning production July 28 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
• The New York premiere of Lucas Hnath's The Christians will again feature a 20-person choir at Playwrights Horizons this fall. The Off-Broadway production has also announced its full cast, including a few Broadway vets. Performances are set to begin Aug. 28 and continue through Oct. 11. An official opening night is slated for Sept. 17.
• Kyle Jean-Baptiste made history July 23 when he went on as Jean Valjean at 21 years old. Playbill.com has confirmed that Jean-Baptiste is the youngest actor and first African American to have performed the role on Broadway, although there have been others who have played it in the national tour and other productions.
• Amy Spanger will play a limited engagement in the revival of Chicago next month. Spanger, who first played merry murderess Roxie Hart in 2002 and most recently in 2014, will again step into the part Aug. 4-16.
• Additional principal casting has been announced for the upcoming Broadway revival of The Color Purple, which will begin previews Nov. 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
• Michael McGrath has joined the cast of Bock & Harnick's She Loves Me, starring Laura Benanti and Josh Radnor.
  

I Heard It Through the Grapevine (RUMORS)

• Elton John and Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears are collaborating on a new musical.

One Song Glory (ALBUMS)

• Eden Espinosa, who financed her debut solo recording, "Look Around," via Kickstarter, is utilizing the same funding platform for her sophomore recording.
• Tits of Clay, the band that accompanies the stars of Hedwig and the Angry Inch onstage at the Belasco Theatre, will release an EP Sept. 11.

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

• The national touring company of The Book of Mormon will play its first official engagement in the state of Utah July 28. 

They Mean Chicago, Illinois (CHICAGO NEWS)

• Unspeakable, a "dramatic fantasia" inspired by the life of comedy star Richard Pryor, is scheduled for an Oct. 6 premiere in Chicago, three years after a previous production derailed.

Stop! Wait! What?! (EVERYTHING ELSE)

• New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse has announced its 2015-16 season, which will feature five musicals and two world premieres
• Music Theatre International has just picked up international licensing rights for Honeymoon in Vegas.