Theater Update: Michael Jackson Comes to Broadway

How "The Music Man" survived Covid

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 2, 2022 Dear Theater Fans, "MJ," the Michael Jackson biomusical, is here, and Jesse Green finds "an emptiness at its center," despite that unparalleled songbook and some sleek Christopher Wheeldon choreography. He's a lot more enthusiastic about Dominique Morisseau's "Skeleton Crew," and Lynn Nottage and Ricky Ian Gordon's "Intimate Apparel" — both Critic's Picks. (It's a two-opening week for Nottage, who wrote the book for "MJ.") Next week we'll hear what Jesse has to say about the season's luxe, aiming-to-please revival of "The Music Man." In the meantime, Sarah Bahr takes the show's temperature, almost literally, reconstructing what it was like to put on a big musical while so many cast members tested positive for the coronavirus, including its stars, Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. Art isn't easy, remember? I always learn something when I read our resident tap expert Brian Seibert, and it's true once again as he describes the challenge of casting the title performer in a new version of "The Tap Dance Kid" musical. "You either think of it as Shirley Temple or as something guys did in the '70s," explains Alexander Bello, the young actor who coveted, and snagged, the part. "To other kids, it seems like tap never really modernized, but that's not true." Brace yourself for a treacherous summer: Danai Gurira is playing "Richard III." Write me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter here. Get a load of the eye-popping 1983 commercial for "The Tap Dance Kid" on Broadway. Yes, that's Alfonso Ribeiro! Have a healthy week, Scott Heller Arts & Leisure Editor (Interim) @hellernyt Landon Nordeman for The New York Times How Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster and 'The Music Man' Withstood Covid Nearly 60 cast and crew members have tested positive since rehearsals began. Now, following a 10-day shutdown during previews, opening night is near. By Sarah Bahr Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times Calling All Tap Dance Kids (It's Not the Acting Kid or the Singing Kid) The challenge of casting the Encores! revival of "The Tap Dance Kid" exposes some of the complications of tap, show business and Black history. By Brian Seibert Jay Thompson Los Angeles Is Changing. Can a Flagship Theater Keep Up? Navigating the pandemic and a shift in leadership, the Center Theater Group is trying to get back its old audience, and find a new one, while rethinking its mission and programming. By Adam Nagourney Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. FROM OUR CRITICS Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Review: In 'MJ,' No One's Looking at the Man in the Mirror A new jukebox musical tells the story of Michael Jackson. Except for the big story. By Jesse Green Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Critic's Pick Review: In 'Intimate Apparel,' Letting the Seamstress Sing Lynn Nottage's play about a Black woman in 1905 becomes an opera, with music by Ricky Ian Gordon, that forefronts voices ignored by history. By Jesse Green Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Critic's Pick Review: In 'Skeleton Crew,' Making Quick Work of Hard Labor Dominique Morisseau's 2016 play, now on Broadway, is a swift, well-crafted look at factory workers trapped in an economic "dumpster fire." By Jesse Green Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Review: In 'Prayer for the French Republic,' Echoes of the Past Joshua Harmon's ambitious new play toggles between a contemporary Jewish family facing growing antisemitism and their relatives during World War II. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Theater Review Review: In Clare Barron's 'Shhhh,' Staging a Memoir of the Body The playwright directs and stars in her new play for Atlantic Theater Company's Stage 2. It's less a traditional narrative and more of a series of flirtations with discomfort. By Maya Phillips Jan Versweyveld Theater Review Martyrs, Converts and Pious Frauds: Religion Takes Center Stage Three Paris productions — including Ivo van Hove's take on "Tartuffe" at the Comédie-Française — explore questions of the divine. By Laura Cappelle Ashley Garrett 'The Collision' and 'The Martyrdom' Review: A Nun Ahead of Her Time A classic text by the 10th-century Saxon nun Hrotsvitha of Gandersheim inspires two new plays being performed as a double bill at 59E59 Theaters. By Maya Phillips Exponential Critic's Notebook At the Exponential Festival, Case Studies in Category Busting Two years into the pandemic, this festival, which has gone virtual for now, abjures traditional theatricality and performance. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS AND FEATURES Private Data Shows Broadway's Hits and Misses After Reopening Big shows did well when they returned in the fall after the long pandemic shutdown but new plays struggled, previously undisclosed industry data shows. By Michael Paulson Martin McDonagh's 'Hangmen' Will Open on Broadway This Spring The production, which was canceled at the start of the pandemic, will try again, this time starring Alfie Allen of "Game of Thrones" fame. By Michael Paulson Danai Gurira Will Star as Richard III at Shakespeare in the Park The actress, known for "The Walking Dead" and "Black Panther," will headline a return to semi-normal for the annual festival, which will also present "As You Like It." By Michael Paulson Chita Rivera's Book Will Introduce Fans to the Real Her The Broadway star is writing a memoir with the help of a journalist who encouraged her to share what she's really like, alter ego and all. By Alexandra Alter Citing Pandemic, This Year's Obie Awards Will Include Streaming Theater For the first time, digital, audio and other virtual productions will be considered for the honors, for Off and Off Off Broadway works. By Michael Paulson After Being Stuck in Russia, a Director Touches Down in Germany Kirill Serebrennikov is living under a three-year travel ban, but to his surprise, Russian authorities approved his request to direct a play in Hamburg. By A.J. Goldmann How a Broadway Producer Spends His Sundays Theater may be struggling, but Ron Simons is committed to opening his next show, "For Colored Girls," this spring. By Alix Strauss Continue reading the main story ADVERTISMENT Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Theater Update from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018