Theater Update: Cynthia Erivo to host Tony Awards

"Smash," "Redwood" and Lea Salonga

View in browser|nytimes.com February 19, 2025 Dear Theater Fans, It may seem as if we're plunging deeper into winter here in New York, but at least we have some promising spring productions to look forward to! Behold, our annual Spring Preview, for which Robert Ito profiled Lea Salonga, who is starring in the Stephen Sondheim revue "Old Friends"; Alexis Soloski explored how the "Smash" song "Let Me Be Your Star" evolved on its way from TV to the Broadway stage (grab your headphones!); Joshua Barone wrote about one of the busiest stage directors in Europe, Barrie Kosky, and his acclaimed "The Threepenny Opera," which comes to Brooklyn in April; and Laura Collins-Hughes and the music and dance teams gave us a curated listing of some of the season's other highlights. There's also Jesse Green's delicious essay about a dozen or so midcareer playwrights whose work he's been following for years. Most of them have plays onstage this season, and he spoke to some of these writers — including Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Bess Wohl — about how they've managed to buck "the bad news of the American theater by having made it past emerging to emerged." And that's just the beginning. Stay tuned for a couple of really rich features written by Maureen Dowd (tomorrow) and Michael Paulson (Friday). For easy reading, you can find all of these features in Arts & Leisure, out on Sunday. A few more things: ● Tonys host?: That will be Cynthia Erivo, who will serve as M.C. of the ceremony on June 8. ● London report: Alex Marshall wrote about an abortion scene in "The Years" that has theatergoers talking, and fainting (at every show). ● Critic's Pick: Idina Menzel is doing it all in her new Broadway musical, "Redwood." In his review, Jesse called her a "force of nature" who climbs a tree and sings in 13 of the show's 17 songs. He asked: "Has anyone ever belted so much, so tirelessly and hair-raisingly?" Please reach out to me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for stories or to offer your thoughts about our coverage. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter. Have a wonderful week, Nicole Herrington Theater Editor SPRING PREVIEW Nina Westervelt for The New York Times Spring Preview For Playwrights, Making It to Midcareer Is a Cliffhanger Act 1 was a constant struggle for rent and opportunity. But now that these emerging dramatists have emerged, what will they make of Act 2? By Jesse Green Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times Spring Preview Hear How a 'Smash' Song Got a Broadway Makeover "Let Me Be Your Star," which evokes an actor's longing to shine, has come a long way from its TV days. Here's how the song evolved on its way to the stage. By Alexis Soloski Chantal Anderson for The New York Times Spring Preview Lea Salonga Is Never Getting Tired of Sondheim The Tony-winning actress co-stars with Bernadette Peters in "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends," a show that is letting her surprise audiences with her comedy chops. By Robert Ito Marc Brenner spring preview Here's What to See This Spring in New York Onstage, Denzel Washington is Othello, and Paul Mescal is Stanley Kowalski as stars illuminate the theater marquees. Plus: FKA twigs takes "Eusexua" on tour. Bang on a Can, Twyla Tharp, and much more. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here.tk NEWS AND FEATURES Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Cynthia Erivo Will Host This Year's Tony Awards The actress won a Tony Award for "The Color Purple," and is now nominated for an Oscar for playing Elphaba in the film adaptation of "Wicked." By Michael Paulson Helen Murray An Abortion Scene Gets Theater Audiences Talking, and Fainting "The Years," running in London, dramatizes a woman's life from teenage thrills to later-life sex. One intense scene is causing audience members to pass out. By Alex Marshall Mandel Ngan/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images At Kennedy Center, Trump Inherits a Tough Job: Fund-Raising For the arts institution, which receives only a small portion of its budget from federal funding, the perennial challenge is to raise additional revenue through ticket sales and private donations. By Robin Pogrebin and Javier C. Hernández Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Hundreds of Artists Call on N.E.A. to Roll Back Trump's Restrictions A letter signed by 463 playwrights, poets, dancers, visual artists and others pushes back against new grant requirements that bar the promotion of diversity or "gender ideology." By Michael Paulson Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times With 'Mindplay,' Vinny DePonto Wants to Bring More Awe Into Your Life In this mentalist show, the magician asks his audience: "What is meaningful to you?" By Erik Piepenburg THEATER REVIEWS Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Critic's Pick Review: Idina Menzel Climbs to New Broadway Heights in 'Redwood' The "Wicked" belter scales a 300-foot tree, and a mountain of songs, in a powerful if woo-woo musical about trauma and resilience. By Jesse Green Manuel Harlan Theater Review Jonathan Bailey's Bratty, Bad-Boy 'Richard II' The actor, on a hot streak after "Wicked," takes on his biggest stage role to date. In London, he plays Shakespeare's unfortunate king as a flouncing sociopath. By Houman Barekat OBITUARIES Ken Wydro, Who Helped Create an Off Broadway Phenomenon, Dies at 81 He and his wife, Vy Higginsen, poured all they had into "Mama, I Want to Sing," a long-shot musical that became an enduring staple of Black theater. By Alex Williams David Edward Byrd, Whose Posters Captured Rock's Energy, Dies at 83 His designs for Jimi Hendrix, the Who and others embodied the spirit of the psychedelic era. He also created images for stage shows like "Godspell." By Alex Williams THEATER AND STREAMING GUIDES via Stratford Festival Theater to Watch at Home: 'Uncle Vanya' and an Alice Childress Revival A bare-bones Chekhov, a critically acclaimed revival of "The Wedding Band" and the cult TV series "Smash" are all available for streaming. By Rachel Sherman Lucie Jansch New York Theater to See Now: Isabelle Huppert, 'Urinetown' and More Also onstage in February: Calista Flockhart in a Sam Shepard revival, boldface names in Joy Behar's "My First Ex-Husband" and a marionette made of ice. By Laura Collins-Hughes Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Broadway Shows to See This Winter: 'Gypsy,' 'Othello' and More A guide to every show on Broadway, including new musicals, Tony winning-dramas, quirky hits and veterans like "Hamilton" and "Chicago." By Laura Collins-Hughes The Umbrella Rooms What to See on London Stages This Winter Some recommendations for visitors and residents who want to get the most from the city's varied theater scene. By Matt Wolf Getty Images; Associated Press Hollywood Is Heading for Broadway (and Off). Here's a Cheat Sheet. George Clooney as Murrow! Denzel Washington as Othello! Mia Farrow as a larcenous landlord! So much to see! By Michael Paulson 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 Theater Update, unsubscribe. 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