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SPONGEBOB’s Best Day Ever is December 7, BROADWAY goes on VACATION, Schreck has Ingenuity (we already knew that!), Vineyard’s next, Idina: east coast, west coast, holday inn… Nathan Lane says WTF?
“Today on Broadway” is a daily, Monday through Friday, podcast hitting the top theatre headlines of the day.
Any and all feedback is appreciated:
Ashley Steves [email protected] | @NoThisIsAshley
James Marino [email protected] | @JamesMarino
Matt Tamanini [email protected] | @BWWMatt
1. Broadcast Date Set for SpongeBob SquarePants Musical on Nickelodeon
http://www.playbill.com/article/broadcast-date-set-for-spongebob-squarepants-musical-on-nickelodeon
As previously reported, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL will head to the small screen in a live Nickelodeon broadcast, and yesterday, the network set the official date.
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: LIVE ON STAGE! will be broadcast on Saturday, December 7th at 7:00 Pm across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and Nicktoons.
Much of the original company will reprise their performances, including Tony Award nominee and winner-in-my-eyes Ethan Slater. Also joining him are Gavin Lee as Squidward, Danny Skinner as Patrick Star, Brian Ray Norris as Mr. Krabs, Wesley Taylor as Plankton, and Christina Sajous as Sandy Cheeks. Lilli Cooper, who originated the role of Sandy Cheeks on Broadway, is currently wrapping up her time in TOOTSIE on Broadway.
Rounding out the ensemble is Kyle Matthew Hamilton, Katie Lee Hill, Curtis Holbrook, L’ogan J’ones, Jai’len Josey, and more.
Also joining the cast is veteran SPONGEBOB voice actor Tom Kenny, who will play Patchy the Pirate as he’s historically done during the television’s live-action bits. (He also did the pre-recorded bits in the musical, such as the French Narrator and co-wrote “Best Day Ever.”) He’ll perform “Poor Pirates,” which was written by Sara Bareilles and opens Act II of the musical. Patchy was played by Jon Rua in the Broadway production, who will still be in the ensemble, assumedly as his other show roles, including one of the Plankton Dancers and one of the members of the Sardine Corps.
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2. Tony Nominees Kerry Butler, Will Swenson, More Set to Star in Industry Reading of Broadway Vacation
We now have lead casting for an upcoming industry reading of BROADWAY VACATION. Tony nominees Kerry Butler and Will Swenson will star in the reading of the musical based on the National Lampoon’s VACATION series.
Ken Davenport and Kurt Deutsch optioned the rights for the franchise back in early 2018, and now things are seemingly getting underway for future moves. The reading will be held on November 21st in New York City.
Donna Feore will direct and also starring with Butler and Swenson will be John Ellison Conlee, John Behlmann, Jordan Gelber, Jeff Hiller, Asmeret Ghebremichael, and more.
BROADWAY VACATION features a book, music, and lyrics by Steve Rosen and David Rossmer of THE OTHER JOSH COHEN.
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3. In Other News…
Heidi Schreck Named Winner of Smithsonian Magazine’s American Ingenuity Award
The Vineyard’s Premiere of Dana H. Sets Dates Off-Broadway
http://www.playbill.com/article/the-vineyards-premiere-of-dana-h-sets-dates-off-broadway
Tony Winner Idina Menzel to Perform at N.Y.C.’s Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Window Unveiling
Menzel Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
First up, WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME playwright Heidi Schreck has been named this year’s winner of the Smithsonian Magazine’s American Ingenuity Award for Performing Arts.
Other winners of this year’s awards were José Andrés, Amy Sherald, Lil Nas X, and more. This is, of course, another prize in a number of accolades for Schreck, including nominations for a Tony Award, a Pulitzer Prize, the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and the Drama League Award.
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The Vineyard Theatre also announced yesterday the dates for its upcoming Off-Broadway premiere of DANA H., a new play by Lucas Hnath. Previews will begin on February 7th, followed by an opening night on February 25th.
The new play is adapted from interviews with Dana Higginbotham, who is Hnath’s mother, conducted by The Civilians Artistic Director Steve Cosson, and details her real-life kidnapping by a patient in the psych ward where she worked as a chaplain.
DANA H. had its world premiere at the Kirk Douglas Theatre at Center Theatre Group, followed by a production at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Les Waters will direct. and Deirdre O’Connell will star in the title role.
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Tony winner Idina Menzel will help ring in the holiday season at Saks Fifth Avenue and will single at the premiere of its holiday window unveiling in New York City on November 25. The WICKED and RENT star will sing from FROZEN 2, as well as her new album CHRISTMAS: A SEASON OF LOVE.
Menzel will be accompanied by a 50-person choir and Disney entertainers. The event is open to the public.
This marks another performance in Menzel’s VERY busy holiday season: she’s also doing the Rockefeller Tree Lighting and many performances for her new album, plus the FROZEN 2 tour, so fitting that this season also brings a major accolade for her. On Tuesday, she and her FROZEN co-star Kristen Bell were both honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Recommendations…
Idina Menzel, Josh Gad & Jonathan Groff aka Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff Sing ‘Let It Go’ Live at G-A-Y
WTF With Marc Maron: Nathan Lane
http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1072-nathan-lane
Watch the New Cats Trailer as Movie Readies for Big Screen Pounce
http://www.playbill.com/article/watch-the-new-cats-trailer-as-movie-readies-for-big-screen-pounce
Lin-Manuel Miranda Stops by Today to Chat His Dark Materials, Little Mermaid, and More
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