the week of may 16-20, 2022
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in-person theatre
Somi Kakoma’s world premiere musical Dreaming Zenzile is now playing at New York Theatre Workshop. The “electrifying portrait of South African revolutionary artist and activist Miriam Makeba” is directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz.
Anna Ouyang Moench’s Man of God is now playing at the Geffen Playhouse. Maggie Burrows directs the “funny feminist thriller” about a Korean Christian girls’ youth group on a mission trip who discover their pastor’s hidden camera in their hotel bathroom, letting their “communal rage and disillusionment fuel increasingly violent revenge fantasies amidst the no-holds-barred neon bubblegum sex-tourism mecca of Bangkok.”
The US premiere of Ebru Nihan Celkan’s Will You Come With Me? is now playing at Play Co. through June 5th. Keenan Tyler Oliphant directs Kate Ferguson’s translation of the Turkish playwright’s two-hander exploring a long-distance queer relationship set across disparate cultural and political contexts.
Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig’s Snow in Midsummer begins previews May 20th at Classic Stage Company. The “spellbinding ghost story that explores the weight of generational trauma and restorative justice” is directed by Zi Alikhan.
The Commissary’s Lessons in Survival: 1971 starts performances May 26th at the Vineyard. Based on poet Nikki Giovanni’s 1971 interview with James Baldwin, the “revelatory live staging explores the layers of intimacy and ideas between two Black revolutionary artists of different generations, with astonishing resonance for today” is directed by Tyler Thomas.
Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing runs May 27 - July 3 at American Shakespeare Center. Stephanie Holladay Earl directs the play about depression, resilience, and the lengths we will go to for those we love, told in collaboration with the audience.
digital theatre
A Few Deep Breaths streams from La MaMa, Culture Hub, and Seoul Arts through May 22nd. The “poetic reflection of this moment in our shared history and a meditation on the road ahead” interweaves the writings of Erik Ehn, Huntrezz Janos, Adrienne Kennedy, Haruna Lee, Chuck Mee, Robert Patrick, and Christopher Rivas.
Classical Theatre of Harlem’s 2018 production of Antigone is streaming on demand for free through May 29th. Carl Cofield directs the kinetic, future dystopian-set Sophocles adaptation, which was inspired by Paul Roche and edited by Shawn René Graham and Ty Jones.
Sarah Ruhl’s Dead Man’s Cell Phone is available digitally on demand from the Alley Theatre through May 22nd. Brandon Weinbrenner directs the fantastical comedy about “the paradox of modern technology's ability to both unite and isolate people in the digital age.”
2022-23 season updates
The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia announced its 2022-23 season. Plays include Guillermo Calderón's Kiss (directed by Fadi Skeiker); Jennifer Kidwell, Jess Conda, and Mel Krodman’s Those With 2 Clocks; co-AD Yury Urnov’s new adaptation of Twelfth Night; and two world premieres: Milo Cramer’s School Pictures and Nathan Alan Davis’ Eternal Life Part 1, both directed by co-AD Morgan Green.
Signature Theatre in New York announced its upcoming season. The season will feature Samuel D. Hunter’s A Bright New Boise (directed by Oliver Butler), and three world premieres from resident playwrights: Quiara Alegría Hudes’ My Broken Language; Sarah Ruhl’s Letters from Max: A Poet, a Teacher, and a Friendship (directed by Kate Whoriskey); and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Grass (directed by Jacobs-Jenkins).
The O’Neill Playwrights Conference announced its summer season. Plays to be developed include Kate Douglas’ The Apiary, Brittany Fisher’s Your Regularly Scheduled Programming, Neena Beber’s Kate Suspended, Mallory Jane Weiss’ Big Black Sunhats, Deepak Kumar’s House of India, Max Yu’s Nightwatch.
Remy Bumppo announced its 2022-23 season. The Chicago theatre will present the US premiere of Rachel De-lahay’s Routes (directed by Mikael Burke), Nilo Cruz’s Anna in the Tropics (directed by Laura Alcalá Baker), and Bill Cain’s God’s Spies (directed by Marti Lyons).
Everyman Theatre in Baltimore announced its 2022-23 season. The line-up includes the world premiere of Tuyet Thi Pham’s Dinner and Cake (directed by Paige Hernandez), Charly Evon Simpson’s Jump, Adam Rapp’s The Sound Inside (directed by Vincent M. Lancisi), Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter, Mary Chase’s Harvey (directed by Susanna Gellert), and Kander & Ebb’s The World Goes ‘Round (directed by Kevin McAllister, co-pro with Olney and ArtsCentric).
Ford’s Theatre announces its 2022-23 season. Projects include Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful (directed by Michael Wilson); Cheryl L. West’s new musical Shout, Sister, Shout! (directed by Kenneth L. Roberson); and a new play festival featuring work in development from commissioned playwrights Pearl Cleage, Dominic Taylor and Rickerby Hinds.
Pasadena Playhouse announced its 2022-23 season. The season includes a six-month Sondheim celebration with full productions of Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and A Little Night Music; Martyna Majok’s Sanctuary City; and Zora Howard’s Stew.
City Center announced that Parade, starring Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, will be its annual gala presentation. I don’t want to disrespect Ben Platt (he’s been meme’d enough this year)…but Brandon Uranowitz as Leo Frank is a free casting idea from me to you.
award season, or the rise of kimberly akimbo
The Court Theatre is the recipient of the 2022 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The Court is the sixth Chicago theatre to receive the honor, following Steppenwolf (1985), The Goodman (1992), Victory Gardens (2001), Chicago Shakes (2008), and Lookingglass (2011).
The New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards were announced. Samuel D. Hunter’s A Case for the Existence of God was awarded Best Play and Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire’s Kimberly Akimbo won Best Musical. Austin Pendleton and Sanaz Toossi received special citations.
The Drama Desk nominations were announced. The top nominees were SIX: The Musical (10), Kimberly Akimbo (9), and Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s (5). The committee also announced special awards for costume designer Dede Ayite, scenic designer Adam Rigg, and Oratorio for Living Things creator Heather Christian.
The Outer Critics Circle Awards were announced. The big winners were The Lehman Trilogy (6), the Broadway-bound Kimberly Akimbo (4), and SIX: The Musical (3). Sanaz Toossi’s English received the Best New American Play award while Joshua Harmon’s Prayer for the French Republic won for Best New Off-Broadway Play. Pulitzer finalist Kristina Wong won for Outstanding Solo Performance.
the regional theatre game of thrones
Virginia Repertory Theatre announced its new shared artistic leadership model. The Richmond theatre’s three new co-artistic directors will each focus on a different element: Rick Hammerly (Programming), Desirée Roots (Community), and Todd D. Norris (Education).
things I read this week when I wasn’t finishing jennifer egan’s the candy house
Ben Gierhart on the future of Actors Theatre of Louisville, with artistic director Robert Barry Fleming directly addressing the decision to end the Humana Festival and the theatre’s apprenticeship program. (UnderMain)
Philip Himberg on the quiet demise of the Sundance Theatre Lab, the latest beloved new play incubator to shutter in recent years. (American Theatre)
