Dear Theater Fans, Nancy Coleman here, a print editor and fellow theater lover at The Times stepping in while Nicole Herrington is away. Things I’ve seen and loved in New York this summer: “The Whoopi Monologues” at Lincoln Center Theater and “Les Misérables: The Arena Concert Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall, where I came dangerously close to purchasing a $60 teddy bear dressed like the revolutionary Enjolras. Over in England, the Royal Shakespeare Company is putting on a play with feuding families, an epic power struggle and an obscene amount of swords. But this time, you’ll be hard pressed to find any Montagues or Capulets onstage with all the Targaryens, Starks and Lannisters afoot. Alexis Soloski traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon, where a new play, “Game of Thrones: The Mad King,” follows in the footsteps of George R.R. Martin’s novels and the megahit HBO series; it is set to open this weekend after delays. The show takes place about 15 years before the events of the original “Game of Thrones” series and centuries after its current prequel spinoff, “House of the Dragon” — and, in the spirit of the generations-spanning tale, runs around four hours. Back in New York, it’s the last week to catch several Critic’s Picks: “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” “Death of a Salesman” and “Every Brilliant Thing” all wrap up on Broadway this weekend, with “Ragtime” and “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” not far behind. Before this “Salesman” revival closes, take a deep dive with Laura Collins-Hughes through one image, by James Estrin, that explores the dark edges around the production’s design. And don’t fret about getting your “Jellicle Ball” fix: The cast is recording an album, the show announced this week, to capture the revival’s electrifying score. With all the goings, Laura writes, there are plenty of comings to look forward to: Julia Lester in the feminist dark comedy “Hungry Women”; “Brooklyn’s Bridge,” a new musical about the woman who helped erect the crossing over the East River; some cabaret from Michael R. Jackson, who wrote the Tony-winning musical “A Strange Loop.” And next month, Bowen Yang will be sworn in as the next Mary Todd Lincoln at the Lyceum. There’s also Andrew Stein’s artificial intelligence alarm bell “Disruption,” starring John David Washington, which “feels less edgy than aimless and familiar,” Tim Teeman writes in his review. And Brendan George’s new play “The Vessel” explores the devastating acts of self-harm at a Manhattan tourist attraction through the eyes of three workers trying to prevent them. We’ll have more next week on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which begins Friday. I leave you with videos from last week’s star-studded curtain call at “Les Misérables,” which wraps up its Radio City stint this weekend. Could an Aaron Tveit Jean Valjean be in our future? Thank you for reading each week! Tell us if you’ve seen something great. Please reach out at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for articles or to offer your thoughts about our coverage. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter. Have a wonderful week, Nancy Coleman
Like this email?Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here.
|
