We officially ring in a new Broadway season this WEEK AHEAD!
Saturday, June 14
OPENING (DC)→ Broadway's Erin Davie and Emily Padgett star as conjoined twins, the Hilton sisters, in a reimagined version of the Henry Krieger-Bill Russell musical Side Show. The short-lived Broadway flop (that ran only 91 performances in 1998) has since grown a cult following thanks to booming ballads like "I Will Never Leave You" and "Who Will Love Me As I Am?" Oscar-winning "Dreamgirls" helmer Bill Condon directs this glitzy version that has the rumor mill churning with whispers of a Broadway revival. (Through July 13, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, 2700 F. St., Washington, DC. Info/tickets.)
Sunday, June 15
LAST CHANCE→ The Denzel Washington-headlined revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun concludes its Broadway limited run. The Kenny Leon-helmed production of the 1959 classic — for which Leon took home a Tony for directing — features the supreme talents of LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Anika Noni Rose and a Tony-winning Sophie Okonedo. (Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St., btwn. Broadway & 8th Ave. Info/tickets.)
LAST CHANCE→ James Lapine's adaptation of Moss Hart's revered showbiz memoir Act One also closes on Broadway. It stars Santino Fontana and Tony Shalhoub as Hart, before and after he hit it big with a historic collaboration with George S. Kaufman. (Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St., btwn. Broadway & Amsterdam. Info/tickets.)
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| Saul Williams and Saycon Sengbloh | ||
| photo by Joan Marcus |
OPENING (FREE)→ The 2014 Shakespeare in the Park program is officially open, kicking off with Park vets Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater in Much Ado About Nothing. The pair star as would-be lovers Beatrice and Benedick in the Jack O'Brien-helmed production, which also features Tony winners Brian Stokes Mitchell and John Glover. (Through July 6, Delacorte Theater, Central Park, enter at 81st St. and Central Park West or at 79th St. & 5th Ave. Info.) Tuesday, June 17
OPENING→ Two-time Tony winner Cherry Jones and Zoe Kazan star in the world premiere of When We Were Young and Unafraid. This new drama from seasoned TV writer Sarah Treem concerns an underground women's shelter in the early 1970s. (New York City Center, 131 W. 55th., btwn. 6th & 7th Aves. Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets.)
Wednesday, June 18
GO→ Emmy and Golden Globe-winning "Glee" star Jane Lynch, who made her Broadway debut last year as Miss Hannigan in Annie, tries her hand at the cabaret game in a series of solo concerts at 54 Below. (Through June 21, 54 Below, 254 W. 54th St., btwn. Broadway & 8th Ave. Info/tickets.)
Thursday, June 19
OPENING→ Holler If Ya Hear Me, the ambitious new musical featuring the songs of the late rapper, actor and poet Tupac Shakur opens on Broadway. Acclaimed filmmaker and poet Saul Williams takes center stage as John, a man who returns home to his tough urban neighborhood after a long stretch in prison. Tony winner Kenny Leon is at the helm of the hip-hop tuner that features Tony winner Tonya Pinkins, In The Heights alum Christopher Jackson and former Motown star Saycon Sengbloh. (Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway, btwn. 46th & 47th Sts. Click here for Playbill Club discount tickets.)
Friday, June 20
CASTING→ Tony winner John Rubinstein, who originated the title role in Stephen Schwartz's Pippin in 1972, returns to the circus in Diane Paulus' Tony-winning revival. Rubinstein's reign as King Charlemagne will be brief — Tony nominee Terrence Mann, who originated the role in the hit revival, will return to the production next month. Click here to read an interview with Rubinstein about his revisiting this "Corner of the Sky" 40 years later. (Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St., btwn. Broadway & 8th Ave. Info/tickets.)
