Dear theatre friend,
I had planned to begin 2022 with a list of new work coming to theatres– however I’ve been unpleasantly surprised. You may have shared similar expectations until Omicron transformed our lives. Before heading out to use those tickets you optimistically purchased, please call ahead since so many plays are being canceled and postponed.
Just this morning my friend, theatremaker Martha Clarke (“Garden of Earthly Delights”, “Angel Reapers”), told me that her multi-disciplinary work based on the life of St. Francis will be opening in June instead of next week. We audience members can find another Netflix series or even a book, but the creators’ repeated disappointments are enervating, if not soul-killing.
On a more hopeful note, here are some possibilities to consider:
At 59e59, The Civilians’ “Whisper House” is scheduled to begin January 11th. This ghostly musical, set in the early days of World War Two, by Kyle Jarrow and Duncan Sheik (“Spring Awakening”), had its Chicago premiere two years ago, and is reviewed here.
Manhattan Theatre Club’s “Prayer for the French Republic” is written by Joshua Harmon and directed by one of my favorite directors, David Cromer. It, too, begins during World War Two, then spans 70 years and five generations. You may want to read about the play’s Award in this American Theatre article.
Although most of us aren’t in Boston, we can still view “Teenage Dick”, a modern remake of “Richard the Third”, courtesy of the Huntington Theatre’s streaming service, until the 16th. Here’s the Boston Globe review.
Who doesn’t like a 50% off sale? If you haven’t yet seen the Donmar Warehouse productions of the extraordinary, Award-winning “Constellations”, you can see all four casts at half price until the end of the month.
Also, for avant garde theatre-lovers, Under the Radar Festival returns for its 17th year, produced by the Public Theatre, curated by Mark Russell, running at several venues and online.
In closing, in honor of Martin Luther King Day, Theater Of War Productions is streaming “The Drum Major Instinct” on Monday, January 17th at 7pm. These readings will be performed by NY Attorney General, Letitia James, among other notables, accompanied by original music for the event.
Even if we’ll get through this theatre season a bit disgruntled, at least let’s hope, uninfected!
I may not be seeing you in the the next seat this month, but that’s subject to change, of course!
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.