Dear theatre friends,
Today, I would have been giving my Award for the best play at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In 2018, it went to “Mouthpiece,” by Kieran Hurley, which sadly hadn’t finalized plans to transfer to New York. This year, the Traverse Theatre has produced an online version, “Declan,” with text taken from the original play. Get a Festival Pass to see the Traverse’s other shows– many of which are happily extending past the the date of the cancelled event.
For those of you who agree that Stephen Adly Guirgis is one of New York’s leading playwrights– make time at 4pm today for a conversation between him and the director of “Halfway Bitches Go Straight to Heaven,” by registering at Live with Atlantic Theatre.
Next Friday, there’ll be another event: “Inside the Ensemble” with Isiah Whitlock Jr., who’s been in Atlantic productions for many years prior to his role in Spike Lee’s recent “Da Five Bloods.’
Monday, the 31st, there’ll be a concert starring Broadway legends to raise money for The Actors’ Fund. You can buy a ticket through Theater Pizzazz.
If you’re in the mood for a musical that same night, the 31st, you can tune into “Soldiergirls” by reserving at Rattlestick Theatre. It features the actual letters of lesbian members of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. It’s free, but also a benefit for Spart*A (Service Members, Partners, Allies for Respect and Tolerance for All)
I hadn’t looked at the TDF Website for a while, but there are several terrific offers for this weekend and beyond. I noticed “Fabulous Fanny: The Songs and Stories of Fanny Brice”; a new musical starring Jeremy Jordan, “A Killer Party” and the Roundabout production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which includes an intermission talk about endlessly fascinating, Oscar Wilde. All these low priced shows are surely worth the price of membership.
A reader alerted me to another virtual Festival, this from Milwaukee Chamber Theatre– The Milwaukee Black Theater Festival. Check out the various new voices coming from a city recently in the news and perhaps get a reality check. Until September 12th.
That’s all for now– as I receive news I’ll pass it along. But don’t completely fill your calendars yet– more shows are continuing to find their way to our screens.
Aren’t we fortunate to be living during this plague and not Sophocles’? Or, are you overwhelmed by choice?
Again, if you discover other theatre-related news– please get in touch: Carol@BestofEdinburgh.org.
And, need I reiterate? I’d like to continue to write because so many have expressed their enjoyment of reading– but I must have content!
Please send other theatre related information, or do try to recall a story you’d like me to post.
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.