Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.
Newsies Sets Theatrical Release Dates
Mark your calendars, because February will be the time to seize the day in movie theaters. The filmed performance of Newsies, presented by Fathom Events, will play cinemas on February 16, 18 and 22 of next year. As previously reported, original cast members Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Ben Fankhauser and Andrew Keenan-Bolger returned to the Disney musical on September 11 when cameras captured a performance of the national tour in L.A. The world will know…in just a few months!
Kenny Leon Garners 'Mr. Abbott' Award
Tony winner and Hairspray Live! director Kenny Leon will receive the 2016-2017 “Mr. Abbott” Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation. Leon, whose Broadway credits include directing the Tony-winning revivals of A Raisin in the Sun and Fences as well as The Mountaintop, Stick Fly, Gem of the Ocean, Radio Golf and Holler if Ya Hear Me will be honored at a gala benefit on March 27, 2017 at Espace.
Go Ga Ga Over Pasek & Paul's La La Song
Dear Evan Hansen composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have gone Hollywood, penning songs for the upcoming movie musical La La Land. The trailer alone has already dazzled us, but have a listen at their song "City of Stars," performed by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The film premieres on December 9.
The Book of Mormon Is Going Vinyl
How could you say “turn it off” to this? The Book of Mormon will release its Grammy-winning cast recording on vinyl this month. The deluxe set, featuring a double LP on gold records, will be available online and at Barnes & Noble beginning November 18 for six months before a wide release.
David Tennant Gets Two New Co-Stars
U.K. stage alums Adrian Scarborough and Gawn Grainger will join the previously announced David Tennant for Don Juan in Soho in the West End. Performances will begin on March 17, 2017 at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre, where it is set to open on March 28 and run through June 10. Scarborough and Grainger will play Stan and Louis, respectively, in the Patrick Marber-helmed production.
Kenneth Lonergan Set for Manchester Talkbacks
Manchester by the Sea, starring Broadway alum and Emmy winner Kyle Chandler and recent Tony nominee Michelle Williams, opens in select movie theaters on November 18. Following the opening night screening at 7PM at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and the November 19 7PM and 8PM screenings at the Angelika Film Center in New York, Oscar-nominated screenwriter and playwright Kenneth Lonergan will participate in a Q&A with Casey Afleck and Lucas Hudges.
The Muny Announces New Season
The Muny is just shy of celebrating its 100th season in St. Louis, and the famed outdoor venue has a roster of hits lined up for its final year before the centennial celebration. The summer 2017 season will include Jesus Christ Superstar (June 12 – 18), The Little Mermaid (June 20 – 29), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (July 5 –11), All Shook Up (July 13 –19), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (July 21 –27), A Chorus Line (July 29 – August 4) and Newsies (August 7 –13). Casting will be announced at a later date.
P.S. Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris shows off his diabolical side in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Check out the trailer below. The creepy comedy series, which also features Tony nominee K. Todd Freeman, premieres on Friday the 13th (when else) of January 2017.