Sondheim Makes History, Lea Michele Does a Cannonball and the Bumpus Hounds Are Hungry Again in This Week's Datebook
Already sick of the cold weather? We've got some Broadway love to keep you warm! Soothe your mood with the documentary Six by Sondheim, groove to Lea Michele's new single and celebrate the season with Ralphie saving the day in A Christmas Story. Check out this week's list of must-see concerts, last-chance shows and lots more.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
MONDAY ON THE COUCH WITH STEPHEN
He’s here! He’s. Still. Here! HBO’s starry Stephen Sondheim documentary Six by Sondheim features re-stagings of six of the icon's most popular songs including “Something’s Coming,” “Opening Doors,” “Send in the Clowns,” “I’m Still Here,” “Being Alive” and “Sunday,” plus never before seen archival footage of the musical legend and his muses. With appearances from TV stars and Broadway vets like Jeremy Jordan, Darren Criss, America Ferrera, Jackie Hoffman, Will Swenson and Audra McDonald, this is a doc you won't want to miss.
ALSO: Murder Ballad alums Rebecca Naomi Jones, Caissie Levy & Juliana Nash reunite in concert at 54 Below; Ian McKellen chats Broadway and Hobbits on Letterman; Mike Birbiglia makes ‘em laugh on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
FUNNY GIRL GOES BOOM
She came in like a cannonball! Get ready to download, Gleeks, because Lea Michele releases the first single from her debut solo album Louder. Written by Sia and entitled “Cannonball,” the song features a promotional photo that's more Miley and less Rachel Berry, but we’re super excited Broadway vet Lea is going pop! (We just hope she keeps campaigning to play Fanny Brice.)
ALSO: Original Jersey boy Daniel Reichard opens It’s Christmas…Again at 54 Below; just in time for Saving Mr. Banks, Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Edition CD is released; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 releases a deluxe original cast recording two-disc CD; Wicked alum Donna Vivino’s debut CD is released; Billy Crystal talks 700 Sundays on Letterman.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
RALPHIE TO THE RESCUE, AGAIN
With all the holiday hubbub stressing you out, it’s the perfect time get a jolly good laugh, so head to the Theater at Madison Square Garden to see A Christmas Story. Four vets of the Tony-nominated Broadway production (Dan Lauria, John Bolton, Erin Dilly and Caroline O’Connor) reprise their roles in this tuneful hit. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like some garish dancing leg lamps!
ALSO: Tony winner Len Cariou opens a three-performance run at 54 Below, while Broadway vet Chip Zien closes his 54 Below cabaret debut.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
CHESTNUTS ROASTING IN TIMES SQUARE
James Barbour is closing out his Holiday Concert at 54 Below with a bang! For his final performance, Barbour will be joined by a special guest, two-time Tony nominee Mary Testa, currently winning laughs in off-Broadway’s Disaster! The two powerhouse vocalists will duet on a plethora of holiday favorites, so head to 54 Below ‘cause baby, it’s cold outside!
ALSLO: Tony nominee Euan Morton gets jazzy at 54 Below; Carey Mulligan talks Inside Llewyn Davis on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
WAITING FOR ROMEO
Orlando Bloom and Ian McKellen make the magical leap from Broadway to the big screen in The Hobbit: The Desolation of the Smaug. Going from a star-crossed lover (Bloom, in Romeo and Juliet) and existential thinkers (McKellen, in Waiting for Godot and No Man's Land) to an elf and a wizard, the stars reprise their portrayals of Legolas and Gandalf in this classic tale of rings. There are sure to be special effects Broadway could never afford!
ALSO: Catch a slew of Broadway alums including Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford and Kathy Baker in the Mary Poppins-inspired film Saving Mr. Banks; Lea Michele chats about her new album on Ellen.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
THE GREAT WAR TAKES FLIGHT
With The Snow Geese closing tomorrow, this is your final weekend to catch Tony winners Mary-Louise Parker and Victoria Clark and Tony nominee Danny Burstein on Broadway at MTC's Samuel Friedman Theatre. The Chekhovian story of a widow (Parker) facing financial ruin and the deployment of her sons overseas in World War I, Sharr White's family drama is packed with great performances in every role.
ALSO: The characters in Every Day a Visitor get cranky for the last time at the Clurman Theatre; one of Broadway’s most musical clans open the Graff Family Holiday Special at 54 Below.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
THE CUTE BUS IS LEAVING THE STATION
Hurry up and catch that bus! Second Stage’s Little Miss Sunshine, starring Tony nominees Will Swenson and Rory O’Malley and the wicked-ly talented Stephanie J. Block, closes today. The high-energy musical features a score by William Finn and book by James Lapine, plus nine-year-old Hannah Nordberg as little miss misfit Olive, who's too cute not to brighten up your Sunday!
ALSO: West Side Story legend Carol Lawrence opens Handle With Care at the Westside Theatre; Arthur Darvill plays his last gut-wrenching performance in Once; off-Broadway says goodbye to One Night ... and Star of David.