The King and I Photos - Off-Broadway

What did our critic think of 'THE BOYS IN THE BAND' at Palm Canyon Theatre?

Several things rush to mind in the thoughts of the prolific theatre-goer when a Neil Simon production is promised: smart & funny being chiefly amongst them.  Both are on tap at Desert Theatreworks in their current production of Simon’s “Plaza Suite”.  A collection of three vignette scenes connected only by locale, Room 719 of Manhattan’s once opulent Plaza Hotel, and the ramifications of love (gaining it, losing it and being frankly terrified by it). 

See photos of the opening of Golden Rainbow at The York Theatre!

After delivering a prophetic speech during the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. returns to his hotel, exhausted and frustrated. When Camae, a hotel maid, arrives with coffee and probing questions, she draws King into a conversation that spans time and space. With vivid theatrical imagination, Pulitzer-winning playwright Katori Hall shapes the final night of Dr. King’s life into an intimate fantasia and gives us a window into his hopes, vulnerabilities, and fears. Powerful and surprisingly funny, The Mountaintop has garnered critical and audience acclaim since its London premiere in 2009.

Garry Marshall Theatre presents the West End and Broadway play The Mountaintop by Katori Hall.  The Mountaintop is directed by Gregg T. Daniel, who recently staged A Raisin in the Sun at A Noise Within (Ovation Award nomination for Best Director) and Her Portmanteau at Boston Court.

The 3rd annual Hip Hop Film Festival was held, fittingly, at the historic National Black Theatre founded by Dr. Barbara Ann Teer who moved to Harlem in 1968 and saw that the once vibrant neighborhood was suffering from a sense of hopelessness after the losses of African American leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and desperately needed a community space and cultural arts institution that would 'be reflective of the power, grace and excellence of a people' (according to her daughter and current CEO Sade Lythcott).

How often have you wondered what it would be like to go back in time and talk to an historical icon? Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP is a gripping and often humorous re-imagining of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that won London's 2010 Olivier Award for best new play. It's one of the best ways imaginable to honor Dr. King, Black History Month and the Black Lives Matter movement by experiencing its Los Angeles premiere at the Matrix Theatre, directed by Obie Award-winner Roger Guenveur Smith and starring Larry Bates and Danielle Truitt. I cannot imagine any two actors more suited to step into the shoes of these two characters, having worked together in a previous production of the play at San Diego Rep, also directed by Smith.

Katori Hall, who wrote the award winning play THE MOUNTAINTOP, which is in production at Cleveland Play House, in her script attempts to answer such questions as: What was Martin Luther King, Jr. like as a person? With all the death threats that King received, what was his last night alive like? What did he believe was going to be his ultimate role in the Black rights movement?

DAMES AT SEA will set sail at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44 Street), beginning performances Thursday, September 24, 2015, with an opening night of Thursday, October 22, 2015. The show just loaded in at the Helen Hayes Theatre, and BroadwayWorld was on the scene to capture the process. Check out photos below!

The first Broadway production of DAMES AT SEA is hoisting its sails for its launch on the Great White Way, and BroadwayWorld has an exclusive first look at the musical's Dames -- Lesli Margherita, Eloise Kropp and Mara Davi. Scroll down for a photo of the trio in costume!

Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

Woodie King Jr's New Federal Theatre kicks off its 44th season with the first play of 'The Ed Bullins Project' - two revivals from his 'Twentieth Century Cycle of Plays' - IN THE WINE TIME, to be followed by The Fabulous Miss Marie this spring. In The Wine Time, directed by Mansoor Najee-ullah, will begin performances October 25th at Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street), continuing through November 24th. Opening Night is set for Thursday November 7th.

Everything about them was a statement. Their clothes, a rejection of materialism. Their drugs, a quest to get closer to God. Their long hair, a flag of freedom. They were hippies, the social watch dogs of the 1960s, and they played a pivotal role in American pop culture.

THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR had the visuals expected in a Cirque show. Michael Jackson's music with live musicians and backup singers was pure joy.

Today, December 21, Samuel L. Jackson and surprise guest, the Rev. Al Sharpton, celebrated his birthday onstage at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre following the matinee performance of The Mountaintop. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the surprise and brings you photo coverage below!

Continuing its tradition of celebrating the arts, Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Triangle hosted Michael Feinstein and Cheyenne Jackson who gave a musical performance and signed CDs to present their new album The Power of Two. Based on the sold-out engagement at Michael's New York nightclub, Feinstein's at Loews Regency the disc features pop songs, classic standards and numbers from Broadway shows like Kiss Me Kate, City Of Angels and The King and I. The disc, released through Harbinger Records, was made available on iTunes, Amazon.com on November 3.